Comparison of conservative management and juvenile pubic symphysiodesis in the early treatment of canine hip dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) in a clinical setting for the early treatment of canine hip dysplasia (CHD), and to identify its indications and contraindications. METHODS: The final degree of CHD using the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) CHD classification in 5 Grades (A, B, C, D, E) was assessed at skeletal maturity in two homogeneous groups of dogs assessed at the age of 14 to 22 weeks and selected according to their susceptibility to CHD; one group was treated with JPS and one group was conservatively managed. Two hundred seventeen puppies completed the study; 81 were treated with JPS (group 1) and 76 were conservatively managed (group 2). A third group of 60 puppies with normal hips was followed as a negative control group. RESULTS: In group 1, 43.2% of the puppies had regression or a lack of progression of the disease in the final evaluation (Grade A & B), 25.9% had mild CHD (Grade C) and 30.9% had moderate and severe CHD (Grade D & E). In group 2, 23.6% of the puppies did not show any development of the disease (Grade A & B), 21.1% had mild CHD (Grade C) and 55.3% developed moderate to severe CHD (Grade D & E). Further investigation was done by comparing the severity of early signs of susceptibility to CHD with the final FCI Grades at adulthood in both groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The JPS procedure increased the odds of arresting or limiting the progression of CHD in mild to moderate grades of CHD, while it was less effective or ineffective in more severe forms.

Abomasal nematodes of the red deer Cervus elaphus in north-eastern Italy.

The composition of the abomasal helminth fauna and parasite diversity were studied in 298 red deer collected during 1997-2000 from three different sectors (Bolzano, Trento and Sondrio provinces) of the Stelvio National Park, one of the main protected areas of north-eastern Italy. The association between parasite burdens and geographical areas of the hosts was assessed using the negative binomial regression. A variety of abomasal helminths, both host specific and generalist, was found in all sectors. The most commonly observed parasites were the Spiculopteragia spiculoptera morph spiculoptera and Ostertagia leptospicularis morph leptospicularis, with prevalences of 79.5% and 40.9%, respectively. The minor morphs S. spiculoptera morph mathevossiani (prevalence 31.9%) and O. leptospicularis morph kolchida (18.8%) occurred at lower prevalences. Teladorsagia circumcincta morph circumcincta, Marshallagia marshalli morph marshalli and Haemonchus contortus were rarer, at prevalences of 1, 1.3 and 1.3%, respectively. Deviance analysis of the negative binomial regression model shows that the geographical area is significantly related to parasite burdens (P = 0.001). Prevalences of hosts with parasites were greater in the Sondrio (odds ratio = 1.31; 95% confidence interval: 0.16-10.85) and smaller in the Trento (odds ratio = 0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.20-1.96) sectors with respect to Bolzano, but these differences were not statistically significant. Possible cross-infections by more generalist parasites between wild and domestic animals were also suggested, as deer and domestic ruminants (Bovinae, Caprinae and Ovinae) used the same feeding areas of the park sectors.

Cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered sheep in Sardinia (Italy).

Of 771 regularly slaughtered Sardinian breed sheep, 580 (75%) were found infected with Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts. Seventy-nine sheep (10.3%) had at least 1 fertile cyst. The prevalence of sheep infected with purulent/caseous cysts, calcified cysts and sterile cysts was 13, 59 and 28%, respectively. The age of sheep was positively associated with the probability of infection that increased 1.15 fold for each further year of age. Fertile cysts were found in the lungs of 46 sheep (6%) and in the liver of 13 sheep (1.7%), and in the lung and the liver of 20 sheep (2.6%). Most fertile cysts were found in the lungs (314) and most sheep were infected with less than 10 cysts. When analyzed by a mixed-effect logistic model, the probability to find fertile cysts in the lungs was three times higher compared to the liver and it increased with the age of the sheep (rho = 0.70, p < 0.001). Of 4072 collected cysts, 532 were fertile, 178 purulent/caseous, 2339 calcified and 1023 sterile.

Controlling the onset of natural cryptosporidiosis in calves with paromomycin sulphate.

A prospective, controlled-blind field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paromomycin sulphate, given for 10 days from birth, in preventing natural cryptosporidiosis in calves. In the untreated control group, oocyst shedding and diarrhoea followed the pattern that had occurred on the farm before the trial, consistent with a perinatal infection, whereas in the treated group, the prepatent period was significantly longer than in the control group (P < 0.01) and oocyst shedding and diarrhoea started only after the drug was withdrawn. However, the regimen did not reduce the incidence of disease in the treated group.