Main parasitic gastroenteritis in the neonatal phase of dogs and cats: review

The neonatal period within veterinary medicine is considered one of the main obstacles in health care. Therefore, pediatric care and support should be involved throughout the neonatal phase, from birth to the first 30 days of age. There are several important differences between neonate puppies and adult dogs and cats, such as anatomy and physiology, those differences play a vital role in the maintenance of animal well-beingand provide theman appropriate therapy with low toxicity. Parasitic diseases are one of the leading disorders that make up the mortality rate of neonates, which is mainly due to immunological immaturity, thereby making them unable to fight pathogens. Hencethis study aims to elucidate the main parasitic gastroenteritis that affects newborns,to reduce the mortality rate caused by protozoa, nematodes, and cestodes. The diagnosis and correct treatment of these worms reduce the risk of contracting worms in puppies and spreading them into the environment. However, there may be situations where the diagnosis of these worms is not always possible, an example of this would be rescued newborns, since these worms can reside from an infected mother to the puppies, thus deworming protocols are recommended.

Ruminant behaviour in subclinical parasitic gastroenteritis

Behavioural changes in cattle and sheep are used in clinical diagnosis to detect abnormalities and to help determine the aetiology. In many parasitic diseases, infections can be subclinical, but their impact on performance can still be of importance in a farming setting. A common feature of helminth infections is a reduction in feed intake, which can account for lower growth rates and milk yields, yet inappetence is difficult to detect in free-ranging, grazing livestock. Remote-sensing technology can facilitate data collection and is useful not only in research, but is a feasible option now on commercial farms. If inappetence in grazing sheep and cattle as a result of parasitic gastroenteritis can be easily monitored and assessed, then early interventions may be possible and these can ensure that animal performance is kept on target. Application of such approaches is consistent with the principles of responsible use of anthelmintics and targeted selective treatments, which can be further integrated into complementary elements of parasite control, including grazing management.

Haemonchosis: dealing with the increasing threat of the barber's pole worm

Haemonchus contortus is a trichostrongyle nematode parasite of sheep and goats, and worldwide is considered to be the most important parasite of these species. It has a similar lifecycle to other parasitic trichostrongyle gastrointestinal nematodes, but it has a markedly higher fecundity, a preference for higher temperatures and a short pasture development time, which makes it epidemiologically different. Similarly, because of its blood-feeding habit the disease produced is distinct from parasitic gastroenteritis. This article summarises the differences in biology and control of H. contortus to other gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep, and covers specific control measures such as the use of FAMACHA© scoring, use of closantel and nitroxynil, the H. contortus vaccine, the effect of copper oxide wire particles, and the potential for breeding haemonchosis-resistant sheep and other future developments in H. contortus control.

Gastrointestinal nematode infections do not hinder the development of Simmental X Nellore crossbred calves raised with a nutritionally enhanced diet

An evaluation was made of the effect of anthelmintic treatments on the performance of Simmental X Nellore crossbred calves before and after weaning. To this end, the calves were divided into three groups: (1) treated monthly with a low efficacy anthelmintic drug, ivermectin; (2) treated monthly with a highly effective anthelmintic drug, albendazole; and (3) untreated control group. All the groups in this experiment showed an average fecal egg count of less than 400 eggs per gram (EPG), and no clinical signs of parasitic gastroenteritis. The blood variables were within the normal range and no calf presented anemia. In most of the samplings, mean EPGs were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the group treated with albendazole. The calves received dietary supplementation before and after weaning, which enabled them to gain weight in every month of the experiment and reach a body weight of about 250 kg on the last sampling date, before turning one year old. The anthelmintic treatments did not affect body weight gain, leading to the conclusion that, when fed with suitable dietary supplements, Simmental X Nellore crossbred calves are not affected by gastrointestinal nematode parasites acquired by grazing.

Concurrent helminthosis engendered gastroenteritis in a leopard Panthera pardus

SummaryThe necropsy of a leopard (Panthera pardus), succumbed to a chronic ailment exhibited a mixed parasitic gastroenteritis. Gross internal examination of carcass revealed the presence of round and tapeworms in the stomach and intestines with diffuse catarrhal and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. The detailed examination of the intestinal content revealed the presence of Toxocara canis and Spirometra species eggs. Also, the gross morphological investigation of round and tapeworms approved the presence of both species. Histo-pathological examination showed sloughing of intestinal epithelium, hemorrhages, and ulcerative areas with the infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells admixed with mononuclear cells. Lungs revealed the accumulation of eosinophilic edematous fl uid in the alveolar spaces along with inflammatory cells. These parasites are pathogenic to precious wild felids and often pose a threat of zoonotic transmission due to spill-over infections. The present case study is an attempt to put on record a case of parasitic gastroenteritis in a captive leopard.

Diseases and causes of death among alpacas in Sweden: a retrospective study

BackgroundDue to increasing popularity in Sweden during the last decade, alpacas are frequently encountered by practising veterinarians and pathologists. Knowledge regarding their health and diseases under Swedish conditions is, however, limited.ObjectivesTo improve knowledge about the health of alpacas in Sweden by collecting information on diseases and health status.DesignA retrospective study was made of 93 necropsies conducted on alpacas in Sweden during the period 2001–2013.SettingData were obtained from the two major veterinary pathology centres in Sweden. The alpacas were hobby or farm animals and they were submitted by veterinarians in local practices or at a national animal healthcare organisation.ResultsThe digestive system was most frequently affected (29 per cent), with parasitic gastroenteritis (17 per cent) and hepatic disease being especially prevalent (15 per cent fascioliasis and 7 per cent hepatitis). Cardiovascular conditions (9 per cent), systemic diseases (7 per cent) and perinatal deaths were also common, including abortions (10 per cent) and fatal septicaemia (4 per cent). Wasting/emaciation was a frequent finding (26 per cent). Other diagnoses included dermatitis (8 per cent), diseases of the central nervous system (8 per cent), traumatic injuries (7 per cent), neoplasia (5 per cent), pneumonia (5 per cent) and nephritis (3 per cent).ConclusionsThis study identified areas of concern regarding diagnostic and pathological procedures, for which specific measures have been recommended. One particular cause for concern was the number of deaths from emaciation in weanling alpacas during late winter or early spring. For adult alpacas, infectious and non-infectious causes of death were approximately equally frequent. Many of the diseases were considered clinically acute but pathology often showed them to be chronic conditions that had eventually deteriorated and presented as acute cases in the late stages. This study revealed similarities in the health/disease status reported in other European countries and in North America. The results can be used by alpaca keepers and veterinary practitioners to improve management, diagnosis and treatment of alpacas.