Dogs In Poland Research Articles

Determining the occurrence of the Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma caninum nematode invasion in dogs in Poland, with special emphasis on the Lublin region

Apart from roundworms, Ancylostomatidae nematodes are presently the most frequently observed nematodes in dogs in Poland, with two species described so far: Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma caninum. The study aimed to determine the hookworm species found in dogs in Poland, with special emphasis on the Lublin region. The study material consisted of fecal samples collected from 500 dogs from the area of the Lublin voivodeship. With the use of microscope methods, parasite eggs were found in 56.4% of the samples, dominated by the Ancyclostomidae nematode (26.8%). The isolated hookworm eggs were subject to morphometric measurements, giving a mean length of 77.60 μm and width of 44.25 μm (±SD ±6.01 and ±4.54 respectively) within the range 67-91 × 36-56 μm. The hookworm larvae that hatched from the samples were subject to molecular analysis (72 samples) and all were identified as U. stenocephala. In the area of the Lublin voivodeship U. stenocephala is the dominant hookworm species in dogs.

Changes in the population structure of canine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in Poland

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is being reported with an increasing frequency in small animal veterinary practice. The molecular typing of MRSP isolates revealed that the dominating European multidrug-resistant lineage is the sequence type 71 (ST71), associated with staphylococcal chromosomal cassette SCCmec type II–III. However, the recent reports indicated the emergence of other clones. The study aimed to determine the genetic properties of MRSP isolates obtained from dogs in Poland over a ten-year period. A total of 42 clinical MRSP isolates were subjected to multilocus-sequence typing (MLST) and SCCmec typing. MLST typing of 42 MRSP isolates yielded six STs belonging to two major clonal complexes (CCs): CC71 and CC551, associated with SCCmec element II–III and V, respectively. CC71 comprising ST71 and its newly described single locus variant (SLV) ST680. The second dominating CC551was represented by ST551 and newly described SLV ST771. The other, ST258 and ST85 were detected in single MRSP isolates. This is the first report concerning MLST typing of MRSP isolates in Poland. The results confirmed the domination of ST71 among MRSP until 2015, and the emergence of ST551 in 2015. Furthermore, in 2016 ST551 was identified in the majority of the strains, indicating the changes in the population structure of MRSP in Poland. Polish clinical MRSP isolates showed a shift in the population structure during the period of 2007 and 2016. The dominating MRSP lineage until 2015 was multidrug-resistant ST71-SCCmecII-III. The other lineage ST551-SCCmecV emerged in Poland since 2015, and in 2016 was found in the majority of MRSP isolates.

Congenital heart defects in dogs: A retrospective study of 301 dogs

The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of congenital heart defects in a population of dogs in Poland and to determine which breeds were affected by particular defects. A retrospective study of the medical records of cardiologically examined dogs revealed 301 cases of echocardiographically confirmed congenital heart defects. Dogs with congenital heart defects made up 2.7% of the dogs that underwent a cardiologic examination. The age at diagnosis ranged from 2 weeks to 190 months. Mixed breeds (33 dogs, 11%), Bull Terriers (31, 10%), Boxers (28, 9%), German Shepherds (17, 6%), Yorkshire Terriers (17, 6%), and French Bulldogs (16, 5%) were the most frequently affected breeds. Subaortic stenosis (120 cases, 33.9%), pulmonic stenosis (64, 18.1%), patent ductus arteriosus (59, 16.7%), mitral valve dysplasia (56, 15.8%), ventricular septal defect (24, 6.8%) and tricuspid valve dysplasia (17, 4.8%) were the most frequent congenital heart defects recognized in this study. Isolated congenital heart disease occurred in 258 dogs (86%), while multiple heart defects were noted in 43 dogs (14%). Most (60%) congenital heart defects were recognized in dogs older than 1 year. Early recognition of congenital heart defects is important for better patient care. Collecting information on the frequency of congenital heart defects in particular breeds will be useful in educating breeders and thus in improving the overall health of the breed.

Acute rhabdomyolysis in a dog: Case report

In a 9-years-old Labrador retriever, signs of severe weakness and a dark brown colour of urine were observed. During clinical examination, pain of the abdominal cavity and muscles was noted. Abdominal x-ray and ultrasound examination revealed signs of intestinal obstruction. The activity of creatine kinase was 187380 U/l. The diagnosis of acute muscle damage was made. Treatment included antibiotic and analgesic therapy, as well as aggressive fluid infusion. No additional treatments were required, and the dog made a speedy recovery. The rapid and intensive treatment prevented acute renal failure, which is a life-threatening complication of acute rhabdomyolisis. This is the first case of acute idiopathic rhabdomyolysis in a dog in Poland. An early intensive fluid therapy and a critical interpretation of radiological signs of intestinal obstruction are crucial for successful therapy.

Evaluation of the occurrence of canine congenital sensorineural deafness in puppies of predisposed dog breeds using the brainstem auditory evoked response.

Canine congenital sensorineural deafness (CCSD) affects predisposed breeds of dogs and is primarily caused by an atrophy of the stria vascularis of the organ of Corti. The analysis of the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is a reliable method for the evaluation of hearing in animals as it allows an accurate detection of unilateral or bilateral deafness. The occurrence of unilateral and bilateral deafness using the BAER was determined in a representative group of dogs in Poland, including Bull Terriers (n = 117), Australian Cattle Dogs (n = 62), English Setters (n = 32) and the Dogo Argentino (n = 32). Overall deafness, deafness in each dog breed and an association between deafness and phenotype were studied. Among the 243 dogs tested, 156 (81%) had a normal BAER, 27 (11%) were unilaterally deaf, and 12 (5%) were bilaterally deaf. The amplitudes and latencies of waves I, II, III, V, the V/I wave amplitude ratio, and wave I-V, I-III and III-V inter-peak intervals were recorded for each dog. Unilaterally and bilaterally deaf dogs were present in all the dog breeds studied. There were 17 (14.5%) deaf Bull Terriers, three (4.8%) deaf Australian Cattle Dogs, seven (21.9%) deaf English Setters, and 12 (37.5%) deaf Dogos Argentinos. Preventive BAER screening should be routinely performed in these four breeds to prevent the spread of genes responsible for deafness.

Wild boar offal as a probable source of Aujeszky’s disease virus for hunting dogs in Poland

AbstractIntroduction:Aujeszky’s disease (AD), most often related to infection of domestic and feral swine, may also concern other mammals, including dogs. The disease in carnivores, related to consumption of raw meat or offal contaminated with AD virus, is manifested by severe neurological disorders and inevitably leads to animal’s death.Material and Methods:Karelian bear dog was euthanised due to nervous symptoms that started two days after participation in wild boar hunting. After exclusion of rabies the dog’s carcass was subjected to standard necropsy. Tissue samples were collected for histological examination. Samples of the brain were tested for ADV by real-time PCR and virus isolation. Samples of the liver were collected for toxicological examination.Results:The presence of ADV was confirmed by real-time PCR and virus isolation. Toxicological examination revealed anticoagulant poisoning. This is the first case of Aujeszky’s disease (AD) in a hunting dog in Poland after exposure to ADV from offal of wild boar.Conclusion:This infection should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis of syndromes of neurological disorders in dogs. Since AD is found in both domestic pigs and wild boar in Poland, special care must be taken to prevent spread of infection to other species.

Epidemiological and histopathological analysis of 40 apocrine sweat gland carcinomas in dogs: a retrospective study

Abstract Introduction: Apocrine sweat gland carcinomas (ASGCs) are malignant neoplasms of dogs and other animals, rarely reported worldwide. The aim of this study was to summarise the occurrence of this cancer in a population of dogs in Poland between 2009 and 2014 with regards to histological features and body location of the tumours, as well as age, sex and breed of the cancer-affected dogs. Material and Methods: The study involved 40 canine ASGC cases diagnosed in five national veterinary pathology laboratories. The material was processed according to routine histological methods. Results: Histological types of the tumours involved simple and complex apocrine carcinoma of cystic/papillary (62.5%), solid (15%), and tubular type (12.5%), as well as apocrine ductal carcinoma (10%). The epidemiological analysis revealed peak incidence of the cancer in dogs between 8 and 14 years of age, with the most commonly affected sites being forelimbs and thorax. The highest number of the cancer cases was diagnosed in mixed breed dogs and German Shepherds; no sex predilection was noted. Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report recounting the study on canine malignant apocrine sweat gland tumours in Poland providing detailed phenotypical and histological data, which are otherwise rarely described in veterinary literature. This type of cancer appears to be diagnosed more frequently in dogs than in humans. Being an easily accessible material for research, canine ASGCs might serve as a relevant animal model for studies related to pathogenesis of sweat gland tumours.

Molecular identification of Giardia duodenalis isolates from domestic dogs and cats in Wroclaw, Poland.

Giardia duodenalis (G. intestinalis) is a common protozoan causing gastrointestinal disorders in many species of mammals. The genus of Giardia has high molecular diversity. Dogs and cats, in addition to their typical infection with assemblages C, D and F, may be a reservoir of zoonotic assemblages (A and B). The aim of this study was a genetic characteristic of Giardia isolates of dogs and cats from the area of Wroclaw (Poland). A total of 128 and 33 faecal samples from dogs and cats, respectively, were analyzed by routine coprological methods. The animals were diagnosed on the presence of G. duodenalis antigens in faeces soluble with the use of SNAP Giardia (IDEXX Laboratories) immunosorbent assay. 27 DNA isolates of Giardia were subjected to molecular identification (PCR-RFLP). The prevalence of G. duodenalis was 21.1% (27/128) in dogs and 15.1% (5/33) in cats. In dogs, C assemblage was present in 18 (81%) positive stool samples, D assemblage in 2 (9%) samples, B assemblage present in one (4.5%), and mixed assemblages (C and D) occurred in one (4.5%) sample. F assemblage was found in 4 (80%) cats' positive stool samples and A assemblage occurred in one case (20%). Confirmation of the presence of A and B zoonotic assemblages suggests that infected pets can be a threat to human health. This study describes for the first time the presence of mixed infections within host-specific C and D assemblages in dogs in Poland.

Predation of wildlife by free-ranging domestic dogs in Polish hunting grounds and potential competition with the grey wolf

Although the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is a ubiquitous exotic predator that can detrimentally affect natural environments, studies on their ecological impact are relatively scarce, particularly at a national scale. We exploited data derived from Polish Hunting Association reports to provide a national evaluation of rural free-ranging dogs in Poland. Our results demonstrate that free-ranging dogs are widespread and abundant, frequently killing wildlife and livestock in Poland and likely exerting intraguild competition with native carnivores such as grey wolves (Canis lupus). On average, hunting club records estimate that over 138,000 rural free-ranging dogs occurred annually in hunting grounds. In addition, nearly 3000 free-ranging greyhounds and their mixed breeds occurred annually on hunting grounds, although greyhound hunting has been banned in Poland and they are legally required to be restrained within fencing. On average, over 33,000 wild animals and 280 livestock were killed by free-ranging dogs on Polish hunting grounds annually. The number of both wild animals and livestock killed by dogs were strongly and positively correlated with the numbers of rural free-ranging dogs recorded on hunting grounds, reflective of their predation pressure. Also, the number of wild animals killed by dogs was positively correlated with estimates of population sizes and harvest levels of wildlife, reflective of prey availability. Dog predation, in conjunction with harvest by humans, may cause unsustainable off-take rates of some game species. Grey wolves, documented within 39 of the 49 Hunting Districts, ate similar prey as dogs, including ungulates and livestock, and killed dogs on hunting grounds, suggesting both resource and interference competition between these sympatric canids. This comprehensive analysis provides important information about the ecological impact of free-ranging dogs and recommendations for alternative legislative and management measures to control their impacts.

Characterization of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamases Produced by Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Dogs in Poland

Escherichia coli is a common cause of infections in companion animals. In recent years the increasing prevalence of resistance to β-lactams, including extended-spectrum cephalosporins, antimicrobials frequently used in small animal veterinary practice, was observed in canine isolates of E. coli. The aim of this study was to detect and to characterize extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) produced by E. coli isolated from diseased dogs in Poland. Four isolates out of 119 studied (3.4%) were ESBL-positive. They harbored the bla(SHV-12), bla(CTX-M-15), and bla(TEM-116) genes. This study provides the first report of the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in dogs in Poland.

Identification of new 18S rRNA strains of Babesia canis isolated from dogs with subclinical babesiosis.

In this study, we used PCR to detect and characterize B. canis from naturally infected dogs in Poland with subclinical babesiosis by amplifying and sequencing a portion of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Venous blood samples were collected from ten dogs with subclinical babesiosis. A 559-bp fragment of the B. canis 18S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR. Sequencing of the PCR products led to the identification of a new variant of Babesia canis, differing from the previously detected protozoa genotypes (18S rRNA-A and 18S rRNA-B) with nucleotide substitutions in positions 150 and 151 of the tested gene fragment. The results indicate the emergence within the Polish territory of a new, previously unencountered Babesia canis genotype responsible for the development of subclinical babesiosis.

A retrospective study of the occurrence of Chronic Superficial Keratitis in 308 German Shepherd dogs: 1999-2010

Chronic Superficial Keratitis (CSK) is an autoimmune mediated inflammation of the cornea, that is usually bilateral but often with nonsymmetrical manifestation. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and appearance of clinical symptoms of CSK in German Shepherd dogs in Poland and Slovakia. CSK was diagnosed in 308 German Shepherds for a period of 11 years (from 1999 to 2010). The highest incidence of the CSK (p < 0.001) in Slovakia and in Poland was in dogs between the ages of 5-8 years. This study found similarity in gender ratio of affected patients with CSK in two neighboring countries. This disease occurs most often in males, with almost identical frequency in both countries, Slovakia 65.63% and Poland 61.32%, respectively. The incidence of depigmentation and thickening of the external surface of the third eyelid together with CSK was observed in 69.19% of dogs in Poland and in 63.15% of dogs in Slovakia. CSK is often recognized in advanced stage-affected areas with inflammatory process by CSK, obtained frequently from 2 to 3 quadrants.

Prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria repens Railliet et Henry, 1911 in dogs in Poland.

In 2011-2013 1588 samples of dogs' blood were examined for dirofilariosis using Knott method, as well as the Kingston and Morton method. The species of microfilariae was determined on the basis of morphometric characteristics. Samples were also examined using the Canine Heartworm Antigen Test. Positive samples were examined using a multiplex PCR assay for species confirmation. Microfilariae belonging to the species D. repens were found in the blood samples of dogs from all the provinces of Poland. The mean prevalence of this species observed in Poland was 11.7%. The range of intensity of infection was counted using the number of microfilariae found in 60 microl of blood amounted to between 1 and 158, and the mean intensity was 18 microfilariae. Microfilariae and antigens of D. immitis were not found in any examined blood samples.

Serological detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia canis antibodies and Dirofilaria immitis antigen in a countrywide survey in dogs in Poland.

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) have increasingly become a focus of attention in the past few years. Nevertheless, in many parts of Europe information on their occurrence is still scarce. In a large study in Poland 3,094 serum samples taken from dogs throughout all 16 Polish provinces were tested using a commercial kit for the detection of circulating antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia canis and of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. A total of 12.31 % (381/3,094; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 11.18–13.52 %) and 3.75 % (116/3,094; 95 % CI: 3.11–4.48 %) of the dogs were positive for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies, respectively. Furthermore, 0.26 % (8/3,094; 95 % CI: 0.11–0.51 %) were positive for E. canis antibodies and 0.16 % (5/3,094; 95 % CI: 0.05–0.38 %) for D. immitis antigen. The highest percentages of A. phagocytophilum-positive dogs were noted in Lesser Poland, Silesia and Łódź Provinces. For B. burgdorferi s.l., the highest prevalence was recorded in Łódź Province. Co-infections with A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. were recorded in 1.71 % of all examined dogs (53/3,094; 95 % CI: 1.29–2.23 %). One dog even had a triple infection, testing positive for E. canis too. Both A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. have previously been reported in Poland and were confirmed in the present study by positive samples from all 16 provinces. Concerning E. canis and D. immitis travel history or importation cannot be excluded as factors which may have determined the occurrence of these pathogens in the relevant animals. Practitioners in Poland should be aware of the above mentioned CVBDs and of prophylactic measures to protect dogs and their owners.

Free-Ranging Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) in Central Poland: Density, Penetration Range and Diet Composition

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the density and diet composition of freeranging dogs in Poland. The study was conducted in a field and forest mosaic in the central part of the country in the years 2005–2011. The density of the free-ranging dogs was assessed during night counts along repeated transect routes. The number of dogs seen and the feasible observation area were recorded to calculate density index for each control. The day and night counts captured data on group composition and penetration range. Diets were studied through scat analyses. The dog density ranged from 2.2–3.1 ind. km-2 depending on the area. Most dogs were observed alone, and 40% formed groups of 2 to 5 dogs. Most groups were recorded close to buildings, but the group organisation changed (especially during the daytime) with increasing distance from the buildings: 35% of dogs in the village were in groups, but 55% of dogs formed groups at a distance of more than 100 m from the buildings. The night proportion of dogs in g...

A presumptive case of cerebral babesiosis in a dog in Poland caused by a virulent Babesia canis strain

The aim of this paper was to present the first case of cerebral canine babesiosis due to infection by Babesia canis in a dog in Poland. A 5-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier was presented with an unusual clinical manifestation of acute babesiosis that included neurological signs and pancytopenia. Despite treatment the dog died. Diagnosis was based on microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears (detection of piroplasms in red blood cells) and post mortem examination of the brain by histopathology and PCR method. The amplified segment of the Babesia 18S RNA gene was sequenced. This enabled to determine that the cause of the disease had been the strain 18S RNA-B EU622793. This is one of two B. canis strains found endemically in Poland, which reveals a greater virulence than the strain 18S RNA-A EU622792. The described case indicates that this form of canine babesiosis should be taken into account in differential diagnosis in dogs exhibiting neurological symptoms, especially in the tick activity season.

Analysis of the mitochondrial haplogroups of farm and wild-living raccoon dogs in Poland

Raccoon dogs' mitochondrial DNA genes (MT-CYTB, MT-CO1 and MT-CO2) containing a total of 1.5 kbp exhibited 11 synonymous substitutions in the polymorphism described, with almost 73% found in the gene MT-CO2. The polymorphism was observed in 27.3% of the loci in wild-living animals, and in over 90% of the loci in farm raccoon dogs. Seven mitochondrial haplogroups have been determined, among which three (Np1, Np2 and Np4) were found in the wild-living raccoon dogs and the other four (Np3, Np5, Np6 and Np7) in the farm animals. The occurrence of new haplogroups in the farm animals indicates the appearance of adaptive mutations. Differences were observed between the sequence under study and the reference sequence in MT-CYTB; they involved two non-synonymous substitutions (T304I and F332L). Analyses carried out to determine the deleterious effect of mutations indicated an almost 50% probability that a single amino acid substitution (T304I) in the protein has a negative impact on its function.

Polymerase chain reaction–based identification of clinically relevant Pasteurellaceae isolated from cats and dogs in Poland

A set of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for identification of the most important Pasteurellaceae species encountered in cats and dogs were developed. Primers for Pasteurella multocida were designed to detect a fragment of the kmt, a gene encoding the outer-membrane protein. Primers specific to Pasteurella canis, Pasteurella dagmatis, and Pasteurella stomatis were based on the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase gene (sodA) and those specific to [Haemophilus] haemoglobinophilus on species-specific sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. All the primers were tested on respective reference and control strains and applied to the identification of 47 canine and feline field isolates of Pasteurellaceae. The PCR assays were shown to be species specific, providing a valuable supplement to phenotypic identification of species within this group of bacteria.

The factors affecting the distribution of babesiosis in dogs in Poland

The aim of this paper was to determine the factors affecting the development of canine babesiosis in Poland. The studies included 800 animals from 16 polish voivodeships-districts (50 from each voivodeship) with suspected piroplasmosis. Hematological and molecular tests confirmed infections in 158 animals. Analysis of the genetic material using the Real-Time Sybr Green HRM technique showed that 96 dogs were infected with Babesia canis 18S RNA-A and 62 with B. canis 18S RNA-B. It was observed that the disease occurs more often in eastern Poland (OR: 8.91; CI: 5.7–13.8), in males (OR: 1.04; CI: 0.7–1.5) and especially in rural areas (OR: 1.7; CI: 1.2–2.4). More prone to infection were pure-bred dogs (OR: 2.24; CI: 1.6–3.2), young animals under 1 year old (OR: 0.73; CI: 0.4–1.5), animals that had suffered from babesiosis in the past (OR: 17.9; CI: 10.9–29.2) and those that had not received preventive measures against ectoparasites (OR: 0.32; CI: 0.2–0.5). Knowledge of the factors facilitating the development of canine babesiosis helps to understand the causal connection between the dogs’ exposure to the pathogen and the development of the disease and to limit the occurrence of the infection in these animals, to diagnose it early and to start proper treatment before serious complications develop.

In vitro cultivation of Babesia canis canis parasites isolated from dogs in Poland

The aim of this study was to perform in vitro cultivation of Babesia canis protozoa isolated from dogs with clinical babesiosis. A primary culture initiated in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 40% canine serum supported parasite growth in vitro in 5% carbon dioxide in air atmosphere. Subsequent subcultures into HL-1 medium with 40% dog serum or EMEM with 40% foetal bovine serum also supported parasite propagation. The parasites have been continuously cultured through six passages, although the parasitemias are low, ranging from 0.56% to 0.59%. The partial small subunit ribosomal rRNA gene sequence was identical in blood-derived and culture-derived Babesia. The parasites from 17 cultures were classified as EU622792, and from 13 cultures as EU622793. These data show that an efficient in vitro cultivation of B. canis could serve as a starting point to obtain a protozoan antigen used for immunisation of the dogs against piroplasmosis.