Phaidra - University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
Not a member yet
3528 research outputs found
Sort by
Beyond criterion: cognitive flexibility in wild striated caracaras
No full textCognitive flexibility, the capacity to adapt to changing conditions, is often assessed with reversal learning, in which a learned association must be updated after reward contingencies change. Trials-to-criterion (TTC) is a widely applied learning threshold, but it can misrepresent performance; some individuals improve steadily but fail to reach the criterion due to variability (false negatives), while others meet it through a spike without sustained learning (false positives). We evaluate TTC limitations and demonstrate learning curve analysis as a more nuanced approach to investigate learning dynamics. We tested wild striated caracaras (Phalcoboenus australis) using a two-choice discrimination task followed by a reversal task and compared TTC with trial-level modelling. Although the group showed overall improvement, individual trajectories varied widely. TTC both over- and underestimated learning, misclassifying inconsistent performers and overlooking gradual improvers. In contrast, learning curves captured trajectory, stability and consistency of change. We argue that continued reliance on binary thresholds obscures the dynamics of learning, and that slope- and trajectory-informed analyses provide a more accurate and ecologically valid framework for assessing learning in the wild
Vergleich der Hilfs- und Zusatzuntersuchungen im Rahmen der Fleischuntersuchung im Zeitraum 1890-1930 mit den heute anzuwendenden Untersuchungen
No full textDiplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2025In Österreich wurden die Modalitäten der Schlachttier- und Fleischuntersuchung erst in der Verordnung BGBl. Nr. 342/1924 festgelegt. Es wurden auch Zusatzuntersuchungen normiert, so Koch- und Bratproben, mikroskopische Untersuchungen, chemische Untersuchungen, unter Berücksichtigung der im (österr.) Lebensmittelbuch genannten Verfahren, bakteriologische Untersuchungen sowie die bedarfsweise Untersuchung der geschlachteten Schweine auf Trichinellen. Letztere Methode (Trichinelloskopie) ist in einem Anhang detailliert beschrieben. Andere Methoden konnten auf dem Erlassweg spezifiziert werden. In der Fleischbeschau-Übergangsverordnung (BGBl. Nr. 331/1971) wird betreff der Methodik der Trichinenuntersuchung auf den Stand der Wissenschaft verwiesen; Methoden werden auf dem Erlassweg kundgemacht. Diese Vorgangsweise wird im Prinzip bis 2006 beibehalten. Danach ist hinsichtlich der Trichinenuntersuchung EU-Verordnungsrecht anzuwenden, während die Prüfung auf Wässrigkeit, auf Fremdgerüche sowie die Bestimmung der Temperatur und des pH Wertes über eine nationale Durchführungsverordnung normiert sind. Beim Vergleich der VO BGBl. Nr. 342/1924 mit den aktuellen Rechtstexten ergeben sich sowohl Unterschiede bei den Untersuchungsparametern als auch bei den Methoden.Diploma thesis - University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna - 2025Comparison of additional tests in the course of meat inspection in the period 1890–1930 with current practices. In Austria, uniform practical arrangements for the performance of official ante- and post-mortem controls were first defined in Ordinance No. 342/1924. Additional tests were defined: heating meat samples to detect olfactory abnormities, microscopy, chemical analyses with reference to the methods of the (Austrian) Food Codex, bacteriological texts, and the testing of pork for Trichinella larvae, if deemed necessary. The latter method (trichinoscopy) was described in more detail. Other methods could be defined in decrees. Ordinance No. 331/1971 defined that state of the art methods were to be used for Trichinella testing. Again, details were specified in decrees. This scheme remained valid until 2006. Then, the method for Trichinella testing was laid down in EEG/EU regulations, whereas other tests (water-holding-capacity, abnormal odour, temperature and pH) were defined in national legislation. In sum, Ordinance No. 342/1924 and current legislation differ both in the array of parameters as well as in their methods.Diplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2025In Österreich wurden die Modalitäten der Schlachttier- und Fleischuntersuchung erst in der Verordnung BGBl. Nr. 342/1924 festgelegt. Es wurden auch Zusatzuntersuchungen normiert, so Koch- und Bratproben, mikroskopische Untersuchungen, chemische Untersuchungen, unter Berücksichtigung der im (österr.) Lebensmittelbuch genannten Verfahren, bakteriologische Untersuchungen sowie die bedarfsweise Untersuchung der geschlachteten Schweine auf Trichinellen. Letztere Methode (Trichinelloskopie) ist in einem Anhang detailliert beschrieben. Andere Methoden konnten auf dem Erlassweg spezifiziert werden. In der Fleischbeschau-Übergangsverordnung (BGBl. Nr. 331/1971) wird betreff der Methodik der Trichinenuntersuchung auf den Stand der Wissenschaft verwiesen; Methoden werden auf dem Erlassweg kundgemacht. Diese Vorgangsweise wird im Prinzip bis 2006 beibehalten. Danach ist hinsichtlich der Trichinenuntersuchung EU-Verordnungsrecht anzuwenden, während die Prüfung auf Wässrigkeit, auf Fremdgerüche sowie die Bestimmung der Temperatur und des pH Wertes über eine nationale Durchführungsverordnung normiert sind. Beim Vergleich der VO BGBl. Nr. 342/1924 mit den aktuellen Rechtstexten ergeben sich sowohl Unterschiede bei den Untersuchungsparametern als auch bei den Methoden
Do dogs form reputations of humans? No effect of age after indirect and direct experience in a food-giving situation
No full textAnimals can form reputations of individuals through direct interactions or by observing interactions with a third party, known as eavesdropping. Given their cooperative relationship with humans, considerable interest has focused on whether dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) can socially evaluate humans, though findings remain mixed. To assess whether this ability develops during ontogeny, we investigated whether dogs of different ages (young, adult, and senior) can form reputations of humans after observing them interact with a conspecific or through direct interactions in a food-giving situation. Forty pet dogs participated in the experiment. In the eavesdropping condition, dogs observed two humans interact with a dog demonstrator—one was generous and fed the dog, while the other was selfish and withheld food. In the direct experience condition, dogs interacted with the two partners directly. We analysed dogs’ first choice and time spent exhibiting affiliative behaviours towards each partner. Results showed that dogs across all age groups did not significantly prefer the generous partner compared to the selfish partner, nor did their behaviour exceed chance levels following indirect or direct experience. These findings do not provide support for dogs showing reputation formation and highlight the methodological complexities of studying this phenomenon
Distinctive seizure signature in the first video case-control study of a naturally-occurring feline autoimmune encephalitis model
No full textBackground and objective
Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a form of brain inflammation where pathogenic autoantibodies bind surface proteins. In humans, AE is at least as common as infective encephalitis, and seizures are a prominent manifestation. The most common adult human AE is associated with antibodies to leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1-Ab-E). AE in non-human mammals is also recognised, notably the polar bear ‘Knut’, diagnosed with N-methyl D-aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis. LGI1-Ab-E is an emerging cause of spontaneously-arising AE in domestic cats. Our objective was to phenotype the seizure profile of feline LGI1-Ab-E and probe parallels to its human counterpart.
Methods
We characterised seizures in naturally-occurring feline LGI1-Ab-E. Three veterinary and two human neurologists independently blind-rated 35 LGI1-antibody positive and negative feline seizure videos from 24 cats (16 LGI1-Ab-E positive, 8 negative). Data analysed included seizure frequency, semiologies and their co-occurrence, localisation, inter-rater agreement, and predictive factors.
Results
The mean number of daily seizures at peak was significantly higher in LGI1-antibody positive compared to LGI1-antibody-negative cats (12.6 vs. 1.9/day, pcorr = 0.011). Semiologies statistically significantly enriched in LGI1-Ab-E observations included orofacial automatisms (88/120, 73 % vs. 26/55, 47 %, pcorr = 0.024), salivation (87/120, 73 % vs. 23/55, 42 %, pcorr = 0.004); and mydriasis (79/120, 66 % vs 19/55, 35 %, pcorr = 0.004), and almost exclusively seen in LGI1-Ab-E were circling (39/120, 33 % vs. 1/55, 2 %, pcorr=<0.001) and aggression (14/120, 12 % vs. 0/55, 0 %, non significant after correction). A temporal lobe onset was proposed in 67 % (80/120) of seropositive ratings, compared to 28 % (15/55) LGI1-Ab-E negative (p < 0.0001). Network analysis depicted complex and overlapping relationships between features, akin to the frequent and multifaceted seizures of human LGI1-Ab-E. Orofacial automatisms, mydriasis and temporal lobe localisation were predictive semiological features of feline LGI1-Ab-E.
Significance
Feline LGI1-Ab-E represents a clinically distinctive seizure disorder. Our findings highlight the value of studying naturally-occurring, biologically representative animal models which closely mimic human diseases. This bidirectional translational approach confers benefits across species and unites human and veterinary neurology
Computed tomographic signs of hyoid apparatus disease in 165 horses
No full textIntroduction: Horses with hyoid bone disease may present with clinical symptoms such as exercise intolerance, resistance to ridden work, anorexia, or headshaking. This study aims to describe the computed tomographic (CT) signs and prevalence of hyoid disease and to evaluate their association with other CT changes of the head.
Methods: In this study, four investigators conducted a retrospective analysis of their findings after reviewing the medical records of 200 horses that had undergone CT scans between 2009 and 2019. A total of 32 parameters were analyzed, and associations were evaluated between those parameters and the effects of age, weight, and use on the development of hyoid bone disease.
Results: The temporohyoid joint (THJ) exhibited the most common CT signs, with 52% of cases showing marginal exostosis of the temporal bone, 44.4% displaying osteophytes of the proximal stylohyoid, and 40.2% demonstrating reduced tympanohyoid on the examined sides. The most frequently observed CT signs at the styloceratohyoid/epiceratohyoid joint were marginal exostosis of the distal stylohyoid, identified in 29.0% of the examined sides, and osteoproliferative changes of the proximal ceratohyoid, present in 16.5% of the examined sides. CT signs of disease were rarely found at the ceratobasihyoid joint. Pathological CT signs of the ceratobasihyoid joint were associated with those of the styloceratohyoid/epiceratohyoid joint, and disease in this joint was associated with those of the THJ. The findings of the present study revealed an age-related effect on the occurrence of marginal exostosis and osseous cyst-like lesions (OCLLs) of the temporal bone, as well as on OCLLs and osteophytes of the proximal stylohyoid, and on the thickening of the THJ, and a reduction in the tympanohyoid. Age was also found to influence the incidence of the two styloceratohyoid/epiceratohyoid joint CT signs: marginal exostosis of the distal stylohyoid and osteoproliferative changes at the proximal ceratohyoid. The weight and use of the horses did not affect the occurrence of the evaluated changes.
Conclusion: CT signs of disease of the hyoid apparatus are common and should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when examining a horse with poor performance, riding complaints, or headshaking
CIMUVET-survey: Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) use in veterinary practice in Austria and CIM education at universities in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
No full textIntroduction Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) are an important component of healthcare worldwide according to the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy. The Licensing Regulation for Physicians in Germany and the Medical Professions Act in Switzerland stipulate that CIM must be taught as an integral part of the human (DE, CH) or veterinary (CH) degree programme. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of CIM in veterinary practice in Austria in context with an overview on practice, research and teaching at the universities of human and veterinary medicine in German speaking countries.Materials and methods Using a cross-sectional study design, an anonymous questionnaire on the use of CIM in veterinary practice was sent out via the Austrian Veterinary Chamber. Chairs, professorships and institutes, and courses on CIM at universities of human and veterinary medicine were researched online.Results Of the 246 voluntary participants, 58.9% reported a positive, 22.4% a negative and 15.4% a neutral attitude towards CIM. Of the livestock veterinarians, 68.9% were familiar with the requirement of the EU Organic Regulation, as were 54.1% of all veterinarians. The integration of CIM into the Vetmeduni Vienna curriculum was rated as very important by 35.8% of participants with at least partial approval by 68.7%. The demand for CIM by patient owners amounted to 83.7% and the use of CIM in animals to 65.9%. At Austrian, German, and Swiss universities, 39 professorships of CIM in human medicine (AT: 2; DE: 32; CH: 5) were identified while in veterinary medicine, seven professorships for animal nutrition and dietetics (AT: 2; DE: 5) were identified.Conclusion Based on the results of the CIMUVET study, integrating CIM as in university curricula and hospitals in Switzerland and Germany is a promising future development for Austria. These approaches should follow the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034
Canopy cover and forest management shape vertebrate scavenger assembly but not carrion removal rates
No full textCarrion decomposition is a key process in nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning, driven by microorganisms, necrophagous insects, and vertebrate scavengers. The rate of decomposition is influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions, carcass characteristics, and scavenger assembly. In forests, canopy cover and structure shape microclimatic conditions and habitat features, yet little is known about how these characteristics affect carrion decomposition by vertebrate scavengers. As forest disturbances increasingly open up canopies, understanding the impact of canopy cover on carrion decomposition becomes essential. We investigated removal rates of small carrion at paired gap and closed-forest plots along a gradient of forest-management intensity in three regions in Germany, using camera traps to monitor vertebrate scavengers. Of 89 rat carcasses, 67 were removed by vertebrates. Initial removal rates were higher in gaps than in closed forests and at plots with higher forest-management intensity. However, over the full exposure time, removal rates were similar across all treatments. Differences in temporal patterns of carrion removal were linked to shifts in scavenger dominance, with red kite (Milvus milvus) prevalent in gaps and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in closed forest. Our findings indicate that forest management and changes in canopy cover, such as those caused by disturbances, have little impact on carrion removal rates. Vertebrate scavenger assembly however differed between open and closed forests, which suggests functional redundancy among scavengers but that it is important that carrion resources are available for scavengers both in gaps and closed forests to promote overall biodiversity and maintain their ecosystem functions
Addictive-like behavioural traits in pet dogs with extreme motivation for toy play
No full textBehavioural addictions, characterised by compulsive engagement in rewarding activities despite adverse consequences in the long term, are more heterogeneous and less well-understood than substance addictions, and there is a relative lack of translational research. This study investigates "excessive toy motivation" in domestic dogs as a potential parallel to behavioural addictions in humans. Employing a combination of a behavioural test and an owner questionnaire, we examined whether a subset of highly play-motived dogs meet key behavioural addiction criteria, including craving, salience, lack of self-control, and mood modification. Data from 105 highly play-motivated dogs revealed that 33 subjects exhibited behaviours consistent with addictive-like tendencies, including an excessive fixation on toys, reduced responsiveness to alternative stimuli, and persistent efforts to access toys. Owner-reported behaviours not only corroborated these findings but also demonstrated significant associations with behavioural test scores. Our results highlight parallels between excessive toy motivation in dogs and human behavioural addictions, with dogs as the only non-human species so far that appears to develop addictive-like behaviours spontaneously without artificial induction. This exploratory study provides foundational insights and proposes future research directions that have the potential to significantly deepen our understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying behavioural addictions across species
Association Between Escherichia coli Mastitis and Acute Laminitis in Dairy Cows
No full textThe objective of this retrospective case-control study was to examine the relationship between E. coli-induced mastitis and acute laminitis in dairy cows. Correspondingly, the medical records of 93 cows diagnosed with E. coli mastitis between 2012 and 2023 were analysed. The cows were categorised into three groups: (1) cows with mastitis scores of 1 or 2 without signs of acute laminitis; (2) cows with a mastitis score of 3 without signs of acute laminitis; (3) cows with a mastitis score of 3 and exhibiting symptoms of acute laminitis. Out of the 93 cows with E. coli mastitis, 19 were assigned to group 1 (20.4%), 46 to group 2 (49.5%), and 28 to group 3 (30.1%). A total of 74 cows (79.6%) scored 3 for mastitis, but 28 cows (37.8%) were also diagnosed with acute laminitis. A higher mastitis score was significantly associated with a higher incidence of acute laminitis (p = 0.0004). E. coli mastitis showed a higher incidence in parity ≥ 3 (73.3% to 78.6%) and occurred in cows of all three groups mainly during the first third of lactation (53.6% to 75.6%). Cows in group 1 had a median survival time of 512 days, while for cows in groups 2 and 3, these values were 93 and 178 days, respectively. Regarding survival times, only a trend but no statistically significant difference (p = 0.221) was found among the cows in the three groups. This could possibly be explained by the fact that additional comorbidities were diagnosed in 53.6% to 65.2% of the cows from all three groups. It is concluded that cows with severe coliform mastitis have a higher risk of developing acute laminitis, and that a thorough clinical examination of the claws should always be performed to avoid overlooking acute laminitis, which accompanied the E. coli mastitis in approximately 38% of cases
A novel extraction method of prymnesins from Prymnesium parvum whole culture samples and re-evaluation of existing protocols
No full textHarmful algal blooms caused by Prymnesium parvum can result in massive fish kills. The ichthyotoxins suspected to be responsible, known as prymnesins (PRMs), produced by P. parvum are classified into A-, B-, and C-types. In 2022, a severe HAB event within the Odra/Oder River impacted the environment via these toxins. The detection of PRMs is still a challenge due to a lack of analytical standards and stability issues along with losses during conventional extraction methods. In this study, PRM recovery was assessed for the three most common extraction methods for microalgae, solid-phase extraction (SPE), solid-liquid extraction (SLE), and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Furthermore, the impacts from sonication, freezing, and different solvents upon PRM stability were evaluated. Within methanol (MeOH), PRMs remained stable but within aqueous solvents, PRMs degraded rapidly. A novel 50 % MeOH SPE approach was developed, which outperformed LLE and SLE. This method offers advantages for salty whole culture samples through desalination and reduces PRM losses by the omission of reconstitution and evaporation steps. Ethanol as greener alternative to MeOH resulted in lower PRM yields compared to MeOH but showed similar recovery to LLE and still had advantages, besides the ecological ones, like faster and easier handling. The method\u27s robustness was confirmed across all algal growth stages and for all PRM classes, including 6, 4 and 3 analogs for A-, B-, and C-types, respectively. The optimized SPE approach provides a faster, cleaner and more reliable extraction method for PRMs and improves analytical workflows for both natural and laboratory samples