Efficacy of controlled-flux electrolyzed acidic solution in dogs with otitis externa.

Otitis externa is an inflammatory disease of the external ear canal; a therapeutic alternative is the controlled-flux electrolyzed acidic solution (SAEFC) with bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and cytological efficacies of SAEFC in otitis externa. A total of 30 dogs were examined. The clinical and cytological evaluations were on days 1, 7 and 14; the following was considered: Pain, erythema, exudate, inflammation, ulcers, putrid odor and pigmentation. Cytological evaluations were carried out to examine the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), intra-cellular bacteria (cocci; IC), extra-cellular bacteria (EC) and yeasts on days 1, 7 and 14. A cotton swab saturated with SAEFC was applied for each dog's ear. The values of PMN diminished having a significant difference between days. The presence of IC (cocci) had a difference in evaluations from day 1 to day 7 and from day 7 to day 14 demonstrating an important drop. The evaluation of pain showed a sustained decrease until reaching 95.00% of remission, erythema diminished 68.33%, the exudate dropped to 90.00%, inflammation was no longer present by day 14 in 78.00% of the cases and 21.67% showed a slight inflammation, the putrid odor dropped to 95.00% and 5.00% presented a mild odor and by day 14 ear pigmentation was no longer present in 51.67% of the cases and the 48.33% had slight pigmentation. The use of SAEFC is an effective alternative treatment in dogs with otitis externa.

Topical effect of a specific spot-on treatment made of natural ingredients in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with skin problems: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rabbits often experience skin diseases. The beneficial effects of plant extracts and essential oils are well known in other species, but the properties of these natural ingredients have not been evaluated in rabbits in vivo. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a topical, commercial solution made of essential oils, plant-extracted polyunsaturated fatty acids, and Vitamin E on rabbits suffering from skin problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty New Zealand rabbits (no sex distinction) were included in this study, with an average weight of 2-3 kg. The rabbits were divided into two groups: The first group was treated with a topical solution made from natural ingredients, and the second was a control group. The rabbits' hair and skin conditions were evaluated on days 1, 14, 28, and 35 after treatment. Data were analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis range test. RESULTS: Significant differences were determined in terms of glossy hair variability on days 28 and 35 (p≤0.0001). On days 14-35, hair loss was determined to have reduced (p=0.001), and flaking and odor improved in the treatment group, showing increased scores and significant differences (p=0.0001). By contrast, the control group showed stable overall skin and hair score and an increase in the dryness score. CONCLUSION: The topical application of essential oils and polyunsaturated fatty acids with Vitamin E was able to improve hair shine and skin hydration and reduce flaking, bad odor, and hair loss, improving the general, and cutaneous aspect of rabbits.

Presence of Toxocara spp. in domestic cats in the State of Mexico

Background: Toxocara spp. is a gastrointestinal nematode with cosmopolitan distribution and is the most common parasite in domestic cats, which can deposit fertilized eggs in the environment with feces. Egg maturation starts in the soil, concluding two to three weeks after cat defecation, but eggs can remain viable in the soil for years and spread onto vegetables and into water. Infection of cats and paratenic hosts (among them humans) occurs through ingestion of infected eggs from the environment, through ingestion of paratenic hosts and, in puppies, through milk from infected mothers. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Toxocara spp. in domestic cats. Materials Methods & Results: In this study, 229 fecal samples from domestic cats were collected in the state of Mexico, Mexico. All of cats had an owner, and fresh feline feces were collected in previously labeled sterile bottles. Coproparasitological examinations were performed on these samples using a flotation technique with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3), Toxocara spp. eggs were identified under the microscope, in accordance with the morphological descriptions. The data were analyzed by means of Fishers exact test in order to compare the presence of Toxocara eggs according to cat age and sex. The chi-square test was used to determine associations between variables [...]

Presence of Toxocara spp. in domestic cats in the State of Mexico

Background: Toxocara spp. is a gastrointestinal nematode with cosmopolitan distribution and is the most common parasite in domestic cats, which can deposit fertilized eggs in the environment with feces. Egg maturation starts in the soil, concluding two to three weeks after cat defecation, but eggs can remain viable in the soil for years and spread onto vegetables and into water. Infection of cats and paratenic hosts (among them humans) occurs through ingestion of infected eggs from the environment, through ingestion of paratenic hosts and, in puppies, through milk from infected mothers. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Toxocara spp. in domestic cats. Materials Methods & Results: In this study, 229 fecal samples from domestic cats were collected in the state of Mexico, Mexico. All of cats had an owner, and fresh feline feces were collected in previously labeled sterile bottles. Coproparasitological examinations were performed on these samples using a flotation technique with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3), Toxocara spp. eggs were identified under the microscope, in accordance with the morphological descriptions. The data were analyzed by means of Fishers exact test in order to compare the presence of Toxocara eggs according to cat age and sex. The chi-square test was used to determine associations between variables [...](AU)

Presence of anti-Toxocara canis antibodies and risk factors in children from the Amecameca and Chalco regions of México.

BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease that poses a threat to public health worldwide. This disease primarily affects children and is caused by the presence in the digestive tract of a common roundworm of dogs, Toxocara canis, or cats, Toxocara cati. Toxocara is responsible for the presentation of various syndromes in humans depending on the affected organs. METHODS: In this study, the prevalence of anti-T. canis antibodies was investigated in children aged 3-16 years from semirural populations in the municipalities of Amecameca and Chalco in México. An ELISA was used to determine the presence of anti-T. canis antibodies in blood samples. RESULTS: Of the 183 sera obtained for this study, 22 were positive for anti-T. canis antibodies (12.02%). Of these, 6.50% were from males and 5.4% were from females. Risk factors were investigated and it was found that living near a cattle operation had a statistically significant association with (Chi(2) = 5.51 and p = 0.01) and was a risk factor for (OR = 4.25, p = 0.02) seropositivity to T. canis. Keeping dogs with short hair (Chi(2) = 3.24 and p = 0.07) showed a tendency toward seropositivity for T. canis, as did the habit of sleeping with pets (Chi(2) = 3.46 and p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Seropositivity to T. canis was confirmed in children in the Amecameca and Chalco regions of México and the risk factors were identified. These findings provide important insight into the prevalence and spread of this zoonotic parasite.