Measurement of Faecal Cortisol Metabolites in Cats and Dogs: A Non-invasive Method for Evaluating Adrenocortical Function

The aim of this comparative study was to gain more information about the metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoids in cats and dogs in order to establish non-invasive methods for evaluating stressful conditions. Therefore, in a first experiment, [¹⁴C]cortisol was administered intravenously to 8 animals (two of each sex and species). Over a period of 6 days, faeces and urine were collected immediately after spontaneous defecation and urination. Marked species differences were found, as cats mainly excreted cortisol in the faeces (82%±4% of the total recovered radioactivity), whereas in dogs only a small portion was found there (23%±4%). The highest urinary radioactivity was observed after 9±3 h in cats and 3±1 h in dogs. Peak concentrations in the faeces occurred after 22±6 h in cats and after 24±4 h in dogs. Most of the radioactivity was not extractable with diethyl ether, indicating that the metabolites excreted in urine and faeces were mainly of the conjugated or polar unconjugated types. This was confirmed by RP-HPLC, which also revealed marked differences between cats and dogs concerning the metabolites formed. In addition, the immunoreactivity of the metabolites was tested in cortisol, corticosterone and 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIAs. The latter, measuring 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA) detected the highest quantities of immunoreactive metabolites in cats, but not in dogs. In a second experiment, the adrenal cortex of both species was stimulated by ACTH and, three weeks later, suppressed by dexamethasone. In this study, only faeces were collected over a period of 7 days. In both species, inter-animal variability in the basal and maximal/minimal faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations and the time course was observed. The 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIA in cats and the cortisol EIA in dogs proved best suited for monitoring changes in adrenocortical activity. ACTH injections resulted in an increase above baseline values of 355% (median) in 11,17-DOA concentrations in cats and of 702% in the concentrations of cortisol equivalents in dogs by about 25 h and 22 h (median) after injection, respectively. Minimal concentrations after dexamethasone administration were about 17% in cats and 31% in dogs (in relation to baseline values) and were reached in 66 h and 72 h, respectively. It was concluded that measuring cortisol metabolites in faeces should be a useful non-invasive tool for monitoring stress in carnivores.     

The occurrence of enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens strains in the feces of dogs and cats

A total of 147 faecal specimen of dogs and cats was examined with cultural method for the occurrence of Cl. perfringens and its enterotoxin by using a reversed passive latex agglutination test (Pet-RPLA). Cl. perfringens could be detected in 77.9% of the samples of dogs (n = 68) and 65.6% of cats (n = 32) with diarrhoea in germ counts of 10(4)-10(10) cfu/g faeces. In the group of non diarrhoeic dogs (n = 39) and cats (n = 8) Cl. perfringens was found in 53.9% and 50% of the samples, the germ counts revealed 10(4)-10(8) cfu/g faeces. The enterotoxin of Cl. perfringens was detected in 48.5% of the samples of dogs and 28.1% of cats with diarrhoea. On the other hand this toxin could not be detected in any faecal specimen of non diarrhoeic animals. The in vitro detection of Cl. perfringens enterotoxin was successful at 65% of 20 strains, that had been isolated from faecal samples with enterotoxin. Also 2 Cl. perfringens strains isolated from faeces of non diarrhoeic dogs proved to be enterotoxigenic. The present test results given reason to believe that enterotoxigenic Cl. perfringens strains are involved in the complex of enteric disease of dogs and cats.     

Walking the dog and moving the cat: rabies serology in the context of international pet travel schemes

Data of 13'469 blood samples from 10'999 dogs and 2'470 cats tested for rabies neutralizing antibodies within the framework of pet travel schemes were analysed for single and combined factors influencing antibody titres and failures. The time span between vaccination and drawing the blood sample was confirmed as a major source of failure in dogs with a proportion of 23 % at 4 months after primary vaccination (single dose). Failures in dogs and cats (titre < 0.5 IU) were significantly reduced after double primary vaccination (2 doses within 7 - 10 days), although failures reached comparable levels in dogs as early as 6 months after vaccination. In contrast, failure after vaccination was generally below 5 % in dogs and absent in cats after a booster applied at earliest 12 months after single primary vaccination. Statistically significant differences between the failures of the vaccine brands ?Rabisin? (1.5 %), ?Defensor? (6.7 %), ?Nobivac Rabies? (11.0 %) and ?Rabdomun? (18.2 %) were found in dogs but also between the titres induced in cats. Significant differences were found between different dog breeds with some small breeds showing a significantly higher responsiveness. Taken together, a new regimen for rabies vaccination consisting of double primary vaccination with a short interval of 7 - 10 days and a one-year booster appears to be highly recommended for dogs and cats.     

Urinary excretion of glucocorticoids in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in cats

In dogs and humans, the measurement of urinary corticoid excretion has become a standard screening test for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism. Mainly because the urinary excretion of cortisol was considered to be very low in cats, its measurement was not used in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in this species. We therefore studied the urinary excretion of [³H]cortisol and measured the corticoid/creatinine (C/C) ratio in healthy cats and in cats with hyperadrenocorticism in order to evaluate the applicability of this measurement in the diagnosis of feline hyperadrenocorticism. The median urinary excretion of intravenously administered [³H]cortisol was 1.85% (measured as excreted ³H; range, 1.56 to 1.99; n = 4). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed a small peak of cortisol and a large peak consisting primarily of conjugates of cortisol and/or its metabolites. The 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles of the urinary C/C ratio in healthy cats were 2 × 10⁻⁶ to 36 × 10⁻⁶ (n = 42). The C/C ratio was significantly higher in six cats with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (median, 122 × 10⁻⁶; range 51 × 10⁻⁶; to 272 × 10⁻⁶). The administration of a high dose of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg thrice daily per os) led to marked suppression of the C/C ratio in healthy cats (median suppression of the average of the C/C ratio of the first two consecutive days was 92%; range, 74 to 96%; (n = 12), as well as in five cats with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Our results demonstrate that despite the low urinary excretion of injected [³H]cortisol, urinary corticoid concentrations in cats can be measured by radioimmunoassay and that the urinary C/C ratio is a sensitive test in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in the cat.     

Rabies vaccination compliance following introduction of the triennial vaccination interval--the Texas experience

In 2003 the Texas Board of Health approved a modification to the Texas Administrative Code that permitted pet owners to have their dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) vaccinated against rabies every 3 years, provided a triennial vaccine was used. The change had been opposed by hundreds in the veterinary community, some concerned that its implementation would be followed by a decrease in rabies vaccination rates. To determine if this decrease had occurred, rabies vaccination rates for 4 years before and after migration to the 3-year vaccination interval were examined. Data for dogs and cats, ≥ 4 months of age, were collected from the Texas Department of Health Rabies Incident Report database. Each animal's record included its current rabies vaccination status. The number of animals that were currently vaccinated against rabies was tallied and the percent vaccinated was calculated. From 1999 through 2002, 46% of dogs were vaccinated against rabies. From 2004 through 2007, 56% of dogs were vaccinated against rabies. From 1999 to 2002, 18% of cats were vaccinated against rabies. From 2004 to 2007, 30% of cats were vaccinated against rabies. There has been a significant increase in the numbers of dogs (P < 0.001), and cats (P < 0.001), vaccinated against rabies since the introduction of the triennial vaccination interval. This observational study documents the positive changes in rabies vaccination rates following migration from a 1-year to 3-year vaccination interval.     

Infectious diseases of dogs and cats on Isabela Island, Galapagos

BACKGROUND: Vaccination and importation of dogs and cats are prohibited in the Galapagos, resulting in a uniquely isolated population. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of infectious diseases of dogs and cats that impact their health, could spill over to native wildlife, or sentinel diseases of concern to humans. HYPOTHESIS: The isolation of dogs and cats in the Galapagos protects them from diseases common in mainland populations. ANIMALS: Ninety-five dogs and 52 cats presented during a neutering campaign. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed. Blood was collected for serological and DNA evaluation of a panel of infectious diseases. RESULTS: Antibodies against parvovirus (100%), parainfluenza virus (100%), adenovirus 1/2 (66-67%), and distemper virus (22%) were present in dogs. Dirofilaria immitis was also common in dogs (34%), with lower prevalences of Wolbachia pipiens (22%), Bartonella sp. (13%), Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. (1%), and Mycoplasma haemocanis (1%) observed. Antibodies against panleukopenia virus (67%), Toxoplasma gondii (63%), calicivirus (44%), and herpesvirus 1 (10%) were detected in cats. Feline leukemia virus antigen, feline immunodeficiency virus antibody, or coronavirus antibodies were not detected. Bartonella sp. (44%) infections were common in cats, but only one was infected with M. haemofelis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Despite their relative seclusion from the rest of the world, cats and dogs of Isabela were exposed to many pathogens found in mainland South America. Parasite prophylaxis, neutering, and strict enforcement of animal movement restrictions would control a majority of the diseases. In the absence of vaccination, a reservoir of susceptible animals remains vulnerable to new disease introductions.     

IS SARCOCYSTIS TENELLA TWO SPECIES?

When mutton containing microscopic sarcocysts of Sarcocystis spp was fed to dogs and cats, only dogs excreted sporocysts in their faeces. Conversely, mutton containing macroscopic sarcocysts produced infection in cats but not dogs. Sheep were experimentally infected with sporocysts from the faeces of dogs and cats either separately or together, and reciprocal feeding trials with their meat carried out with dogs and cats. The results of the experiments strongly suggest that Sarcocystis tenella of sheep may be 2 distinct species, one with the cat as definitive host, and the other parasitising the dog.     

Toxocara eggs shed by dogs and cats and their molecular and morphometric species-specific identification: is the finding of T. cati eggs shed by dogs of epidemiological relevance?

Intestinal infections with Toxocara cati and Toxocara canis in their definitive host (felids and canids, respectively) are diagnosed by egg identification in faeces using coproscopical techniques. The Toxocara species is assumed to comply with the species from which the examined faeces were obtained, i.e. T. cati in cats and T. canis in dogs. We isolated and measured Toxocara eggs from faecal samples of 36 cats and 35 dogs from Switzerland and identified the Toxocara species by PCR. Amongst the isolates originating from dogs, 24 (68.5%) were determined as T. canis and 11 (31.5%) as T. cati. In all samples originating from cats, only T. cati was identified. Based on PCR identification, eggs of T. canis (n=241) and T. cati (n=442) were measured, revealing statistically significant different (p<0.001) mean sizes of 62.3 by 72.7 μm for T. cati and 74.8 by 86.0 μm for T. canis eggs. Considering that coprophagy is not unusual for dogs, a considerable percentage of Toxocara infections coproscopically diagnosed in dogs, as well as assumptions on anthelminthic resistance in regularly treated dogs, might in fact relate to intestinal passages of eggs following the uptake of other animals' faeces.     

Electron microscopic virus diagnosis in dogs, cats, calves, swine and foals in the year 1989

During 1989 fecal and gut samples of 598 dogs, 189 cats, 496 calves, 100 pigs and 66 foals with diarrhoea were investigated for virus by electron microscopy. In samples of dogs and cats Parvovirus was detected in 18.5% and 8.5% of the samples, respectively; Coronavirus was found in 14.9% and in 16.4% of the specimens. In samples of calves Coronavirus dominated with a detection rate of 37.5%, followed by Rotavirus with 10.7% and not clearly identifiable particles resembling Coronavirus (4.2%). In 7.1% of the specimens Rotavirus as well as Coronavirus was found. In 33% of specimens from piglets Coronavirus was detected. 10.6% of the faeces from foals contained Coronavirus-like particles. Between 1987 and 1989 the detection rate of Parvovirus in faeces from dogs and cats decreased from 24.2% to 18.6% and from 17.5% to 8.5%. Coronaviruses in calves, dogs and cats increased from 22.9% to 37.5%, from 5.6% to 14.9% and from 8.2% to 16.4% of the samples investigated.     

Results of molecular diagnostic assays targeting feline herpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus in adult cats administered modified live vaccines

In this pilot study, 12 adult, gang-housed cats that were known to be previously exposed (n=12) to feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and/or vaccinated against (n=2) feline calicivirus (FCV) and FHV-1 were randomly assigned to one of two groups of six cats each. Nasal and pharyngeal samples were collected from each cat on days -7, -3, and 0 prior to vaccination and on days 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 28 after vaccination with an FHV-1, FCV, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine developed for intranasal (six cats) or parenteral (six cats) use. FHV-1 DNA was amplified from 1/12 cats (1/69 samples; 1.4%) prior to vaccination and 2/12 cats after vaccination (2/154 samples; 1.3%). FCV RNA was amplified from 2/12 cats (2/69 samples; 2.9%) prior to vaccination and 7/12 cats (12/154 samples; 7.8%) after vaccination. Positive molecular diagnostic assay results for FHV-1 and FCV were uncommon prior to or after vaccination in these cats.     

The measurement of glucocorticoid concentrations in the serum and faeces of captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana) after ACTH stimulation

Conventionally, the assessment of adrenal responses to stress relies on blood sample collection. However, blood collection from animals is impossible without restraint or immobilisation that influences results. This study was undertaken to validate recently established enzyme immunoassays that measure faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in elephants, and to perform a preliminary investigation into the biological relevance of this non-invasive method for use in assessing the degree of stress in this species. Four juvenile African elephants were injected i.m. with 2.15 mg synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (Synacthen, Novartis, Switzerland). Blood and faecal samples were collected over 4 h and 7 d respectively. Concentrations of serum cortisol and faecal cortisol metabolites were determined using immunoassay. Variability of basal and peak values in blood and faeces was observed among the elephants. After ACTH injection, serum cortisol concentrations increased by 400-700%. An 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) proved best suited to measure cortisol metabolites (11,17-dioxoandrostanes) when compared to a cortisol and corticosterone EIA in faecal samples. Concentrations of faecal 11,17-dioxoandrostanes increased by 570-1070%, reaching peak levels after 20.0-25.5 h. Greater levels of glucocorticoid metabolites were measured in faecal samples from elephants kept in small enclosures compared to levels in the faeces of animals ranging over a larger area. The results of this preliminary study suggest that non-invasive faecal monitoring of glucocorticoid metabolites is useful in investigating adrenal activity in African elephants.     

Isolation and haemolytic activity of Aeromonas species from domestic dogs and cats.

Rectal swabs from 120 domestic dogs and 15 domestic cats were examined for Aeromonas species using alkaline peptone water (pH 8.6) as the enrichment medium and blood agar containing 15 mg/l ampicillin as the plating medium. Aeromonads were isolated from 13 (10.8%) dogs and from 1 (6.7%) cat. Of the 14 aeromonads isolated in the present study only 9 were available for speciation and testing in the haemolysin assay. Of these 5 were A. sobria (including one from a cat), 2 were A. hydrophila and 2 were A. caviae. Six were positive in the haemolysin assay; 4 A. sobria (one from a cat) and 2 A. hydrophila. The presence of haemolysin producing-Aeromonas species in the faeces of domestic dogs and cats may pose a public health problem for humans who come into contact with such animals.     

Measurement of glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in faeces of domestic livestock

After 14C-labelled cortisol infusion in ponies and pigs, faecal samples were collected. Extraction of 0.5 g faeces with 5 ml 80-90% methanol yielded the highest radioactivity in the supernatant. Most of the metabolites were ether soluble. After high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the presence of immunoreactive metabolites was demonstrated by measuring each HPLC fraction using enzyme immunoassays for cortisol, corticosterone and 11-oxoaetiocholanolone. Only the assay for 11-oxoaetiocholanolone revealed peaks with co-eluting radioactivity. For biological validation of the test system, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and dexamethasone were injected intravenously successively in both species (n = 6). Cortisol concentration in blood and the 11-oxoaetiocholanolone immunoreactive substances in faeces were determined. In horse faeces, basal values of 2.3-35.2 nmol/kg were measured. After ACTH administration, an increase (more than 200% above basal values) of these metabolites was seen about 1 day after ACTH administration. After dexamethasone injection the levels decreased, reaching minimum concentrations 2 days after administration. In pigs, an increase in these metabolites was measured in only three animals after ACTH; dexamethasone did not cause a decrease. The stability of the samples after defecation was tested by storing samples from cows, horses and pigs at room temperature. It was shown that there was a significant increase in the concentration of measured cortisol metabolites in bovine, equine and porcine faeces after storage for 1 h, 4 h and 24 h, respectively. In frozen samples this effect was diminished after thawing samples at 40 degrees C; thawing the samples at 95 degrees C prevented an increase in immunoreactive substances.     

Epidemiologic factors, clinical findings, and vaccination status of rabies in cats and dogs in the United States in 1988. National Study Group on Rabies

Despite the availability of rabies vaccination through private veterinarians and government-sponsored rabies control programs, rabies was reported in an average of 338 cats and dogs per year from 1980 through 1987 in the United States. Information was collected on 90% of the 183 cats and 97% of the 119 dogs that were reported to have rabies in the continental United States in 1988. The median age of rabid cats and dogs was 1 year, and 81% were from rural areas. Compared with rabid cats, rabid dogs were more likely to have been male (66 vs 42%, odds ratio = 2.6), to have been kept as pets (84 vs 43%, odds ratio = 6.8), and to have had reported contact with wildlife before onset of illness (38 vs 14%, odds ratio = 3.8). Rabid cats accounted for a greater proportion of human rabies postexposure prophylaxis, bites to people, and exposures to other animals than did rabid dogs. Although the clinical signs of rabies varied, rabid cats were more likely than dogs to have had aggressive behavior (55 vs 31%, odds ratio = 2.8). In contrast, rabid dogs were more likely than cats to have had an illness consistent with a paralytic process. The median period between onset of illness and death was 3 days (range, less than 1 to 10) in rabid cats and dogs that were allowed to die of rabies. Vaccine failures were documented in 3 (1%) rabid animals (2 cats and 1 dog). All animals had received only a single dose of vaccine in their lifetime and were vaccinated when they were between 3 and 6 months old.     

Evaluation of the effects of selamectin against adult and immature stages of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) on dogs and cats

The adulticidal, ovicidal, and larvicidal effects of selamectin against flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) infestations on dogs and cats were evaluated in a series of seven controlled and masked studies (three in cats, four in dogs). Animals were randomly allocated to treatment with either selamectin at a minimum dosage of 6mgkg(-1) in the commercial formulation or one of two negative-controls (0.9% NaCl solution or the vehicle from the commercial formulation). Treatments were administered topically in a single spot on the skin at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. Speed of kill, measured by flea comb counts at 12h intervals during the 48h immediately following a single treatment on day 0, was evaluated in two studies. One study was in dogs and the other in cats, and each animal was infested with approximately 100 unfed viable adult fleas prior to treatment. Reductions in geometric mean flea counts for selamectin compared with saline were >98% between 24 and 36h after treatment in dogs, and between 12 and 24h after treatment in cats (P< or =0.0006). Efficacy in reducing flea egg hatch and larval development was evaluated in four studies, in which dogs and cats were treated once on day 0 and then repeatedly infested with approximately 600 fleas. Flea eggs were collected approximately for 72h after each infestation, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30, counted, and cultured to determine their hatchability and subsequent larval development. Compared with the vehicle, selamectin was highly effective in reducing flea egg hatch (>92% in cats) and larval development (> or =95% for dogs and cats), and emergence of adults (97.8-100% for dogs, 85.6-100% for cats) for 30 days. Effects of exposure to hair coat debris were investigated in a study with dogs treated once on day 0 and repeatedly infested with 100 adult fleas. Debris (dander, flea faeces, hair, scales) was collected on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 30 and added to normal flea eggs or larvae for incubation. Compared with debris from vehicle-treated dogs, debris from selamectin-treated dogs was highly effective in preventing egg hatch (>96%), in killing larvae (>98%) and in preventing larval development to adults (>99%) (P相似文献   

Canine parvovirus in asymptomatic feline carriers

Canine parvovirus (CPV) and feline panleukopaenia virus (FPLV) are two closely related viruses, which are known to cause severe disease in younger unvaccinated animals. As well as causing disease in their respective hosts, CPV has recently acquired the feline host range, allowing it to infect both cats and dogs. As well as causing disease in dogs, there is evidence that under some circumstances CPV may also cause disease in cats. This study has investigated the prevalence of parvoviruses in the faeces of clinically healthy cats and dogs in two rescue shelters. Canine parvovirus was demonstrated in 32.5% (13/50) of faecal samples in a cross sectional study of 50 cats from a feline only shelter, and 33.9% (61/180) of faecal samples in a longitudinal study of 74 cats at a mixed canine and feline shelter. Virus was isolated in cell cultures of both canine and feline origin from all PCR-positive samples suggesting they contained viable, infectious virus. In contrast to the high CPV prevalence in cats, no FPLV was found, and none of 122 faecal samples from dogs, or 160 samples collected from the kennel environment, tested positive for parvovirus by PCR. Sequence analysis of major capsid VP2 gene from all positive samples, as well as the non-structural gene from 18 randomly selected positive samples, showed that all positive cats were shedding CPV2a or 2b, rather than FPLV. Longitudinally sampling in one shelter showed that all cats appeared to shed the same virus sequence type at each date they were positive (up to six weeks), despite a lack of clinical signs. Fifty percent of the sequences obtained here were shown to be similar to those recently obtained in a study of sick dogs in the UK (Clegg et al., 2011). These results suggest that in some circumstances, clinically normal cats may be able to shed CPV for prolonged periods of time, and raises the possibility that such cats may be important reservoirs for the maintenance of infection in both the cat and the dog population.     

The occurrence of Clostridium difficile in fecal samples of dogs and cats

Fecal samples of 150 dogs and 175 cats originating from different veterinary practices were investigated for assessing the occurrence of Clostridium (Cl.) difficile by using a selective medium for cultural isolation. From dogs without enteric symptoms 7 (9.3%) of 75 samples were positive for Cl. difficile, with 2 strains being cytotoxic for bovine embryonic lung fibroblast cells, which could be neutralized by Cl. difficile-antitoxin. In samples of 75 dogs with enteric symptoms Cl. difficile could be isolated in 2 cases (2.7%). In cats 9 (9%) of 100 fecal samples deriving from animals without enteric symptoms contained Cl. difficile, while in 75 cats with enteric symptoms, the isolation rate was 6.7% (5 strains). Of either group only 1 Cl. difficile-strain showed cytotoxicity for tissue culture. The results of this study allow to conclude, that in contrast to the significance for man Cl. difficile is neither for dogs nor for cats an important enteric agent. However these pets can harbour and shed strains of Cl. difficile, even cytotoxigenic ones, in faeces. In view of these findings the possibility of occasional human infections by household dogs or cats needs attention and further investigation.     

The veterinary and public health significance of hookworm in dogs and cats in Australia and the status of A. ceylanicum

There is no current information regarding the prevalence of hookworm in Australian dogs and cats and based on the results of studies conducted over 20 years ago, where high prevalences of helminths were recorded, the prophylactic administration of broad spectrum anthelmintics has been advocated. During this study, faecal samples were collected from dogs (n=1391) and cats (n=1027) across Australia. Samples were examined by microscopy and information regarding the demographics of each animal, and the management practices they experienced were recorded. A highly sensitive and species-specific PCR-RFLP technique was utilized to differentiate the various hookworm species which can infect dogs and cats directly from eggs in faeces. The prevalence of hookworm in dogs and cats was found to be 6.9% and 1.4%, respectively. Ancylostoma ceylanicum was detected for the first time in Australia in 10.9% of the dogs found positive for hookworm. Significantly, A. ceylanicum is capable of causing a patent infection in humans. After adjusting for other factors with multiple logistic regression, dogs from refuges, dogs originating from a tropical climatic zone, dogs aged 1 year or less, and those dogs which had not received anthelmintics were significantly more likely to be parasitized. Only univariate analysis was conducted for the cats as there were too few samples positive for hookworm. Cats were more likely to be infected with hookworm if they were from refuges, originated from a tropical climatic zone, and had not received treatment with anthelmintics. The results of this study demonstrates the importance of having current information regarding the prevalence of parasites of dogs and cats and the risk factors associated with infection, as well as the need to reassess the veterinary and public health concerns regarding hookworm infection and its control, which are currently based on out-dated information.     

Distribution of Toxocara infection in the environment and in definitive and paratenic hosts in Estonia

The aim of the study was to elucidate the distribution and possible transmission routes of Toxocara spp. infection in Estonia. Out of 454 faecal and sand samples collected from park lawns and sandpits in the town of Tartu, 19 were Toxocara positive (4.2%). Out of the 45 sandpit samples 17.8% were Toxocara positive. Cat faeces was found in 21 sandpit samples. Parasitological necropsies were performed on 41 euthanised stray dogs and 27 cats in the Tallinn Dog Home. Additionally, 13 wild free-roaming brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) were captured from the Tallinn Dog Home territory, necropsied and studied for the presence of Toxocara larvae. Toxocara canis adults were found in 14.6% of the dogs and Toxocara cati (syn. mystax) adults in the small intestines of 48.2% of the cats examined. Larval infection was detected in the kidney and liver in 5 dogs (12.2%). Our study demonstrated only low-level larval Toxocara infections in adult dogs. Toxocara larvae were not found in cats and brown rats. According to the results of this study, cats more often carry Toxocara infection than dogs. Under our conditions, stray and free-roaming cats are the main contaminators of the environment with Toxocara eggs. Children playing in sandpits are the main risk group for larval toxocarosis.     

Association of Campylobacter jejuni with enteritis in dogs and cats

Campylobacter jejuni was recovered from 59 of 505 (11.7 per cent) dogs with diarrhoea as compared with only two of 122 (1.6 per cent) dogs without diarrhoea. However, there was no significant difference between campylobacter isolations from 142 cats with and without diarrhoea. C jejuni infections were commonly associated with chronic diarrhoea in both species and appropriate therapy abolished clinical signs and excretion of the organism in faeces in most cases. C jejuni may be responsible for some forms of enteritis in dogs and cats and is a zoonosis in which the companion animal may be the vector.