A survey of the prevalence of Giardia in dogs presented to Canadian veterinary practices

Fecal samples (1216) were collected from dogs presented to 15 veterinary practices across Canada and tested for Giardia by ELISA for group-specific antigen. If positive, the presence of Giardia was confirmed by microscopy. Eighty-eight submissions tested positive by ELISA and microscopy. The overall prevalence rate of Giardia was 7.2%.     

Diversity,seasonality and sites of attachment of adult ixodid ticks on dogs in the central region of the Free State Province,South Africa

Several surveys of ticks infesting dogs belonging to owners in resource-limited and more affluent communities have been conducted in South Africa, but no such investigation has been carried out in the Free State Province of this country. The present study was initiated to meet this shortcoming. Ticks were collected from dogs at six localities in, and to the east of the city of Bloemfontein in the central region of the province. Three of these localities could be classed as resource-limited and two as affluent, while the sixth locality was an animal shelter serving all members of the public. Adult ticks belonging to nine ixodid tick species were collected, of which Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the most numerous. Significantly more R. sanguineus was collected from dogs at resource-limited than at more affluent localities. The greatest proportions of these ticks attached to the backs and necks of the dogs, with the proportions being larger in long-haired than in short-haired dogs. Most R. sanguineus were collected during the warmer months particularly from January to April. The greatest proportions of Haemaphysalis leachi, the next most numerous species, were also collected from the backs and the necks of the dogs. Most of these were present during the period September to November.     

Possible involvement of salicylic acid in systemic acquired resistance ofCucumis sativus againstSphaerotheca fuliginea

The possible involvement of salicylic acid in systemic acquired resistance ofCucumis sativus againstSphaerotheca fuliginea was studied. Cucumber plants were inoculated with tobacco necrosis virus on the cotyledons and the level of endogenous salicylic acid in the first true leaf was determined by gas chromatography. Salicylic acid increased continously from the second day after virus inoculation to the fifth day, when the same leaf was inoculated withSphaerotheca fuliginea. In healthy plants, the efficiency of exogenous salicylic acid in inducing resistance was assayed by applying aqueous solutions at different times beforeSphaerotheca fuliginea inoculation. To evaluate the level of induced resistance, the following parameters were examined by light microscopy: percentage of conidial germination, length of the hyphae derived from single conidia, number of haustoria, percentage of epidermal cells with lignified walls and of necrotic cells underlying fungal hyphae. In treated plants conidial germination was reduced, the total length of the hyphae was shorter, the number of haustoria was lower and the haustorium-containing epidermal cells had more frequently lignified walls. Moreover, an evident increase in callose deposition was observed leading to the formation of oversized papillae around the penetration pegs. These results indicate that the application of salicylic acid before inoculation withSphaerotheca fuliginea reduces the intensity of the infectious process and that salicylic acid is involved in the expression of systemic resistance in cucumber challenged by the biotrophic pathogenSphaerotheca fuliginea.     

Effect of thyroid hormone supplementation on survival of euthyroid dogs with congestive heart failure due to systolic myocardial dysfunction: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Nineteen euthyroid dogs of 12 breeds with echocardiographic signs of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and radiographic and clinical signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) were evaluated in a randomised, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. The dogs received either thyroxine or placebo as an adjunct to digoxin, furosemide and propranolol. The group assignment of individual dogs and serum concentrations of thyroid hormones remained unknown to owners and investigators during the entire study period. Dogs were evaluated clinically and with electrocardiography (ECG), thoracic radiography, echocardiography and measurement of total thyroxine (tT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) before beginning of the trial, and then one week, 2 months, 6 months and yearly after initial examination, and, when applicable, at the time of euthanasia. End-point of the study was euthanasia (n = 17) due to severe congestive heart failure or sudden death (n = 2). Survival times ranged from 17 to 1030 days (median 187 days) in the placebo group, and from 18 to 1000 days (median 73 days) in the treatment group. There was no statistically significant difference in survival times between the treatment group and the placebo group (p = 0.46). Post mortem and histopathologic examinations revealed the attenuated wavy fiber type of DCM in 11 dogs, and myocardial infarcts, arteriosclerosis and chronic valvular disease in one dog. In conclusion, there was a wide range in survival times of dogs treated with digoxin, furosemide and propranolol. Adding thyroid hormones to the treatment did not significantly influence survival.     

Occurrence of the temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin among avian Escherichia coli

In this study, we determined the occurrence of the tsh gene among 305 Escherichia coli isolates from chickens by means of the polymerase chain reaction and agglutination of chicken erythrocytes; 200 of those isolates were obtained from chickens with colisepticemia, 52 isolates were from lesions of cellulitis, and 53 were from feces of normal chickens. The tsh gene was found in 79 (39.5%) isolates from colisepticemia, in 10 (19%) cellulitis-derived E. coli isolates, and in two (3.8%) fecal isolates. Among the tsh+ strains, 68 (86%) isolates from colisepticemia and nine (90%) from cellulitis agglutinated chicken erythrocytes in the presence of mannose, after growing the strains on colonization factor antigen agar plates at 26 C, which confirms a correlation between mannose-resistant hemagglutination and expression of hemagglutinin Tsh. These results show, for the first time, the presence of the gene tsh in cellulitis-derived E. coli isolates; the high frequency of this gene among avian pathogenic E. coli isolates in Brazil indicates that its putative role as a virulence factor should be studied more thoroughly.     

The neurological examination and lesion localization in the companion rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Completion of a thorough neurological examination of a rabbit is essential for clinicians to determine the location of a neurological problem. Determination of the location of a lesion (whether solitary or multifocal/diffuse) enables a clinician to list the most likely causes of the problem. This article presents the neurological examination of the rabbit, followed by a practical guide to lesion localization in this species.     

Enjoyment and fear in urban woodlands – Does age make a difference?

Urban dwellers experience conflicting thoughts and feelings about urban woodlands; valued for their natural qualities, the relief they provide from the stress of modern urban living and the opportunities they afford for children's play and exploration. At the same time the seclusion inherent in this type of urban greenspace seems fraught with risk from crime, vandalism and abuse. Whilst many of these characteristics are well-researched, less is known about the differing perceptions of particular social groups. This study aimed to explore the ways in which age affects urban dwellers’ aspirations, values and fears concerning the woods, and woodland accessibility, focusing on the views of elderly people (aged over 65). This pilot study was based in Norfolk Heritage Park, an urban park containing a variety of woodland settings located in Sheffield, UK. The questionnaire survey (participantsn=97) revealed that although walking is the most popular leisure activity, most respondents did not visit urban parks as often as they would like, regardless of age. Whilst many of the meanings associated with urban woodland (“relaxation”, “peacefulness”, “seasonal change”, “scenery” and “education”) were shared amongst age groups, it seemed that the elderly respondents particularly valued the woods for their links with the past, and opportunities for immersion in the natural world. Some respondents from all age groups had fears about their personal security in the woodland, and the concerns of the elderly were heightened by their perceived frailty, reduced mobility and sense of vulnerability; this age group had a corresponding need for particular measures to alleviate these problems. The study provides preliminary evidence for the idea that adults of different ages have differing perceptions and requirements in relation to urban woodlands. Due to the small sample size and other methodological issues, further research is needed to confirm and develop the findings.