[Fauna and incidence of endoparasites in kittens and their mothers from different husbandry situations in south Germany]. / Fauna und Befallshäufigkeit von Endoparasiten bei Katzenwelpen und ihren Müttern unterschiedlicher Haltung in Süddeutschland.

In this epidemiological study 100 litters of Southern Germany were investigated. 70 litters were kept on farms and 30 litters originated from mother cats kept indoors. At least 9 species were detected in litters from farms, 77.1% of these litters were infected with T. cati, 1.4% with hookworms, 10% with Capillaria, 10% with H. taeniaeformis, 67.1% with I. felis, 48.6% with I. rivolta, 17.1% with Toxoplasma/Hammondia, 4.3% with C. parvum and 1.4% with Giardia. In litters kept indoors only 5 species were established. 3.3% were infected with T. cati, 46.6% with I. felis, 33.3% with I. rivolta, 6.6% with Giardia and 3.3% with C. parvum. Analogous differences as regards to the keeping conditions existed also for the mother cats.

Efficacy of ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate combined in a chewable formulation against heartworm, hookworm, and ascarid infections in dogs.

Eight trials were conducted in dogs to document the efficacy of ivermectin (6 micrograms/kg of body weight) and pyrantel pamoate (5 mg of active pyrantel/kg) in a beef-based chewable formulation against Dirofilaria immitis, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, and Toxascaris leonina. Three studies involved induced infection with D immitis, and 5 studies involved induced or natural infection with hookworms and ascarids. In 3 intestinal parasite trials, the efficacy of the combination chewable tablet was compared with each of its components. Results indicated that 1 component did not interfere with the activity of the other. In 1 heartworm and 2 intestinal parasite trials, the efficacy of pyrantel, ivermectin/pyrantel combination, or ivermectin with pyrantel dosage of 10 mg/kg was evaluated. The ivermectin/pyrantel combination was 100% effective in preventing development of D immitis larvae. Efficacy of the combined product against T canis, Toxascaris leonina, A caninum, and U stenocephala was 90.1, 99.2, 98.5, and 98.7%, respectively. In the intestinal parasite trials, each individual component was found not to interfere with the anthelmintic action of the other. Increasing the dosage of pyrantel to 10 mg/kg (2 x that in the combination) did not interfere with the efficacy of ivermectin against heartworm or increase the activity of pyrantel against intestinal parasites.

Evaluation of a beef-based chewable formulation of pyrantel pamoate against induced and natural infections of hookworms and ascarids in dogs.

Pyrantel pamoate, formulated in a beef-based chewable tablet, was evaluated for efficacy in dogs against induced and natural infections of Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala. Dose titration trials were conducted in Canada, the UK and Germany in dogs treated with pyrantel (as pamoate salt) at 0, 2.5, 5 or 10 mg kg-1 body weight. These studies showed that a dose rate of 2.5 mg kg-1, the efficacy of pyrantel against adult T. canis, T. leonina, U. stenocephala and A. caninum was 76.1, 85.6, 100 and 87.9%, respectively. Efficacy at 5 mg kg-1 against the same parasites was 94.2, 92.0, 93.5 and 93.8%, respectively, and at 10 mg kg-1 efficacy was 91.2, 97.6, 98.7 and 91.3%, respectively. No adverse effects due to treatment were seen in any of these trials.

Anthelmintic efficacy of milbemycin D against Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme in domestic cats.

Anthelmintic efficacy of milbemycin D was evaluated against Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme in domestic cats. Twelve cats naturally infected with each nematode species were allocated among 2 groups of 6 animals each, and milbemycin D was orally administered to the 2 groups of cats in doses of 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In all the cats infected with T. cati, fecal egg counts decreased followed by their disappearance from the feces and 2-35 worms were excreted into the feces after the medication in both doses of 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg. At postmortem of these medicated groups, no worms were detected from 4 cats of each group, but 1 and 2 immature worms were recovered from the other 2 cats respectively. In the cats infected with A. tubaeforme, fecal egg counts decreased followed by the disappearance from the feces and 2-62 worms were excreted into the feces in all the cats of the 2 groups, no nematodes remaining at postmortem. These results indicate that milbemycin D is fully effective against T. cati and A. tubaeforme in cats in a dose of 0.05-0.1 mg/kg.

Parasitism of Toxocara canis larvae in Japanese quails by inoculation of the ascarid eggs.

The distribution of T. canis larvae and pathological changes caused by them were studied in Japanese quails orally inoculated with 1,500, 4,000 or 15,000 embryonated eggs. Larvae were distributed mainly in the liver and, to lesser extent, in the muscles, brain, eyes and other organs. The number of larvae varied from 7 to 3,346, and from 1 to 288 in the liver and muscles (breast and legs), respectively. A small number of larvae were also recovered from the heart, gizzard, brain and eyes. In the groups of quails inoculated with 4,000 or 15,000 eggs, small white foci were observed on the surface of the liver 6 or 12 hr after inoculation. Histopathological examinations revealed necrotic lesions, leukocytic infiltration, granuloma and nodular lesions. The pathological changes became more serious with the large size of inoculum and days after inoculation.

Survey of veterinarians' recommendations for treatment and control of intestinal parasites in dogs: public health implications.

A systematic, random sample of 450 small and mixed-animal practitioners was selected from the client list of a prominent veterinary pharmaceutical and animal health company. A telephone survey was conducted, using a standard questionnaire, to assess whether current veterinary practices concerning prophylaxis and treatment of canine roundworm (Toxocara canis) and hookworm (Ancylostoma spp) infections are adequate to prevent transmission to human beings. Analysis of results focused on 3 questions related to prevention: practitioner's frequency of client education regarding zoonotic potential of roundworms and hookworms, pup age at which veterinarian recommends first anthelmintic treatments, and proportion of veterinarians recommending prophylactic drug administration for pups and nursing bitches. Despite the proven association of household pet dogs and human toxocariasis, only a third (148/450) of veterinarian respondents routinely discussed the potential zoonotic hazards of canine roundworms with their clients. A total of 29% (130/450) of veterinarians surveyed either never discussed these potential hazards or discussed them only when asked by their clients. With regard to anthelmintic treatment practices, 31% (140/450) of veterinarians surveyed recommended that pups first be examined and treated for intestinal parasites within 4 weeks of age. Thirty-three percent (163/450) recommended first examination and deworming at 5 to 6 weeks of age, and 36% (163/450) suggested that it be done at or after 7 weeks of age. Less than half (208/450) of veterinarians administered anthelmintics prophylactically to at least some pups and dogs. Sixty-four percent (287/450) of respondents recommended routine testing and treatment of nursing bitches.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epidemiological observations on helminth infections of calves in southern Ghana.

This paper describes helminth infections in three groups of calves of different ages grazing naturally infested pastures from March 1987 to May 1988. Calves in which the faecal egg output was followed from birth showed Toxocara vitulorum eggs as early as two days after birth and maximum patency occurred after two months. The fall in Toxocara egg output coincided with a rise in that of the strongylates; Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostumum spp. The influence of rainfall in dictating strongylate nematode infection was clear with high egg output during high rainfall and low egg counts when the rainfall was lower. There was an indication that calves carry the infection from the end of the minor rainy season in November to the beginning of the next rains in March and then contribute to pasture contamination. However, calves born in December may remain uninfected until the onset of the rains.

Experimental infection of Japanese quail with Toxocara canis larvae through earthworms.

The migration and distribution of Toxocara canis larvae in the tissues of earthworms exposed to 5 x 10(5) infective eggs in soil, as well as the reinfectivity of the larvae in Japanese quail fed with three earthworms, were studied. The average number of larvae recovered from an earthworm gradually declined from 9 +/- 3.21 to 4.5 +/- 2.00 at 4-16 days. No larvae were recovered at Day 20. When compared between three portions of the earthworms' body, the middle part showed the greatest recovery in comparison with the anterior and posterior parts. At necropsy, the average larval burden of quail at 15 days post-infection was 6 +/- 3.60 in the liver and no larvae were recovered from other tissues. The role of the earthworm in relation to paratenism is discussed.

Intestinal changes in puppies infected with Toxocara canis.

Small intestinal histopathology and absorption were examined in Beagle puppies infected with either a moderate or a low burden of Toxocara canis. Infection with T. canis significantly reduced absorption of xylose, but only slightly delayed absorption of para-aminobenzoic acid. Fat assimilation was reduced and faecal proteolytic activity was increased. A significant reduction in villous height occurred and was inversely related to the extent of the infection. Villous goblet cell numbers, particularly those in the luminal third of the villus, were lowest and crypt goblet cell numbers were highest in the most heavily infected of the puppies. Villous goblet cell numbers increased rapidly after treatment of the puppies with piperazine or after the spontaneous elimination of the T. canis infection while crypt goblet cell numbers were less affected by elimination of the parasites. Intra-epithelial lymphocyte numbers were lowest in 33- to 37-day-old puppies infected with greater than 127 T. canis and highest in 44- to 46-day-old puppies losing their infection. Infection with T. canis had no apparent effect on mast cell numbers or pyroninophilic cell numbers in the lamina propria.

Morphological observation of Toxocara vitulorum found in Japanese calves.

Between 1982 and 1988, ascarid nematodes were found in the feces of Japanese calves in Kyushu and Okinawa districts. Seven males and 21 females of the ascarids were observed morphologically for identification of species. Male and female ascarids were 15.64 (14.0-18.0) cm and 25.75 (16.5-34.0) cm in average length, respectively. Eggs were 81.6 microns and 71.8 microns in large and small diameters, respectively. The body of ascarids was translucent and soft. The boundary between the enlabium and prelabium of lip was clearly visible and the esophageal ventriculus was also observed. The vulva was situated at a distance of about 1/7 approximately 1/9 of body length from the anterior end of body. The surface of egg shell was relatively smooth, without rugose albuminous coat. These morphological features coincided with those of Toxocara vitulorum.

Acquired immunity to Toxocara canis infection in mice.

Acquired immunity develops against Toxocara canis infection in mice, and NIH mice are more immunoresponsive than CD1 mice. Twice infected NIH female mice showed 27% reduction in the total larval recoveries compared with non-sensitized controls. Twice-infected NIH male, and CD1 (both sexes) mice showed a negligible reduction in the total recoveries, though a significant (P less than 0.05) number of larvae were retained in the liver compared with the non-sensitized controls. All twice-infected mice showed a significant reduction in the number of larvae recovered from the brain compared with once-infected mice. Vaccination using ultraviolet irradiated embryonated eggs gave the best protection against reinfection. Excretory/secretory antigen afforded less protection, whilst whole adult worm vaccine and whole L2 culture vaccine gave no protection. Vaccinated mice had a higher 'free:penetrating ratio' of larvae in their intestine than similarly challenged but non-vaccinated mice. When the ileum was examined histologically 9 h post-infection, an inflammatory reaction was seen around the penetrating larvae in the sensitized and vaccinated mice but not in untreated controls, suggesting a role played by the intestine in the resistance against T. canis infection in mice.

The efficacy of pyrantel pamoate against ascarids and hookworms in cats.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate pyrantel pamoate administered orally at 20 mg/kg body weight for the removal of induced or natural infections of Ancylostoma tubaeformae and Toxocara cati in cats and to compare the efficacy of paste (40 mg base/g) and granule (80 mg base/g) formulations. Thirty cats of mixed breeding and various ages with natural and/or induced infections of A. tubaeformae and T. cati were assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) non-medicated controls; (2) paste formulation at 20 mg base/kg; or (3) granule formulation at 20 mg base/kg. Infections were induced by feeding the cats on carcasses of infected mice. The study was conducted in replicates of at least one animal per treatment per replicate. The study parameters included clinical observations, physical examinations, faecal egg counts and the numbers, species and stages of worms recovered at necropsy. The paste formulation was 99.3% and 99.7% effective in reducing egg counts of Ancylostoma sp. and Toxocara sp. respectively. The granule formulation was 97.7% and 99.9% effective in reducing faecal egg counts of Ancylostoma sp. and Toxocara sp. respectively. When administered in paste form, pyrantel pamoate was 99.5% effective in removing adult Ancylostoma and 100.0% effective against adult Toxocara. The granule formulation was 97.9% effective against Ancylostoma and 100% effective against Toxocara. No toxic effects of either formulation of the drug were noted.

A field evaluation of treatment with febantel for the control of Toxocara canis in pups.

The faecal egg count depression (FECD) of febantel (Rintal vet. 100 mg tablets, Bayer AG, Veterinär-Bereich, Leverkusen), against Toxocara canis was tested in suckling pups treated at 2 weeks of age. The dose rate was 30 mg kg-1 body weight given orally, once every 12 h, three times. The effect of a further treatment of 6- and 12-week-old pups on excreted eggs was also evaluated. The FECD of 6-week-old pups was 100%. However, some of the 12- and 17-week-old pups had low eggs per gram (epg) values indicating that shorter intervals between the treatments should have been used in order to minimize the risk of spreading T. canis eggs. The control pups of the first treatment group were untreated litter mates. They were treated when 4 weeks old and then followed a similar regimen to the experimental animals. At 6 weeks of age, their FECD was 100%, but low epg values were observed among 12- and 17-week-old pups, similar to the test group.