Dietary influences on periodontal health in dogs and cats.

A pet cannot be healthy without oral health. Periodontal is a significant disease that has local and systemic ramifications. It has been stated earlier that effective plaque control prevents gingivitis. In human beings, 90% of periodontitis occurs as the result of progression gingivitis, and this type of periodontitis can be completely prevented by plaque control. It is reasonable that dogs and cats react similarly and that effective plaque control could prevent a large percentage of periodontitis cases. Proper nutrition and effective oral hygiene are necessary components of oral health and should be jointly promoted in the management of oral disease in dogs and cats.     

Cystoscopic examination of male and female dogs

The use of cystoscopy is advocated as an aid to the early differential diagnosis of disease of the canine bladder. Techniques are described for carrying out urethroscopy and cystoscopy in both male and female dogs using modern medical diagnostic instruments. Males were examined with flexible paediatric bronchofibrescopes, which permitted urethroscopy and cystoscopy, but to obtain extensive biopsies or undertake cauterisation of the bladder surface with rigid endoscopes, a simple perineal urethrostomy was necessary. The bladder of females, on the other hand, was examined by cystoscopy and biopsied using standard rigid cystoscopes and resectoscopes.     

Diagnostic investigations in 101 dogs with pyrexia of unknown origin

Records from 101 dogs presented for investigation of unexplained pyrexia were reviewed. The most common diagnosis was immune-mediated disease (22 per cent of cases), with immune-mediated polyarthritis accounting for 20 per cent of all diagnoses. The frequency of positive results obtained in investigative tests was also assessed. Cytological and radiological examinations provided a high diagnostic success rate, although routine haematology and plasma biochemistry were also useful screening tests. On the basis of these results it is suggested that, in the investigation of unexplained pyrexia, a diagnosis of immune-mediated polyarthritis should be excluded before less common diagnoses are considered.     

Dietary management of renal senescence and failure in dogs

SUMMARY The need for dietary management of renal senescence and the beginning of chronic renal failure should be evaluated in all middle-aged dogs. One survey found that 35% were overweight and 10% underweight; another that 25% were mildly azotaemic, with 5% showing slight clinical signs of chronic renal failure. Dogs in prime condition or overweight are candidates for a diet low in energy (for example 3.0–3.3 kcal/g dry matter, DM), but thin dogs need a higher caloric density (such as 4.0–4.5 kcal/g DM). Healthy older dogs need higher dietary protein than the minimum for maintenance (about 20% on a metabolisable energy basis, ME) of young mature dogs. Thin older dogs showing signs of renal insufficiency may benefit from moderate protein and near-minimal phosphorus in the diet. In dogs with chronic renal failure, clinical, haematological and biochemical responses to the combination of low protein (13–16% ME) and low phosphorus (0.4% DM) were positive in one clinical trial but not in three others. Only beneficial responses, such as less proteinuria, less renal impairment and lower mortality, have been reported for diets containing low phosphorus and moderate protein (20–31% ME). Individual dietary goals for energy, protein and phosphorus should be chosen for each middle-aged or older dog; these goals may be met by a single product or mixtures of products.     

Novel insights into transmission routes of Mycobacterium avium in pigs and possible implications for human health

Mycobacterium avium infection is a severe condition in humans, whereas pigs are often subclinically infected. Pig carcasses represent a possible source of human infection. Faecal excretion of M. avium was recently demonstrated in experimentally infected pigs, along with detection of M. avium in apparently normal lymph nodes. The present study investigates faecal excretion in naturally infected herds and the presence of live mycobacteria in lymph nodes. Two pig herds (A and B), with a history of sporadically suspected M. avium infection were sampled. Herd B used peat, as opposed to Herd A. Samples from peat, sawdust, drinking water, faeces and lymph nodes were collected. Identification of mycobacteria was performed by 16S rDNA sequencing and PCR. Mycobacterium avium isolates were analysed by Multi-Locus Variable Number of Tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA). Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis was detected in samples of faeces, peat and lymph nodes from Herd B, often with identical MLVA profiles. Additionally, other non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were found in the same material. The absence of macroscopic lymph node lesions in the presence of M. avium subsp. hominissuis was frequently demonstrated. In Herd A, only one NTM isolate, which proved not to be M. avium, was found. Faeces might facilitate transmission of M. avium subsp. hominissuis between pigs and maintain the infection pressure in herds. The low incidence of macroscopic lesions together with the massive presence of M. avium subsp. hominissuis in lymph nodes from pigs kept on peat raises questions related to animal husbandry, food safety and human health.     

青贮饲料中霉菌毒素的产生及对反刍动物健康的影响

青贮饲料营养丰富,适口性好,易消化且能够长期保存,是反刍动物日粮中最重要的组成部分之一。青贮饲料在收获、发酵以及取用过程中都有可能受到霉菌毒素的污染,其中主要包括黄曲霉毒素B1、玉米赤霉烯酮、脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇、赭曲霉毒素A、伏马菌素以及其他真菌次级代谢产物。反刍动物摄取发霉青贮饲料,会对其生产性能及健康产生严重影响。加强青贮饲料收获前、青贮过程及饲喂期的管理,对于减少反刍动物饲料中的霉菌毒素污染至关重要。此外,某些霉菌抑制剂或微生物接种剂也可降低毒素的污染水平。本文主要就青贮饲料生产过程中出现的各种霉菌、霉菌毒素以及其对反刍动物健康的影响进行了综述,旨在为控制青贮饲料制作和饲喂过程中霉菌毒素的污染,降低经济损失提供参考。     

Survey of veterinarians' recommendations for treatment and control of intestinal parasites in dogs: public health implications

A systematic, random sample of 450 small and mixed-animal practitioners was selected from the client list of a prominent veterinary pharmaceutical and animal health company. A telephone survey was conducted, using a standard questionnaire, to assess whether current veterinary practices concerning prophylaxis and treatment of canine roundworm (Toxocara canis) and hookworm (Ancylostoma spp) infections are adequate to prevent transmission to human beings. Analysis of results focused on 3 questions related to prevention: practitioner's frequency of client education regarding zoonotic potential of roundworms and hookworms, pup age at which veterinarian recommends first anthelmintic treatments, and proportion of veterinarians recommending prophylactic drug administration for pups and nursing bitches. Despite the proven association of household pet dogs and human toxocariasis, only a third (148/450) of veterinarian respondents routinely discussed the potential zoonotic hazards of canine roundworms with their clients. A total of 29% (130/450) of veterinarians surveyed either never discussed these potential hazards or discussed them only when asked by their clients. With regard to anthelmintic treatment practices, 31% (140/450) of veterinarians surveyed recommended that pups first be examined and treated for intestinal parasites within 4 weeks of age. Thirty-three percent (163/450) recommended first examination and deworming at 5 to 6 weeks of age, and 36% (163/450) suggested that it be done at or after 7 weeks of age. Less than half (208/450) of veterinarians administered anthelmintics prophylactically to at least some pups and dogs. Sixty-four percent (287/450) of respondents recommended routine testing and treatment of nursing bitches.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

SARS-CoV-2 in animals: potential for unknown reservoir hosts and public health implications

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, previously 2019-nCoV) is suspected of having originated in 2019 in China from a coronavirus infected bat of the genus Rhinolophus. Following the initial emergence, possibly facilitated by a mammalian bridge host, SARS-CoV-2 is currently transmitted across the globe via efficient human-to-human transmission. Results obtained from experimental studies indicate that animal species such as cats, ferrets, raccoon dogs, cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, white-tailed deer, rabbits, Egyptian fruit bats, and Syrian hamsters are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that cat-to-cat and ferret-to-ferret transmission can take place via contact and air. However, natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported only in pet dogs and cats, tigers, lions, snow leopards, pumas, and gorillas at zoos, and farmed mink and ferrets. Even though human-to-animal spillover has been reported at several instances, SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals-to-humans has only been reported from mink-to-humans in mink farms. Following the rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within the mink population, a new mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 variant emerged that was identified in both humans and mink. The increasing reports of SARS-CoV-2 in carnivores indicate the higher susceptibility of animal species belonging to this order. The sporadic reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic and wild animal species require further investigation to determine if SARS-CoV-2 or related Betacoronaviruses can get established in kept, feral or wild animal populations, which may eventually act as viral reservoirs. This review analyzes the current evidence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in domestic and wild animal species and their possible implications on public health.     

The role of mycotoxins in the health and performance of dairy cows

In comparison to monogastric species, ruminant animals are generally considered to be less susceptible to the adverse effects caused by contamination of feeds with mycotoxins. This is based on the assumption that the rumen flora degrade and inactivate mycotoxins, thus protecting the animal. A number of mycotoxins, however, resist rumen degradation, causing distinct clinical signs of intoxication. Moreover, due to their complex diet, dairy cows may be exposed to a varying number of mycotoxins, originating from different feed materials such as roughage and concentrates. Exposure to these complex mixtures of mycotoxins may result in unexpected health risks. Due to a pre-existing negative energy balance, cows in the transition period are considered to be particularly sensitive to the exposure to feeds contaminated with moulds, fungal spores and mycotoxins.     

Corns in dogs; signalment,possible aetiology and response to surgical treatment

Objectives : To describe the signalment and response to surgical treatment, and to propose aetiopathogenetic mechanisms for the development of paw pad corns in dogs. Methods : A combined retrospective and prospective study was conducted on 30 dogs that presented with paw pad corns. The age, breed and gender of the dogs, together with anatomical positions of the corns were recorded. Surgical treatments involved either excision (n=27) or distal digital ostectomy (n=3). The minimum follow-up period was one year. Results : The age at presentation was from two to 15 years. All the breeds in this study were either greyhounds or sighthounds. Males were over-represented. Ninety percent of the corns were found in the digital pads of digits three and four, and 90% were found in the thoracic limbs. The evidence suggests a mechanical aetiology or foreign body penetration. Long-term response to surgical excision resulted in a recurrence rate of more than 50% (n=27). Distal digital ostectomy gave good results in selective cases (n=3). Clinical Significance : Corns can cause severe chronic lameness in greyhounds and related breeds. Long-term response to surgical treatments is disappointing but it is recommended as an initial treatment as it can be curative.     

Physiological effects of interactions between female dog owners with neuroticism and their dogs

The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological effects of the relationship between dog owners with neuroticism and their dogs using noninvasive procedures to measure urinary cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV). Owner personalities were tested via the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and this study focused only on the dimension of neuroticism with 12-item scales. The 24 participating owners and their dogs were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Each participant and their dog stayed in the test room for 80 minutes. The behavioral test included 2 resting times (R1 and R2, respectively), 2 command-communication times, a separation time, and a free time. In the control group, the command-communication times were changed to noncommunication times. Each participant wore a chest heart rate transmitter and a wrist watch monitor (RS800CX; Polar Electro) during the experiment. HRV is a quantitative parameter of autonomic activity. The spectral analysis of HRV is divided into 2 major oscillatory components: the high-frequency (HF) domain, which reflects parasympathetic activity and the low-frequency (LF) domain, which reflects both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. The LF to HF ratio reflects sympathetic activity. In the experimental group, the neuroticism scores showed a positive significant correlation with a change in the HF power and a negative correlation with the ratio of the change in the LF to HF ratio. No correlations were found in the control group. Next, all participants were divided into 2 groups according to the HRV in R1 and R2. One group included participants whose HF increased in R2, and the other included participants whose HF decreased in R2. The neuroticism scores were significantly higher in the experimental subjects whose HF increased in R2 than in those whose HF decreased in R2. High neuroticism scores indicate individuals that may be sensitive to daily stresses. Our results showed that a parasympathetic activation occurred in owners with high neuroticism scores 10 minutes after a command-communication interaction with their dogs. This suggests that daily command communication–based interactions with their dogs could improve the owner's health for the better.