Effects of four anaesthetic protocols on the neurological and cardiorespiratory variables of puppies born by caesarean section

Twenty-four bitches which had been in labour for less than 12 hours were randomly divided into four groups of six. They all received 0(.)5 mg/kg of chlorpromazine intravenously as premedication, followed 15 minutes later by either 8 mg/kg of thiopentone intravenously (group 1), 2 mg/kg of ketamine and 0-5 mg/kg of midazolam intravenously (group 2), 5 mg/kg of propofol intravenously (group 3), or 2(.)5 mg/kg of 2 per cent lidocaine with adrenaline and 0(.)625 mg/kg of 0(.)5 per cent bupivacaine with adrenaline epidurally (group 4). Except for group 4, the bitches were intubated and anaesthesia was maintained with enflurane. The puppies' heart and respiratory rates and their pain, sucking, anogenital, magnum and flexion reflexes were measured as they were removed from the uterus. The puppies' respiratory rate was higher after epidural anaesthesia. in general the puppies' neurological reflexes were most depressed after midazolam/ketamine, followed by thiopentone, propofol and epidural anaesthesia.

Metabolic activity of the sticker's lymphosarcoma

1. 1. Some parameters (glycolysis, respiration, levels of glycolytic enzymes) of the lymphoid cells from the Sticker's lymphosarcoma were established in order to better define the biochemical behavior of the venereal tumor of the dog. 2. 2. For comparative purposes lymphocytes from peripheral blood of normal tumor-bearing dogs were also studied. 3. 3. Lactic acid produced by the tumor cells during aerobic glycolysis is liberated in the reaction medium. 4. 4. Oxygen uptake is enhanced in the presence of succinate, but not with pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, or malate as substrates. 5. 5. Higher levels of some of the enzymes from the glycolytic pathways as well as differences on the physicochemical and kinetic properties of the glycolytic regulatory enzymes are found in Sticker's tumor cells, when compared with the lymphocytes from peripheral blood of normal and tumor-bearing dogs. 6. 6. A fructose-bisphosphate positively modulated pyruvatekinase is found in the tumor cells. © 1987.

Hypersensitivity induced in dogs by nymphal extract of Amblyomma cajennense ticks (Acari:Ixodidae)

In general, hosts develop resistance to ticks after repeated infestations; nevertheless, several studies on naturally occurring host-tick interactions were unable to detect resistance of hosts to ticks even after repeated infestations. The purpose of this investigation was to study the type of cutaneous hypersensitivity to unfed nymphal extract of A. cajennense in dogs, which, unlike guinea pigs, do not develop resistance. A first, but no second, peak in skin reaction was observed, suggesting that cellular immunity is an important mechanism of resistance to ticks. This may partially explain why guinea pigs, but not dogs, develop resistance against ticks.

Tick-borne agents in domesticated and stray cats from the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Phytochemical characterization, antimicrobial activity, and antioxidant potential of Equisetum hyemale L. (Equisetaceae) extracts

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The shadows of a ghost: a survey of canine leishmaniasis in Presidente Prudente and its spatial dispersion in the western region of São Paulo state, an emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis and its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions. Most of the individuals infected in Latin America are in Brazil. Despite the control measures that have been adopted, the disease is spreading throughout new regions of the country. Domestic dogs are involved in the transmission cycle and are considered to be the main epidemiologic reservoir of Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CL) and Ehrlichiosis infection in Presidente Prudente as well as the spatial dispersion of the disease in the western region of São Paulo state. Dogs underwent clinical examination and symptoms related to CL were recorded. Anti- Leishmania antibodies were detected using ELISA, rK39-immunocromatographic tests (DPP), and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti-E. canis antibodies were detected by IFAT. A follow-up was conducted in dogs that were positive in the ELISA at the baseline study. Data on the spatial distribution of L. longipalpis and CL in São Paulo state were obtained from Brazilian public health agencies. Serum samples from 4547 dogs were analyzed. The seroprevalence of CL was 11.2 % by ELISA and 4.5 % by IFAT. In the follow-up, seroprevalence was 32.9 % by ELISA, 15.3 % by IFAT, 11.8 % by DPP test, and 66.5 % for E. canis. There was a significant positive association between Leishmania and E. canis infection (P < 0.0001). In the follow-up, clinical examinations revealed symptoms compatible with CL in 33.5 % of the dogs. L. longipalpis was found in 24 and CL in 15 counties of the Presidente Prudente mesoregion. The dispersion route followed the west frontier of São Paulo state toward Paraná state. Low CL and high ehrlichiosis prevalence rates were found in Presidente Prudente city. This emerging focus of CL is moving through the western region of São Paulo state toward the border of Paraná state. Integrated actions to fight the vector, parasites, infected dogs, and humans are needed to monitor the disease and implement strategies for epidemiologic control.

Comparison of diferent diagnostic tests in dogs uninfected and naturally infected with visceral leishmaniasis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Importância da avaliação hematológica e sorológica (dot-blot ELISA) no diagnóstico de erliquiose em cães

This study compared the hematological and serological analysis of diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis. The survey of Ehrlichia canis was performed through the evaluation of blood smears from 150 dogs. The serological test was performed on 12 samples selected by the platelet count (less than 170,000 platelets / uL). Serologic testing was performed with the Imunocomb kit - Dot-blot-ELISA. No cytoplasmatic inclusion characteristic of morula of E. canis was found in blood smears. In serologic testing, eight samples were positive for Ehrlichia canis, concluding that thrombocytopenia is an important hematological finding of ehrlichiosis diagnosis and the detection of Ehrlichia canis morulae is uncommon. The serological evaluation Dot-blot ELISA is an accurate and brief diagnosis method of canine ehrlichiosis, been the most appropriate to be used in veterinary practice routine.

Caracterização espacial e epidemiológica da ocorrência de infecção por agentes de enfermidades transmissíveis em carnívoros selvagens e domésticos de uma área de Mata Atlântica e de floresta artificial no estado do Paraná

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Síndrome da disfunção cognitiva em cães

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a progressive degenerative disorder of older dogs, characterized by a decline in cognitive function. The main clinical signs consistent with CDS are: disorientation, changes in socio-environmental interaction, sleep-wake cycle disturbance, changes in hygiene habits, urinate and/or defecate in unusual places, decreased physical activity, anxiety and eating disorders. There are no specific diagnostic tests for this condition in vivo, but alterations in neurological examination, cognitive tests and magnetic resonance imaging can be observed. The diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination of brain tissue. Diets rich in antioxidants, environmental enrichment with exercise and the use of selegiline and L-deprenyl have been recommended for the treatment of CDS.

Echinococcus Infections in Man and Animals in Kenya

1. Hydatid cysts are found in more than 30 per cent of all cattle, sheep and goats in Kenya, but the disease is prevalent in man only in the semi-desert area of Turkana. Up to the time of the present investigation the life-cycle of the parasite in East Africa had not been studied, but it was suggested that wild carnivores, such as hyenas and jackals, might be the main hosts of the adult worms. 2. One hundred and forty-three carnivores, representing 23 species, have been examined. Echinococcus adults were found in 27 out of 43 domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), in three out of four hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus), in one out of nine jackals (Thos mesomelas), and in three out of 19 hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). 3. A detailed morphological study was made of the Kenya material. After comparison with specimens from other parts of the world, it was concluded that the only species occurring in Kenya was E. granulosus, but it is possible that the minor morphological and biological differences are evidence of distinct strains. Further laboratory studies are necessary to compare the parasite from man and animals in different parts of Kenya with material from elsewhere. 4. A search was made for larval hydatids in 92 ungulates representing 18 species, and in a miscellaneous collection of nearly 2,000 rodents and primates representing a further 31 species. Only one animal was positive, a wildebeest (Gorgon taurinus). 5. The infections in the wild carnivores were all very light; only domestic dogs were heavily infected. It is concluded that the main cycle of transmission in Kenya is between dogs and domestic livestock. 6. Turkana tribesmen are the most heavily infected people in Kenya, either because the strain of parasite is more pathogenic to man in that area, or, more probably, because of the intimate contact between children and the large number of infected dogs. A particularly dangerous custom in the area is the use of dogs to clean the face and anal regions of babies when they vomit or have diarrhea. No satisfactory explanation can be given for the rarity of the disease in man in many of the other areas of Kenya where hydatids are very common in domestic animals. 7. The control of the disease will depend upon an active health-education campaign, together with the destruction of all unregistered dogs and improvement in meat hygiene.

Osteoarthrosis in a Coyote x Dog Hybrid from Nebraska

Osteoarthrosis is described in a wild, 14-year-old coyote (Canis latrans) x dog (C. familiaris) hybrid shot in southeastern Nebraska. There was ankylosis of five vertebrae, the head of the left femur was absent, and periarticular osteophytes occurred throughout the skeleton. The age is significant because wild coyotes seldom live beyond 6 years and coyote x dog hybrids are considered to be less fit for survival in the wild than coyotes.

Epizootiologic Survey of Mycobacterium Bovis in Wildlife and Farm Environments in Northern Michigan

Bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, has reemerged in northern Michigan, USA, with detections in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in 1994 and in cattle in 1998. Since then, significant efforts have been directed toward reducing deer densities in the area in the hopes of reducing the bovine TB prevalence rate in deer and eliminating spillover of the disease into cattle. Despite the success of the efforts to reduce deer densities, additional cattle herds have become infected. Other mammals can be infected with M. bovis, and some carnivores and omnivores had been found to be infected with the disease in northern Michigan, USA. We conducted a multiyear surveillance effort to detect bovine TB in wild species of mammals in the Michigan, USA, outbreak area. From 2002 to 2004, tissue samples from 1,031 individual animals of 32 species were collected, processed, and cultured for M. bovis. Only 10 (1.0%) were culture-positive for M. bovis (five raccoons [Procyon lotor], four opossums [Didelphis virginiana], and one grey fox [Urocyon cinereoargenteus]). We also found two raccoons and four opossums to be positive for Mycobacterium avium. We collected 503 environmental samples from cattle farms recently identified as bovine TB positive; none yielded positive M. bovis culture results. Finally, we used infrared cameras to document wildlife use of four barns in the area. Many avian and mammalian species of wildlife were observed, with raccoons being the most commonly observed species. This surveillance study identified no new wildlife species that should be considered significant reservoirs of bovine TB in the outbreak area in northern Michigan, USA. However, the relatively high, apparent bovine TB prevalence rates in some carnivorous and omnivorous species, their relatively long life spans, and their frequent use of barns, suggests that removal of raccoons, opossums, foxes, and coyotes (Canis latrans) should be considered when a newly infected farm is depopulated of cattle.

HOME RANGES AND MOVEMENTS OF COYOTES IN THE NORTHERN CHIHUAHUAN DESERT

The coyote (Canis latrans) is among the most studied animals in North America. Because of its adaptability and success as a predator, the coyote has flourished and is still expanding its range. Coyotes can now be found throughout most of North America and south into Central America (Voight and Berg 1987). Studies in recent years have been extensive to understand the interrelationships of prey and coyotes (Shelton and Klindt 1974, Beckoff and Wells 1981), as well as demographic relationships (Davis et al. 1975, Knowlton and Stoddart 1978, Mitchell 1979, Bowen 1981) and feeding strategies (Todd and Keith 1976, Andelt et al. 1987, MacCracken and Hansen 1987, Gese et al. 1988a). With the advance of radio telemetry, researchers have investigated lifestyle characteristics spatially with home ranges or temporally with movements in relation to habitat requirements. Researchers have studied home ranges of coyotes in various regions of the United States (Livaitis and Shaw 1980, Andelt 1981, Springer 1982, Pyrah 1984, Gese et al. 1988a) and Canada (Bowen 1982). Some studies of home range were separated by season (Ozoga and Harger 1966) or relation to nearby food sources (Danner and Smith 1980). Home range analysis in relation to social interactions of coyotes has been either neglected, overlooked, or avoided. Gese et al. (1988a) recognized a transient class of coyote by home range size. Coyote social systems are very complex and can vary by season or locality in addition to some reports of group or pack systems (Hamlin and Schweitzer 1979, Beckoff and Wells 1981, Bowen 1981, Gese et al. 1988b). Coyotes maintain communication with conspecifics through vocal and olfactory signals (Lehner 1987, Bowen and McTaggert Cowan 1980). Social interactions may be by far the most complex and least understood aspect related to coyote ecology. Coyote movements can be related to many factors including food, water, cover, and social interactions. Movements in relation to food sources are well documented (Fitch 1948, Todd and Keith 1976, Danner and Smith 1980) although reports on movements in relation to water have not been reported, probably because of limited research in desert situations. There has been some mention of coyotes' movements in relation to cover (Wells and Beckoff 1982). The objectives of this study were to delineate annual and seasonal home ranges, movements, and habitat use of coyotes in the northern Chihuahuan desert.

The Probe, Issue 190 – July 1998

Research, Cooperation Pays Off for Fish Farmers -- Peter Butchko, District Supervisor, USDA-APHIS-WS, Mississippi and NADCA Vice-President, East Thoughts... Robert H. Giles, Jr., President, NADCA Book Review : The Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, by Stephen Vantassel with Tom Olander; Reviewed by Rex E. Marsh British Fox Hunting Ban Fails Passage Recent Coyote Research From Texas: Diets of Coyotes (Canis latrans) in the Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos regions of Texas, by J. Harris Glass, S.K. Canon, and D. Rollins Long-time NADCA Member Robert H. Schmidt Featured in Associated Press Article on Nuisance Animal Control Industry Research Continues in New Zealand and Australia on the Efficacy of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease as Rabbit Population Control Method Latest Rabies Trends Subject of Meeting of State and National Health Experts: Keeping Physicians and the Public Informed on Managing Deadly Disease Bogus Gizmos and Gadgets No Help With Homeowners' Wildlife Problems