Ascophyllum nodosum as a nutrient supporting oral health in dogs and cats: a review.

Home dental care is a key element of periodontal therapy in veterinary patients. Among many strategies of passive home dental care there is a supplementation of animal diet with seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum which have been shown to reduce both calculus and plaque accumulation after oral administration in both dogs and cats. Ascophyllum nodosum contains numerous biologically active ingredients, including micro-elements, vitamins, and several other compounds, however the exact mechanism of its beneficial action remains unclear. The very first metabolomic data suggest that it could change the composition of dog saliva. Several products containing Ascophyllum nodosum had been assessed clinically according to standards and requirements provided by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. The conducted clinical trials in dogs and cats revealed that Ascophyllum nodosum exerts the strongest preventive action as powder, followed by dental bites and dry pet food. The data concerning its curative action are limited to one study in cats in which no beneficial action has been observed. Based on available clinical data it is recommended to administer Ascophyllum nodosum to dogs and cats after oral cavity prophylactic procedure to reduce the recurrence of plaque and calculus formation.

World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines.

Dental, oral, and maxillofacial diseases are some of the most common problems in small animal veterinary practice. These conditions create significant pain as well as localized and potentially systemic infection. As such, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) believes that un- and under treated oral and dental diseases pose a significant animal welfare concern. Dentistry is an area of veterinary medicine which is still widely ignored and is subject to many myths and misconceptions. Effective teaching of veterinary dentistry in the veterinary school is the key to progression in this field of veterinary medicine, and to the improvement of welfare for all our patients globally. These guidelines were developed to provide veterinarians with the information required to understand best practices for dental therapy and create realistic minimum standards of care. Using the three-tiered continuing education system of WSAVA, the guidelines make global equipment and therapeutic recommendations and highlight the anaesthetic and welfare requirements for small animal patients. This document contains information on common oral and dental pathologies, diagnostic procedures (an easily implementable and repeatable scoring system for dental health, dental radiography and radiology) and treatments (periodontal therapy, extractions). Further, there are sections on anaesthesia and pain management for dental procedures, home dental care, nutritional information, and recommendations on the role of the universities in improving veterinary dentistry. A discussion of the deleterious effects of anaesthesia free dentistry (AFD) is included, as this procedure is ineffective at best and damaging at worst. Throughout the document the negative effects of undiagnosed and/or treated dental disease on the health and well-being of our patients, and how this equates to an animal welfare issue, is discussed.

Parasitic fauna of Polish konik horses (Equus caballus gmelini Antonius) and their impact on breeding: a review.

The influence of internal and external parasites on the health of Polish konik horses housed in different types of management strategies in Poland is discussed. This study includes consolidated data of different authors from the past 50 years, supplemented by results of more recent research. A total of 38 species of helminths (i.e., 37 Nematoda and one Cestoda) and five Diptera species were recorded from the horses. Protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium spp. and Theileria equi, and the Rickettsiales, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, were observed for the first time in Poland.

Identification of pig-specific Cryptosporidium species in mixed infections using Illumina sequencing technology.

Nowadays molecular methods are widely used in epidemiological studies of Cryptosporidium infections in humans and animals. However to gain better understanding of parasite species or genotypes, especially when mixed infections are noticed, highly sensitive tools with adequate resolution power need to be employed. In this article, we report an application of the next generation sequencing method (NGS) for detection and characterisation of Cryptosporidium species concurrently present in pig faeces. A mixture of Cryptosporidium DNA obtained from two faecal samples was amplified at the 18 SSU rRNA gene locus and the resulting amplicons were subsequently used for MiSeq sequencing. Although initial molecular analyses indicated the possible presence of another Cryptosporidium species other than Cryptosporidium scrofarum and Cryptosporidium suis, deep sequencing only confirmed the presence of pig-specific Cryptosporidium.

Occurrence of strongyles (Strongylidae) in horses from small farms on the basis of necropsy.

Three parts of the large intestine, i.e. the dorsal and ventral colon, and caecum in 41 working horses from small farms in southern Poland were examined. Five species of large strongyles (3 migratory species from genus Strongylus and 2 non-migratory from genus Triodontophorus) and as well as 17 species of cyathostomes were revealed. The prevalence of large strongyles was observed, accordingly: Strongylus vulgaris--80.5%, S. equinus--9.8%, S. edentatus--4.9%, Triodontophorus serratus--19.5% and T. brevicauda--7.3%. Among cyathostomes, 5 most prevalent species were Cyathostomum catinatum--31.7%, Coronocyclus coronatus--31.7%, Cylicostephanus calicatus--24.4%, Cylicocyclus nassatus--24.4% and C. ashworthi--19.5%. The highest prevalence of S. vulgaris among all Strongylidae isolated specimens suggests that the infection with this parasite should be taken into account in the diagnosis of colics in working horses kept in the small farming system.

Modification of gDNA extraction from soil for PCR designed for the routine examination of soil samples contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs.

A modification of gDNA extraction was developed for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, intended for the detection and differentiation of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil or sediments. Sand samples from sandpits confirmed as being contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs by the flotation technique were analysed by PCR. The use of proteinase K made it possible to obtain genomic DNA from the sample without needing to isolate eggs using flotation or to inactivate PCR inhibitors present in the sand. Specific primers in the PCR reaction allowed discrimination between T. canis and T. cati eggs. The modification simplified the procedure, thanks to eliminating the step of gDNA isolation from eggs, which is both laborious and difficult.

Echinococcus multilocularis in the red fox Vulpes vulpes from the East Carpathian region of Poland and the Slovak Republic.

The occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the Poland-Slovak frontier zone of the East Carpathian region was assessed, for comparison with that in adjacent regions in both countries. A total of 392 red foxes from Poland and 427 red foxes from the Slovak Republic were examined from 2001 to 2004. Significant differences in prevalences were observed in foxes captured from the borderland and adjacent zones in both countries. The mean prevalence of E. multilocularis in the Polish borderland reached 45.7+/-18.6% and in the Slovak border 35.0+/-10.7%. In both countries, the prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes from adjacent districts, outside the frontier Carpathian region, was considerably lower (18.9+/-9.2% in Poland and 20.8+/-9.0% in Slovakia). These differences are probably due to geomorphological and ecological factors, which contribute to the survival of the tapeworm eggs and the subsequent spread of infection. The Carpathian regions of northeast Slovakia and southeast Poland are characterized by specific climatic conditions such as low mean annual air temperatures, low temperatures in active soil surfaces, high soil humidities and a high mean annual rainfall.

[Influence of environmental factors and host on survival of first stage larvae of Muellerius capillaris]. / Wplyw warunków srodowiskowych 1 zywiciela na przezywalnosc pierwszego stadium larwalnego Muellerius capillaris.

The authors studied the resistance of the first stage larvae of Muellerius capillaris for 75 days period. The survival of larvae was estimated on larvae in faeces and in water. The environmental factor investigated were different temperatures: -18 degrees C, 3 degrees C and 20 degrees C. M.capillaris L1 showed the most tolerance to -18 degrees C. Survival of larvae in water differed from that estimated in faeces. 23,0 -100% larvae in faeces at -18 degrees C have survived 30 days, while about 50% larvae kept in water at 4 degrees C or 20 degrees C survived 28 days. Age of the host was the important factor, which influenced survival of L1 as well. Larvae in faeces from young goats have survived 10 days at -18 degrees C, while larvae in faeces from old goats survived 75 days in the same condition.

Prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in dogs in the Warszawa area.

The evaluation of Toxocara canis infection in stray dogs from two shelters and private owners dogs in the Warszawa district was the aim of this study. In 1998 five hundred faecal samples were examined. The homeless dogs were found more infected than those kept as pets. T. canis was recorded in 3.4% and 8.8% of stray dogs from the shelters and in 0.4% of animals from flats. The higher prevalence of infection in homeless dogs was due to high density of dogs population, worse environmental condition and irregular anthelmintic treatment in the shelters when compare with housed dogs.

[The influence of different management systems on the infection level of some gastrointestinal parasites in sheep in southern Poland]. / Wplyw róznych systemów chowu na stan zarazenia pasozytami przewodu pokarmowego owiec w Polsce poludniowej.

On the basis of the fecal egg counts, larval cultures and necropsies the infection of coccidia, tapeworms and gastrointestinal nematodes in dams and lambs under extensive and intensive management systems were estimated. During 1994 and 1995 total of 1740 coproscopic analyses were done. It was state, that in extensive farms the prevalence and EPG of gastrointestinal nematodes was higher in comparison with intensive management system (38.2-86% and 13.9-71.9% and 105-355 EPG and 33-131 EPG respectively). Similarly prevalence of tapeworms 0-18.2% and 1.3-8.3% respectively. Prevalence and intensity of coccidia was lower in extensive farms (20-78,5% and 83-482 OPG) comparing with intensive management system (38.2-88% and 139-2846 OPG). Predominant nematode species in both management systems were those from genes Haemonchus, Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Nematodirus. One species--Nematodirus battus was found new for Poland.

Occurrence of Strongylidae (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in Polish horses "tarpans" from Popielne Reserve.

The study was performed to evaluate intensity of strongylid infection in stabled tarpans using the method of collecting worms after anthelmintic treatment and in wild tarpans from Popielne reserve on the basis of faecal examination. After treatment with ivermectin 12 cyathostomes and one large strongyle species were recovered from the faeces of two tarpans. The most abundant cyathostome species were C. catinatum, C. pateratum, C. longibursatum, C. nassatum and C. coronatus. A higher intensity of infections with small strongyles (cyathostomes) was found in stabled group than in the group from the reserve. Large strongyles were more prevalent in wild tarpans, with Strongylus vulgaris as most common species (66.7%), but the intensity of infection was low. The present results are compared with earlier studies of horses in Poland and other countries. The results confirm the stability of cyathostomes in different breed of horses over the world.

Lateral condensation in treatment of pulpitis and pulp gangrene: studies on dog canine teeth.

The clinical investigation, carried out in dogs, comprises selected cases of chronic pulpitis and pulpal gangrene of canine teeth resulting from injuries. A group of 20 teeth (group 1) underwent extirpation of pulp, as well as elaboration of a root canal and its filling with Endomethasone paste, under general anaesthesia during a one-stage procedure. The second group of 20 teeth differed from the first in an additional concentration of the paste, due to an introduction of gutta-percha points (lateral condensation). This sealing modification proved to diminish the risk of leaving empty spaces after pulp removal in the pulpitis state. However, in teeth where gangrenous pulp extirpation was performed, lateral condensation was endangered by pushing the paste through beyond the apex. Both anomalies were likely to predispose to the development of apical periodontitis.

[Occurrence of Parascaris equorum in foals and adult horses under different breeding conditions]. / Wystepowanie glisty konskiej Parascaris equorum u zrebiat i koni doroslych w róznych warunkach hodowli.

Autopsies and analyses of faecal samples from working horses have shown common occurrence of ascarids in foals, whereas 19.6% of adult horses have been found infected. No influence of season on EPG in adult horses has been found. Study based on faecal samples from stud horses has shown that 5-6-month old animals were most susceptible to the infection. 50% of foals have been found infected in spite of deworming with the use of bezimidazole compounds. It has been stated that the proper dose of an anthelminthic is a basic problem in the control of ascarids.

The prevalence and abundance of internal parasites in working horses autopsied in Poland.

The digestive tracts of 50 working horses from private farms in Poland were examined. Thirty-seven nematode species, two tapeworm species and one species of botfly were recovered. The most prevalent small strongyle species were Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicocyclus leptostomus and Cylicostephanus minutus. Thirteen cyathostome species showed a site preference in the ventral colon, five in the dorsal colon and three in the caecum. One species, Cylicocyclus triramosus, was new for Poland. Delafondia vulgaris was the most common large strongyle, with 74% prevalence, but low abundance. Parascaris equorum (26%) and Oxyuris equi (36%) were common. Strongyloides westeri (4%), Habronema majus (16%) and Habronema muscae (8%) were less prevalent. Both Habronema species were new for Poland. Tapeworm infection were not prevalent (Anoplocephala magna (4%) and Anoplocephala perfoliata (4%)). Botfly larvae were found in 40% of the horses examined. It was stated that no anthelmintics had been used on the farms.