Seroprevalence of Leptospira in dogs in Grenada, West Indies.

Leptospira bacteria infect numerous species of animals and cause serious disease in both dogs and humans. Leptospirosis is caused by many different serovars and canine vaccine protection is serovar-specific. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and serovars of Leptospira in dogs in the island of Grenada, West Indies. Serum samples from 105 dogs were evaluated by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method adapted for canine Immunoglobulin M(IgM). Sera from 20 dogs were positive by MAT (195) and 67 were positive by ELISA (64.0%). All MAT-positive sera were also ELISA-positive. Percent seropositive did not differ significantly by age, sex or health score of dog or among the 6 parishes of Grenada. Fourteen of the MAT positive samples had anitbodies for multiple Leptospira serovars. All but one of the identified serovars were from the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup and included in decreasing order of frequency copenhagen, mankarso and icterohaemorrhagiae RGA. One dog was identified with antibodies for sergroup Pyrogenes serovar pyrogenes. Identification of the Leptospira serovars responsible for canine exposure in Grenada will facilitate appropriate recommendations for canine vacccination on the island.

Seroprevalence of Leptospira in dogs in Grenada, West Indies.

Leptospira bacteria infect numerous species of animals and cause serious disease in both dogs and humans. Leptospirosis is caused by many different serovars and canine vaccine protection is serovar-specific. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and serovars of Leptospira in dogs in the island of Grenada, West Indies. Serum samples from 105 dogs were evaluated by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method adapted for canine Immunoglobulin M(IgM). Sera from 20 dogs were positive by MAT (195) and 67 were positive by ELISA (64.0%). All MAT-positive sera were also ELISA-positive. Percent seropositive did not differ significantly by age, sex or health score of dog or among the 6 parishes of Grenada. Fourteen of the MAT positive samples had anitbodies for multiple Leptospira serovars. All but one of the identified serovars were from the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup and included in decreasing order of frequency copenhagen, mankarso and icterohaemorrhagiae RGA. One dog was identified with antibodies for sergroup Pyrogenes serovar pyrogenes. Identification of the Leptospira serovars responsible for canine exposure in Grenada will facilitate appropriate recommendations for canine vacccination on the island.

Unusual clinical presentation of spirocercosis in a dog

Spirocerca lupi is a common infection in dogs in the tropics, and the clinical disease(spirocercosis) frequently presents with regurgitation of ingested food usually within an hour of ingestion. Clinical diagnosis is often confirmed with thoracic radiographs which reveal eosphageal granulomas, spondylitis and spondylosis of the thoracic vertebrae. In the report we present a case of S. lupi infection characterised by the persistent cough rather than the usual regurgitation. We propose that this is a case of early manifestation when presented with a persistent cough unresponsive to routine treatment.

Effects of fasting therapy in obese dogs on body weight, and hematological, blood coagulation and serum biochemical values

Body weight, hematological parameters, blood coagulation profiles and serum biochemistry values were investigated in obese beagles during the fasting and refeeding period. There were no severe clinical changes (alopecia, hepatopathy, respiratory abnormalities and cardiac sufficiency) in the obese dogs throughout this study. During refeeding the obese dogs showed two phases of weight reduction - initial rapid weight loss and subsequent slow weight loss. After refeeding, they rapidly regained their initial body weight. Except for transient decreases in some erythrocytic parameters, fasting therapy had no apparent effects on hematological and blood coagulation values. Serum biochemical examinations revealed significant changes in fasting period. In carbohydrate metabolism, blood glucose concentrations gradually decreased and insulin levels declined to normal range. Total ketone body levels rose mainly due to increases in 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. In lipid metabolism, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipids decreased and fatty acid values. The enzyme activities varied within the normal limits. These serum biochemical parameters recovered to the initial levels immediately after the beginning of refeeding. These clinical and clinicopathological results reveal that obese dogs tolerate fasting very well without developing severe ketosis. Our data suggested that obese dogs could use very efficiently ketone bodies and free fatty acids for energy requirements during fasting. In conclusion, fasting therapy does not cause any adverse effects (anemia, severe ketosis and behavioural abnormailities) in obese dogs.

Effects of fasting therapy in obese dogs on body weight, and hematological, blood coagulation and serum biochemical values

Body weight, hematological parameters, blood coagulation profiles and serum biochemistry values were investigated in obese beagles during the fasting and refeeding period. There were no severe clinical changes (alopecia, hepatopathy, respiratory abnormalities and cardiac sufficiency) in the obese dogs throughout this study. During refeeding the obese dogs showed two phases of weight reduction - initial rapid weight loss and subsequent slow weight loss. After refeeding, they rapidly regained their initial body weight. Except for transient decreases in some erythrocytic parameters, fasting therapy had no apparent effects on hematological and blood coagulation values. Serum biochemical examinations revealed significant changes in fasting period. In carbohydrate metabolism, blood glucose concentrations gradually decreased and insulin levels declined to normal range. Total ketone body levels rose mainly due to increases in 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. In lipid metabolism, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipids decreased and fatty acid values. The enzyme activities varied within the normal limits. These serum biochemical parameters recovered to the initial levels immediately after the beginning of refeeding. These clinical and clinicopathological results reveal that obese dogs tolerate fasting very well without developing severe ketosis. Our data suggested that obese dogs could use very efficiently ketone bodies and free fatty acids for energy requirements during fasting. In conclusion, fasting therapy does not cause any adverse effects (anemia, severe ketosis and behavioural abnormailities) in obese dogs.

Medicinal and ethnoveterinary remedies of hunters in Trinidad

BACKGROUND: Ethnomedicines are used by hunters for themselves and their hunting dogs in Trinidad. Plants are used for snakebites, scorpion stings, for injuries and mange of dogs and to facilitate hunting success. RESULTS: Plants used include Piper hispidum, Pithecelobium unguis-cati, Bauhinia excisa, Bauhinia cumanensis, Cecropia peltata, Aframomum melegueta, Aristolochia rugosa, Aristolochia trilobata, Jatropha curcas, Jatropha gossypifolia, Nicotiana tabacum, Vernonia scorpioides, Petiveria alliacea, Renealmia alpinia, Justicia secunda, Phyllanthus urinaria,Phyllanthus niruri,Momordica charantia, Xiphidium caeruleum, Ottonia ovata, Lepianthes peltata, Capsicum frutescens, Costus scaber, Dendropanax arboreus, Siparuma guianensis, Syngonium podophyllum, Monstera dubia, Solanum species, Eclipta prostrata, Spiranthes acaulis, Croton gossypifolius, Barleria lupulina, Cola nitida, Acrocomia ierensis (tentative ID). CONCLUSION: Plant use is based on odour, and plant morphological characteristics and is embedded in a complex cultural context based on indigenous Amerindian beliefs. It is suggested that the medicinal plants exerted a physiological action on the hunter or his dog. Some of the plants mentioned contain chemicals that may explain the ethnomedicinal and ethnoveterinary use. For instance some of the plants influence the immune system or are effective against internal and external parasites. Plant baths may contribute to the health and well being of the hunting dogs.

Chromomycosis in a dog due to Torula sp[ecies]

Post-mortem examination of a mixed breed dog, showing severe neurological signs, revealed brownish-black nodular lesions of the liver, kidney, heart, lungs and brain. Histologically, the lesions revealed numerous dark-brown fungal elements suggestive of a mycotic infection. The isolate was identified as Torula sp. (AU)

Prevalence of bacterial enteropathogens in pet dogs in Trinidad

The rectal swabs of diarrhoeic and apparently healthy non-diarrhoeic dogs presented to a Small Animal Clinic were cultured for Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter and the enteropathogens were characterised. Overall, of 130 dogs divided equally into two groups consisting of 65 diarrhoeic and 65 non-diarrhoeic dogs, 99 (76.2 percent), 6 (4.6 percent) and 18 (13.8 percent) were positive for E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P ¡Ü 0.05; X2). The prevalences of the enteropathogens in diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic dogs were not statistically significant (P¡Ü0.05; X2). Diarrhoea was significantly (P ¡Ü 0.01; X2) more prevalent in dogs less than 6 months of age and 7 months to 1 year old than in dogs older than one year. The prevalences of Salmonella, E. coli and enteropathogenic E. cloi (EPEC) strains were not significantly (P ¡Ý 0.05; X2) associated with age but the prevalence of Campylobacter infection was significantly (P ¡Ü 0.01; X2) higher in dogs less than one year old (25.0 percent) than in older dogs (5.4 percent). Of 99 E. coli strains tested, three (3.0 percent), four (4.0 percent), five (5 .1 percent) and 20 (20.2 percent) were hemolytic, non-sorbitol fermenters, verocytotoxigenic (VT) and EPEC strains, respectively. Resistance to tetracycline (59.6 percent) and ampicillin (50.5 percent) was most prevalent and significantly (P ¡Ü 0.01; X2) higher than to six other antimicrobial agents.

Canine histoplasmosis in Trinidad

Canine histoplasmosis was first reported in Trinidad in 1990 (Vet. Diag. Lab: Ann Report). It involved a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a 5 year-old male Doberman from north-eastern Trinidad. Subsequently, five cases, all classified as the disseminated form of the disease, have been diagnosed in dogs of different breeds, mainly from the northern part of the island. The aetiological agent is a dimorphic fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum which occurs as a yeast in the parasitic phase, but exists as a filamentous mycelin producing microconidia and macroconidia in the saprophytic phase. Histoplasmosis is a zoonosis and has a world-wide distribution. Although in man most cases are asymptomatic, severe illness and death can occur (AU).

A survey of intestinal helminths of well-cared-for dogs in Jamaica, and their potential public health significance

This study investigates the level of helminthic infestation in better-cared-for dogs in a middle-class community in suburban Kingston. A canine zoographic study was conducted, and fresh faecal deposits were collected and analysed for helminth life-cycle stages. The survey indicated that 73 percent (n=93) of households in the study area owned one dog or more (mean=1.4). Resident's attitudes towards canine management suggested that the dog population was, in general, restricted to the residential estate, and most owners claimed to have dewormed their dogs at least as young animals. Of 141 faecal specimens, 58 percent contained eggs or larvae of one or more of eight helminths: Uncinaria stenocephala (26 percent), Ancylostoma sp. (23 percent), Trichuris vulpis (9 percent), Toxocara canis (8 percent), Spirocerca lupi (6 percent), Strongyloides sp. (6 percent), Apophallus sp. (4 percent) and taeniids (1 percent). There was a high level of multiple infection in the host animals, with approximately one fifth of the infected samples containing three or more helminth types. Infection intensity was apparently low, but some dogs harboured heavy worm loads. (AU)

The human public health significance of well-cared for dogs in Jamaica - abstract

It is axiomatic that straying and neglected domestic fissipeds represent a health risk to the human population in tropical zones through transmission of parasitic infection. The object of this study was to investigate the level of helminthic infection in better-cared-for dogs in a middle-class suburban community in Jamaica and to analyse the data in the context of human health risk. The study area was located adjacent to the Mona Campus of the UWI. A canine demographic survey was conducted, and fresh faecal deposits collected and analysed, using the modified Ritchie formol-ether technique. Replication of faecal samples was minimised as far as possible. Seventy-three per cent (n=93) of the households owned one or more dogs (av. = 1.2; range = 1-4); there were 82 dogs resident in the study area. The attitude of residents towards canine management suggests that the dog population was, in general, restricted to the residential estate, and most owners claimed to have dewormed their dogs at least as young animals. The following represents the prevalence and intensity of canine helminthic infection as determined by coproscopic analyses of 141 specimens; the prevalence was 26 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 19 for the parasite, uncinaria stenocephala; prevalence was 23 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 16 for the parasite, ancylostoma spp.; prevalence was 9 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 4 for the parasite, trichuris vulpis; prevalence was 8 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 9 for the parasite, toxocara canis; prevalence was 6 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 10 for the parasite, strongyloides stercoralis; prevalence was 6 percent and mean intensity 15 for the parasite, spirocerca lupi; prevalence was 4 percent and mean intensity 13 for the parasite, apophallus sp.; prevalence was 1 percent and mean intensity 1 for the parasite, taeniid eggs. Apart from Apophallus sp. and, possibly, the Taeniid organisms,all these parasites infect humans. The comparatively high prevalence and intensity, and the multiple infections in dogs which are otherwise well-cared for, indicates the need for comprehensive canine and environmental monitoring in order to control pollution by eggs and larvae of helminth parasites with the indiscriminate defaecation by dogs in peri-domestic areas (AU)

Leptospirosis in dogs and cats on the island of Trinidad: West Indies

Concerning previous observations on dog populations in other parts of the world, notably Japan, the Phillippine Islands, and some countries in South America, we found that a high percentage of dogs in Trinidad are infected with organisms from many serogroups of Leptospira. Serogroups Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae were most commonly found. Ten isolates obtained from 50 kidneys from stray dogs (20 percent infectivity rate) were typed as portland-vere (six) and canicola (two) of the Canicola serogroup, copenhageni of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup (one), and georgia in the Hebdomadis serogroup (one). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of a serotype in the Hebdomadis serogroup being isolated from a dog. A cat isolation was identified as canicola. Serological results show that 55 percent or more of stray dogs had been exposed as opposed to only 12.5 percent of the cats examined. Serogroups Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Hebdomadis are found most frequently in dogs, cats, mongooses, and man in Trinidad. (AU)

Epidemic scabies and acute glomerulonephritis in Trinidad

In September, 1970, an increasing number of the patients admitted with acute glomerulonephritis to San Fernado General Hospital in Trinidad were noted to have skin lesions characteristic of scabies. á-haemolytic streptococci were isolated from these lesions and also from similar scabetic lesions in members of the patients' families, in " normal" schoolchildren, and in the general population of a small village. Concomitantly, many dogs in nephritic households, as well as others running wild, were observed to have lesions compatible with scabies from which á-haemolytic streptococci also were isolated. Sarcoptes scabiei were indentified in lesions of both patients and dogs and were morphologically indentical. After the onset of this infestation with scabies, the admission-rate of patients with acute proportions which have proved, since this study, to be the beginning of the largest epidemic of acute glomerulonephritis yet recorded in Trinidad.(AU)

Pathological and cytogenetic observations on the naturally occurring canine venereal tumour in Jamaica (Sticker's tumour)

Cytological and cytogenetic observations are recorded on Jamaican dogs with spontaneous transmissible venereal tumour. Fixed tissue from 22 dogs was examined for pathological study and sex chromatin, and fresh tissue and exudate from the tumour from 9 dogs were examined for cytological features, and chromosome studies. The pathological appearances exclude this tumour from the lymphoma group and show 2 distinct cells, the tumour cell and a lymphoid element. These 2 cell types are seen in the exudate and fresh tissue. The lymphoid cells show no sex chromatin body. The tumour cells show a body which occurs independently of the sex of the animal in 10-30 percent of cells and is thought to be a nucleolus. The chromosome number and karyotype is 58 or 59 with a similar pattern to that seen in the United States and Japan. The aetiology is discussed in the light of these findings and the relative isolation of Jamaica in the canine world.(AU)

Observations on the canine transmissible venereal tumour as seen in the Bahamas

The high incidence of the canine transmissible venereal tumour among dogs in the Bahamas is recorded. The clinical syndrome associated with this tumour is described and particular mention is made of the frequent occurrence of large numbers of extragenital lesions. The literature is reviewed briefly, the aetiology is discussed and an attempt is made to explain the high number of animals showing multiple extragenital cutaneous lesions.(AU)

Sporadic occurrence in Jamaica of neoplasms resembling Burkitt's tumour

2 cases of neoplasms histologically similar to the African lymphoma of children have been found in Jamaica - one in a 12-year-old girl of predominantly African descent, and the other a dog. There was no jaw involvement in these cases. The histology was completely characteristics in the dog, but less so in the child. In Jamaica the leukaemia and lymphoma prevalences resemble those for temperate zones and are unlike those reported equatorial Africa. (AU)