Incidence of short-term complications after sterilization between pre-operative antibiotic versus pre- and post-operative antibiotic administration in female cats

A sterilization program is implied to control the cat population and set up as national rabies control activities. In Thailand, a few studies have been conducted on postoperative complications and undesired incidents after massive sterilization. This study determined the incidence of short-term sterilization complications in cats with or without postoperative antibiotic administration and the risk of short-term surgical complications. The investigators conducted a clinical trial study. Female cats (n=492) who participated in Chiang Mai municipal birth control activity were assessed and recorded those complications between with and without postoperative antibiotics. The risk factors were analyzed using risk ratios (RR) with a 95% confidence level. Twenty-five cats (5.08%) showed short-term complications in the study. The incidence of short-term complications was not significantly different between cats with postoperative antibiotics (4.92%) and without postoperative antibiotics (5.24%). Cats with external parasites had 2.35 times a short-term complication (RR=1.05-5.27;95%Cl). Duration in captive area, this factor showed that prolong of a cat kept in cage or indoor area play role as a protective factor which less than 2-day in a cage or indoor as the baseline, the risk ratios were 0.38 in 5-day and 0.18 in 7-day, respectively. In conclusion, cat sterilization without post-operative antibiotic administration could be performed under ordinary operation with an aseptic concept

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices of people toward Japanese Encephalitis in endemic areas of Nepal

Japanese encephalitis is a serious vector borne viral zoonotic disease, particularly in Asia and Northern Australia. In Nepal, JE cases were reported in 63 out of 75 districts up until the year 2005. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) toward JE and associated factors. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information on the KAP of people in endemic areas. Accordingly, 397 respondents demonstrated a desirable attitude, while half of the population exhibited desirable knowledge and practices. Age was found to be a significant factor for knowledge, wherein the senior population had better awareness of the vectors of JE. Moreover, education and occupation were found to be significant factors for KAP scores with an increase in level of education leading to an increase in desirable characteristics. This study determined that the characteristics of the surrounding environment were prominent factors. A significant number of people were not aware of the JE vaccine even though the government has made it available to most of the population of Nepal. Thus, more effective awareness programs should be implemented to increase the KAP of the population with regard to JE

Cultivation of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in canine periapical tooth abscesses

This research aimed to assess the occurrence of bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance in dogs presenting with canine periapical tooth abscesses. Sample swabs were performed on 45 dogs who had undergone dental surgery between January 2019 and August 2020 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Chiang Mai University. Samples were analyzed within 24 hours at Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Chiang Mai University to identify any bacterial species and to investigate their potential antimicrobial susceptibility according to CLSI guidelines. A high proportion of gram-negative and facultative species were identified. Out of the 17 species obtained, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34.6 %) was determined to be the predominant species followed by Escherichia coli (15.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.5%), respectively. P. aeruginosa was highly resistant (100.0%) to ampicillin and clindamycin, while E. coli and K. pneumoniae were found to be highly resistant (100.0%) to clindamycin in terms of antimicrobial susceptibility. However, E. coli was more resistant to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, and norfloxacin than K. pneumoniae. When focusing on the resistance rates of all species, clindamycin exhibited the highest degree of resistance, followed by ampicillin and amoxicillin, respectively. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is an empirical antibiotic in our area that has exhibited a resistance rate of 48.7%. The outcomes of our study have suggested that fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside could be used to treat canine periapical tooth abscesses. However, the renal effect of these drugs must be considered. Importantly, antibiotic selection must depend upon the results of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility tests in order to reduce any potential antimicrobial resistance issues

Infrared Temperature Sensor for Use Among Sow Herds

Presently, the body temperature of farm animals must be monitored to prevent the occurrence or progression of any disease amongst the herds. We have employed infrared sensors (called “Inspect”) to detect the fever status of sows. Systemic architecture and data flow systems have also been designed for workers to use on small-scale pig farms. The body temperature of 100 gestating sows was determined with the use of a standard thermometer (inserted into the rectum), while our device was used on each part of the body of the sows. The valva or anus was found to be that location because of the high correlation that was observed between the two measurements (R=0.78). Moreover, regular, and systematic inspections were employed for a full year in 2019 on commercial pig farms that were home to at least 300 sows. The results indicated that the production indexes of the after period (2019) were better than those of the before period (2018), especially in terms of the health status of the animals with regard to mg/PCU. Consequently, it was determined that this system could detect abnormal signs in livestock before they could become a bigger problem

A retrospective study of suspected pyometra causing systemic illness in 348 dogs

A retrospective study was used to investigate the prevalence, mortality rate, treatment outcomes, risk factors for death, and accompanying costs for canine pyometra cases reported in 2016 to 2018 from a single vet teaching hospital in Thailand. The prevalence of canine pyometra was 375 cases from 35,138 of canine outpatients (1.07%) with 348 cases undergoing surgery at the hospital. Mongrel dogs were most affected (37.33%) followed by Poodles (14.67%) and Shih Tzus (12.27%). The median age of pyometra cases was 7 years (range of 11 months to 16 years). The mortality rate was 10.63 % (37/ 348 dogs). Mortalities occurred in 3 dogs prior to surgery. Post-operative mortalities were reported in 24 dogs, and 10 dogs with undefined time periods. The main contributing mortality factor was uterine rupture (adjusted OR 7.38 (95% CI =2.73,19.93)). The cost of hospital treatment per case ranged between 93 to 939 United States Dollars. Surgical ovariohysterectomy is an effective treatment and preventative procedure for pyometra. Comprehensive and careful pre-operative and sufficient post-operative planning is recommended to improve treatment outcomes

Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreaks in Africa, Europe, and Asia (2005–2022): Multiple Change Point Analysis and Time Series Forecast

LSD is an important transboundary disease affecting the cattle industry worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine trends and significant change points, and to forecast the number of LSD outbreak reports in Africa, Europe, and Asia. LSD outbreak report data (January 2005 to January 2022) from the World Organization for Animal Health were analyzed. We determined statistically significant change points in the data using binary segmentation, and forecast the number of LSD reports using auto-regressive moving average (ARIMA) and neural network auto-regressive (NNAR) models. Four significant change points were identified for each continent. The year between the third and fourth change points (2016–2019) in the African data was the period with the highest mean of number of LSD reports. All change points of LSD outbreaks in Europe corresponded with massive outbreaks during 2015–2017. Asia had the highest number of LSD reports in 2019 after the third detected change point in 2018. For the next three years (2022–2024), both ARIMA and NNAR forecast a rise in the number of LSD reports in Africa and a steady number in Europe. However, ARIMA predicts a stable number of outbreaks in Asia, whereas NNAR predicts an increase in 2023–2024. This study provides information that contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiology of LSD

Classification and correlation of coughing sounds and disease status in fattening pigs

There have been attempts to use technology to distinguish pig coughs from other sounds on farms. Machine learning is being used to classify pig coughs via python. Sound files have been converted to images that are composed of wave plots,spectrograms and log power spectrograms for identification of those sounds. A recorder was used with a total of 45 healthy three-bred weaned piglets, wherein three replications of each were used with 15 weaning pigs per pen during different months. This process was set up within the housing unit at a ratio as 1:1 (recorder per pen). Sounds, blood samples and tonsil swabs were collected every month. Pig cough sounds were then classified from other sounds and a coughing index (CI) was established. Blood samples and tonsil swabs were utilized to determine respiratory diseases via laboratory tests that included ELISA, PCR and bacterial cultures. According to our results, pig coughs sound distinctly different from other sounds as had been classified by python. Moreover, the laboratory results of the seroprofile of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M.hyo), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv), and Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2), as was established by ELISA test, were employed in disease detection during the fattening period. Spearman rank correlations and Kappa analysis were used to establish correlation values between coughing and the results of laboratory tests. CI revealed a high correlation coefficient and agreement with the ELISA results of M.hyo, as well as the PCR results of PRRSv and PCV2 (p0.05). Therefore, the monitoring of coughing can be suited to detect respiratory problems and any potential relationships with M.hyo, PRRSv and PCV2 infection

Field screening of murmurs and arrhythmias in performance Argentine polo ponies

Polo is a high-intensity sport, and the horses who participate in it are known to receive a high workload on their hearts. Having cardiac disorders can impair their athletic performance or even increase the risk of collapsing during the game. In sport horses, murmurs and arrhythmias are commonly-found physiological conditions; nevertheless, many of them are related to heart diseases. Though numerous studies on murmurs and arrhythmias have been done among several kinds of horses, the information in polo horses is still limited. This study was done to investigate the prevalence of murmurs and arrhythmias in performance Argentine polo ponies by field screening with fast and convenient methods. A hundred and ninety-six performance Argentine polo ponies (162 mares and 34 geldings) with ages between 6 – 20 years old were included in this study. Cardiac auscultation with a simple stethoscope was done to detect and grade murmurs, and electrocardiography with an iPhone ECG (electrocardiogram) recorder was done at the same time to find if there were any arrhythmias. The results showed 98 ponies (50%) that probably had cardiac abnormalities, these could be divided into 61 ponies (31.1%) with only murmurs, 18 ponies (9.2%) with only arrhythmias, and 19 ponies (9.7%) with both murmurs and arrhythmias. In conclusion, murmurs and arrhythmias were found frequently by field screening of this study; cardiac examination should not be overlooked, and those ponies with murmurs and/or arrhythmias should be examined further to determine whether they were pathologic or not

Comparative occurrence and antibiogram of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli among post-weaned calves and lactating cows from smallholder dairy farms in a parallel animal husbandry area

Background and Aim: Inappropriate overuse of antimicrobials might be associated with the spreading of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in animal-based food products. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli have been recognized as an emerging global problem in a One Health approach. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and antimicrobial-susceptible profiles of ESBL-producing E. coli among post-weaned calves and lactating cows in a parallel animal husbandry area. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two pool fecal samples were collected from 36 smallholder dairy farms registered in Ban Hong Dairy Cooperatives, Lamphun Province, Thailand. Pre-enriched fecal samples were cultured in MacConkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime. The potential E. coli isolates were identified by not only biochemical tests but also polymerase chain reaction assay of the 16S rRNA gene. ESBL production was confirmed by the combination disk test. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: The occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli at the farm level was 80.56%. The different phenotypic antibiogram of ESBL-producing E. coli was observed among post-weaned calf and lactating cow specimens. The most frequent resistance patterns of ESBL-producing isolates from both groups were amoxicillin-ceftiofur-cephalexin-cephalothin-cloxacillin-streptomycin-oxytetracycline-sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. For the median zone diameter, enrofloxacin-resistant isolates with narrow zone diameter values from lactating cow specimens were particularly more than post-weaned calf specimens (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings revealed the dynamic changes in ESBL-producing E. coli from calves and lactating cows in Lamphun Province, posing the inevitability to prevent bacterial transmission and optimize antimicrobial therapy in dairy farming

Inhibitory Effects and Killing Kinetics of Lactic Acid Rice Gel Against Pathogenic Bacteria Causing Bovine Mastitis

Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis are the major teat skin bacteria and lead to severe bovine mastitis. Teat antiseptic is an important tool for controlling intramammary infection. The antibacterial activity of lactic acid (LA) against one reference strain of S. aureus ATCC 25923 and two field strains including S. aureus and S. epidermidis was investigated using the broth microdilution method. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were 0.5% for strains belonging to both species. An antiseptic preparation containing 5% LA with modified rice gel (LA-RG) was successfully prepared. Rheological behavior of LA-RG was found to be a pseudoplastic flow with thixotropy with viscosity of approximately 0.007 Pas. LA-RG exhibited a sufficient adhesive property in the rolling ball test with a length of 9.67 &plusmn; 0.04 cm. Killing kinetic studies of LA-RG showed that the killing rate of LA-RG was significantly faster than that of LA. After 32 min of exposure to LA-RG, approximately 86% and 60% of S. aureus and S. epidermidis were reduced, respectively. Abnormal bacterial cell surface after exposure to LA-RG was observed by scanning electron microscopy. It is concluded that LA-RG is a promising preparation as an alternative product for preventing mastitis in dairy cattle