scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors ofToxoplasma gondiiInfection in Domestic Cats from the Tropics of Mexico Using Serological and Molecular Tests

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgen J. Castillo-Morales ◽  
Karla Y. Acosta Viana ◽  
Eugenia del S. Guzmán-Marín ◽  
Matilde Jiménez-Coello ◽  
José C. Segura-Correa ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated withToxoplasma gondiiinfection in domestic cats using an indirect-ELISA (IgM and IgG) and PCR. Samples collected from 220 cats from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, were analyzed. Cases were reported as acute or chronic. Cases when positive to IgM and IgG and PCR were considered as reactivated chronic infection. Risk factors (sex, age, body condition, diet access to hunting, and number of cats in home) were assessed with a multivariate analysis, 75.5% (166/220) of the cats were IgM and 91.8% (202/220) IgG-seropositive and 79% were PCR-positive (173/220). Number of cats per household and low body condition score were associated with reactivated chronic infection (). It is concluded thatT. gondiiis scattered in the studied population with several periods of reinfection, and therefore an environmental contamination with infecting oocysts exists and there are intrinsic associated factors in cats that increase the risk of becoming infected.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Deprey ◽  
Arnaud Baldinger ◽  
Véronique Livet ◽  
Margaux Blondel ◽  
Mathieu Taroni ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The objective of the study was to report the incidence and risk factors associated with positive urine bacterial cultures as well as long-term outcome in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) devices. Results Medical records of cats that underwent SUB device placement were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment of the cat, laterality of the ureteral obstruction, surgery, anesthesia and hospitalization duration, bacterial culture results and follow-up data were retrieved. Thirty-two cats met the inclusion criteria. Four cats (12.5%) had a positive intraoperative culture, with two of them being treated successfully. Ten cats out of 28 (35.7%) were documented with a positive urine culture during follow-up period, with a median time between discharge and identification of the first positive urine culture of 159 days (range 8–703 days). Bacteriuria resolved in 60% of cats (6/10). Escherichia coli was the most common organism, isolated in 4 out of 10 postoperative urine cultures. Overall, subclinical bacteriura was documented for 6 of 32 (18.8%) cats and 5 of 32 (15.6%) cats displayed clinicals signs suggestive of persistent UTI. One cat had subclinical bacteriuria. Three cats died during the follow-up period. There was a significant difference between negative and positive urine bacterial culture groups in median hospitalization duration (5 days versus 6 days, P = 0.022) and in median body condition score (5/9 versus 4/9, P = 0.03). Cats with a longer hospital stay and with a lower body condition score were more likely to have a positive urine culture during follow-up period. Conclusions SUB device placement surgery is associated with complications such as chronic bacteriuria. Bacteriuria in our study resolved with appropriate antibiotic treatment in more than half of cats. Risk factors identified for positive urine culture were a longer hospitalization duration and a decreased body condition score.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Sharma ◽  
Clive J. C. Phillips

The sheltering of old, unproductive and abandoned cows in traditional cow shelters, known as gaushalas, has been practiced in India since ancient times. Cows are kept in these shelters until they die of natural causes. The welfare of the cows in these shelters was assessed through a cross-sectional study of 54 cow shelters in six states of India. A total of 1620 cows were examined to assess the prevalence of lameness in these cows, and the associated risk factors for lameness were identified through the measurement of animal-based and resource-based welfare indicators. The overall lameness prevalence was 4.2%. The majority (86%) had mild to moderate hock joint swellings but no or only mild carpal joint injuries. Approximately one-half had mild to moderate hock joint hair loss and most were free of hock joint ulcerations. Claw overgrowth was present in almost one half of the cows. Lameness prevalence was positively correlated with coat dirtiness, hock and carpal joint lesions, diarrhea and claw overgrowth scores. In a multivariate analysis, lameness prevalence increased as the Body Condition Score (BCS) decreased and was associated with increased udder dirtiness, the ulceration of the hock joint, carpal joint injuries and claw overgrowth. Resource-based indicators measured at the shelter level suggested that an absence of bedding in the sheds and an increase in the gradient of the shed flooring increased lameness. Addressing the principle risk factors identified for lameness in the sheltered cows (low body condition, dirty udders, lesions on the hock and carpal joints, overgrown claws, and a steep floor gradient) may help to reduce this serious animal welfare problem.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishmael Festus Jaja ◽  
Borden Mushonga ◽  
Ezekiel Green ◽  
Voster Muchenje

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas W. Oehm ◽  
Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer ◽  
Anna Rieger ◽  
Alexander Stoll ◽  
Sonja Hartnack

Abstract Background Lameness in dairy cows has been an ongoing concern of great relevance to animal welfare and productivity in modern dairy production. Many studies have examined associations between various factors related to housing, management, and the individual animal and the occurrence of lameness. The objective of this systematic review was to answer the research question “what are risk factors associated with lameness in dairy cows that are housed in free stall barns or tie stall facilities”. Furthermore, we performed a synthesis of current evidence on certain risk factors by means of a meta-analysis to illustrate the strength of their association with bovine lameness. Results Following pre-defined procedures and inclusion criteria in accordance with the PRISMA statement, two observers independently included 53 articles out of a pool of 1941 articles which had been retrieved by a broad literature research in a first step. 128 factors that have been associated with lameness were identified in those papers. Meta-analyses were conducted for five factors presented in six different studies: Body condition score, presence of claw overgrowth, days in milk, herd size, and parity. Results indicated that a body condition score of ≤2.5/5 is associated with increased odds of lameness. A higher risk of being lame was found for the presence of claw overgrowth, the first 120 days in milk, larger herd sizes, and increasing parity. Throughout the study, we encountered profound difficulties in retrieving data and information of sufficient quality from primary articles as well as in recovering comparable studies. Conclusions We learned that an abundance of literature on bovine lameness exists. To adequately address a problem of this importance to both animal welfare and economic viability, solid evidence is required in the future to develop effective intervention strategies. Therefore, a consistent working definition of lameness and specific risk factors should be an option to consider.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1873
Author(s):  
Joan Maria Rosell ◽  
Luis Fernando de la Fuente ◽  
María Teresa Carbajo ◽  
Xosé María Fernández

In this study, we determined the occurrence of reproductive diseases in does on 1373 visited farms in Spain and Portugal, between 1994 and 2019. The retrospective information obtained was entered in a database classified as follows: apparent infertility (≤70% pregnancy rate), abortions (≥2% of serviced does), high fetal death risk at parturition (≥10%) or dystocia, amongst others. Infertility was the reason for 181 visits. The median of prevalence of apparent infertility in these cases was 35% (minimum to maximum: 25–90%) and the mean, 37.4%. We performed a prospective study to determine risk factors at the individual and farm level, with a second database corresponding to 2014–2019. We carried out pregnancy checks, assessed sanitary status and body condition, and recorded the age of 17,297 rebred lactating does on 142 farms. The median size of the farms was 800 does, and the examined cohorts, 350 does. Predisposing risk factors for infertility were observed: e.g., mastitis had an effect. During the 5-year study, we made a third database with the results from 190,508 does palpated by producers in a subset of 134 farms. In this case, the median of the prevalence of apparent infertility was 14.5% (minimum to maximum: 4.1–50%), which could be considered baseline occurrence when monitoring the theriogenology of rabbit doe farms. Reproductive rhythm was an enabling risk factor: does serviced ≤25 d postpartum were less fertile than at ≥32 d. We made a database with the body condition score (BCS) on a linear scale from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese). The pregnancy rate (PR) of underweight and borderline does (4/9) was 73.1%. The PR of overweight and borderline does (6/9) was 82.6% and those classified with a mean BCS (5/9): PR = 79.3%. We may infer that the optimum BCS for reproduction is 6/9, rather than 5/9. Some changes in female rabbit health and husbandry to improve reproductive performance and welfare are highlighted.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 459-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha G Cline ◽  
Angela L Witzel ◽  
Tamberlyn D Moyers ◽  
Claudia A Kirk

Objectives The objectives for this study were to compare the body composition of adult indoor neutered domestic cats with outdoor intact cats with an ideal body condition score using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and to report the body composition findings of free-roaming cats, as this has not been previously reported. Most domestic house cats differ from free-roaming cats as they are confined indoors and neutered. Indoor neutered cats have reduced activity and hormonal alterations that may result in lower muscle mass and higher body fat percentages vs outdoor intact cats, despite similar body condition scores. Methods Twenty-one outdoor intact cats (10 male, 11 female) were selected from a trap–neuter–return program and 16 indoor neutered domestic cats (10 male, six female) were client-owned. Inclusion criteria included an estimated age between 1 and 6 years, complete blood count, biochemistry panel, urinalysis, total thyroxine, feline leukemia virus/feline immunodeficiency virus screening and a body condition score of 4–5/9. Results Indoor neutered cats had a higher body fat percentage (22.1% [range 17.3–28.2%]) than outdoor intact cats (17.3% [range 10.0–33.6%]; P = 0.002). Indoor neutered male cats had a higher body fat percentage ( P <0.001) than outdoor intact cats. No difference in body fat percentage was observed in female cats ( P = 0.159). Indoor neutered domestic cats had a higher bone mineral density than outdoor intact cats ( P = 0.023). Conclusions and relevance The results of this study suggest indoor confinement and neutering increase body fat percentage and bone mineral density in cats with an ideal body condition score.


2019 ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
John Philip Lou Lumain ◽  
Lotis Balala

This study determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Fasciola and Paramphistomum and the co-infection of both parasites in 246 Philippine carabaos slaughtered in Ormoc City abattoir.Upon postmortem examination, adult parasites were collected from the organ of localization and identified based on morphological characteristics. Intrinsic factors [sex, age, weight, Body Condition Score (BCS)] and origin of the carabaos were recorded. The parasites identified were Fasciola gigantica and Paramphistomum cervi. The study showed a prevalence of 50.81% for F. gigantica, 4.31% for P. cervi and 32.11% for coinfection. was more prevalent in female carabaos (57.80%), carabaos more than three years of age (58.41%), >325kg bodyweight (60.36%) and higher than three body condition score (59.09%). Paramphistomum was common in female carabaos (51.37%), carabaos less than or equal to three years of age (46.82%), ≤325kg bodyweight (52.59%) and less than or equal to three (≤3) body condition score (49.64%). Carabaos originating from Leyte have a higher infection rate to Fasciola (53.30%) and Paramphistomum (46.70%) compared to carabaos , supplied by other provinces. Logistic regression modeling indicates that male carabaos are a protective factor (OR 0.59) against Paramphistomum infection while carabaos within Leyte have a greater likelihood of being infected with both parasites (OR 4.27 to 4.57). Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r-value) showed a strong and positive result (r=0.997**) that the likelihood of Fasciola and Paramphistomum co-exist (co-infection) together is high. A high prevalence rate of fluke infection has been recorded in carabaos admitted for slaughter implying, that most of the backyard carabao raisers are not practicing sound deworming, pasture and grazing management and proper deworming protocol. To prevent and control flukes and improve production and health of carabaos, the above-mentioned factors must first be considered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 833-839
Author(s):  
Pradita Iustitia Sitaresmi ◽  
Budi Prasetyo Widyobroto ◽  
Sigit Bintara ◽  
Diah Tri Widayati

Background and Aim: Body condition scores (BCSs) assessment can be a potential management tool for the improvement of animal performance. The study investigated whether blood metabolic (protein, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and cholesterol) and steroid hormonal (progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol) parameters are affected by the BCS and estrous status in Saanen goat. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from three groups of mature, dry, and non-pregnant female goats with different BCSs: 2-2.9 (BCS 2), 3-3.9 (BCS 3), and 4-4.9 (BCS 4) on a BCS scale ranged from 1 to 5. Blood serum was collected (n = 160) to determine the blood metabolic profile and steroid hormone levels, depending on the follicular status. Results: The results demonstrate a variation in the serum metabolite and hormone (glucose, BUN, protein, estrogen, and cortisol) levels at different BCSs and at different phases of the estrous cycle. The hormonal profiles were significantly different (p<0.05) between the estrous cycle phases. The results suggest that BCSs were associated with blood metabolic profiles and steroid hormone levels. Conclusion: As it can be concluded, an association between steroid hormone levels and the phases of the estrous cycle existed in Saanen goats.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 220-224
Author(s):  
J. K. Mack ◽  
H. P. Remler ◽  
E. Senckenberg ◽  
E. Kienzle

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie war, den Energiebedarf von Warmblutfohlen zu überprüfen, die durch einen Betriebswechsel beim Absetzen erhöhtem Stress ausgesetzt sind. Material und Methoden: Neun Hengstfohlen, die als Absetzer von verschiedenen Züchtern gekauft und gemeinsam aufgestallt wurden, nahmen an der Studie vom Absetzen im Alter von etwa 6 Monaten bis zu einem Alter von etwa 1 Jahr teil. Das Absetzen erfolgte im heimischen Betrieb oder nach gemeinsamem Transport von Stute und Fohlen bei Ankunft im neuen Bestand. Die Fohlen erhielten Heulage (später erster Schnitt), Hafer und Fohlenaufzuchtfutter. Um eine individuelle Kraftfutterzuteilung zu ermöglichen, wurden die Fohlen zweimal täglich separat angebunden. Erhoben wurden die Gesamtaufnahme der Heulage aller Fohlen gemeinsam pro Tag, die tägliche individuelle Kraftfutteraufnahme sowie in 4-wöchigen Abständen Körpermasse und Body Condition Score (BCS). Ergebnisse: Die tägliche Energieaufnahme der Fohlen betrug 74 MJ verdauliche Energie (68 MJ umsetzbare Energie) pro Tier. Die Fohlen wurden mit vergleichsweise niedrigem BCS von 4,2 ± 0,4 (Skala von 1 bis 9) und einer durchschnittlichen Körpermasse von 285 ± 30 kg aufgestallt. Sie erreichten am Ende der Studie im Alter von 319 ± 22 Tagen eine Körpermasse von 326 ± 24 kg und einen BCS von 4,2 ± 0,4. Die Energieaufnahme der Fohlen war höher und ihre Gewichtsentwicklung langsamer als in einer parallel laufenden Studie mit Fohlen, die im Gestüt geboren und aufgewachsen und dementsprechend beim Absetzen weniger Stress ausgesetzt waren. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Fohlen mit relativ niedriger Körpermasse und BCS und erheblichem Stress zum Zeitpunkt des Absetzens benötigen deutlich mehr Energie als Fohlen, die beim Absetzen in ihrer gewohnten Umgebung verbleiben und dadurch weniger Stressoren unterliegen.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document