Companion Animals Research Articles

Current status of immunodeficient mouse models as substitutes to reduce cat and dog use in heartworm preclinical research

Chemoprophylactic prevention of veterinary heartworm disease in companion animals, caused by the vector-borne nematode parasite Dirofilaria immitis, is a multi-billion-dollar global market. Experimental use of cats and dogs in preclinical heartworm drug testing is increasing due to evolving drug-resistance to frontline macrocyclic lactones and renewed investment in alternative preventative drug research. We and others recently published data demonstrating proof-of-concept of utilising lymphopenic severe-combined immunodeficient (SCID) or Recombination Activating Gene (RAG)2 deficient mice with additional knockout of the IL-2/7 receptor gamma chain (γc) as alternative preventative drug screening research models of dirofilariasis. Here we summarise the current knowledge of candidate immunodeficient mouse models tested, including a comparison of susceptibility using different background strains of mice, different D. immitis isolates, following use of anti-inflammatory treatments to further suppress residual innate immunity, and efficacies achieved against different reference anthelmintics. We supplement this precis with new data on treatment response to the veterinary anthelmintic, oxfendazole, and initial evaluation of D. immitis susceptibility in CB.17 SCID and C57BL/6 RAG2-/-γc-/- mice. We conclude that in addition to NSG and NXG mice, RAG2-/-γc-/- mice on either a BALB/c or C57BL/6 background offer an alternative screening model option, widening access to academic and commercial laboratories wishing to pursue initial rapid in vivo drug screening whilst avoiding potentially unnecessary cat or dog testing.

Lyme disease in companion animals: an updated state-of-art and current situation in Portugal.

Lyme disease (LD) is a globally distributed zoonotic multisystemic condition caused by gram-negative spirochete bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi complex, transmitted through tick bites. Research on LD in domestic animals in Portugal is limited, potentially leading to underestimating its prevalence. This disease affects many species, including humans, making it a critical public health issue. In domestic animals, LD often presents subclinically or with non-specific clinical signs, complicating its diagnosis. Nevertheless, veterinarians should always consider LD in cases with a history of tick exposure and compatible clinical signs. Diagnostic confirmation can be achieved through serological and other complementary tests. Treatment involves eradicating the bacterial infection and managing clinical signs using a combination of antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and other medications. Effective prevention primarily relies on tick control measures. This review aims to provide an up-to-date state-of-the-art LD, particularly in Portugal.

Welfare concerns of farm-based therapy and education: People and Animals UK CIC

Abstract Can humans engage with farm animals in a way that maintains, perhaps enhances, the welfare of farm animals? Can communities learn to engage with farm animals in a manner similar to that of companion animals? Is it even fair to ask about farm animals? We hope to offer a contribution to this discussion, using a case study from People and Animals UK CIC to explore the impact of farm animals on people and their communities, but with a focus on how farm design and session delivery might impact the animal within the dynamic.

In vitro and ex vivo metabolism of chemically diverse fructans by bovine rumen Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species

BackgroundInulin and inulin-derived fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are well-known prebiotics for use in companion animals and livestock. The mechanisms by which FOS contribute to health has not been fully established. Further, the fine chemistry of fructan structures from diverse sources, such as graminan-type fructans found in cereal crops, has not been fully elucidated. New methods to study fructan structure and microbial responses to these complex carbohydrates will be key for evaluating the prebiotic potency of cereal fructans found in cattle feeds. As the rumen microbiome composition is closely associated with their metabolic traits, such as feed utilization and waste production, prebiotics and probiotics represent promising additives to shift the microbial community toward a more productive state.ResultsWithin this study, inulin, levan, and graminan-type fructans from winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley were used to assess the capacity of rumen-derived Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium merycicum, and Lactobacillus vitulinus to metabolize diverse fructans. Graminan-type fructans were purified and structurally characterized from the stems and kernels of each plant. All three bacterial species grew on FOS, inulin, and cereal crop fructans in pure cultures. L. vitulinus was the only species that could metabolize levan, albeit its growth was delayed. Fluorescently labelled polysaccharides (FLAPS) were used to demonstrate interactions with Gram-positive bacteria and confirm fructan metabolism at the single-cell level; these results were in agreement with the individual growth profiles of each species. The prebiotic potential of inulin was further investigated within naïve rumen microbial communities, where increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species occurred in a dose-dependent and temporal-related manner. This was supported by in situ analysis of rumen microbiota from cattle fed inulin. FLAPS probe derived from inulin and fluorescent in situ hybridization using taxon-specific probes confirmed that inulin interacts with Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli at the single-cell level.ConclusionThis research revealed that rumen-derived Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli vary in their metabolism of structurally diverse fructans, and that inulin has limited prebiotic potential in the rumen. This knowledge establishes new methods for evaluating the prebiotic potential of fructans from diverse plant sources as prebiotic candidates for use in ruminants and other animals.

Review of Liquid Vitamin A and E Formulations in Veterinary and Livestock Production: Applications and Perspectives.

Vitamins A and E are vital fat-soluble micronutrients with distinct yet intertwined roles in various biological processes. This review delves into their functions, nutritional requirements across different animal species, the consequences of deficiencies, and the impact of liquid formulations on veterinary medicine and livestock production. Vitamin A exists in multiple forms, essential for vision, immunity, and growth, while vitamin E acts primarily as an antioxidant, safeguarding cell membranes from oxidative damage. Hypovitaminosis in these vitamins can lead to severe health consequences, affecting vision, immunity, growth, reproduction, and neurological functions. Hence, supplementation, particularly through innovative liquid formulations, becomes pivotal in addressing deficiencies and enhancing overall animal health and productivity. Injectable forms of vitamins A and E show promise in enhancing reproductive performance, growth, and immune function in livestock. Administering these vitamins through drinking water offers a convenient way to enhance livestock health and productivity, particularly during times of stress or increased nutritional needs. Liquid vitamin A and E drops offer a flexible and effective solution in veterinary practice, allowing precise dosing and easy administration, particularly for companion animals. Future research may aim to optimize formulations and explore targeted therapies and precision feeding via nutrigenomics, promising advancements in veterinary medicine and livestock production.

Investigating the Reasons behind Companion Animal Relinquishment: A Systematic Content Analysis of Shelter Records for Cats and Dogs, 2018-2023.

The relinquishment of companion animals to shelters presents significant challenges for animal welfare organizations and has substantial implications for the well-being of both the animals and their owners. This study aims to investigate the reasons for voluntarily relinquishing animals to shelters, to examine species-specific differences (cats and dogs), to compare initial relinquishments to returns (re-relinquishments or readmissions), and to identify potential changes over a 6-year period framing the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis of owner relinquishment records from an open admission shelter in the US was conducted using content analysis, a novel approach in this area of research. A total of 13 relinquishment reason categories were identified, as well as 9 separate categories for specific behavioral issues. Among 2836 randomly selected records, the most frequent reasons cited were Behavior Issues (28%), Housing/Moving (18%), Unable to Care (16%), Too Many Pets (10%), Financial (6%), and Owner Allergies (5%). The most common behavioral reasons reported were Aggression (32% of behavioral surrenders), Social Conflict (28%), and Soiling (13%). However, differences were observed in the pattern of relinquishment reasons based on statistical analyses of species, type of relinquishment, and year. Regarding temporal trends, Housing/Moving and Financial reasons were not found to have changed significantly since the pandemic, but the relative frequency of the category Unable to Care increased significantly in 2022 and 2023. Collectively, these findings partially replicate those from research spanning the past several decades in this area that has employed less systematic methodology and can further be used to help identify and understand the primary drivers of owner relinquishments.

Owner-rated personality in companion parrots (Aves; Psittaciformes); A four dimension model

Parrots are popular companion animals around the world. Unlike dogs and cats there are many different species kept as pets, meaning there is likely to be more variety in personality, although comparative studies are lacking. Companion psittacines are undomesticated and have complex needs in captivity, increasing the risk for rehoming and welfare issues. Although personality has been studied in birds, this is the first study which looks at personality across eight different taxonomic groups of captive parrots, rated by their owners. A survey of owners of 2200 parrots revealed a four-dimension model of personality: confidence, prosociality, neuroticism and playfulness. There were differences in the levels of these traits between taxonomic groups and variation depending on rearing history and wing clip status. African Grey parrots were lower in confidence than other groups. Hand rearing and wing clipping increased prosociality (perhaps as a substitute for domestication) but with a cost of increased neuroticism. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that a highly neurotic, less prosocial personality predicted an owner’s intention to rehome their pet. To our knowledge this is the first study of personality across multiple taxonomic groups of psittacines, and the first to show the effects of common husbandry methods on personality, as well as showing personality can predict rehoming intention.

Decoding the Gut Microbiome in Companion Animals: Impacts and Innovations.

The changing notion of "companion animals" and their increasing global status as family members underscores the dynamic interaction between gut microbiota and host health. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate microbial ecology within companion animals required to maintain overall health and prevent disease. Exploration of specific diseases and syndromes linked to gut microbiome alterations (dysbiosis), such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and neurological conditions like epilepsy, are highlighted. In addition, this review provides an analysis of the various factors that impact the abundance of the gut microbiome like age, breed, habitual diet, and microbe-targeted interventions, such as probiotics. Detection methods including PCR-based algorithms, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing are reviewed, along with their limitations and the need for future advancements. Prospects for longitudinal investigations, functional dynamics exploration, and accurate identification of microbial signatures associated with specific health problems offer promising directions for future research. In summary, it is an attempt to provide a deeper insight into the orchestration of multiple microbial species shaping the health of companion animals and possible species-specific differences.

The Welfare of Dogs and Cats in the European Union: A Gap Analysis of the Current Legal Framework.

Companion animals, especially dogs and cats, have increasingly been recognized as moral subjects and valued as family members by European citizens. This new role encourages policy makers to face the many companion animals' welfare issues not yet covered by the EU legislation. The main gaps in the protection of dog and cat welfare during their all lifespan have been identified: unhealthy and unethical breeding practices, irresponsible sale and ownership, transport for commercial and non-commercial purposes, training methods, working dog conditions and rights, regulation of dog and cat shows and competitions, the therapeutic neglect, dog and cat end-of-life care, shelter management legislation and the free-ranging cat and dog population rights. The EU legislation framework is still very weak and far from establishing a harmonized approach, promoting a high standard of care and protection across Member States. We conclude that education and awareness regarding responsible pet ownership and the need for a One Welfare approach have a high value in finding adequate solutions, especially when poor human social welfare affects companion animal welfare. Given the link between human and companion animal welfare, the use of stakeholders' involvement strategies and a transdisciplinary approach appear crucial for the development of an EU legal framework for the well-being of dogs and cats.

Transmission dynamics of ESBL/AmpC and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales between companion animals and humans.

Antimicrobial resistance mediated by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and plasmid-mediated cephalosporinase (AmpC)-producing Enterobacterales, as well as carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales have globally increased among companion animals, posing a potential health risk to humans in contact with them. This prospective longitudinal study investigates the transfer of ESBL/AmpC- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales between companion animals and their cohabitant humans in Portugal (PT) and the United Kingdom (UK) during animal infection. Fecal samples and nasal swabs collected from dogs and cats with urinary tract infection (UTI) or skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), and their cohabitant humans were screened for resistant strains. Relatedness between animal and human strains was established by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacterales were detected in companion animals (PT = 55.8%; UK = 36.4%) and humans (PT = 35.9%; UK = 12.5%). Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales carriage was observed in one dog from Portugal (2.6%) and another dog from the UK (4.5%). Transmission of index clinical ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains to cohabitant humans was observed in three Portuguese households (6.9%, n = 43), with repeated isolation of the index strains on fecal samples from the animals and their cohabiting humans. In addition, longitudinal sharing of E. coli strains carried by companion animals and their owners was observed in other two Portuguese households and two households from the UK. Furthermore, a multidrug-resistant ACT-24-producing Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. hoffmannii strains were also shared within another Portuguese household. These results highlight the importance of the household as an epidemiological unit in the efforts to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, further emphasizing the need for antimicrobial surveillance in this context, capable of producing data that can inform and evaluate public health actions.

Physiological Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentrations in Male and Female Dogs and Cats before and around Puberty.

In recent years several studies established the diagnostic value of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in companion animals. However, less is known about physiological AMH concentrations in young individuals highlighting the necessity to apply the diagnostic findings to this group. The aim of this study was to determine the AMH values of healthy male and female dogs between the age of 8 and 48 weeks, tomcats under 8 weeks and up to 48 weeks of age and queens between 2 to 12 weeks of age. In total, 96 blood samples were collected. Anti-Müllerian hormone was measured in all samples and testosterone was measured in the oldest age group of the males in both species. The hormones were analyzed using a human based chemiluminescence immune assay. Overall, AMH concentrations were higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). According to the AMH concentration there was no difference in males, but queens had significant higher AMH concentrations than bitches (p < 0.001). AMH remained high in males up to week 24 and decreased significantly thereafter (tomcats: p = 0.015; male dogs: p = 0.013), which correlated with an increase in testosterone levels for male dogs only. In bitches, AMH remained below the detection limit until the week 16 and slightly increased subsequently. In queens, AMH was detectable from the beginning with a significant increase in the older age group (p = 0.003). Half of the cats in the older age group even approached the chemiluminescence immune assay's upper limit. The results show that female cats secrete AMH much earlier than female dogs in which AMH secretion begins just shortly before the start of the puberty. In the male animals, the decrease in AMH concentration around puberty was similar in dogs and cats, but a correlation with the increase of testosterone was only observed in dogs. Further research is required to determine the origin of the high AMH concentrations in female kittens and the lack of correlation between testosterone and AMH concentrations in male kittens.

Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal/fungicidal concentration of commercially available products containing essential oils, zinc gluconate, or 4% chlorhexidine for Malassezia pachydermatis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius canine clinical isolates.

Skin infections are common complications in both humans and animals. Because of the increased incidence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) skin infections, essential oils have been suggested as potential alternatives to the classic antimicrobials. The goal of this study was to evaluate the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MIC and MBC/MFC) of commercially available products containing essential oils, zinc gluconate, or 4% chlorhexidine. Microbroth dilution technique was performed on clinical isolates of MDR Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MDR-SP; n = 10), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA; n = 10), and Malassezia pachydermatis (MP; n = 10). For MDR-SP, essential oil-containing products showed median MICs of 1:240 and 1:320. The chlorhexidine shampoo had a MIC of 1:128,000 (0.312µg/mL), whereas zinc gluconate products had median MICs of 1:320 and 1:160. Three essential oil-containing shampoos (MBC 1:40), the zinc gluconate (MBC 1:40), and the chlorhexidine (MBC 1:64,000 [0.625µg/mL]) reached an MBC. For PA, essential oil-containing products showed median MICs of 1:30 and 1:80. The zinc-gluconate products had a median MIC of 1:160, whereas the chlorhexidine shampoo had a median MIC of 1:4,000 (10µg/mL). Only the zinc-gluconate products (MBC 1:80) and the chlorhexidine shampoo (MBC 1:2,000 [20µg/mL]) reached an MBC. For MP, essential oil-containing and zinc-gluconate products showed lower median MICs (1:4,800 and 7,200) for shampoos compared with other formulations (1:160 and 1:320), whereas the chlorhexidine shampoo had a median MIC of 1:80,000 (0.5µg/mL). These results suggest that natural topical compounds can be an effective alternative to treat skin infections in companion animals. Further in vivo studies are needed to clinically confirm this study's results.

Anatomy of the Right and Left Ventricular Subvalvular Apparatus of the Horse (Equus caballus).

Due to the growing interest among veterinarians and the increasing market demands, the development of equine cardiology is necessary. Currently, veterinary medicine for companion animals needs to catch up to human medicine-equine medicine included. A common condition in older horses is aortic valve regurgitation resulting from fibrosis, while its more severe form occurs in younger horses or develops due to a bacterial infection. Mitral valve regurgitation, especially dangerous due to the possibility of sudden death, has a better prognosis if the horse has valve prolapse. Tricuspid valve regurgitation usually does not pose a clinical problem, although its severe cases may lead to heart failure. Some pathologies can be treated surgically, which requires excellent knowledge of anatomy. The object of this study consisted of twenty domestic horse hearts. The focus was on the normal and comparative anatomy of the left and right subvalvular apparatus. The number of muscular bellies of the papillary muscles and the type of connection of the muscles were analysed. Moreover, the height of muscle originating from the ventricle wall was determined, the morphological regularity of the papillary muscle was assessed, and the chordae tendineae originating from the papillary muscles were examined. The conducted research allowed for comparing domestic horses with different species through other studies, the authors of which described this particular aspect. Interspecies similarities which may be correlated with the evolutionary relatedness, as well as differences that could reflect adaptation to different lifestyles, environmental conditions, or metabolic requirements of the animals, have been found. This study expands the knowledge of animals' normal and comparative anatomy, and contributes to the development of veterinary surgery, internal medicine, and biology.

Association of Socioeconomic Status and Reasons for Companion Animal Relinquishment.

It is important to understand the reasons for companion animal relinquishment to help reduce the financial and ethical problems arising from too many dogs and cats in shelters. This study investigates the socioeconomic factors and reasons behind companion animal relinquishment in Australia, utilizing data from five animal shelters, over a five-year period (Financial Year 2018/19 to 2022/23). Descriptive statistics reveal that the median Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) decile of companion animal guardians who relinquished their companion animal was decile 4 out of 10, indicating that they live in areas of lower-than-average socioeconomic status. Cats accounted for 59.4% and dogs for 40.6% of all relinquishments, with more relinquishments from lower socioeconomic deciles (1-5) (cats: 62.6%, dogs: 65.8%). The median age of relinquished cats was 5 months and dogs 16 months, with human factor-related issues (e.g., Housing, Financial Constraints, Human Healthcare) cited in 86% of cases. Descriptive analysis for the five financial years shows a declining trend in numbers of relinquishments, with housing issues (31.2%) identified as the primary reason, followed by ownership decisions (16.2%), financial constraints (11.2%), and human health issues (10.4%). Comparing the reasons for relinquishment between lower (decile 1-5) and higher (decile 6-10) socioeconomic status demonstrated that financial difficulties were a more common reason in lower vs. higher socioeconomic groups, while human health and family-related issues are more common in higher vs. lower socioeconomic groups. These findings highlight the critical role of socioeconomic factors in understanding why people relinquish their companion animals, which can inform targeted interventions to support companion animal welfare across different socioeconomic backgrounds.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Cat–Human Relationships in the United States and Japan

ABSTRACT Across the world, more and more cats are being kept in captive spaces such as homes, animal shelters, and cat cafés. There is a growing need to understand whether cross-cultural differences influence human–animal interactions in these human-controlled environments. Cats are one of the world’s most popular companion animals, and both the US and Japan have high rates of cat ownership. However, cultural differences may account for differences in how people feel about cats and how humans and cats behave toward one another. The research aim was to examine whether differences exist between the US and Japan across multiple facets of the human–cat relationship. Study 1 examined each country’s attitude toward pet cats. Results indicate US citizens have significantly more positive attitudes toward pet cats than Japanese citizens. Study 2 examined owner attachment to their cat and pet cat social behavior. Results indicate owners in both countries were highly attached to their cats. In the US, but not Japan, owner attachment level predicted pet cat sociability toward the owner. Study 3 examined cat social behavior in cat cafés. The results of studies 2 and 3 indicate that pet cats and café cats in the US spend a greater proportion of time in proximity to people compared with pet and café cats in Japan. In all, differences and similarities were seen between the US and Japan. In humans, differences in childhood cat experiences and lower rates of cat ownership may impact attitudes toward cats. In pet cats, owner characteristics, the size of the cat’s environment, cat care practices, and attitudes toward cats may impact cat social behavior. Future exploration in this area can benefit our understanding of cross-cultural human–animal interactions and how to apply these findings to improve captive-cat welfare.

Prevalence and molecular characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from dogs in South Korea.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are emerging as a global public health risk. Therefore, assessing the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRE) in both humans and animals is important. We aimed to ascertain the occurrence and characteristics of CRE isolated from companion animals, dogs and cats. E. coli strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the broth microdilution technique. Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. The molecular characteristics of CRE were determined using multi-locus sequence typing, replicon typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In total, 13 CRE isolates (0.13%) were identified from dogs possessing blaNDM-5 along with β-lactamase genes, mostly blaCMY-2 (92.2%) and blaTEM-1 (53.8%). The commonly observed mutations were S83L and D87N in gyrA, S80I in parC, and S458A in parE. CRE carried non-beta-lactam resistance genes, with the majority being tet(B) (100%), sul (84.6%), and aac(3)-II (53.8%). Nine different PFGE patterns (P1-P9), IncX3-type plasmids (69.2%), and ST410 (84.6%) were predominantly detected. This investigation provides significant insight into the prevalence and molecular characteristics of blaNDM-5-carrying E. coli in dogs. The co-existence of blaNDM-5 and other antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli potentially poses severe health hazards to humans.

A proposal for the development of a feed consumption database using a standardised feed classification system

Abstract There is currently no comprehensive feed consumption database using a harmonised feed classification system. This means there is a lack of accurate information on the individual amount of feed consumed daily by farmed and companion animals. Such a database would support exposure assessments of feed. This report provides a complete overview of the main feed databases, their structure, and how feed materials are classified. It highlights their limits and potential and reports any differences from FoodEx2. A proposal for future updates of FoodEx2 and the development of a comprehensive feed consumption model database is provided. The proposed model database is based on three information areas represented by three Excel sheets. These represent Animal, Feed, and Consumption, allowing the determination of animal dietary exposure. A proof of concept of the developed model database was carried out by performing two case studies focused on genetically modified feed and feed contaminants. For genetically modified feed, a reduced animal dietary exposure was obtained compared to estimations reported in the scientific opinions and obtained using Excel calculators proposed by EFSA. For the contaminants in feed, differences were limited, resulting in slightly higher or lower exposure values. Weaknesses and possible mitigations are also addressed, and recommendations are made for a comprehensive feed consumption database. These include recommendations establishing an EU classification system in which the main features and items reported in the European Catalogue of Feed Materials are harmonised with FoodEx2. It is also recommended that real‐life animal consumption data are collected by the feed industry, animal nutritionists, breeders, and farmers, along with the collaboration of stakeholders.

Molecular characterisation of Australasian Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae; Encyrtinae) reveals unexpected diversity and a potential novel host switch

Ticks are important medical and veterinary parasites that represent a substantial health threat to humans, companion animals, and livestock. Ixodiphagus wasps (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae) are known endoparasitoids of ixodid (hard) and argasid (soft) ticks, with potential utility as natural biocontrol agents. Two species, Ixodiphagus brunneus and Ixodiphagus mysorensis, are previously recorded from Australia, however, the genus lacks formal revisionary work in Australia, and the validity and host ranges of these species remain uncertain. This work aimed to investigate the diversity of Ixodiphagus in Australasia and provide a molecular data resource for future work on these understudied endoparasitoids. We extracted DNA from archival Ixodiphagus specimens from Australian and New Zealand insect collections and performed high-throughput sequencing which resulted in complete or mostly complete mitochondrial genome sequences from 11 specimens, including I. brunneus, Ixodiphagus taiaroaensis, and a novel Ixodiphagus sp. reared from Rhipicephalus linnaei from Townsville, Australia. In addition, approximately 70% of the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of I. brunneus was recovered. Finally, we screened 178 recently collected pooled tick samples from southern New South Wales, Australia, for Ixodiphagus spp. using 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(COI) gene PCR, and recovered 14 positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis of Australasian Ixodiphagus spp. based on 28S rRNA and complete mitochondrial genome sequences determined that members of the Australasian fauna are distinct from Ixodiphagus hookeri (the only other Ixodiphagus species for which genetic data exists), and that at least two distinct species are present in Australia; I. brunneus identified from Ixodes holocyclus and Haemaphysalis bancrofti ticks, and an uncharacterised Ixodiphagus sp. found in Rhipicephalus linnaei ticks from northern Queensland. Furthermore, there was substantial genetic diversity at the 28S rRNA loci among I. brunneus samples, which may represent normal genetic variability or a secondary cryptic species. The molecular data generated here represents the first known for the genus Ixodiphagus in Australasia, doubling that of the world fauna, and provides the first known complete mitochondrial genomes for these important tick parasitoids.

159 The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for companion animals

159 The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for companion animals

160 The past, present, and future of biotics in companion animal nutrition

160 The past, present, and future of biotics in companion animal nutrition