Tick-borne bacterial pathogens (TBBPs) show a worldwide distribution and represent a great impact on public health. The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is a vector of several pathogens that affect dogs and sometimes humans as well. In addition, TBBPs represent a diagnostic challenge and imply financial resources and medical treatment for long periods of time. In the present study, R. sanguineus s. l. was identified as the main tick species naturally parasitizing dogs that inhabit. Juárez City, Chihuahua, in the Paso del Norte region, Mexico-US Border, representing 99.8% of the cases. Additionally, an end-point PCR was performed to search for whether pathogens in R. sanguineus s. l. can transmit in DNA extracted from ticks and dog blood samples. This is the first molecular detection of Rickettsia rickettsi infecting domestic dogs in Mexico; however, other pathogens were also identified, such as Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys in both ticks and dog blood samples, while Anaplasma phagocytophilum was identified only in dog blood samples. Moreover, co-detection in tick pools and co-infection in the analyzed dog blood samples could be found. Similarly, this research showed that dogs were found mostly parasitized by adult female ticks, increasing the possibility of transmission of E. canis.
Summary Gastroesophageal reflux can be a catastrophic illness in small animals during anesthesia since its complications can cause serious pathologies, such as esophagitis, esophageal stenosis and aspiration pneumonia. With an incidence from 12 to 78.5% in anesthetized dogs, gastroesophageal reflux is normally silent during anesthesia and will be notices only if regurgitation occurs and stomach acid is present in the nasal or oral cavities. In humans, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a well-defined pathology where the lower esophageal sphincter has a sustained weakness. However, in dogs, gastroesophageal reflux disease as such is not well established, if at all; it has only been described as gastroesophagic reflux, occurring principally in anesthetized animals. There are several factors influencing the presentation of reflux in anesthetized dogs, which may be inherent to the patient (e.g. age, sex, breed, weight, or body condition), medications used prior to and during anesthesia, type of surgery or position of the animal during surgery. The objective of this review is to discuss a series of conditions that could predispose dogs to gastroesophageal reflux during anesthesia and to assist in the prevention and diagnosis of this condition. Keywords: anesthesia, aspiration pneumonia, canine, esophagitis. Resumen El reflujo gastroesofágico durante la anestesia puede ser una entidad catastrófica en la clínica de pequeñas especies, ya que sus complicaciones derivan en entidades realmente graves como esofagitis, estenosis esofágica y neumonía por aspiración. Con una incidencia del 12 al 78.5% en perros anestesiados, el reflujo gastroesofágico durante la anestesia es generalmente silencioso y sólo se observa cuando existe regurgitación y el reflujo pasa a cavidad oral o nasal. En el humano, la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE) es una patología bien definida, donde el esfínter esofágico inferior presenta una debilidad sostenida. Sin embargo, en el perro esta enfermedad como tal no está bien establecida, si acaso se describe el reflujo gastroesofágico, que ocurre principalmente en animales anestesiados. Existen diversos factores que influyen en la presentación del reflujo en los perros anestesiados. Estos pueden ser inherentes al paciente (por ejemplo: edad, sexo, raza, peso o condición corporal), a medicamentos utilizados previamente y durante la anestesia, al tipo de cirugía o a la posición del animal durante la cirugía. El objetivo de esta revisión es discutir una guía de las condiciones que predisponen a la aparición de reflujo gastroesofágico durante la anestesia en perros con el fin de facilitar el diagnóstico y la prevención de esta condición. Palabras clave: anestesia, canino, esofagitis, neumonía por aspiración. Resumo O refluxo gastroesofágico durante a anestesia pode ser uma entidade catastrófica na clínica de pequeñas espécies, já que suas complicações resultam em entidades realmente graves, como esofagite, estenose esofágica e pneumonia por aspiração. O refluxo gastroesofágico em cães anestesiados é geralmente silencioso, com uma incidência de 12 até 78.5% e só é observada quando há regurgitação e o refluxo passa até a cavidade oral ou nasal. Nos humanos, a doença pelo refluxo gastroesofágico (ERGE) é uma patologia bem definida, onde o esfíncter esofágico inferior apresenta uma debilidade continua. Porém, esta doença em cães não está bem estabelecida, pelo qual só se descreve o refluxo gastroesofágico, que ocorre principalmente em animais anestesiados. Existem diversos fatores que influenciam na apresentação do refluxo em cães anestesiados. Estes podem ser inerentes ao paciente (por exemplo: idade, sexo, raça, peso ou condição corporal), a medicamentos utilizados previamente e durante a anestesia, ao tipo de cirurgia ou a posição do animal durante a cirurgia. O objetivo da revisão foi discutir uma guia das condições que predispõem à aparição de refluxo gastroesofágico durante a anestesia em cães com o fim de facilitar o diagnóstico e a prevenção dessa condição. Palavras chave: anestesia, cão, esofagite, pneumonia por aspiração.
Background: Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that causes nodules in the esophagus and aortic aneurysms in dogs. Animals are infected by eating intermediate host (beetle) containing infective larvae or consuming viscera containing parasitic cysts from paratenic hosts. Dogs commonly have a subclinical presentation, but the most common signs are vomiting and regurgitation. Visualizing nodules or neoplastic masses via esophagoscopy and the presence of S. lupi eggs in feces are the best diagnostic methods. Milbemycin oxime is effective as a treatment for S. lupi. The objective of this study was to describe the diagnostic and medical management of a patient with dysphagia secondary to esophageal S. lupi nodules. Case: A 7-year-old male German shepherd dog was referred for endoscopic examination. The animal presented with chronic severe dysphagia and weight loss with a presumptive diagnosis of an esophageal foreign body. At palpation of the neck, the dog was painful just dorsal to the cricoid cartilage and had submandibular lymphadenomegaly. The animal also exhibited a dropped jaw which could be returned to its normal position by manipulation. Radiographic examination demonstrated a radiopaque image compatible with a mass in the cranial esophagus just caudal to the upper esophageal sphincter. A fluoroscopy study was performed and confrmed the presence of a mass apparently within the esophageal wall preventing the passage of food. Additionally, in this case, small amounts of contrast medium were visualized passing into the dog trachea. The animal was hospitalized exhibiting odynophagia, dysphagia and regurgitation. Blood analysis revealed a hypochromic normocytic anemia, severe thrombocytopenia and hipoalbuminemia. A commercial ELISA test for Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. was performed (SNAP 4Dx plus, IDEXX®). The test was positive for Ehrlichia spp. and doxycycline treatment was started. Fluoroscopy was performed using iodinated contrast, and we observed a soft tissue density structure at the ventral wall of the esophagus that was not permitting the passage of the contrast through the upper esophageal sphincter. One week after doxycycline treatment the animal showed a improvement, with appetite and increased weight. In addition, the dropping jaw was no longer evident, but, the dysphagia continued. Laboratory analyses were repeated, and values were within the normal ranges. Esophagoscopy was performed which allowed us to observe a mass suggestive of a nodule secondary to S. lupi. This nodule was found in the cranial esophagus and could not be biopsied. However S. lupi eggs were observed in the fecal study. The patient was treated with milbemycin oxime to which the patient responded favorably, regaining the ability to swallow and gaining weight. Discussion: Spirocercosis is a parasitic disease with a worldwide distribution which occurs mainly in warm climates as in the present case. Dogs often have a subclinical presentation; however when present, the most common clinical signs are regurgitation and vomiting. In the present case the patient had severe chronic dysphagia as the principal sign, which makes this case atypical. Dysphagia occurred in this case because a nodule was formed in the cranial esophagus, which is also rare. This location made it impossible to take endoscopic biopsies, as described by other authors. However, the diagnosis was made by identifying microscopic parasites eggs in the stool test. In addition, dog improved with medical treatment with milbemycin oxime, at the present, no longer shows dysphagia, odynophagia or coughs and has improved their body condition. This is the frst offcial report of the presence of canine Spirocerca lupi in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Finally, dysphagia is an uncommon sign in dogs with spirocercosis; however, esophageal nodules secondary to S. lupi should be considered as a cause of this sign. Keywords: endoscopy, milbemycin oxime, Spirocerca lupi, nodule, dysphagia, dog.
Abstract Background: Nowadays, Ehrlichia canis receives more attention because of its great morbidity and mortality in animals. Dogs in the subclinical and chronic phases can be asymptomatic, and serologic tests show cross-reactivity and fail to differentiate between current and past infections. Moreover, there could be low parasitaemia, and E. canis might be found only in target organs, hence negative by PCR in blood. Methods: We evaluated by PCR the prevalence of E. canis in blood, liver, spleen, lymphatic nodules, and bone marrow in 59 recently euthanized dogs that had ticks but were clinically healthy. Results: In total, 52.55% of the blood PCRs for E. canis were negative, yet 61.30% yield positive results in tissue biopsies as follows: 63.15% from bone marrow, 52.63% from liver, 47.36% from spleen and 15.78% from lymphatic nodules. In addition, 33% had infection in three tissues (spleen, liver and bone marrow). Conclusions: Our results show prevalence of E. canis in tissue from dogs that were negative by PCR in blood. E. canis DNA in tissue was 30% lower in dogs that tested negative in blood samples by PCR, compared to those that were positive. However, it must be taken into account that some dogs with negative results were positive for E. canis in others tissues.
Summary Gastroesophageal reflux can be a catastrophic illness in small animals during anesthesia since its complications can cause serious pathologies, such as esophagitis, esophageal stenosis and aspiration pneumonia. With an incidence from 12 to 78.5% in anesthetized dogs, gastroesophageal reflux is normally silent during anesthesia and will be notices only if regurgitation occurs and stomach acid is present in the nasal or oral cavities. In humans, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a well-defined pathology where the lower esophageal sphincter has a sustained weakness. However, in dogs, gastroesophageal reflux disease as such is not well established, if at all; it has only been described as gastroesophagic reflux, occurring principally in anesthetized animals. There are several factors influencing the presentation of reflux in anesthetized dogs, which may be inherent to the patient (e.g. age, sex, breed, weight, or body condition), medications used prior to and during anesthesia, type of surgery or position of the animal during surgery. The objective of this review is to discuss a series of conditions that could predispose dogs to gastroesophageal reflux during anesthesia and to assist in the prevention and diagnosis of this condition. Keywords: anesthesia, aspiration pneumonia, canine, esophagitis. Resumen El reflujo gastroesofágico durante la anestesia puede ser una entidad catastrófica en la clínica de pequeñas especies, ya que sus complicaciones derivan en entidades realmente graves como esofagitis, estenosis esofágica y neumonía por aspiración. Con una incidencia del 12 al 78.5% en perros anestesiados, el reflujo gastroesofágico durante la anestesia es generalmente silencioso y sólo se observa cuando existe regurgitación y el reflujo pasa a cavidad oral o nasal. En el humano, la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE) es una patología bien definida, donde el esfínter esofágico inferior presenta una debilidad sostenida. Sin embargo, en el perro esta enfermedad como tal no está bien establecida, si acaso se describe el reflujo gastroesofágico, que ocurre principalmente en animales anestesiados. Existen diversos factores que influyen en la presentación del reflujo en los perros anestesiados. Estos pueden ser inherentes al paciente (por ejemplo: edad, sexo, raza, peso o condición corporal), a medicamentos utilizados previamente y durante la anestesia, al tipo de cirugía o a la posición del animal durante la cirugía. El objetivo de esta revisión es discutir una guía de las condiciones que predisponen a la aparición de reflujo gastroesofágico durante la anestesia en perros con el fin de facilitar el diagnóstico y la prevención de esta condición. Palabras clave: anestesia, canino, esofagitis, neumonía por aspiración. Resumo O refluxo gastroesofágico durante a anestesia pode ser uma entidade catastrófica na clínica de pequeñas espécies, já que suas complicações resultam em entidades realmente graves, como esofagite, estenose esofágica e pneumonia por aspiração. O refluxo gastroesofágico em cães anestesiados é geralmente silencioso, com uma incidência de 12 até 78.5% e só é observada quando há regurgitação e o refluxo passa até a cavidade oral ou nasal. Nos humanos, a doença pelo refluxo gastroesofágico (ERGE) é uma patologia bem definida, onde o esfíncter esofágico inferior apresenta uma debilidade continua. Porém, esta doença em cães não está bem estabelecida, pelo qual só se descreve o refluxo gastroesofágico, que ocorre principalmente em animais anestesiados. Existem diversos fatores que influenciam na apresentação do refluxo em cães anestesiados. Estes podem ser inerentes ao paciente (por exemplo: idade, sexo, raça, peso ou condição corporal), a medicamentos utilizados previamente e durante a anestesia, ao tipo de cirurgia ou a posição do animal durante a cirurgia. O objetivo da revisão foi discutir uma guia das condições que predispõem à aparição de refluxo gastroesofágico durante a anestesia em cães com o fim de facilitar o diagnóstico e a prevenção dessa condição. Palavras chave: anestesia, cão, esofagite, pneumonia por aspiração.
Abstract Background: Nowadays, Ehrlichia canis receives increasing attention because of its great morbidity and mortality in animals. Dogs in the subclinical and chronic phases can be asymptomatic, and serological tests show cross-reactivity and fail to differentiate between current and past infections. Moreover, there could be low parasitaemia, and E. canis might be found only in target organs, hence causing results to be negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples. Methods: We evaluated by PCR the prevalence of E. canis in blood, liver, spleen, lymph node and bone marrow samples of 59 recently euthanised dogs that had ticks but were clinically healthy. Results: In total, 52.55% of the blood PCRs for E. canis were negative, yet 61.30% yielded positive results from tissue biopsies and were as follows: 63.15% from bone marrow; 52.63% from liver; 47.36% from spleen; and 15.78% from lymph node. In addition, 33% had infection in three tissues (spleen, liver and bone marrow). Conclusions: Our results show the prevalence of E. canis from tissues of dogs that were negative by blood PCR. Ehrlichia canis DNA in tissue was 30% lower in dogs that tested negative in PCR of blood samples compared to those that were positive. However, it must be taken into account that some dogs with negative results were positive for E. canis in other tissues.
Abstract Background: Nowadays, Ehrlichia canis receives more attention because of its great morbidity and mortality in animals. Dogs in the subclinical and chronic phases can be asymptomatic, and serologic tests show cross-reactivity and fail to differentiate between current and past infections. Moreover, there could be low parasitaemia, and E. canis might be found only in target organs, hence negative by PCR in blood. Methods: We evaluated by PCR the prevalence of E. canis in blood, liver, spleen, lymphatic nodules, and bone marrow in 59 recently euthanized dogs that had ticks but were clinically healthy. Results: In total, 52.55% of the blood PCRs for E. canis were negative, yet 61.30% yield positive results in tissue biopsies as follows: 63.15% from bone marrow, 52.63% from liver, 47.36% from spleen and 15.78% from lymphatic nodules. In addition, 33% had infection in three tissues (spleen, liver and bone marrow). Conclusions: Our results show prevalence of E. canis in tissue from dogs that were negative by PCR in blood. E. canis DNA in tissue was 30% lower in dogs that tested negative in blood samples by PCR, compared to those that were positive. However, it must be taken into account that some dogs with negative results were positive for E. canis in others tissues.
Background/Aim: This study evaluated the usefulness of a Bochdalek hernia rabbit model as a tool for advanced thoracoscopic training, teaching the specific skills required for thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Materials and Methods: An incision was made in the Bochdalek triangle of 25 New Zealand rabbits (weighing 3–3.5 kg) to induce an experimental diaphragmatic hernia. At 72 hours later, a thoracoscopic repair of the hernia as described for newborns was performed by 25 pediatric surgeons divided into two groups: expert and novice. The tasks assessed were organ relocation and diaphragm suture. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate technical performance. The objective performance measure was completion time. Complications were recorded, and suture quality was scored. The surgeons evaluated the model by completing a questionnaire, grading items on a 5-point scale. Results: All 25 animals developed a diaphragmatic hernia with protrusion of the intestine into the thoracic cavity. Expert trainees had significantly shorter completion times and better performance scores than novices. Experts also received higher scores for suture quality. Five novices caused perforations or bleeding, but no experts did. The surgeons rated the model positively, highlighting the similarities between the model and newborn hernias and its usefulness for pediatric training programs. Conclusions: The Bochdalek hernia rabbit model can be used to detect different levels of experience in pediatric thoracoscopy. This realistic and easily reproducible model can help to perfect thoracoscopic skills in a realistic recreation of a pediatric Bochdalek hernia repair.
Abstract Background: Nowadays, Ehrlichia canis receives increasing attention because of its great morbidity and mortality in animals. Dogs in the subclinical and chronic phases can be asymptomatic, and serologic tests show cross-reactivity and fail to differentiate between current and past infections. Moreover, there could be low parasitaemia, and E. canis might be found only in target organs, hence causing results to be negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples. Methods: We evaluated by PCR the prevalence of E. canis in blood, liver, spleen, lymph node and bone marrow of 59 recently euthanised dogs that had ticks but were clinically healthy. Results: In total, 52.55% of the blood PCRs for E. canis were negative, yet 61.30% yielded positive results from tissue biopsies and were as follows: 63.15% from bone marrow, 52.63% from liver, 47.36% from spleen and 15.78% from lymph node. In addition, 33% had infection in three tissues (spleen, liver and bone marrow). Conclusions: Our results show the prevalence of E. canis from tissues of dogs that were negative by blood PCR. E. canis DNA in tissue was 30% lower in dogs that tested negative in PCR of blood samples compared to those that were positive. However, it must be taken into account that some dogs with negative results were positive for E. canis in other tissues.