Physical pain among family caregivers to older adults: A scoping review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Scholarship on the health of family caregivers to older adults continues to expand. Although existing research suggests that many family caregivers experience pain, which impacts their ability to perform caregiving tasks and is associated with care recipients' unmet needs, the scope of research on family caregivers' pain remains poorly characterized. We conducted a scoping review of research on pain among family caregivers to older adults to characterize existing evidence and identify knowledge gaps. METHODS: We searched multiple databases spanning from January 2012 to July 2023, identified eligible studies using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, and extracted key data (e.g., study design/methodology, pain measurement, caregiver pain type, and major findings). RESULTS: We identified 46 eligible studies conducted in the United States (n = 19) and internationally (n = 27). Studies often focused on caregivers for older adults with specific health conditions, such as cancer (n = 11), dementia (n = 8), or stroke (n = 3). The most commonly employed pain measure was a single-item dichotomous question about pain (n = 16), followed by a visual numeric or visual analog scale (n = 11). Nine studies (five randomized controlled trials) reported on five caregiver pain management interventions, including yoga/exercise programs and caregiver education programs. DISCUSSION: Existing research on family caregivers' pain offers an important foundation. However, more robust research designs are necessary. We identify possibilities for future studies in addition to opportunities for systematic investigations to support the family caregivers being relied upon to care for the increasing number of older adults.

The Economic Impact of Parasitism from Nematodes, Trematodes and Ticks on Beef Cattle Production.

Global human population growth requires the consumption of more meat such as beef to meet human needs for protein intake. Cattle parasites are a constant and serious threat to the development of the beef cattle industry. Studies have shown that parasites not only reduce the performance of beef cattle, but also negatively affect the profitability of beef agriculture and have many other impacts, including contributing to the production of greenhouse gases. In addition, some zoonotic parasitic diseases may also threaten human health. Therefore, ongoing cattle parasite research is crucial for continual parasite control and the development of the beef cattle industry. Parasitism challenges profitable beef production by reducing feed efficiency, immune function, reproductive efficiency, liveweight, milk yield, calf yield and carcass weight, and leads to liver condemnations and disease transmission. Globally, beef cattle producers incur billions (US$) in losses due to parasitism annually, with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and cattle ticks causing the greatest economic impact. The enormity of losses justifies parasitic control measures to protect profits and improve animal welfare. Geographical differences in production environment, management practices, climate, cattle age and genotype, parasite epidemiology and susceptibility to chemotherapies necessitate control methods customized for each farm. Appropriate use of anthelmintics, endectocides and acaricides have widely been shown to result in net positive return on investment. Implementing strategic parasite control measures, with thorough knowledge of parasite risk, prevalence, parasiticide resistance profiles and prices can result in positive economic returns for beef cattle farmers in all sectors.

An assessment of canine ectoparasiticide administration compliance in the USA.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the timing of dog owner ectoparasiticide purchases to estimate administration compliance and assess the consequent impact of dose purchase gaps on the proportion of time that dogs were protected over a 12-month period. METHODS: Ectoparasiticide purchase transactions over a 12-month period were evaluated for 626 US veterinary hospitals to determine dose purchase timing and identify consequent gaps between dose administration in dogs. Orally administered prescription ectoparasitic medications with active ingredients from the isoxazoline family (afoxolaner, fluralaner, lotilaner, or sarolaner) were included in the analysis. A period was calculated for each of the four isoxazoline-containing medications that represented the duration of protection provided by two doses of ectoparasiticide plus the average gap between these two doses. The maximum percentage of time possible for ectoparasiticide protection for this aggregate period was then calculated for each active ingredient. RESULTS: Ectoparasiticide transaction records of owners were analyzed for 506,637 dogs. These showed that 43% of dog owners purchased just one dose over the 12-month period considered. If a dog owner purchased more than one dose, then the timing of their transactions could create a time gap between the completion of ectoparasite protection from the first dose and onset of protection from the subsequent purchase and administration of the second dose. Such gaps were observed in purchases made by 31-65% of dog owners, depending on the selected active ingredient and number of doses. The average gap duration between dose purchases was calculated for all possible dose combinations over 12 months of ectoparasite protection. Time gaps between the first and second doses are as follows: for sarolaner, 20.3 weeks; for afoxolaner, 12.9 weeks; for fluralaner ,12.8 weeks; and for lotilaner, 8.9 weeks. The proportion of time when protection was provided during the aggregate period between administration of the first and second doses was as follows: for fluralaner, 65%; for lotilaner, 49%; for afoxolaner, 40%; and for sarolaner, 30%. CONCLUSIONS: Dog owner ectoparasiticide purchase transactions showed that there were time gaps between doses leading to reduced ectoparasite protection. The longer re-administration interval for fluralaner, a consequence of its extended duration of activity, resulted in dog owners gaining the greatest proportion of ectoparasite protection time with this medication compared with shorter-acting monthly re-treatment medications.

Analysis of gaps in feline ectoparasiticide purchases from veterinary clinics in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to examine cat owner ectoparasiticide purchases in the United States and estimate the impact of purchase gaps on timely ectoparasite protection administration. These purchase gaps lead to periods of time when cats are unprotected from ectoparasites. METHODS: Ectoparasiticide purchase transactions for individual cats from 671 U.S. veterinary clinics from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 were evaluated to determine time "gaps" between doses of ectoparasiticides purchased in a defined 12-month period. Ectoparasiticides examined were topically applied products that contained fluralaner, fipronil/(S)-methoprene/pyriproxyfen, imidacloprid/pyriproxyfen or selamectin as active ingredients. The duration of protection following administration of one dose was 8-12 weeks for the fluralaner-containing product and one month for the other products. RESULTS: Ectoparasiticide purchase records were obtained from 114,853 cat owners and analysis found that most owners bought ≤ 6 months of protection during the year, with 61-75% (depending on the product) purchasing just 1-3 months of protection. The size of the average purchase gap was determined for all dose combinations out to 12 months of protection (5-7 doses for fluralaner and 12 doses for the other three products dosed monthly. The largest gaps occurred between the first and second doses and the second and third doses. Average purchase gaps for the four different products between doses 1 and 2 ranged from 11.2 to 13.9 weeks and between doses 2 and 3 ranged from 7.7 to 12.2 weeks. The fraction of purchases separated by gaps and the average length of the gap tended to decrease with increasing number of doses purchased. Owners purchasing the 8 to 12-week duration product containing fluralaner provided ectoparasite protection ("doses plus gap period") for a larger proportion of each 2-dose period compared with owners purchasing products administered monthly. CONCLUSIONS: When cat owners purchase flea and tick medication, gaps between subsequent purchases reduces the proportion of time ectoparasite protection can be provided. The duration of the gap between doses has an impact on the effectiveness of flea/tick medication because it inserts a period without flea and tick protection between doses of flea and tick medication. The gaps between purchases were shorter and the period of ectoparasite protection was larger for owners purchasing a 12-week product than for owners purchasing a monthly product.

A comparative analysis of heartworm medication use patterns for dogs that also receive ectoparasiticides.

BACKGROUND: Heartworm medications and many oral or topical flea and tick products are provided as monthly doses while a newer oral flea/tick product, fluralaner (BRAVECTO® Chew), is re-dosed at a 12-week interval. This study focused on whether there was a difference in the number of heartworm medication doses that were purchased in the 12-months follow-up period for dogs that receive either fluralaner or other flea/tick medications that are dosed monthly. METHODS: Clinic transaction records of heartworm medication purchases for over 200,000 dogs were examined to compare the purchase of heartworm preventative protection by dog owners that also receive flea and tick medications of differing efficacy durations. RESULTS: Annual purchases of heartworm medication for dogs by owners that receive a flea and tick medication dosed at 12-week intervals was incrementally higher than the number of doses purchased for dogs receiving monthly flea and tick medications. The average number of monthly doses per year was slightly over 7 months for both categories of product. The distribution of purchases of monthly doses was also similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dog owners who purchase a longer-acting flea and tick medication purchase as much heartworm medication annually for their dogs as dog owners who purchase monthly flea and tick medication. On average, dog owners who gave their dog fluralaner obtained significantly more months of heartworm preventative protection compared with dog owners who gave their dog a monthly flea and tick medication, although the biological significance of this increase in doses is very small.

In-home assessment of either topical fluralaner or topical selamectin for flea control in naturally infested cats in West Central Florida, USA.

BACKGROUND: An investigation was conducted in West Central Florida, USA to evaluate the efficacy of either topically applied fluralaner or topically applied selamectin to control flea infestations, minimize dermatologic lesions and reduce pruritus in naturally flea infested cats over a 12-week period. When dogs were present in the households, they were treated with either oral fluralaner (if household cats were treated with topical fluralaner) or oral sarolaner (if household cats were treated with topical selamectin). METHODS: Thirty-one cats in 20 homes were treated once with fluralaner topical solution on day 0 and 18 dogs in these homes were administered a single fluralaner chewable. Twenty-nine cats in 18 homes were treated once monthly with a selamectin topical solution for 3 treatments and 13 dogs in these same homes were treated once monthly for 3 treatments with a sarolaner chewable. Fleas on cats were counted by flea combing, fleas on dogs were estimated using visual area counts and fleas in the indoor premises were assessed using intermittent-light flea traps. Blinded-assessments of feline dermatologic lesions were conducted monthly and pruritus severity was evaluated by pet owners. RESULTS: A single topical application of fluralaner reduced flea populations on cats by 96.6% within 7 days and by 100% at 12 weeks post-treatment. This efficacy was significantly greater than selamectin treatment where single topical application reduced flea populations on cats by 79.4% within 7 days of initial treatment and 3 consecutive monthly treatments reduced flea populations by 91.3% at the end of 12 weeks. At the end of the 12-week study, all fluralaner-treated cats were flea-free and this was significantly greater than the 38.5% of selamectin treated cats that were flea-free. At the end of the study, fleas were completely eradicated (from cats, dogs and homes) in 95.0% of fluralaner treatment group homes, significantly greater than the 31.3% of selamectin/sarolaner treatment group homes with complete flea eradication. Owner reported cat pruritus was reduced similarly in both treatment groups. Significant improvements in dermatologic lesion scores were achieved by day 30 in fluralaner treated cats and by day 60 in selamectin treated cats. CONCLUSIONS: An in-home investigation in subtropical Florida found that 1 application of topical fluralaner eliminated flea infestations on cats and in homes significantly more effectively than 3 consecutive monthly doses of selamectin.

Ticks from cats in the United States: Patterns of infestation and infection with pathogens.

Ticks are an important but under recognized parasitic threat to cats in many areas of the United States. To characterize the species and stages of ticks most commonly recovered from cats and determine the prevalence of disease agents in the ticks, we conducted a survey of ticks removed from cats at veterinary practices in 18 states from April 2016-June 2017. A total of 796 ticks were submitted from 332 cats from 41 different veterinary practices. A single tick was submitted from the majority of cats, with a mean infestation intensity of 2.4 (range 1-46). The most common tick was Ixodes scapularis, accounting for 422/796 (53.0%) ticks submitted, followed by Amblyomma americanum (224/796; 28.1%) and Dermacentor variabilis (131/796; 16.5%); a few I. pacificus, I. banksi, D. occidentalis, A. maculatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Otobius megnini were also submitted. A majority of ticks were adults (593/796; 74.5%); females predominated in all adult tick submissions including I. scapularis (277/327; 84.7% female), A. americanum (66/128; 51.6% female), and D. variabilis (75/126; 59.5% female). Immature ticks included 186 nymphs and 17 larvae and were primarily I. scapularis and A. americanum. Adult I. scapularis were most reported to be attached to the dorsal head and neck; A. americanum to the abdomen and perianal region; and D. variabilis to the back and ear. Ticks were collected in every month; the largest number of submissions were in May and June (42.5% of ticks) and October and November (35.9% of ticks). Adults of I. scapularis were most commonly submitted October through December, A. americanum March through June, and D. variabilis May through July. Cats with ticks were predominantly male (58.8%) and altered (76.2%), and most reportedly spent >30% of time outdoors, although 64/294 (21.8%) for which lifestyle estimates were provided were reported to live primarily (≤30% of time outside; n = 54) or entirely (100%; n = 10) indoors. Assay of ticks removed from cats revealed I. scapularis were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (25.7%) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (4.4%); A. americanum were infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis (1.3%); and D. variabilis were infected with spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. (3.1%). No ticks in this study tested positive for Cytauxzoon felis. Pet cats, including those that live primarily indoors, are at risk of tick infestation, potentially exposed to tick-borne disease agents, and would benefit from routine tick control.

"I don't have to know why it snows, I just have to shovel it!": Addiction Recovery, Genetic Frameworks, and Biological Citizenship.

The gene has infiltrated the way citizens perceive themselves and their health. However, there is scant research that explores the ways genetic conceptions infiltrate individuals' understanding of their own health as it relates to a behavioral trait, like addiction. Do people seeking treatment for addiction ground their self-perception in biology in a way that shapes their experiences? We interviewed 63 participants in addiction treatment programs, asking how they make meaning of a genetic understanding of addiction in the context of their recovery, and in dealing with the stigma of addiction. About two-thirds of people in our sample did not find a genetic conception of addiction personally useful to them in treatment, instead believing that the cause was irrelevant to their daily struggle to remain abstinent. One-third of respondents believed that an individualized confirmation of a genetic predisposition to addiction would facilitate their dealing with feelings of shame and accept treatment. The vast majority of our sample believed that a genetic understanding of addiction would reduce the stigma associated with addiction, which demonstrates the perceived power of genetic explanations in U.S. society. Our results indicate that respondents (unevenly) ground their self-perception of themselves as an addicted individual in biology.

Evaluation of fluralaner and afoxolaner treatments to control flea populations, reduce pruritus and minimize dermatologic lesions in naturally infested dogs in private residences in west central Florida USA.

BACKGROUND: A study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two different oral flea and tick products to control flea infestations, reduce pruritus and minimize dermatologic lesions over a 12 week period on naturally infested dogs in west central FL USA. METHODS: Thirty-four dogs with natural flea infestations living in 17 homes were treated once with a fluralaner chew on study day 0. Another 27 dogs living in 17 different homes were treated orally with an afoxolaner chewable on day 0, once between days 28-30 and once again between days 54-60. All products were administered according to label directions by study investigators. Flea populations on pets were assessed using visual area counts and premise flea infestations were assessed using intermittent-light flea traps on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and once between days 28-30, 40-45, 54-60 and 82-86. Dermatologic assessments were conducted on day 0 and once monthly. Pruritus assessments were conducted by owners throughout the study. No concurrent treatments for existing skin disease (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, anti-fungals) were allowed. RESULTS: Following the first administration of fluralaner or afoxolaner, flea populations on pets were reduced by 99.0 % and 99.3 %, respectively within 7 days. Flea populations on the fluralaner treated dogs were 0 (100 % efficacy) on days 54-60 and 82-86 after the administration of a single dose on day 0. Administration of 3 monthly doses of afoxolaner reduced flea populations by 100 % on days 82-86. Flea numbers in indoor-premises were markedly reduced in both treatment groups by days 82-86, with 100 % and 98.9 % reductions in flea trap counts in the fluralaner and afoxolaner treatment groups, respectively. Marked improvement was observed in FAD lesion scoring, Atopic Dermatitis lesions scoring (CADESI-4) and pruritus scores with both formulations. CONCLUSIONS: In a clinical field investigation conducted during the summer of 2015 in subtropical Florida, a single administration of an oral fluralaner chew completely eliminated dog and premises flea infestations and markedly reduced dermatology lesions and pruritus. Three monthly doses of the afoxolaner chewable also eliminated flea infestations in dogs, markedly reduced premises' flea populations and similarly improved dermatology lesions and pruritus.

Efficacy of fluralaner flavored chews (Bravecto) administered to dogs against the adult cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis and egg production.

BACKGROUND: Fluralaner is a potent insecticide and acaricide with rapid and persistent efficacy. This study measured the efficacy of fluralaner flavored chews (Bravecto®, Merck Animal Health) administered to dogs against adult Ctenocephalides felis felis and egg production. METHODS: Twelve purpose-bred dogs were randomly allocated to two groups of six dogs each. Dogs in treatment group 1 were administered a single fluralaner flavored chew to achieve a minimum dose of at least 25 mg/kg while treatment group 2 served as untreated controls. On Days -2, 28, 56, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, and 120 post-treatment, each dog was infested with approximately 200 unfed cat fleas, C. felis felis (KS1 strain). Forty-eight hours after treatment and 48 h after each infestation, eggs were collected over a 3-h period, counted and viability determined. Dogs were combed to remove any remaining fleas. RESULTS: Treatment of dogs with oral fluralaner provided a 100% reduction in flea counts 48 h after treatment and within 48 h of every post-treatment infestation through Day122. Egg production from fluralaner treated dogs was reduced by 99.9% (two eggs from one dog) within 48 h after treatment and not a single egg (100% efficacy) was thereafter collected from treated dogs. Adult flea counts and egg production from the fluralaner-treated dogs were significantly lower than for non-treated controls at all post-treatment evaluations (P < 0.001). The two eggs collected from the single treated dog 48 h after treatment did not produce any adult fleas. As no additional eggs were collected from treated dogs, no viability assessment was performed. CONCLUSIONS: A single oral dose of fluralaner flavored chews provided 100% efficacy against repeated flea infestations on dogs for 4 months. Fluralaner reduced egg production of activity reproducing female fleas by 99.9% and then killed every single female flea before any eggs could be produced following each subsequent re-infestation for the entire 122-day evaluation period.

Evaluation of indoxacarb and fipronil (s)-methoprene topical spot-on formulations to control flea populations in naturally infested dogs and cats in private residences in Tampa FL. USA.

BACKGROUND: A study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two different spot-on topical flea products to control flea infestations on naturally infested dogs and cats in Tampa, FL USA. METHODS: Thirty-two dogs and 3 cats with natural flea infestations living in 18 homes were treated topically with a 19.53% w/w spot-on formulation of indoxacarb. Another thirty dogs and 2 cats living in 19 different homes were treated topically with either fipronil (9.8% w/w)/(s)-methoprene (8.89% w/w) or fipronil (9.8% w/w)/(s)-methoprene (11.8% w/w), respectively. All products were applied according to label directions by study investigators on day 0 and again between days 28 and 30. Flea populations on pets were assessed using visual area counts and premise flea infestations were assessed using intermittent-light flea traps on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28-30, 40-45, and 54-60. RESULTS: A single application of the indoxacarb or fipronil (s)-methoprene formulations reduced flea populations on pets by 97.8% and 85.5%, respectively within 7 days. One month (28-30 days) after treatment the indoxacarb and fipronil (s)-methoprene formulations reduced on-animal flea burdens by 95.0% and 49.5%, respectively. Following two monthly applications of either the indoxacarb or fipronil (s)-methoprene formulations, pet flea burdens were reduced by 99.1% and 54.8%, respectively, by days 54-60. At the end of the two month study, 77.1% and 15.6% of the dogs and cats in the indoxacarb and fipronil (s)-methoprene treatment groups, respectively were flea free. Flea numbers in the indoor-premises were markedly reduced in both treatment groups by days 54-60, with 97.7% and 84.6% reductions in intermittent-light flea trap counts in the indoxacarb and fipronil (s)-methoprene treatment groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This in-home investigation conducted during the summer of 2013 in subtropical Tampa, FL, is the first published U.S field investigation of the indoxacarb topical formulation. The indoxacarb formulation was able to effectively control flea populations in heavily flea infested pets and homes. The efficacy achieved by the fipronil (s)-methoprene formulation against flea infestations on these pets was lower than in previous investigations using the same study design.

Efficacy of indoxacarb applied to cats against the adult cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, flea eggs and adult flea emergence.

BACKGROUND: A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of indoxacarb applied to cats on adult cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis, flea egg production and adult flea emergence. METHODS: Sixteen cats were selected for the study and allocated to two treatment groups. Eight cats were treated with a 19.5% w/v topical spot-on solution of indoxacarb on day 0 and eight cats served as untreated controls. Each cat was infested with 50 fleas on Days -2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42. On Days 1, 2, and 3, and at 2 and 3 days after each post treatment reinfestation flea eggs were collected from the pan under each cat cage. Eggs were counted and viability assessed by evaluating adult flea emergence 28 days after egg collection. Three days after treatment or infestation, each cat was combed to remove and count live fleas. RESULTS: Treatment with indoxacarb provided 100% efficacy following infestations on day -2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 and efficacy was 99.6% following infestations on days 35 and 42. Egg production from indoxacarb treated cats was reduced by 99.9% within 72 hours of treatment. For subsequent infestations no eggs were produced from treated cats from day 8 through day 30. Egg production was still reduced by ≥95.8% through day 45. Indoxacarb treatment also reduced adult flea emergence from eggs for 5 weeks after treatment. The combination of reduction in egg numbers and egg viability from indoxacarb treated cats reduced predicted flea emergence by 100% from days 2 - 31 and 99.9%, 100%, 96.4% and 99.0% on days 37, 38, 44 and 45, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A topical spot-on formulation of indoxacarb provided ≥99.6% efficacy against flea infestations on cats for 6 weeks following a single treatment. Indoxacarb also eliminated or markedly reduced egg production for the entire evaluation period and reduced the viability of the few eggs that were produced from Day 1 through Day 38. Given indoxacarb's effect on adult fleas, egg production and egg viability; this formulation can interrupt flea reproduction on treated cats for at least 6 weeks after treatment.

Comparison of two doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein in absorbable collagen sponges for bone healing in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 2 doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in an absorbable collagen sponge (rhBMP-2/ACS) on bone healing in dogs. ANIMALS: 27 adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs underwent a mid-diaphyseal (1-mm) tibial osteotomy (stabilized with external skeletal fixation) and received an ACS containing 0.28 mg (0.2 mg/mL) or 0.56 mg (0.4 mg/mL) of rhBMP-2 or no treatment (control dogs). All dogs were examined daily; bone healing was assessed via radiography and subjective lameness evaluation every 2 weeks. After euthanasia at 8 weeks, tibiae were evaluated biomechanically and histologically. RESULTS: Control dogs required antimicrobial treatment for pin-site-related complications more frequently than did rhBMP-2/ACS-treated dogs. At 4 and 6 weeks, weight bearing was greater in dogs treated with rhBMP-2/ACS (0.2 mg/mL) than in control dogs, albeit not significantly. Compared with control treatment, both doses of rhBMP-2/ACS accelerated osteotomy healing at 4, 6, and 8 weeks, and the 0.2 mg/mL dose enhanced healing at 2 weeks; healing at 6 weeks was greater for the lower-dose treatment than for the higher-dose treatment. Histologically, healing at 8 weeks was significantly improved for both rhBMP-2/ACS treatments, compared with control treatment. Among groups, biomechanical variables did not differ, although less osteotomy-site failures occurred in rhBMP-2/ACS-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs that underwent tibial osteotomy, rhBMP-2/ACS (0.2 mg/mL) appeared to accelerate bone healing and reduce lameness (compared with control treatment) and apparently augmented bone healing more than rhBMP-2/ACS (0.4 mg/mL). Compared with control dogs, rhBMP-2/ACS-treated dogs required antimicrobial treatments less frequently.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in absorbable collagen sponge enhances bone healing of tibial osteotomies in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 2 doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on tibial osteotomy healing in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, randomized complete block (n=7). ANIMALS: Adult female dogs (n=21). METHODS: Right midshaft tibial osteotomies were created and stabilized with a 1-mm gap using type I external fixators. Seven dogs were untreated controls and 14 with osteotomies were treated with either 0.05 or 0.2 mg/mL rhBMP-2 delivered in an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS). At 8 weeks, dogs were euthanatized and bones were mechanically tested and examined by microscopy. RESULTS: Bone healing based on radiographic scoring, was significantly improved in dogs treated with 0.2 mg/mL of rhBMP-2 compared with the other groups; these tibiae were also significantly stronger and stiffer than 0.05 mg/mL rhBMP-2 and control osteotomized tibiae. Histologic scores were significantly better for 0.2 mg/mL rhBMP-2 group than 0.05 mg/mL rhBMP-2 group, but neither was significantly different from control. CONCLUSIONS: rhBMP-2 in ACS at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL improves healing of tibial osteotomies in dogs compared with untreated controls and 0.05 mg/mL rhBMP-2 based on force plate analysis and radiographic evaluation. This was not confirmed histologically but treated bones had improved mechanical properties at 8 weeks. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: After a long bone fracture, dogs may face a long recovery period before full return of limb function. rhBMP-2, in association with good fracture fixation principles, may enhance bone healing in dogs with diaphyseal fractures.

Safety evaluation of moxidectin sustained-release injectable in 10-week-old puppies.

A study was conducted to evaluate the safety of a commercial formulation of moxidectin sustained-release injectable for dogs (ProHeart 6, Fort Dodge Animal Health) administered as a single subcutaneous dose to 10-week-old puppies. Twelve male and 12 female purpose-bred beagles 10 weeks of age were blocked by weight within gender and randomly allocated to three treatment groups. Puppies in two groups were treated with moxidectin sustained-release injectable for dogs at three or five times the labeled dose rate of 0.17 mg moxidectin/kg. The third group was treated with saline solution as controls. Physical and neurologic status, hematologic parameters, clinical chemistries, urine samples, body weight, and food consumption were evaluated before and up to 12 weeks after treatment. When compared to controls, mild depression of erythropoiesis, characterized by reduced hemoglobin, reticulocytes, erythrocytes, and hematocrit, was noted in puppies treated with five times the label dose of moxidectin sustained-release injectable. Values for these parameters remained within normal ranges and increased during the study, but at a reduced rate relative to saline-treated controls. Other parameters evaluated remained within normal limits for all treatment groups. Based on results of this study, the no observed adverse effect level for moxidectin sustained-release injectable (ProHeart 6) treatment in 10-week-old puppies was determined to be three times the recommended rate.

Six-month prophylactic efficacy of moxidectin sustained release (SR) injectable for dogs against experimental heartworm infection in growing puppies.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of moxidectin sustained release injectable for dogs (moxidectin SR, Fort Dodge Animal Health) in protecting growing puppies from experimental infection with the heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, six months after treatment. The study involved 27 puppies, approximately 12 weeks of age at the beginning of the study, with nine puppies in each of three size classes. The small breed class included eight Pekingese and one purpose-bred small breed mongrel; the medium breed class included nine purpose-bred mongrels, and the large breed class included nine puppies with an anticipated adult weight >or=30-35 kg. Both genders were included with no attempt made to have equal numbers of male and female puppies. Puppies were blocked by weight within each size class and randomly assigned to three treatment groups of nine dogs. On Day 0, pups in two groups were injected subcutaneously with moxidectin SR, dosed to deliver 0.17 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. The third group was injected with sterile saline. Personnel making observations were blinded to the treatment status of the animals. Following treatment, puppies were observed for signs of adverse local and systemic reactions. Puppy weights and serum moxidectin levels were also monitored. On Day 180, puppies in all treatment groups were inoculated subcutaneously with 50 third-stage larvae of D. immitis. On Days 348 and 349, puppies were euthanatized and necropsied. Hearts and lungs were examined for adult heartworms. All animals in the saline control group were infected with an arithmetic mean of 39.22 adult heartworms each. Seventeen of 18 dogs in the moxidectin SR-treated groups were uninfected. One treated puppy was infected with a single adult heartworm. This infected individual was from the large breed size class and had the second highest percent increase in body weight. Based on arithmetic means, the heartworm recovery from all treated puppies represents a 99.86% reduction relative to the saline control. There were no adverse local or systemic reactions to treatment in any animal.

Efficacy of an injectable, sustained-release formulation of moxidectin in preventing experimental heartworm infection in mongrel dogs challenged 12 months after administration.

The objective of this study was to ascertain the ability of a single subcutaneous injection of a sustained-release (SR) formulation of moxidectin to protect dogs against challenge inoculation with infective Dirofilaria immitis larvae 364 days after administration. Twenty four purpose-bred adult mixed-breed dogs were grouped into three blocks of eight based on weight and sex. Saline solution (0.9% NaCl) or a moxidectin SR formulation at volumes designed to deliver 0.17 or 0.27 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. was injected subcutaneously on day 0. Throughout the post-treatment period, injection sites of all dogs were periodically examined visually and by palpation. Palpable swellings were characterized as to size, consistency and the presence of associated pain or erythema. On day 364, each dog was inoculated subcutaneously with 50 D. immitis L3. On days 510 and 511, dogs were euthanatized, and their hearts, lungs and thoracic cavities were inspected for the presence of adult heartworms. number, sex and viability of recovered heartworms were determined. The mean number of heartworms recovered from dogs that had received the saline control injection was 35.7. No heartworms were recovered from any dog treated with either 0.17 or 0.27 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. For variable periods of time following treatment, small (1-4 mm diameter), firm, subcutaneous swellings could be palpated at the injection sites of dogs treated with 0.17 or 0.27 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. These swellings contracted progressively and eventually disappeared except for the case of one animal treated with 0.27 mg/kg, in which the swelling persisted for the entire study period. At no time during the study was pain or erythema noted at the injection site of any dog, and no dog exhibited any adverse systemic reaction related to treatment. We conclude that under conditions pertaining in this study, a single subcutaneous injection of a moxidectin SR formulation at dosing rates of either 0.17 or 0.27 mg/kg b.w. can safely protect adult dogs against experimental challenge inoculation with infective heartworm larvae for a period of 12 months.

Persistent efficacy of moxidectin canine sustained-release injectable against experimental infections of Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala in dogs.

The efficacy of moxidectin canine sustained-release injectable administered at fixed intervals before administration of an oral hookworm challenge was evaluated in 40 laboratory dogs. Groups of eight dogs were treated with the moxidectin sustained-release formulation by SC injection approximately 3, 4, 5, or 6 months before being given oral inoculations with 300 Ancylostoma caninum larvae on Day 0 and 400 Uncinaria stenocephala larvae one day later. Dogs were euthanized 21 days after parasite inoculations. Fecal samples and the intestinal contents collected at necropsy from each dog were examined for hookworms. Fecal egg count reductions based on geometric means relative to controls were 99.2% (3 months) to 81.2% (6 months). The reduction in A. caninum worm recoveries at 3, 4, 5, and 6 months based on geometric means were 94.7%, 90.3%, 82.0%, and 60.2%, respectively. The mean reductions in U. stenocephala worm counts at these intervals were 94.6%, 85.3%, 71.6%, and 48.2%,respectively.