Zootoxins and Domestic Animals: A European View.

Zootoxins are produced by venomous and poisonous species and are an important cause of poisoning in companion animals and livestock in Europe. Little information about the incidence of zootoxin poisoning is available in Europe, with only a few case reports and review papers being published. This review presents the most important zootoxins produced by European venomous and poisonous animal species responsible for poisoning episodes in companion animals and livestock. The main zootoxin-producing animal species, components of the toxins/venoms and their clinical effects are presented. The most common zootoxicoses involve terrestrial zootoxins excreted by the common toad, the fire salamander, the pine processionary caterpillar, and vipers. The lack of a centralized reporting/poison control system in Europe makes the evaluation of the epidemiology of zootoxin-induced poisonings extremely difficult. Even if there are many anecdotal reports in the veterinary community about the exposure of domestic animals to terrestrial and marine zootoxins, the number of published papers regarding these toxicoses is low. Climate change and its consequences regarding species distribution and human-mediated transportation are responsible for the emerging nature of some intoxications in which zootoxins are involved. Although new venomous or poisonous animal species have emerged in regions where they were previously unreported, zootoxins produced by native species remain the main concern in Europe. The diversity of poisonous and venomous animal species and the emerging nature of certain poisonings warrant the continuous update to such knowledge by veterinary professionals and animal owners. This review offers an overview about zootoxin-related poisonings in domestic animals in Europe and also provides important information from a health perspective.

Emerging Plant Intoxications in Domestic Animals: A European Perspective.

Exposure to phytotoxins that are present in imported ornamental or native plants is an important cause of animal disease. Factors such as animal behaviors (especially indoor pets), climate change, and an increase in the global market for household and ornamental plants led to the appearance of new, previously unreported plant poisonings in Europe. This has resulted in an increase in the incidence of rarely reported intoxications. This review presents some of the emerging and well-established plant species that are responsible for poisoning episodes in companion animals and livestock in Europe. The main plant species are described, and the mechanism of action of the primary active agents and their clinical effects are presented. Data reflecting the real incidence of emerging poisoning cases from plant toxins are scarce to nonexistent in most European countries due to a lack of a centralized reporting/poison control system. The diversity of plant species and phytotoxins, as well as the emerging nature of certain plant poisonings, warrant a continuous update of knowledge by veterinarians and animal owners. The taxonomy and active agents present in these plants should be communicated to ensure awareness of the risks these toxins pose for domestic animals.

Equids' Core Vaccines Guidelines in North America: Considerations and Prospective.

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.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on glucose homeostasis in healthy cats.

OBJECTIVES: Alpha(α)2-agonist administration has been documented to increase blood glucose concentrations in many species. The aim of this study was to further describe the effect of dexmedetomidine on glucose and its regulatory hormones in healthy cats. METHODS: A randomized crossover study using eight healthy cats with a 14 day washout period was used to assess the effect of dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg IV) and saline on glucose, cortisol, insulin, glucagon and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations at 0, 20, 60, 120 and 180 mins post-administration. Glucose:insulin ratios were calculated for each time point. RESULTS: Within the dexmedetomidine group, significant differences (P <0.05) were detected: increased median (range) blood glucose concentrations at 60 mins (11.55 mmol/l [5.9-16.6 mmol/l]) and 120 mins (12.0 mmol/l [6.1-13.8 mmol/l]) compared with baseline (6.05 mmol/l [4.8-13.3 mmol/l]); decreased glucagon concentrations at 120 mins (3.8 pmol/l [2.7-8.8 pmol/l]) and 180 mins (4.7 pmol/l [2.1-8.2 pmol/l]) compared with baseline (11.85 pmol/l [8.3-17.2 pmol/l]); decreased NEFA concentrations at 60 mins (0.281 mmol/l [0.041-1.357 mmol/l]) and 120 mins (0.415 mmol/l [0.035-1.356 mmol/l]) compared with baseline (0.937 mmol/l [0.677-1.482 mmol/l]); and significantly larger (P <0.05) glucose:insulin ratios at 60 mins compared with baseline. Insulin and cortisol concentrations were not significantly changed after dexmedetomidine administration. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Feline practitioners should be aware of the endocrine effects associated with the use of α2-agonists, particularly when interpreting blood glucose concentrations. The transient effects of dexmedetomidine on glucose homeostasis are unlikely to significantly affect clinical practice.

Beta-sarcoglycan-deficient muscular dystrophy presenting as chronic bronchopneumonia in a young cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 5-month-old cat was evaluated for a 3 week history of cough, nasal discharge, decreased appetite and weight loss. Musculoskeletal examination was normal and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity was within the reference interval. The cat was treated during the next 10 months for chronic, persistent pneumonia. Weakness then became apparent, the cat developed dysphagia and was euthanized. Post-mortem evaluation revealed chronic aspiration pneumonia and muscular dystrophy associated with beta (ß)-sarcoglycan deficiency. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This is the first report of a cat with muscular dystrophy presenting for chronic pneumonia without obvious megaesophagus, dysphagia or prominent neuromuscular signs until late in the course of the disease. The absence of gait abnormalities, marked muscle atrophy or hypertrophy and normal serum CK activity delayed the diagnosis in this cat with ß-sarcoglycan deficiency.