Hematological and Biochemical Alterations due to Over Dosage of Enrofloxacin in Cats

Enrofloxacin, an antimicrobial agent used to treat bacterial diseases is well tolerated by cats at recommended dosage (5 mg/kg). To investigate the tolerance of high-dose of the Hipralona Enro-I® (5% enrofloxacin solution) in cats, 28 urban cats (11 males and 17 females) between the weight of 1.3 and 2.4 kg were randomly assigned to a control group (n=4) and three treatment groups (n=8). Each treatment groups were injected low-dose enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg, IM), high-dose enrofloxacin (15 mg/kg, IM), and very high-dose enrofloxacin (25 mg/kg, IM) once daily for seven consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein before injection of enrofloxacin in the hind limb muscles of cats as self-control, and at 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days after first drug injection. Samples were tested for various hematological and serum biochemical parameters. The systemic tolerance during experiment was investigated via monitoring of behavior and general physical examination. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters were not significantly different between groups. In addition, there was no statistically difference between various sampling days for any treatment group in each parameter. Furthermore, there was no change in the behavior and the general health condition of cats in the control and the three experimental groups. As serum biochemical indications of hepatotoxication and nephrotoxication were not observed. It was concluded that muscular injection of enrofloxacin in doses up to 25 mg/kg (5ED50) for seven consecutive days was tolerated by cats

Učestalost kukca Oestrus ovis u koza u Shirazu u Južnom Iranu.

One thousand nine hundred and ninety eight heads obtained from goats slaughtered at the Fars abattoir (Shiraz, South Iran) between April 2006 and April 2007 were examined for the presence of Oestrus ovis larvae. Of the 1998 heads, 261 (13.1%) were infested with O. ovis larvae. O. ovis larvae were observed in both sexes and all age groups in each season of the year. A total of 1356 larvae were collected. The overall larval intensity for the infested goats was 5.2, with 3.2 in spring, 3.8 in summer, 4.6 in autumn and 6.8 in winter. Prevalence ranged from 6.6% in spring to 17.9% in winter. Increased infestation was observed in older animals.Ukupno je pregledano 1998 glava koza zaklanih u klaonicama Fars (Shiraz, Južni Iran) u razdoblju od travnja 2006. do tavnja 2007. Ličinke kukca Oestrus ovis bile su dokazane u 261 (13,1%) životinje bez obzira na spol i dob. Ukupno je bilo sakupljeno 1356 ličinki. Prosječna jačina invazije iznosila je 5,2 ličinke s time da su prosječno 3,2 ličinke dokazane u proljeće, 3,8 ljeti, 4,6 u jesen i 6,8 ličinki zimi. Učestalost se kretala od 6,6% u proljeće do 17,9% zimi. Veća učestalost bila je dokazana u starijih životinja

The prevalence of Giardia infection in dogs and cats, a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence studies from stool samples

Giardia has a wide range of host species and is a common cause of diarrhoeal disease in humans and animals. Companion animals are able to transmit a range of zoonotic diseases to their owners including giardiasis, but the size of this risk is not well known. The aim of this study was to analyse giardiasis prevalence rates in dogs and cats worldwide using a systematic search approach. Meta-analysis enabled to describe associations between Giardia prevalence and various confounding factors. Pooled prevalence rates were 15.2% (95% CI 13.8-16.7%) for dogs and 12% (95% CI 9.2-15.3%) for cats. However, there was very high heterogeneity between studies. Meta-regression showed that the diagnostic method used had a major impact on reported prevalence with studies using ELISA, IFA and PCR reporting prevalence rates between 2.6 and 3.7 times greater than studies using microscopy. Conditional negative binomial regression found that symptomatic animals had higher prevalence rates ratios (PRR) than asymptomatic animals 1.61 (95% CI 1.33-1.94) in dogs and 1.94 (95% CI 1.47-2.56) in cats. Giardia was much more prevalent in young animals. For cats >6 months, PRR=0.47 (0.42-0.53) and in dogs of the same age group PRR=0.36 (0.32-0.41). Additionally, dogs kept as pets were less likely to be positive (PRR=0.56 (0.41-0.77)) but any difference in cats was not significant. Faecal excretion of Giardia is common in dogs and slightly less so in cats. However, the exact rates depend on the diagnostic method used, the age and origin of the animal. What risk such endemic colonisation poses to human health is still unclear as it will depend not only on prevalence rates but also on what assemblages are excreted and how people interact with their pets

Electrocardiographic changes in dog after injection of different doses of the venom of the scorpion Odonthobuthus

There is scant information about biological effects of the venoms of scorpions on different organs. Sixteen healthy native dogs aged about 2 years with average body weight of 18.5 kg of both sexes were selected for this study. Dogs were divided randomly into four equal groups (4 dogs in each group). Clinical signs are recorded and electrocardiogram was obtained for each dog prior to injection of venom. In the control group 1 ml of saline solution was injected and the amount of equal to 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 mg of venom powder per kg bwt were dissolved in 1 ml saline solution and injected intradermal in the abdominal region or hind limb of each dog in the second, third, and four groups, respectively. Clinical signs and electorcardiogram of each dog were recorded at different time intervals (5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 360 and 24 hours after injection of venom). The results of ECGs, in group 1 and 2 indicated advanced sinus arrhythmia, sinus arrest, sinoatrial standstill, sever bradycardia and tachycardia, first and second degree heart block, premature ventricular contraction, sinus bradycardia and ventricular fibrillation. In group 3, partial sinus arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia, sinus arrest, advanced sinus arrhythmia and tachycardia were observed. In conclusion, the venom of the scorpion Odonthobuthus produces very changes in electrocardiogram by its effects on autonomic system and adrenal gland