Treatment of canine lymphoma by veterinarians in first opinion practice in England

A survey of canine lymphoma treatment strategies by veterinarians in first opinion practice was undertaken by sending questionnaires to 1000 randomly selected, first opinion small animal veterinary practices throughout England. Completed replies were received from 382 veterinarians. Ninety-five per cent of respondents had diagnosed canine lymphoma in the preceding 12 months. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents treated at least 50 per cent of the cases of canine lymphoma they diagnosed. A multidrug combination of vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone (COP) was the treatment protocol most commonly used. A doxorubicin-based treatment protocol was used by 2 per cent of respondents to treat canine lymphoma initially. The study suggests that, despite several reports of improved survival times with doxorubicin-based protocols, most veterinarians in first opinion practice in England treat canine lymphoma with COP.     

Outcome following removal of canine spindle cell tumours in first opinion practice: 104 cases

O bjectives : To define the outcome of a cohort of canine patients with a histological diagnosis of spindle cell tumour of soft tissue managed solely by surgery in first opinion practice.
M ethods : Clinical details of 104 spindle cell sarcomas submitted to Finn Pathologists during the year 2000 were reviewed. Questionnaires were sent to the submitting veterinarians, requesting details about the tumour, surgery performed and ultimate outcome of the patient.
R esults : The method of surgical resection was described as marginal in 45 dogs (44·2 per cent). Excision margins of 3 cm or more were described in less than 10 per cent of cases. Tumours recurred locally in 29 dogs (27·9 per cent). Eighteen dogs (21·7 per cent) died of tumour-related causes. Most deaths were unrelated to sarcoma (50 dogs, 60·2 per cent) or unknown (15 dogs, 18 per cent). The median survival time was 1013 days. Tumour size, location or degree of surgical resection were not significantly related to survival or tumour recurrence. A palpable assessment of tumour invasion into underlying tissues was significantly associated with decreased disease-free interval (P<0·0001) and survival time (P = 0·0070).
C linical S ignificance : The results of this retrospective study indicate that many spindle cell tumours managed in first opinion practice exhibit a low-grade biological behaviour and may respond well to more conservative surgery than current recommendations advise.     

Sarcocystis spp. in llamas (Lama glama) in Southern Bolivia: A cross sectional study of the prevalence,risk factors and loss in income caused by carcass downgrades

Llamas (Lama glama) are intermediate hosts of the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis spp. This parasite is described as causing economic losses in the production of llama meat in South America. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence, identify risk factors and explore spatial patterns of Sarcocystis in llamas in an area of the Bolivian High Plateau including estimating financial losses due to carcass downgrades as a result of the presence of Sarcocystis cysts.     

Identifying factors which maximise the lambing performance of hoggets: a cross sectional study

AIM: To identity perceptions of farmers with respect to advantages of hogget lambing and to identify optimal management strategies for hogget lambing used in New Zealand.

METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 1,038 sheep farmers in New Zealand who had indicated their hoggets would be lambing in 2002. Information was gathered on the practice of hogget lambing in New Zealand, in particular on the numbers and breeds of hoggets and rams used, selection criteria used for hoggets, use of teasers (vasectomised rams), length of mating period, use of mating crayons, vaccinations, medications and mineral supplements given, level of feed offered, use of pregnancy scanning, management during pregnancy and lambing, number of lambs present at docking, and shearing policies for hoggets. Farmers were also asked to indicate the relative importance of five stated reasons for choosing to have their hoggets mated in 2002.

RESULTS: A total of 629 (60.6%) responses were incorporated in the analysis, and the average percentage of hogget lambing was 60%. Use of vaccinations, length of the mating period, number of rams used, breed of hogget, weight at mating, management during lactation, and shearing policy were associated (p<0.05) with the lambing performance of hoggets, in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that to ensure high lambing percentages (LP) in hoggets in New Zealand, sheep farmers should: vaccinate hoggets against toxoplasmosis and campylobacteriosis; utilise a 40-day mating period; use 2.6–3.5% of rams during mating; incorporate Finn or East Friesian genetics; ensure liveweights at mating are as high as possible; manage single- and multiple-bearing/-rearing hoggets separately during the lambing and lactation periods; and shear hoggets pre-mating.     

Identifying factors which maximise the lambing performance of hoggets: a cross sectional study

AIM: To identity perceptions of farmers with respect to advantages of hogget lambing and to identify optimal management strategies for hogget lambing used in New Zealand. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 1,038 sheep farmers in New Zealand who had indicated their hoggets would be lambing in 2002. Information was gathered on the practice of hogget lambing in New Zealand, in particular on the numbers and breeds of hoggets and rams used, selection criteria used for hoggets, use of teasers (vasectomised rams), length of mating period, use of mating crayons, vaccinations, medications and mineral supplements given, level of feed offered, use of pregnancy scanning, management during pregnancy and lambing, number of lambs present at docking, and shearing policies for hoggets. Farmers were also asked to indicate the relative importance of five stated reasons for choosing to have their hoggets mated in 2002. RESULTS: A total of 629 (60.6%) responses were incorporated in the analysis, and the average percentage of hogget lambing was 60%. Use of vaccinations, length of the mating period, number of rams used, breed of hogget, weight at mating, management during lactation, and shearing policy were associated (p<0.05) with the lambing performance of hoggets, in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that to ensure high lambing percentages (LP) in hoggets in New Zealand, sheep farmers should: vaccinate hoggets against toxoplasmosis and campylobacteriosis; utilise a 40-day mating period; use 2.6- 3.5% of rams during mating; incorporate Finn or East Friesian genetics; ensure liveweights at mating are as high as possible; manage single- and multiple-bearing/-rearing hoggets separately during the lambing and lactation periods; and shear hoggets pre-mating.     

A cross-sectional study of epilepsy in Danish Labrador Retrievers: prevalence and selected risk factors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and selected risk factors of epilepsy, the proportion of dogs with epilepsy in remission, and the types of seizures in Danish Labrador Retrievers. A prospective cross-sectional study of epilepsy was conducted in 1999-2000. The study was carried out in 2 phases in a reference population consisting of 29,602 individuals. In phase 1, 550 dogs were selected by random sampling stratified by year of birth. A telephone interview was used to identify dogs with possible epilepsy. In phase 2, dogs judged during phase 1 as possibly suffering from epilepsy were further subjected to physical and neurologic examination, CBC, blood chemistry, and a questionnaire on seizure phenomenology. Seventeen dogs were diagnosed with epilepsy, yielding a prevalence of 3.1% (95% CI 1.6-4.6%) in the Danish population of Labrador Retrievers. A diagnosis of epilepsy was 6 times more probable in dogs >4 years (born before 1995) than in younger dogs (born between 1995 and 1999) (P = .004, relative risk = 6.5). No significant difference in risk between genders was observed, nor could any effect of neutering be proven statistically. The frequencies of primary generalized seizures and partial seizures (with or without secondary generalization) were 24 and 70%, respectively. The type of seizures could not be classified in 6%. In conclusion, the 3.1% prevalence of epilepsy in Danish Labrador Retrievers is higher than the 1% prevalence of epilepsy described in the general canine population, establishing that this breed is at increased risk.     

A cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors of dermatitis interdigitalis in female dairy calves in the Netherlands

The hind claws of 1141 female dairy breeding calves, between 2.5 and 12 months of age, were examined for symptoms of dermatitis interdigitalis (DI). The mean prevalence in calves was 67.1% (±2.7% for 95% confidence interval). The prevalence of DI increased with age and eventually almost all 1-year-old animals were affected in at least one claw. Logistic regression modelling revealed that the presence of DI and sole haemorrhages were related positively. Large between-herd variation existed (range in prevalence: 0–100%). Herd factors related to DI were herd size and type of housing. Animals housed in a straw yard showed a 3.2-fold decreased risk of being affected when compared with housing on slatted floors. Also, feeding a larger variety of dietary components (hay, milk, concentrates plus silage) was protective. Using claw shape as one of the criteria for sire selection reduced the risk of DI 1.6-fold.     

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in veterinary echocardiographers: A cross-sectional study on prevalence and risk factors

ObjectiveAssess the relationship between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and performing echocardiograms (ECHOS) in veterinarians with a cardiology focus.MethodsProspective study. A survey was submitted to the ACVIM veterinary cardiology list-serve regarding pain associated with performing ECHOS (ECHOPain). Associations of demographic and work habit variables with ECHOPain and WRMSD were evaluated with logistic regression.ResultsRespondents included 198 of 487 (41%) members, evenly divided in gender. Most (69%) were 31–50 years old. Almost all (96%) currently perform ECHOS, usually 4–5 ECHOS/week (74%), every week except vacation (93%). ECHOPain was reported by 87 people (44%), which was classified as mild/occasional in 77%, frequent/moderate in 21%, and frequent/severe in 2%. Of those with ECHOPain, 52% reported ECHOS as the sole cause, 31% reported ECHOS aggravating pain from a pre-existing problem, and 17% reported unrelated pain. The most common areas of pain were neck (54%), shoulder (52%), wrist (42%), and back (35%) with 78% reporting pain at 2 or more sites. Pain impaired job performance in 36%, required sick leave or disability in 12%, required reduction in ECHOS/day in 36%, and affected lifestyle in 22%. Ten percent of people have been diagnosed with WRMSD, of which 21% have a permanent disability. Both gender and weeks/year predicted pain with ECHOS (χ²(3) = 11.38, P = 0.01). The odds ratio for females versus males with ECHOPain was 2.23.ConclusionECHOPain is common (44%) in veterinary echocardiographers, is significantly associated with gender, and affects job performance for over one-third of pain sufferers.     

Retrospective study of the risk factors and prevalence of colic in horses after orthopaedic surgery

The records of 496 orthopaedic operations on 428 horses were reviewed to estimate the prevalence of, and identify the risk factors for, the development of colic in horses after surgery. Colic was defined as any recognised sign of abdominal pain that could not be attributed to a concurrent disease. Fourteen of the horses developed colic; eight of them were undiagnosed, three were classified as impactions, one as tympanic colic of the colon, one as incarceration of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen, and one as left dorsal displacement of the colon in the nephrosplenic space. Morphine was associated with a four-fold increased risk of colic compared with the use of no opioid or butorphanol, and out-of-hours surgery was also associated with an increased risk.     

A cross-sectional pilot study to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for leptospirosis in South-Western Victorian dairy herds, 2017

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis, found worldwide, affecting many species of animals. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of Leptospira borgpetersenii sv Hardjo and Leptospira interrogans sv Pomona in cattle in dairy herds in South-Western Victoria, Australia. Fifty-three herds were enrolled in the study. Urine samples were collected from 15 late-lactation cows in each herd. A questionnaire was provided to herd managers at the time of each herd visit, asking them to describe the methods they used for controlling leptospirosis, including vaccination. Urine samples were pooled at the herd level and tested for leptospira spp. using real time PCR. Urine samples from individual cows within the positive pooled samples were then tested for Leptospira Hardjo and Leptospira Pomona using qPCR. Four of the 53 herds showed positive leptospirosis results giving an apparent prevalence of 8 (95% CI 2–18) leptospira-positive herds per 100 herds at risk. Based on the 53 completed questionnaires, leptospirosis vaccination programs were not compliant with label directions in 36 of the 52 vaccinated herds: 69 (95% CI 55–81) of 100 herd managers that routinely vaccinated for leptospirosis did not comply with label directions. One herd was completely unvaccinated. Based on our findings, we estimate that approximately 10% of dairy farms in South-Western Victoria are likely to be infected with leptospirosis. While most herds are vaccinating for leptospirosis, most are not doing so according to label directions. We conclude that herd managers need to be better educated regarding leptospirosis vaccination programs.     

A case–control study of the risk factors for canine juvenile‐onset generalized demodicosis in the USA

Canine juvenile‐onset generalized demodicosis (JOGD) is a common skin disorder suspected to be associated with multiple risk factors, including breed predispositions. These risk factors have not been well documented in a large population. A retrospective case–control study was conducted by searching the electronic medical records of 1 189 906 dogs examined at 600 hospitals during 2006 in order to assess the risk factors associated with JOGD in the USA. Multivariate analyses were conducted using logistic regression to estimate the relative risk with the odds ratio for variables hypothesized to influence the risk for canine demodicosis. Breeds (odds ratio) found to have the greatest association with a diagnosis of JOGD were American Staffordshire terrier (35.6), Staffordshire bull terrier (17.1) and Chinese shar‐pei (7.2). Nonbreed risk factors (odds ratio) significantly associated with a diagnosis of JOGD were the diagnosis of pyoderma (5.5), coccidiosis (2.7) or hookworms (1.5), short coat (1.9) and nonenrolment in a preventative care wellness plan (1.5). Documenting these risk factors may help veterinarians to prioritize differential diagnoses and will aid in the design of prospective studies to elucidate the pathogenesis of demodicosis in dogs.     

A feasibility study of low-dose total body irradiation for relapsed canine lymphoma

Seven client owned dogs with confirmed relapsed lymphoma were enrolled in a prospective feasibility study investigating the effects of low‐dose total body irradiation (LDTBI) delivered in a single 1 Gy fraction. LDTBI for relapsed lymphoma was safe and well tolerated. The only major side‐effect of LDTBI was asymptomatic thrombocytopenia in all dogs. The median platelet nadir was 17 000/μL (range 4000–89 000), which occurred a median of 10 days (range 8–30) post irradiation. Three dogs had short‐term partial responses, two stable disease and two progressive disease (PD). Six dogs were euthanatized for PD, and one dog died while in partial remission. No dogs had clinical complications. Survival analysis was not performed, because the study design did not allow for evaluation of survival time. Larger studies incorporating LDTBI in the induction/consolidation phase of treatment need to be performed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of LDTBI.     

Prevalence and risk factors of hypoglycemia in virulent canine babesiosis

Hypoglycemia is a common complication of virulent canine babesiosis. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and potential risk factors for hypoglycemia in canine babesiosis from Babesia canis rossi. Plasma glucose concentration was measured at presentation in 250 dogs with babesiosis, of which 111 were admitted to hospital. The prevalence of hypoglycemia (<60 mg/dL) was 9% (23/250). Twenty-two hypoglycemic dogs required admission, making the prevalence of hypoglycemia in admitted dogs 19.8%. Sixteen dogs had severe hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL), of which 5 had glucose < 18 mg/dL. Hyperglycemia (>100 mg/dL) was present in 38 dogs, of which 21 were admitted. Risk factors for hypoglycemia identified by univariate analysis were collapsed state (P < .00001), severe anemia (P = .0002), icterus (P = .003), age < 6 months (P = .02), and vomiting (P = .03). After logistic regression analysis, collapsed state (odds ratio [OR] = 18; 95% CI, 1.9-171; P = .01) and young age (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 0.8-9.7; P = .1) remained significantly associated with hypoglycemia. Toy breeds and pregnant bitches were not at higher risk for hypoglycemia than other dogs. Blood glucose concentration should ideally be measured in all dogs requiring inpatient treatment for babesiosis but is mandatory in collapsed dogs; puppies; and dogs with severe anemia, vomiting, or icterus. Many dogs have probably been misdiagnosed with cerebral babesiosis in the past, and hypoglycemia should be suspected in any dog with coma or other neurological signs.     

A case-control study of risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis among boxer, bullterrier and West Highland white terrier dogs in Sweden

Environmental and dietary risk factors for the development of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) in the high-risk breeds of boxer, bullterrier and West Highland white terrier were assessed in a case-control study. A logistic regression model was developed to evaluate their relative importance in 58 cases from 12 practices in Sweden and 61 unaffected controls, matched to cases by breed and year of birth. The final model included a random error term for 'examining veterinarian', as dogs from the same practice were not considered independent. No effect of gender, season of birth, environment, vaccination or de-worming practices on the odds of developing CAD was detected. The main finding was that feeding a diet including noncommercial products to the bitch during lactation had a protective effect on the development of CAD in her offspring; the odds of developing CAD were twice as high among offspring from bitches that were not exposed to home-made/noncommercial diets [95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio: 1.2-3.8]. The population attributable fraction for not feeding home-made diets to the lactating bitch was estimated as 0.4 (95% CI: 0.04-0.63). Randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to further support the finding of a potential protective role of diet in CAD development.     

A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and associated risk factors for bursitis in weaner, grower and finisher pigs from 93 commercial farms in England

A cross-sectional study of 93 farms in England was carried out to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors for bursitis. A total of 6250 pigs aged 6–22 weeks were examined for presence and severity of bursitis. Details of pen construction, pen quality and farm management were recorded including floor type, presence of bedding, condition of the floor and floor materials. The prevalence of bursitis was 41.2% and increased with each week of age (OR 1.1). Two-level logistic regression models were developed with the outcome as the proportion of pigs affected with bursitis in a pen. Pigs kept on soil floors with straw bedding were used as the reference level. In comparison with these soil floors, bursitis increased on concrete floors where the bedding was deep throughout (OR 4.6), deep in part (OR 3.7), and sparse throughout (OR 9.0), part slatted floors (OR 8.0), and fully slatted floors (OR 18.8). Slip or skid marks in the dunging area (OR 1.5), pigs observed slipping during the examination of the pen (OR 1.3) and wet floors (OR 3.6) were also associated with an increased risk of bursitis. The results indicate that bursitis is a common condition of growing pigs and that the associated risk factors for bursitis were a lack of bedding in the lying area, presence of voids and pen conditions which increased the likelihood of injury.     

Meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine neosporosis

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Neospora caninum is one of the main infectious agents that cause reproductive disorders in cattle. However, knowledge about the prevalence and causal factors...