Sources and frequency of use of pet health information and level of confidence in information accuracy, as reported by owners visiting small animal veterinary practices

OBJECTIVE: To gain a better understanding of sources and frequency of use of pet health information accessed by owners and assess the level of confidence in information accuracy as reported by pet owners who visit their veterinarians. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 412 participants from 17 small animal veterinary clinics. PROCEDURES: Questionnaires pertaining to pet owners' habits related to pet health information (sources and frequency of their use and confidence in accuracy of information accessed) were distributed by front desk staff at 17 participating veterinary clinics. A cover letter was included with each survey that offered instructions for completion and assured respondents of their anonymity. All completed surveys were placed in an envelope and returned to the researchers for analysis. RESULTS: Results indicated that pet owners who visited their veterinarians acquired pet information from veterinarians via the telephone or in person and from family or friends more frequently than they acquired such information from the World Wide Web. Pet owners also reported more confidence in information received from veterinarians (in person and via telephone conversations), compared with information from any other accessible source. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of Web sites by owners as sources of pet health information will undoubtedly continue to grow. Veterinarians can play a more proactive role in helping pet owners to access reliable Web sites that provide useful pet health information, thereby providing a benefit to all parties.     

Giardia duodenalis in small animals and their owners in Germany: A pilot study

Giardia duodenalis is a relevant gastrointestinal protozoan pathogen of humans and animals. This species complex consists of eight genetically different assemblages. Assemblages A and B are pathogenic to humans and pets, thus confer zoonotic potential. The risk of zoonotic transmission has been controversially discussed. The aim of this monocentric cross‐sectional pilot study was to investigate G. duodenalis assemblages in humans and pets living in common households in Berlin/Brandenburg (Germany). Samples from dogs, cats and humans sharing the same households were screened for Giardia infection by antigen‐detecting assays. All human samples were additionally analysed by a Giardia‐specific qPCR. Cyst quantification and sequences of different gene loci (triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), β‐giardin (bg) and for dogs SSUrDNA) were analysed. A total of 38 households (31 households with dogs and seven with cats) with 69 human individuals participated in the study. Initial antigen‐detecting assays revealed Giardia‐positive results for 13 (39%) canine, one (14%) feline and one human sample. Reanalysis of the human samples by qPCR revealed two more positive specimens (4%). Two of these three samples were identified as assemblage B at all tested loci. Success rate of assemblage typing for pet samples was generally low and comprised mainly the SSUrDNA locus only. Overall, six of 13 Giardia‐positive canine samples were typable (2× A, 1× co‐infection: A and B, 1× C; 2× D). One pair of samples (dog and human) from the same household had a similar but not identical assemblage B sequence at tpi locus. Assemblage A was also detected in the dog specimen, which hampered sequence analysis. In conclusion, although exhibiting limitations due to the sample size, our study highlights the need for better and standardized typing tools to distinguish G. duodenalis strains with higher resolution in order to perform proper case–control studies for a realistic estimation of zoonotic risk.     

Dairy herd health, impedance on six acupuncture points and immune response factors in milk: A pilot study

This study aimed to evaluate whether immunological parameters in milk and the impedance at 6 acupuncture points (APs) were related to herd health: good versus poor. The study used a purposively selected sample of 10 herds and in each herd 15 to 18 animals were observed. Statistical models at animal level included a random herd effect, with age and days in milk as covariates. The capacity for immune response was estimated through in vitro proliferation counts in medium, LPS, and ConA. At the right and left bladder meridians we measured impedance at 3 APs related to disease resistance. The energy balance at the onset of lactation and other parameters confirmed the classification in good and poor health herds. The immunological parameters in milk were not significantly related to health status, but LPS values of two herds with the apparent poorest health were consistently lower. The good health herds showed significantly lower impedance at all APs. Impedance values at APs correlated negatively with counts of LPS, indicating that good health animals had consistently higher counts of macrophages, i.e. better innate disease resistance. To confirm prospects of the parameters, we recommend repeating the study with a larger randomly selected sample.     

The use of alfaxalone for premedication,induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in pigs: a pilot study

Objective

The evaluation of alfaxalone as a premedication agent and intravenous anaesthetic in pigs.

A survey of aged horses in Queensland, Australia. Part 1: management and preventive health care

Objective To describe management practices and routine preventive care of aged horses in Queensland, Australia, including effects of owner characteristics, affiliation to an equestrian group and retirement of the horse. Methods Owners of horses were contacted via Equestrian Australia (EA) and asked to complete a questionnaire about their aged horses (e.g. age, breed, sex and colour); their use and management, including preventive health care; and use of equine healthcare providers. Results Horses aged 15 years or greater represented one-third of the total horses owned in the population sample. The median age of the horses was 20.7 years (range 15–44 years). Basic husbandry and preventive health care varied depending on demographic region, age of the horse and its use. Affiliation with EA was associated with the breed and use of the horse, but not with management or preventive health care other than frequency of hoof care visits. Retired horses had reduced basic husbandry and preventive health care compared with non-retired horses. There was reduced preventive health care in rural compared with urban areas. The majority (61%) of horses in the current study had not been visited by a veterinarian in the previous 12 months. Conclusion Aged horses constitute a large subgroup of the Australian horse population. Although basic management is at a high level for most aged horses, it appears to be reduced following the horse's retirement and in the more rural areas. There was limited veterinary involvement in preventive healthcare strategies for aged horses, especially in rural areas.     

A pilot study to investigate the measurement of immunoglobulin A in Welsh Cob and Welsh Pony foals’ faeces and their dam’s milk

ABSTRACT

Aims: To determine if an ELISA for measurement of IgA in equine serum could be used to measure concentrations of IgA in foal faeces and to determine correlations with concentrations in the milk of the dam.

Methods: Faeces from 20 Welsh Cob and Welsh Pony foals and milk from their dams were collected within 12?hours (Day 0) and at 6 days after parturition (Day 6). On Day 6, faeces could not be collected from 2/20 foals, and milk samples could not be collected from 3/20 mares. An equine IgA ELISA validated for serum and plasma was used to measure concentrations of IgA in all samples in triplicate. The precision of the assay for each sample type was determined using modified CV.

Results: IgA was not detectable in 7/20 Day 0 faecal samples and in 2/18 Day 6 faecal samples. For samples with detectable IgA, the mean modified CV was 10.5 (95% CI?=?6.0–15.0)% for Day 0 faecal samples, and was 6.8 (95% CI?=?4.3–9.4)% for Day 6 faecal samples. Median concentrations of IgA in faeces on Day 0 were lower than concentrations on Day 6 (0.7?mg/g vs. 37?mg/g dry matter; p?=?0.003). Concentrations of IgA in milk and faeces on Day 6 were statistically correlated (r?=?0.59; p?=?0.006).

Conclusions and clinical relevance: The IgA ELISA showed acceptable precision when used to estimate concentrations of IgA in foal faeces during the first week of life, but IgA could not be detected in 37% of meconium samples collected on Day 0. This assay may be useful for investigation of the role of maternal milk IgA in the gastrointestinal tract of neonatal foals, but further assessment of both accuracy and precision of the ELISA is required.     

A survey of aged horses in Queensland, Australia. Part 2: Clinical signs and owners' perceptions of health and welfare

Objective To describe the prevalence and risk factors for clinical signs of disease and owner-reported health or welfare issues of aged horses in Queensland, Australia. Methods Owners of horses were contacted via an equestrian organisation in Queensland and asked to complete a questionnaire about their horses aged 15 years and older, to gain information about clinical signs observed in the horse and disease history. Owners were asked to identify health or welfare issues they felt were important in aged horses. Results Owners were able to identify many clinical signs of disease, with 83% of horses having at least one reported clinical sign of disease. Muscle stiffness (33%), lameness (28%), ocular discharge (22%), change in hair coat (22%) and skin problems (21%) were the most commonly reported signs. Increasing age was a risk factor for the presence of clinical signs of disease. Ponies had an increased risk of both laminitis and hirsutism, whereas Thoroughbreds had an increased risk of stereotypies, wounds, weight loss and musculoskeletal signs. Owners reported a known disease or disorder in their horses less frequently than the clinical signs of disease. Owners reported weight loss (28%), arthritis/lameness (24%) and teeth/dental care (18%) as the most important health issues, followed by welfare issues (8%). Conclusion Owners demonstrated concern for the health and welfare of their aged horses, but the lack of appropriate recognition of the significance of clinical signs and limited veterinary care suggest a need for increased client communication and veterinarian–client interaction.     

A pilot study on in vitro solubility of phosphorus from mineral sources,feed ingredients and compound feed for pigs,poultry, dogs and cats

Excess phosphorus (P) as seen in cat foods can have a negative effect on health (Dobenecker, Webel, Reese, & Kienzle, 2017 ; Pastoor, Klooster, Mathot, & Beynen, 1995 ). P surpluses may affect the environment, and economics in food producing animals, whereas marginal supply may impair performance and health. P can only be absorbed if it is soluble. Solubility of feed P in water and weak acid solution—as a precondition for absorption—was investigated in feed for dogs, cats, pigs and poultry. Different P containing mineral compounds (Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, CaHPO₄?2H₂O, Ca₄Na(PO₄)₃, KH₂PO₄, K₄P₂O₇, NaH₂PO₄, Na₅P₃O₁₀ (29 samples), as well as eight different ingredients such as wheat or meat, 64 compound feeds for pig and poultry, eight complete dry and 13 complete moist dog foods, 25 complete moist cat foods and 29 experimental diets were analysed for P solubility. Finely ground feeds were soaked in water or hydrochloric acid (0.4%) for 1 and 90 min. The samples were centrifuged and the supernatant was analysed for P (photometric vanadate molybdate method after wet ashing). The solubility of P from inorganic sources reflected the solubility of the main compound of the feed grade material. “organic” ingredients, such as fish meal or meat, showed a lower P solubility than inorganic sources. Most ingredients from animal origin (exception fish meal) had a higher P solubility than those from plant origin. When inorganic and “organic” P sources were mixed, the P solubility of the mixture reflected the P solubility and percentages of its compounds. In chicken, turkey and pig compound feed the percentage of acid soluble P increased with increasing P content. Pet moist food showed high percentages of water‐soluble P. The results show that the method is suitable to obtain data on water and acid solubility of P in feed and ingredients.     

Seroprevalence of Bartonella species,Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii among patients with hematological malignancies: A pilot study in Romania

Patients receiving immunosuppressive cancer treatments in settings where there is a high degree of human–animal interaction may be at increased risk for opportunistic zoonotic infections or reactivation of latent infections. We sought to determine the seroprevalence of selected zoonotic pathogens among patients diagnosed with haematologic malignancies and undergoing chemotherapeutic treatments in Romania, where much of the general population lives and/or works in contact with livestock. A convenience sample of 51 patients with haematologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy at a referral clinic in Cluj‐Napoca, Romania, was surveyed regarding animal exposures. Blood samples were obtained and tested for evidence of infection with Bartonella species, Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii, which are important opportunistic zoonotic agents in immunocompromised individuals. 58.8% of participants reported living or working on a farm, and living or working on a farm was associated with contact with livestock and other animals. 37.5% of participants were IgG seroreactive against one or more of five Bartonella antigens, and seroreactivity was statistically associated with living on farms. Farm dwellers were 3.6 times more likely to test IgG seroreactive to Bartonella antibodies than non‐farm dwellers. 47.1% of the participants tested T. gondii IgG positive and 13.7% tested C. burnetii IgG positive, indicating past or latent infection. C. burnetii IgM antibodies were detected in four participants (7.8%), indicating possible recent infection. These results indicate that a large proportion of patients with haematologic cancer in Romania may be at risk for zoonotic infections or for reactivation of latent zoonotic infections, particularly with respect to Bartonella species. Special attention should be paid to cancer patients' exposure to livestock and companion animals in areas where much of the population lives in rural settings.     

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

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

A field study on the effect of the dietary use of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff, alone or in combination with certain antimicrobials, on the health status and performance of weaned, growing and finishing pigs

This study was conducted to assess the effect of dietary use of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff (Cp) on health status and performance of weaned, growing and finishing pigs and its compatibility during simultaneous oral administration of antimicrobials (AM) such as enrofloxacin (E) or salinomycin (S). Weaners (720) were assigned in 2 experimental groups and 4 subgroups based on the inclusion or not of Cp and AM in their feed (subgroups: NC, ES, Cp, Cp+ES) in order to evaluate their health status, under PWDS prevailing herd conditions. A second part of the trial aimed to the evaluation of piglet performance under conditions with minimized PWDS herd risks. For this purpose, a second set of 264 weaners were assigned in 2 groups and 4 subgroups, in a respective manner. All piglets remained on-trial until slaughtering age; Cp was incorporated in their feed at a rate of 2% from the day of weaning until slaughtering. The health status evaluation consisted in monitoring piglets for adverse effects related to Cp consumption, average daily diarrhoea scoring during weaning and mortality rate calculations throughout. Performance evaluation included individual weighing at the end of weaning, growing and fattening periods and feed consumption assessments. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ration (FCR) on a pen basis were further calculated. Cp ingestion was well tolerated by the piglets. Simultaneous administration of Cp and AM in feed, resulted in less severe forms of PWDS, which had a shorter clinical course (P<0.05). Mortality decreased (P<0.05) during the weaning period due to AM administration. Concerning mean pig body weight at the end of each production phase, both Cp and AM had favorable effects (P<0.05). ADG estimated for the whole observation period was improved (P<0.05) by Cp-use along with AM. FCR improvements (P<0.05) were noticed during the different stages of growth due to AM or Cp administration, while Cp/AM interaction was noticed only at weaning (P<0.05).     

Impact of including information from bulls and their daughters in the training population of multiple‐step genomic evaluations in dairy cattle: A simulation study

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of accounting for parent average (PA) and genotyped daughters’ average (GDA) on the estimation of deregressed estimated breeding values (dEBVs) used as pseudo‐phenotypes in multiple‐step genomic evaluations. Genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) were predicted, in eight different simulated scenarios, using dEBVs calculated based on four methods. These methods included PA and GDA in the dEBV (VR) or only GDA (VRpa) and excluded both PA and GDA from the dEBV with either all information or only information from PA and GDA (JA and NEW, respectively). In general, VR and NEW showed the lowest and highest GEBV reliabilities across scenarios, respectively. Among all deregression methods, VRpa and NEW provided the most consistent bias estimates across the majority of scenarios, and they significantly yielded the least biased GEBVs. Our results indicate that removing PA and GDA information from dEBVs used in multiple‐step genomic evaluations can increase the reliability of GEBVs, when both bulls and their daughters are included in the training population.     

内蒙古典型草原地区常见植物光合、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率的比较研究

在所测78种植物中，光合(Ph)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE)的平均值，分别以反枝苋、藜和西伯利亚滨藜最高。在不同分类系统中，Ph、Tr和WUE个指标，C4植物大于C3植物；双子叶植物通常大于单子叶植物；藜科植物高于其他科植物；1—2年生草本高于其他生活型植物；撂荒地植物一般高于其他植被类型的植物。方差分析表明，光合速率的差异显著性水平在各分类系统中均高于蒸腾速率和水分利用效率。     

A cross‐sectional study of intestinal parasitoses in dogs and children of the periurban area of La Plata (Buenos Aires,Argentina): Zoonotic importance and implications in public health

A cross‐sectional study was performed between school term dates 2014 and 2015 to diagnose intestinal parasites in dogs and children living with them. The socio‐environmental characteristics and hygiene practices of the children were also evaluated in terms of risk factors for parasitic infection of periurban neighbourhoods of La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Serial coproparasitological samples of 78 dogs and 211 children were analysed by means of concentration and flotation techniques. Socio‐environmental variables and hygiene practices of children were evaluated through semi‐structured questionnaires which were answered by every family. The study showed that 82.1% of dogs were parasitized. The specific richness was of 11 species; Ancylostoma caninum (69.2%), Uncinaria stenocephala (41.0%), Trichuris vulpis (28.2%) and Toxocara canis (21.8%) were the most prevalent. The study also revealed that 67.8% of children were positive. Also, 11 species were identified and the most prevalent were Blastocystis sp. (36.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (27.5%) and Giardia lamblia (21.3%). The risk for parasitosis was higher in 6‐year‐old children and older (OR = 1.9, 95% IC: 1.0–3.7) and in those who did not wash their hands or did it occasionally after playing with their pets (OR = 2.8, 95% IC: 1.4–5.5). Blastocystis sp. and Entamoeba coli infection risks were greater in children whose parents had a basic level of education (OR = 3.4, 95% IC: 1.3–8.7 and OR = 3.6, 95% IC: 0.8–15.9, respectively). In addition, the risk of infection for E. coli was higher in children who lived in floodable houses (OR = 4.4, 95% IC: 0.9–16.6). Likewise, the risk of infection for E. vermicularis was greater in children with onychophagia (OR = 1.6, 95% IC: 0.7–3.7) and in 6 year olds and older whose parents completed only primary studies (OR = 3.6, 95% IC: 1.4–9.1). The results obtained show the existence of a worrying epidemiological scenario that stresses the importance of zoonotic parasitosis as a serious problem of public health.     

The use of race winnings, ratings and a performance index to assess the effect of thermocautery of the soft palate for treatment of horses with suspected intermittent dorsal displacement. A case-control study in 110 racing Thoroughbreds

REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: There have been no reports of the efficacy of thermocautery of the soft palate (TSP) assessed objectively as a treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). OBJECTIVE: To compare: racing performance of horses that underwent thermocautery of the soft palate with matched controls; and 'Racing Post ratings' (RPR) with prize money won (RE) and a performance index (PI) for each of the horses in the study. HYPOTHESIS: Thermocautery of the soft palate has no beneficial effect on racing performance and the 3 measures of performance are significantly related. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 110 horses and each was matched with 2 controls. Changes in performance were compared statistically. RPR, RE and PI were analysed using a regression model. RESULTS: The percentage of horses that improved in performance following the procedure was 28-51% for the 3 measures of performance, compared to 21-53% for the matched controls. There was no significant effect of the procedure on the changes in RPR or RE. There was a significant effect of the procedure on the change in PI (P=0.015) with more treated horses achieving an improved PI and fewer acquiring a worse PI than matched control horses. The measures of performance showed significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Thermocautery of the soft palate alone may not be the most efficacious treatment of DDSP. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Production of a reliable measure of racehorse performance may be possible.