Prevalence of endoparasites in stray and fostered dogs and cats in Northern Germany.

To get an overview of the current state of endoparasite prevalences in stray and not well-cared dogs and cats, faecal samples of 445 stray and foster dogs and 837 stray and foster cats were collected at their arrival at animal shelters in Lower Saxony (Germany). They were investigated for infections with endoparasites by the use of sedimentation-flotation method. Additionally, 341 canine and 584 feline samples were investigated by IDEXX SNAP® Giardia test. Stages of endoparasites were found coproscopically in 9.4 % (n = 42) of the canine samples, 4.0 % were positive for Toxocara canis, 0.9 % for hookworms, 0.4 % for Toxascaris leonina and 0.2 % for Hammondia-like oocysts. Giardia-coproantigen was detected in 11.4 % of the canine samples. In cats, 33.6 % (n = 281) were coproscopically positive for helminths and/or protozoa. Toxocara cati was found in 27.1 %, Isospora spp. in 7.5 %, Capillaria spp. 5.0 %, Taeniidae in 2.0 %, hookworms in 1.1 %, Giardia sp. in 0.7 %, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in 1.0 % and Toxoplasma-like oocysts in 0.1 %. Coproantigen specific for Giardia sp. was detected in 6.8 % of the feline samples. Dogs and cats up to 1 year of age were more frequently infected with endoparasites than animals over 1 year of age (p < 0.001). Toxocara spp. and Isospora spp. were detected significantly more often in younger dogs and cats, respectively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Stray dogs or cats older than 1 year were significantly more frequently infected with endoparasites than dropped off animals of the same age group (p < 0.05). Using the faecal egg count reduction test, the therapeutic efficacy of some anthelmintics was tested. All tested anthelmintics showed high efficacy and no suspected anthelmintic resistance was found. However, endoparasite-infected stray and free-roaming cats and dogs may contribute considerably to the contamination of public parks, playgrounds and sandpits with zoonotic parasites and therefore have to be considered a public health problem.

The effect of nematode administration on canine atopic dermatitis.

Canine atopic dermatitis is a common disease and is considered as an animal model of the human disease. Immunomodulation by helminths is reported in several species. The aim of this study was to determine whether nematodes have an immunomodulatory effect on atopic dermatitis in dogs. In the pilot study, 12 atopic dogs were infected with either embryonated eggs of Trichuris vulpis (500 and 2500 eggs in 3 dogs each) or L3 larvae of Uncinaria stenocephala (100, 500 and 2500 eggs in 2 dogs each), respectively, for 3 months. Pruritus was evaluated with visual analogue scales and clinical lesions with the canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI). Skin biopsies were obtained for histopathology at the beginning and end of the study. In the subsequent placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomised study, 21 dogs received either 2500 embryonated T. vulpis eggs or placebo and were evaluated similarly. In addition, allergen-specific serum IgE concentrations were determined. All dogs in the pilot study improved in their lesion scores, most in their pruritus scores. The cutaneous inflammatory infiltrate did not change significantly. In the subsequent randomised study, there was no significant difference between placebo and Trichuris administration in regard to pruritus or CADESI. IgE concentrations also did not change significantly. Infection with T. vulpis did not significantly change clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis.

A cross-sectional survey of gastrointestinal parasites with dispersal stages in feces from Costa Rican dairy calves.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and lungworm nematodes in dairy calves from five different ecoclimatic areas of Costa Rica. Also intensity of infection of nematodes was determined. In order to describe management practices and anthelmintic control, a questionnaire was applied in 73 farms. The influence of area, farm, host (breed, age) and ecological factors (low and high rainfall period) upon eggs per gram feces (epg) of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and first larval stage counts (L1) of Dictyocaulus viviparus were investigated. Furthermore, association of host, ecological and management risk factors to the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and D. viviparus were analyzed. The most prevalent GIN, cestodes and protozoan identified in dairy farms were similar in all areas studied. Strongylidae was the most prevalent parasite group detected, represented mainly by Haemonchus spp. and Cooperia spp., whereas Ostertagia spp. and Mecistocirrus digitatus were barely found. The most prevalent protozoan was Eimeria spp. The questionnaire applied to producers revealed the following management practices: weaning age of calves 1-4 months (52.1%), semi-confinement of calves upon 5-8 months of age (41.1%), number of paddocks used for calves <10 (57.5%), first deworming of calves at ages ≥15 days (74.70%) and deworming of calves at intervals >60 days (52.1%). Anthelmintic products were changed in 56.1% of the farms at intervals between 13 and 24 months. Although 91.8% of the farms had veterinary assistance, the majority performed parasite control regimes according to the criteria of the producers (66.7%). Common practices were the dispersion of animal feces on the pastures (64.4%) and use of disinfectant in the milking room (63.4%). The analyses of variance showed significant influence (p<0.05) of age, rainfall period, interaction of rainfall period on area (rainfall period×area) and nested effect of farm within area [farm (area)] on epg of Strongylidae; age, area, rainfall period×area and [farm (area)] on epg of Strongyloides papillosus; age, rainfall period and farm (area) on epg of Trichuris spp.; rainfall period, rainfall period×area and [farm (area)] on L1 of D. viviparus. The logistic regression analyses determined area, semi-confinement, management of feces, use of disinfectant in the milking room as risk factors for the presence of Strongylidae, S. papillosus and Trichuris spp; rainfall, age, paddock numbers for D. viviparus; and area, age, veterinary assistance, deworming program, age at first deworming and use of disinfectant in the milking room for Eimeria spp. and Buxtonella sulcata.

Giardia in symptomatic dogs and cats in Europe--results of a European study.

The percentage of Giardia infection in dogs and cats with gastrointestinal signs presenting to clinics was examined across Europe using the IDEXX SNAP Giardia Test (IDEXX Laboratories). Veterinary practices were asked to identify diarrheic and/or vomiting dogs and cats and to use the test on fecal samples from these animals. A selection for "asymptomatic" testing was also available on the data collection sheet for testing that occurred outside the target "symptomatic" population. Results from 8685 dogs and 4214 cats were submitted during the sampling period from 2005 to 2006. Analysis of the data showed 24.78% of the samples positive for Giardia among tested dogs and 20.3% among tested cats. The younger the dog or the cat, the higher the risk of being positive, peaking in the category below 6 months. The main clinical symptom, diarrhoea, also showed a higher risk of being positive, OR's of acute diarrhoea were almost double of those of the category "asymptomatic" for dogs or cats, the same range was calculated for chronic diarrhoea. Differences in participating countries were also seen. The risk of being positive was half or less in UK, Spain, Netherlands, Italy compared to Germany, and only in Belgium it showed to be higher. The results of this study show that Giardia is a common enteric agent among dogs and cats with gastrointestinal signs in Europe.

Experiences with Duddingtonia flagrans administration to parasitized small ruminants.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans applied orally to small ruminants in a field study in Germany. 20 female, pure breed goat kids and 20 female, pure breed lambs, all naturally infected with GIN, were kept on pasture and fed additionally with concentrates amended by 5 x 10(5) spores of D. flagrans per kilogram bodyweight daily for 3 months during pasture season. The equally sized control groups got the concentrate without spores. Every fortnight data of body weight, eggs per gram faeces and larval development in faecal cultures and on pasture were collected. Following 3 months of spore feeding the control goats showed arithmetic mean faecal egg counts of 1235 (+/-533) eggs per gram (epg) faeces, in comparison to 517 (+/-671) epg in the fungus-fed group (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the two sheep groups. The maximum in larval reduction in faeces was found at the end of the fungus-feeding period (81.3% in the sheep groups and to 67.9% in the goat groups), but without statistical significance. At the end of the study the mean body weight gain in the fungus-treated groups tended to be higher than in the control groups, but not showing statistically significant differences. Only regarding the first-year-grazing-goats, the bodyweights of the post-feeding period revealed significant (p<0.05) differences between fungus-fed and control group. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in qualitative faecal cultures, pasture larvae counts, serum pepsinogen-level and PCV. In the study presented here, no clear effect of fungus could be observed. Furthermore, climatic conditions during the study period may have demonstrated how vulnerable the fungus application is to such parameters.

Investigations into the prevention of neonatal Ancylostoma caninum infections in puppies by application of imidacloprid 10% plus moxidectin 2.5% topical solution to the pregnant dog.

The aim of the investigation was to examine whether a single topical administration of a combination of imidacloprid and moxidectin to pregnant dogs could prevent neonatal infections with reactivated Ancylostoma caninum larvae. Three pregnant beagles, infected with A. caninum, were treated topically with the combination on day 56 of pregnancy. Three further dogs served as untreated controls. Treatment appeared to prevent neonatal infections in the puppies completely. Neither intestinal stages nor somatic larvae were found in two examined puppies per litter. All puppies and dams of the treatment group remained coproscopically negative. No side-effects in dams or puppies were observed. Two of three untreated dams showed a patent infection after parturition. Necropsy of two puppies of each negative control litter revealed seven intestinal and five somatic A. caninum stages in total. One litter of the untreated dams showed a patent infection 33 days after parturition. In the other two litters, no representative sample sizes could be collected.

Dictyocaulus viviparus seroprevalence and epidemiology in Costa Rican dairy cattle.

A cross-sectional serological survey of Dictyocaulus viviparus was carried out to determine the prevalence of lungworm infections in 28 dairy cattle farms distributed in five selected areas from Costa Rica. The influence of area, farm, host (breed, age and lactation number) and ecological factors (altitude and life zones) on the presence of lungworm infection was analyzed. A sub-sample of 924 sera collected between September 1998 and July 1999 was processed by ELISA (Ceditest). A total of 162 (17.5%) animals from 26 (93.0%) farms showed antibodies against D. viviparus. The overall seroprevalence detected among areas was Poás 25.0%, Cartago 24.3%, Tilarán 22.0%, Alfaro Ruiz 12.0% and San Carlos 12.1%. Using analysis of variance no significant influence of area and host factors on D. viviparus infections was determined, whereas the variable farm within area was highly significant (p<0.001). However, altitude and life zones showed significant association to seropositive animals, when a Chi-square test was applied. In altitudes of 1000-2000 m (p<0.001) and life zones of Lower Montane moist forest and Montane moist forest (p<0.001) D. viviparus infections in bovines were significantly higher. The results obtained in this study indicate a high D. viviparus seroprevalence in the analyzed farms and that the factors farm, altitude and life zones were significantly related to lungworm infections.

Prevalence of Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina and ancylostomidae in public parks and beaches in different climate zones of Costa Rica.

This epidemiological study was conducted in different regions of Costa Rica to determine the prevalence of the developmental stages of potential zoonotic intestinal helminths of dogs and cats in public places. Samples were collected within three main climate zones including rural and urban areas during both the rainy and the dry season. Faecal and environmental samples were taken from 69 parks and beaches. Of the faecal samples 3% contained Toxascaris spp. eggs, 7% Toxocara spp. eggs and 55% contained ancylostomidae eggs. Of the soil samples, 2% contained ancylostomidae eggs and 0.8% contained ascarid eggs. Significant differences in the presence of parasites were found in faecal samples of dry, moist and wet climate zones and between the dry and rainy seasons. Significant differences in the presence of eggs and larvae were also found in the grass samples in the dry, the moist and the wet climate zones and between the different seasons. No significant differences were found between rural and urban areas.

Dynamics of infections with gastrointestinal parasites and Dictyocaulus viviparus in dairy and beef cattle from Costa Rica.

A longitudinal survey was carried out to determine and describe the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasite infections and Dictyocaulus viviparus in a dairy and a beef cattle farm of two different ecological zones in Costa Rica. The influence of anthelmintic treatment, age and meteorological factors (rainfall, minimum and maximum temperatures) on gastrointestinal nematodes and D. viviparus counts was determined. Calves were subjected to monthly sampling of feces and blood between April 2002 and March 2003. Coprological techniques were used to detect gastrointestinal helminthes, protozoan and D. viviparus. Blood samples were analyzed for antibodies to D. viviparus by ELISA. The most prevalent gastrointestinal parasites detected on both farms (dairy cattle, A; beef cattle, B) were Eimeria spp. (94.7%, 93.7%), Strongylidae (75.0%, 81.4%), Buxtonella sulcata (38.0%, 21.6%) and Strongyloides papillosus (29.8%, 31.7%), whereas Moniezia benedeni (4.8%, 9.1%), Trichuris spp. (7.3%, 13.2%), Toxocara vitulorum (0.0%, 1.8%) and Entamoeba bovis (2.5%, 1.1%) were less prevalent. Mean fecal egg counts (FEC) showed highest values of Strongylidae in April, May and July (>335.3 eggs/g feces) on farm A, and April, May and August (>304.3 eggs/g feces) on farm B. S. papillosus presented low FEC throughout the year on farm A, on farm B the highest values were obtained in April (303.0 eggs/g feces). Trichuris spp. presented maximum FEC values in May (328.6 eggs/g feces) on farm A and in June (157.5 eggs/g feces) on farm B. Treatment and age had significant influence on infection intensity of Strongylidae (farms A and B), S. papillosus (farms A and B) and Trichuris spp. (farm A). Rainfall had significant effect on S. papillosus (farms A and B) and Trichuris spp. (farm B). Maximum temperature showed significant effect on S. papillosus (farm A) and Trichuris spp. (farms A and B). Minimum temperature had significant influence on Strongylidae (farm A), S. papillosus (farms A and B) and Trichuris spp. (farm B). Haemonchus spp. (57%, 66%) and Cooperia spp. (30.0%, 30.7%) were the most prevalent genera identified by coproculture on both farms, in contrast, Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. were less frequent. Patent lungworm infections were low on both farms (10.8%, 1.8%). On farm A, high prevalence of antibodies against D. viviparus was determined only at the beginning of the study, in contrast, on farm B the seroprevalence fluctuated throughout the year. Treatment, age and maximum temperature had significant effect on D. viviparus counts on farm A, but not on farm B.

Evaluation of a serological method for the detection of Taenia saginata cysticercosis using serum and meat juice samples.

Two peptides, HP6-2 and Ts45S-10, were used as antigens for the detection of antibodies against Taenia saginata cysticercosis in serum and meat juice samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive control samples were obtained from animals experimentally infected (serum) and from animals naturally infected (meat juice). The two peptides and a pooled preparation of both peptides were evaluated, and their cut-off points with both sample categories were calculated. ELISA results from these different peptides were compared. Sensitivity and specificity of HP6-2 using serum were calculated as being 100 and 98%, respectively, showing to be higher than the values for the other antigens used. The average optical density (OD) value for negative samples was 0.646, whereas it was 1.702 for the positive control samples. This peptide was used to examine serum samples from animals with cysts and random field serum samples. For meat juice samples the pooled peptides showed the highest sensitivity and specificity, as they were 100 and 95%, respectively. The average OD values for the negative and the positive reference meat juice samples were 0.379 and 1.291, respectively. The optimal dilution of the meat juice samples for the ELISA was very low, as it was 1:20 using the pooled peptides, compared with 1:800 serum dilution using HP6-2. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a successful testing for T. saginata cysticercosis using meat juice.

Efficacy of a milbemycin oxime-praziquantel combination product against adult and immature stages of Toxocara cati in cats and kittens after induced infection.

Two studies were performed to examine the efficacy of milbemycin oxime against fourth-stage larvae or adults of Toxocara cati. In the study to determine efficacy against fourth-stage larvae, 20 domestic shorthair cats were inoculated with 500 embryonated eggs. Four weeks after inoculation, the animals were allocated to two groups, and cats in one group were treated with medicated tablets containing 4 mg milbemycin oxime and 10mg praziquantel (MILBEMAX) and cats in the other group with placebo tablets. Seven days after treatment the animals were euthanatized and necropsied for worm counting. The number of worms found was significantly (p=0.0002) lower in cats treated with medicated tablets than in cats treated with placebo tablets. The reduction in the number of worms was 96.53%. In the study to determine efficacy against mature adult worms, 13 kittens were inoculated with T. cati embryonated eggs. On day 45 after inoculation and after the infection had been confirmed through faecal examinations for 11 out of the 13 animals, the 11 infected animals were allocated to two groups and treated as in the first study. Seven days after treatment, all animals were euthanatized and necropsied for worm counting. The number of worms found was significantly (p=0.0043) lower in kittens treated with medicated tablets than in kittens treated with placebo tablets. The reduction in the number of worms was 95.90%. No adverse effects were recorded during either study. It is concluded that the milbemycin oxime-praziquantel tablets that were used are efficacious for the control of T. cati infections in cats.

Cases of reduced cyathostomin egg-reappearance period and failure of Parascaris equorum egg count reduction following ivermectin treatment as well as survey on pyrantel efficacy on German horse farms.

In 2003 and 2004, on a total of 63 different German horse farms, a survey using the faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test was performed to investigate the efficacy of ivermectin (IVM, Ivomec) and pyrantel (PYR, Banminth) treatment against gastro-intestinal nematodes in a total of 767 horses. IVM treatment resulted in 100% reduction of the cyathostomin egg production 14 and 21 days post-treatment (d.p.t.) on 37 farms. On the remaining five farms, the mean faecal egg count reduction ranged between 97.7 and 99.9%. The mean cyathostomin FECR following PYR treatment ranged between 92.2 and 100% on the 25 farms tested. Therefore, based on the 90% FECR threshold suggested for detection of anthelmintic resistance in horses, neither IVM nor PYR anthelmintic resistance was detected. However, if the thresholds recommended for the detection of resistance in small ruminants were applied, on one and four farms signs of reduced IVM and PYR efficacy, respectively, were observed. In 2005, to further investigate these findings, the cyathostomin egg-reappearance period (ERP) following IVM treatment was examined on six selected farms, two of which were found to show less than 99.8% FECR in the previous survey. On these two latter farms, the ERP was less than 5 weeks, while on the other four it was at least 8 weeks. Earlier investigations described IVM cyathostomin ERP of at least 9 weeks. The efficacy of IVM to reduce Parascaris equorum egg excretion was also studied. On one farm in 2 consecutive years, IVM treatment did not lead to a significant reduction in P. equorum faecal egg counts in one and five young horses, respectively.

Investigations into the prevention of prenatal and lactogenic Toxocara canis infections in puppies by application of moxidectin to the pregnant dog.

Aim of the investigation was to examine whether two administrations of moxidectin to pregnant dogs could prevent pre-natal and lactogenic infections of puppies with reactivated Toxocara canis larvae. Four pregnant beagles, infected experimentally with 20 000 embryonated eggs of T. canis, were treated subcutaneously with 1 mg moxidectin per kg body weight on days 40 and 55 of pregnancy (5-13 days before parturition). One further dam and its puppies served as untreated control. Two applications of moxidectin completely prevented pre-natal and lactogenic infections in the puppies. Neither intestinal stages nor somatic larvae were found in the dams or their corresponding puppies. All puppies and dams of the treatment group remained coproscopically negative until 42 days after parturition. The administration of moxidectin did not show any side effects in the dams. None of the puppies of the treated dams showed any pathological abnormalities. In the untreated dam one adult and 26 somatic larvae of T. canis were detected at necropsy. All puppies of the untreated dam showed a patent T. canis infection from day 28 post-natum (p.n.); 296 pre-adult and adult stages of T. canis were spontaneously eliminated and 51 intestinal stages and five somatic larvae of T. canis were recovered at necropsy. In contrast to the puppies of the treated dams all negative control puppies showed blood eosinophilia after parturition and elevated liver enzyme levels.

Visual diagnosis of Taenia saginata cysticercosis during meat inspection: is it unequivocal?

A total of 267 cysts were collected from March to December 2004 from two main abattoirs in northern Germany. The cysts were classified by the usual organoleptic methods during meat inspection as Cysticercus bovis. The reported prevalence of cysticercosis in the abattoirs was 0.48 and 1.08%, respectively. The cysts were examined macroscopically for description of their morphology and constituents and classified as viable or degenerating (dead). The DNA was extracted from these cysts and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for evaluation of the detection methods used and to make certain that the cysts did indeed belong to C. bovis, as indicated at the slaughterhouses. Two sets of primers were used with different sensitivity levels. The first, HDP1, was able to detect 200 fg of Taenia saginata DNA and 100 pg of C. bovis DNA. The other primer set, HDP2, was able to detect 1 pg of T. saginata DNA and 1 ng of C. bovis DNA. No more than 52.4% of the samples tested positive for C. bovis in the PCR using both primers, while 20% of the viable cysts and 49.2% of the degenerating cysts tested negative with both primers.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Eimeria infections in first-year grazing cattle.

Infections with Eimeria parasites can lead to severe diarrhoea with considerable clinical and economic consequences in first-year grazing stock. To identify and characterise the cause of diarrhoea observed during previous years, 164 animals on 14 dairy farms in northwestern Germany were included in this study. The calves were physically and parasitologically examined prior to turnout and until 21 days post turnout (d.p.t.). Mean animal weights decreased from 194.9 kg at the start to 189.3 kg bodyweight at the end of the study. In all herds, oocyst counts were very low prior to turnout and increased after the calves had been kept on pasture for at least 7 days. On Day 9 post turnout, 90% and at the end of the study (21 d.p.t.) 70% of all animals showed Eimeria-positive faecal samples. During the course of the study, 79 (48.2%) animals passed faecal samples with more than 100,000 oocysts per gram. The predominant species identified was Eimeria alabamensis, which accounted for more than 83% of the oocysts counted. These parasitological findings matched the clinical observations. Diarrhoea was found in 130 (79.3%) of the study animals. At 5d.p.t. and thus prior to the rise of faecal oocyst counts, a significant increase in diarrhoea was recorded. Calves showing diarrhoea excreted statistically significantly more often over 100,000 E. alabamensis oocysts per gram faeces (0.28; p = 0.0002) than calves without diarrhoea. Diarrhoea was also found during significantly more study days in animals with high oocyst counts (0.39; p = 0.0001). These data indicate that in endemic areas first-year grazing calves must be considered at risk to develop clinical coccidiosis due to E. alabamensis infection during the first 2-3 weeks post turnout.

Efficacy of toltrazuril as a metaphylactic and therapeutic treatment of coccidiosis in first-year grazing calves.

A multicentric, placebo-controlled, randomised, blinded and blocked field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of toltrazuril (Baycox, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) in the treatment of coccidiosis in first-year grazing calves naturally infected with Eimeria spp. Three-hundred and thirty-one calves were enrolled in the study and allocated to one of two treatments at a ratio of 1:1. One hundred and sixty-seven animals were treated once orally with 15 mg/kg toltrazuril, and 164 animals served as placebo-treated controls. Two treatment regimes were compared, a metaphylactic (treatment on the day, or 1 day after, turn out) and a therapeutic treatment (4 or 7 days after turn out). During an observation period of 14 days after treatment the animals were clinically examined for diarrhoea and faecal samples were regularly assessed for Eimeria oocysts. Other possible causes of diarrhoea were excluded on the basis of microbiological and virological examination. Animals were predominantly infected with Eimeria alabamensis. Number of days with diarrhoea in animals treated with toltrazuril was significantly lower compared to the placebo-treated group (therapeutic treatment: P=0.0024; metaphylactic treatment: P<0.0001). Furthermore, the number of animals with diarrhoea during the observation period for a minimum of at least 3 days, the number of animals positive for Eimeria oocysts, and the number of animals with both diarrhoea for a period of at least 3 days and positive for Eimeria oocysts, were significantly lower (P<0.01), in the toltrazuril- compared to the placebo-treated animals. Body weight in the toltrazuril-treated animals significantly exceeded that of the placebo-treated animals at the end of the observation period. Mean difference in body weight was higher in the metaphylactic (+7.3 kg) compared to the therapeutic treatment group (+3.4 kg). No adverse reactions were observed. The results indicate that toltrazuril is highly efficacious and safe in the metaphylactic and therapeutic treatment of coccidiosis caused by E. alabamensis in first-year grazing calves.

Evaluation of the efficacy of emodepside plus praziquantel topical solution against ascarid infections (Toxocara cati or Toxascaris leonina) in cats.

Eleven controlled studies were conducted in the United States and Europe to evaluate the efficacy of a topical solution of emodepside (3 mg/kg)+praziquantel (12 mg/kg) (Profender, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) against infection with various stages of the ascarid nematodes Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Infections were induced by administration of larvated ascarid eggs, and stage-specific efficacy was evaluated by treating cats at scheduled intervals post-inoculation. All studies featured random allocation to treatment groups, placebo-treated control animals and assessment of outcome measures by masked personnel. The product (emodepside+praziquantel topical solution) was 100% effective against mature adults and immature adult T. cati. In addition, it was 96.8% effective against third stage larvae and at least 99.4% effective against fourth stage larvae of T. cati, respectively. Efficacy against mature, immature adult and L4 stages of T. leonina exceeded 93.4%, but regulatory "adequacy of infection" criteria were not met in some studies. No adverse reactions to treatment were noted in cats treated with the emodepside+praziquantel topical solution.

Efficacy of a topically administered combination of emodepside and praziquantel against mature and immature Ancylostoma tubaeforme in domestic cats.

This paper reports the efficacy of emodepside/praziquantel spot-on (Profender), Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany), a novel broad-spectrum anthelmintic for dermal application, against L4 larvae and immature adult and adult stages of Ancylostoma tubaeforme in cats. The formulation contains 2.14% (w/w) emodepside and 8.58% (w/v) praziquantel, with emodepside being active against gastrointestinal nematodes and praziquantel against cestodes. Five randomized, blinded and controlled laboratory studies demonstrated 100% efficacy of emodepside/praziquantel spot-on against mature A. tubaeforme and an efficacy of >95% and >97%, respectively, against L4 larvae and immature adults (based on worm counts after necropsy) at approximately the minimum proposed dose rate in cats of 3.0 mg emodepside and 12.0 mg praziquantel/kg body weight. No adverse reactions to the treatment were observed. It is concluded that emodepside/praziquantel spot-on is an effective and safe treatment against infections with mature and immature A. tubaeforme. Emodepside/praziquantel spot-on will considerably facilitate the treatment of cats against nematodes and cestodes compared with orally administered preparations.

[Results of parasitological examinations of faecal samples from horses, ruminants, pigs, dogs, cats, hedgehogs and rabbits between 1998 and 2002]. / Ergebnisse parasitologischer Kotuntersuchungen von Pferden, Wiederkäuern, Schweinen, Hunden, Katzen, Igeln und Kaninchen in den Jahren 1998-2002.

The results of coproscopical examinations in horses, ruminants, pigs, dogs, cats, hedgehogs and rabbits between 1998 and 2002 are presented. In 4399 samples from horses 37.4% stages of strongylids, 1.4% anoplocephalids, 1.3% Strongyloides westeri, 0.9% Parascaris equorum, 0.04% Oxyuris equi, 0.04% Eimeria sp. and 0.04% Fasciola hepatica were found. In 998 samples of cattle 22.1% stages of strongylids, 11.2% of Eimeria spp., 3.5% of cryptosporidium, 2.9% of Moniezia spp., 1.3% of Trichuris spp., 0.7% of Dictyocaulus sp., 0.6% of Fasciola hepatica, 0.6% of Strongyloides sp., 0.5% of Nematodirus spp. and 0.4% of Capillaria sp. could be detected. In 524 samples of sheep 60.7% eggs of strongylids, 43.1% oozysts of Eimeria spp., 11.1% stages of Nematodirus spp., 9.5% of Moniezia spp., 7.8% of Trichuris spp., 6.7% of Strongyloides sp., 1.7% of Fasciola hepatica, 1% of Capillaria spp., 0.4% of protostrongylidae, 0.2% of Skrjabinema sp. and 0.2% of Dictyocaulus sp. were found. 33.9% of the 118 samples of goats that were examined were positive for oocysts of Eimeria spp., 30.5% for eggs of strongylids, 6.8% for Nematodirus spp., 4.2% for Trichuris spp., 3.4% for Moniezia spp., 0.8 for protostrongylids and 0.8% for Strongyloides sp. 5.7% of 1427 samples of pigs contained stages of strongylids, 1.5% of Ascaris suum, 0.4% of Isospora, 0.3% of Eimeria spp., 0.3% of Trichuris sp., 0.1% of Giardia sp., 0.1% of cryptosproidium as well as 0.1% of metastrongylids. In 1281 of the samples of dogs 2.3% Giardia sp., 2.3% Isospora sp., 2.2% Toxocara canis, 1.4% ancylostomids, 0.8% taeniids, 0.6% larvae of Crenosoma sp., 0.2% Capillaria sp, 0.2% Trichuris vulpis and 0.2% Hammondia-like oocysts were found. In 441 samples of cats 10.7% stages of Isospora sp., 3.9% eggs of Toxocara cati, 1.6% of ancylostomids, 1.4% of taeniids, 1.1% of Giardia sp., 0.7% of Toxoplasma-like oocysts, 0.7% of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, 0.5% of Toxascaris leonina and 0.2% of Capillaria spp. were found. Furthermore 0.2% of the samples contained proglottids of Mesocestoides and 0.2% stages of Dipylidium sp. Eggs of Capillaria sp. were found in 33% of the 106 samples of hedgehogs, larvae of Crenosoma striatum in 27.4%, oocysts of Isospora sp. in 5.7% of the cases. In 232 samples of rabbits 56.9% oocysts of Eimeria sp., 4.8% stages of Passalurus ambiguus, 1.3% of strongylids, 0.9% of Strongyloides sp., 0.4% of trematodes were found.