Pet Shops Research Articles

Mass Human Exposures to One Rabid Kitten

On October 22, 1994, a State public health laboratory diagnosed rabies in a kitten that had been purchased from a pet store in the State capital. On October 19, the animal developed seizures, then died of unknown causes during the night of October 20–21. Approximately 665 persons received rabies postexposure prophylaxis because of exposure to this kitten and other cats from the same pet store. This case is intended to walk the reader through the situation as it actually happened and identify potential opportunities for interventions that would have resulted in fewer people exposed, fewer rabies prophylaxis administrations, lower costs, and reduced community concern.© The Author 2023

Application of environmental sampling to investigate a case of avian chlamydiosis in a pet store and breeding facility leading to mass bird exposures.

Chlamydia psittaci is a bacterium that causes chlamydiosis in birds and can cause zoonotic psittacosis in people. In November 2017, we received notification of a suspected case of avian chlamydiosis in a captive cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) that was sold by an online pet bird retail and breeding facility in Washington State. We describe the investigation with emphasis on how environmental sampling was used to guide veterinary and public health interventions. Bird samples were collected either from pooled droppings, pooled plumage or individual nasal and choanal swabs. Environmental samples were obtained by swabbing cleaning mops, tables and cage structures. All samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction and positive samples underwent genotyping. Approximately 1000 birds representing four taxonomic orders were kept within an open-space warehouse. Eight of 14 environmental samples and one of two pooled faecal samples were positive for Chlamydia spp. The contaminating strain of Chlamydia spp. was identified as genotype A. The facility was closed for environmental disinfection, and all psittacines were treated with oral doxycycline for 45 days. Ten of 10 environmental and two of two pooled faecal samples were negative for C. psittaci 11 months after the completion of environmental disinfection and antimicrobial treatment. This investigation highlights the importance of preventing and mitigating pathogen incursion in an online pet retail and breeding facility. Environmental sampling is valuable to guide animal and public health interventions for control of C. psittaci, particularly when large numbers of birds are exposed to the pathogen.

C57BL/6 mice cohoused with pet shop mice phenocopy immune-related adverse events associated with checkpoint inhibition

Abstract Checkpoint inhibition has been successful in the treatment of a number of malignancies. These medications block inhibitory pathways in T cells and allow for their improved function in anti-tumor immune responses. An important factor limiting checkpoint inhibitor therapy is immune-related adverse events (irAE), which can involve any organ system. It is currently not possible to predict which patients will develop irAE or which tissues will be affected. Our understanding of the cellular and molecular factors driving irAE development remains limited, as immune sufficient specific pathogen free (SPF) C57BL/6 mice do not develop irAE when treated with checkpoint inhibition. We have previously reported that C57BL/6 mice cohoused with pet shop mice recapitulate aspects of the human adult immune system, while SPF C57BL/6 mice have immune systems resembling that of human neonates. We hypothesized that checkpoint inhibition in C57BL/6 mice cohoused with pet shop mice will phenocopy irAE development in humans. Here, we report that treating “dirty” C57BL/6 mice with anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-L1 resulted in the development of irAE, including nephritis, dermatitis, and hepatitis, as evaluated by histology and serum lab values. Ongoing experiments include depletion of CD4 and CD8 T cells to determine whether irAE are mediated by these cells. To our knowledge, this represents the first model of irAE in immune sufficient C57BL/6 mice, enabling further investigation into the mechanistic understanding of irAE and development of treatments targeting irAE while leaving anti-tumor responses intact. DIABETES T32 RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM

Normalizing pathogen exposure via pet shop mouse cohousing leads to preferential maintenance of long-lived effector memory CD8 T cells

Abstract Studies of the CD8 T cell memory compartment in mice have primarily been done in young mice maintained in specific pathogen free (SPF) environment. The murine compartment is skewed towards central memory CD8 T cells, whereas adult human memory T cells are dominated by effector memory T cells. The murine memory compartment is akin to that of neonate humans, suggesting there are factors missing in SPF mice that are required to mature the T cell compartment. We wanted to ask how pathogen exposure changes the memory compartment of mice, so we utilized a model of pet shop mouse co-housing (COH), which exposes mice to a wide variety of normal mouse pathogens. COH mice display a substantial increase in long-lived effector CD8 T cells (LLEC). LLEC are a CD8 T cell memory population described by the Hamilton Lab that is phenotypically more effector-like and are highly effective at clearing systemic infections when compared to other memory T cells. However, LLEC display reduced homeostatic and antigen-driven proliferation in SPF mice leading to a lower representation in the memory pool. The factors in COH that support LLEC expansion and persistence are currently unknown, and it is also unclear if COH impacts LLEC function. Thus, the goal of this study is to understand what intrinsic and environmental factors contribute to LLEC formation and maintenance, as well as determine how LLEC function contributes to memory responses in COH mice. I have found that COH LLEC are more polyfunctional compared to SPF LLEC, and my preliminary work has found that LLEC turnover is increased in COH mice. Future studies will determine what specific inflammatory cues lead to LLEC expansion, and if this process can be altered to improve T cell responses to infection and vaccination. Supported by grants from the NIH (R01 AI155468)

PD1 blockade improves survival during lethal microbial exposure in old mice

Abstract The elderly and those with chronic diseases have a 2 to 10-fold increased risk of hospitalization and mortality following infection as compared with healthy adults. A significant contributor to disease severity is the aging of the immune system, including an expansion of exhausted T cells. These cells simultaneously promote excessive levels of inflammation and display impaired T cell activation and function. How exhausted T cells from aged individuals respond to infection and whether acute restoration of T cell activation further exacerbates the inflammatory environment or generates functional T cells is unclear. Previously, we used a mouse model of normal microbial exposure (NME), where old specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice show 100% mortality following exposure to multiple microbes ordinarily found in pet store mice. In the present study, we show that when exposed to NME, old SPF mice have increased expression of multiple inflammatory pathways and exhibit elevated frequencies of a heterogenous, exhausted CD8 +T cell pool that expresses differing combinations of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1), TOX, and CXCR5. Pre-treatment or intervention with an anti-PD1 monoclonal blocking antibody during the exposure of old SPF mice to NME significantly improves both antibody production and survival, without altering the acute inflammatory response. Anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade-mediated survival is dependent on CD8 +, but not CD4 +T cells. Correspondingly, CD8 +PD1 +T cells from old mice given anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody have increased granzyme B production. These data reveal a new approach for reducing vulnerability to infections in the elderly by targeting CD8 +T cell exhaustion through PD1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. This work was supported by National Institute on Aging grant R00 AG058800 (C.D.C.), R21AG078638, the Fesler-Lampert Chair in Aging Studies, the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research/AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty, Irene Diamond Fund/AFAR Postdoctoral Transition Award (M.J.Y) and the Medical Discovery Team on the Biology of Aging.

Depleting CD103+ resident memory T cells in vivo reveals immunostimulatory functions in oral mucosa.

The oral mucosa is a frontline for microbial exposure and juxtaposes several unique tissues and mechanical structures. Based on parabiotic surgery of mice receiving systemic viral infections or co-housing with microbially diverse pet shop mice, we report that the oral mucosa harbors CD8+ CD103+ resident memory T cells (TRM), which locally survey tissues without recirculating. Oral antigen re-encounter during the effector phase of immune responses potentiated TRM establishment within tongue, gums, palate, and cheek. Upon reactivation, oral TRM triggered changes in somatosensory and innate immune gene expression. We developed in vivo methods for depleting CD103+ TRM while sparing CD103neg TRM and recirculating cells. This revealed that CD103+ TRM were responsible for inducing local gene expression changes. Oral TRM putatively protected against local viral infection. This study provides methods for generating, assessing, and in vivo depleting oral TRM, documents their distribution throughout the oral mucosa, and provides evidence that TRM confer protection and trigger responses in oral physiology and innate immunity.

An Outbreak of the Nematode Parasite Eustrongylides spp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in a Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Facility.

Despite advances in research employing zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal model, it is still difficult to obtain animals with attested sanitary qualities from commercial breeders. This study reports the first-time occurrence of Eustrongylides spp. parasitism in a zebrafish colony recently acquired from a pet store supplier to begin a research colony at a scientific facility. This parasite has not been reported in any current zebrafish health-monitoring guidelines to date. Thus, this report is a warning to breeders and researchers that this nematode can parasitize zebrafish, causing high lethality rates and compromising research outcomes.

Pet Care Information System at Darussalam Pet Shop Based on Android

Modern technology has changed people's lifestyles, including how to raise pets. Pet is an animal kept at home or in a cage and exclusively cared for by its owner. Recently, more people owning pets. This had led to questions related to the hygiene and health of pets. An unkempt pet can cause problems for the owner, so numerous pet stores have emerged to help owners provide their animals with the care they require. However, many pet shops still use a manual system, which is considered ineffective for service, and utilizing information technology will make jobs easier while improving accuracy and information quality. Based on the problems described above, an application is required to assist and facilitate the pet shop itself and customers in caring for their pets. The research goal is to design and build suitable applications. In this journal, the researcher utilized both the Quantitative research methods and the Waterfall method for application development. For testing, the researcher used the Likert Scale. The Likert Scale calculation yielded a total score of 80.3 (Satisfied). Therefore, it can be concluded that the application is operating as intended and makes it easier to obtain pet-related information for user and manage schedules and incoming orders for administrators.

High zoonotic potential and heavy environmental burden of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed and pet African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are widely farmed in southern China and Japan for medicinal materials and as pets. However, little is known about the prevalence, zoonotic potential, and environmental burden of Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Giardia duodenalis in these animals. In this study, 380 fecal samples were collected from farmed and pet African pygmy hedgehogs in Guangdong of China, and analyzed for these pathogens by PCR and DNA sequencing. Overall, the detection rates of Cryptosporidium spp., E. bieneusi and G. duodenalis were 35.5%, 70.0% and 0, respectively. By living condition, the highest detection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. (61.5%) and E. bieneusi (100.0%) were both obtained from animals kept in the cave, which could be due to the overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions. Two Cryptosporidium species were identified, including C. erinacei (n = 22) and Cryptosporidium horse genotype (n = 113). The C. erinacei isolates belonged to a new subtype family (XIIIb), which has been identified in a patient with cryptosporidiosis recently. The horse genotype isolates are of a known subtype VIbA13, which was previously identified in a pet store employee in care of hedgehogs with diarrhea. Eleven genotypes of the zoonotic Group 1 were identified in E. bieneusi, with the known genotype SCR05 previously detected in pet rabbits being dominant (235/266, 88.3%). In longitudinal monitoring of Cryptosporidium infection in 11 naturally infected African pygmy hedgehogs, the oocyst shedding intensity decreased gradually from the mean oocysts per gram of feces of ∼6 logs to ∼2 logs over 42 days. The high intensity and long duration of oocyst shedding could lead to heavy environmental contamination and increase the potential for zoonotic transmission of the pathogens. Results of the study suggest that zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi are common in farmed and pet African pygmy hedgehogs. Hygiene and One Health measures should be implemented by pet owners and farmers to prevent zoonotic transmission and environmental contamination of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi.

Analysis of disease management status in domestic animal shelters and pet shops and suggestions for improvement

Analysis of disease management status in domestic animal shelters and pet shops and suggestions for improvement

ANALISIS MANAJEMEN STRATEGIK BISNIS TERHADAP UMKM GRAND PET SHOP

This study discusses the industry analysis of Grand Pet Shop, a pet shop located in Batam City, Indonesia. The analysis focuses on the Five Forces Competition Model, Customer Value, and Industry Analysis of Grand Pet Shop as a small and medium-sized enterprise (UMKM). The results of the analysis indicate that Grand Pet Shop falls into the moderate-level strategic category. However, it is also classified as an unattractive business due to the high levels of competition, the threat of new entrants, and the threat of substitute products. Grand Pet Shop has effectively implemented customer value in its business operations. To further improve customer satisfaction and attract more clients, the author suggests that Grand Pet Shop should collaborate with veterinarians to provide services for sick or vaccinated pets. Additionally, offering discounts, rewards, and other incentives could be a viable strategy to increase the number of customers. Overall, despite the challenges in the industry, Grand Pet Shop has the potential to thrive with the right strategic adjustments and a focus on enhancing customer value.

Managing Pathways for Introduction of Alien Crayfish: Evaluation of a Midwestern State's Regulations on the Pet Industry

The increasing worldwide popularity of the aquatic pet trade causes widespread transport and introduction of alien species, including crayfish (Astacidea), into fisheries. Thirty crayfish species have invaded North America, affecting native species and changing ecosystems. Growing numbers of crayfish introductions are linked to the pet trade, and this pathway increasingly requires attention from natural resource managers. The Missouri Department of Conservation implemented regulations in 2014 to restrict pet store crayfish sales. We surveyed all Missouri pet stores in 2019 to estimate regulation compliance. Undercover enforcement agents visited stores and assessed crayfish sales by inspecting livestock and interviewing owners/employees. Simultaneously, we conducted a comparative survey of Ohio stores, where minimal regulations exist. Crayfish, including three alien species, were illegally sold at 15.5% of Missouri stores. In Ohio, 63% of stores sold crayfish, including three alien species. The Missouri regulations appear effective for managing and reducing pet store sales of potentially invasive crayfish.

ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF SALES RETAIL MIX ON CONSUMER SATISFACTION AT THE VIVA PET SHOP OF SUKOHARJO

Managing Viva Pet Shop in Sukoharjo Regency realizes that the business provides equipment and everything related to pets, it's very similar to a business that supplies children and toddlers. The emotions of the customer are key there, so sometimes the prices are not so major consideration. Available products, quality of service, the building, the location, and also to determine consumer satisfaction pet shop. So in the purchase of the product for a beloved pet, the consumer will have a lot of consideration to determine the pet shop that he would visit to buy the needs of the pet. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is an influence on retail sales mi to the satisfaction of the consumer at the Pet Shop Sukoharjo. This research is quantitative descriptive using descriptive statistical analysis, the classical assumption, multiple linear regression, and hypothesis testing. Data collection using a questionnaire with a Likert scale of 5 points. The results of this study stated that there is an influence in retail sales mi to the satisfaction of the consumer at the Pet Shop Sukoharjo.

ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF STORE IMAGE, WORD OF MOUTH (e-WOM), THE PERCEPTION OF PRICE ON PURCHASE DECISIONS RE-FOOD ANIMALS

Viva Pet Shop Sukoharjo through social media to promote a product and form a community or a group online with consumers who like the brand-brand food products of animals that are used to develop a community or a group online that allows the occurrence of a social interaction electronically that encourage the occurrence of electronic word of mouth. Electronic word of mouth is positive or negative statements made by potential customers, customers ' actual and former customers about a product or company through the internet. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a simultaneous influence of brand image, Word of Mouth (e-WOM), and the perception of price on consumer purchase decisions in a Pet Shop Sukoharjo. This research is quantitative descriptive using multiple linear regression analysis and hypothesis test. Data collection using a questionnaire. The results of this study stated that there is the influence of the interaction between store image, Word of Mouth, and the perception of price on consumer purchase decisions in a Pet Shop.

Isolation of Salmonella species of public health concern from commonly fed dried meat dog treats.

Dried non-heat-treated meat treats, such as ears, skin and tails, are popular supplementary dog foods. Previous studies have demonstrated Salmonella spp. contamination on treats, particularly in pig ears and chicken products. This small, exploratory, cross-sectional study investigated Salmonella spp. presence in dried treats available in the UK. A selection of dried treats from local pet shops and online retailers underwent bacterial culture for Salmonella spp. and subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, with Salmonella serotype determined by whole genome sequencing. Eighty-four samples were tested, with 16% being Salmonella spp. positive. Five Salmonella serotypes were identified, each associated with specific treat types. An antimicrobial-resistant phenotype was identified in 39% of isolates. All serotypes identified are known to cause human infection. This study was limited by a small sample size and limited number of retail sources. Salmonella spp. of public health concern were present in some dried dog treats in this study. Dog owners, pet food retailers and veterinary professionals should be aware of the potential zoonotic disease risk associated with these treats, and appropriate hygiene measures, including thorough hand washing, should be utilised if they are fed.

Deciphering the Parrot’s Voice: Satō Haruo’s “Okāsan” (“Mother”) and Josei (Woman) Magazine

Satō Haruo’s “Okāsan” (“Mother”) is a story that was published in Josei (Woman) magazine in October 1926. The plot follows “I” as he listens to the words of the parrot he bought from the pet store and deduces and fantasizes freely about her previous home. In this paper, I spotlight the fact that the home that “I” envisions through the voice of the parrot, Laura, corresponds to the family image that was being presented concurrently in Josei magazine and showcased that the ideal family was simply nothing more than an ideal. In relativizing Josei’s familial discourse, and in this relationship between the published magazine and the story, I argue for the latter’s importance.

Reliability of social media data in monitoring the global pet trade in ants.

The global pet trade is a major risk to biodiversity and humans and has become increasingly globalized, diversified, digitalized, and extremely difficult to control. With billions of internet users posting online daily, social media could be a powerful surveillance tool. But it is unknown how reliably social media can track the global pet trade. We tested whether Instagram data predicted the geographic distribution of pet stores and the taxonomic composition of traded species in the emerging pet trade in ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). We visited 138 online stores selling ants as pets worldwide and recorded the species traded. We scraped ∼38,000 Instagram posts from ∼6300 users referencing ants as pets and analyzed comments on post and geolocation (available for ∼1800 users). We tested whether the number of Instagram users predicted the number of ant sellers per country and whether the species referenced as pets on Instagram matched the species offered in online stores, with a particular focus on invasive species. The location of Instagram users referencing ants as pets predicted the location of ant sellers across the globe (R2 =0.87). Instagram data detected 439 of the 631 ant species traded in online stores (70%), including 59 of the 68 invasive species traded (87%). The number of Instagram users referencing a species was a good predictor of the number of sellers offering the species (R2 =0.77). Overall, Instagram data provided affordable and reliable data for monitoring the emerging pet trade in ants. Easier access to these data would facilitate monitoring of the global pet trade and help implement relevant regulations in a timely manner.

Development of a software suite for managing data of a social enterprise

The article is devoted to the consideration of problems associated with the lack of animal registration systems in government agencies, information about them, the selection of animals for new owners, as well as the search for a suitable veterinary clinic, shelter or pet store. In the article, the authors reveal the possibilities of using automation tools to create animal profiles, selection filters that will allow you to choose the most suitable pet, and also provide the opportunity to find shelters and veterinary clinics. As a result of the analysis of the subject area, the authors formed functional requirements, presented a platform for implementing a web application, an integrated development environment, as well as a high-level Django framework, which made it possible to create a web application for shelters that allows you to search for pets and also contains an online map displaying veterinary clinics, shelters and pet stores.

Multilocus Microsatellite Analysis of the Molecular Epidemiology of Microsporum canis Isolated in Japan.

Microsporum canis, a major causative agent of zoonotic dermatophytosis, has become prevalent in Japan. Molecular epidemiological surveys using multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT), a sensitive genotyping tool for fungi, have been conducted to reveal intraspecies polymorphisms of M. canis.The present study utilized MLMT optimized for Japanese strains of M. canis to analyze epidemic trends of fungal infection. Six individual loci were targeted; namely, MS1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Analysis of data from 1974 through 2022 identified 416 strains, which were sorted into 60 genotypes by MLMT.The major genotypes showed changes in dominance during this period-changes that may reflect historical increases and decreases in the numbers of patients infected with M. canis patients. The main origins of infection included animal breeders and pet stores, as well as stray cat communities. Forty-nine episodes of familial outbreaks and cohabitant animal infections were recorded, and genotypes responsible for each episode were determined. MLMT analysis is not only a robust tool to understand population structures, but likely the most suitable method for tracking M. canis infections.

Checklist of the Birds of the Gaza Strip—Palestine

Bird fauna checklists are important tools in ecology, biology, and conservation planning for scientists, stakeholders, and decision-makers. Despite its small area, the Gaza Strip (365 km2) has a relatively large variety of resident and migratory bird fauna. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide an updated checklist of all bird fauna living in or inhabiting the Gaza Strip. Direct field observations using binoculars, continuous visits to zoos, pet stores and biology museums, discussion with bird hunters, follow-up of news and social networking sites, review of scientific publications and photography were the main tools to satisfy the purpose of the study. At least 250 bird species collected from different sources occur in the Gaza Strip and are included in the checklist. This list will not be static, but is inevitably subject to additions and changes in the face of times. The current 250 bird species of the Gaza Strip represent 45.4% of the 551 species of birds living in Palestine. The bird species were found to belong to 21 orders and 61 families. The Passeriformes (passerines) represented the largest order with 96 species of birds (38.4%), followed by the Charadriiformes 54 (21.6%), the Accipitriformes 18 (7.2%), Anseriformes 17 (6.8%) and Pelecaniformes 14 (5.6%), while the other orders represented the remaining percentage (20.4%). With regard to families, the Scolopacidae represented the largest family with 22 species of birds (8.8%), followed by the Anatidae and Accipitridae 17 for each (6.8%), the Muscicapidae 16 (6.4%) and Chariidridae and Fringillidae 11 for each (4.4%), while the other families represented the remaining percentage (62.4%). According to the IUCN regional threat categories, 226 species (90.4%) were Least Concern (LC), 12 (4.8%) were Near Threatened (NT), 6 (2.4%) were Vulnerable (VU), 4 (1.6%) were Endangered (EN) and 2 (0.8%) were Critically Endangered (CR). In conclusion, the study recommends a sustainable control of bird hunting and trafficking in addition to building prestigious centers and museums for studying and documenting birds in the Gaza Strip.