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 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.

Soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in a University in Mexico City / Contaminação do solo por ovos de Toxocara spp. em uma Universidade na Cidade do México

The contamination levels of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil samples from a university campus in Mexico City were evaluated and analysed according to garden size, and were related with the percentage of Toxocara spp. eggs and its viability according to the soil characteristics. A total of 1458 soil samples collected in 15 gardens (six large and nine small) were analysed by sedimentation-flotation with zinc sulphate solution on at 33%. Contamination was low (12.9%), and egg viability was high (65.5%). The size of the garden had no influence on the presence and viability of Toxocara spp. eggs. Contamination was negatively correlated with the percentage of vegetation (r = -0. 61, P < 0.01) and the viability was negatively associated with the percentage of clay in the soil samples (r = -0.51, P < 0.04). The size of the garden did not influence the presence and viability of Toxocara spp. eggs.

Os níveis de contaminação de ovos de Toxocara spp. em amostras de solo de um Campus Universitário na Cidade do México foi avaliado e analisado de acordo com o tamanho dos jardins, e relacionado com a porcentagem da presença de Toxocara spp. e sua viabilidade com as características do solo. Um total de 1458 amostras de solo coletadas em 15 jardins (seis grandes e nove pequenos) foram analisados pelo método de sedimentação-flutuação em sulfato de zinco 33%. A contaminação foi baixa (12.9%), e a viabilidade de ovos foi alta (65.5%). O tamanho do jardim não teve influência sobre a presença e a viabilidade de ovos de Toxocara spp. A contaminação foi negativamente correlacionada com o percentual de vegetação (r = -0.61 P < 0.01) e a viabilidade negativamente associado com a porcentagem de argila nas amostras de solo (r = -0.51 P < 0.04). O tamanho do jardim não influenciou a presença e viabilidade de ovos de Toxocara spp.