Feline parasites and the emergence of feline lungworm in the Portland metropolitan area, Oregon, USA 2016-2017.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of internal parasites in feral and free-roaming owned cats in the region of Portland, Oregon, USA. METHODS: Fecal samples from asymptomatic cats were opportunistically collected from feral cats presented for surgical sterilization (n = 46), as well as free-roaming owned cats (n = 86) presented to primary care clinics. Fecal analysis was performed using the Baermann technique, centrifugal flotation, fluorescent auramine and fluorescent antibody for Giardia species. RESULTS: Lungworm infection was identified in 24.2% of owned cats and 17.2% of feral cats. At least 11 unique parasite species were identified in this study. Taenia species and Toxocara cati were identified in higher proportions in feral cats, whereas Giardia species were significantly higher in owned cats. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The prevalence of lungworm was higher than has been previously documented in other areas of the USA. In addition, feral cats were infected with a higher percentage of Toxocara species and Taenia but a significantly lower percentage of Giardia species.

Small animal general practice veterinarians' use and perceptions of synchronous video-based telemedicine in North America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To assess small animal general practice veterinarians' use and perceptions of synchronous video-based telemedicine before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. SAMPLE: 550 respondent veterinarian members of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). PROCEDURES: An anonymous online survey was used to gather data from VIN-member veterinarians in small animal general practice regarding their perceptions and use of synchronous video-based telemedicine. Two emails to all VIN members were used to distribute the web-based questionnaire. For consistency, only responses from North American veterinarians who reported working in small animal general practice were included in analyses. Responses were collected between September 28, 2020, and October 21, 2020. RESULTS: There were 69,488 recipients and 680 respondents (1.0% response rate), 550 of whom had North American internet protocol addresses and reported working in small animal general practice. Not all respondents answered all questions. Use of video-based telemedicine substantially increased among respondents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and most (86/130 [66.2%]) reported little to no difficulty in adopting videoconferencing. Respondents also reported that telemedicine took less time (61/135 [45.2%]) and resulted in less financial compensation (103/135 [76.3%]) than in-person consultation. Several respondents reported concerns regarding legal issues and potential inferiorities of telemedicine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results indicated that a substantial proportion of respondents incorporated synchronous video-based telemedicine into their practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite low perceived difficulty in adopting videoconferencing telemedicine, many planned to discontinue it for some clinical applications once the pandemic is over. Further research is required to elucidate the perceptions and challenges in successful use of veterinary telemedicine.

Detection of parasites in canine feces at three off-leash dog parks in Portland, Oregon 2014.

Gastrointestinal parasitism is common in dogs attending parks, with variable prevalences of parasites based on geographical region and demographic factors. In this study, canine fecal samples were opportunistically collected from three off-leash dog parks in Portland, Oregon and analyzed for parasites. While some similarities with previous research was seen, much higher rates of Giardia (25.6%) and Toxocara canis (8.67%) were identified in this study. Additional findings of unexpected parasites and those with zoonotic potential make these results significant.

Owner satisfaction with use of videoconferencing for recheck examinations following routine surgical sterilization in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate owner satisfaction with a home-based, synchronous videoconferencing telemedicine application as an alternative to in-clinic appointments for conducting recheck examinations after surgical sterilization in dogs. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 30 client-owned dogs undergoing elective surgical sterilization and postsurgical recheck examination between September 27, 2017, and February 23, 2018. PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to have their recheck examinations performed remotely (the telemedicine group) or at the veterinary clinic (the control group). After the recheck examination, owners completed a survey regarding their satisfaction with the recheck examination and their dogs' behavior during it. Information regarding the surgery and recheck examination was obtained from the electronic medical record. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare results between the telemedicine and control groups. RESULTS Owners were equally satisfied with recheck examinations performed by videoconference and in-clinic appointments. Owners of dogs in the telemedicine group indicated that their dogs were less afraid during the virtual appointment, compared with what was typical for them during in-clinic appointments, but the difference was not statistically significant. Most owners who completed a postsurgical recheck examination by videoconferencing preferred this method for similar appointments in the future. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that owners were satisfied with videoconferencing as a means of conducting a postsurgical recheck examination. Further research is needed to assess videoconferencing's ability to reduce signs of fear in dogs during veterinary examinations, its economic feasibility, and the willingness of veterinarians and animal owners to adopt the technology.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMA IN TWO BLACK RHINOCEROS (DICEROS BICORNIS).

Recurrent eosinophilic granuloma (EG) in two captive eastern black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis michaeli) was effectively managed with glucocorticoids and antihistamines. The first case was a female and the second case was a male. The animals were housed at separate institutions and initially presented with hemorrhagic oral lesions. Multifocal lesions occurred in the second case. Multiple biopsies were taken from each animal, all of which were consistent with EG. Each animal was anesthetized multiple times for surgical treatment but experienced frequent recurrence. Due to lack of response to therapy and the risks and adverse events associated with repeated anesthesia, medical treatment was initiated in both cases using a tapering dose of oral dexamethasone. The lesions dramatically improved, but would recur frequently after treatment. Hydroxyzine, an oral antihistamine, greatly reduced the incidence and severity of the lesions. Medical management with glucocorticoids and antihistamines minimized stressful anesthetic events in both cases and contributed to the successful management of this recurrent disease. The exact pathogenesis of EG in black rhinoceros remains unknown but response to antihistamines suggests an allergic etiology.