Organisms isolated from dogs and cats with anaerobic infections and susceptibility to selected antimicrobial agents

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of obligate anaerobic bacteria in bacterial infections in dogs and cats and susceptibility to selected antimicrobial agents. DESIGN: Case series. SAMPLE POPULATION: Specimens from 1,267 dogs and 243 cats. PROCEDURE: Standard anaerobic and aerobic bacterial culture methods were used. Anaerobic isolates were tested for susceptibility to selected antimicrobial agents. RESULTS: Obligate anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 199 (15.7%) and 69 (28.4%) specimens obtained from dogs and cats, respectively. More than half of the specimens that contained obligate anaerobic bacteria were from draining tracts (exclusively dogs), pleural fluid, abscesses, bones, the respiratory tract, or the abdominal cavity. The most commonly isolated obligate anaerobic bacteria (approx 70% of all isolates) were Bacteroides spp, Peptostreptococcus spp, Fusobacterium spp, and Porphyromonas spp. Eighty percent of the specimens that contained obligate anaerobic bacteria also contained facultative anaerobic or aerobic organisms. The organisms most commonly isolated in association with obligate anaerobic bacteria were members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli was the most common), Pasteurella spp, and Staphylococcus intermedius. Ninety-seven obligate anaerobic isolates were tested for susceptibility to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and metronidazole. All were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and chloramphenicol, and most were susceptible to metronidazole. Only 71% of the Bacteroides isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, and only 83% were susceptible to clindamycin. Only 80% of the Clostridium isolates were susceptible to clindamycin, but all were susceptible to ampicillin. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Data on sites and conditions from which anaerobic bacteria are commonly isolated, along with results of susceptibility testing, may be useful in designing antimicrobial treatment regimens.     

Effects of centrally administered insulin on urine output and sodium excretion in dogs

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis, the initiation of which is an early major event during the transformation of iris into lens in the newt, was characterized in the TVI cell-line derived from the eastern North-American newt Notophthalmus viridescens. Employing the technique of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, molecular-weight measurements were made on newt rRNAs using Xenopus laevis and E. coli rRNAs as standards. The molecular weights of N. viridescens 28S and 18S rRNA were found to be 1.4 X 10(6) and 0.7 X 10(6) respectively. The precursor to these RNAs had a molecular weight of 3.1 X 10(6). Three probable intermediates in the processing of precursor to mature rRNA were also identified. On the basis of the molecular weights of all species of RNA identified, a processing pathway, similar to that of Xenopus, has been suggested. Some unusual features in the kinetics of precursor rRNA labelling and processing suggest the possibility that newt-cell rRNA synthesis may be controlled by the availability of essential amino acids in a manner similar to that observed in mammalian cells. A possible relationship between the availability of essential amino acids, the initiation of rRNA synthesis in the newt iris, and the control of lens regeneration is discussed.     

A study of virulence factors produced by MRSA strains isolated from blood samples

Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) and enterotoxins are important virulence factors produced by Staphylococcus aureus. It is reported that these toxins are associated with septic shock and toxic shock syndrome. We investigated the toxin production and coagulase types of 701 MRSA strains isolated in Sasebo City General Hospital between 1994 and 1996 TSST-1 or/and enterotoxins were detected in 67% of all MRSA strains, and those were detected in 88% of MRSA strains isolated from blood samples. 45% of all MRSA strains produced both TSST-1 and enterotoxin C, and 70% of MRSA strains obtained from blood produced those toxins. Frequency of TSST-1 or/and enterotoxin production by MRSA strains isolated from blood samples was significantly higher than that by MRSA strains isolated from urine and pharynx (p < 0.05), and frequency of both TSST-1 and enterotoxin C production by MRSA isolates from blood was significantly higher than that by MRSA strains isolated from pharyngeal sample (p < 0.05). This study indicated that investigation of virulence factors produced by MRSA might give the useful information on prevention and treatment of MRSA infection.     

Epidemiologic study of cats and dogs affected by the 1991 Oakland fire

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors of pets affected by the 1991 Oakland, Calif fire for being lost, found, adopted, or reunited with owners. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 1,075 cats and 197 dogs affected by the fire and 221 cats and 128 dogs not affected by the fire. PROCEDURES: Records compiled from 1991 to 1995 by the Oakland Firestorm Pet Hotline were analyzed. RESULTS: Peak activity for the hotline was on days 3 and 4 after the fire, but decreased to a low, steady rate by day 21. Many pets were found that had been abandoned or were part of a large free-roaming population that existed at the time of the fire. Many were missing after the fire and presumed killed. The longer owners delayed looking for their pet, the lower the chance of being reunited. Pets wearing collars with the owners' names and addresses had a more than 10-fold chance of being reunited, compared with pets without collars. Increasing odds for adoption of lost pets was associated with their proximity to the fire. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Hotlines set up after sudden impact disasters, such as the Oakland Firestorm Pet Hotline, will probably register primarily abandoned animals. Reunion of pets with their owners appears to be most likely for those that receive an overall better level of care than pets found at other times. Adoption of pets after this disaster was primarily by the person who found that animal and principally resulted when the pet was found close to the disaster area.     

A survey of blood lead levels in dogs and cats

The blood of 206 dogs and 26 cats was analyzed for lead by non-flame atomic absorption giving mean levels of 6.4 mug/100 ml for dogs and 5.2 mug/100 ml for cats. Statistical treatment of the results using a paired Students' t-test showed significant differences by age for dogs but not for cats. Urban dogs had significantly higher blood lead levels than country dogs (P less than 0.05) thus indicating that dogs can be regarded as useful environmental monitors for lead pollution.     

Diseases of the Achilles tendon in dogs and cats

Dogs and cats rarely have problems with the Achilles tendon and if so, it usually results from a direct trauma. Prime area for injuries is the insertion on the tuber calcanei or directly proximal. One defers between complete and partial ruptures, acute and chronic injuries as well as displacement of the tendon of the superficial digital flexor muscle. In 38 cases (33 dogs and five cats) the clinical examination, radiology, ultrasonography and therapy are shown. Usually the clinical examination is sufficient for a diagnosis (hyperflexion of the hock and weight-bearing on the plantar surface of the metatarsus). The radiology primarily shows up abnormalities on the calcaneus, mineralisations of the tendon and allows the assessment of implants. Ultrasonography is the diagnostic imaging of choice for judgement of tendon diseases as well as the progress of their healing. Tendon suture is advisable if the rupture is open, fresh and/or complete and in cases of luxation of the superficial digital flexor muscle. Immobilisation of the tarsus in hyperextension seems to be of utmost importance no matter if an operative or conservative therapy is chosen.     

A survey of epithelial odontogenic tumors and cysts in dogs and cats

A retrospective histologic study of 12 canine and eight feline epithelial odontogenic tumors and cysts was conducted from oral masses (n = 3,917) obtained between 1980 and 1990. No sex or breed predilection was identified. Ameloblastoma was observed in two dogs (case Nos. 1, 2) 6 and 8 months of age. Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors were seen in a dog (case No. 3) and in two cats (case Nos. 4, 5) between 8 and 16 years of age. Ameloblastic fibroma (or fibroameloblastoma) was observed in cats (case Nos. 6-10) only. Inductive fibroameloblastoma was observed in four cats (case Nos. 6-9) up to 1 year of age, whereas ameloblastic fibroma was seen in a 14-year-old cat (case No. 10). A single ameloblastic odontoma was identified in a 20-month-old dog (case No. 11). Two complex odontomas occurred in a 6-month-old (case No. 12) and a 4-year-old (case No. 13) dog. Odontogenic cysts were identified in five dogs (case Nos. 14-18) aged 4.5 months to 16 years and in a 1-year-old cat (case No. 19) and have not been previously reported in these species. These cysts were lined by a stratified epithelium reminiscent of the appearance of ameloblastic epithelium. An odontogenic keratocyst with prominent central parakeratotic keratinization was identified in one 9-year-old female dog (case No. 20). Almost all epithelial odontogenic tumors were circumscribed, benign tumors that warranted a good prognosis for survival, although local recurrence may have followed (or may follow) incomplete excision. Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors may be locally invasive. Of six odontogenic cysts (case Nos. 14-19), two (case Nos. 15, 18) gave rise to basi-squamous carcinomas. The classification and behavior of epithelial odontogenic tumors and cysts in human beings, dogs, and cats are discussed.     

Determination of n-hexane metabolites by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. 2. Glucuronide-conjugated metabolites in untreated urine samples by electrospray ionization

A liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-LC/MS) system was evaluated for the identification and characterization of n-hexane conjugated metabolites (glucuronides) in untreated urine samples. Chromatography of glucuronides was obtained under ion-suppressed reversed-phase conditions, by using high-speed (3 cm, 3 microns) columns and formic acid (2 mM) as modifier in the mobile phase. The mass spectrometer was operated in negative ion (NI) mode. For the first time, four glucuronides were identified by ESI-LC/MS in untreated urine samples of rats exposed to n-hexane: 2-hexanol-glucuronide, 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone-glucuronide, 2,5-hexanediol-glucuronide and 4,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone-glucuronide. Confirmation of the conjugated metabolites was obtained by LC/MS/MS experiments. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) LC/MS analyses were performed on the same samples. An integrated approach GC/MS-LC/MS for the semi-quantitative analysis of n-hexane glucuronides, whose standards are not commercially available, is discussed and proposed here. In order to understand the fate of the metabolites during sample pre-treatment, a study about the effects of enzymatic and acid hydrolysis on urine samples was conducted on glucuronides isolated by solid-phase extraction. Combined analyses by GC/MS and LC/MS enabled us to distinguish 'true' n-hexane metabolites from compounds resulting from sample treatment and handling (i.e. enzymatic and acid hydrolysis, extraction and GC injection).     

Reliability of using random urine samples for "spot" determination of fractional excretion of electrolytes in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the "spot" method of determining fractional excretion (FE) of electrolytes in cats is accurate. ANIMALS: 5 clinically normal young adult female cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were acclimated to metabolism cages, and 2 consecutive 72-hour collections of urine were made to determine FE of total calcium, potassium, total magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus by conventional methods, using endogenous creatinine clearance as an estimate of glomerular filtration rate. During collections, small samples of urine were obtained by cystocentesis at 8 AM, 3 PM, and 9 PM for determination of FE of the electrolytes by use of the "spot" method. RESULTS: Values from "spot" determinations were highly variable, compared with 72-hour values, with a high percentage falling outside the range of mean +/- 2 SD for 72-hour FE values. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The "spot" method for determining FE is not precise, and if used, caution and judgement should be exercised in interpretation of the results.     

Epidemiology of thyroid diseases of dogs and cats

One prediction of a multi-ion pore is that its conductance should reach a maximum and then begin to decrease as the concentration of permeant ion is raised equally on both sides of the membrane. A conductance maximum has been observed at the single-channel level in gramicidin and in a Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel at extremely high ion concentration (> 1,000 mM) (Hladky, S. B., and D. A. Haydon. 1972. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 274:294-312; Eisenmam, G., J. Sandblom, and E. Neher. 1977. In Metal Ligand Interaction in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. 1-36; Finkelstein, P., and O. S. Andersen. 1981. Journal of Membrane Biology. 59:155-171; Villarroel, A., O. Alvarez, and G. Eisenman. 1988. Biophysical Journal. 53:259a. [Abstr.]). In the present study we examine the conductance-concentration relationship in an inward-rectifier K+ channel, ROMK1. Single channels, expressed in Xenopus oocytes, were studied using inside-out patch recording in the absence of internal Mg2+ to eliminate blockade of outward current. Potassium, at equal concentrations on both sides of the membrane, was varied from 10 to 1,000 mM. As K+ was raised from 10 mM, the conductance increased steeply and reached a maximum value (39 pS) at 300 mM. The single-channel conductance then became progressively smaller as K+ was raised beyond 300 mM. At 1000 mM K+, the conductance was reduced to approximately 75% of its maximum value. The shape of the conductance-concentration curve observed in the ROMK1 channel implies that it has multiple K(+)-occupied binding sites in its conduction pathway.     

Uveitis in dogs and cats: guidelines for the practitioner

Uveitis is a commonly misdiagnosed ophthalmic condition with a wide aetiological base and often the cause cannot be established. Uveitis can be associated with systemic diseases like feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus, lymphoma, toxoplasmosis and canine ehrlichiosis. The classification and general clinical signs of uveitis are discussed. Applicable clinical cases, manifestations and diagnostic methods of the selected diseases are mentioned, and a general approach to the treatment of uveitis is given.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of staphylococci isolated from the skin surface of clinically normal cats

We evaluated the impact of the November 1994 ban on smoking on school property in Ontario. Telephone interviews were conducted at the end of the 1995-96 school year with 213 high school administrators. Almost all high schools (96%) prohibit smoking on school property. Although some smoking still occurs on school property, the location of smoking by students has changed, giving rise to perceptions of both benefits and risks, as well as varying complaints from parents, students, neighbours, and nearby businesses. Most of the problems arising from the ban are viewed as minor. Local conditions, particularly the geographic environment of the school, appear to be important determinants of complaints and problems. While sizeable minorities of school administrators felt the ban had favourable effects, the majority perceived little effect on either smoking behaviour or attitudes towards smoking.     

Studies on the metabolites of tetramethylpyrazine in human urine

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an active ingredient in Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Wallich Franch), a traditional Chinese herb, has been widely used especially in the treatment of patients with cerebral ischemic diseases in China. TMP was reported to have a short half-life time because of its rapid metabolism in the liver. In this paper we studied its metabolites in human urine with GC/MS after oral administration of TMP. Three metabolites were found in the water soluble acidic fraction of the urine and the main metabolite was identified to be 3,.5,6-trimethylpyrazinecarboxylic acid.     

Fluorescence of dental calculus from cats, dogs, and humans and of bacteria cultured from dental calculus

Recently we reported that feline and canine dental calculus fluoresced pink to red under long wavelength ultraviolet light due to the presence of porphyrin. Here we report the observation of such fluorescence in 30 of 30 cats, 30 of 30 dogs, and 8 of 13 supragingival samples and 5 of 5 subgingival samples of humans. The fluorescence spectra of the calculus dissolved in 9 M HCl show that it is due to three distinct metal-free porphyrins. Similar fluorescence is obtained from bacterial cultures grown from calculus deposits of cats and dogs and bacteria grown on blood agar containing hemin and vitamin K1. The results of the bacterial culture study suggest that the metal-free porphyrin is produced by bacteria in the mouth. The clinical observation of fluorescence can be used for diagnosis.     

Review of thymic pathology in 30 cats and 36 dogs

Data are presented from 30 cats and 36 dogs in which thymic disease was recognised clinically or on postmortem examination. The diagnoses included thymic lymphoma (19 cats, 12 dogs), thymoma (five cats, 18 dogs), thymic branchial cyst formation or cystic change (one cat, four dogs), thymic hyperplasia (two cats), congenital hypoplasia (one cat, one dog), thymic haemorrhage (one cat, one dog) and thymic amyloidosis (one cat). Thymic lymphoma occurred in younger dogs and cats, and was recorded equally among domestic shorthaired and purebred (especially Siamese) cats. Eight cats with thymic lymphoma were tested for feline leukaemia virus and four were positive. Thymoma occurred more frequently in older cats and dogs, and in Labradors and German shepherd dogs. Thymic tumours were associated with paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia (six dogs), megaoesophagus (two dogs) or interface dermatitis with basement membrane immune complex deposition (one cat). Non-neoplastic thymic diseases were associated with myasthenia gravis (one cat), pemphigus foliaceus (one cat) and superficial necrolytic dermatitis (one cat).     

Epidemiologic evaluation of postoperative wound infections in dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine postoperative wound infection rates in dogs and cats for various wound contamination categories and to identify factors that influence postoperative wound infection rates. DESIGN: Epidemiologic study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 1,574 wounds in 1,255 dogs and cats. PROCEDURE: Information recorded included signalment, nutritional status, surgery duration, surgical procedures, wound contamination classification, interval from clipping until surgery, blood pressure values, active infection at a distant site, endocrinopathy, and administration of immunosuppressive medications or antibiotics. Relative risk, 95% confidence intervals, and multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Postoperative infection was evident in 86 of 1,574 (5.5%) wounds, including 54 of 1,146(4.7%) and 13 of 259 (5.0%) animals with clean and clean-contaminated wounds respectively, and 12 of 100 (12.0%) and 7 of 69 (10.1%) animals with contaminated and dirty wounds, respectively. Animals with clean wounds that received antibiotics other than as prescribed in our perioperative protocol had a higher infection rate than animals that did not receive antibiotics. Surgical sites clipped before anesthetic induction were 3 times more likely to become infected than sites clipped after induction. Risk of wound infection increased with increasing duration of surgery. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Wound contamination categories had too much variation to make them useful for predicting animals that would develop wound infections. Surgical sites should be clipped immediately prior to surgery, and intraoperative time should be kept to a minimum. Unless indicated for other current active infection, prolonged use of antibiotics after surgery should be avoided in animals with clean wounds.     

Temephos collars for control of fleas on dogs and cats

Efficacy of polyvinyl chloride collars containing temephos [0,0'-(thiodi-4,1-phenylene) 0,0,0',0'-tetramethyl bis-(phosphorothioate)] was elevaluated in dogs and cats against the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Over a period of 42 weeks, collared (treated) and control dogs were experimentally infested with 100 fleas 23 times, and control and treated cats were similarly infested 20 times during a 41-week period. Flea populations on treated dogs were reduced by 80% or more for at least 36 weeks. Initially, flea reduction by 80% occurred within 1 day, but in dogs wearing the same collars for 26 weeks, this reduction occurred in 3 to 6 or more days. Only during the first 2 weeks of wearing the collars were all fleas killed on all dogs within a 6-day period after infestation. Residual efficiency was lowest on highly active dogs and greatest on inactive dogs. The residual efficiency on cats was somewhat better than on dogs. At the end of 41 weeks, collars on cats reduced the flea population by 85 to 90% within 1 to 5 days following infestation. Collars on cats, as on dogs, were 100% efficacious only during the first 2 weeks of the trial.