This highly contagious viral infection, found worldwide, is named after the Hungarian veterinary pathologist Aladar Aujeszky, who first described the disease in 1902. It is caused by the porcine herpesvirus. Dogs and cats can contract the disease, as can cattle, sheep, and goats. Horses and humans are resistant. The disease is also known as pseudorabies and is always fatal in dogs and cats. Aujeszky’s disease is a notifiable animal disease and is controlled by the government.
The primary hosts of the pathogen are pigs and rats. Pigs infect one another through direct contact via droplet transmission. The most common sources of infection for dogs and cats are raw or undercooked pork and hunting byproducts. The virus is ingested with the infected meat, enters the digestive tract, and multiplies there. It then spreads throughout the entire body via the bloodstream. Further multiplication occurs in the brain, leading to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (see article on meningoencephalitis) with destruction of the nervous tissue.
In pigs, the disease is life-threatening only to suckling piglets. These usually die without any noticeable symptoms. Piglets older than ten weeks exhibit muscle twitching, as well as movement and behavioral disorders. Older pigs, on the other hand, are the primary virus shedders. They mainly exhibit respiratory symptoms and experience stillbirths.
In all other mammals, the disease is always fatal. Within three to four days of infection, the first symptoms already appear in affected animals. Affected animals are noticeable due to extreme vocalizations, restlessness, excessive drooling, and in some cases vomiting. As the disease progresses, muscle twitching throughout the body, extreme itching, aggression, movement disorders, and convulsions develop, which is why the disease is called pseudorabies. Death usually occurs 12 to 48 hours after the first symptoms appear.
If you notice any of the symptoms described above in your pet, please contact your veterinarian immediately, even if the animal has already died, as even a suspected case of Aujeszky’s disease must be reported to the veterinary office.
Your veterinarian will make a preliminary diagnosis based on the characteristic symptoms in conjunction with your preliminary report. If you know what your animal ate or which potential carriers it came into contact with, testing the carriers or the meat may provide evidence. Otherwise, direct detection of the virus is only possible in a dead animal. Antibodies can only be detected in the blood four to five days after infection. Since the animals usually die before then, this test is not practical.
Based on current knowledge, there is no treatment available for dogs and cats. Once the disease breaks out, it always leads to death within 12 to 48 hours. Dogs or cats presented at a veterinary clinic with clear, severe symptoms of pseudorabies should be euthanized to spare them further suffering.
Aujeszky’s disease is a notifiable animal disease that is controlled by the government in Germany and many other countries. On pig farms, regular blood tests are conducted, and quarantine measures are implemented when necessary. To prevent the spread of the disease, it may also be necessary to cull animals as a precautionary measure. This process is referred to as culling.
In heavily infected areas, vaccination is available for pigs. However, this does not protect against infection, but only against the symptoms, so that the farmer does not incur any losses. Infected pigs thus still represent a source of infection, which is why vaccination is prohibited in Aujeszky-free countries. Germany has been considered free of Aujeszky’s disease in domestic pigs since 2003. There is no vaccine for dogs and cats.
However, adhering to certain measures can reduce the risk of infection for dogs and cats. Since pigs are the primary carriers and shedders of the virus, dogs and cats should not be kept together with them. Furthermore, when feeding pork, care must be taken to ensure that it is always thoroughly cooked, as heat reliably kills the pathogen.
It is natural for your horse to occasionally shake its head to ward off insects or because it is excited or tense. However, involuntary, persistent head tossing without any apparent cause is no longer natural. It is characteristic of headshaking syndrome. Unlike cribbing or weaving, headshaking syndrome is usually not a behavioral disorder, but a neurological condition that should be investigated by a veterinarian.
Since the urethra narrows significantly towards the tip of the penis in male cats, it can very easily become blocked, a condition known as urethral obstruction. Affected animals are suddenly unable to urinate, resulting in painful and life-threatening urinary retention in the bladder. This is always a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary treatment. Indoor cats are primarily affected, while outdoor cats are much less likely to develop the condition.
It can be so much fun to spend hours grooming our horse. Cleaning the tail, oiling the hooves, and so on... Many four-legged friends also enjoy a day of beauty. Of course, there is a wide range of products you can try out on your horse. There are entire beauty ranges for animals, and you can actually spend a lot of money in equestrian shops. But there are cheaper options. The simplest items from the drugstore can be wonderfully repurposed as horse care products. The same goes for equipment for ground work, fear training, or just for playing with your horse.
The British Shorthair is one of the most popular cat breeds in Europe. With its sturdy build, thick coat, and calm nature, the British Shorthair has a special charm. It is considered well-balanced, uncomplicated, reserved, and self-confident: an ideal cat for people with a more relaxed lifestyle.
Does your cat suddenly seem unwell and lethargic? Or is it behaving differently than usual, perhaps avoiding being stroked? You should pay close attention to any unusual behavior. Keep a close eye on your cat's health and take it for regular check-ups at your veterinary practice.
Whether human or pet, preventive check-ups are important. Prevention is the best medicine, because when detected early, diseases can often be cured quickly. So be attentive, take your dog to your veterinarian for preventive check-ups, and keep a close eye on your dog's health yourself.
The first few weeks with a puppy are exciting—not just for you, but also for your young dog. Soon, the moment will come when you discover the world outside your home together for the first time. There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your first walk is a pleasant and safe experience for both of you.
Arthroscopy, also known as joint endoscopy, involves examining a joint from the inside. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment method used in orthopedics that does not require large incisions in the skin (i.e., it is minimally invasive).
Dermatophilosis, not to be confused with dermatomycosis caused by fungi, is a bacterial skin disease in horses. It occurs mainly in the wet and cold season in horses that are kept in open stables or spend a lot of time in pastures, which is why it is also colloquially referred to as rain eczema.
If your cat has a runny nose and is breathing noisily, there may be a harmless cause. However, sometimes this can also be a sign of an illness that requires urgent treatment
In animals, assisted dying, the so-called euthanasia, is permitted under certain circumstances regulated by animal welfare laws. If suffering can no longer be alleviated, painless euthanasia can be a relief for your animal. But when is the right time, and how does euthanasia work?
There are many different arguments for different types of dog food. What is best for which dog and how feeding can be integrated into the daily routine of those caring for them varies according to individual needs. Below you will find some recommendations and ideas on this topic.
