Barriers and opportunities for improving dog bite prevention and dog management practices in northern Indigenous communities

Globally, people living in northern Indigenous communities are at higher risk of dog bites than the rest of the population living in North America, with annual incidence ranging from 0.61 to 59.6/10,000 inhabitants. Considering that rabies is endemic in wild canid populations in certain regions of the Arctic, the prevention of dog bites and the management of dog populations are of crucial importance for public health in these contexts. Most northern communities lack access to veterinary services, mainly due to their remote geographical location and to limited financial resources. Currently, northern Indigenous communities are using different approaches and strategies to prevent dog bites and manage dog populations, but the effectiveness of these approaches sometimes lacks evidence, and their low acceptability may affect their implementation. This study aims to describe (1) the current access and uses of veterinary services, and (2) the perceived barriers and opportunities related to dog population management practices currently implemented, or that could be implemented, in a Naskapi community and an Innu community located in northern Quebec (Canada). Quantitative data were collected through a survey to inhabitants on veterinary services (n = 122). Qualitative data were collected using individual interviews to inhabitants and health professionals to describe how dog population management measures were perceived, and to identify barriers and opportunities related to their implementation (n = 37). Descriptive and inferential analysis (quantitative data) and thematic analysis (qualitative data) were performed. Results show that the two main measures implemented at the time of the study – dog culling and short-duration veterinary clinics – were not perceived as fully acceptable and sustainable. Reinforcing access to veterinary services and other dog-related services, such as shelters and training programs on dogs, was identified as a need to improve dog bites prevention and dog population management in remote Indigenous communities. The implementation of animal health measures should be decided by concerned Indigenous communities to follow decolonial practices. It includes ensuring informed consent of dog owners, improving communication before, during and after interventions, separating veterinary services from rehoming and, most importantly giving back to Indigenous communities the complete leadership over animal health in their communities

Alfaxalone Successfully Immobilizes Small Indian Mongooses (\u3ci\u3eUrva auropunctata\u3c/i\u3e): A Field Report

We investigated intramuscular administration of alfaxalone (5.3–10.0 mg/kg) as an immobilizing agent in free-ranging small Indian mongooses (Urva auropunctata) on the island of St. Kitts, West Indies. From 5–11 January 2020, we successfully immobilized 10 of 11 mongooses. Alfaxalone provided rapid onset (median = 3 min) of immobilization. Mean duration of immobilization was 16.8 ± 3 min. Mean recovery time was 5.6 ± 1 min. There was no effect of dose administered on induction, anesthesia, or recovery times at the dose range used. We concluded that alfaxalone represents an effective alternative to dissociative agents for the immobilization of free-ranging mongooses. Further studies are necessary to quantify alfaxalone effects on mongoose vital rates and blood parameters

The effects of two dosages of midazolam on short-duration anesthesia in the juvenile Harp seal (Phoca groenlandica)

Copyright permission granted to include this article in the Institutional Repository November 30, 2010.Ye

Sudden cardiac death associated with occult hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a dog under anesthesia

A 6-year-old, 3.0 kg, neutered female, Yorkshire terrier was referred for orthopedic surgery. Cardiac arrest followed unsuccessful treatment of bradycardia and systemic arterial hypotension under general anesthesia. Postmortem examination revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A possible relationship between treatment of bradycardia, systemic arterial hypotension, and sudden cardiac death is described

Suitability of lingual venous blood to determine the acid-base and blood gas status of dogs under anesthesia

Pre-print file deposited according to publisher conditions in SHERPA/RoMEO, January 4, 2011.Ye