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PubMed1994

Primary infection of dogs with Echinococcus granulosus: systemic and local (Peyer's patches) immune responses.

Local and systemic lymphocyte proliferation and antibody production were tested in five dogs 35 days after primary experimental infection with Echinococcus granulosus. A significant cell proliferation was demonstrated by [3H] thymidine incorporation in mesenteric, popliteal and/or Peyer's patches (PPs) cells in response to E. granulosus protoscolex or adult worm antigen in three of five infected dogs, but not in five control animals. In contrast, blood mononuclear cells responded very weakly in only two of the infected dogs to parasite antigens. Elevated levels (compared with preinfection status) of protoscolex- and adult worm antigen-specific serum IgG were detected (ELISA) in four of the five dogs 35 days after infection. Furthermore, slightly elevated levels of parasite-specific IgE and IgA were observed in the sera of three and four in four infected dogs, respectively. Specific serum IgM was not significantly higher 35 days after infection than before infection. Local antibody production was studied in vitro using PPs, mesenteric and popliteal cells isolated from three infected and three uninfected dogs by ELISA using adult worm antigen. In two of three cultures of unstimulated PPs cells of infected dogs, parasite-specific IgG was detectable. Parasite-specific IgA and IgM were detected in one of the unstimulated PPs cell culture derived from an infected dog. Following in vitro stimulation with parasite antigen, PPs cells from two infected dogs showed increased parasite-specific IgG and PPs cells of all three infected dogs produced parasite-specific IgA. PPs cells from uninfected dogs did not produce significant quantities of parasite-specific antibodies and cells from mesenteric and popliteal lymph nodes of infected or uninfected dogs neither produced antibodies whilst in in vitro cultures.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

GABAergic inhibition of the pituitary release of adrenocorticotropin and alpha-melanotropin is impaired in dogs with hepatic encephalopathy.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the principal depressant neurotransmitter system, but its possible role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis has not yet been investigated in the dog. Moreover, GABA is one of the factors underlying the syndrome of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and in dogs with HE, the regulation of the HPA axis is deranged. We have therefore investigated the role of the GABA system in the regulation of the HPC system in 10 healthy dogs and 10 dogs with HE due to congenital portosystemic shunts. The effect of an intravenous injection of the GABA antagonist bicuculline on the release of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), alpha-melanotropin (MSH), and cortisol was measured in plasma. In healthy dogs, a dose of 1.0 mg/kg caused a marked release of ACTH, MSH, and cortisol, but doses of 0.001 to 0.5 mg/kg produced an inconsistent or no response. The high release of MSH after bicuculline administration indicated that the effect of GABA was predominantly in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary. In order to investigate whether the effect of GABA was exerted in the pituitary or at a suprapituitary level, the effect of incubation with GABA on basal and corticotropin-releasing hormone-induced ACTH release was measured in primary cultures of anterior and neurointermediate lobe cells from healthy dogs, and no response was observed. We conclude that in healthy dogs, GABA inhibits the release of ACTH and MSH from the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary at a suprapituitary level. In dogs with HE, 1.0 mg/kg of bicuculline caused virtually no stimulation of the secretion of ACTH, MSH, or cortisol, indicating deranged GABAergic neurotransmission in HE. This may be explained by an increased GABA tone that prevents the effect of the antagonist. Such a high GABA tone associated with HE has been documented in several other species. Dogs with HE had significantly increased basal levels of ACTH, MSH, and cortisol in plasma, and their cortisol:creatinine ratios in 24-hr urine samples (63 +/- 14.10(-6)) were higher than those of healthy dogs (9 +/- 2.10(-6)). An increased basal HPA activity in dogs with HE is not in agreement with augmented GABAergic inhibition, but this contradiction may be explained by the predominance of effects of dopaminergic disinhibition that has been reported in such dogs.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of liposomal clodronate in experimental spontaneous autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: Liposomal clodronate (dichloromethylene diphosphonate) has been used to deplete macrophages and block clearance of opsonized cells in mouse models of autoimmune disease. However, liposomal clodronate (LC) has not been previously evaluated in a large-animal spontaneous autoimmune disease model. Therefore, the safety and efficacy of LC treatment was assessed in normal dogs and in dogs with spontaneous autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). METHODS: LC was administered intravenously first to healthy dogs and then to dogs with spontaneous, severe AIHA to determine if the treatment was safe and could block clearance of opsonized red blood cells (RBCs) in vivo. Studies were also conducted to assess the in vitro effects of LC on dog macrophages and dendritic cells. RESULTS: Intravenous infusion of low doses of LC was well tolerated and blocked clearance of opsonized RBCs in normal dogs in vivo. LC was taken up by splenic macrophages and dendritic cells in vivo, and induced killing of macrophages and dendritic cells in vitro. Seven dogs with severe, spontaneous AIHA were treated with LC in a pilot study. Treatment was well tolerated, 2 of 7 LC-treated dogs with AIHA had a decrease in RBC clearance, and LC-treated dogs had significantly increased survival times compared to historical control dogs matched for disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that LC can be safely administered intravenously to dogs and that even relatively low doses are capable of blocking RBC clearance and improving outcomes in a spontaneous large-animal model of AIHA. Therefore, additional studies of LC for treatment of autoantibody-mediated cytopenias in dogs and humans may be warranted.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

PubMed2005

IgE reactivity to vaccine components in dogs that developed immediate-type allergic reactions after vaccination.

Allergic reactions after vaccination are considered as an important practical problem in dogs; however, their immunological mechanism has not been well understood. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between IgE reactivity to the vaccines and immediate-type allergic reactions after vaccination in dogs. Sera from 10 dogs that developed immediate-type allergic reactions such as circulatory collapse, cyanosis, dyspnea, facial edema, and vomiting within 1h after vaccination with non-rabies monovalent or combined vaccines and sera from 50 dogs that did not develop allergic reactions after vaccination were collected. Serum IgE reactivity to the injected vaccines was measured by fluorometric ELISA using a mouse monoclonal anti-dog IgE antibody. Then, IgE reactivity to fetal calf serum (FCS) and stabilizer proteins (gelatin, casein, and peptone) included in the vaccines was measured in sera that had high levels of IgE to the vaccines. Levels of serum specific IgE to the vaccines in dogs with immediate-type allergic reactions (59-4173 fluorescence units [FU], mean +/- S.D.: 992.5 +/- 1181.9 FU) were significantly higher than those in control dogs (38-192 FU, 92.4 +/- 43.3 FU) (P < 0.001). Of the eight dogs that developed immediate-type allergic reactions and had high levels of serum specific IgE to the vaccines, seven had specific IgE directed to FCS. The IgE reactivity to the vaccines in sera from these dogs was almost completely inhibited by FCS. The other one dog had serum IgE directed to gelatin and casein included in the vaccine as stabilizers. The results obtained in this study suggest that immediate-type allergic reactions after vaccination in dogs were induced by type I hypersensitivity mediated by IgE directed to vaccine components. In addition, FCS, gelatin, and casein included in vaccines could be the causative allergens that induced immediate-type allergic reactions after vaccination in dogs.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

A comparison between ethanol-induced chemical ablation and ivermectin plus prednizolone in the treatment of symptomatic esophageal spirocercosis in the dog: a prospective study on 14 natural cases.

This study included a total of 14 dogs with spontaneous esophageal spirocercosis. Historical and clinical evidence of esophageal dysphagia, detection of parasitic ova in fecal samples and endoscopic documentation of esophageal nodules were the inclusion criteria. The animals were randomly assigned into two groups: group A (n = 6 ) dogs received two intranodular injections of absolute ethanol (96%) via a through-the-endoscope injector, at weekly intervals; group B (n = 8) dogs were put on ivermectin (600 microg/kg BW, subcutaneously, twice, 14 days apart) and oral prednisolone (0.5mg/kg BW, every 12h, for a total of 3 weeks, tapering the dose accordingly). Clinical and fecal examination as well as endoscopy, were performed on admission and at 20, 60 and 180 days from the beginning of the treatment. One group A dog responded poorly and died of pyothorax during the trial and another developed esophagitis due to accidental intraluminal ethanol infusion, only to experience an uneventful recovery. At different times during the 6-month follow-up period, there was a complete disappearance of the clinical signs in 4/6 group A dogs. However, full nodular regression was achieved only in one dog, and parasitic ova were still found in the feces of 4/6 dogs. At the same period of time in five group B dogs still available for evaluation, resolution of the clinical signs and complete nodular regression were seen in four and five animals, respectively, while negative fecal results were obtained in all dogs (8/8) of the same group 2 months from the beginning of the treatment. No significant difference was found between the groups, regarding the resolution of clinical signs, though group B dogs demonstrated a significantly higher rate of regression of esophageal nodules as well as negative fecal results, compared to group A dogs. The combination of ivermectin and prednizolone may be considered an effective treatment in the symptomatic and evidently asymptomatic esophageal spirocercosis of the dog.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Assessment of an optimized dog-culling program in the dynamics of canine Leishmania transmission.

In Brazil, zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) control programs based on the mass elimination of seropositive dogs have failed to reduce the number of leishmaniasis cases. However, these programs have been done under sub-optimal conditions. We studied a cohort of dogs in an urban area in Brazil to determine, whether a dog-culling program optimized with: (i) replacement of a relatively low-sensitivity indirect immune-fluorescent test on blood eluate by a more sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on serum blood samples; (ii) shortening of the time interval from serodiagnosis to removal of dogs; (iii) screening a high proportion of the dog population could reduce the incidence of canine Leishmania infection (CLI). The study ran from December 1997 to July 2000, with four follow-up assessments performed at approximately 8-month intervals. All dogs seropositive for anti-Leishmania antibodies were promptly eliminated. A large number of new dogs immigrated to the study area throughout the study period. They comprised 43.8-49.8% of the cohort at each follow-up assessment, and upto 15% of them already had Leishmania infection. Overall, 42 news cases of CLI were identified, for a crude incidence rate of 11.8 cases per 100 dog-years (95% CI 8.6-15.6). In the first, second, third and fourth follow-up assessments the incidence rates were 8.2 (95% CI 3.0-17.9), 12.2 (95% CI 6.3-21.2), 16.4 (95% CI 8.5-28.6) and 13.6 (95% CI 7.1-23.8), respectively. There was no statistically significant change in these rates throughout the study period. Our results suggest that dog-culling programs do not reduce the incidence of CLI, even with an optimized intervention. Possible reasons for this failure include: currently available serologic methods lack sufficient sensitivity and/or specificity to accurately identify all infected dogs warranting removal in order to prevent Leishmania transmission; destroyed dogs are immediately replaced by susceptible puppies, and quite often, by already infected dogs; and other reservoirs may be involved in maintaining canine infection. Further efforts on ZVL control should be directed to developing new strategies or to testing control methods already in place with properly designed trials.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Clinicopathological findings in naturally occurring cases of babesiosis caused by large form Babesia from dogs of northeastern Italy.

There are few extensive studies about clinicopathological findings of spontaneous canine babesiosis caused by a large form of the parasite found in Europe. To further characterize and describe clinicopathological findings in dogs affected with this large form of Babesia in northeastern Italy, we evaluated 23 Italian dogs with canine babesiosis by means of clinical history, physical examination, hematological, biochemical, hemostatic tests, serum electrophoresis and urinalysis. Seventeen dogs (74%) had recently traveled on a hunting trip (within 5-15 days of being presented to the clinic) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (n=7), to Croatia (n=8) and to Hungary (n=2). The duration of clinical signs ranged from 1 to 5 days prior to the arrival at the clinic. The main clinical signs were dehydration (100%), apathy (74%), anorexia or decrease appetite (70%) and fever (68%). The anemia was present in 74% of the dogs and classified as mild (35%), moderate (59%) and severe (6%). In all cases, the anemia was normocytic and normochromic. Only three dogs presented erythrocyte regeneration. Seventy percent of dogs had hemolytic anemia and 30% had non-hemolytic anemia. Sixty-nine percent of dogs showed leucopenia and 74% neutropenia. Leucocitosis, due to mature neutrophilia and lymphocytosis, was present in one dog. Activated lymphocytes were noted in 61% of dogs. In all dogs, thrombocytopenia and an elevated hyperfibrinogenemia were present. Significant prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was only found in one case. In four dogs, both plasma fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDPs) and D-Dimer were increased. Antithrombin (AT) was slightly decreased in 11 of the 23 dogs. In the majority of cases, mild elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinekinase (CK), total bilirubin and lactic acid and decrease of total iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were present. In conclusion, the main clinicopathological findings were a mild to severe thrombocytopenia, a mild to moderate hemolytic anemia, neutropenia and hyperfibrinogenemia.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed2006

Qualitative and quantitative observations on the flea population dynamics of dogs and cats in several areas of Germany.

From an ongoing country-wide study on the spectrum, the epidemiology and the population dynamics of flea infestations in dogs and cats, important preliminary results from the three areas of Karlsruhe, Nuernberg and Leipzig are presented. A total of 1922 dogs and 1838 cats from 12 different veterinary practices or clinics in three areas of Germany were systematically examined between July 2003 and June 2004. All dogs and cats appearing for a clinical veterinary consultation on one regular working day per month, per practice, were clinically examined. Dogs and cats were examined irrespective of any kind of prior therapeutic or prophylactic insecticidal treatment. The results show that a total of 99 dogs (5.13%) and 263 cats (14.33%) were infested. Cats were more often flea-infested than dogs (p < 0.05). The highest infestation rates for dogs (x = 7.87%) were detected between July and October, and for cats (x = 21.14%) between July and September, the lowest infestation rates for dogs (x = 2.88%) were observed between November and May, and for cats (x = 12.16%) between November and April (p < 0.05). Although the prevalences were generally higher during the summer months, no statistical differences were detectable when looking at the pattern between the four seasons, neither for dogs, nor for cats. Interestingly, the highest prevalences in dogs (9.9%) were detected in June 2004 and comparatively, in cats (23.86%) in August. The lowest detection rates in dogs were seen (1.28%) in April and in cats (7.26%) in January. The preliminary results did not indicate any tendency for a relationship between climatic conditions and flea infestation rates. Similarly, no differences of the infestations rates were detectable between urban and rural areas, 56% (dogs) and 46% (cats) of the infested pets originated from urban habitats. The flea species collected include Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, Archaeopsylla erinacei, Pulex irritans, Ceratophyllus gallinae, etc. The overall frequencies reveal that C. felis was the most prominent species (81.5%), followed by C. canis (12.5%), A. erinacei (2.7%) and P. irritans (1.7%).

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Canine neosporosis in Hungary: screening for seroconversion of household, herding and stray dogs.

In order to assess the seroprevalence of canine neosporosis 651 blood samples were collected from 586 household, 41 herding and 24 stray dogs, at small animal clinics in four large cities and other places of Hungary. Nineteen (2.9%) showed positivity in the IFAT with titres between 1:80 and 1:10240. Two dogs with high titres of antibodies to Neospora caninum had neuromuscular signs (imbalance, tremor) and a further one developed papulomatous, ulcerative and necrotizing dermatitis. There was no correlation between titers and age, sex, breed or keeping place. Although more male dogs had antibodies to N. caninum than females in case of both household and herding dogs, this association was not significant. No breed predisposition was observed. However, dogs with seroconversion were significantly more prevalent among rural (6%) than among urban dogs (1%), indicating that dogs in the countryside may have contact with or access to potentially infected offal from cattle and other intermediate hosts more frequently than those in large cities. Furthermore, significantly more herding dogs (29.3%) had antibodies to N. caninum than household dogs (1.2%), confirming the association between the occurrence of neosporosis and dog keeping on farms. The 12 dogs found seropositive among herding ones lived on 6 farms, on 5 of which seropositive cattle were also identified. This is the first report on the prevalence of N. caninum infection in dogs in Hungary.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Treatment with L-deprenyl prolongs life in elderly dogs.

Eighty two beagle dogs ranging in age from 2.8 to 16.4 years and in weight from 6.3 to 15.8 kg were allotted to 41 pairs and administered placebo or 1 mg/kg L-deprenyl orally once daily for 2 years and 10 weeks. When survivorship for all dogs in the study was analyzed there was no significant difference between the L-deprenyl and placebo treated groups, most likely due to the (expected) survival of virtually all young dogs in both groups for the duration of the study. To assess whether L-deprenyl treatment begun in later life might enhance canine longevity in a fashion similar to that documented in rodents we also examined survival in a subset of elderly dogs who were between the ages of 10 and 15 yrs at the start of tablet administration and who received tablets for at least 6 months. In this subset, dogs in the L-deprenyl group survived longer (p < 0.05) than dogs in the placebo group. Twelve of 15 (80%) dogs in the L-deprenyl group survived to the conclusion of the study, in contrast to only 7 of 18 (39%) of the dogs who received placebo (P=0.017). Furthermore, by the time the first L-deprenyl treated dog died on day 427, 5 placebo treated dogs had already succumbed, the first on day 295. Specifically with respect to dogs, the findings reported herein suggest daily oral administration of 1 mg/kg L-deprenyl prolongs life when begun in relatively healthy dogs 10-15 years of age and maintained for the duration of the individual's life, but in any event for no less than six months.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Spirocerca lupi in dogs: prophylactic effect of doramectin.

Spirocerca lupi is primarily a parasite of dogs, which typically causes oesophageal nodules, aortic aneurysms, and spondylitis. This study investigated the efficacy of doramectin as a prophylactic agent for canine spirocercosis. Five beagle dogs were injected subcutaneously with doramectin (400 microg/kg on 3 occasions 30 days apart q30d), while 5 other beagle dogs served as untreated controls. All dogs were inoculated with 40 infectious S. lupi larvae (L3) one month after the last doramectin treatment. All control dogs and 4/5 treated dogs became infected. Two control dogs died of ruptured aortic aneurysms, while no deaths occurred in treated dogs. Oesophageal nodules appeared 40-103 day later in treated as compared to control dogs, and eggs appeared in the faeces 49-106 day later in treated as compared to control dogs. The mean faecal egg count on day 223 in the treatment group was reduced by 99.77%. All control dogs had thoracic radiographic changes during the study, while only 2/5 study dogs showed radiographic changes. This study shows that although doramectin did not entirely prevent canine spirocercosis it reduced the clinical signs associated with infection and delayed and reduced egg output.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Canine infection and the possible role of dogs in the transmission of American tegumentary leishmaniosis in Salta, Argentina.

Some Leishmania species affect humans in two principal forms: visceral and cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL). Several studies have identified dogs as the main reservoirs of the visceral leishmaniosis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum. The purpose of this work was to carry out a survey of the canine population associated with human cases of American tegumentary leishmaniosis (ATL), in order to establish the clinical, parasitological, serological and immunological characteristics of the canine disease, in an endemic region for both ATL and Chagas' disease in the province of Salta, in northwestern Argentina. Two hundred and eight dogs from the endemic area were examined and 41 (19.7%) of them presented lesions compatible with leishmaniosis. In order to investigate the presence of antibodies against Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, sera were screened by ELISA using two complex antigens from these parasites and, because of cross-reactions between them, a specific antigen for diagnosis of T. cruzi infection. Sixty-two (29.8%) of 208 dogs were positive for the complex antigen F45 from Leishmania and 50 (24%) were positive for the complex antigen F105 from T. cruzi. Nine dogs (4.3%) were positive for the specific Ag163B6-cruzipain suggesting that these dogs were truly infected with T. cruzi. Furthermore, three of these nine dogs presented Leishmania sp. in their skin lesions and therefore were considered as infected by both, T. cruzi and Leishmania parasites. The prevalence of Leishmania infection detected by lesions and/or positive serology was 27.4% (57/208). On the basis of previous observations regarding the clustered appearance of human ATL, the dog population was divided into two groups: zone A, dogs living within a 100 m radius from houses with human cases, and zone B, dogs living beyond this limit. The prevalence of ATL in dogs was significantly higher in zone A (34.6%) than in zone B (7.3%), suggesting a strong correlation between canine and human cases. The average time required for a parasitological diagnosis by microscopy was six times longer for dog samples than human ones, and the average number of parasites per 100 microscopic fields was 14-fold lower in canine samples. The high prevalence of Leishmania infection and the close association with human cases, demonstrated that dogs are a very susceptible host for Leishmania infection, but the scarcity of parasites in their lesions suggests that they may not be the main reservoir of the parasite in this endemic area.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in dogs in Trinidad and Tobago.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii agglutinins and to investigate the relationship between various risk factors and occurrence of toxoplasmosis in dogs in Trinidad. Of a total 250 dogs, comprising domestic, hunting and stray dogs, 80 (32.0%) were positive for T. gondii agglutinins at a titre of > or =1:32 using a latex agglutination test. Stray dogs (60.5%) had statistically significantly higher (P<0.001) seroprevalence for toxoplasmosis than hunting dogs (30.5%) and domestic dogs (25.5%). Amongst dogs whose ages were known, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was significantly highest (P=0.037) in dogs in the >2-3 years age group compared with other age groups. Dogs that consumed home-cooked foods had a seroprevalence of 32.9% compared with those fed commercial dog foods (17.2%) and dogs fed both home-cooked and commercial foods (21.0%). However, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05; chi(2)). The rather high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in stray dogs is a good indication of the extent of the infection in the environment.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1976

Development of Isospora begemina in dogs and other mammals.

The life-cycle of canine Isospora bigemina was studied in dogs, cattle, cats and mice. Under experimental conditions dogs served as both definitive and intermediate hosts. Unsporulated oocysts (11 X 12 mum) were shed in the faeces and sporulated outside the host within 12 h at 30-37 degrees C and 36 to 48 h at 23 degrees C. Sporulated oocysts measured 12 X 13 mum and contained 2 sporocysts which in turn contained 4 sporozoites. Sporocysts averaged 6 X 9 mum and sporozoites averaged 2 X 6 mum. Although no stages were found microscopically in tissues or in faeces of 23 dogs orally inoculated with sporulated oocysts, the oocysts were infectious because 5 of 14 dogs that ingested tissues of dogs fed oocysts, shed oocysts. Prepatent periods were 7 to 15 days; patency was 1-3 days. No dogs became ill. In the naturally infected dog and one experimentally infected dog, schizonts were found in epithelial cells, distal to the host cell nucleus at the tips of villi throughout the small intestine. Schizonts were 5-7 mum and contained 3-12 merozoites. In the naturally infected dog, gametes were found in the same location. Male gametocytes were 6-8 mum and contained 6-12 microgametes, and female gametes were 7-8 mum. Sporulated I. bigemina oocysts from a naturally infected dog were not infectious to cattle, cats or mice. Structurally identical oocysts were shed by 2 dogs after ingesting hearts and diaphragm from naturally infected cattle; these oocysts were also not infectious to cattle. Although dogs acted as both intermediate and definitive hosts under experimentation, this is not likely to occur in nature. A canine-bovine-canine cycle would appear to be the natural mode of infection but I. bigemina was not infectious to cattle under experimental conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[Clinical, hematological, biochemical and endocrinological aspects of 32 dogs with hypothyroidism].

During the years of 1996-2001, hypothyroidism was diagnosed at the clinic for small animal internal medicine, University of Zurich, in 32 dogs. Most of the dogs were large breeds. The most frequent clinical characteristics observed were exercise intolerance, obesity, dermatological, neurological and gastrointestinal signs. Predominant laboratory abnormalities were a low red blood cell count, increased concentration of cholesterol, triglycerides and fructosamin. 29 dogs had a T4 below the reference range (< 1.5 micrograms/dl), one dog had a T4 at the lower limit thereof (1.6 micrograms/dl). One dog had a T4 within the reference range (3.4 micrograms/dl), another had a very high T4 of 206.8 micrograms/dl; the results of the latter 2 dogs were interpreted as incorrectly increased T4 values due to in vitro interference with T4-autoantibodies. Diagnosis was confirmed in all of the dogs based on TSH-stimulation testing. Endogenous TSH (cTSH) measured parallelly, was elevated in only 60% of the dogs. In about 67% of the dogs, hypothyroidism was associated with thyroglobulin-autoantibodies. Canine hypothyroidism is a rather rare endocrine disorder in Switzerland. The TSH-stimulation test remains the gold standard in confirming the disease; a definitive diagnosis can be challenging for practitioners because bovine TSH, used for the TSH-stimulation test is not licensed for use in dogs. Since assessment of cTSH using current assays shows normal values in a high percentage of hypothyroid dogs, the diagnostic value is only limited. In most of the hypothyroid dogs T4 is decreased, with the presence of autoantibodies to T4, it can be normal or increased.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Evidence for an impact on the incidence of canine leishmaniasis by the mass use of deltamethrin-impregnated dog collars in southern Italy.

Dogs are the domestic reservoir of Leishmania infantum Nicolle (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), the agent of zoonotic human visceral leishmaniasis. In southern Europe, where canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is widespread due to L. infantum, killing seropositive dogs is considered unacceptable and drug treatment has low efficacy in preventing transmission. We made a field evaluation of the efficacy of deltamethrin dog collars in a CanL focus of southern Italy, Mount Vesuvius area of Campania region, where the vector is Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead (Diptera: Psychodidae), by assessing their impact on the incidence of CanL in an intervention town, compared to that in dogs of control towns where no collars were fitted. During two consecutive transmission seasons, collars were fitted to 350 (1998) and 354 (1999) dogs from San Sebastiano al Vesuvio (70% of the canine population). Control dogs (371 and 264 in the 2 years, respectively) were from four towns of the same area. Before each transmission season, the CanL seroprevalence in the intervention and control towns was evaluated by cross-sectional surveys and found to be similar (about 15% in 1998 and 10% in 1999, respectively). After each transmission period, incidence rates of seroconversions were determined in adult dogs that were serologically negative before the season under evaluation, and in puppies. After the 1998 season, 2.7% of the dogs in the intervention town seroconverted compared to 5.4% in the control towns (50% protection, P = 0.15). After the 1999 season, 3.5% of collared dogs seroconverted compared to 25.8% of control dogs (86% protection, P < 0.001). The increase in seroconversion rates recorded in control dogs suggests an increase in the Leishmania force of infection in the canine reservoir during the 1999 sandfly season, as supported by the concomitant increase of human cases in control towns and in the whole Campania region. Our results suggest that the impact of mass use of deltamethrin-impregnated dog collars on the incidence of CanL may be negligible during low transmission seasons, or probably in low endemic foci, but can be very strong when the force of transmission is high.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2003

Isolation and identification of thermophilic Campylobacter species in faecal samples from Swedish dogs.

To investigate the role of Swedish dogs as potential reservoirs of thermophilic Campylobacter species, faecal samples were analysed from 91 dogs in 2001. The majority of dogs (n = 84) were healthy family dogs. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 51 of the 91 dogs (56%). A significant difference in isolation rates was observed between younger and older dogs: 76% of the younger dogs (5-12 months) were positive, compared with 39% of dogs > or = 13 months (p < 0.01). Two different selective media, Preston and CAT, were used for isolation of Campylobacter species. 104 Campylobacter isolates were identified to species level using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis techniques. Campylobacter upsaliensis predominated and was isolated from 39 dogs, C. jejuni from 10, C. coli from 2, C. helveticus from 2 and C. lari from 1 dog. Four dogs had mixed flora with 2 different Campylobacter species. These data clearly show that younger dogs in particular frequently shed thermophilic Campylobacter spp, which could be of impact for public health. To establish the zoonotic potential of canine Campylobacter isolates, both human and canine isolates have to be further characterized and compared.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

Diagnosis and surgical management of ureteral calculi in dogs: 16 cases (1990-2003).

AIMS: To examine the clinical signs, laboratory and radiographic findings, surgical technique, ureterolith composition, and post-operative outcomes in dogs managed surgically for ureterolithiasis to determine whether surgical removal of ureteroliths in dogs resulted in a positive clinical outcome. METHODS: The medical record database of a university veterinary hospital in Pennsylvania, USA, was searched for dogs that underwent surgery to remove obstructive ureteral calculi between 1990 and 2003. Records were reviewed for signalment, clinical history and examination findings, radiographic and laboratory test results, surgical technique, and ureterolith analysis. Follow-up information was obtained from telephone interviews with owners or referring veterinarians, or by reviewing the medical record of subsequent hospital visits. RESULTS: Sixteen dogs were included in this study; ten were neutered females, two intact females and four castrated males. Abdominal radiography revealed ureteral calculi in 14/16 dogs, renal calculi in 8/16, cystic calculi in 8/16, urethral calculi in 1/16, renomegaly in 6/16 and renal mineralisation in 5/16. Ureterolith type included struvite in six dogs, calcium oxalate in five, calcium phosphate in one, and a mix of struvite, calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate in another. Compared to dogs with non-struvite ureteroliths, those with struvite ureteroliths had a higher pre-operative white blood cell (WBC) count (25.6, SD 7 vs 17.6, SD 6 x 103 cells/mul; p=0.046), and were more likely to have a purulent discharge from the ureteral incision noted at the time of surgery (p=0.015). Following discharge, 14/16 dogs were re-evaluated. Median survival time was 904 days (range 2-1,876). Two dogs required additional surgery on the urinary tract. Four dogs died or were euthanised because of azotaemia and clinical signs related to the urinary system or non-specific signs of illness (vomiting, lethargy) at 8, 90, 333 and 904 days post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management of ureteroliths was successful and resulted in good long-term survival in the majority of dogs examined in this small study population. Similar proportions of calcium oxalate and struvite ureteroliths were identified. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of the ureteral surgery may increase as the frequency of diagnosis of ureteroliths in dogs increases.

Animals↗