Prenatal and transmammary infections of Toxocara canis in dogs: effect of benzimidazole-carbamate anthelmintics on various developmental stages of the parasite

Fenbendazole and albendazole, given at a dose rate of 150 mg/kg for 3 days, produced a 90 per cent reduction in the numbers of second stage larvae of Toxocara canis present in the tissues of dogs although no reduction in the number of larvae found in the brains of infected dogs occurred with this treatment. The results suggest that a course of 3 day therapy with these anthelmintics should prevent prenatal infections in puppies. However, if infection is acquired by bitches during late pregnancy or early lactation, the transmammary route of infection becomes important. Therefore, anthelmintic treatment of the bitch prior to pregnancy will not prevent transmission of infection to her puppies should the bitch acquire a new infection of T. canis during pregnancy or early lactation. Alternatively, infection with T. canis can be controlled through the treatment of neonatal puppies for migrating larvae of T. canis. Treatment of newborn puppies with fenbendazole, albendazole or oxfendazole at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 2–3 days produced a 91–99 per cent reduction in the number of adult parasites found. In addition, a single dose of fenbendazole, given at a dose rate of 40 mg/kg, eliminated 93–96 per cent of adult T. canis from the intestines of 4–5-week-old puppies. These latter treatments would need to be repeated to eliminate completely the infection from puppies.     

Estimation of daily urinary potassium excretion using urinary creatinine as an index substance in prepartum dairy cows

In the present study, the daily excretion of potassium (K) in urine (urinary K(UK)) was estimated from a 6 h urine sample using urinary creatinine (UC) as the index substance. All urine was collected from six pregnant Holstein cows at 6 h intervals for 24 h on 3 days of the 4th, 2nd and final week before the expected date of parturition. In total, 72 6 h urine samples were obtained. Daily UC excretion (mg/day per kg bodyweight (BW)) was almost the same for the three sampling days. Daily UC excretion varied among cows from 22.1 to 24.3 mg/day per kg BW with a mean of 22.8 mg/day per kg BW with no significant difference. Thus, daily UC excretion was confirmed to be constant throughout the prepartum period with no differences among individuals. The concentration ratios of K to creatinine ((UK mg/dL)/(UC mg/dL) (UK/UC)) correlated strongly to the hourly K excretions (mg/h per kg BW) (r = 0.952, P < 0.01) in the 6 h urine samples. The differences in the UK/UC ratio between sampling periods were not significant within each cow. Therefore, daily UK excretion (mg/day) can be estimated using the equation: daily UK excretion (mg/day) = daily UC excretion (mg/day per kg BW) × BW (kg) × 6 h urine sample UK/UC, where daily UC excretion can be a given value.     

Dose Titration of Sarafloxacin (A-56620) against Edwardsiella ictaluri Infection in Channel Catfish

Abstract

Two dose-titration studies were performed with sarafloxacin (A-56620) on channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus infected with Edwardsiella ictaluri. Fish were infected with E. ictaluri by water-bath exposure and subsequently fed rations for 5 d to equal 0, 2, 6, 10, or 14 mg sarafloxacin/kg body weight per day. In trial I, mortality was significantly reduced from 69% for fish receiving no medication to 17% for those receiving 10 or 14 mg sarafloxacin/kg per day (P ≤ 0.01). In trial II, mortality was reduced from 33% of the nonmedicated infected group to 5 and 10% offish receiving 10 and 14 mg sarafloxacin/kg per day, respectively. Fish receiving 2 or 6 mg sarafloxacin/kg per day had intermediate mortality rates.     

The effect of diet and copper supplementation on chick growth

Two experiments are described in which various diets were fed to broiler chicks, with or without a supplement of 0.1 per cent CuSO 4.5 H₂O supplying 250 mg/kg added Cu. When the basal diet was composed mainly of wheat and fish meal with added tallow, growth responses to copper measured at 6 weeks of age were 7.6 per cent in the first experiment (highly significant) and 2.8 per cent in the second experiment (0.1 > P > 0.05). When the basal diet was composed mainly of maize and soya‐bean meal there was no response to added copper in the first experiment and a significant depression in growth in the second experiment. A basal diet containing 25 per cent of dried whey gave very poor growth (about 60 per cent of normal) but showed a large response to the addition of Cu. Responses to added Cu in all diets were generally larger in the faster growing males than in the female chicks.

Where positive growth responses to copper were obtained, food consumption was usually higher, but efficiency of food utilisation was better in the chicks given the copper‐supplemented diets.

The average concentrations of Cu found in the livers of birds with or without copper supplements were 4.41 and 4.10 mg/kg of fresh liver respectively in the first experiment and 6.88 and 4.56 mg/kg of fresh liver in the second experiment. The difference in the second experiment was highly significant.     

Influence of age of the donor sheep on the phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus subspecies anaerobius and S aureus by neutrophils

The age of the sheep donating neutrophils had a marked influence in vitro on their phagocytic ability with respect to Staphylococcus aureus and S aureus subspecies anaerobius. Neutrophils from lambs five to eight weeks old phagocytosed these organisms significantly less efficiently (P<0–001) than neutrophils from adults two to four years old. However, neutrophils from the young animals phagocytosed S aureus significantly (P<0·001) better than S aureus subspecies anaerobius (61·5 v 53·8 (per cent), whereas there was no significant difference in the ability of the neutrophils from adult sheep to phagocytose S aureus and S aureus subspecies anaerobius (68·2 v 68·2 per cent).     

Experiences with the use of Imizol in treating canine blood parasites in Nigeria

Imizol* (imidocarb diproprionate 12 per cent w/v) at 5 mg/kg body weight was found to be highly effective in the treatment of canine babesiosis, mixed infections of Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis, but slightly less effective against uncomplicated Ehrlichia canis infections.     

Cyromazine pour-on for the prevention of cutaneous myiasis of sheep

The results of trials on eight farms to assess the efficacy of two pour-on formulations containing cyromazine for the prevention of cutaneous myiasis of sheep are presented; data from trials on sheep with larval implants and on sheep kept in cages with adult flies are also reported. The incidence of cutaneous myiasis was reduced by between 87 per cent and 100 per cent for eight weeks when a formulation containing 6 per cent w/v cyromazine was used at an application rate of 60 to 85 mg of active ingredient/kg bodyweight. When a formulation containing 10 per cent w/v was used at an application rate of 50 to 100 mg/kg, the incidence of the condition was reduced by between 90 per cent and 100 per cent for eight weeks. Studies of sheep with larval implants, using the formulation containing 10 per cent w/v cyromazine at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg bodyweight gave variable results with some animals at each dose rate having lost protection by the seventh week. When sheep were treated with the formulation containing 10 per cent w/v cyromazine at 50 or 100 mg/kg and exposed to adult flies in fly-proof cages they were completely protected for nine and eight weeks, respectively.     

Dietary copper supplementation improves pelt characteristics of female silver fox (Vulpes fulva) during the winter fur‐growing season

Copper has an essential role in normal fur pigmentation and fur quality. This study evaluated the effects of cupric citrate (CuCit) supplementation on growth, nutrients metabolism and pelt characteristics of the female silver fox (Vulpes fulva). Fifty age‐matched female silver foxes with similar body weights were randomly divided into five dietary groups for 58 days during the winter fur‐growing season. The basal diet contained 4.92 mg/kg copper. Groups I‐V were supplemented with 6, 30, 60, 90 or 150 mg Cu from CuCit per 1 kg dry matter basal diet. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in those fed 90 mg/kg Cu than those fed 150 mg/kg Cu. Pelt total thickness was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in those fed 30 mg/kg Cu than foxes fed 6 mg/kg Cu supplemented diet, but were similar to the other groups. Length of guard hair was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in those fed 90 mg/kg Cu than fed 6 mg/kg Cu and 30 mg/kg Cu, but were similar to the other groups. Length of underhair was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in those fed 6 mg/kg Cu than those fed 90 mg/kg Cu, but was similar to the other groups. Considering decreasing environmental contamination and improving pelt performance, supplementing 30 mg/kg Cu from CuCit (actual copper 35 mg/kg dry matter) is appropriate for female silver fox.     

Prevalence of bacteria in the conjunctival sac and on the eyelid margin of clinically normal cats

Samples from the palpebral conjunctiva, third eyelid and eyelid margin from 50 asymptomatic cats were analysed. Sixty-seven per cent of the samples showed bacterial growth with a high predominance of the genus Staphylococcus (97-8 per cent) predominantly coagulase-negative (93-5 per cent). The most frequent species was S epi-dermidis (45-7 per cent), followed by S simulans (23-9 per cent), S auricularis [17A per cent) and S saprophyticus (6-5 per cent). Three samples of S aureus (6-5 per cent) and one of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2-1 per cent) were also identified. The role of these microorganisms in the eyes of cats is discussed and the importance of the new species Staphylococcus felis is stressed.     

Efficacy of oxfendazole against inhibited larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi in naturally infected calves in the southern USA

Forty yearling calves were assigned to four equal groups; three of the groups were treated with oxfendazole at dose rates of 6.75 mg/kg, 4.50 mg/kg, or 2.25 mg/kg bodyweight while the fourth group served as an untreated control. The calves were native to north-east Mississippi, USA, and harboured natural infections of gastrointestinal nematodes. The study was conducted during July when inhibited early fourth-stage larvae may be found in large numbers after their acquisition in the spring. The calves were maintained in separate groups on concrete-floored pens for 17 days before the intraruminal administration of oxfendazole. Seven days after treatment, the calves were slaughtered and the gastrointestinal parasites counted. At all the dose rates examined oxfendazole exhibited an efficacy of at least 99.4 per cent against adults of Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia species, T colubriformis, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Trichuris ovis. The efficacy against adult Ostertagia ostertagi was at least 99.4 per cent at dose rates of 6.75 and 4.50 mg/kg bodyweight, but decreased to 93.7 per cent at 2.25 mg/kg. The efficacy of oxfendazole against inhibited larvae of O ostertagi decreased with dose rate from 78.8 per cent at 6.75 mg/kg, to 58.9 per cent at 4.50 mg/kg and 20.3 per cent at 2.25 mg/kg bodyweight.     

Laboratory investigations on pigs with the new anthelmintic fenbendazole.

The efficacy of fenbendazole was investigated in piglets infected artificially with Hyostrongylus rubidus and Oesophagostomum spp. After administration of 3.5 mg/kg, five-day-old stages of H rubidus were reduced by 72.5 per cent; an effect of 78.4 per cent, 96.0 per cent and 100 per cent was achieved against five-day-old, 16-day-old and 42-day-old stages, respectively, of H rubidus using a dose of 5 mg/kg. A 55 per cent effect was obtained against five-day-old stages after the administration of 3.5 mg/kg. A dose of 5 mg/kg reduced five-day-old, 16-day-old and 42-day-old stages of Oesophagotomum spp by 72.6 per cent, 44 per cent and 100 per cent respectively.     

An Elevated Dietary Level of Ascorbic Acid Fails to Influence the Response of Anterior Kidney Neutrophils to Edwardsiella ictaluri in Channel Catfish

Abstract

Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (weight, 320–420 g) were fed diets with 100 or 1,000 mg ascorbic acid/kg of diet for 7 weeks in ponds. Anterior kidney neutrophil function was assessed by incubating the neutrophils with Edwardsiella ictaluri. Percent phagocytosis, phagocytic index (the mean number of bacteria phagocytized per cell by all neutrophils, including nonphagocytic ones), and bactericidal capabilities of the anterior kidney neutrophils were measured at 0, 90, 180, 270, and 360 min. Serum cortisol was also measured. No significant difference was observed between the two diets with respect to anterior kidney neutrophil function or serum cortisol levels. However, serum cortisol levels did affect mean phagocytic index of anterior kidney neutrophils. Catfish that had serum cortisol levels greater than 10 μg/dL displayed a significant decrease in the phagocytic index when compared with catfish that had cortisol levels less than 5 μg/dL.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of oxfendazole against larval and adult Toxascaris leonina in the dog

The efficacy of oxfendazole, given at a dose rate of 10 mg/kg for three consecutive days, against adult and larval Toxascaris leonina was determined in four litters of naturally infected adolescent greyhounds. When administered to five dogs 10 weeks after exposure to infectiori, oxfendazole gave an efficacy value of 100 per cent as determined by comparison of the numbers of adult worms expelled and the numbers remaining at subsequent post mortem examination. When medication was given only five weeks after exposure to infection, the number of immature T. leonina in 10 treated pups was found to be reduced by 92-1 per cent as compared with 10 matched, untreated controls. Incidental infections of Toxocara canis and Uncinaria stenocephala were adequately controlled but the treatment was less effective against Trichuris vulpis and Strongyloides species.     

The effects of dietary calcium iodate on productive performance,egg quality and iodine accumulation in eggs of laying hens

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of various levels of supplemental calcium iodate (CI) on productive performance, egg quality, blood indices and iodine (I) accumulation in the eggs in commercial laying hens. A total of 240 White Leghorn layers (Hy‐line W36) were divided through a completely randomized design into six treatments with five replicates and eight hens per each at 32 weeks of age. This experiment lasted for 12 weeks. Concentrations of I in the mash diets were 0.74, 3.13, 5.57, 8.11, 10.65 and 12.94 mg I/kg of feed in treatments 1–6 respectively. The added doses of CI were included 0.0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 mg/kg of diet for treatments 1–6 respectively. There were no significant differences in productive performance among the treatments. The highest eggshell strength was observed in group fed diet containing 3.13 mg I/kg (p = .014). The highest percentage of calcium and lowest percentage of phosphorus in eggshell were observed in group fed diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg (p = .0001). Feeding hens with diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg increased serum triiodothyronine‐to‐thyroxine ratio (p = .0001). Serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hens fed diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg was significantly more than control (p = .041). Blood Serum triglycerides in hens fed diet containing 8.11 mg I/kg were significantly higher than control (p = .0001). Edible fraction of the eggs of birds fed diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg was enriched by I almost 3 times more than those fed diet containing 0.74 mg I/kg. The results suggested that egg production, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected by dietary I levels. Iodine accumulation in the eggs were increased by increasing dietary I levels and the level of 10 mg/kg CI could supply I enrichment of the eggs.     

Evaluation of Propofol as a General Anesthetic for Horses

This study provides baseline information on the potential use of propofol as a general anesthetic for horses. Using a Latin square design, propofol (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) was administered intravenously on three separate occasions to six mature horses. Information about anesthetic induction, duration, and recovery was recorded along with results of rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, pHa, Paco₂ and Pao₂. Statistical analysis included a mixed model analysis of variance, a general linear model analysis and least square means test for post hoc comparisons. A P <.05 was considered significant. The quality of induction of anesthesia varied from poor to good. Two horses were not recumbent following the lowest dose of propofol. Brief paddling limb movements occurred occasionally and unpredictably after recumbency induced by all three doses. During recovery, horses were uniformly calm and coordinated in their moves to stand. Duration of recumbency (minutes) was dose related; 15.05 ± 1.58 (±±SD) following 2 mg/kg, 31.06 ± 5.56 following 4 mg/kg, and 47.85 ± 13.63 following 8 mg/kg. During recumbency at all doses, heart rate significantly increased from a predrug value of 40 ± 6 beats per minute. Substantial respiratory depression, characterized by a significant decrease in respiratory rate (from 11.7 ± 2.9 to 3.7 ± 1.6 breaths per minute) and increased Paco₂ (from 44.5 ± 2.5 to 52.7 ± 8.0 mm Hg) was seen only after 8 mg/kg. A significant decrease in Pao₂ was observed throughout the recumbency induced by 8 mg/kg, and also at 3 and 5 minutes following induction of anesthesia with 4 mg/ kg propofol. At 5 minutes after injection, Pao₂ was 87.4 ± 13.8 and 58.1 ± 17.0 mm Hg after 4 and 8 mg/kg, respectively. The results of this study do not favor the routine use of propofol as a sole anesthetic in otherwise unmedicated horses.     

The effect of nitroscanate tablets of Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia hydatigena infections in dogs

Tablets of micronised nitroscanate (nominal particle size 2--3 microns) were given to a total of 190 dogs that had been experimentally infected with either Echinococcus granulosus or Taenia hydatigena. The efficiency of the drug in tablet form in freeing dogs from tapeworms, was investigated. The dose rate at which 50 per cent of normally fed dogs can be expected to be freed from E granulosus was found to be 89 mg/kg (95 per cent confidence limits 55 mg/kg to 140 mg/kg). The 90 per cent effective dose rate was not determined within the range 32 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg. The dose rate at which 90 per cent of normally fed dogs can be expected to be freed from T hydatigena was 37 mg/kg (95 per cent confidence limits 23 mg/kg to 60 mg/kg).     

Cellular variables in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) in selected healthy pigs

Reference values are essential for the interpretation of cytological findings in bronchoalveolar-specimens from healthy and diseased pigs, and also for studies on local immunity of the porcine lung. Values were calculated from 164 piglets out of six closed herds based on cellular bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) data. The piglets were preselected by criteria of pulmonary health and total as well as differential cell count were performed. The values established were: total cell count 1–4.5 Giga litre⁻¹, alveolar macrophages 90–99 per cent, lymphocytes 0–9 per cent, polymorphonuclear neutrophils 0–8 per cent, blastocytes 0–2 per cent, polymorphonuclear eosinophils and basophils 0–1 per cent.     

Comparison of the activity of selamectin, imidacloprid and fipronil for the treatment of dogs infested experimentally with Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis felis.

Twenty-four beagles were randomly allocated into four groups of six and housed in separate cages. Each dog was infested with 25 Ctenocephalides canis and 25 Ctenocephalides felis felis and two days later (day 0) the dogs in groups 1, 2 and 3 received a spot-on application of selamectin (6 mg/kg), imidacloprid (10 mg/kg), or fipronil (6-7 mg/kg), respectively, while the dogs in group 4 were not treated. The dogs were combed 48 hours later, the fleas were removed, counted and their species were determined. All the dogs were reinfested with the same number of the two species of fleas on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35, and the efficacy of the treatments was calculated 48 hours after each infestation. The mean numbers of fleas on the control dogs were 19.8 C. canis and 14.7 C. felis felis. The three treatments were effective for the full 35 days of the trial; over the first 28 days, the efficacy of selamectin ranged from 81 to 100 and 92 to 99 per cent against C. felis felis and C canis, respectively, the efficacy of imidacloprid ranged from 98 to 100 per cent and the efficacy of fipronil was 100 per cent against both species. There were no significant differences between the three treatments.     

Prevalence of Brucella abortus and Brucella canis antibodies in dogs in Nigeria

Serum samples collected from dogs brought for routine physical examination, vaccination and other complaints at the Small Animal Clinic of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria were tested for Brucella abortus and Brucella canis antibodies. Ninety-five (38-2 per cent) of 249 dogs studied were positive for B. abortus agglutinins by the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) but none was sero-positive by the standard agglutination test (SAT). The antibody prevalence for B. canis by the SAT was 28-6 per cent for 224 dogs tested. Exotic breeds of dogs had a prevalence of 34-9 per cent for B. canis agglutinins while 28-1 per cent of local dogs were sero-positive. Twenty-two per cent of dogs older than 2 years were sero-positive compared to a prevalence of 33-3 per cent found amongst dogs younger than 1 year. A similar B. canis infection rate was observed amongst male (29-6 per cent) and female (26-7 per cent) dogs.     

The anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole against Fasciola hepatica and benzimidazole resistant strains of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep.

The anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole (methyl [5-(propylthio) - 1H - benzimidazole -2 -yl] carbamate) against immature and adult Fasciola hepatica and against standardised strains of benzimidazole resistant Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis was evaluated in experimentally infected sheep. A single intrarumenal treatment of dose rates of 3.8 and 7.6 mg/kg was ineffective against immature (six weeks old) F hepatica. Dose rates of 5.7 and 7.6 mg/kg reduced the number of mature (12 weeks old) F hepatica by 70 and 91 per cent respectively. Dose rates of 5.7 and 7.6 mg/kg removed 92 and 99 per cent of four-week-old, benzimidazole resistant H contortus and 89 and 99 per cent of four-week-old, benzimidazole resistant T colubriformis.