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Increasing prevalence of canine heartworm in coyotes from California.

Thirty-seven subadult and adult coyotes (Canis latrans), collected August 1992 through December 1996 from a coastal foothill area in northern California (USA), were examined for adult heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). During 1992 through 1993, at the end of a 6 yr drought, none of four coyotes examined were infected with heartworms. However, during 1994 through 1996, after the drought had ended, prevalences were 91% in 23 adult coyotes and 40% in 10 subadult coyotes. Heartworm intensity did not differ by sex of coyote, and averaged (+/- SE) 19.4 +/- 3.8 among adults; one subadult had > 238 heartworms. The prevalence and intensity of heartworm infection in coyotes reported here for 1994 through 1996 are the highest reported anywhere in the United States.

Animals↗

Safety of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine in non-target ungulates and coyotes.

Brucellosis is endemic in free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA; USA). It is possible that an oral brucellosis vaccine could be developed and disseminated in the GYA to reduce disease transmission. Should this occur, non-target species other than elk and bison may come in contact with the vaccine resulting in morbidity or mortality. To assess biosafety, bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis; n = 10), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana; n = 9), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; n = 11), moose (Alces alces shirasi; n = 10), and coyotes (Canis latrans; n = 24) were given a single oral dose of at least 1.0 x 10(10) colony-forming units of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine (RB51). Animals were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. Ungulates were captured, blood sampled, and swabs taken from the nares, rectum, and vagina for bacterial culture on day 0, 42, and 84 post-inoculation (PI). On day 42, the vaccinated group became a control group and vice versa in a crossover design. Blood and swab samples were taken from coyotes on days 0, 14, 28, and 42 PI. There was no crossover for the coyote study. Two coyotes from each group were also euthanized and cultured for RB51 on days 42, 84, 168, and 336 PI. Blood samples were analyzed for hematologic changes and antibodies to RB51 using a modified dot-blot assay. No morbidity or mortality as a result of vaccination was observed in any animal. There were no differences in hematologic parameters at any time for ungulate species; vaccinated coyotes had higher hematocrit, hemoglobin, and eosinophil counts (P < or = 0.006). All individuals, except some moose, seroconverted to RB51. Strain RB51 was cultured from oropharyngeal lymph nodes from one coyote 42 days PI and from a moose 117 days PI. This study suggested that a single oral dose of RB51 was safe in these species.

Administration, Oral↗

Experimental Babesia gibsoni infection in coyotes (Canis latrans).

Four 5 mo old captive raised coyotes (Canis latrans) were experimentally inoculated with approximately 1 x 10(6) Babesia gibsoni organisms. Parasites were detected 1 wk post-inoculation in all coyotes with maximum parasitemia of 8-11% occurring at 34 wk. Parasitemias remained at or above 1% for at least 12 wk and were still detectable 20 wk post-inoculation. All experimentally infected coyotes developed pale mucous membranes, splenomegaly, and a positive heme reaction in urine while one coyote exhibited mild depression and inappetence. Infected coyotes also developed a regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. The mild clinical signs coupled with the high level and long duration of parasitemia indicate that coyotes could serve as reservoirs for B. gibsoni. Entrance of this foreign parasite into the United States suggests the need for strict quarantines and thorough health and blood film examinations for imported animals.

Anemia↗

Canine distemper virus in coyotes: a serologic survey.

Serum samples from 228 coyotes were selected randomly from a serum bank assembled from Texas from 1975 to 1984 and were evaluated serologically for neutralizing antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV). One hundred and twenty-eight (56%) of the 228 coyotes had antibody titers of greater than or equal to 1:5 against CDV (seropositive). The serologic prevalence (seroprevalence) of antibodies against CDV infection was higher in the spring (62%) than in the fall (40%). The seroprevalence of CDV in various age groups was different; 25 of 101 coyotes (25%) were seropositive at less than 1 year of age, 35 of 52 (67%) were positive between 1 and 2 years of age, and 68 of 75 (91%) were positive at greater than or equal to 2 years of age. The results indicated that CDV was enzootic in coyote populations of southern Texas, with an increasing number of seropositive coyotes noted annually. The sex of the coyote did not appear to be related to the seroprevalence against CDV.

Age Factors↗

Ineffectiveness of clorsulon against Nanophyetus salmincola in coyotes.

Efficacy of clorsulon against the trematode Nanophyetus salmincola was evaluated in coyotes. Ten 16-week-old coyote pups were fed fish that contained metacercariae of N. salmincola. Twenty-one days later, 5 of the coyotes were given a suspension of clorsulon (approx 16 mg/kg of body weight, orally). Within 30 days after treatment, the numbers of fluke eggs in fecal specimens from the 5 treated coyotes had not decreased, and numbers of fluke eggs and flukes recovered from treated coyotes at necropsy did not differ from numbers of fluke eggs and flukes recovered from 5 untreated coyotes. Therefore, clorsulon at a dosage of 16 mg/kg was not effective against N. salmincola.

Animals↗

Coyote as a final host for Sarcocystis species of goats, sheep, cattle, elk, bison, and moose in Montana.

Tissues (1 kg) from sheep, goats, cattle, moose, bison, or elk naturally infected with Sarcocystis species were fed to one to four Sarcocystis-free coyotes and the number of sporocysts in feces and intestines were counted. All 12 coyotes fed naturally infected tissues shed Sarcocystis in feces, with a prepatent period of 9 to 15 days. The four coyotes fed infected beef had 15, 25, 113, and 201 million sporocysts in their feces and intestines. The coyotes fed elk, moose, or bison had 2.5, 15, and 2.5 million sporocysts in their intestines, respectively. Sporocysts in feces of coyotes fed musculature of cattle, sheep, goats, and elk were structurally similar to those described previously from the feces of dogs. This is evidently the first report of the completion of life cycle of Sarcocystis species in moose and bison. Cross-transmission experiments indicated that one species of goat Sarcocystis completes its life cycle in both dog and coyote and that the ovine Sarcocystis is not transmissible to goats.

Animals↗

Relaxin as a diagnostic tool for pregnancy in the coyote (Canis latrans).

The diagnosis of pregnancy in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) often employs specialized equipment, experienced staff, and the cooperation of the bitch. These procedures can be challenging when the subject is a wild canid, particularly in a field setting. In addition, reproductive hormone assays are unreliable as a diagnostic tool because the estrous profiles of pregnant and pseudopregnant canines are similar. However, research has demonstrated that the hormone relaxin can be detected in maternal blood after embryonic implantation, but remains negligible in non-pregnant females. We investigated the use of relaxin as a diagnostic marker of pregnancy in the coyote (C. latrans). A commercially available canine relaxin enzyme immunoassay (ReproCHEK) was used to test plasma collected from 124 female coyotes over four consecutive breeding seasons. Mating activities of the captive females were observed; then peripheral blood samples were collected at intervals throughout pregnancy, as well as after parturition. Results demonstrated that relaxin could be detected in the plasma of pregnant coyotes after 28 days of gestation, and in some cases as early as 23 days, while non-pregnant females and male coyotes consistently tested negative. Relaxin also remained detectable in the plasma of the majority of females tested 10-12 weeks after parturition. This qualitative assay for relaxin proved to be a reliable diagnostic tool for pregnancy in the coyote. In addition, blood sampling was relatively easy, could be accomplished with minimal handling, and did not require sedation or anesthesia.

Animals↗

Evaluation of oral rabies vaccination programs for control of rabies epizootics in coyotes and gray foxes: 1995-2003.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intervention efforts to halt 2 wildlife rabies epizootics from 1995 through 2003, including 9 oral rabies vaccination campaigns for coyotes and 8 oral rabies vaccination campaigns for gray foxes. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 98 coyotes during prevaccination surveillance and 963 coyotes and 104 nontarget animals during postvaccination surveillance in south Texas, and 699 gray foxes and 561 nontarget animals during postvaccination surveillance in west-central Texas. PROCEDURES: A recombinant-virus oral rabies vaccine in edible baits was distributed by aircraft for consumption by coyotes and gray foxes. Bait acceptance was monitored by use of microscopic analysis of tetracycline biomarker in upper canine teeth and associated bone structures in animals collected for surveillance. Serologic responses were monitered by testing sera for rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies by use of the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. The incidence of rabies in the distribution area was recorded via active and passive surveillance activities; tracking of rabies virus variants in confirmed rabid animals was used to determine the number and type of rabies cases before and after distributions of the vaccine. RESULTS: The expansion of both epizootics was halted as a result of the vaccine bait program. The number of laboratory-confirmed rabid animals attributable to the domestic dog-coyote rabies virus variant in south Texas declined to 0, whereas the number of laboratory-confirmed rabid animals attributable to the Texas fox rabies virus variant in west-central Texas decreased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data indicated that oral rabies vaccination resulted in protective immunity in a sufficient percentage of the target wildlife population to preclude propagation of the disease and provided an effective means of controlling rabies in these species.

Administration, Oral↗

Serologic survey of select infectious diseases in coyotes and raccoons in Nebraska.

To obtain data about select zoonotic and other infectious diseases in free-ranging predators in five ecoregions in Nebraska, sera were collected from 67 coyotes (Canis latrans) and 63 raccoons (Procyon lotor) from November 2002 through January 2003. For coyotes, antibodies were detected against canine distemper virus (CDV, 61%), Francisella tularensis (32%), Rickettsia rickettsi (13%), and flaviviruses (48%). None of the coyote sera had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella canis, or six serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Because serologic cross-reactivity exists among flaviviruses, 14 sera from flavivirus-positive coyotes were also tested for St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE) antibodies and two (14%) were positive, suggesting that up to 48% of coyotes tested had antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV). For raccoons, antibodies were detected against CDV (33%), F. tularensis (38%), and three serovars of L. interrogans (11%).

Animals↗

Hammondia heydorni infection in sheep, goats, moose, dogs and coyotes.

The transmission of Hammondia heydorni among sheep, goats, cattle, dogs and coyotes is described. Oocysts of H. heydorni, obtained from dog faeces by feeding naturally infected goat meat, were fed to an experimental goat. After 312 days tissues from this animal were fed to 2 dogs. One dog, which received goat muscle, shed oocysts, whereas the other dog which received brain, spleen, kidneys, lungs and liver did not. Oocysts from the dog fed goat muscle were fed to an experimental sheep. After 73 days sheep tissues were fed to a dog and a coyote, both of which shed oocysts 5-8 days later. A second isolate of H. heydorni was obtained by feeding naturally infected beef to a coyote. These oocysts were fed to a single goat and sheep and after 71 days, muscle from these 2 animals was fed to 2 dogs and 2 coyotes, all of which shed oocysts 5-8 days later. None of the animals inoculated with H. heydorni became ill and no Hammondia-like organisms were found in tissue sections from the herbivores. Another dog shed H. heydorni-like occysts between 7 and 10 days after ingesting naturally infected muscles from a moose. These results indicate that H. heydorni infects goats, sheep, moose and coyotes in addition to cattle and dogs.

Animal Diseases↗

Epidemiologic survey of sylvatic plague by serotesting coyote sentinels with enzyme immunoassay.

The geographic distribution and areas of high sylvatic plague activity in California were verified by using coyotes (Canis latrans) as sentinel animals. Antibody levels against Yersinia pestis were tested using the enzyme-labelled antibody (ELA) test and the microtiter passive hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition. A survey using the ELA test indicated that the overall antibody prevalence among 143 coyotes was 21%. By geographic regions, the highest antibody prevalence was 27% among coyotes from mountain areas on the northern and eastern borders of the state. This was followed by 19% in the central coastal area and 12% in the central valley. Areas with a high prevalence of seropositive coyotes or high antibody levels in individual coyotes matched the four areas of human plague exposures reported in 1977 and 1978. These areas included the central Sierra mountains adjacent to Lake Tahoe, southeastern Kern County, the central coastal area and Scott Valley near the Oregon border. The ELA test appears to be a promising tool for future epidemiologic studies of plague.

Animals↗

Interspecific transmission of Brucella abortus from experimentally infected coyotes (Canis latrans) to parturient cattle.

In four separate trials, 10 coyotes (Canis latrans) which had been individually fed mascerated bovine placental tissue experimentally inoculated with Brucella abortus strain 2308 were placed in a 1 ha isolation area with six parturient, non-B. abortus vaccinated, Brucella spp. seronegative Hereford heifers. During the second trial, three of the heifers became Brucella spp. seroreactive (as determined by the card, standard agglutination tube, rivanol, complement fixation, and enzyme labeled immunosorbent assay tests) 14 days after exposure to the B. abortus infected coyotes. Five of 10 coyotes in the second trial seroconverted to Brucella spp. positive by day 14 postexposure (PE) and by day 27 PE seven of the 10 coyotes were Brucella spp. reactive. The three Brucella spp. seroreactive heifers subsequently aborted on days 35, 64 and 66 PE and B. abortus strain 2308 was isolated from vaginal swabs, milk, and placental and fetal tissues. There was no serologic or bacteriologic evidence of transmission from B. abortus infected coyotes to the susceptible cattle recorded in the other three trials.

Animal Feed↗

Serological responses of coyotes to two commercial rabies vaccines.

Between August 1993 and September 1994 we documented serological responses of coyotes (Canis latrans) vaccinated with two commercial rabies vaccines licensed for use in domestic dogs. Serologic responses were documented by testing for rabies virus neutralizing antibodies with the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) at 30, 90, 180, 270, and 365 days post-vaccination. All coyotes vaccinated with Imrab 3 (Rhone-Merieux, Inc.), and 75% of those vaccinated with Dura-Rab 3 (Immunovet, Inc.) seroconverted, as evidenced by the presence of antirabies antibody titers > or = 1:5 in one or more of the five post-vaccination samples. The percent of coyotes showing a titer > or = 1:5 was generally greater and titer levels appeared higher and more persistent among animals vaccinated with Imrab 3 than Dura-Rab 3. Presence of titers via RFFIT tests demonstrates the antibodies produced in coyotes by these rabies vaccines functionally bind and neutralize rabies virus in vitro, but these results do not constitute a demonstration of protection required for licensure for use in coyotes.

Animals↗

A survey of the parasites of coyotes (Canis latrans) in New York based on fecal analysis.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) have colonized northeastern North America only within the past 10-80 yr. We examined feces of coyotes in 2000-01 at three sites in New York (USA) to survey parasites in the region. Two cestodes, nine nematodes, five protozoa, one trematode, and two arthropods were identified from 145 coyote fecal samples. Parasite component community diversity was higher (n = 16 species) in southern New York than in middle and northern sites (nine species each) and infracommunity species richness was greater in southern New York than at the other sites. These differences may reflect the variable diets of coyotes, as well as recent colonization of the region and the mixing of component communities from expanding coyote populations.

Animals↗

Experimental babesiosis in coyotes and coydogs.

One splenectomized and 6 intact coyotes (Canis latrans), and 2 coydogs were experimentally inoculated with a recent isolate of Babesia gibsoni. The disease was mild in intact animals, was fatal in the splenectomized coyote, and was characterized by a regenerative hemolytic anemia with the PCV decreasing to 16% in intact animals and to 6% in the splenectomized coyote. Peak parasitemia ranged from 3% to 21% of erythrocytes infected and was inversely correlated to PCV. Serum lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, and globulin concentrations were increased in all infected animals. Three weeks after inoculation, specific antibody titers increased to 1:65,536 and remained elevated in the chronically infected animals. The splenectomized coyote had progressive weakness until death, 24 days after inoculation. Intact animals had splenomegaly and anorexia at the height of infection. The splenectomized coyote had generalized edema, omental petechiae, renal and hepatic degeneration, membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis and congestion, extramedullary hematopoiesis, lymphoid hyperplasia, and severe hemosiderosis in an accessory spleen. The only consistent change in the intact animals was splenomegaly.

Animals↗

Environmental factors associated with Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii seropositivity in free-ranging coyotes from northern California.

Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii is a newly recognized pathogen of domestic dogs and humans. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are considered an important reservoir of this bacterium in the western United States, but its vectors are still unknown. Our objective was to identify environmental factors associated with Bartonella antibody prevalence in 239 coyotes from northern California, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, associations were evaluated between B. v. berkhoffii and two pathogens with known vectors and habitat requirements, Dirofilaria immitis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Overall, B. v. berkhoffii seroprevalence was 28% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.3%, 33.7%) and Bartonella seropositive coyotes were more likely than seronegative coyotes to be positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Odds ratio = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.8, 5.9) and Dirofilaria immitis (Odds ratio = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2, 3.8). The most likely geographic clusters of Bartonella and Dirofilaria overlapped. Bartonella seropositivity was associated with higher precipitation (p = 0.003) and proximity to the coast (p = 0.007) in univariate analysis. The association with precipitation varied with season, based on a logistic regression model.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum↗

Electrophoretic protein analysis in the conditioned captive wild coyote, Canis latrans.

Total protein, albumin and serum protein values were determined on 19 male and 14 female captive, vaccinated, wild coyotes. Male coyotes had significantly higher total protein, alpha 1 and alpha 2 globulin levels than female coyotes. Captive, wild coyotes had lower values for total protein, albumin and beta globulins, and higher values for alpha 2 and gamma globulins than similar values for laboratory dogs. Albumin values determined by bromcresol green were slightly higher than values derived by electrophoresis. This difference was non-significant.

Animals↗

Secondary poisoning of eagles following intentional poisoning of coyotes with anticholinesterase pesticides in western Canada.

Records of eagles, coyotes (Canis latrans), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) necropsied at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, between 1967 and 2002 were reviewed for cases suggestive of anticholinesterase poisoning. From 1993 to 2002, 54 putative poisoning incidents involving 70 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and 10 golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetus) were identified. Of these, 50 incidents occurred in Saskatchewan, two were in Manitoba, and one occurred in each of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. The diagnosis was confirmed in eight instances by demonstration of pesticide in ingesta from eagles or known use of pesticide at the site together with brain cholinesterase (AChE) reduction of >50% in at least one animal. A presnmptive diagnosis of poisoning was made in 33 incidents based on brain AChE reduction of >50% in at least one animal; 13 incidents were considered suspicious because of circumstantial evidence of the death of eagles in association with other species and limited AChE reduction. Other wild species were found dead in 85% of the incidents involving eagles. Coyotes, foxes, black-billed magpies (Pica pica), and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were associated with 34, six, six, and three incidents, respectively. There were eight additional incidents that did not involve eagles in which poisoning was diagnosed in coyotes. Carbofuran was identified in nine incidents. Carbamate poisoning was indicated on the basis of reactivation of brain AChE activity in two additional incidents. Brain AChE activity was not reduced from normal in eagles in four of seven incidents in which carbofuran was identified. The organophosplorous insecticide terbufos was found together with carbofuran in one incident. Brain AChE activity was measured in wild canids and in eagles in 15 incidents; in all of these incidents, brain AChE was redulced by >50% in at least one mammal, whereas this level of reduction occrred in eagles in only four incidents. Use of anticholinesterase pesticides to poison coyotes is illegal, but the practice continues and secondary poisoning of eagles is a problem of unknown proportions in western North America.

Animals↗