Treatment of dog thelaziosis caused by Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) using a topical formulation of imidacloprid 10% and moxidectin 2.5%

Canine thelaziosis caused by Thelazia callipaeda infects dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits, and humans resulting in conjunctivitis, pain and excessive lacrimation. T. callipaeda live in the eyes under the nictitating membrane and females release first stage larvae which are ingested by flies which act as intermediate hosts. Control of canine thelaziosis is currently based on the removal of nematodes directly from the eyes of affected dogs or on the local instillation of antiparasitic drugs. With the aim of evaluating the efficacy against T. callipaeda of an association of imidacloprid 10% and moxidectin 2.5% by spot-on formulation administered via dermal application, three groups of naturally infected animals were selected: i.e. group A (21 dogs) received a single dose of imidacloprid 10% and moxidectin 2.5% by spot-on; group B (21 dogs) received a single dose of imidacloprid 10% by spot-on and group C (20 dogs) were left untreated. The efficacy of treatments was established by eye inspection and parasite viability and vitality after 1, 5 and 9 days after animal treatments (groups A and B) and after 9 days only in untreated animals (group C). Imidacloprid 10% and moxidectin 2.5% in spot-on formulation showed to be effective with regards the control of dog thelaziosis within 5 (90.47%) to 9 (95.23%) days after treatment. Only one dog from group A presented nematodes after treatment. The presence of parasites in the eyes of dogs from groups B (imidacloprid 10%) and C confirm that the anthelmintic efficacy against T. callipaeda in animal from group A (imidacloprid 10% and moxidectin 2.5%) was most likely attributable to moxidectin 2.5%. The spot-on formulation containing imidacloprid 10% and moxidectin 2.5% is very easy to apply and helps overcome problems linked to the mechanical removal of parasites or to the restraining of the animals for the local instillation of drugs in the eyes.     

The management and welfare of some common ovine obstetrical problems in the United Kingdom

This review approaches sheep welfare during the periparturient period from a veterinary practitioner viewpoint. At the most fundamental husbandry level, the general hygiene standards adopted on many sheep farms in the United Kingdom (UK) during the lambing period are unacceptable and require urgent improvement. Concerns also arise from obstetrical conditions attended by farmers which cause pain that can be identified using clinical criteria such as altered demeanour and behaviour of the ewe, and the presence of inflammation of the reproductive tract. Reduced production is evidenced by poor milk production and hungry lambs, the necessity to rear such lambs artificially and, in neglected cases, death of the ewe and her lambs. The correction of dystocia, periparturient vaginal, uterine and rectal prolapses is greatly facilitated after epidural injection of lignocaine, or a combination of xylazine and lignocaine administered by a veterinary surgeon. However, the perceived high professional fees charged for these services, and for Caesarean operations, result in few sheep receiving veterinary care, with such neglect directly contributing to poor welfare standards and an increased ewe mortality rate during the periparturient period. Whilst ending any welfare concern, the destruction of ewes rather than requesting veterinary services purely for economic reasons is a disturbing trend in sheep production in the UK and raises concerns regarding positive interaction between veterinary practitioner and farmer. In this article, veterinary treatments which provide effective analgesia are described and costed for obstetrical conditions in sheep. Recommended treatment protocols are described for the common obstetrical problems in sheep. In addition to appropriate treatment of obstetrical problems and alleviation of pain, if veterinary involvement could reduce ewe periparturient mortality from estimated figures of 4-2% this would save an estimated 400,000 ewes annually in the UK. Sheep welfare could be considerably improved by practising veterinarians providing practical instruction to small groups of clients with funding provided by government agencies.     

Leishmania donovani-derived lipophosphoglycan plus BCG induces a Th1 type immune response but does not protect Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and BALB/c mice against Leishmania donovani

The efficacy of Leishmania donovani-derived lipophosphoglycan (LPG) plus Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) as a vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniosis in susceptible BALB/c mouse and Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) models was investigated. Following a triple vaccination with a total dose of 150 microl BCG plus 60 microg or 30 microg of LPG for hamsters and BALB/c mice respectively, there were no noticeable side effects both locally and systemically; implying that the molecule was safe at this dosage level. Vaccinated animals demonstrated an activation of both the humoral as well as cell-mediated responses to LPG, which correlated with resistance against the disease. Protection by LPG plus BCG, was however, poor as the remaining immunized animals showed disease progression leading to severity of the disease as illustrated by emaciation, mass loss and heavy splenic parasitaemia in hamsters. These data nevertheless suggest that it may be rewarding to further evaluate the potential of LPG as a vaccine candidate in leishmaniosis using other adjuvants, which may enhance its immunogenicity.     

PORTAL VEIN ANOMALY AND HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN THREE DOGS

SUMMARY Portal vein anomaly and associated hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed in three dogs; a 2-year-old Old English Sheep Dog, a 14-week-old Old English Sheep Dog and a 20-week-old Corgi. The common clinical changes were anorexia, vomiting, depression, weakness and ataxia. The major laboratory findings were an elevated serum alanine amino transferase activity, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, prolonged retention of sulphobromophthalein, fasting and postprandial hypeoammonaemia and ammonium biurate crystalluria. Angiographic studies demonstrated the presence of a patent ductus venosus in each case. The 2 Old English Sheep Dogs were destroyed at the owners' request and the necropsy findings in each case verified the presence of a portacaval shunt and hepatic encephalopathy. The Corgi is still alive, with conservative medical management, 28 months after the onset of signs. The dog is stunted and has mild, intermittent neurological disturbances. Clinical biochemistry indicates severe hepatic insufficiency and suggests a poor long term prognosis.     

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN THE DOG WITH A REDUCTION IN NEPHRON NUMBER*

The viewpoint presented is that, because compensatory functional adjustment of the residual nephrons occurs in chronic renal disease, reduction in nephron number usually exceeds 70% before a diagnosis is made. The case that earlier diagnoses are likely if laboratory medicine values are measured and interpreted with a maximum of efficiency is then made. The laboratory data more commonly used in practice for the clinical assessment of renal function in the dog are presented and some comparisons with findings in man are made. The information originates from clinical and experimental observations of the authors, as well as from a literature review. The laboratory data presented and discussed includes glomerular filtration rate and the clearance of nitrogenous waste (urea and creatinine), plasma protein concentration, plasma osmolality, renal concentrating capacity, and urinary constituents, particularly its protein concentration and sediment (centrifuge deposit). All parameters recommended for the clinical assessment of chronic renal failure are considered qualitatively, and some are also dealt with quantitatively.     

Trichlorfon-induced congenital cerebellar hypoplasia in neonatal pigs

The neuroteratogenicity of trichlorfon was evaluated in 3 groups of pregnant sows (8/group). The treatments were: control (no trichlorfon), trichlorfon (60 mg/kg of body weight) in the feed only on day 55 of gestation, or trichlorfon (60 mg/kg of body weight) in the feed on day 55 and day 70 of gestation. One week after farrowing, all newborn pigs were removed from the sows and were euthanatized. Brain and cerebellum weights of the newborn pigs were recorded. Mean cerebellum weights and cerebellum/total brain weight ratios of the neonatal pigs were 3.780 and 0.106 (group 1, n = 26), 3.183 and 0.098 (group 2, n = 42), and 2.986 and 0.088 (group 3, n = 61). Although trichlorfon interfered with cerebellar development and the severity of the trichlorfon-induced cerebellar hypoplasia was dosage-related, ataxia did not develop in the neonatal pigs.     

Growth inhibition of environmental mastitis pathogens during physiologic transitions of the bovine mammary gland

Ten dairy cows were infused intramammarily near drying off with concanavalin A (conA) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Mammary secretions were collected during physiologic transitions of the udder and were used in an in vitro microbiological assay to determine growth inhibition of mastitis pathogens. As mammary involution progressed, in vitro growth inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus uberis increased. Mammary secretions from conA- and PHA-treated glands had significantly increased bacterial growth inhibition. Secretions contained significantly increased concentrations of lactoferrin and a decreased citrate:lactoferrin molar ratio earlier in the dry period than did control mammary secretions. Greatest bacterial growth inhibition was observed in mammary secretions obtained 7 days before parturition. However, differences in secretion composition or bacterial growth inhibition were not found between conA- or PHA-treated and control udder halves during the prepartum period. Bacterial growth inhibition by mammary secretion decreased markedly during early lactation. A highly significant positive correlation was found between bacterial growth inhibition and concentrations of lactoferrin, serum albumin, and immunoglobulin G. A highly significant negative correlation was found in the citrate:lactoferrin molar ratio during early involution and the peripartum period.     

An inquiry into the causes of liver damage in lambs

The lamb slaughter records of a large private abattoir showed that a small minority of farms had a lamb liver rejection rate exceeding 40 per cent. Small sheep farms were most likely to have high rejection rates and farms producing both lambs and pigs had relatively high lamb liver rejection rates. In a farm survey statistical analysis showed that the spreading of pig slurry, access to the grazing land by hunts and the infrequent use of dog cestocides were factors significantly linked to high lamb liver rejection rates. A survey of 4000 lambs' livers confirmed the importance of Cysticercus tenuicollis as a cause of rejection. Fifty-two per cent of the livers had lesions which could not be identified but showed histological similarities to ascarid lesions.     

Prevalence of canine uroliths. Minnesota Urolith Center

Uroliths obtained from 839 dogs were evaluated by quantitative methods. Struvite was the most prevalent mineral detected; newberyite, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, sodium and ammonium urate, cystine, and silica were detected much less frequently. Seven per cent of the uroliths had an identifiable nucleus and one or more surrounding layers of different mineral types. Although uroliths were found in all parts of the urinary tract, the urinary bladder was most common. Uroliths of different composition were encountered in a variety of breeds of both sexes and different ages.