Sirvi Autor "Orro, Toomas (advisor)" järgi

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Acute phase response and milk yield in dairy cows during topical treatment of digital dermatitis
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Kössö, Laura Katariina; Orro, Toomas (advisor); Pirkkalainen, Hertta (advisor)
Digital dermatitis (DD) is a worldwide spread contagious disease of cattle causing painful lesions on the interdigital skin of the animals’ feet. Aetiology of the disease is not fully known yet, but according to current knowledge DD is a polytreponemal disease. DD is treated with topical antibiotic or non-antibiotic substances. Decreased milk yield has been observed together with DD. Lameness related to DD is considered to be one factor resulting in the loss of production and impaired welfare. Acute phase response (APR) is organisms’ way to fight against trauma or pathogens via acute phase proteins (APPs). APPs are activated by cytokines, the protein hormones that have multiple crucial roles in maintaining homeostasis. There has been some evidence of systemic APR in relation with DD. The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the effects of topical DD treatment to the APR during a two-week study period. Also, the effect of DD to milk yield was evaluated. During the study period, fibrinogen was significantly elevated in cows with DD in comparison to the healthy control group. Haptoglobin and serum amyloid-A were not significantly elevated. Milk yield was observed for a 28-day period, but there wasn’t a significant difference between study and control groups. These results indicate that topical DD treatment causes local inflammation which activates APR via fibrinogen.
Assessment of chronic pain in Scottish fold cats: a case series study
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Knuth, Erja; Orro, Toomas (advisor); Tienhaara, Mari (advisor)
As the level of quality in veterinary healthcare is improving, the life expectancy of domestic animals is extending. This has led to a higher incidence of chronic conditions, many of them associated with pain and ultimately affecting the overall quality of life and welfare. Cats are known to hide their pain very efficiently and comprehending their subtle body language can be challenging and chronic pain can go unnoticed by the owners as well as veterinarians. Various tools for pain assessment have been developed for veterinary use. To be able to use these tools, veterinarians should understand the importance of the owner's input when assessing chronic pain in cats. This retrospective case series study illustrates the most prevalent sources of chronic pain, including degenerative joint disease, cancer-related pain, oral pain, and neuropathic pain. The study describes how to approach chronic pain assessment and management. Scottish folds are one breed, where chronic pain can be seen at a very young age. Medical records of Scottish fold cats between September 2022 and March 2024 were reviewed. This study presents six cases of Scottish fold cats diagnosed with Scottish fold osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD), describing the most prevalent clinical signs, age of onset, veterinarians’ approach to treatment, and possibilities of using the feline quality of life questionnaire (FQoL) in these patients. Chronic pain assessment should be implemented in the clinical examination on each visit, even at a very young age. The youngest cats with signs of chronic pain were four months old. Owners' input in chronic pain assessment is critical and questionnaires, such as FQoL can be beneficial in pain assessment.
Associations of acute phase proteins with bovine respiratory disease in calves
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Askola, Johanna; Orro, Toomas (advisor)
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a global problem with long-lasting morbidity and increased mortality. It causes economic losses and compromises animal welfare throughout production chain. Clinical and subclinical BRD complicates growth and fertility, lowers productivity and overall quality of animals. BRD weakens immunity making bovine susceptible to infections. BRD is difficult to prevent, treat and diagnose as it is a combination of multiple challenges such as poor calf management and high pathogen load at farm. In BRD pathogens and tissue trauma provoke local cells to produce proinflammatory cytokines that promote systemic inflammatory response called acute phase response (APR) to stimulate hepatic production of acute phase proteins (APPs) such as fibrinogen (Fb), haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Fb, Hp and SAA concentrations increase in inflammatory and infectious conditions making them promising biomarkers to use in detection of calves with clinical or subclinical BRD. 150 calves aged 2-86 days, from 15 Estonian dairy farms were selected for the study concerning possible associations of Fb, Hp and SAA concentrations in calves with respiratory symptoms. APPs were used as markers for APR. Blood samples were collected from ten calves on each farm, five calves suspected to have APR (APR+) and five calves non-suspected to have APR (APR-). APP concentrations were examined, and multivariable linear mixed-effects regression models were used to analyse the associations. Increased Fb concentrations were associated with rectal temperature >39.5°C, increased respiratory rate >50 breaths/min and coughing. Increased Hp concentrations were in calves with rectal temperature of 39°C and above. Increased SAA concentrations were associated with rectal temperature >39.5°C and respiratory rate of 40-50 breaths/min. Thus, clinical respiratory symptoms promoted APR. Together with clinical examination of calves APPs could be used to detect calves with underlying APR and identify those in need of medical treatment.
Barefoot harness racing in Finnish trotters – a preliminary study of macroscopic findings and overall statistics from 2023
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Hytönen, Petra Pauliina; Orro, Toomas (advisor); Mäki, Susanna (advisor)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the macroscopic hoof health of racing trotters in Finland. The hooves of partially or completely barefoot racing horses were tested with hoof testers after races for a positive reaction to pressure. Some of the horses were also tested before the race. Data was acquired from the online racing database (Heppa-järjestelmä) of the Central Organization for Trotting and Horse Breeding in Finland (Suomen Hippos ry) about the total numbers of horses racing annually without shoes and the results of routine visual hoof inspections performed after the races in 2023. Trainers and drivers were able to provide feedback on track surface conditions in the online racing database after races. The feedback obtained was analyzed for associations with positive reactions to hoof testers. The chief trackmaster in Finland was interviewed about the principles, as well as challenges, of track maintenance in the Nordic conditions. The prevalence of positive horses was higher at the beginning of summer season (June to mid-July, n = 105) than at the end of summer season (mid-July to September, n = 63). Horses that had performed 11 to 20 races during the previous year were less likely to react positively to hoof testers the next year (OR 0.19, 95% CI of OR 0.04; 0.96, p = 0.044). Positive horses were more likely to be disqualified in their following races after the examination day until the end of 2023 (OR 4.4, 95% CI of OR 0.98; 1.24, p = 0.035). Based on the results, horse trainers should be encouraged to monitor the sensitivity of their horses’ hooves regularly with hoof testers. This is an easy and cost-effective examination that can be performed by the trainers themselves. An educated decision to race the horse barefoot should be based on a comprehensive understanding of all possible risk factors, as well as benefits, of barefoot racing.
Comparison of muscle enzyme values of Icelandic horses with other breeds
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Kaipainen, Jenni; Leisson, Kätlin (advisor); Orro, Toomas (advisor)
Icelandic horses have been bred in isolation for over a millennium. Because of the isolation and the small genetic pool, there are some breed specific peculiarities, and some studies have shown that there are differences in the blood serum variables of Icelandic horses compared to other breeds. The aim of this study was to find out, if the muscle enzymes, creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) has different activity compared to those of ponies, Finnish horses, and other horse breeds. The study was made retrospectively, and muscle enzyme activity of 50 Icelandic horse was compared to those of 75 horses and ponies of different breeds. Horses with any clinical acute condition that is known to affect these values (such as colic or acute lameness), and horses under 1 year old were left out of this study. The results showed, that sex and age did not have effect on the muscle enzyme activity (p-values > 0.502). There was no statistically significant difference in CK and AST activity between Icelandic horses, ponies, Finnish horses, and other horse breeds (p-values 0.460 and 0.171).
Factors that mare owners use to select the stallion for their mare
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Hämäläinen, Jenni; Kask, Kalle (advisor); Orro, Toomas (advisor)
Horses have been selectively bred over the centuries for different purposes which has caused changes in the morphology, physiology, behaviour and performance of many breeds. The breeding of work horses for agricultural and forestry purposes has decreased and breeding is more focused on producing horses for different sporting activities and hobbies. Selection of horses for breeding has been mainly made based on the pedigree, performance results and temperament of the horse. Although, depending on the use, different breeds have been bred forward looking out for specific traits like speed, size or colour. This has entailed the decreasing of genetic variation and increasing of genetic mutations. Breeders' choices have been modified by the breeds and have had far reaching consequences. In the case of the sport horse breeding money – driven business will guide the breeding choices, whereas small scale breeder could have more options to choose a stallion that respond to his/her personal preferences. In Finland, the horse breeding tradition is quite young, but in recent years breeding has been focused on a wider area, different disciplines and more specific targets. Besides the professional breeders usually focused on sport horses, in Finland there are many smaller breeders who do not have such a clear breeding plan, or they are making the foals for their own purposes only. The online questionnaire made for Finnish mare owners examined the most important factors they use in stallion selection but also the planned breeding site, technique and possible breeding applications they use in the decision making. All the breeding orientations valued the conformation and size, pedigree and the temper of the stallion to be the most important traits. Competition results, studbook scores and progeny also play an important role whereas genetic diversity and inbreeding had quite a small effect on breeding choices. Insemination on the stud farm with chilled semen was found to be the most popular option. In breeding decision making breeders used the information found in databases of the breeding associations and studbooks.
Food allergens in horses diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Koponen, Veera Emilia; Orro, Toomas (advisor)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in horses is a complex gastrointestinal disease with an unknown pathogenesis, presenting with various non-specific clinical signs such as lethargy, poor performance and weight loss. The aim of the present study was to describe the demographic characteristics of horses diagnosed with IBD, most common food allergens and associated factors, as well as the most commonly utilized information sources when seeking information about food allergies in horses. The study was a descriptive study performed by analyzing data from an online questionnaire published in several social media groups, targeting equestrians interested in the equine gastrointestinal system, gathered over a four week period between February and March 2024. 131 responses were analyzed in the results. The results reveal the study population to consist of more geldings than mares or stallions. Most were diagnosed with IBD between the age of six to ten years. The main food allergens were lucern, oat, barley, wheat and soy. Majority had noticed a significant or moderate improvement in the clinical signs of IBD after diet modification. Veterinarian, support groups and social media are the most often utilized sources of information when seeking information regarding food allergies in horses. In conclusion, the study highlights the possible pathogenesis between dietary allergens and IBD, although further research is needed.
Neonatal effects on health and performance of dairy cows
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2024) Loch, Marina; Orro, Toomas (advisor); Niine, Tarmo (advisor); Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences; Trevisi, Erminio (opponent)
ABSTRACT. During the neonatal period, in other words, during the first three weeks of life, mammals have to adapt to their new surroundings where they encounter for example microorganisms. Ruminants rely on colostrum, the antibody-rich first milk of their mothers, to acquire passive immunity. Colostrum also contains other immunologically active components, which can influence the immune system of the neonates, including proteins (so called acute phase proteins) that act as very first responders to a threat, which is shown in this thesis. As the immune system matures and the intestinal microbiota colonises the host, interactions between the two can affect the future success of the animal. The concentrations of acute phase proteins, which are produced in the liver during the inflammatory response, can be measured and used to monitor inflammation. Their concentrations during the first month of life are associated with future weight gain of ruminants. In this thesis, associations of the protein concentrations during the first three weeks of life were furthermore found with fertility measures and health of dairy cows in their first lactation. They were then used as research tools to uncover relationships between faecal microbiota composition and future performance. Certain bacterial genera, such as Peptostreptococcus, were found to increase inflammatory response and have negative effects on future performance. Others, for example Collinsella, are associated with a lower inflammatory response and better performance in the future. These results show that acute phase proteins can be used to decipher the relationship between microbiota and host, and that the composition of the intestinal microbiota in the neonatal period has long-lasting effects on dairy heifers. This knowledge can be used to influence dairy cow performance by improving their microbiota.
Sand in the gastrointestinal tract of horses in Finland and Sweden related to environmental, physical, and clinical findings
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Haikkola, Linda; Orro, Toomas (advisor)
Sand in the horse's intestines can cause intestinal irritation and result in diarrhea, weight loss, recurrent colic symptoms, impaired performance or other nonspecific symptoms. In the worst case, sand can lead to partial bowel obstruction or complete obstruction and repositioning due to the mass or distension of the bowel caused by the obstruction. Sand colic can be due to a certain type of soil, so-called sandy soils and those soils that are located in the poor pastures. Also, feeding horses directly off the ground can increase the passage of sand into the intestines. However, not all horses living in the same conditions get sand colic. There is no precise research results about the amount of sand that causes symptoms for horses. This study examined the general literature about sand enteropathy in horses to describe the various hypothetical predisposed factors such as environmental, physical, and clinical findings, and compare it to owners- reported experience with sand accumulation. Therefore, an online survey was presented and directed to horse owners in Sweden and Finland, that have experienced this problem. This study encompassed a wide-ranging equine population in terms of age, sex, and breed, drawing data from 535 horses, representing 97% of the completed survey responses. The results were compared with similar studies in literature. The study did not yield any notable findings that could lead to definitive conclusions. Aim of the thesis was to study the environmental, physical and clinical findings related to horses living conditions and the individual horse that had soil present in the GI tract.
Side effects of omeprazole in dogs – data analysis and case reports
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Heikkinen, Maisa Kirsikka; Rinkinen, Minna (advisor); Orro, Toomas (advisor)
In the field of veterinary medicine, there's a prevalent tendency to excessively prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), often straying from established guidelines. Dogs experiencing vomiting, suspected gastritis, or as a preventive measure for various diseases frequently receive these medications, despite limited evidence supporting their efficacy. Two case reports serve as illustrations, detailing the nature and repercussions of adverse effects (AE) resulting from omeprazole. Furthermore, a concise analysis of data from the patient information system of a Finnish small animal clinic chain sheds light on commonly observed AE associated with omeprazole treatment. According to the analysis vomiting was the primary side effect noted with omeprazole administration. Additionally, other adverse reactions observed encompassed diarrhea, hyporexia or anorexia, lethargy, abdominal pain, restlessness, and increased defecation. Throughout the course of PPI therapy, the increased intragastric pH has the potential to induce hypergastrinemia, which in turn can lead to hyperplasia of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells and contribute to increased secretory capacity in parietal cells. Additionally, omeprazole may induce qualitative, quantitative, or both alterations in the small intestinal microbiota, promoting the colonization of nitrite-reducing bacteria in the stomach. This colonization is thought to escalate the production of potentially carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. Upon discontinuation of omeprazole therapy, hypertrophic ECL cells can further stimulate gastric acid secretion, resulting in rebound acid hypersecretion (RAHS). This phenomenon may present with various acid-related symptoms such as heartburn, acid regurgitation, or dyspepsia, potentially prompting a reassessment of therapy. To mitigate the numerous potential AE associated with omeprazole, its use should consistently align with clear evidence supporting its specific indication. This approach is essential to prevent unnecessary administration of the medication and the potential harm it may cause to animals. Additionally, clinicians should recognize potential AE associated with administering omeprazole to dogs, enabling them to modify therapy as necessary.
Snake bite in dogs: retrospective case series study of Vipera berus envenomation in Estonia
(2024) Ripatti, Julia Kristiina; Orro, Toomas (advisor)
The venomous snake species Vipera berus, also known as The Common European adder, is the only venomous snake living in Estonia. Snake bite incidents in dogs are reported annually from April to September. Dogs are commonly bitten as a consequence of their curious nature and inability to detect potential danger. The clinical presentation of a venomous snake bite includes local and systemic changes. The prognosis of snake bites can be influenced by various factors, including variations in venom composition, the quantity of venom injected and the health status of the patient. The aim of this thesis was to explore the circumstances of the viper bite and compare the clinical data obtained from the cases with existing literature. This thesis complies information from 17 cases of dogs bitten by V. berus in Estonia retrospectively collected from the years 2020 to 2023. Dogs selected in this thesis met the criteria of a strong suspicion of an adder bite and clinical signs commonly seen in envenomation. Each dog was submitted to the Small Animal Clinic of Estonian University of Life Science. Furthermore, all the snake bites reported happened between the months of April and October. Each dog was presented with local swelling and pain in the region of the bite. Additionally, ten dogs (59%) exhibited changed mental status. Other clinical signs reported included vomiting, bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia and bruising. The common laboratory findings included leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and changes in liver parameters. All dogs presented with the snake bite survived and were discharged after 9 to 43 hours. There were no severe complications or systemic signs reported. The observed clinical signs and recovery progress were similar to the previous studies about adder bites in dogs. Based on these findings the clinical prognosis of the V. berus bite appears promising.
Survey of ear problems in Lagotto Romagnolos in Finland
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Herrala, Heta Hippu Ilona; Orro, Toomas (advisor)
This thesis provides a comprehensive overview of ear problems and Canine Otitis Externa (OE) disease within the Finnish Lagotto Romagnolo population. OE, characterized by inflammation of the external ear canal in dogs, is a prevalent condition affecting dogs of various ages, genders, sizes, and breeds. A notable breed predisposition is apparent in many dog breeds. This thesis aims to extensively examine OE, explicitly focusing on ear issues in Lagotto Romagnolos. A survey designed to identify predispositions in Lagotto Romagnolos was distributed to members of the Finnish Lagotto Romagnolo owner's Facebook group, "Lagottofoorumi." The collected data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. In total, 119 Lagotto Romagnolo owners answered the survey. Eighty-one dogs had a history of ear problems. The most common signs owners noticed were itchiness, head shaking and bad smell. Only a minority of the owners recognised pain in their dogs. The most common micro-organisms found in the ear cytology were yeast. Many owners experience excessive hairs in their dog's ear canals, which they think provoke ear problems. Survey results indicated a possible breed predisposition to ear infections.
Theobromine toxicosis in dogs: case series study
(Eesti Maaülikool, 2024) Hällfors, Sanni Wilhelmiina; Peetsalu, Kristel (advisor); Orro, Toomas (advisor)
Theobromine toxicosis due to chocolate ingestion is common in dogs. Many factors affect the outcome of such exposure, leading to difficulty in assessing and treating each individual patient efficiently. For example, the amount of theobromine ingested greatly depends upon the type of chocolate ingested, in addition to the total amount. Despite its prevalence, the treatment of theobromine toxicosis is not completely settled. More research is needed to better understand chocolate toxicosis and its treatment. The aim of this study was to describe fifteen clinical cases as precisely as possible, to gain such understanding. This is a case study utilizing a database of an animal hospital in Finland. Fifteen cases were randomly selected from the database, and relevant available data from the initial assessment and control visit was gathered and analyzed. In addition, treatment protocol of the patients was evaluated and compared to literature. The study found the treatment protocols to mostly match that described in the literature. The main difference between literature and the study was the significant variety of recommended time between initial and control visit and the onset of clinical signs reported by the owners. Overall, the study showed that the signs and symptoms of chocolate toxicosis indeed seemed to vary greatly, and that despite adherence to treatment protocols, some variation remains concerning recommended treatment, control visits and owner guidance. More research on this topic is therefore warranted.

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