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East Coast fever is caused by Theileria parva, and poses serious concerns for dairy farmers owing to massive economic losses. In the current study, we compared three methods (DNA extraction kits, FTA-NaOH and FTA-TENT) of DNA extraction to identify the most economical and reliable method. A survey for T. parva prevalence was conducted in dairy cattle in Mbarara, Uganda. Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) and T. parva-p104 genes were amplified to compare the methods. FTA-NaOH-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) yielded the best detection rate for both COI gene and p104 gene. Prevalence of T. parva was 45.0% and 83.3% at animal and farm-level, respectively. FTA-NaOH based-PCR is simple, highly sensitive and cost-effective tool for T. parva diagnosis in resource constrained settings.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultraviolet C light (UVC) for inactivating Senecavirus A (SVA) on three different experimentally contaminated surfaces commonly found in swine farms. An experimental study under controlled conditions assessed the effect of UVC on an SVA isolate on coupons composed of three surface types: cardboard, cloth, and plastic. Each coupon was inoculated with 2 mL of SVA (107.5 TCID50/mL) and 1 mL of PBS or 1 g of feces on the top or bottom surface of the coupon and allowed to dry (90 min at 25℃). Coupons were exposed to UVC in a commercially available pass-through chamber (PTC) for 5 min or in a simulated supply entry room (SER) for 120 min. After exposure, virus isolation was attempted from each coupon and virus titers were determined in cell culture. The efficacy of UVC was determined by the reduction in virus titer for the UVC treated groups compared to their respective non-treated positive controls. UVC was effective at inactivating SVA on plastic surface free of organic material. The plastic coupons inoculated with SVA and PBS had a significantly lower virus titer (>7-log reduction) in both the PTC and SER when compared to their relative positive controls. All other groups in the PTC and SER had a 2-log reduction or less. The reduction in virus titer on the top and bottom inoculated surfaces, following exposure to UVC, were not statistically different. The data from this study provide some guidance when applying UVC for disinfection in the field.

If you are a veterinary professional working in general practice in the UK, you cannot have failed to notice the increase in the number of dogs originating from overseas being registered at clinics. Love it or hate it, the topic of importation of overseas rescue dogs to the UK is a hot topic that is attracting vibrant and heated debate. The number of dogs imported to the UK is growing rapidly. Under the EU Balai Directive, commercial imports of dogs from Romania – the most common country of origin for imported rescue dogs1 – alone increased from 3616 in 2014 to 19,487 in 2019.2 While these figures do not only include rescue dogs, and may underestimate the true number of rescue dogs imported due to illegal imports,1 they do give a broad indication that adopting an overseas dog is an increasingly popular choice for would-be dog owners. Thus, veterinary professionals on the frontline will increasingly encounter rescue dogs imported from overseas and be asked by their clients to provide advice and guidance across a range of health and welfare topics. Translocation and importation of rescue dogs is not a phenomenon unique to the UK, with many countries around the world moving rescue dogs across countries or states from areas of low to high demand.3 However, the translocation of rescue dogs has raised concerns about the health risks this poses for native animals and people,3-8 with poor owner awareness of travel-related diseases.9 This has led to expert discussion10 and position statement development,11 which has helped provide veterinary professionals with improved knowledge of the potential healthcare risks associated with importing dogs. However, very little is known about the frequency with which imported rescue dogs, either as a whole or at the export country level, …

OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) – otherwise known as degenerative joint disease – has historically been an overlooked disease in cats,1 although the number of reports published on feline OA has grown rapidly over the past 10 to 15 years. Radiographic studies have revealed that elderly cats are more likely to show joint changes consistent with OA.2-4 However, it has become clear that what is seen radiographically does not correlate well with the presence of joint pain or mobility impairment, and that even young cats can exhibit radiographic signs of OA.5 OA can lurk as an undetected disease, leaving cats to suffer long-term pain and disability. The lifestyle of a cat does not lend itself to an owner noticing something is wrong – few cats go for walks with their owner, and, even if they did, lameness is not a common sign of OA in this species. Cats may be inactive for up to 80 per cent of each day, with peaks of activity in the morning and evening. Therefore, there is a small window of opportunity for owners to observe their cat ‘doing things’. With age, most animals – including people – start to slow down. But, for too long, another reason contributing to this change in behaviour has been overlooked in cats – chronic OA-related pain. Chronic pain has a negative impact on a cat’s quality of life, and behavioural changes such as being reclusive and shunning interactions with their owner can break the human-cat bond. Although the sensory components of pain are intuitively easy to understand and detect, …

Colic remains a key health concern for horse owners and is one of the most common causes of death in managed horse populations.1 Intensive treatment for colic is required in 24 per cent of horses with colic seen in a primary care setting in the UK, and approximately half of these horses will undergo surgery.2 Since the 1970s, when colic surgery started to become more commonplace, advances in anaesthetic and surgical techniques, development of new pharmacological agents and improved postoperative care have led to significant increases in survival rates and reductions in postoperative morbidities.3 Colic surgery is now commonly performed in many equine referral hospitals and, for horses that stand following colic surgery, 74 to 85 per cent will survive to hospital discharge. Of these surviving horses, 63 to 85 per cent will return to their previous level of athletic performance.4 It can be difficult for first-opinion veterinary surgeons and horse owners to make decisions about the referral of a colic case and to estimate the likely costs of treatment – taking into account whether the horse is insured for treatment of colic. One of the challenges is that ‘colic’ is not a single disease but is a clinical sign of any one of 80 different conditions that can have different aetiologies and may or may not be treatable medically or surgically. Therefore, the likely treatment options, costs and prognosis can be difficult to predict in a first-opinion, non-hospital setting. Horse owners’ decision making regarding colic is also complex,5 and the …

Background Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) features of primary hepatobiliary neoplasms have been reported in dogs but no information is available in cats. Methods Qualitative and quantitative features of bile duct adenomas (BDAs, n=20), bile duct carcinomas (BDCs, n=16), and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs, n=8) are described in 44 cats. Results There was an overlap in CEUS qualitative features between different histotypes, both in wash-in and wash-out phases. Distinction between different neoplasms based only on the CEUS qualitative features was not possible. At peak of enhancement, the BDAs, BDCs and HCCs showed a large range of echogenicities, from hypoenhancement to hyperenhancement, in comparison to the liver parenchyma. Eight of 20 BDAs showed inhomogeneous hyperenhancement during wash-in, which is a feature reported as typical of malignant lesions in dogs. BDC had a significantly faster wash-in compared with both BDA and HCC but the diagnostic accuracy of all the included quantitative variables was only moderate. No significant differences in the wash-out quantitative features of BDA and BDC were evident. Conclusion There is poor evidence that CEUS may be used to distinguish between different primary hepatobiliary neoplasms in cats.

The progression of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) has not been completely evaluated, and currently, the only effective treatment is extraction of severely affected teeth. We aim to describe how the disease relates to the history and clinical findings and to report on the outcome in individual horses. This case series comprises data collected from 20 horses (age 14-29 years old) with radiographic findings of EOTRH in their incisor and/or canine teeth. Most horses affected with EOTRH in this study were admitted for dental problems, but some for other complaints such as colic. Of the 288 teeth evaluated radiographically, 224 teeth were abnormal. Radiographic findings were most frequently located in the apical aspect and reserve crown of the teeth, and lesions were also commonly found in clinically normal teeth. Histopathology of extracted teeth showed inflammation in the periodontal ligament and revealed that resorption often extended to the dentine. Some owners were unwilling to allow extraction of their horses' severely affected teeth, even though this treatment has been shown to increase the wellbeing of the horse. As EORTH is a life-long condition, the progression of the disease has to be continuously monitored and the treatments adjusted accordingly.

Background Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most important nematode affecting the respiratory tract of cats in terms of prevalence and clinical relevance. The aim of this randomised controlled field study was to confirm the efficacy of the spot-on containing emodepside/praziquantel (Profender, Bayer Animal Health) in the treatment of aelurostrongylosis. Methods Seventeen cats with aelurostrongylosis and presenting with clinical and/or radiographic signs were included in the study. Eight cats received two biweekly doses of emodepside/praziquantel, while nine cats were allocated to a control group and received a rescue treatment at the end of the study. Clinical response was the primary outcome, while the secondary end point was the reduction of larval shedding in faeces. Results Two weeks after the first application, the cats showed a significant, though partial, recovery of clinical signs with complete clinical and parasitological resolution. The resolution of inflammatory leucogram and a significant reduction of radiographic lesions were observed two weeks after the second treatment. Red blood cells and albumin values significantly increased after eight weeks from the second application, together with the complete regression of radiographic patterns. Conclusion Two applications of this spot-on solution two weeks apart assured complete cessation of larval shedding and led to a complete clinical, clinicopathological and radiographic recovery.

Detection of Leishmania in cutaneous lesions is possible by visualization of amastigotes. Detection of Leishmania DNA by PCR presents greater sensitivity, and PCR has been used to diagnose cutaneous leishmaniosis in humans using noninvasive clinical specimens.Study I: to determine if Leishmania DNA could be efficiently extracted and amplified from archived Diff-QuikSamples from cutaneous lesions of 54 dogs.Study I: Leishmania-qPCR was performed on 19 glass slides (from nine dogs) with cytologically visible amastigotes. Fifteen slides with no visible amastigotes, obtained from 12 dogs seronegative for Leishmania by ELISA, served as controls. Study II: Leishmania-qPCR was performed on glass slides and FPI from cutaneous lesions compatible with clinical leishmaniosis in 33 dogs.Study I: all slides with visible amastigotes had positive qPCR, whereas all control slides yielded negative results. Study II: of 13 dogs definitively diagnosed with clinical leishmaniosis, eight had visible amastigotes on cytology, whereas Leishmania-qPCR was positive on 11 glass slides and 13 FPI. Leishmaniosis was ruled out by standard methods in 20 dogs, four of which yielded positive qPCR on FPI and/or glass slides.Leishmania-DNA can be detected efficiently by qPCR from cutaneous cytological specimens and FPI to diagnose Leishmania infection in dogs with cutaneous lesions suggestive of CanL.Détection de Leishmania dans les lésions cutanées est possible par visualisation des amastigotes. La détection de l’ADN de Leishmania par PCR présente une meilleure sensibilité et la PCR a été utilisée pour diagnostiquer la leishmaniose cutanée de l'homme à l'aide de techniques cliniques non invasives.Etude I : déterminer si l’ADN de Leishmania peut être efficacement extraite et amplifiée de lames colorées au Diff-QuikEchantillons de lésions cutanées de 54 chiens. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODE: Etude I : la PCRq a été réalisée sur 19 lames (de 9 chiens) avec des amastigotes visibles à la cytologie. Quinze lames sans amastigote visible, obtenu de 12 chiens séronégatifs pour Leishmania par ELISA, ont servi de contrôle. Etude II : Une PCRq Leishmania a été réalisée sur des lames et FPI de lésions cutanées compatibles avec une leishmaniose clinique chez 33 chiens. RÉSULTATS: Etude I : toutes les lames avec amastigotes visibles avaient une PCRq positive tandis que les lames contrôles étaient négatives. Etude II : sur les 13 chiens diagnostiqués définitivement comme leishmaniose clinique, huit avaient des amastigotes visibles à la cytologie tandis que la PCRq Leishmania était positive sur 11 des lames et 13 FPI. LA leishmaniose a été exclue par méthodes standard chez 20 chiens, dont quatre présentaient une PCRq positive sur FPI et/ou lames.L’ADN de Leishmania peut être détectée efficacement par PCRq de cytologies cutanées et FPI pour le diagnostic de leishmaniose chez les chiens présentant des lésions cutanées évocatrices de CanL.INTRODUCCIÓN: la visualización de amastigotes permite la detección de Leishmania en lesiones cutáneas. La detección del DNA de Leishmania por PCR es más sensible, y la PCR se ha utilizado para diagnosticar la leishmaniasis cutánea en humanos utilizando muestras clínicas no invasivas. OBJETIVOS: Estudio I: determinar si el DNA de Leishmania se podría extraer y amplificar de manera eficiente a partir de preparaciones teñidas con Diff-Quik® archivadas de muestras citológicas de lesiones cutáneas caninas. Estudio II: evaluar el valor diagnóstico de una PCR cuantitativa (qPCR) de Leishmania en muestras citológicas teñidas y en impresiones de papel de filtro (FPI) obtenidas de lesiones cutáneas sugestivas de leishmaniasis canina (CanL). ANIMALES: muestras de lesiones cutáneas de 54 perros. MÉTODOS Y MATERIALES: Estudio I: se realizó qPCR para Leishmania en 19 portaobjetos de vidrio (de nueve perros) con amastigotes citológicamente visibles. Quince preparaciones sin amastigotes visibles, obtenidas de 12 perros seronegativos para Leishmania por ELISA, sirvieron como controles. Estudio II: se realizó qPCR para Leishmania en portaobjetos de vidrio y FPI de lesiones cutáneas compatibles con leishmaniasis clínica en 33 perros. RESULTADOS: Estudio I: todas las preparaciones con amastigotes visibles tuvieron qPCR positiva, mientras que todas las preparaciones de control dieron resultados negativos. Estudio II: de 13 perros diagnosticados definitivamente con leishmaniasis clínica, ocho tuvieron amastigotes visibles en la citología, mientras que qPCR para Leishmania fue positiva en 11 portaobjetos de vidrio y 13 FPI. La leishmaniasis se descartó mediante métodos estándar en 20 perros, cuatro de los cuales produjeron qPCR positiva en FPI y/o portaobjetos de vidrio. CONCLUSIONES E IMPORTANCIA CLÍNICA: la qPCR para DNA de Leishmania puede realizarse de forma efectiva a partir de muestras citológicas cutáneas y FPI para diagnosticar la infección por Leishmania en perros con lesiones cutáneas sugestivas de CanL.Leishmanien können in Hautveränderungen durch eine Sichtbarmachung der Amastigoten gefunden werde. Die Feststellung von Leishmania DNA mittels PCR bedeutet eine größere Sensibilität. Außerdem wurde die PCR verwendet, um kutane Leishmaniose bei Menschen mittels nichtinvasiver klinischer Proben zu diagnostizieren.Studie I: festzustellen, ob ausreichend Leishmania DNA aus archivierten Diff-Quick® gefärbten zytologischen Präparaten aus kutanen Veränderungen extrahiert und amplifiziert werden konnte. Studie II: eine Evaluierung der diagnostischen Leistung einer quantitativen Leishmania (q) PCR aus gefärbten Zytologiepräparaten sowie aus Abdrücken auf Filterpapier (FPI), die aus Hautveränderungen stammten, die verdächtig für eine canine Leishmaniose (CanL) waren.Es wurden Proben von Hautveränderungen von 54 Hunden verwendet.Studie I: Es wurde ein Leishmania-qPCR von 19 Objektträgern (von neun Hunden) mit zytologisch sichtbaren Amastigoten durchgeführt. Fünfzehn Objektträger ohne sichtbare Amastigoten, die von 12 Hunden stammten, die mittels ELISA seronegativ auf Leishmania waren, dienten als Kontrollen. Studie II: Ein Leishmania-qPCR wurde von Objektträgern und FPI kutaner Läsionen von 33 Hunden, die mit klinischer Leishmaniose kompatibel waren, durchgeführt.Studie I: alle Objektträger mit sichtbaren Amastigoten zeigten eine positive qPCR, während die Kontrollen ein negatives Ergebnis lieferten. Studie II: von den 13 Hunden, die definitiv mit einer Leishmaniose diagnostiziert worden waren, zeigten acht sichtbare Amastigoten in der Zytologie, während der Leishmania-PCR von 11 Objektträgern und 13 FPI positiv war. Eine Leishmaniose war bei 20 Hunden mit Standardmethoden ausgeschlossen worden, von denen vier eine positive qPCR von FPI und/oder Objektträgern lieferten.Leishmania-DNA kann effektiv mittels qPCR aus kutanen zytologischen Hautproben und aus FPI festgestellt werden, um eine Leishmania Infektion bei Hunden mit Hautveränderungen, die auf CanL hinweisen zu diagnostizieren.背景: 皮膚病変におけるリーシュマニアの検出は、無鞭毛期虫体の視覚化によって可能となる。 PCRによるリーシュマニアDNAの検出はより高い感度を示し、PCRは非侵襲性臨床標本を用いて人の皮膚リーシュマニア症を診断するために使用されてきた。 目的: 研究I:研究Iの目的は、犬の皮膚病変から得られた細胞学的標本のアーカイブされたDiff-Quik®染色スライドからLeishmania DNAを効率的に抽出および増幅できるかどうかを決定することである。研究II:研究IIの目的は、染色した細胞学的標本および犬リーシュマニア症(CanL)を示唆する皮膚病変から得られたfilter paper impressions (FPI)に対するリーシュマニア定量的(q)PCRの診断性能を評価することである。 被験動物: 54頭の犬の皮膚病変からのサンプル。 材料と方法: 研究I:Leishmania-qPCRを、細胞学的に観察可能な無鞭毛期虫体を含む19枚のスライドガラス(9頭の犬から)によって実施した。 ELISAによってリーシュマニアに対して血清陰性の12頭の犬から得られた、目に見える無鞭毛期虫体のない15枚のスライドを対照として用いた。研究II:33頭の犬において、リーシュマニアqPCRを、臨床的にリーシュマニア症と適合性のある皮膚病変からのスライドガラスおよびFPIに対して実施した。 結果: 研究I:目に見える無鞭毛期虫体を含む全てのスライドがqPCR陽性であったのに対し、全対照スライドは陰性結果をもたらした。研究II:臨床リーシュマニア症と確定診断された13頭の犬のうち、8頭が細胞診で目に見える斑点があったのに対し、Leishmania-qPCRは11枚のスライドガラスと13枚のFPIで陽性を示した。リーシュマニア症は、20頭の犬において標準的な方法で除外され、そのうちの4頭はFPIおよび/またはスライドガラス上でqPCR陽性を示した。 結論と臨床的重要性: リーシュマニアDNAは、CanLを示唆する皮膚病変を有する犬におけるリーシュマニア感染を診断するために、皮膚細胞診標本およびFPIからqPCRによって効率的に検出することができる。.背景: 通过发现无鞭毛体可以检测皮肤病变中的利什曼原虫。 PCR检测利什曼原虫DNA具有更高的灵敏度,并且无创临床样本的PCR检测已被用于诊断人类皮肤利什曼病。 目的: 研究I:确认是否能从已被Diff-Quik®染色的犬皮肤病变细胞学载玻片中,有效提取和扩增利什曼原虫DNA。研究II:染色细胞学和滤纸印迹(FPI)均采自疑似犬利什曼病(CanL)的皮肤病变,评估利什曼原虫定量(q)PCR方法对这些样本的诊断效果。 动物: 54只犬的皮肤病变样本。 方法和材料: 研究I:细胞学检查可见无鞭毛体的19张载玻片(来自9只犬),对其进行利什曼原虫-qPCR检测;从 12只犬身上获得的15张载玻片样本作为对照,细胞学检查未见无鞭毛体,经ELISA检测利什曼原虫血清阴性。研究II:33只症状符合利什曼病的犬,用利什曼原虫-qPCR法检测其皮肤病变载玻片和FPI。 结果: 研究I:所有可见无鞭毛体的载玻片,其qPCR检测均为阳性,而所有对照载玻片的检测结果均为阴性。 研究II: 13只确诊利什曼病的患犬中,8只细胞学上可见无鞭毛体,而利什曼原虫-qPCR检测中11张载玻片和13份FPI呈阳性。用标准方法排除利什曼病的20只犬中,经qPCR检测FPI和/或载玻片,有4只呈阳性。 结论和临床价值: 用qPCR技术检测皮肤细胞学和FPI中的利什曼原虫DNA,可有效诊断皮肤病变疑似CanL的利什曼原虫感染。.A detecção de Leishmania em lesões cutâneas é possível pela visualização de amastigotas. A detecção de DNA de Leishmania por PCR possui maior sensibilidade, e a PCR tem sido utilizada para diagnosticar leishmaniose cutânea em humanos utilizando espécimens clínicos não invasivos.Estudo I: determinar se o DNA de Leishmania pode ser eficientemente extraído e amplificado de lâminas coradas em Diff-QuikAmostras cutâneas de lesões de 54 cães. MÉTODOS E MATERIAIS: Estudo I: Leishmania-qPCR foi realizado em 19 lâminas de vidro (de nove cães) com amastigotas citologicamente visíveis. Quinze lâminas sem amastigotas visíveis, obtidas de 12 cães soronegativos para Leishmania por ELISA serviram como controle. Estudo II: Leishmania-qPCR foi realizado em lâminas de vidro e em FPI de lesões cutâneas compatíveis com leishmaniose clínica em 33 cães.Estudo I: todas as amostras com amastigotas visíveis apresentaram qPCR positivo, enquanto todas as lâminas controle tiveram resultados negativos. Estudo II: dos 13 cães diagnosticados definitivamente com leishmaniose clínica, oito apresentaram amastigotas visíveis na citologia, enquanto Leishmania-qPCR foi positivo em 11 lâminas de vidro e 13 FPI. Descartou-se a leishmaniose pelos métodos convencionais em 20 cães, dos quais quatro apresentaram qPCR positiva na FPI e/ou nas lâminas de vidro. CONCLUSÕES E IMPORTÂNCIA CLÍNICA: O DNA de Leishmania pode ser eficientemente detectado por qPCR de espécimens citológicos cutâneos e FPI para diagnosticar uma infecção por Leishmania em cães com lesões cutâneas sugestivas de CanL.

Background The responsiveness and the intertester reliability of the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI) were tested, and a cut-off between compromised and severely compromised performance level was set. Methods Three groups of dogs were used, 29 with any stifle dysfunction (STIF), 17 with other musculoskeletal disease except stifle (OTHER) and 11 controls (CTRL). All dogs were tested with the FCSI by the same physiotherapist at three occasions, at baseline, at six weeks and 10 weeks, and once also by another physiotherapist. Results Dogs in the STIF group demonstrated significantly higher (P

Equine water treadmills (WT) were initially designed for rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, but are also commonly used for conditioning sport horses, however the effects are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of an 18-day WT conditioning programme on peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak). Nine unfit Thoroughbreds were used in a randomised controlled trial. Six horses worked daily for 18 days in stifle-height water (WT group), while 3 control horses worked without water (dry treadmill group (DT)). Preconditioning and postconditioning maximal exercise racetrack tests (800 m) were performed using a portable ergospirometry system. Measured outcomes were V̇O2, tidal volume, minute ventilation, breathing frequency, heart rate, blood lactate and instantaneous and average speed. The workload as assessed by V̇O2 was 21.7 per cent of preconditioning V̇O2peak values for WT horses. V̇O2peak on the racetrack increased by 16.1 per cent from preconditioning to postconditioning in the WT horses (P=0.03), but did not change in the DT horses. Therefore, exercising horses in high water heights may improve conditioning.

Background This study aimed to describe the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in relation to cellular differentiation and lesion size. Methods Sixty dogs with a cytological diagnosis of HCC and that underwent a CEUS examination were retrospectively selected. The wash-in and wash-out patterns of contrast enhancement, along with the time to wash-in and the time to wash-out, of each lesion were recorded. A dimensional cut-off value of 3 cm was adopted for classification. Results Cellular differentiation had a significant influence on both wash-in (chi-squared=16.99; P

This study aimed at developing a quantitative testing battery for dogs' stifle functionality, as, unlike in human medicine, currently none is available in the veterinary field. Forty-three dogs with surgically treated unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture and 21 dogs with no known musculoskeletal problems were included. Eight previously studied tests: compensation in sitting and lying positions, symmetry of thrust in hindlimbs when rising from lying and sitting, static weight bearing, stifle flexion and extension and muscle mass symmetry, were summed into the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI). Sensitivities and specificities of the dichotomised FCSI score were calculated against orthopaedic examination, radiological and force platform analysis and a conclusive assessment (combination of previous). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)was used to evaluate FCSI score differences between the groups. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was calculated. The range of the index score was 0-263, with a proposed cut-off value of 60 between 'adequate' and 'compromised' functional performance. In comparison to the conclusive assessment, the sensitivity and specificity of the FCSI were 90 per cent and 90.5 per cent, respectively. Cronbach's alpha for internal reliability of the FCSI score was 0.727. An estimate of the surgically treated and control dogs' FCSI scores were 105 (95 per cent CI 93 to 116) and 20 (95 per cent CI 4 to 37), respectively. The difference between the groups was significant (P

Background Hyperadrenocorticism is an endocrine disease routinely encountered within primary care practice; however, few studies evaluating survival beyond diagnosis have studied this population. Methods This retrospective cohort study analysed the electronic patient records of 219 cases of hyperadrenocorticism from a sample of dogs attending primary care practices in England. Kaplan-Meier plots examined the cumulative survival and Cox proportional hazard regression modelling identified factors associated with the hazard of all-cause mortality. Results In the analysis, 179/219 (81.7 per cent) hyperadrenocorticism cases died during the study period with a median survival time from first diagnosis of 510 days (95% CI 412 to 618 days). Trilostane was used in 94.1 per cent of cases and differentiation between pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent disease was made in 20.1 per cent of cases. In the multivariable analysis, dogs weighing greater than or equal to 15 kg (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.15, P=0.023) and those diagnosed greater than or equal to 13 years of age (HR 3.74, 95% CI 2.29 to 6.09, P

There is a need for an effective and safe emetic agent that dog owners could easily administer to their dogs following veterinary advice in cases of potential poisoning. As a response to this need, a randomised, double-blind, multi-site, clinical field study was performed to assess the efficacy, safety and usability of ropinirole eye drops to induce vomiting in dogs. Ropinirole (target dose 3.75 mg/m2) was applied to eyes of 100 dogs, and 32 dogs received placebo. The drug was administered by the dog owner at a veterinary clinic under the supervision of a veterinarian and led to vomition in 95% of the ropinirole-treated dogs within 30 min. The median time to first vomit was 10 min (range: 3–37 min). None of the dogs receiving placebo vomited in this time period. All owners were able to administer the product and 96% of them assessed the administration to be very easy or easy, which was confirmed by the observing veterinarian. Some ocular signs were seen both with ropinirole and placebo, hyperaemia being the most common. All observed signs were transient and in most cases mild. Ropinirole eye drops provided an effective, safe and reliable means to induce emesis in dogs.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an emerging transboundary disease in Europe, which can cause significant production losses among ruminants. The analysis presented here assessed the costs of BTV surveillance and vaccination programmes in Austria and Switzerland between 2007 and 2016. Costs were compared with respect to time, type of programme, geographical area and who was responsible for payment. The total costs of the BTV vaccination and surveillance programmes in Austria amounted to €23.6 million, whereas total costs in Switzerland were €18.3 million. Our analysis demonstrates that the costs differed between years and geographical areas, both within and between the two countries. Average surveillance costs per animal amounted to approximately €3.20 in Austria compared with €1.30 in Switzerland, whereas the average vaccination costs per animal were €6.20 in Austria and €7.40 in Switzerland. The comparability of the surveillance costs is somewhat limited, however, due to differences in each nation’s surveillance (and sampling) strategy. Given the importance of the export market for cattle production, investments in such programmes are more justified for Austria than for Switzerland. The aim of the retrospective assessment presented here is to assist veterinary authorities in planning and implementing cost-effective and efficient control strategies for emerging livestock diseases.

Background Studies of sheep mortality or cause-specific mortality, in Ireland or internationally, are relatively scarce but are important in presenting baseline levels and changing trends of endemic disease. This study assessed sheep mortality and cause-specific mortality in 33 sentinel sheep flocks in Ireland. Methods Sentinel flocks were requested to submit carcases of all sheep that died to the regional veterinary laboratories (RVLs) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine during a calendar year (2016). Postmortem examinations were performed on 1247 submissions to Athlone, Kilkenny and Sligo RVLs. Results The median overall submission rate was 13.8 per cent (range 2.5 per cent–35.8 per cent) per adult female sheep in the flock in January 2016. The median fetal, perinatal, lamb and adult submissions per adult female sheep in the flock in January 2016 were 2.1 per cent (0.0 per cent–15.2 per cent), 3.5 per cent (0.0 per cent–20.0 per cent), 3.0 per cent (0.0 per cent–12.4 per cent) and 2.8 per cent (0.8 per cent–7.1 per cent), respectively. The frequency of detection of categories of postmortem diagnoses in fetuses, perinates, lambs and adults are presented. Conclusions Comparisons with existing passive surveillance findings reflect some differences in the relative frequency of detection of certain categories of disease suggesting that sentinel flock surveillance could usefully supplement existing passive animal disease surveillance activities for ovine disease.

Introduction Hantaviruses are maintained by mammalian hosts, such as rodents, and are shed in their excretions. Clinical disease can occur in humans from spillover infection. Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are the globally distributed reservoir host of Seoul virus (SEOV). Human cases of SEOV-associated haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (SEOV-HFRS)have been reported in Great Britain (GB) since 1977. Methods Brown rats (n=68) were trapped from a variety of peridomestic locations, with a focus on pig farms. Kidney and lung tissues were tested for viral RNA using a pan-hantavirus RT-PCR assay followed by Sanger sequencing and analysis. Results SEOV RNA was detected in 19 per cent (13/68, 95% CI 11 to 30) of rats and all sequences fell within SEOV lineage 9. Twelve sequences were highly similar to each other and to the previously reported GB Humber strain of SEOV (98 per cent). One rat SEOV sequence was more distant. The SEOV prevalence in rats from pig farms was significantly greater (p=0.047) than other sites sampled. No significant sex or age differences were observed among positive and negative rats. Discussion The results from this study suggest that SEOV could be widespread in wild rats in GB and therefore pose a potential risk to public health.

A prospective, randomised, 6-month feeding trial was performed in 28 adult cats with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage 1 and 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD). All cats were assigned to either a control food: Royal Canin Renal Support A Feline, dry or a test food: Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Feline with chicken, dry. Food intake was recorded daily; body weight weekly; and serum, urine, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and body condition assessments were performed at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months. Twenty cats (9 control, 11 test group) completed the study according to protocol. Cats consuming control food had significant loss of body weight (n=14; mean, -13.0 per cent, P

Small ruminant lentivirus infections in goats affect both production and animal welfare. This represents a threat to the qualitative and quantitative growth of goat farming, recently observed in mountainous regions such as the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol (Italy). To monitor and eradicate the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in this goat population, a compulsory eradication campaign was launched, based on a strict census of small ruminants and yearly serological testing of all animals, followed by the consequent culling of seropositive individuals. The campaign succeeded in completely eliminating cases of clinical disease in goats, while drastically reducing the seroprevalence at the herd as well as individual animal level. The serological outcome of the introduced control measures was determined using commercially available ELISA kits, demonstrating their suitability for use in this type of campaign, aimed at reducing seroprevalence as well as clinical manifestations of these infections. However, this clear success is diminished by the failure to achieve a complete eradication of these viruses. The reasons leading to the observed tailing phenomenon and the occurrence of new infections in already sanitised flocks are discussed and implementation of further measures are proposed.

This study was conducted in a commercial 1000-sow herd facing recurrent exudative epidermitis (EE) outbreaks during the nursery period and assessed the efficacy of autogenous vaccination in controlling such outbreaks. The vaccine was produced using three Staphylococcus hyicus isolates recovered from affected pigs shortly before the onset of the study. All of those isolates were positive for the exhB gene, which encodes the exfoliative toxin type B (ExhB). From four consecutive farrowing batches of sows, two batches were vaccinated (V) against S hyicus at five and two weeks before farrowing, and two sow batches remained non-vaccinated (NV). Vaccination efficacy was primarily determined by the levels of metaphylactic antimicrobial usage, and the morbidity and mortality data for the pigs of the V and NV sows. The total amount of antimicrobials used metaphylactically against EE in pigs among the V and NV farrowing batches was 39,600 and 88,550 mg, respectively. The used daily dose pig to animal daily dose pig ratio for the V and NV batches were 1.31 and 1.79, respectively (a ratio of 0.8 to 1.2 is indicative of correct dosing). The morbidity and mortality rates were V=6.50 and NV=14.36 (P=0.008), and V=2.59 and NV=5.02 (P=0.000), respectively. To conclude, autogenous vaccination of the sows with a vaccine based on exhB-positive S hyicus isolates reduced metaphylactic treatment with antimicrobials as well as the morbidity and mortality rates in weaned pigs compared with pigs from NV sow batches.

Extending on earlier work, trends in bovine tuberculosis (bTB) from 2003 to 2015 are described for the countries of the UK and the Republic of Ireland using standardised definitions and measures. Based on measures of animal and herd incidence, there remains a stable situation of extremely low prevalence in Scotland and the Low Risk Area of England, and a higher but ongoing reduction in prevalence in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, there has been a rising bTB trend during 2010-2015, although not to levels experienced during 2002-2004. In the High Risk Area and Edge Area of England during 2010-2015, the rising bTB trends have continued but with some recent evidence of stabilisation. In Wales, prevalence has fallen subsequent to a peak in 2008. The paper considers country-level differences in the light of key policy changes, which are presented in detail. This work is unique, and will assist policymakers when critically evaluating policy options for effective control and eradication. Ongoing updates of this analysis would be useful, providing an evidence base for country-level comparison of bTB trends into the future. The use of multivariable analytical methods should be considered, but will rely on substantial sharing of raw data across the five countries.

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a significant drain on efficient and successful cattle production in both dairy and beef systems around the world. Several countries have achieved eradication of this disease, but always through the motivation of stakeholders who accept the benefits of eradication. These include increased cattle welfare and fitness of cattle to withstand other diseases, and decreased costs of production, the latter resulting from both decreased costs spent on managing the disease and decreased losses. This paper provides a systematic review of 31 papers, published between 1991 and 2015, that address the economic impact of BVD. Each paper takes a different approach, in either beef or dairy production or both. However with the breadth of work collated, a stakeholder engaged in BVD eradication should find an economic figure of most relevance to them. The reported economic impact ranges from £0 to £552 per cow per year (£2370 including outliers). This range represents endemic or subclinical disease situations seen in herds with stable BVD virus infection, and epidemic or severe acute situations, most often seen in naïve herds. The outcome of infection is therefore dependent on the immune status of the animal and severity of the strain. The variations in figures for the economic impact of BVD relate to these immune and pathogenicity factors, along with the variety of impacts monitored.

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) causes abortions, stillbirths and fetal malformations in naïve ruminants. The impact of the initial outbreak (2011/2012) on British sheep farms has been previously investigated, with higher farmer perceived impacts and increased lamb and ewe mortality reported on SBV-affected farms. After several years of low, or no, circulation the UK sheep flock once again became vulnerable to SBV infection. Re-emergence was confirmed in autumn 2016. This study reports the analysis of a questionnaire designed to determine the farm-level impact of SBV on the 2016/2017 UK lambing period. Higher neonatal lamb mortality, dystocia and associated ewe deaths, and higher perceived impacts on sheep welfare, flock financial performance and farmer emotional wellness were reported on SBV confirmed (n=59) and SBV suspected (n=82), than SBV not suspected (n=74) farms. Additionally, although few farmers (20.4 per cent) reported previously vaccinating against SBV, the majority (78.3 per cent) stated they would vaccinate if purchasing at less than £1 per dose. These results are largely comparable to the findings reported for the 2011/2012 outbreak, highlighting the ongoing impact of SBV on sheep farms. If SBV continues to re-emerge cyclically, the economic and animal welfare costs to the UK sheep farming industry will continue.

Background Parturition and the initial postpartum period are important moments in the reproductive cycle of dogs. Methods A study assessed the effect of ADAPTIL, a dog-appeasing pheromone, on maternal behaviour during peripartum. Bitches were continuously exposed to ADAPTIL (n=20) or placebo (n=21) in double-blinded conditions from an average of about seven days before parturition up to 21 days postpartum. Differences in maternal behaviour in relation to the treatment were evaluated by the observation of specific activities through video recordings, such as the time spent by the bitch in close contact with the puppies, oronasal interaction and nursing duration and position. Videos were recorded at four time points (W0: within the first 48 hours of whelping; W1: one week after parturition; W2: two weeks after parturition; and W3: three weeks after parturition). In addition, the perception of breeders in relation to the quality of maternal care, puppies’ wellbeing and overall relationship between the bitches and the puppies was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale at the same time points. Moreover, the daily activity of the bitches was measured by using an electronic device (FitBark dog activity trackers, Kansas City, Missouri). Results For all observed maternal behaviours, there was a steady decrease in levels as the puppies developed, independently of treatment. However, bitches exposed to ADAPTIL tended to nurse significantly more in lying position, while those exposed to the placebo nursed more in a seated position, especially at W1 (P=0.06) and W3 (P=0.005). According to the breeders, the attention scores of bitches towards puppies were significantly higher in ADAPTIL than in the placebo group at each time point (P=0.01). Moreover, a difference according to parity was observed (P=0.004), with greater attention score displayed by primiparous bitches exposed to ADAPTIL compared with placebo on W0 (P=0.02), W1 and W3 (P

Prior research demonstrates significant inaccuracy when repeatedly measuring the same amount of dry dog food using a dry-food measuring cup, bringing into question the accuracy of measuring devices. This study aimed to determine dog owners’ accuracy when measuring different volumes of dry dog food using different types of measuring devices. One hundred dog owners, randomly assigned one of three measuring devices (a one-cup dry-food measuring cup, a two-cup graduated-liquid measuring cup or a two-cup commercial food scoop), were asked to measure ¼, ½ and 1 cup of dry dog food. Accuracy was assessed with an electronic gram scale by comparing measured volumes with the correct weight in grams. Individual accuracy ranged from −47.83% to 152.17% across devices and volumes. Measuring accuracy was found to be associated with the volume of food measured (p

Stranded California sea lions considered unable to survive in the wild are often placed in public display facilities. Exposure to the biotoxin domoic acid (DA) is a common cause of stranding, and chronic effects are observed long after initial exposure. Medical records for 171 sea lions placed in US institutions between 2000 and 2016 were reviewed, including results from clinical examinations, histopathology, behavioural testing and advanced imaging. There was a statistically significant increase in neurological disease detected in neonates (24%) compared with other age classes (11%). Sixty per cent of all neurological cases died during the study period. In the 11 neurological neonate cases, six died (55%) and five are still alive with three of five developing epilepsy during placement. Of the six neurological neonate cases that died, one was attributed to DA toxicosis, one to seizures and four to acute unexplained neurological disease. This survey suggests delayed neurological disease can develop in sea lions after stranding as neonates. These data coupled with stranding records and epidemiological data on DA-producing algal blooms suggest further research into effects of neonatal exposure to DA on risk of neurological disease in later life is warranted. California sea lions offer a natural model of DA exposure to study such effects.

Age-related hippocampal formation (HF) atrophy has been documented on MRI studies using volumetric analysis and visual rating scales. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to compare linear MRI measurements of the HF between young (1–3 years) and old (>10 years) non-brachycephalic dogs, with normal brain anatomy and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Right and left hippocampal formation height (HFH), height of the brain (HB) and mean HFH/HB ratio were measured by two observers on a transverse T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence containing rostral colliculi and mesencephalic aqueduct.119 MRI studies were enrolled: 75 young and 44 old dogs. Left and right HFH were greater (p

Preventive healthcare is the focus of a large proportion of UK small animal veterinary consultations. The evidence base for how to optimise these consultations is limited. Therefore, evidence-based practical recommendations are needed for veterinary surgeons conducting these consultations. The aim of this study was to use an evidence-based methodology to develop the first consensus recommendations to improve dog and cat preventative healthcare consultations (PHCs). Evidence from multiple sources was systematically examined to generate a list of 18 recommendations. Veterinary surgeons and pet owners with extensive experience of PHCs were recruited to an anonymous panel to obtain consensus on whether these recommendations would improve PHCs. A Delphi technique was followed during three rounds of online questionnaire, with consensus set at 80 per cent agreement or disagreement with each recommendation. Thirteen of the original 18 recommendations reached consensus (>80per cent agreement), while the five remaining recommendations did not reach consensus. Globally, these are the first evidence-based recommendations developed specifically in relation to small animal general practice PHCs, generated via a Delphi panel including both veterinary surgeons and pet owners. Future work is needed to understand how these recommendations can be implemented in a range of veterinary practice settings.

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) is a contagious eye disease primarily caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae in domestic and wild Caprinae. Chlamydophila species have also been detected in ruminants with IKC. The objectives of this study are to investigate the ocular infection of M. conjunctivae and Chlamydiaceae and assess its interaction in relation to IKC in sheep and goats from remote communities around the Central Karakoram National Park in Pakistan, performing a combination of cross-sectional and case-control study design. Mostly asymptomatic and endemic infections of M. conjunctivae and Chlamydiaceae were found in sheep (19.3 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively) and goats (9.5 per cent and 1.9 per cent, respectively) from all communities, assessed by qPCR. Prevalence significantly differed between species only for M. conjunctivae (P=0.0184), which was also more prevalent in younger sheep (P

PCR and DNA sequencing are currently the diagnostic methods of choice for detection of Blastocystis spp. and their suptypes. Fresh or frozen stool samples have disadvantages in terms of several aspects such as transportation, storage, and existence of PCR inhibitors. Filter paper technology may provide a solution to these issues. The aim of the present study was to detect Blastocystis spp. and their subtypes by employing two different preservation methods: conventional frozen stool (FS) and dried stool spots on filter paper (DSSFP). Concentration and purity of DNA, sensitivity of PCR, and DNA sequencing results obtained from the two methods were also compared. A total of 230 fecal samples were included and separated into two parts: one part of the fecal samples were directly frozen and stored at ?20 °C. The remaining portion of the specimens were homogenized with saline and spread onto the filter papers as thin layer with a diameter of approximately 3 cm. After air-dried, the filter papers were stored at room temperature. DSSFP samples were collected by scraping from the filter papers. DNA were extracted by EURx Stool DNA Extraction Kit from both samples. Concentration and purity were measured with Nano-Drop, then PCR and sequencing were conducted for detection of Blastocystis spp. and its genotypes. Pure DNA was obtained with a A260/A280 ratio of 1.7–2.2 in both methods. DNA yield from FS was 25–405 ng/?l and average DNA concentration was 151 ng/?l, while these were 7–339 and 122 ng/?l for DSSFP, respectively. No PCR inhibition was observed in two methods. DNA from DSSFP were found to be stable and PCR were reproducible for at least 1 year. FS-PCR- and DSSFP-PCR-positive samples were 49 (21.3 %) and 58 (25.3 %), respectively (p = 0.078). The 43 specimens were concordantly positive by both FS-PCR and DSSFP-PCR. When the microscopy was taken as the gold standard, sensitivity of DSSFP-PCR and FS-PCR was 95.5 and 86.4 %, while specificity of both tests was 99.4 and 98.3 %, respectively. DNA sequencing results of 19 microscopically confirmed cases were strictly identical (concordance 100 %) in both methods, and ST2:6, ST3:8, ST4:3, and ST6:2 were the detected subtypes. Among the 230 fecal samples, the most predominant subtypes were ST3, ST2, ST4, and ST1 by both FS and DSSFP methods. Concordance of DNA sequencing results obtained from the two methods was noted to be 90.7 %. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates DNA extraction from DSSFP is more sensitive and effective than the FS method for diagnosis of Blastocystis spp. and their subtypes by PCR and DNA sequencing. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Modern interpretation of head conformation in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) has favoured a smaller, more exaggerated, brachycephalic type than originally described in the 1929 breed standard. Recent research studies identified brachycephaly and reduced hind cranium as two conformational (dysmorphic) features that increase risk for symptomatic Chiari-like malformation and secondary syringomyelia (SM). A prospective pilot study investigated the hypothesis that dysmorphic head features could be assessed visually and correlated with risk of SM. Thirteen CKCS, selected from anonymised photographic evidence, were physically appraised by authorised Kennel Club judges using a head shape checklist. These subjective evaluations were then matched with objective measurements of the cranium (cephalic index and rostrocaudal doming) and their subsequent MRI. A positive correlation (P=0.039) between the judges’ checklist score and rostrocaudal doming (hindskull ratio) and a positive correlation between the cephalic index and hindskull ratio (P=0.042) were identified. Five CKCS had no SM and their status tallied with 62 per cent of the judges’ evaluation. Although the ability of adjudicators to identify differences in head conformation varied, there was sufficient association between the dysmorphic parameters and the risk of SM to cause concern and propose a larger study in CKCS breed.

This study investigated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonisation and lung lesions at slaughter in pigs from vaccinated (V) and non-vaccinated (NV) sows, in two herds (A and B). In each herd, two sow batches were V against M. hyopneumoniae with a commercial bacterin at six and three weeks before farrowing and two sow batches remained NV. From each sow batch, laryngeal swabs were collected from the litters of five primiparous sows at weaning and seven days post-weaning. All samples were tested for M. hyopneumoniae by nested PCR. In total, 488 piglets were sampled. At slaughter, the extent of Mycoplasma-like pneumonia lesions (lung lesion score (LLS)) was assessed. The colonisation rates with M. hyopneumoniae at weaning and seven days post-weaning were (V-A=14.2, NV-A=20.0 (P=0.225); V-B=0.9, NV-B=0.8 (P=0.948)) and (V-A=0.8, NV-A=7.0 (P=0.039); V-B=1.8, NV-B=2.5 (P=0.738)), respectively. The average LLS (in per cent) was V-A=15.5, NV-A=26.4 (P=0.021); V-B=9.7, NV-B=8.4 (P=0.541). In conclusion, in herd A, with a substantially higher level of piglet colonisation at weaning than herd B, offspring from V sows had a significantly lower colonisation rate seven days post-weaning and a significantly lower LLS at slaughter compared with the offspring of the NV sows. This implies that sow vaccination might be useful for control of M. hyopneumoniae infections, although significant results may not be achieved at all times (such as in herd B).

Prescription veterinary medicine (PVM) use in the United Kingdom is an area of increasing focus for the veterinary profession. While many studies measure antimicrobial use on dairy farms, none report the quantity of antimicrobials stored on farms, nor the ways in which they are stored. The majority of PVM treatments occur in the absence of the prescribing veterinarian, yet there is an identifiable knowledge gap surrounding PVM use and farmer decision making. To provide an evidence base for future work on PVM use, data were collected from 27 dairy farms in England and Wales in Autumn 2016. The number of different PVM stored on farms ranged from 9-35, with antimicrobials being the most common therapeutic group stored. Injectable antimicrobials comprised the greatest weight of active ingredient found while intramammary antimicrobials were the most frequent unit of medicine stored. Antimicrobials classed by the European Medicines Agency as critically-important to human health were present on most farms, and the presence of expired medicines and medicines not licensed for use in dairy cattle was also common. The medicine resources available to farmers are likely to influence their treatment decisions, therefore evidence of the PVM stored on farms can help inform understanding of medicine use.

Modern veterinary medicine offers numerous options for treatment and clinicians must decide on the best one to use. Interventions causing short-term harm but ultimately benefitting the animal are often justified as being in the animal's best interest. Highly invasive clinical veterinary procedures with high morbidity and low success rates may not be in the animal's best interest. A working party was set up by the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia to discuss the ethics of clinical veterinary practice and improve the approach to ethically challenging clinical cases. Relevant literature was reviewed. The 'best interest principle' was translated into norms immanent to the clinic by means of the 'open question argument'. Clinical interventions with potential to cause harm need ethical justification, and suggest a comparable structure of ethical reflection to that used in the context ofin vivoresearch should be applied to the clinical setting. To structure the ethical debate, pertinent questions for ethical decision-making were identified. These were incorporated into a prototype ethical tool developed to facilitate clinical ethical decision-making. The ethical question 'Where should the line on treatment be drawn' should be replaced by 'How should the line be drawn?'

Based on the widespread use of homeopathy in dairy farm practice when treating mastitis, a blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to assess the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment of clinical mastitis on four dairy farms. The study considered specific guidelines for RCTs as well as the basic principles of individualised homeopathy and involved 180 lactating dairy cows. Evaluation of cure rates was based on clinical investigation of the udder and on laboratory analysis of milk samples. In culture-positive cases, the antibiotic treatment provided suboptimal bacteriological cures (60–81 per cent) but was more effective than individualised homeopathy (33–43 per cent) whose effects appeared little different to those of placebos (45–47 per cent) (P≤0.05). On the cytological cure level, all three treatment methods were similarly ineffective: antibiotic being 2–21 per cent, individualised homeopathy 0–8 per cent and placebo 3–13 per cent (P≤0.05; P=0.13). Antibiotics, individualised homeopathy and placebo had similar effects on bacteriological and cytological cure in cases of culture-negative milk samples (P>0.4) and Escherichia coli infections (P=1.0). The study results implied that the effectiveness of individualised homeopathy does not go beyond a placebo effect and successful treatment is highly dependent on the specific mastitis pathogen. Thus, antimicrobial or alternative remedies used should be based on the bacterial culture of the milk sample. Trial registration number NTP-ID: 00008011-1-9, Pre-results.

Cage-cleaning is necessary for a hygienic environment, but since rats communicate using scent, they might suffer if their cages are cleaned too frequently. Male rats (Sprague–Dawley and Wistar) were kept for five months across four animal units. Their cages were cleaned twice-weekly, weekly, or every two weeks, and contained either aspen woodchips or absorbent paper bedding. Aggression, injuries and general health, weight gain, chromodacryorrhoea (a stress-related Harderian gland secretion), handleability, and lung pathology were monitored, as was in-cage ammonia. Cleaning frequency had no clear impact on rat welfare, although frequent cleaning decreased ammonia concentrations and handleability, and non-aggressive skirmishing was highest in weekly cleaned rats. Surprisingly, bedding type did not affect ammonia, but all ammonia readings were unexpectedly low. However, rats kept on aspen had greater sneezing rates and lung pathology than those on paper bedding, but also had higher body weights. The results raise concerns about aspen bedding, which is relatively inert compared with other wood beddings, but nevertheless more harmful than paper. Animal unit significantly affected eight of the 11 variables tested, having interactive effects on five of them. The study also demonstrates the interactive effects of different animal units, casting doubt on the feasibility of standardization. We explored multiple variables of interest, so all findings require confirmation through further work. Nevertheless, cage-cleaning rates seem to affect socially housed male rats little, while bedding type has important effects on rat health.

The preference of guinea pigs for bedding materials, wood shavings (WS) or paper cutting sheets (PS), was studied. Animals aged 8 weeks and 20 weeks showed a similar behaviour pattern during 30 min in the light, preferring WS to PS regardless of ages. Over both light and dark periods for 24 h, guinea pigs apparently preferred WS in the light, spending much more time resting in them than in PS. In the dark, the border-crossing was significantly more frequent than in the light, and the staying time was rather longer in PS than WS. The results suggest that guinea pigs prefer different bedding materials under light and dark conditions.

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) causes acute and severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration, as well as 50–100 per cent mortality in piglets. For the PEDV diagnosis, a rapid test kit that is specific and sensitive to PEDV is critical to monitor this disease at pig farms. The present study aimed to develop an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) strip test for detecting PEDV in faecal swabs. The newly developed diagnostic test showed a detection limit of 10 4.0 TCID 50 /ml of PEDV. Using faecal swab samples, the relative sensitivity and specificity of the ICA kit were 95.0 per cent and 98.6 per cent, respectively, compared with those of real-time RT-PCR. In samples from piglets experimentally infected with PEDV, the results showed 100 per cent agreement with those found by real-time RT-PCR. Our developed test strip will be useful for rapid diagnosis and can be used for epidemiological surveillance of PEDV infection.

In order to identify indicators of the preferences for bedding materials, the paper bedding material preferences of laboratory mice were investigated in the present study. Four cages, each containing a different structure of paper bedding material were connected to allow free access to each cage. The preferences for paper bedding materials of laboratory mice were judged by the differences in the length of stay and sleep in each cage. The mice preferred the bedding material that allowed them to easily hide and build nests and was soft. We conclude that the comfort and well-being of laboratory mice can be increased through the appropriate selection of bedding material.

Evidence of seasonality in oestrus in bitches within specialist breeding programmes, such as those for assistance dogs, may support colony management through tailoring the distribution of resources required for breeding throughout the year. However, at present there are conflicting data regarding seasonality in oestrus (and litter size) in domestic dogs. The primary objective of this study was to investigate seasonal variations in oestrus and litter size in a large assistance dog breeding colony in the UK in order to optimise colony management. The authors analysed the annual distribution of 3624 observations of oestrus collected from 568 brood bitches from January 2005 to June 2014. The authors also evaluated the relationship between month and litter size for 1609 litters observed during the same period. There was no evidence of regular seasonal variations in oestrus or litter size by meteorological season or month. The lack of seasonality in oestrus may be a function of dogs in the UK, particularly valuable breeding bitches, being exposed to fairly constant environmental conditions throughout the year as a consequence of artificial light and heating during the winter months. The authors' findings suggest that special consideration of the annual distribution of oestrus and litter size is unnecessary for the management of assistance dog breeding colonies similar to those in the UK.

Behavioural and psychological needs of laboratory animals generally cannot adequately be met in standard laboratory cages. Environmental enrichment, which provides a more structured environment can enhance the well-being of laboratory animals. They may perform more of their species-specific behaviour and may control their environment in a better way. An easily applicable form of enrichment for laboratory mice is nesting material. Six different types of nesting materials were evaluated in a preference test with male and female animals of two strains (C57BL/6J or BALB/c, n=48). No significant differences in preference were found between the strains or between the sexes. All mice showed a clear preference for cages with tissues or towels as compared to paper strips or no nesting material, and for cages with cotton string or wood-wool as compared to wood shavings or no nesting material. Paper-derived materials were preferred over wood-derived materials, although the results also suggest that the nature (paper or wood) of the nesting material is less important than its structure, which determines the nestability of the material. Nesting material may be a relatively simple method to contribute to the well-being of laboratory mice.

Proper DNA storage is critical for studies involving genetic analysis of insects and for molecular diagnostics of pathogens carried by them. Molecular surveillance of pathogens carried by insects can involve screening of thousands of insect DNA samples. Problems with storage and degradation of these samples can arise. In this study, a simple filter paper-based method for storage and preservation of insect DNA was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA was isolated from individual house fly, Musca domestica L., adults by using a cell lysis technique. From 50 house flies known to carry Campylobacter spp., a portion of the DNA sample was stored frozen and another portion was pipetted onto filter paper. At monthly intervals for 7 mo, PCR was conducted using 1 microl of the frozen DNA sample and a 2.0-mm disk from the filter paper samples as the PCR template. Two markers were used, a 450-bp region of the insect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) ND5 gene and a 857-bp region of the Campylobacter spp. mtDNA 16S rDNA gene. PCR amplification was successful for all of the samples regardless of the storage method. The filter paper method is a simple and economical way to store, preserve, and distribute DNA samples for PCR analysis.

Environmental enrichment, besides having a great impact on animal welfare, can also be a potential variable in experimental research. Thus, we investigated whether enrichment of cages with paper tissues or plastic tunnels affects scientific outcome in the well-described mouse model of allergic asthma. BALB/cJ mice were introduced to paper tissues as nesting material, transparent plastic tunnels serving as shelters or kept in non-enriched cages. Afterwards, mice were sensitized to chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA) precipitated in aluminium sulphate and then intranasally challenged with OVA to induce allergic lung inflammation. Mice housed in cages enriched with paper tissues, but not with plastic tunnels, had increased total cell number, eosinophil number and IL-13 concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in comparison with the non-enriched control group. These results indicate that the effect of environmental enrichment on mice asthma models depends on the type of enrichment used. Therefore, it is important to consider the potential effects of any environmental enrichment on animal welfare and more importantly, on research results in order to standardize and obtain more accurate data from rodent studies.

A new method of storage of the free-living amoeba, Acanthamoeba, is described. For this purpose, strips of filter paper were impregnated with cysts of amoebas cultivated axenically and transferred into a cryotube. The strips were dehydrated at 30 degrees C for 24 h and after storage at room temperature. The amoeba viability has been evaluated and the cysts remain viable and pure for at least 1 year. Then, our method has been efficient for the storage of cysts during the evaluated period.

Bedding and nesting materials can improve the health and environmental welfare of laboratory mice. This study was carried out to examine which items are actually preferred by mice. Two series of studies were performed on four types of floor-covering materials (Wood-shavings (Clean-chip), Cloth (Agrebe), Recycled-paper (Paper-clean), Paper (Care-feeaz), and on four types of nesting materials (Recycled-paper (Shepherd-shack), Cloth (Agrebe), Wood (Wood-cylinder), and Polycarbonate (Mouse-igloo). Preference of bedding materials was judged by the time length of staying in a cage. The results indicate that mice stayed in the cloth material (Agrebe) longer than in other bedding materials (light 51.1 +/- 5.3%, dark 51.5 +/- 2.6%). In the second experiment, the duration of stay in Agrebe was significantly longer than that in the other nesting materials in the light phase (70.9 +/- 2.4%). In the dark phase, staying time both in Agrebe and Shepherd-shack were significantly longer. These data suggest that cloth bedding and nesting is recommended for the environmental enrichment of laboratory mice.

Moisture absorbency is one of the most important characteristics of rodent beddings for controlling bacterial growth and ammonia production. However, bedding manufacturers rarely provide information on the absorbencies of available materials, and even when they do, absorption values are usually expressed per unit mass of bedding. Since beddings are usually placed into cages to reach a required depth rather than a particular mass, their volumetric absorbencies are far more relevant. This study therefore compared the saline absorbencies of sawdust, aspen woodchips, two virgin loose pulp beddings (Alpha-Dri™ and Omega-Dri™), reclaimed wood pulp (Tek-Fresh™), and corncob, calculated both by volume and by mass. Absorbency per unit volume correlated positively with bedding density, while absorbency per unit mass correlated negatively. Therefore, the relative absorbencies of the beddings were almost completely reversed depending on how absorbency was calculated. By volume, corncob was the most absorbent bedding, absorbing about twice as much saline as Tek-Fresh, the least absorbent bedding. Conversely, when calculated by mass, Tek-Fresh appeared to absorb almost three times as much saline as the corncob. Thus, in practical terms the most absorbent bedding here was corncob, followed by the loose pulp beddings; and this is generally supported by their relatively low ammonia production as seen in previous studies. Many factors other than absorbency determine whether a material is suitable as a rodent bedding, and they are briefly mentioned here. However, manufacturers should provide details of bedding absorbencies in terms of volume, in order to help predict the relative absorbencies of the beddings in practical situations.

Husbandry conditions in a laboratory environment can be barren and monotonous. Improving those conditions by providing opportunities for laboratory mice to engage in species-specific behavior can improve their mental and physical well-being 1 . Giving the animals choices and control over their environment is key to reducing stress 2 . Nesting is a normal behavior of mice, and giving mice nesting opportunities allows them to choose how and where to create their nest and provides them a means of thermoregulation in their microenvironment.

Two different materials-aspen wood-wool and paper towel-were compared as nesting material for three inbred mouse strains (BALB/c, C57BL/6J and DBA/2) housed in barrier conditions. In addition, the effect of varying the number of females per cage (one to three per cage) of these three strains and with NIH/S outbred mouse stock was studied. The number of litters, litter size and neonatal mortality were determined, as well as age, sex and weight of weanlings. The type of nesting material did not affect the characteristics monitored. In all strains, the number of weanlings per female was greatest in singly-housed females. In terms of the number of weanlings per cage, two females per cage gave the best result. In DBA/2 mice, neonatal mortality increased when several females were caged together.