Comparison of the prevalence of enteric viruses in healthy dogs and those with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea by electron microscopy

Objectives: To evaluate prevalence of enteric viruses in healthy dogs and to compare it with prevalences in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Methods: Faecal samples were collected from 200 healthy dogs and examined by electron microscopy for presence of viral particles. Data were compared with viral prevalences that had been determined retrospectively by electron microscopy for 936 dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Results: There were significantly more negative faecal samples among the healthy dogs (82.0 per cent) compared with 55.8 per cent in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea (P<0.001). With a prevalence of 17.5 per cent, significantly more healthy dogs were shedding coronavirus compared with 11.6 per cent in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea (P=0.034). Parvovirus was only detected in one healthy dog (0.5 per cent), thus with a prevalence that was significantly lower than 16.0 per cent detected in the dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea (P<0.001). Paramyxovirus was not found in any of the healthy dogs but was found in 9.3 per cent of dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea (P<0.001). Clinical Significance: Results suggest that shedding of parvovirus and paramyxovirus is strongly associated with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea. However, coronavirus seems to be even more prevalent among healthy dogs, raising the need for further studies to investigate the strain-associated pathogenicity of this virus.     

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.     

兰州市犬瘟热、犬细小病毒病及犬副流感的感染调查分析

为查清兰州市宠物犬犬瘟热、犬细小病毒病、犬副流感的感染情况,本研究对2004年~2009年前来宠物医院就诊的有临床症状的犬进行检测,共采集犬瘟热疑似病犬眼鼻分泌物、唾液2238份;犬细小病毒病疑似病犬粪便2423份;犬副流感疑似病犬眼、鼻分泌物334份。用快速检测试纸卡进行检测,结果显示兰州市宠物犬犬瘟热平均阳性率达27.52%,自2004~2009年间呈逐渐下降趋势。犬细小病毒病平均阳性率为25.88%,自2004~2008年间呈逐渐下降趋势,2009年略有反弹。首次证实犬副流感在兰州市宠物犬中流行,其中犬副流感病毒平均阳性率为37.72%,犬腺病毒Ⅱ型平均阳性率为19.46%,从流行周期看,2004年以犬副流感病毒感染为主,2005年以犬腺病毒Ⅱ型感染为主,而后连续两年以混合感染为主,到2008年又以犬副流感病毒感染为主,2009年再次以混合感染为主。     

Risk factors for Campylobacter infection in Norwegian cats and dogs

Rectal swabs from healthy cats and dogs, and from dogs and cats with clinical diarrhoea were collected approximately every third month from May 2000 to June 2001 from six small-animal practices throughout Norway. A questionnaire was filled in for each animal. Of the 301 healthy cats sampled, 54 (18%) were positive for Campylobacter, compared to 5 out of 31 (16%) cats with diarrhoea. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 11 (3%), C. upsaliensis from 42 (13%) and C. coli from 2 (0.6%) of the cats sampled. Isolates from four cats (1%) could not be specified. Of the 529 healthy dogs, 124 (23%) were positive for Campylobacter, compared to 18 of 66 (27%) dogs with diarrhoea. C. jejuni was isolated from 20 (3%) and C. upsaliensis from 117 (20%) of the dogs sampled. Isolates from five dogs (0.8%) could not be specified. Eighteen out of the 20 investigated C. upsaliensis samples were resistant to streptomycin. The clinically healthy animals were included in the analysis to identify factors associated with Campylobacter prevalence. The cat model had low classification ability. The dog-data model indicated increased odds of infection with Campylobacter for dogs ≤1 year, and in dogs sampled during the spring. No difference was observed between the prevalence of Campylobacter infections in cats and dogs with diarrhoea and healthy animals.     

Canine visceral leishmaniasis in São José de Ribamar, Maranhão State, Brazil

Here, we describe the situation of canine visceral leishmaniasis in two villages of S?o José de Ribamar in Maranh?o State/Brazil, where human cases have been registered. Blood samples of 36 household crossbred dogs from Sergio Tamer village and 43 dogs from Quinta village were collected and the serum used for serological diagnosis. An Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect antibodies against Leishmania. The clinical examination showed that 25% of the canine population of Quinta presented a poor body condition and in 39%, ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) were detected. In both tests, serology revealed that 21% (9 out of 43) of the dogs presented antibodies against Leishmania (55% were asymptomatic and 45% were symptomatic). In the Vila Sérgio Tamer, 25% (9 out of 36) of the dogs were seropositive for Leishmania (66.67% were asymptomatic and 33.33% were symptomatic), 33% presented poor body condition, and 22% have ectoparasites. The clinical signs more frequent were skin lesions. The statistical analysis showed that there was no statistical difference (p>0.05) between the seropositivity of the dogs from the two villages. The same was observed when the clinical signs were compared (p>0.05). Both villages have favorable conditions to maintain the cycle of leishmaniasis.     

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.     

Juvenile nephropathy in two related Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies

Juvenile nephropathy has been documented in many breeds. Two related Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies presented at three and five months of age, respectively, for evaluation of lethargy, diarrhoea, poor body condition, polyuria and proteinuria. Based upon the clinical presentation, urinalysis and serum biochemistry, chronic renal failure was diagnosed. Renal histopathology was consistent with juvenile nephropathy, revealing lesions similar to the juvenile renal disease of dobermann dogs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of juvenile nephropathy in related Pembroke Welsh corgi dogs. Familial nephropathy should now be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of young Pembroke Welsh corgi dogs presenting with clinical signs indicating renal failure.     

Propagation of human rotavirus in young dogs

Rotavirus of human origin which had been propagated in gnotobiotic pigs was successfully transmitted eight times in young dogs including once by contact. The infections caused no clinical diarrhoea or any other illness in the pups and all infected animals developed both complement fixing and neutralising antibody against rotavirus.A serological survey carried out on sera collected from 23 dogs demonstrated antibody against monkey SA 11 rotavirus, indicating that dogs are naturally infected with this virus.It is concluded that young dogs could play a role in the transmission and dissemination of rotaviruses.     

A longitudinal study on diarrhoea and vomiting in young dogs of four large breeds

Background

Prospective studies to document the occurrence of canine diarrhoea and vomiting are relatively scarce in dogs, and the majority of published studies are based on information from clinical records. This study investigates the incidence risk of diarrhoea and vomiting as well as potential risk factors.

Methods

A cohort study of 585 privately owned dogs of four breeds: Newfoundland, Labrador retriever, Leonberger, and Irish wolfhound. The owners maintained a continuous log regarding housing, exercise, nutrition, and health of their dogs. Episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting were recorded in a consecutive manner in a booklet. The owners completed the questionnaires and reported information at three, four, six, 12, 18, and 24/25 months of age, called observational ages.Associations with potential risk factors for diarrhoea and vomiting were investigated in separate generalized estimating equation analyses.

Results

The incidence of both diarrhoea and vomiting was influenced by breed. Both diarrhoea and vomiting were relatively common in young dogs, occurring most frequently during the first months of life. After three months of age, the odds of diarrhoea were significantly lower when compared to the observational period seven weeks to three months (OR ranging from 0.31 to 0.70 depending on the period). More males than females suffered from diarrhoea (OR = 1.42). The occurrence of diarrhoea was more common in dogs that also experienced episode(s) of vomiting during the study period (OR = 5.43) and vice versa (OR = 5.50). In the majority of dogs episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting did not occur at the same time. Dogs in urban areas had higher odds (OR = 1.88) of getting diarrhoea compared to dogs living in rural areas. The occurrence of both diarrhoea and vomiting demonstrated a seasonal variation with higher incidence during the summer months.

Conclusion

Both diarrhoea and vomiting occurred most frequently during the first months of life. The incidence of diarrhoea and vomiting was significantly different between breeds. Diarrhoea occurred more frequently in males and in dogs living in urban areas. Also, a positive association between the occurrence of diarrhoea and vomiting in the same dog was found.     

Campylobacter in the dog: a clinical and experimental study

Faecal samples from 54 dogs with diarrhoea and 54 control dogs were cultured for Campylobacter, Salmonella and Yersinia species and controlled for enteric viruses. The campylobacter were identified as either C jejuni/coli or C upsaliensis. In the diarrhoeic group 16 dogs (29.6 per cent) were positive for campylobacter, 10 C upsaliensis and six C jejuni/coli. Concomitant infection with parvovirus was evident in six of the dogs with diarrhoea and campylobacter-positive faecal cultures. In the control group 13 dogs (24.1 per cent) were positive for campylobacter; three of the isolates were C upsaliensis and six C jejuni/coli. Four isolates could not be identified. The most prominent clinical findings in naturally occurring cases were an acute onset of vomiting (12 of 16), diarrhoea (16 of 16) which was often haemorrhagic (nine of 16) and a raised rectal temperature. Dogs were infected experimentally with both C jejuni (three dogs) and C upsaliensis (three dogs). The challenge strains could be identified in faecal samples from all the dogs, but clinical signs of diarrhoea were seen in only one dog infected with C jejuni. Soft faeces was passed by one dog infected with C upsaliensis. It is concluded that C jejuni/coli or C upsaliensis are either primary pathogens or, after predisposing factors such as virus infections, act as secondary pathogens. It also seems probable that Campylobacter species are present in the intestinal flora of the normal dog.     

A Serological Survey of Enteric Parvovirus Infections in Finnish Fur-Bearing Animals

Parvovirus infections in Finnish fur animals, i.e. ferrets, raccoon dogs, blue foxes and mink, were studied. The ferret was found to be the only insusceptible animal. Parvo enteritis of raccoon dogs, reported since 1980, has spread from East Finland to other parts of the country. A new candidate for the Parvovirus family was found to infect blue foxes. According to serologic investigations, the virus resembled feline panleukopenia virus more than canine parvovirus. Clinical signs during the infection have been mild. Annual vaccination has not eradicated mink enteritis virus on farms, but the disease has taken a subclinical form.     

Prevalence of enteropathic Escherichia coli in dogs with acute and chronic diarrhoea

Samples of faeces from 57 dogs with acute diarrhoea, 82 dogs with chronic diarrhoea, 34 clinically healthy household dogs and 88 kennelled control dogs were analysed by hybridisation, using DNA probes to detect enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC), verocytotoxin-producing E coli (VTEC), enterohaemorrhagic E coli (EHEC), enteroinvasive E coli (EIEC) and enteroaggregative E coli (EAggEC). Samples of duodenal juice from 60 of the 82 dogs with chronic diarrhoea were also examined. Significantly more of the dogs with diarrhoea were excreting EPEC (acute 35.1 per cent, chronic 31.7 per cent) and VTEC (acute 24.6 per cent, chronic 28 per cent) than the kennelled dogs (EPEC 17.1 per cent, VTEC 0 per cent) or the household control dogs (EPEC 6 per cent, VTEC 5.9 per cent). Enteropathic E coli was also detected in the duodenal juice of 23 of 60 (38.3 per cent) of the dogs with chronic diarrhoea. The EPEC attaching and effacing A (eaeA) gene and the verocytotoxin 1 (VR1) gene coding for VTEC were often found together. There was good agreement between in vitro studies and hybridisation for the detection of eaeA and VT1. Isolates from the dogs with diarrhoea adhered significantly more to Hep-2 cells, and VT1-positive strains from the dogs with diarrhoea consistently killed more than 50 per cent of Vero cells.     

Mycobacterium avium infection in a dog

A 5-year old, spayed, mongrel was presented with intractable diarrhoea. Histopathologic examination of biopsy specimens taken during exploratory laparotomy revealed acid-fast organisms in the spleen, caecum, and colon. The dog was subsequently destroyed. At post-mortem, lesions were also observed in the liver and lymph nodes. Mycobacterium avium was cultured from splenic tissue. Infection of dogs with this organism is rare and the clinical picture described unusual.     

Clinical, pathological and serological features of spontaneous canine leptospirosis. An evaluation of the IgM- and IgG-specific ELISA

The clinical, pathomorphological and serological features of acute canine leptospirosis are evaluated and the IgM- and IgG-specific ELISA for leptospirosis serology in dogs is assessed. The clinical syndrome of acute canine leptospirosis was characterized by depression, anorexia, vomiting and often haemorrhagic diarrhoea. In addition, jaundice, uraemia, elevated creatinine and alkaline phosphatase were observed in the majority of the dogs. In pups invagination of the intestines was a noteworthy finding. The clinical signs and the post-mortem findings were rather non-specific so that the clinical and post-mortem diagnosis had to be confirmed serologically. In acute clinical cases of canine leptospirosis a high anti-leptospiral IgM titre, ranging from 160 in pups to 10240 in adults, was always present, whereas the anti-leptospiral IgG titre and the agglutination titre usually were negative or low. Dogs died from leptospirosis in spite of a high anti-leptospiral IgM titre. Only two dogs having, at the first examination, a high IgM titre in conjunction with a high IgG titre survived an acute infection. The possible role of IgM and IgG in the pathogenesis of an acute leptospiral infection is discussed. Different serological patterns in reference dogs, which were not suffering from acute leptospirosis, are presented.     

Prevalence of canine enteric coronavirus in a cross-sectional survey of dogs presenting at veterinary practices

In order to determine the prevalence of canine enteric coronavirus (CECoV) in the general dog population, faecal samples were obtained in a cross-sectional study of 249 dogs presenting for any reason at veterinary practices randomly selected from across the UK. Demographic and clinical data was obtained for each of the samples, including signalment, number of dogs in the household, reason for visiting the practice, and any recent history of diarrhoea. The samples were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of both type I and type II CECoV. Seven samples were positive (three from dogs in the same household), a prevalence of 2.8% (95% confidence intervals 1.1–5.7). Phylogenetic analysis of partial M gene sequences revealed that all seven positive samples grouped with type I CECoV, the first report of this virus in the UK. None of the positive dogs presented for gastrointestinal disease. Interestingly five of the positive dogs from three separate households were aged over 6 years, suggesting that older dogs may play an important role in the persistence of CECoV in such populations.     

Eosinophilic diseases in two Cavalier King Charles spaniels

This report describes the clinical presentation of two Cavalier King Charles spaniels with different eosinophilic diseases. The first case presented with dyspnoea and a non-productive cough, and investigations demonstrated eosinophilic bronchopneumonopathy. The second dog was referred for the investigation of haemorrhagic vomiting and diarrhoea and was eventually diagnosed with eosinophilic enteritis. Both dogs had concurrent eosinophilic stomatitis, and both responded completely to immunosuppressive glucocorticoid therapy. This report is the first to describe the concurrence of eosinophilic stomatitis and systemic eosinophilic disease in Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and suggest that this breed may be predisposed to eosinophilic syndromes.     

Mushroom toxicosis in dogs in general practice causing gastroenteritis,ptyalism and elevated serum lipase activity

Mushroom toxicosis is rarely diagnosed in dogs and is poorly reported in the veterinary literature. This report suggests that mushroom toxicosis is a potentially under‐diagnosed condition in first opinion practice in the UK. Nine dogs with clinical signs consistent with mushroom toxicosis were identified from the records of an out‐of‐hours emergency service between August 2010 and January 2011. Four dogs were later excluded because of clinical inconsistencies. Clinical signs included acute profuse ptyalism (5/5), diarrhoea (5/5), vomiting (4/5), hypovolaemia (4/5), stuporous (3/5) or obtunded mentation (1/5), miosis (2/5) and hypothermia (2/5). Serum lipase activity was elevated in 4/4 dogs; canine‐specific pancreatic lipase was elevated in the remaining dog. Four dogs recovered with aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, analgesia and supportive care; the remaining dog was euthanased due to severe clinical signs and financial constraints. Mushroom toxicosis is an important differential diagnosis for acute gastroenteritis and one possible cause of some cases of “Seasonal Canine Illness”. Affected dogs may demonstrate elevated pancreatic enzymes and mushroom toxicosis should be considered in cases of elevated lipase or abnormal semi‐quantitative canine‐specific pancreatic lipase activities.     

Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome in a dog

An 11-year-old female German Shepherd dog presented with lethargy and anorexia, which progressed to haemorrhagic vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures. Serum biochemistry and haematology results showed azotaemia and mild thrombocytopaenia. Euthanasia was elected and the dog was submitted for necropsy examination. There were widespread serosal and mucosal petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages within the abdomen, with ascites and multiple renal infarcts. The renal infarcts were associated with fibrinoid necrosis and thrombosis of inter-lobular arteries and arterioles. These arterial lesions and clinical signs are consistent with haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, which has not previously been reported in dogs in Europe.     

Clinical and epidemiological features of canine leptospirosis in North Queensland

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical signs, results of clinical pathology and serology tests, and treatment outcome of clinical leptospirosis in 40 dogs from North Queensland. DESIGN: Retrospective study from January 1995 to August 1999. PROCEDURE: Case records were reviewed for age, breed, sex, month of submission, geographical location and presenting clinical signs in 40 dogs with titres of > or = 200 for leptospirosis by the microscopic agglutination test. A biochemistry panel and complete blood count were performed on 18 dogs. RESULTS: Canine leptospirosis occurred most frequently during the summer and autumn particularly in the 'wet' tropical coastal areas of Mackay and Cairns. Fewer cases were seen in the Atherton Tablelands and 'dry' tropics around Townsville. Young and male dogs were more commonly affected. Most cases were caused by L australis (80%) and L zanoni (15%) with individual cases of L hardjo and L copenhageni. All dogs showed a distinctive multiorgan disease pattern including renal failure and cholestatic hepatopathy. Presenting clinical signs were related to these disease syndromes and included jaundice, vomiting, lethargy, inappetence, dehydration, pyrexia, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Just over 50% of the dogs in the present study failed to recover. Clinical biochemical changes indicative of renal failure and cholestasis were significantly less severe in dogs that recovered compared with dogs that did not survive. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical pathology testing should be performed on all dogs presented for illness in the endemic areas so as to help make a presumptive diagnosis and assist in determining the prognosis as soon as possible. The presumptive diagnosis should be confirmed serologically.     

A case-control study of pathogen and lifestyle risk factors for diarrhoea in dogs

Diarrhoea is a common and multi-factorial condition in dogs, the aetiology of which is often incompletely understood. A case-control study was carried out to compare the carriage of some common canine enteric pathogens (enteric coronavirus, parvovirus, distemper, endoparasites, Campylobacter and Salmonella spp.), as well as lifestyle factors such as vaccination history, diet and contact with other species, in dogs presenting at first opinion veterinary practices with and without diarrhoea. Multivariable conditional logistic regression showed that dogs in the study which scavenged or had had a recent change of diet (OR 3.5, p=0.002), had recently stayed in kennels (OR 9.5, p=0.01), or were fed a home-cooked diet (OR 4, p=0.002) were at a significantly greater risk of diarrhoea, whilst being female (OR 0.4, p=0.01), currently up to date with routine vaccinations (OR 0.4, p=0.05) and having contact with horse faeces (OR 0.4, p=0.06) were associated with a reduced risk. None of the pathogens tested for was a significant factor in the final multivariable model suggesting that in this predominantly vaccinated population, diarrhoea may be more associated with lifestyle risk factors than specific pathogens.