Zoonoses transmitted by mouse and rat maintained as laboratory or pet animals

Large numbers of mice (Mus spp.) and rats (Rattus spp.) are maintained for scientific reasons and as pet animals in Germany. While laboratory animals are monitored for pathogenic agents, the hygienic status of pet animals is usually completely unknown. Despite great efforts, zoonotic infections were reported even in laboratory settings, e.g. with Hantavirus (Seoul virus), Streptobacillus moniliformis, and Trichphyton mentagrophytes. However, in current reports, zoonotic infections were transmitted by mice and rats maintained as pet animals. This includes infections by Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Leptospira interrogans, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Salmonella enterica, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Ornithonyssus bacoti. Furthermore, entero-hepatic Helicobacter spp. of rats and mice are currently discussed to be involved in the etiology of hepatobiliary diseases. Pasteurella spp. of mice and rats do not present a risk for human disease comparable to those species that are transmitted by dogs or cats and might induce serious disease after bites. Altogether, this article lists potential zoonotic agents that were detected in mice and rats and are present in Germany, as well as agents that were reportedly transmitted by mice and rats maintained as laboratory or pet rodents.     

A Multistate Investigation of Antibiotic‐Resistant Salmonella enterica Serotype I 4,[5],12:i:‐ Infections as Part of an International Outbreak Associated with Frozen Feeder Rodents

While most human Salmonella infections result from exposure to contaminated foods, an estimated 11% of all Salmonella infections are attributed to animal exposures, including both direct animal handling and indirect exposures such as cleaning cages and handling contaminated pet food. This report describes the epidemiologic, environmental and laboratory investigations conducted in the United States as part of the response to an international outbreak of tetracycline‐resistant Salmonella enterica serotype I 4,[5],12:i:‐ infections with over 500 illnesses occurring from 2008 to 2010. This investigation found that illness due to the outbreak strain was significantly associated with exposure to pet reptiles and frozen feeder rodents used as food for pet reptiles. Salmonella isolates indistinguishable from the outbreak strain were isolated from a frozen feeder mice‐fed reptile owned by a case patient, as well as from frozen feeder mice and environmental samples collected from a rodent producing facility (Company A). An international voluntary recall of all Company A produced frozen feeder animals sold between May 2009 and July 2010 occurred. Only 13% of cases in our investigation were aware of the association between Salmonella infection and mice or rats. Consumers, the pet industry, healthcare providers and veterinarians need to be aware of the potential health risk posed by feeder rodents, whether live or frozen. Frozen feeder rodent producers, suppliers and distributors should follow the animal food labelling requirements as described in 21 CFR §501.5, and all packages of frozen feeder rodents should include safe handling instructions. Persons should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling live or frozen feeder rodents, as well as reptiles or anything in the area where the animals live. Continued opportunities exist for public health officials, the pet industry, veterinarians and consumers to work together to prevent salmonellosis associated with pet food, pets and other animals.     

Prevalence and outcome of routine and emergency reproductive surgery in female pet rats presented to a veterinary teaching hospital

BackgroundReproductive tract disease is not commonly reported in pet rats. Prevalence, disease identification, outcome and treatment of reproductive tract diseases in pet rats has not been reported.MethodsRecords from all female rats presented to Oklahoma State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 2012-2020 were manually reviewed. Animals undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH) and/or ovariectomy (OE) were eligible for inclusion in the study.ResultsOf 42 female pet rats, 7 rats (16.6%) underwent routine OHE/OE and 3 rats (7.1%) underwent non-elective (emergent) OHE for treatment of reproductive disease, including dystocia, vaginal prolapse and hemorrhagic endometritis. Of the non-elective OHE procedures, one of the three rats survived surgery and the other two died. Postmortem examinations demonstrated respiratory disease in the non-survivors. All the rats that presented for elective OHE/OE survived to discharge.Conclusions and clinical relevanceReproductive disease in female rats is relatively frequent and herein we described a condition previously unreported in pet rats (vaginal prolapse). This report adds to the body of evidence that supports elective reproductive surgery for pet rats.     

Postnatal development of hypoplastic thymus in semi-lethal dwarf pet/pet males

The petit rat (pet/pet) is a new semi-lethal dwarf mutant with anomalies in the thymus and testes, defects inherited as a single autosomal recessive trait. At birth, these pet/pet rats show low birth weight and extremely small thymuses; at 140 days of age, their thymuses show abnormal involution. In the present study, we examined early postnatal development of hypoplastic pet/pet thymuses. In addition to being hypoplastic at birth, pet/pet thymus growth was almost completely impaired during the early postnatal period. As shown by cellular incorporation of BrdU, the mitotic activity was lower in pet/pet than in normal thymuses, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays showed that apoptosis occurred more often in pet/pet than in normal thymus cells during the first few days after birth. These results indicate that postnatal development of the hypoplastic pet/pet thymus is defective due to the reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis of thymic cells.     

低敏宠物核心料对食源性过敏小鼠的作用效果评价

本试验旨在研究低敏宠物核心料的抗过敏效果并初步探讨其可能机制。试验以5周龄雌性BALB/c小鼠为实验动物,通过OVA诱导食源性过敏小鼠模型。同时给予低敏宠物核心料,检测其对食源性过敏小鼠肠道组织结构以及过敏反应的影响,并通过检测小鼠免疫球蛋白、细胞因子、组胺水平,脾、胸腺器官指数,初步探讨其抗过敏的可能机理。结果显示：与对照组相比,食源性过敏小鼠体重增长缓慢,平均日增重极显著降低(P<0.01),绒毛高度、隐窝深度、二者比值(V/C)均显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),腹泻率极显著升高(P<0.01),达到86%,直肠温度极显著降低(P<0.01),过敏反应评分极显著增加(P<0.01),血清IgE、IgG、His、IL-4水平均极显著上升(P<0.01),IL-10水平极显著下降(P<0.01),肥大细胞脱颗粒比率显著增加(P<0.05),胸腺及脾指数则均极显著降低(P<0.01);给予低敏宠物核心料的小鼠上述指标较过敏小鼠均显著改善。本试验采用的低敏宠物核心料可通过抑制肥大细胞脱颗粒,减少组织胺的释放,抑制OVA诱导的食源性小鼠过敏反应的发生,减轻过敏反应症状,同时可改善过敏小鼠肠道组织结构,促进营养物质的吸收。     

Psychiatric investigation of 18 bereaved pet owners

This survey explores the grief associated with the loss of a pet, and was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaires were handed out to 50 bereaved pet owners attending a public animal cremation service, and we received 18 responses. Participants responded within 0 to 44 (median 4) days of the death of their pet. Although most mental health problems immediately following mourning are presumed to be normal grief reactions, on the basis of several psychiatric scales, 8 of the 16 valid responses indicated depression and/or neurosis. Statistical analyses showed that the following factors were significantly associated with grief reactions: age of owner, other stressful life events, family size, age of deceased animal, rearing place, and preliminary veterinary consultation.     

DNA vaccines for veterinary medicine

DNA vaccination represents one of the most recent novel approaches to vaccine development. Experimentally, DNA vaccines induce a broad range of long lasting immune responses including humoral and cell-mediated immunity against infectious diseases in humans and animals. Furthermore, DNA vaccines are potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or cancer. However, most information on the efficacy of DNA vaccines has been generated in mice and studies in larger animals are limited. In this review, the potential application of DNA vaccines in livestock and pet animals are discussed. The principle of this new technology, its potency and future perspectives for use in veterinary medicine will be outlined.     

An overview of restraint and blood collection techniques in exotic pet practice

As more data about blood test results become available, blood sampling becomes increasingly important as a diagnostic tool. The increased availability of biochemistry analyzers that sample small volumes of blood has made it possible to get diagnostic profiles and hematology results from pets that have only small volumes of blood to contribute. This article describes techniques for restraint, phlebotomy, and sample preparation of several of the more popular exotic animals in the pet trade. The species covered include birds, lizards, chelonians, snakes, frogs, salamanders, fish, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and giant spiders (tarantulas).     

The avian pancreas in health and disease.

The avian endocrine pancreas shares some similarities with mammals but also some clinically relevant differences in anatomy and physiology. Diabetes mellitus, an uncommon disease of pet birds, is a challenging condition because of lack of knowledge of the exact pathophysiology and responses to insulin therapy. This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of the avian pancreas and describes the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes mellitus in pet birds.     

Rabbit behavior.

Rabbit behavior is complex and closely related to wild rabbit behavior. The rabbit as a prey species, the rabbit's environment and natural social structure, and the rabbit as an herbivore all play significant roles in rabbit behavior. Stress, especially the stress related to predation, crowding, heat, and inappropriate caging, may affect the behavior of the pet rabbit and its success as a medical or surgical patient. The veterinarian treating the pet rabbit will have a higher level of success if these stresses and the rabbit's behaviors and physiologic responses related to them are taken into consideration.     

Cilia-associated respiratory bacillus infection in rats in New Zealand

AIMS: To demonstrate cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus associated with chronic pneumonia in wild and pet rats in New Zealand. METHODS: A range of tissues from 4 rats were examined grossly and by light microscopy and affected lungs were examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: All 4 rats had moderate to severe cranioventral bronchopneumonia with bronchiectasis and large numbers of argentophilic bacteria resembling CAR bacillus, intimately associated with the bronchial epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: CAR bacillus infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis for pneumonia in rats in New Zealand.     

Experimental cowpox virus infection in rats

A pet rat derived cowpox virus strain, which was also the source of human infections, was used to infect young Wistar and fancy rats. After an incubation period of 6 days the animals developed a severe, often fatal disease with high amounts of virus detected in oropharyngeal secretions.     

Isolation of Streptobacillus moniliformis from a pet rat

We isolated Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever in humans, from the salivary gland of a pet rat postmortem. The isolate was a Gram-negative pleomorphic coccobacillus, which produced acid from glucose and showed enzymatic activities for eight items in the API ZYM system. The results were consistent with those of the reference strain, ATCC 14647(T), except for acid production from dextrin. Partial sequencing of 16S rRNA (1,440 bp) and gyrB genes (514 bp) of the isolate revealed similarities of 100% and 99.8%, respectively, to those of S. moniliformis in GenBank. Therefore, the isolate was identified as S. moniliformis. These results suggested the potential risk of rat-bite fever arising from pet rats in Japan.     

Phase I clinical trial of the use of zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the threshold for acute toxicosis of parenterally administered zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (ZnPcS(4)), a candidate second-generation photosensitizer, in mice and evaluate the compound's safety in a phase I clinical trial of ZnPcS(4)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) in pet dogs with naturally occurring tumors. ANIMALS: Male Swiss-Webster mice and client-owned dogs with naturally occurring neoplasms. PROCEDURES: For the study of acute toxicosis, mice were given graded doses of ZnPcS(4). To determine safety, a rapid-titration phase I clinical trial of ZnPcS(4)-based PDT in tumor-bearing dogs was conducted. RESULTS: In mice, administration of >or= 100 mg of ZnPcS(4)/kg resulted in renal tubular necrosis 24 hours after IP injection. In tumor-bearing dogs, ZnPcS(4) doses 相似文献   

Isolation and identification of Chlamydia psittaci from pet birds

Culturing of Chlamydia psittaci from pet birds requires the inoculation of a susceptible living host system with suspensions of various tissues from dead birds or with tracheal and/or cloacal swabs and fresh feces from live birds. Cell cultures have been used as the host system. The most commonly used cell cultures for isolation of C psittaci from pet birds are McCoy and mouse L cells. The sensitivity and specificity of cell culture equals or surpasses embryonating chicken eggs and mice, and results can be obtained in less than 7 days. To obtain satisfactory results, the inoculum must be centrifuged onto the cell cultures at 37 C, and the cells must be treated with a metabolic inhibitor such as colchicine or cycloheximide. Chlamydia psitaci can be detected in infected cells by use of fluorescent antibody, Giemsa, or Gimenez staining.     

后疫情时代宠物中医的服务需求研究——以广州地区为例

探究居住于广州地区的宠物饲养者在新冠疫情前后对宠物中医的态度和服务需求变化,并就该情况进行分析,为后疫情时代宠物中医的传承和发展提供思路和建议。线上线下相结合,采用问卷调查法和深度访谈法,对广州市各个区的100位宠物饲养者进行线下走访调研,同时发布334份线上问卷对居住于广州的宠物饲养者进行调研;另外,从前期问卷调查阶段同意接受进一步访谈的对象中,筛选出10位宠物主人用半结构化访谈法进行深度访谈。并综合运用Excel和SPSS对定性和定类数据进行描述性统计、Pearson卡方检验、可视化图表等研究分析,得出结论。疫情发生前,大部分宠物主人对宠物中医持有保留态度,而疫情后愿意选择宠物中医服务的比例大幅上升;同时,疫情前宠物主人多选择针灸作为宠物中医的主要服务形式,疫情后宠物饲养者对中兽药的信任度则显著提升。疫情对宠物主人选择宠物中医服务的态度和宠物中医的服务方式有很大的影响和转变,后疫情时代大部分人对宠物中医有更多的信任与期待。由此可见,通过完善宠物中医诊断标准,加强宠物中医治疗用药研发;建立综合性的宠物辅助诊疗及科普平台,提高宠物中医的宣传力度;充分结合多种治疗方法,发挥宠物中医不同服务形式的各种作用;传承传统宠物中医精华,守正创新,可促进宠物中医的进一步发展与壮大。     

Treatment of ulcerative dermatitis in mice (Mus musculus) with gabapentin: 14 cases (2011-2019)

BackgroundUlcerative dermatitis (UD) in the domestic mouse (Mus musculus) has been well characterized in laboratory mouse colonies but has not been well documented in pet mice. Affected animals are intensely pruritic and have characteristic ulcerative lesions on the head, neck, shoulders and trunk. UD is considered a multifactorial disease and can be difficult to treat.MethodsCases of ulcerative dermatitis in pet mice were presented between 2011 and 2019 to the Bird and Exotic Clinic of Seattle in which the owners wished to attempt treatment. All cases were treated with gabapentin, a γ-aminobutyric acid analog, at dosing ranging from 50 mg/kg q24 hours up to 300 mg/kg q8 hours PO, antibiotics, and antiparasitics.ResultsFourteen mice were eligible for inclusion. Of those, 13 showed an improvement post treatment. Response to treatment was partial to complete. Two out of 14 mice were successfully weaned off gabapentin.ConclusionsThe treatment protocol employed in these cases appeared effective in limiting the clinical signs of UD. Gabapentin at higher doses may have contributed to the decrease of the scratching behavior and secondary skin lesions. Underlying causes of the itching should be diagnosed and addressed in individual animals. Further randomized studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of gabapentin.     

人类同犬猫关系的变化与宠物食品的发展

近年来宠物经济快速发展,新型宠物食品层出不穷,而对于宠物食品快速发展的原因鲜有从人类需求层面进行分析.本文从犬猫起源的角度出发,针对犬猫与人类的关系及宠物食品的发展进行讨论,发现犬猫在起源上就具有陪伴属性,是宠物食品创造了宠物本身,宠物食品的快速发展恰恰体现的是"人民对美好生活的需要",于是从人类本身需求的层面上对宠物...     

SPONTANEOUS PANCREATIC ISLET CELL ADENOMA WITH PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN A PET RAT (RATTUS NORVEGICUS)

A pancreatic islet cell adenoma was suspected in a 2.5-year-old pet rat that was presented for lethargy and progressive paraparesis. Hypoglycemia was confirmed using a handheld glucometer. Mild improvement was noted after initial corticosteroid treatment. No evidence of a pituitary mass was identified on magnetic resonance imaging. Although a slight treatment response was observed following drug administration the patient's clinical condition deteriorated to the point that the owners elected to have the rat euthanized. Histopathologically, an islet cell adenoma was identified within the pancreas, along with peripheral neuropathy and muscle atrophy, which were consistent with clinical findings. Immunohistochemical staining of neoplastic cells was positive for insulin. Pancreatic islet cell adenomas are not commonly reported, and their clinical prevalence in pet rats is undetermined. The current report describes a case of pancreatic islet cell adenoma in a rat with concurrent peripheral neuropathy secondary to hypoglycemia.     

Survey of Zoonotic Dermatoses in Client‐Owned Exotic Pet Mammals in Southern Italy

Several ‘exotic’ mammalian species (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and hedgehogs) live in close proximity to humans as companion pets. Skin diseases (SD) are frequent causes of morbidity in exotic pet mammals, and most of those SDs have a zoonotic potential. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequencies and types of zoonotic dermatosis (ZD) in client‐owned, exotic pet mammals in Southern Italy. Six‐hundred and fifty‐five medical records of exotic pet mammals examined between 2011 and 2012, across twenty private practice veterinary clinics around the Naples area (Italy), were retrospectively evaluated and screened for animals diagnosed with SDs (rabbits n = 455, guinea pigs n = 93, ferrets n = 64, hedgehogs n = 19, chinchillas n = 13 and rats n = 11). The records of animals diagnosed with SD, whose causative agents had a zoonotic potential, were selected for analysis. The Mann–Whitney independent test was used for statistical analysis. A P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Eighty‐two records (12.5%) of animals with ZD were identified. Of those, 56.1% (46/82) were affected by fungal infections and 42.7% (35/82) by parasitic infections. No zoonotic bacterial or viral infections were diagnosed. Dermatophytosis was significantly diagnosed more frequently in younger animals. The results of this survey indicate that exotic pet mammals may serve as active carriers for many highly contagious pathogens with zoonotic potential. Awareness and vigilance by the veterinary practitioner is crucial in the prevention of occurrences of ZDs. Children frequently come in close contact with exotic pets. To prevent the unplanned transmission of pathogen from pet to human, an active routine screening examination and preventative treatments are strongly recommended for every newly purchased pet mammal.