Animal Owners Research Articles

Zoonoses in Unconventional Companion Animals

Abstract The keeping of unconventional companion animals represents a special area of animal husbandry. While formerly reserved for zoological institutions, nowadays more and more unconventional companion animals can be found in the care of private owners. Due to the special nature and requirements of these animals, there are people who demand legal restrictions of these husbandries. One point often mentioned in this regard is the risks of zoonoses, which are said to be higher than with classical companion animals. Considering this argument, a conflict emerges between private rights of companion animal owners and the interests of public safety. With the help of a balancing of interests, this conflict can be examined more closely and an initial assessment of the justification for restrictions can be made.

Kırıkkale’de Yetiştirilen Taklacı Güvercinlerde Bağırsak Parazitlerinin Yaygınlığı

It was aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in tumbler pigeons reared in Kırıkkale. One hundred and five stool samples were obtained as one sample from each cage reached. The fresh stool samples collected were taken separately in containers with caps and delivered to laboratory within approximately 2 hours. Stool samples were analyzed by Carbolfuchsin, Native-Lugol staining and Fulleborn flotation techniques. Eimeria spp. oocysts were sporulated in 2.5% potassium dichromate and the species were identified. Parasite species were found in 82.9% of the examined pigeon stool. In the study, Heterakis spp., Ascaridia spp., Capillaria spp., Strongyle type eggs and Eimeria spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected. The number of feces infected with one parasite (32.4%) species was higher than the number of feces infected with two (22.9%), three (19.0%) and four species (8.6%). While helminth+protozoan mixed infections were detected in 40.9%, helminth parasite eggs in 13.3% and protozoan oocysts were found alone in 28.6% of the stools examined. All of the sporulated Eimeria oocysts were identified as E. labbeana. In this study, intestinal parasites were detected at a high rate in pigeons fed for hobby purposes. It has been revealed that animal owners should be informed about the issue, attention should be paid to the cleanliness and hygiene of pigeon cages, and more importance should be given to the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal parasites in these animals in order to reduce the prevalence of parasitic infections in pigeons in the region.

Morpho-molecular investigation of ectoparasitic infestation of companion animals in Sylhet city, Bangladesh

Ticks (Ixodida) and Fleas (Siphonaptera) are considered among the most important arthropod of public health concern due to their ability to transmit vector-borne pathogens to humans. By sharing a common environment, vector-borne diseases constituted major setbacks to the development of a pet population in Bangladesh. This study aimed to determine companion animal-associated ticks and fleas based on morpho-molecular approaches. Between December 2021 and May 2022, 74 animals (62 cats and 12 dogs) were examined, of which 17 (27.4%) cats and 9 (75.0%) dogs had ectoparasitic infestations, with 35.1% overall prevalence. Morphometrical examination showed the ectoparasites in these animals were Ctenocephalides spp. (flea) and Riphicephalus spp. (tick). Genetic analysis using the mitochondrial markers i.e. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) revealed the presence of two flea species i.e., Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, and one tick species Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Interviews of animal owners indicate that 35.14% of them had no concern about ectoparasitic infestation or ectoparasites-borne diseases. Our results indicated that fleas and ticks were the most common ectoparasites in companion animals of this area. The zoonotic nature of some ectoparasites can be regarded as a public health alert. The findings will assist epidemiologists and policymakers in offering customized guidance for upcoming monitoring and preventive tactics in this area.

Ethical challenges experienced by veterinary practitioners in relation to adverse events: Insights from a qualitative study.

Understanding ethical challenges experienced in relation to adverse events is necessary to inform strategies that optimise patient safety and practitioner wellbeing. A qualitative exploration of UK veterinary practitioners' experiences of adverse events was conducted. Data were collected via 12 focus groups and 20 interviews and analysed using an inductive coding technique. Questions surrounding acceptable boundaries of care, decision-making autonomy, personal scope of practice, use of evidence and speaking up about patient safety concerns were identified as ethically challenging to practitioners when endeavouring to prevent adverse events. Issues of appropriate accountability, interaction and communication with animal owners and the prioritisation of emotional and technical support for themselves and others were identified as ethically challenging in the aftermath of adverse events. The qualitative nature of this study limits the generalisability of the findings. Ethical challenges are experienced by veterinary practitioners in relation to both preventing and responding in the aftermath of adverse events. Strategies that facilitate ethical decision making and reflection and encourage openness and learning from adverse events would likely improve patient safety and enhance practitioner wellbeing. Further research is needed to develop and implement support for practitioners who experience ethical challenges in relation to adverse events.

OTITIS EXTERNA UNILATERAL IN CROSS BREED SHIH TZU DOG

Otitis externa is an inflammatory disease of the outer ear canal. Otitis externa can be caused by several factors such as bacteria, fungi, foreign bodies, parasitic infestations, immune diseases and atopic dermatitis. The purpose of writing this case report is to review Otitis Externa in dogs and the appropriate handling and treatment measures. A Shih Tzu crossbreed dog with cream colored hair aged 5 years and weighing 10.8 kg was examined with complaints of a runny and smelly right ear accompanied by itching and the dog stroked its head. On clinical examination, it was shown that the right ear of the case dog secreted cerumen fluid and had a pungent odor. The ear mucosa also looks reddish and slightly swollen. The results of ear swab examination on the case dog showed Otodectes cynotis mite infestation and the results of cytology examination found rod-shaped bacteria. The diagnosis in animal cases was unilateral otitis externa with a fausta prognosis. Treatment of otitis externa in case dogs is given drops of a combination of Polymyxin B Sulphate, Neomycin Sulphate, Fludrocortisone Acetate, and Lidocaine HCl (Otilon®) by administering 3 drops, 2 times a day in the right ear for 14 day. Evaluation of case dogs after being given treatment for 14 days showed a good response, where the dog had stopped scratching its ears, there was no redness and no Otodectes cynotis mites were found. Case animal owners are advised to diligently clean their dog's ears and try to keep them dry. And also cut the animal's hair that is on the inside of the ear. Pet owners are also advised to diligently clean their dog's ears and try to keep them dry. And also cut the hair of animal cases that are on the inside of the ear to reduce the possibility of otitis not recurring.

Comparison of Oral Microbial Composition and Determinants Encoding Antimicrobial Resistance in Dogs and Their Owners.

Consolidated studies on animal, human, and environmental health have become very important for understanding emerging zoonotic diseases and the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of this study was to analyse the oral microbiomes of healthy dogs and their owners, including determinants of AMR. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing detected 299 bacterial species in pets and their owners, from which 70 species were carried by dogs and 229 species by humans. Results demonstrated a unique microbial composition of dogs and their owners. At an order level, Bacteroidales were the most prevalent oral microbiota of dogs with significantly lower prevalence in their owners where Actinomycetales and Lactobacillales predominated. Porphyromonas and Corynebacterium were the most prevalent genera in dogs, whereas Streptococcus and Actinomyces were in animal owners. The resistances to macrolides, tetracyclines, lincosamides and Cfx family A class broad-spectrum β-lactamase were detected in both animal and human microbiomes. Resistance determinants to amphenicols, aminoglycosides, sulphonamides, and quaternary ammonium compounds were detected exceptionally in dogs. In conclusion, the study demonstrated different bacterial composition in oral microbiomes of healthy dogs without clinical signs of periodontal disease and their owners. Due to the low numbers of the samples tested, further investigations with an increased number of samples should be performed.

Risk factors for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli carriage among children in a food animal-producing region of Ecuador: A repeated measures observational study.

The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria may be driven by human-animal-environment interactions, especially in regions with limited restrictions on antibiotic use, widespread food animal production, and free-roaming domestic animals. In this study, we aimed to identify risk factors related to commercial food animal production, small-scale or "backyard" food animal production, domestic animal ownership, and practices related to animal handling, waste disposal, and antibiotic use in Ecuadorian communities. We conducted a repeated measures study from 2018 to 2021 in 7 semirural parishes of Quito, Ecuador to identify determinants of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli (3GCR-EC) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase E. coli (ESBL-EC) in children. We collected 1,699 fecal samples from 600 children and 1,871 domestic animal fecal samples from 376 of the same households at up to 5 time points per household over the 3-year study period. We used multivariable log-binomial regression models to estimate relative risks (RR) of 3GCR-EC and ESBL-EC carriage, adjusting for child sex and age, caregiver education, household wealth, and recent child antibiotic use. Risk factors for 3GCR-EC included living within 5 km of more than 5 commercial food animal operations (RR: 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 1.45; p-value: 0.001), household pig ownership (RR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.48; p-value: 0.030) and child pet contact (RR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.39; p-value: 0.001). Risk factors for ESBL-EC were dog ownership (RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.83; p-value: 0.053), child pet contact (RR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.16; p-value: 0.012), and placing animal feces on household land/crops (RR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.46; p-value: 0.019). The primary limitations of this study are the use of proxy and self-reported exposure measures and the use of a single beta-lactamase drug (ceftazidime with clavulanic acid) in combination disk diffusion tests for ESBL confirmation, potentially underestimating phenotypic ESBL production among cephalosporin-resistant E. coli isolates. To improve ESBL determination, it is recommended to use 2 combination disk diffusion tests (ceftazidime with clavulanic acid and cefotaxime with clavulanic acid) for ESBL confirmatory testing. Future studies should also characterize transmission pathways by assessing antibiotic resistance in commercial food animals and environmental reservoirs. In this study, we observed an increase in enteric colonization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria among children with exposures to domestic animals and their waste in the household environment and children living in areas with a higher density of commercial food animal production operations.

A New Genotype of Trichophyton quinckeanum with Point Mutations in Erg11A Encoding Sterol 14-α Demethylase Exhibits Increased Itraconazole Resistance.

Trichophyton quinckeanum, the causative agent of mouse favus, has been responsible for several infections of animal owners in recent years and showed an infection peak around 2020 in Jena, Thuringia. The isolated T. quinckeanum strains from Thuringia differ in some positions of the ITS region compared to strains from the IHEM collection as well as to Trichophyton schoenleinii. All T. quinckeanum strains of the new genotype show up to a 100-fold increased itraconazole resistance as measured by microplate laser nephelometry (MLN) assays. Analysis of genes involved in Trichophyton indotineae azole resistance, such as Erg1, which encodes squalene epoxidase, and Erg11B, one of two copies of the sterol 14-α demethylase gene, show a 100% identity between the two T. quinckeanum genotypes. In contrast, Erg11A fragments differ in 15-nucleotide positions between both T. quinckeanum genotypes, resulting in the unique amino acid substitution Ala256Ser in resistant strains. The new T. quinckeanum genotype may have evolved through interspecies mating. Mating type analysis showed a nearly 100% identity of the minus type MAT1-1-1 fragment for all T. quinckeanum isolates. The closely related Trichophyton schoenleinii belongs to the plus mating type and has 100% identical fragments of Erg1 and Erg11B. Erg11A protein sequences of T. schoenleinii and T. quinckeanum showed increased diversity.

The Role of Veterinarians in Forensic Science: A Review

Forensic science plays an important role in solving lawsuits involving human beings, such as assault, homicide, or poisoning cases. It combines scientific principles and techniques with legal procedures. Regarding past and present animal cruelty issues, many countries have passed stringent legislation to penalize individuals who abuse animals. Such animal cruelty protection acts are practiced in many countries, including Thailand, the United States, and Australia. Therefore, forensic science has been applied in the veterinary field, classified as a branch called veterinary forensic science. This field of study examines abnormalities in unnatural death in animals, collecting evidence from animals according to the chain of custody (crucial for documenting evidence) and the laws related to crimes against animals. This article gathers information by searching international databases (Scopus and Pubmed). The results of the search revealed the role of veterinarians in forensic science, the types of animal abuse that have led to legal actions (such as physical abuse and poisoning), and the laws seeking to prevent animal cruelty, each with its unique set of penalties, as implemented by different countries. The results revealed that veterinarians play a crucial role in animal forensic science by examining abused animals and ensuring the precise collection of samples, which serves as essential support for legal cases. It is important to involve specialized experts in these examinations, as their involvement substantially enhances the reliability of the results. Countries with laws to prevent animal cruelty, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, and Australia, punish animal abusers with varying fines and imprisonment. However, some countries still do not have practical laws to prevent animal cruelty directly, such as China and Iran. In this context, veterinarians should know the animal cruelty prevention laws in their area and educate animal owners to be aware of appropriate animal welfare management and reduce the incidence of animal cruelty.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of Campylobacter sp. in children aged 6-24 months in peri-urban Nairobi, Kenya.

Campylobacter bacteria is a major cause of foodborne-related bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. It is known to cause diarrhea in young children which has been shown to directly affect their weight and height as a result of malnutrition. Severe cases of diarrhea can also lead to death. Most of the burden is experienced in resource-limited countries in Africa and Southeast Asia where the disease is linked to poor hygiene and sanitation. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in children aged between 6 and 24 months in Nairobi, Kenya and identify potential risk factors associated with their occurrence. A cross-sectional study was carried out between May to December 2021. A total of 585 randomly selected households were visited in two wards (Uthiru/Ruthimitu and Riruta) in Dagoretti South sub-county, Nairobi. A questionnaire regarding how children's food is handled, the major foods consumed, sanitation and hygiene, and animal ownership was conducted among caregivers to identify associated risk factors. Stool samples were collected from 540/585 children and screened for the presence of Campylobacter using culture-based methods and confirmed through PCR. Of the 540 children's stool samples processed, Campylobacter isolates were detected in 4.8% (26/540). Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) was the most common species in 80.8% of positive samples compared to Campylobacter coli (C. coli) in 26.9% of samples. In six samples, both C. jejuni and C. coli were isolated, while in four samples, it was not possible to speciate the Campylobacter. Drinking cow's milk (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4 - 12.6) and the presence of animal feces in the compound (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1 - 10.3) were found to be statistically associated with Campylobacter carriage in children. The carriage of Campylobacter in children in this community indicates a need for further investigation on source attribution to understand transmission dynamics and inform where to target interventions. Awareness creation among caregivers on good personal and food hygiene is needed, including boiling milk before consumption. Implementation of biosecurity measures at the household level is highly recommended to reduce contact between animals and humans.

Retrospective study of acupuncture treatment for canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation

Thoracolumbar interverbal disk herniation (TL-IVDH) is a common neurological disorder in dogs, which often affects the life quality of patients and their caregivers. Acupuncture is increasingly accepted by veterinarians and animal owners, and has been used in the treatment of neurologic disorders. This study aims to evaluate the effects of acupuncture treatment for canine TL-IVDH. Clinical cases from 2016 to 2021 were collected. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 94 TL-IVDH cases that received acupuncture treatment were selected. Clinical classification and efficacy criteria were formulated based on the Frankel Score. For each case, clinical presentation, improvement, recovery and recurrence were recorded. Male dogs with TL-IVDH accounted for 64% of all cases. The average age was 7.49 years old, the predominant breed was poodle, and the incidence site was concentrated from T11 to L1. The overall recovery rate after receiving acupuncture treatment was 79.78%, which was comparable when considering only cases with grade 2, 3, or 4 spinal cord lesions (83.33% ~ 85.19%). In conclusion, canine with grade 2, 3, and 4 spinal cord lesions due to TL-IVDH receiving acupuncture had a high recovery rate, suggesting acupuncture could be a viable treatment options for canine with TL-IVDH.

A case of forensic genomics in Uganda reveals animal ownership and low exotic genetic introgression in indigenous cattle.

The cattle industry contributes to Uganda's agricultural output. It faces challenges that include theft and parentage ascertainment. These challenges can benefit from recent molecular genomics and bioinformatics technologies. We employed genomic analyses to establish potential ownership of a group of nine cattle that were being claimed by two farmers in Uganda. We investigated the genetic relationship of Ugandan cattle with regional indigenous breeds as well as exotic breeds that are currently present in Uganda. In addition, we investigated regions that are likely to be under selection in the Ugandan cattle. Hair samples were collected from seven and two animals from farmers A and B, respectively. They were genotyped for 53,218 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers. To establish genetic relationships between the sampled animals, we performed genomic analyses including, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis and identity by state/descent. We also performed admixture and runs of homozygosity analyses to assess the ancestry composition and identify regions potentially under selection in Ugandan cattle, respectively. The seven animals from Farmer A were genetically close to each other but showed minimal relationship with the disputed animals. The two animals from Farmer B were genetically distant from each other but showed greater similarity to four of the disputed animals. Four of the disputed animals showed great dissimilarity from the animals of both farmers. Comparison of these with the reference breeds revealed minimal European exotic genetic introgression into these animals, but rather high similarity to the Sheko. Results also revealed high homozygosity in the major histocompatibility complex regions. Our results demonstrate the use of currently available genomic tools to empirically establish the ownership of cattle; these could be scaled up as a resourceful and viable tool that could be employed to support conflict resolution where reliable livestock identification is unavailable.

Analysis of the Usage Context of an mHealth Application for Equestrians.

One possibility to support veterinarians in times of a vet shortage is by providing animal owners with a technical decision support for deciding whether their animal needs to be seen by a vet. As the first step in the user-centered development of such an mHealth application for equestrians, an analysis of the context of use was done. The analysis was carried out by reviewing existing literature and conducting an online survey with 100 participants. Characteristics of the user group and the usage context are presented using an adaptation of the four layers of diversity. Many equestrians are lacking health-related knowledge and competencies as well as social networks supporting them in decision making and gaining further information. This may apply to owners of other animal species in broad ranges as well. The results of the analysis provide information to software developers and researchers on mHealth applications for pet owners in general and equestrians in particular to focus their work on the users' needs and therefore provide efficient results/software.

Pharmacokinetic modelling of orally administered cannabidiol and implications for medication control in horses.

Cannabidiol (CBD) products gain increasing popularity amongst animal owners and veterinarians as an alternative remedy for treatment of stress, inflammation or pain in horses. Whilst the use of cannabinoids is banned in equine sports, there is limited information available concerning CBD detection times in blood or urine. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic properties of CBD following oral administration in the horse to assist doping control laboratories with interpreting CBD analytical results. Part 1: dose escalation study: Single oral administration of three escalating doses of CBD paste (0.2 mg/kg, n = 3 horses; 1 mg/kg, n = 3; 3 mg/kg, n = 5) with >7 days wash-out periods in between. Part 2: multiple dose study: oral administration of CBD paste (3 mg/kg, n = 6) twice daily for 15 days. Multiple blood and urine samples were collected daily throughout both studies. Following study part 2, blood and urine samples were collected for 2 weeks to observe the elimination phase. Concentrations of CBD, its metabolites and further cannabinoids were evaluated using gas-chromatography/tandem-mass-spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed via two approaches: population pharmacokinetic analysis using a nonlinear mixed-effects model and non-compartmental analysis. AUC0-12 h and Cmax were tested for dose proportionality. During the elimination phase, the CBD steady-state urine to serum concentration ratio (Rss) was calculated. Oral CBD medication was well-tolerated in horses. Based on population pharmacokinetics, a three-compartment model with zero-order absorption most accurately described the pharmacokinetic properties of CBD. High volumes of distribution into peripheral compartments and high concentrations of 7-carboxy-CBD were observed in serum. Non-compartmental analysis identified a Cmax of 12.17 ± 2.08 ng/mL after single administration of CBD (dose: 3 mg/kg). AUC0-12 h showed dose proportionality, increase for Cmax leveled off at higher doses. Following multiple doses, the CBD terminal half-life was 161.29 ± 43.65 h in serum. Rss was 4.45 ± 1.04. CBD is extensively metabolized and shows high volumes of tissue distribution with a resulting extended elimination phase. Further investigation of the potential calming and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD are required to determine cut-off values for medication control using the calculated Rss.

It was one of the worst days of my life: Companion animal owners’ experiences of the Edgecumbe 2017 flood in Aotearoa New Zealand

In April 2017, the largest companion animal rescue in New Zealand history at that time was mounted to save hundreds of animals who were left behind inside the flooded township of Edgecumbe. This significant event prompted a study examining evacuation behaviour and the influence of pets on evacuation processes. An online survey was conducted, involving 212 households (35.5%) to gather data on their experiences and actions during the emergency. The results revealed that households with family emergency plans that incorporated pets' needs had a significantly higher percentage of evacuating at least some of their pets (94.1%) compared to those without such plans (50%) (p-value = 0.015). Interestingly, illegal re-entry rates were not different between participants who evacuated with all pets and those who left some or all pets behind (p-value = 0.161). However, the primary reason for attempted unlawful re-entry was to care for or rescue their animals. These findings confirm that evacuee behaviours in New Zealand are consistent with similar studies conducted in other countries. This consistency suggests that non-compliant emergency and evacuation behaviour should be addressed by implementing animal-inclusive law and policy. By incorporating the needs of animals in emergency management, both humans and animals can benefit from improved safety and well-being during disasters. This study highlights the importance of considering pets in emergency planning and the need for policy changes to better protect both people and their companion animals during emergencies.

Effects of doxycycline dose rate and pre-adulticide wait period on heartworm-associated pathology and adult worm mass

BackgroundThe American Heartworm Society canine guidelines recommend treatment with doxycycline prior to adulticide administration to reduce levels of Wolbachia and its associated metabolites, which are known to be a leading cause of pulmonary pathology. Studies have determined that doxycycline administered at 10 mg/kg BID for 28 days is an effective dose for eliminating Wolbachia, but what has not been determined is the clinical relevance of this elimination. The current guidelines also recommend a 30-day wait period following administration of doxycycline to allow for clearance of metabolites, such as Wolbachia surface protein, and for further reduction in heartworm biomass before administration of adulticide. Reducing the doxycycline dose and eliminating the wait period may carry practical benefits for the animal, client, and practitioner.MethodsTo investigate these treatment practices, Dirofilaria immitis adults were surgically transplanted into each of 45 dogs, which were divided into nine study groups of five dogs each. Seventy-five days after transplantation, two groups each were administered 5, 7.5, or 10 mg/kg BID doxycycline orally for 28 days and 6 µg/kg ivermectin monthly, with three untreated groups serving as controls. Study animals were necropsied and examined prior to treatment as well as 30 and 60 days post-treatment.ResultsMean worm weight was unaffected by dosage but exhibited a significant increase at 30 days and significant decrease at 60 days post-treatment, including in control groups. Histopathology lesion scores did not significantly differ among groups, with the exception of the lung composite score for one untreated group. Liver enzymes, the levels of which are a concern in doxycycline treatment, were also examined, with no abnormalities in alanine aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase observed.ConclusionsNo consistent worsening of tissue lesions was observed with or without the AHS-recommended 30-day wait period, nor did reduced dosages of doxycycline lead to worsening of pathology or any change in efficacy in depleting worm weight. Mean worm weight did significantly increase prior to, and decrease following, the wait period. Future work that also includes adulticide treatment (i.e. melarsomine) will study treatment recommendations that may improve both animal health and owner compliance.Graphical abstract

AI-Driven livestock identification and insurance management system

Cattle identification is pivotal for many reasons. Animal health management, traceability, bread classification, and verification of insurance claims are largely depended on the accurate identification of the animals. Conventionally, animals have been identified by various means such as ear tags, tattoos, rumen implants, and hot brands. Being non-scientific approaches, these controls can be easily circumvented. The emerging technologies of biometric identification are extensively applied for Human recognition via thumb impression, face features, or eye retina patterns. The application of biometric recognition technology has now moved towards animals. Cattle identification with the help of muzzle patterns has shown tremendous results. For precise identification, nature has awarded a unique Muzzle pattern that can be utilized as a primary biometric feature. Muzzle pattern image scanning for biometric identification has now been extensively applied for identification. Animal recognition via Muzzle pattern image for different applications has been proliferating gradually. One of those applications includes the identification of fake insurance claims under livestock insurance. Fraudulent animal owners tend to lodge fake claims against livestock insurance with proxy animals. In this paper, we proposed the solution to avoid and/or discard fraudulent claims of livestock insurance by intelligently identifying the proxy animals. Data collection of animal muzzle patterns remained challenging. Key aspects of the proposed system include: (1) the Animal face will be detected through visual using YOLO v7 object detector. (2) After face detection, the same procedures will apply to detect muzzle point (3) the muzzle pattern is extracted and then stored in the database. The System has a mean average precision of 100% for the face and 99.43% for the nose/muzzle point of the animal. Once the animal is registered in the database, the identification process is initiated by extracting unique nose pattern features with ORB and/or SIFT. Then it is matched using the pattern matchers like BFMatcher and/or FLANNMatcher for animal identification. The proposed model is more efficient and accurate as compared to concurrent approaches. The results extracted from this research study show 100% accurate identification.

An autopsy case of infective aortic aneurysm with Pasteurella multocida infection: clinicopathological appearance and a review of literatures

Here, we showed our clinicopathological findings of infected aortic aneurysm (IAA) with Pasteurella multocida, which is a Gram-negative coccobacillus and is part of the normal oral flora of many animals. The patient was a 76-year-old male animal owner with a history of diabetes mellitus, alcoholic liver damage, and laryngeal cancer. He died 16 days after admission without undergoing operation because of poor general condition. Autopsy showed saccular outpouching with loss of the existing aortic wall and marked neutrophilic infiltration in the suprarenal abdominal aorta. Rupture was not evident. A polymerase chain reaction assay using DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimen of the aneurysmal wall detected the Pasteurella multocida gene, therefore we conclude that the present case was IAA of native aorta with Pasteurella multocida infection. A review of the literature showed that IAA of native aorta with Pasteurella multocida infection is opportunistic and that liver disorder, alcohol addiction, diabetes mellitus, and animal bite may increase its risk. On the other hand, aortic endograft infection with Pasteurella multocida frequently occurred without an immunocompromised state. Pasteurella multocida may be a distinct causative microorganism in IAA, and/or sepsis when the participant is an animal owner.

Seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and associated factors among dairy cows with recent cases of abortion in Ethiopia

AbstractBackgroundBrucellosis is a serious zoonotic disease affecting human and all domestic animals. It is considered to be one of the great public health problems all over the world. Little attention has been paid to bovine brucellosis in small holder dairy farm and in animal owners and farm workers in central highland of Ethiopia. This research was conducted with the aim of determining seropositivity and identifying the potential risk factors of brucellosis in dairy cows with recent cases of abortion in the central highlands of Ethiopia.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study with purposive sampling carried out on dairy cows in the farms and kebeles from December 2019 to May 2020. The serum samples were initially screened for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) followed by the complement fixation test (CFT) for confirmation. The risk factors for bovine brucellosis were assessed using univariable Firth bias reduced logistic regression.ResultsA total of 352 samples were tested. Serological positivity for bovine brucellosis was detected in 1.2% (95% CI: 0.47–2.97) by RBPT, and bovine brucellosis confirmed by CFT was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.16–2.09). The risk factors for confirmed bovine brucellosis were the late stage of abortion (OR = 1.046, p = < 0.0041), retained fetal membranes (OR = 32.74, p = 0.006), and market‐based stock replacement (OR = 1.0638, p = 0.0008), which are significantly associated at 95% confidence interval.ConclusionThe proportion of brucellosis among aborted cows seems to be low in the study area. However, given the lack of control strategies in the area, there is a potential risk of transmission in dairy cattle and the human population in the study areas.

Giardia duodenalis in Ugandan Children Aged 9-36 Months in Kampala, Uganda: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Giardia duodenalis is a common gastrointestinal pathogen globally that has been associated with growth failure in children. Most of the studies have been done in school-age children, and there is a paucity of data in pre-school children. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with G. duodenalis infection in children aged 9-36 months presenting to Mulago Hospital with diarrhea or cough. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics, animal ownership, medical history, and physical examination findings were recorded. Stool was tested for G. duodenalis using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and additional tests included stool microscopy and qPCR for Cryptosporidium. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis infection was 6.7% (214/3,173). In children with diarrhea the prevalence was 6.9% (133/1,923), whereas it was 6.5% (81/1,250) in those with cough as the main symptom. Of 214 children with G. duodenalis infection, 19 (8.9%) were co-infected with Cryptosporidium. Older children (25-36 months) were more likely to have G. duodenalis infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.93-4.43). Use of an unimproved toilet (aOR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.04-1.83) and the wet season (aOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.00-1.77) were associated with increased infection. Other factors associated with infection were recurrent diarrhea (aOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.64-3.70) and passing of mucoid stool (aOR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.08-4.66). Having a ruminant at the homestead was also associated with infection (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.20-2.79). Giardia duodenalis infection occurred in 1 of 15 children aged 9-36 months with diarrhea or cough in Kampala, Uganda. Further studies are needed to clarify the zoonotic significance of G. duodenalis infection in this setting.