Information For Veterinarians Research Articles

Molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in dairy cattle in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Background and Aim: Cryptosporidium spp. are important parasites in the small intestines of humans and animals, particularly cattle. The aim of this study was to estimate the molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy cattle in five districts of Khon Kaen province, Thailand, and to identify Cryptosporidium spp. Materials and Methods: From July 2020 to October 2021, 296 fecal samples were collected from three groups of dairy cattle: Calves aged <3 months, calves aged 3 months–1 year, and calves aged >1 year. Cryptosporidium spp. were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying the 18s RNA gene. Both genus-specific and species-specific primers were used to identify Cryptosporidium confirmed by DNA sequencing. Age, house floor type, and water trough type were evaluated as risk factors. We analyzed all associated risk factor information using the logistic regression test in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: PCR results showed that 40 (13.51%) out of 296 samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., including Cryptosporidium bovis (57.50%) and Cryptosporidium ryanae (2.50%). There was a significant association between Cryptosporidium incidence, cattle age, and house floor type (p = 0.05). National Center for Biotechnology Information Basic Local Alignment Search Tool displayed 99.48%–100% nucleotide similarity of each Cryptosporidium spp. isolate with references recorded on GenBank. Conclusion: C. bovis and C. ryanae are commonly found in dairy cattle, especially calves, in Khon Kaen, Thailand, and the incidence was associated with age and house floor type. A molecular technique may be influential for species identification. The results of the present study would provide useful information for veterinarians and animal owners to understand better Cryptosporidium spp. and how to manage farms properly. Keywords: bovine cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, dairy cattle, molecular prevalence.

All causes of death among veterinarians in the United States during 1979 through 2015

To assess proportionate mortality from all causes for male and female US veterinarians during 1979 through 2015. Death records for 11,620 veterinarians. For this proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) study, information for veterinarians who died during 1979 through 2015 was obtained from AVMA obituary and life insurance databases and submitted to a centralized database of US death records to obtain underlying causes of death. Decedent data that met records-matching criteria were imported into a software program for calculation of PMRs for all causes stratified by sex and indirectly standardized for age, race, and 5-year calendar period with 95% CIs. 11,620 decedents consisted of 11,049 (95%) males and 571 (5%) females with a median age at death of 77 years. Proportionate mortality for all veterinarian decedents was higher than expected for melanoma (PMRs, 2.1 and 2.2 for males and females, respectively), suicide (PMRs, 2.1 and 3.5 for males and females, respectively), and transportation injuries (PMRs, 1.7 and 1.6 for males and females, respectively). Proportionate mortality for all decedents was lower than expected for respiratory cancers (PMRs, 0.6 and 0.5 for males and females, respectively), diabetes mellitus (PMRs, 0.7 and 0.4 for males and females, respectively), heart disease (PMRs, 0.9 and 0.6 for males and females, respectively), and respiratory disorders (PMRs, 0.7 and 0.6 for males and females, respectively). Results indicated proportionate mortality from malignant melanoma, transportation injuries, and suicide for male and female veterinarians was higher than the general population. These data may help stakeholders improve veterinarian workplace safety and health guidelines.

Determination of Positional Parameters of the Distal Phalanx Within the Hoof Capsule in Sound Colombian Paso Horses

The economic relevance, populational importance and expansion of the Colombian Paso Horse to other latitudes calls for a growth in studies based on this type of horse. Lack of written reports about the relationship of the distal phalanx (DP) within the hoof in this gaited horse makes it important to establish a baseline to determine hoof health and possible alterations. The purpose of this study was to report, for the first time, the positional parameters of the distal phalanx, and its relationship within the hoof in sound Colombian Paso Horses. A latero-medial radiographic image of each digit was taken in 45 horses between 3 and 5 years old, distributed into groups according to the gaits determined by FEDEQUINAS. Three angles and three distances were measured. The dorsal wall thickness (W-T) was measured proximally and distally, and the sole depth (P-S) was measured dorsally and palmarly/plantarly. As expected, these distances showed moderate to strong positive correlations in front (W-Tp/W-Td r = 0.53; P-Sd/P-Sp r = 0.72) and hind feet (W-Tp/W-Td r = 0.61; P-Sd/P-Sp r = 0.71). The palmar/plantar angle of the distal phalanx (PA) and sole depth (P-S) showed that the distal phalanx of the hind feet is flatter compared to the front. The results of this study show differences in the positional parameters of distal phalanx compared to other breeds of horses and provides information for veterinarians and farriers working with Colombian Paso Horses.

Determination of anticoagulant rodenticides in faeces of exposed dogs and in a healthy dog population

BackgroundExposure to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in dogs is among the most common causes of poisoning in small animal practice, but information about toxicokinetic of these rodenticides in dogs is lacking. We analysed blood and faeces from five accidentally exposed dogs and 110 healthy dogs by reversed phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The aim of the study was to estimate elimination of brodifacoum, bromadiolone and difenacoum after acute exposure, calculate the half-lives of these rodenticides in dogs, estimate faecal elimination in a litter of puppies born, and further to identify the extent of AR exposure in a healthy dog population.ResultsThree dogs were included after single ingestions of brodifacoum; two dogs ingested bromadiolone and one dog ingested difenacoum. Maximum concentrations in faeces were found after day 2–3 for all ARs. The distribution half-lives were 1–10 days for brodifacoum, 1–2 days for bromadiolone and 10 days for difenacoum. Brodifacoum and difenacoum had estimated terminal half-lives of 200–330 days and 190 days, respectively. In contrast, bromadiolone had an estimated terminal half-life of 30 days. No clinical signs of poisoning or coagulopathy were observed in terminal elimination period. In blood, the terminal half-life of brodifacoum was estimated to 8 days. Faeces from a litter of puppies born from one of the poisoned dogs were examined, and measurable concentrations of brodifacoum were detected in all samples for at least 28 days after parturition. A cross-sectional study of 110 healthy domestic dogs was performed to estimate ARs exposure in a dog population. Difenacoum was detected in faeces of one dog. Blood and faecal samples from the remaining dogs were negative for all ARs.ConclusionsBased on the limited pharmacokinetic data from these dogs, our results suggest that ARs have a biphasic elimination in faeces using a two-compartment elimination kinetics model. We have shown that faecal analysis is suitable and reliable for the assessment of ARs exposure in dogs and a tool for estimating the AR half-lives. Half-lives of ARs could be a valuable indicator in the exposed dogs and provides important information for veterinarians monitoring AR exposure and assessment of treatment length in dogs.

Risk factors associated with the carriage of Ixodes scapularis relative to other tick species in a population of pet dogs from southeastern Ontario, Canada

In eastern North America, the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the vector for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causal agents for human and canine Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, respectively. The extensive range expansion of I. scapularis in Ontario is a growing veterinary and public health concern. However, there is limited information on the risk factors associated with I. scapularis carriage on dogs. Within an emerging area for Lyme disease risk in southeastern Ontario, we identified the tick species carried by dogs; determined the prevalence of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum in I. scapularis; and examined associations between pet demographics, travel history, and geographical location and the odds of: a dog carrying I. scapularis relative to other tick species (i.e., case-case design), and a removed I. scapularis being infected with B. burgdorferi. Seven species of ticks were collected from 543 companion dogs at 20 participating veterinary hospitals from April to December 2015. Ixodes scapularis were detected on 85.6% of parasitized dogs, and 7.5% of these dogs were carrying at least one B. burgdorferi-positive tick. Based on a multivariable logistic regression model, the odds of I. scapularis infestation relative to other tick species was significantly higher in fall and spring compared to summer, with closer proximity to Lake Ontario, in female compared to male dogs, in dogs weighing over 30 kg compared to lighter dogs, and in dogs that had not visited a farm in the 7 days prior to tick removal. Based on univariable exact logistic regression models, the odds of B. burgdorferi-positive I. scapularis carriage relative to B. burgdorferi-negative I. scapularis were significantly higher for dogs that traveled in the 14 days prior to tick removal, for those dogs under 1 year of age, and for those weighing less than 10 kg. This case-case study provides information for veterinarians and public health practitioners to help protect dogs and their owners from Lyme disease in southeastern Ontario.

Information for veterinarians on reporting suspected animal food issues.

Information for veterinarians on reporting suspected animal food issues.

Resistencia a antimicrobianos en E. coli y Salmonella spp. de terneros del sur de Chile

Objetivo: Describir los hallazgos de resistencia a antimicrobianos en aislados de Salmonella spp. y E. coli obtenidos de terneros de menos de 30 días de edad en el sur de Chile. Materiales y métodos: Se obtuvieron reportes de necropsia y microbiología de 107 terneros en el período comprendido entre 2002 y 2015. Adicionalmente se generó un Score de Resistencia a antimicrobianos para permitir la comparación entre aislados que fueron evaluados contra un set de distintos antimicrobianos. Resultados: No se observa una clara tendencia en la resistencia en el período en estudio, con similares niveles de resistencia observados para E. coli, E. coli β-hemolítica y Salmonella spp. Aproximadamente 50% de los aislados mostraron amplia sensibilidad a antimicrobianos, y entre 19 y 36% de los aislados demostraron potencial de resistencia extendida y pan resistencia respectivamente. Se encontraron múltiples patrones de resistencia, incluyendo 32 para E. coli, 17 para E. coli β-hemolítica y 10 para Salmonella spp. Conclusiones: En general, E. coli se mostró más sensible a ceftriaxona, E. coli β-hemolítica a Florfenicol y Salmonella spp. a gentamicina. En contraste, estos agentes fueron resistentes a amoxicilina, ampicilina y oxitetraciclina respectivamente. Este estudio es único en su aproximación y provee de información útil para médicos veterinarios y productores sobre los patrones de resistencia que amenazan la salud de los terneros. Estos resultados pueden ayudar a médicos veterinarios de campo a enfrentar y controlar efectivamente las diarreas en terneros.

Sow Productivity on Commercial Pig Farms in the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract The objectives of the present study were to determine the production performances of sows on commercial pig farms in the Republic of Macedonia, to compare the differences in sow productivity data between small and large farms and to examine interrelationships of key production parameters among farms with different sizes. The study was retrospectively based and included the annual (2012) analyses of the sow productivity data in small (<200 sows, n=4) and large (200-1000 sows, n=5) commercial pig farms. The data was statistically evaluated and compared with the known literature. Sows productivity was greater on the small farms compared to the large ones. The small farms had larger litter per sow (PBL), more pigs born alive (PBA), higher weaning weight (WW) and more pigs weaned per sow per litter (PWSL) than the large ones (p<0.001). Small farms also had greater farrowing rate (FR) (p<0.01). Higher replacement rate (RR), lower average parity (AP), greater number of litters per sow per year (LSY) and higher sow death rate (SDR) were observed in large farms (p<0.001). The large farms also had less non-productive days (NPD) than the small farms (p<0.001). Different intensity of correlations also were observed for several productive parameters among the farm groups. The data obtained in this study show that sow productivity on Macedonian pig farms is lower than in EU countries. Small herds are more efficient than the large herds. Despite all limitations, our study provides information for veterinarians regarding reproductive parameters of sows and their interrelationships on Macedonian pig farms. Further investigation should be made in order to identify whether specific management factors have effect on the productivity of the breeding herd.

Equine Veterinarians' and Health Care Professionals' Concerns Related to the Implementation of the National Equine Identification System

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is an animal tracking database created to contain the spread of contagious foreign animal diseases. Currently, no studies address the perceived support of the equine veterinary field for NAIS. The objectives of this study were to determine equine veterinarians' level of familiarity with NAIS, perceived effectiveness of NAIS, use of equine microchipping, and extent of disaster planning. A 26-question online survey (Zoomerang zPro, MarketTools, Inc., San Francisco, CA) was designed and administered to a sample (n = 139) drawn from the American Association of Equine Practitioners. SPSS 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) was used to analyze data. Results showed that only 19.4% of practicing veterinarians were “very familiar” with NAIS. Nearly half (49.3%) of the respondents were neutral regarding their opinion of NAIS. However, 55.6% thought that NAIS would efficiently stop the spread of a contagious animal disease. More than 52% reported that they were currently microchipping horses. After microchipping, 66.7% did not verify premises' identification numbers or record information about the horse, and 80.2% did not complete the paperwork to contact the State Department of Agriculture. Approximately 75.2% of respondents reported that they had experienced a contagious disease outbreak. Most (81.6%) veterinarian respondents did not have a plan to deal with clients' horses during a disaster. There is a need for communication and information for veterinarians regarding NAIS, premises registration, emergency planning guidelines, data to collect after microchipping, and how to provide information to clients.

Risk Factors for Clinical Lameness in Lactating Dairy Cows in the Midwestern United States

The importance of clinical lameness in dairy cows is receiving increasing recognition. In addition to treatment and prevention costs, culling, milk production, and reproduction losses may occur due to lameness. The moral cost of animal suffering during severe lameness episodes must also be considered. Despite this, recommended management practices for the purpose of lameness prevention at the cow and herd level are often based upon trial and error rather than sound research-based knowledge of causal mechanisms of lameness. This has been due in part to the sparcity of lameness research in cattle. In addition, much of the available literature on lameness has been based upon a subjective diagnosis of lameness without a standard case definition, and often using multiple observers (producers) leading to difficulty in interpretation. The result has been a scarcity of useful information for veterinarians and producers.
 The objective of this study included evaluation of within herd risk factors (bodyweight, body condition score, dorsal claw angles, visible and palpable limb lesions, and antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi) and between herd risk factors (housing, flooring, dietary, and management practice) for clinical lameness in lactating dairy cows.