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Marques S, Gomes-Neves E, Baptista CS, Pereira FR, Alves-Pereira A, Osório P, Müller A. A Survey on Vaccination and Disease Occurrence in Municipal and Non-Profit Animal Shelters in Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2723. [PMID: 37684987 PMCID: PMC10486493 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Few studies are available describing animal shelters in Portugal. The aim was to characterize prophylactic measures and disease occurrence in shelters with a questionnaire. The response rates of 67 shelters (42 municipal shelters, 25 associations) were compared by the Fisher's exact test. More veterinarians answered for municipal shelters (98%) than for associations (40%; p < 0.001). Over 80% of the respondents indicated using individual medical records and routine prophylaxis. Excessive length of stay for dogs was reported by 54% of associations and 33% of municipal shelters. Management tools should be promoted to improve the situation. Puppy vaccinations were similar and a final vaccination at 16 weeks was indicated by >33% of shelters. Annual revaccination of dogs was reported more frequently by associations (88%) than municipal shelters (55%; p = 0.02). The three most reported diseases were parvovirus and mange in dogs, upper respiratory disease and panleukopenia in cats, and dermatophytosis in both species. Similar response rates for diagnostic options were obtained by both shelter types, except for distemper. Testing for feline retroviruses was indicated by most shelters (>69%), but only a few (<24%) confirmed positive test results. Clinical diagnoses should be complemented by testing. Additional information on disease occurrence should be obtained by objective monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Marques
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (E.G.-N.); (C.S.B.); (F.R.P.)
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO), Laboratório Associado em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva (InBIO), University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas No. 7, 4485-661 Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Gomes-Neves
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (E.G.-N.); (C.S.B.); (F.R.P.)
- Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal (CECA), Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente (ICETA), Laboratório Associado AL4AnimalS, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia S. Baptista
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (E.G.-N.); (C.S.B.); (F.R.P.)
- Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal (CECA), Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente (ICETA), Laboratório Associado AL4AnimalS, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisca R. Pereira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (E.G.-N.); (C.S.B.); (F.R.P.)
| | | | - Pedro Osório
- Shelter Veterinarian, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.A.-P.); (P.O.)
| | - Alexandra Müller
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (E.G.-N.); (C.S.B.); (F.R.P.)
- Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal (CECA), Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente (ICETA), Laboratório Associado AL4AnimalS, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Gookin JL, Strong SJ, Bruno-Bárcena JM, Stauffer SH, Williams S, Wassack E, Azcarate-Peril MA, Estrada M, Seguin A, Balzer J, Davidson G. Randomized placebo-controlled trial of feline-origin Enterococcus hirae probiotic effects on preventative health and fecal microbiota composition of fostered shelter kittens. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:923792. [PMID: 36467638 PMCID: PMC9714445 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.923792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diarrhea is the second most common cause of mortality in shelter kittens. Studies examining prevention strategies in this population are lacking. Probiotics are of particular interest but studies in cats are largely limited to healthy adults or those with induced disease. Only one study in domestic cats describes the use of host-derived bacteria as a probiotic. We previously identified Enterococcus hirae as a dominant species colonizing the small intestinal mucosa in healthy shelter kittens. Oral administration of a probiotic formulation of kitten-origin E. hirae (strain 1002-2) mitigated the increase in intestinal permeability and fecal water loss resulting from experimental enteropathogenic E. coli infection in purpose-bred kittens. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that administration of kitten-origin E. hirae to weaned fostered shelter kittens could provide a measurable preventative health benefit. METHODS We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded clinical trial to determine the impact of a freeze-dried E. hirae probiotic on body weight gain, incidence of diarrhea, carriage of potential diarrheal pathogens, and composition of the intestinal microbiota in weaned fostered shelter kittens. RESULTS One-hundred thirty kittens completed the study. Fifty-eight kittens received the probiotic and 72 received the placebo. There were no significant differences in age, weight upon initiation of the study, number of days in the study, average daily gain in body weight, or weight at completion of the study. Kittens treated with E. hirae were 3.4 times less likely to develop diarrhea compared to kittens treated with placebo (odds ratio = 0.294, 95% CI 0.109-0.792, p = 0.022). A significant impact of E. hirae was not observed on the presence or abundance of 30 different bacterial, viral, protozoal, fungal, algal, and parasitic agents in feces examined by qPCR. With exception to a decrease in Megamonas, administration of the E. hirae probiotic did not alter the predominant bacterial phyla present in feces based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. DISCUSSION Decreased incidence of diarrhea associated with preventative administration of E. hirae to foster kittens supports a rationale for use of E. hirae for disease prevention in this young population at high risk for intestinal disease though additional studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody L Gookin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Sandra J Strong
- Department of Environmental Services, Wake County Animal Center, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Orange County Animal Services, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - José M Bruno-Bárcena
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Stephen H Stauffer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Shelby Williams
- Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Erica Wassack
- Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - M Andrea Azcarate-Peril
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and UNC Microbiome Core, Department of Medicine, Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Marko Estrada
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., West Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Alexis Seguin
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., West Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Joerg Balzer
- Vet Med Labor GmbH Division, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Kornwestheim, Germany
| | - Gigi Davidson
- Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Janke KJ, Jacobson LS, Giacinti JA, Weese JS. Fecal viral DNA shedding following clinical panleukopenia virus infection in shelter kittens: a prospective, observational study. J Feline Med Surg 2022; 24:337-343. [PMID: 34170191 PMCID: PMC8961250 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x211023056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to determine the magnitude and duration of fecal viral DNA shedding after diagnosis of feline panleukopenia (FP) in a group of shelter cats using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR); to assess the utility of a negative point-of-care test or the resolution of diarrhea and systemic signs as proxy measures for qPCR positivity; and to investigate patterns of additional enteric pathogens in relation to feline panleukopenia viral shedding duration. METHODS Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infection in clinically affected shelter cats was confirmed by a commercial qPCR test. Observations were made on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 post-diagnosis. Fecal flotation, FPV qPCR and the canine parvovirus IDEXX SNAP Parvo ELISA (SNAP) test were performed on fecal samples. RESULTS Forty cats and kittens with confirmed panleukopenia were initially enrolled. Sixteen kittens were sampled until day 14, and 12 were followed to day 21. Median DNA viral copy numbers fell below the diagnostic cut-off by day 7, with 13/16, 6/16, 1/16 and 0/12 testing PCR-positive on days 3, 7, 14 and 21, respectively. The SNAP test was positive in 12/16 kittens on day 0 and only 3/16 on day 3. SNAP test results, diarrhea and systemic signs were inconsistent in relation to qPCR positivity post-diagnosis. Additional enteric pathogens were common. The presence of additional pathogen types was suggestive of a longer PCR shedding duration, but this was not tested statistically owing to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that cats should be isolated for at least 14 days after a diagnosis of FP, but that release from isolation after this point is reasonable, in association with a multifaceted infection control strategy. The study findings did not support using SNAP test results, diarrhea or systemic signs as proxy measures for virus shedding.
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Desanti-Consoli H, Bouillon J, Chapuis RJJ. Equids’ Core Vaccines Guidelines in North America: Considerations and Prospective. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10030398. [PMID: 35335029 PMCID: PMC8955191 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination against infectious diseases is a cornerstone of veterinary medicine in the prevention of disease transmission, illness severity, and often death in animals. In North American equine medicine, equine vaccines protecting against tetanus, rabies, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, and West Nile are core vaccines as these have been classified as having a heightened risk of mortality, infectiousness, and endemic status. Some guidelines differ from the label of vaccines, to improve the protection of patients or to decrease the unnecessary administration to reduce potential side effects. In North America, resources for the equine practitioners are available on the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) website. Conversely, in small companion animals, peer review materials are regularly published in open access journals to guide the vaccination of dogs and cats. The aims of this review are to present how the vaccine guidelines have been established for small companion animals and horses in North America, to review the equine literature to solidify or contrast the current AAEP guidelines of core vaccines, and to suggest future research directions in the equine vaccine field considering small companion animal strategies and the current available resources in equine literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliette Bouillon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis;
| | - Ronan J. J. Chapuis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis;
- Correspondence:
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Jacobson LS, Janke KJ, Ha K, Giacinti JA, Weese JS. Feline panleukopenia virus DNA shedding following modified live virus vaccination in a shelter setting. Vet J 2021; 279:105783. [PMID: 34861370 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study assessed the frequency and timing of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) shedding in feces following administration of a modified live FPV vaccine. Feces were collected from 37 shelter cats that did not meet clinical criteria for panleukopenia on the day of vaccination or on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-vaccination (NCL group). A commercial quantitative PCR (qPCR) fecal pathogen panel and a canine parvovirus point-of-care antigen test were performed. FPV DNA copy numbers from a concurrent study of 39 cats with panleukopenia (CL group) were compared with the NCL group. Of the 165 samples from the NCL group, one had a weak positive antigen test result on day 7, while nine samples (5.5%) from eight cats (21.6%) produced positive FPV qPCR test results, one on day 3 and eight on day 7. There were no day 21-positive qPCR results in the 11 cats that were revaccinated on day 14. There was no association between the number of additional fecal pathogens identified and a positive FPV qPCR result. Of the cats with positive results, FPV DNA copy numbers differed between NCL group and CL group (median 1.13 × 107 and 5.01 × 10⁸ copies/g feces, respectively; P < 0.001). The FPV qPCR cannot differentiate subclinical infection from vaccine virus shedding. To avoid unnecessary isolation and euthanasia, shelters should therefore limit FPV PCR testing to cats with a high index of suspicion of panleukopenia. The timing of recent vaccination should also be considered when interpreting test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Jacobson
- Toronto Humane Society, 11 River Street, Toronto, ON M5A 4C2, Canada.
| | - K J Janke
- Toronto Humane Society, 11 River Street, Toronto, ON M5A 4C2, Canada
| | - K Ha
- Toronto Humane Society, 11 River Street, Toronto, ON M5A 4C2, Canada
| | - J A Giacinti
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J S Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Dutil GF, Schweizer D, Oevermann A, Stein VM, Maiolini A. Haematomyelia and myelomalacia following an inadvertent thoracic intraspinal injection in a cat. JFMS Open Rep 2021; 7:2055116921995394. [PMID: 33796326 PMCID: PMC7968032 DOI: 10.1177/2055116921995394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Case summary A 4-month-old cat was presented with acute paraplegia after the referring veterinarian performed a subcutaneous injection (cefovecin and dexamethasone) in the caudodorsal thoracic area, during which the cat suddenly became uncooperative. A complete neurological examination performed 1 day after the injection revealed paraplegia without deep pain perception and reduced segmental spinal reflexes in the pelvic limbs. Findings were consistent with either an L4–S3 myelopathy or a T3–L3 myelopathy with subsequent spinal shock. MRI showed swelling of the spinal cord from T1 to L1 with heterogeneous T2-weighted intramedullary hyperintensity and no contrast enhancement. A centrally located intraspinal signal void was visible in T2*-weighted images. These changes were compatible with a suspected traumatic intraspinal injection. Despite intensive supportive care over 4 days, neurological status did not improve and the cat was euthanased. Gross pathology findings revealed severe intramedullary haemorrhage and myelomalacia in the T10–L1 spinal cord segments. Histopathology of the spinal cord after haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a severe intramedullary space-occupying haemorrhage with focal malacia. A trajectory-like, optically empty cavity containing some eosinophilic droplets at the edges was detected. Although no further evidence of trauma was noted in the surrounding structures, the spinal cord changes were compatible with a perforating trauma. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this is the first report of thoracic intraspinal injection causing myelomalacia defined by an ante-mortem MRI and confirmed post mortem by histopathology. The traumatic myelopathy appeared to be most compatible with an intraspinal injection causing vascular rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume F Dutil
- Division of Clinical Neurology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Schweizer
- Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Oevermann
- Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Veronika M Stein
- Division of Clinical Neurology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Arianna Maiolini
- Division of Clinical Neurology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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