Respiratory diseases, diagnostics, and treatment of marsupials.

Primary respiratory disease is uncommon in marsupials, but generalized disease often involves the respiratory tract in these animals. Other disease entities may spread to involve the respiratory system secondarily. Treatment is challenging because most animals are severely compromised on presentation. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and yeasts, trauma, and neoplasia all can affect the respiratory systems of marsupials. Some of these conditions are only incidental findings, whereas others are pathogenic. Many therapies and diagnostic procedures are extrapolated from those in companion animal medicine and surgery. Despite the problems associated with the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in marsupials, new therapeutic agents and diagnostic techniques are making these tasks easier and ultimately more successful.     

0.4% Dimeticone spray,a novel physically acting household treatment for control of cat fleas

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the most important ectoparasite of cats and dogs worldwide as a cause of irritation and health problems. Most products to control these pests in the household environment rely upon a combination of neurotoxic insecticides and insect growth regulators to inhibit development of flea eggs and larvae into adults. However, some of these are affected by problems of insecticide resistance as well as public concerns about their potential for toxicity in domestic use. Heavy synthetic oils, like the siloxane dimeticone, are currently widely used to treat human ectoparasite infestations, acting by a physical mode of action, and have been used in a variety of presentations for killing all life stages of fleas. We have investigated the activity of low concentrations of high molecular weight dimeticone in a volatile silicone base for ability to immobilise flea life stages without asphyxiating them. We found that cat flea adults and larvae were immobilised by a surface film of dimeticone that inhibited movement of cuticular joints, apparently forming an effective sticky trap. When cocoons were treated the fleas continued to develop within the pupae but failed to emerge. An aerosol spray incorporating 0.4% concentration of dimeticone, for use as a residual household treatment, showed no significant difference in knock down capability compared with that of a widely used pyriproxifen/permethrin spray in a repeat challenge test, with effects persisting to inhibit adult flea emergence in the test arena area for more than 3 weeks after application.     

Medical treatment of canine pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease).

Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease) is a relatively common endocrine disorder of middle- to old-age dogs. Three treatments commonly used in the management of pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease in dogs include mitotane, ketoconazole, and L-deprenyl. These medications are associated with the potential of different side effects and expense, but all can produce satisfactory results in dogs with this disease. The choice of treatment for a given dog depends on the severity of the dog's disease, as well as clinician and client preferences. This article reviews the indications and adverse effects associated with each of these three drugs, as well as the treatment protocols commonly used in treating dogs with hyperadrenocorticism.     

吡虫啉滴剂治疗犬自然感染跳蚤的临床效力验证试验

在江苏地区收集60只自然感染跳蚤的犬进行研究,观察吡虫啉滴剂对犬跳蚤的治疗效果。结果表明:吡虫啉滴剂对试验犬的血液指标无明显影响。用药后1 d、3 d、21 d和28 d,治愈率分别为85%、96.67%、100%和100%,且3 d、21 d和28d的减虫率和1d相比时,差异极显著(P<0.01)。故吡虫啉滴剂对犬安全可靠,治疗效果明显。     

Therapeutics of companion exotic marsupials.

Exotic marsupials are becoming popular companion pets, yet little pharmacologic information is available to the practitioner. Species include sugar gliders (Petarus breviceps), South American (Brazilian) short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica), brushtail possum or "phalanger" (Trichosurus vulpecula), and wallabies: Bennett's (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) and Tammar or Dama (Macropus eugenii). Guidelines for logical choices of medications based on allometric scaling, gastrointestinal tract anatomy and physiology, and liver metabolism are given. An example of scaling and a formulary based on anecdotal, published medications are provided.     

吡虫啉对家蚕的毒性

吡虫啉对蚕的毒性试验表明 :4龄起蚕致死中浓度 (LC50 )为 2 71mg/L ,致死中量 (LD50 )为0 0 3 4 μg/头。 4龄起蚕连续添食吡虫啉水溶液试验表明 :0 0 0 71mg/mL( 1 4× 1 0 4 倍稀释液 )浓度吡虫啉连续添毒对蚕有明显的毒性 ,茧的经济性状也有显著地下降。 0 0 1 2 5mg/mL( 8× 1 0 4 倍稀释液 )吡虫啉连续添毒 1 2h的蚕 ,上蔟率为 86%,死笼茧率为 3 9%,鲜茧茧层率为 2 1 2 %,比对照区低 0 3 %,而持续添毒则表现为全部死亡。此外 ,吡虫啉对家蚕具有触杀和熏蒸毒性     

Evaluation of terbinafine treatment in Leishmania chagasi-infected hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of terbinafine treatment in hamsters infected with Leishmania chagasi. Four of five groups of hamsters were infected with 3 x 10(7) L. chagasi promastigotes by the intracardiac route and submitted to different treatments of 30 days duration starting on the 30th day after inoculation. Group 1 was treated with 100mg/kg terbinafine PO, group 2 was treated with 80 mg/kg Glucantime IM, and group 3 was treated with a combination of the same dose of each drug by the same routes. Group 4 (control) received vehicle (Tween 80 [0.1%]+CMC[0.5%]+H(2)O [0.5 ml], PO). Spleen parasite burden and spleen relative weight were determined 3 days after the end of the treatment. The results were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the infected untreated and terbinafine-treated groups in spleen parasite burden (15.81+/-15.81 vs. 13.00+/-12.94, respectively). Terbinafine plus Glucantime (6.11+/-5.90) and Glucantime alone (4.83+/-4.82) significantly reduced spleen parasite burden compared to the infected untreated group (15.81+/-15.81, P<0.01). There was a difference in the relative weight of the spleen between the na?ve and the infected untreated groups (2.5+/-0.2 vs. 9.8+/-1.0, respectively) as well as between the na?ve and terbinafine groups (2.5+/-0.2 vs. 10.0+/-1.4, respectively). Glucantime alone and Glucantime plus terbinafine (2.5+/-0.2 and 4.2+/-0.6) significantly reduced the weight of the spleen in comparison with the infected untreated group. Even so, the spleen parasite burden was directly related to spleen weight. Terbinafine alone at the dose and schedule used had no effect on spleen parasite burden or relative spleen weight of L. chagasi-infected hamsters.     

Successful treatment of atlantooccipital luxation in an alpaca (Lama pacos).

A 7-mo-old male alpaca (Lama pacos) presented with an abnormal lowered posture of the head and neck and reluctance to walk. Cervical radiographs demonstrated atlantooccipital luxation. Successful manual closed reduction was achieved while the animal was anesthetized, resulting in complete return to normal gait and posture.     

Use of famciclovir for the treatment of endotheliotrophic herpesvirus infections in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

Two juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) presented with an acute onset of facial edema and lethargy. Examination of the oral cavity of each animal revealed cyanosis of the tip and distal margins of the tongue suggestive of endothelial inclusion body disease (EIBD) of elephants. Whole-blood samples were obtained, and polymerase chain reaction tests confirmed the presence of elephant herpesvirus. The animals were administered famciclovir (Famvir, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101, USA), a potent human anti-herpesvirus drug, in the course of their disease, and recovery followed a treatment regime of 3-4 wk. These are the first known cases of elephants surviving EIBD.     

Serial chemical restraint for treatment of decubitus ulcers in two neonatal white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum).

Two neonatal white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) at two zoological institutions were medically managed for wounds characterized by extensive multifocal necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, associated with decubitus ulcers throughout the body. Wounds resulted from prolonged recumbency due to inability to stand in one case and causes unconfirmed in the other. Both calves were born in cement stalls during winter. Using either butorphanol (i.v. or i.m.) alone or in combination with detomidine (i.m.), serial chemical restraint was conducted over a 6-wk period to facilitate wound care. Anesthesia was well tolerated in both calves, and lesions responded well to medical treatment.     

Efficacy of a novel formulation of metaflumizone for the control of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) on cats

A novel spot-on formulation containing metaflumizone (ProMeris for Cats, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS) was evaluated in five laboratory studies to determine the duration of residual efficacy in cats against fleas after a single spot treatment. In each study, eight domestic shorthair cats were randomly allocated to each treatment group and individually housed. One group in each study remained non-treated. In one study, an additional group of eight cats was treated with a placebo formulation. Cats were treated topically with metaflumizone formulation to provide a dose of at least 40mg metaflumizone/kg. Cats were infested with 100 cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) once per week for approximately 8 weeks. Cats were comb counted 48h after treatment and each infestation to determine the number of viable fleas present. There were no significant differences in flea counts between the non-treated control and the placebo-treated control (P>0.05) other than a 26% reduction at week 1, demonstrating that the formulation excipients had no activity. Metaflumizone treatment resulted in significantly lower flea numbers relative to non-treated controls on all post-treatment count days (P<0.05). Metaflumizone provided >90% control of flea infestations up to 7 weeks following a single treatment.     

Efficacy of fipronil-(S)-methoprene on fleas, flea egg collection, and flea egg development following transplantation of gravid fleas onto treated cats

The goal of this study was to assess the insect growth regulator activity of the combination product fipronil-(S)-methoprene under a severe challenge model. Gravid fleas were allowed to feed on untreated donor cats for 48 hours before being transplanted onto untreated control cats and treated cats (treated once on day 0); 24 hours later, adult fleas were collected from all cats and counted to assess the 24-hour kill efficacy against the transplanted fleas, and flea eggs were collected and incubated to assess viability. The process was repeated weekly for 11 weeks. The 24-hour efficacy against transplanted adult fleas in the treated group was about 100% for the first 3 weeks and gradually declined to 93.4% by week 6. Egg production numbers were reduced on the treated cats compared with controls, with geometric mean egg counts on treated cats reduced from 76.9% to 96.3% during the initial 6 weeks of the study. The combination product was 100% ovicidal through day 56 and was still about 98% effective against eggs at the end of the study (day 76).     

Successful treatment of suspected exertional myopathy in a rhea (Rhea americana).

A 7-yr-old, adult, female greater rhea (Rhea americana) from the National Zoological Park presented with a 24-hr history of severe left leg lameness that progressed to an inability to stand. Blood work revealed creatine phosphokinase (CPK) above 50,000 U/L and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. The bird's condition deteriorated over the next week. The bird's CPK increased to over 208,400 U/L. Aggressive intravenous fluids and physical therapy along with oral anxiolytic and muscle-relaxant drugs were instituted. After 2 wk of aggressive therapy, initial signs of improvement were noted. By day 28, the bird was able to walk unassisted with no noticeable lameness. This is one of the few reported cases of successful treatment of suspected ratite exertional myopathy. It is believed that success in this case can be attributed to persistent, aggressive physical therapy, muscle relaxants, and anxiolytics aimed to counteract the hyperexcitable nature of these birds.     

Preliminary studies on the effectiveness of the novel pulicide, spinosad, for the treatment and control of fleas on dogs

Spinosad is a novel mode-of-action insecticide produced from a family of natural products derived from fermentation of the actinomycete, Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Separate studies were undertaken to determine the minimum effective dose of spinosad given orally for the treatment of experimentally induced flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) on dogs, and to assess any potential impacts of feeding canned or dry food at the time of dosing. Both were randomized block (blocked by gender and pre-treatment flea counts), blinded parallel-arm studies, with dogs selected on health and ability to maintain pre-treatment flea populations. For dose selection, 48 dogs were allocated among six groups (8 dogs/group; 4 males, 4 females): placebo-treated negative control, spinosad in gelatin capsules at 15, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg administered per os; and topical imidacloprid (10 mg/kg) as a positive control. Placebo and spinosad treatments were administered on Days 0, 30 and 60, imidacloprid only on Day 0. In a second study to assess the impact of food type at the time of dosing, three groups were formed: placebo-treated control (8 dogs; 4 males, 4 females), spinosad (30 mg/kg) administered with canned food (8 male dogs, 8 females); and spinosad (30 mg/kg) with dry food (8 males, 8 females). Treatments were administered on Days 0 and 30. To assess post-treatment persistent efficacy, flea infestations were repeated at regular post-treatment intervals, beginning on Day 5 through Day 89 in the dose selection study and Day 58 in the impact of food type and dosing study. Flea counts were performed 48 h post-infestation by study personnel who were blinded to treatments. In the dose selection study, compared to geometric mean live flea counts in the control group, each spinosad dose was highly effective (99.8–100%) at 7, 14 and 21 days after treatment. Only the 30 and 40 mg/kg doses maintained high efficacy (97.2–100%) until 30 days after treatment, with no difference between the two. Imidacloprid was highly effective at Day 30, with significant difference only from the 15 mg/kg spinosad group. Because there was no significant difference between the higher spinosad rates, 30 mg/kg was selected as the optimal minimum effective dose. In the second study, spinosad was highly effective at all post-treatment flea counts (98–100%). Taken together, these studies demonstrate that repeated monthly oral treatments with spinosad at 30 mg/kg provide sustained control of C. felis on dogs. There were no treatment-related adverse events in either study, indicating that spinosad has potential to be used monthly as a safe and effective flea adulticide, providing sustained activity that matches that of currently used topical products.     

Dose selection of selamectin for efficacy against adult fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) on dogs and cats

Selamectin, a novel avermectin, was evaluated in two controlled studies (one in Beagles, one in domestic shorthaired cats) to determine an appropriate topical dose for efficacy against adult Ctenocephalides felis felis (C. felis) fleas on dogs and cats for 1 month. For each study, animals were allocated randomly to four treatments. One treatment consisted of the inert formulation ingredients (vehicle) administered as a negative control, and the other three treatments consisted of a single topical dosage of 3, 6, or 9mgkg(-1) of selamectin. In each study, selamectin was administered as a topical dose applied to the skin in a single spot at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. Dogs and cats were infested with 100 viable unfed C. felis (50 males and 50 females) on days 4, 11, 18, and 27. Seventy-two hours (+/-2h) after each infestation, on days 7, 14, 21, and 30, a comb count to determine the number of viable fleas present on each animal was performed. Efficacy of selamectin on day 30 was used to select an appropriate dose. For dogs and cats, percentage reductions in geometric mean flea comb counts for the three selamectin treatments ranged from 94. 6 to 100% on days 7, 14, and 21, compared with the negative-control treatment. On day 30, reductions in flea comb counts were 81.5, 94.7, and 90.8% for dogs, and 79.8, 98.0, and 96.2% for cats treated with selamectin at 3, 6, or 9mgkg(-1), respectively. For day 30 flea comb counts for dogs and cats, analysis of variance showed that the three selamectin treatments resulted in significantly (P< or =0.05) lower counts than did the negative-control treatment. For dogs and cats, geometric mean flea counts for selamectin administered at a dosage of 3mgkg(-1) were significantly (P< or =0.05) higher than those for the 6 and 9mgkg(-1) treatment dosages combined. There were no significant differences in flea counts between the 6 and 9mgkg(-1) treatments. This analysis was confirmed by linear-plateau modeling. Thus, the optimal dose of selamectin for efficacy against adult fleas for both dogs and cats, as estimated by the turning point (plateau) in the dose response curve, was 6mgkg(-1).     

Identification and treatment of Moniliformis clarki (Acanthocephala) in cotton-topped tamarins (Saguinus oedipus).

Ten cotton-topped tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) were infected with Moniliformis clarki a parasitic acanthocephalan. One animal died of intestinal perforation and peritonitis before treatment was initiated. Five of the remaining tamarins were treated successfully with oral albendazole at either 50 mg/kg b.i.d. for 16 days or 100 mg/kg b.i.d. for 3 days, then repeated biweekly for four treatments. A less-intensive treatment regime of 50 mg/kg albendazole orally s.i.d. for 3 days and monthly repeated treatments was unsuccessful. Parasites were removed via surgical enterotomy from two animals, both of which continued to shed acanthocephalan eggs postoperatively.