Posted on June 10, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

Monitoring environmental exposures in dogs could be early warning system for human health

Monitoring environmental exposures in dogs could be early warning system for human health

Man’s best friend may also be man’s best bet for figuring out how environmental chemicals could impact our health. Researchers from North Carolina State University and Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment used silicone dog tags as passive environmental samplers to collect information about everyday chemical exposures, and found that dogs could be an important sentinel species for the long term effects of environmental chemicals.

“Silicone monitoring devices are still relatively new, but they represent an inexpensive and effective way to measure exposure to the chemicals we encounter in daily life — from pesticides to flame retardants,” says Catherine Wise, Ph.D. candidate at NC State and lead author of a paper describing the work. “And we know that many human diseases caused by environmental exposure are similar clinically and biologically to those found in dogs.”

Wise and researchers from NC State and Duke recruited 30 dogs and their owners to wear silicone monitors for a five-day period in July 2018. Humans wore wristbands, while the dogs wore tags on their collars.

The researchers analyzed the wristbands and tags for exposures to chemicals within three classes of environmental toxicants that are often found in human blood and urine: pesticides, flame retardants, and phthalates, which are found in plastic food packaging and personal care products. They found high correlations between exposure levels for owners and their pets. Urinalysis also revealed the presence of organophosphate esters (found in some flame retardants) in both owners and dogs.

“What was remarkable about these results were the similar patterns of exposure between people and their pets,” says Heather Stapleton, Ronie-Richelle Garcia-Johnson Distinguished Professor, director of the Duke Environmental Analysis Laboratory at the Nicholas School and co-author of the research. “It’s quite clear that the home environment contributes strongly to our daily exposure to chemical contaminants.”

However, while dogs and humans may share similar exposures, the health effects do not follow similar timelines — a fact that could aid researchers in teasing out relationships between chemical exposure and human health. “Dogs are special when it comes to linking exposures and disease outcomes because effects that may take decades to show up in humans can occur in one to two years in a dog,” Wise says.

“Humans spend incredible amounts of time with their dogs — that’s especially true right now,” says Matthew Breen, Oscar J. Fletcher Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology Genetics at NC State and corresponding author of the paper. “If we develop ways to correlate dog disease with their exposures over time, it may give human-health professionals the opportunity to mitigate these exposures for both species. Dogs are a powerful biological sentinel species for human disease.”

Materials provided by North Carolina State University.

Posted on June 3, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

What about Tylosin for dogs?

What about Tylosin for dogs?

Tylosin-responsive diarrhea (TRD) is a syndrome that includes all cases in which tylosin antibiotic treatment has had a positive effect on treating dogs with intermittent or chronic diarrhea. Antibiotic treatment often leads to resolution of clinical gastrointestinal (GI) signs, and thus the term antibiotic-responsive diarrhea (ARD) was coined. Recently, trials have been published in which tylosin proved to be particularly effective in treating dogs with chronic or intermittent diarrhea, with the effect of tylosin differing from that of other antibiotics, thus indicating that the more newly established term TRD is more appropriate than ARD.

Tylosin antibiotic

Tylosin is a macrolid, bacteriostatic antibiotic that has activity against most Gram-positive and Gram-negative cocci, Gram-positive rods and Mycoplasma. However, the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. are intrinsically tylosin-resistant. Tylosin is used only in veterinary medicine, and its most common indications are treating pigs with diarrhea or poultry with chronic respiratory diseases. Tylosin has also been used as a feed additive in food animal production, and it has been shown to increase gain and feed efficiency, especially in pigs. Debate about the mechanisms underlying tylosin-mediated growth enhancement is ongoing.

Tylosin is usually used in powder form for pigs and poultry. In Finland and in some other countries, tylosin is also available in tablet form, facilitating its use in dogs.

Experiences of tylosin in treating diarrhea

Our experience with tylosin is derived from numerous studies with dogs suffering from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).These studies have clearly shown that tylosin has a favorable effect as a supportive therapy on dogs with EPI.

In Finland, tylosin has for years been the most common drug in the treatment of unspecific intermittent or chronic diarrhea in dogs. Anecdotal reports by veterinarians and dog owners reveal that many dogs with diarrhea respond well and quickly to tylosin treatment, generally within a few days of initiation of treatment. When treatment is discontinued, however, diarrhea reappears in many dogs within a matter of weeks or months. Some dogs need a treatment over very long period. Even so, the effect of controlling diarrheal signs does not appear to diminish with time, and thus there is no need to increase the dosage of the medication. No apparent tylosin-associated adverse effects have been reported.

TRD can affect dogs from all breeds and ages but is most often seen in middle-aged, large-breed dogs. The diarrea signs appear often as intermittent but progressivly become more frequent and end as persistent diarrhea. Abnormal loose fecal consistency is the predominant sign. The majority of the owners describe their dogs’ feces as watery and/or mucoid indicating that TRD affects both the small and large bowel. Increased frequency of borborygmus and flatulence are also typically seen. Vomiting is occasionally seen during the diarrheal outbreaks.

In dogs with TRD the blood parameters are usually normal. Also the abnormal findings in diagnostic imaging studies and histological examination of intestinal biopsies, are only mild or completely absent.

Clinical studies with tylosin

Only a few studies on treating diarrheal signs in dogs with tylosin have been published. Van Kruiningen, (1976) reported more than 30 years ago that tylosin had a good effect in treatment of unspecific canine diarrhea. Recently, our study group performed two clinical trials to obtain more information on TRD. The first study included 14 adult pet dogs of 12 different breeds. Each dog’s diet remained unchanged throughout the study. The dogs had shown chronic or intermittent diarrheal signs for a period of more than one year. Diarrhea had been successfully treated with tylosin for at least six months, and the treatment had been discontinued at least twice but the signs had always occured. When the study commenced, all dogs had been on tylosin for at least one month and were otherwise healthy. Thereafter, tylosin was discontinued and the dogs were monitored for a period of up to one month to determine whether signs of diarrhea would reappear, as suggested by the clinical history. Diarrhea reappeared in 12/14 dogs (85.7%) within 30 days. During the treatment trial diarrhea ceased with tylosin in all dogs within three days and in most dogs within 24 hours. In contrast, prednisone did not completely resolve diarrheal signs, and the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG did not prevent the relapse of diarrhea in any of the dogs.

In the second study in an experimental dog colony, seven beagles showed signs of chronic diarrhea for at least one month. The dogs were treated with tylosin for ten days. During the treatment period the feces became significantly firmer, although they remained unacceptably loose. When the treatment was discontinued, diarrhea reappeared within three weeks. Treatment with other antibiotics (metronidazole, trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, or doxycycline) or with prednisone had almost no effect on fecal consistency, the feces remaining abnormally loose in all dogs. The diet was then changed for a ten-day period from a highly digestible moist pet food to a dry food developed for normal adult dogs. The feces again became significantly firmer, although they remained loose in some dogs. The dry food period was then extended to three months, but the fecal consistency continued to fluctuate from ideal to diarrhea. Since the consistency was not satisfactory, the dogs were treated a second time with tylosin for ten days. The feces then became normal in consistency and remained so throughout the entire three-month follow-up time. The study revealed that in the experimental dogs with chronic diarrhea the fecal consistency became significantly firmer both with tylosin treatment and with dietary modification. Neither of the treatments alone was sufficient to obtain ideal fecal consistency, but when the dogs were treated simultaneously with both regimes, permanent ideal fecal consistency was attained. The study thus indicated that tylosin and feeding regimes have synergic effects.

Pathophysiology

The etiology of TRD remains obscure. Since tylosin is an antimicrobial agent, it has been speculated that some pathogenic bacteria are likely responsible for the diarrheal signs. Based on negative culture results and ELISA tests, we have excluded such common enteropathogenic bacteria as Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficle, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. , and Yersinia spp. as causative factors for the diarrheal signs occurring in TRD. Less well-defined species causing diarrhea in dogs, such as Plesiomonas shigelloides, Lawsoni intracellularis, and Brachyspira spp., have also been excluded.

Our ongoing studies have revealed that administration of tylosin leads to significant but transient changes in the composition of the small intestinal microflora. The results support the hypothesis that tylosin promotes the growth of beneficial commensal bacteria, while suppressing deleterious bacteria.

Besides antibacterial properties, tylosin may possess anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to its effectiveness in treating canine diarrhea. The mode of action must differ, however, from the immunomodulatory effect of prednisone because prednisone treatment did not completely resolve diarrheal signs in the same dogs that responded to tylosin.

Diagnostic protocol for dogs with chronic diarrhea

The diagnostic protocol used for dogs with chronic diarrhea by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, is represented in Figure 1. In patients with chronic diarrhea, every effort should be made to achieve a diagnosis to enable a specific therapy. Unfortunately, this is not always possible in which case empirical therapeutic trials are used in the workup of these patients. There are conflicting opinions about how long an empirical therapy should be attempted. We recommend ten days if a dog has chronic diarrhea or if the interval between intermittent diarrheal episodes is only a few days. If signs of diarrhea disappear or are relieved during this period, the treatment should be continued another 2-6 weeks. When the interval between episodes of intermittent diarrhea is long, i.e. more than one week, the length of the empirical treatment period should be prolonged. The workup protocol displayed in Figure 1 for patients with chronic or intermittent diarrhea is applicable to most veterinary practices. It is also useful regardless of whether the clinical signs are typical of large- or small-intestine disease. The prevalence of diseases that can simultaneously affect the small and large intestines is high.

The initial evaluation (A) comprises obtaining a thorough case history (A1), conducting a physical examination (A2), and taking the basic laboratory tests, including a complete blood count, a serum chemistry profile, and measurement of serum concentrations of trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) (A3). According to the initial examination, the patients are then divided into two groups. The first group includes patients showing clinical abnormalities in addition to diarrhea (Group B), while the second group shows no obvious abnormalities other than diarrhea (Group C).
Patients with obvious abnormalities (B) suffering from systemic disorders with secondary diarrhea (B1a), such as hepatic failure, renal failure, hypoadrenocorticism, and EPI (B1b), should be identified before starting trial therapies. Also if hypoproteinemia (B1c), melena and/or anemia (B1d), or abnormal palpation findings (B1e) are found, the reason for these abnormalities should be examined.
Dogs with diarrhea but no other abnormalities (C) are treated orally with fenbendazol 50 mg/kg for three days (C1) to rule out endoparasites as the causative factor for GI signs.

Food is probably the most common cause of diarrhea (C2), and adverse food reaction should always be excluded before empirical treatment trials with different drugs are initiated. Opinions vary widely about how the diet should be changed for a dietary treatment trial. Unfortunately, current recommendations are largely based on anecdotal evidence rather than on controlled trials. The most common recommendation is to use a diet with novel protein and carbohydrate sources, with the former restricted to a single animal source.

If modifying the feeding regime fails to produce a satisfactory fecal consistency, the next step is to treat the dog with tylosin 25 mg/kg BW q24h (C3). Dogs responding to tylosin treatment will usually do so within 3-5 days, and diarrhea will remain absent as long as treatment continues. In many dogs, diarrhea will reappear within some weeks upon discontinuation of treatment. If diarrheal signs reappear, the dog owner should change the dog’s diet once again to make sure that the feeding regime is not involved in the etiology of the signs. If diarrheal signs continue, tylosin treatment is re-initiated. The effect of tylosin does not appear to diminish even in dogs that have been treated for years. The dose of tylosin for long-term use should be tapered to the lowest possible dose that controls clinical signs. Many dogs need only half of the recommended dose.

Although no adverse effects during tylosin treatment have been reported, efforts should be made to reduce the use of tylosin. This is because our recently conducted studies have indicated that tylosin causes wide resistance to antibiotics in the intestine (unpublished results). Certain probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of a variety of diarrheal disorders in humans and in experimental mouse models. Hopefully in the future a probiotic LAB can be used instead of tylosin to treat or prevent chronic diarrhea in dogs with TRD.

Posted on May 19, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

Fenbendazole – a reliable vet assistant

Fenbendazole for cats and Dogs

Most shelter workers have heard of the magic known as fenbendazole – is one of my favorite antiparasitic-and is a great drug for many reasons. It is generally considered a safe drug, toxicity occurs only in overdose 100x and exotic species. Fenbendazole is not systemically absorbed and more than 50% out of the animal feces. It should be administered for at least 3 days to kill parasites, as it has to stop cell division for some time before it becomes fatal to the parasite.

Fenbendazole is labeled for use in cows, horses, pigs and dogs; but it has also been used in cats, sheep, birds, reptiles and fish. It is marked to kill roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms some, but is not effective against the most common tapeworms, and therefore should not be relied upon to kill the tapes. increased use of fenbendazole in shelters is to kill whipworms, Giardia, and lungworms.

Fun fact: In the treatment of whipworm (Trichuris Vulpis) You may have heard of the rule of 3, try for three days, then repeat a course of three days in three weeks and again at three months. It is an easy treatment regimen and commonly recited, but did you know there is actually a scientific reason not to try this way know? Whipworm takes 3 months to mature from an egg to an adult. If you kill adults on day 1, then three weeks later there will be some immature adults who have matured, but you still have eggs and larvae of worms present. Wait up to 3 months and then try again, and do not bother with the treatment of three weeks.

Fenbendazole (carbamate 5-phenyl-thio-2-benzimidazole) has a broad spectrum of effects and cestocidal nematocides, is active against adult forms, larvae and eggs of gastrointestinal and lung and cestode parasites in animals.
The mechanism of action of fenbendazole is the destruction of microtubules in cells of intestinal worms and disruption of energy processes, leading to the death of the parasites.
When administered orally, fenbendazole is easily absorbed in the intestine and is distributed in organs and tissues of the animal; excreted from the body in unaltered form and as metabolites, mainly in the bile and urine partially in animals also varnished milk.

Young cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, dogs and cats are prescribed for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in the case of:
– nematodes;
– cestodoses.

Enter the animals once, by force to the root of the tongue in the following doses.
Young cattle monieziosis – 150 mg per 15 kg of animal body weight; with dictyocaulosis, hemonkhoze, Bunostomiasis, esophagostomosis, nematodirosis, ostertagiasis, habertiosis, cooperiosis and strongyloidiasis – 150 mg per 20 kg of animal weight.
Sheep and goats with moniesiosis – 150 mg per 15 kg of animal body weight; if dictyocaulosis, hemonhose, bunostomiasis, esophagostomiasis, nematodirosis, ostertagiasis, trichostrongiloidosis, habertiosis, cooperiosis, strongyloidiasis – 150 mg per 30 kg of animal weight.
Foals with parascariasis strongyles and – 150 mg per 15 kg of animal weight.
Piglet with ascariasis, esophagostomiasis, strongyloidiasis, trichocephalosis, metastrongyloidosis – 150 mg per 30 kg of animal weight.
Adult dogs and cats toxocariasis, Toxascaris, ankilostomiasis, Uncinaria, dipilidiosis, taeniasis – 150 mg per 1.5 kg of animal weight.
Puppies and kittens (more than 3 weeks old) with toxocariasis toxascaridoz, ancylostomiasis, uncinariosis, dipilidiosis and taeniasis 1 time/day for 3 days in a row in a single dose of 150 mg per 3 kg animal weight.
A special diet and use laxatives before deworming is required.

Side effects

Side effects and complications in the use of fenbendazole in accordance with the indications and dosing regimen generally not observed.
With increased individual sensitivity of the animal to fenbendazole and allergic reactions, drug use stops.
Overdose symptoms in animals have not been identified.

Contraindications to the use of drug Fenbendazole

– Individual animal hypersensitivity to fenbendazole.
Do not use the medicine:
– animals exhausted and suffering from infectious diseases;
– Puppies and kittens under 3 weeks of age.

Simultaneous use with bromsalanflucicides is not recommended, as in cattle with this interaction, there were cases of abortion and death in sheep.
Slaughter of animals for meat is permitted no earlier than 14 days after deworming. In the case of the forced slaughter of a predetermined period, the meat can be used as food for carnivores or for the production of meat and bone.
Milk of dairy animals to be used for food purposes within 3 days after worming is prohibited. The milk obtained earlier than the prescribed period may be used after heat treatment as animal feed.
No smoking, drinking or eating food while working with the drug. At the end of the work, wash hands with soap and warm water.

You can buy a lot of different quality products with an active ingredient Fenbendazole at Homelabvet site.

The most popular products are Helmintazole 200, Helmintazole 250 Pro, Helmintazole 500, Helmintazole 222, Panacur, and many other products that you can check at the site.

Sincerely, Your Homelabvet.

Posted on May 13, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

Photography competition launched to document the six life stages of cats

The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers

Winning images will be used to help raise funds for iCatCare.

International Cat Care (iCatCare) has launched its annual photography competition to document the six life stages of cats.

From kitten through to super senior, judges are on the lookout for images that document behaviour not necessarily associated with a particular life stage – such as a super senior playing with toys. However, photographs are by no means limited to this

The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers, and the 12 winning images will be used on charity merchandise to raise funds for ICatCare. The overall winner will also receive a cash prize of £500.

More information about the competition, including deadlines and submission details, can be found at woobox.com/thoqqz

Posted on May 5, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

A Review of COVID-19 and its implication on animal health

What role do animals play in the coronavirus pandemic?

As the death toll of COVID-19 keeps rising, scientists now are still uncertain about the origin of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus is the youngest in the family of coronaviruses known to infect humans and animals alike. It is believed that the pangolins and bats [Rhinolophus] that were sold in the wet market of china are the most likely candidates. One study indicated that a coronavirus [BetaCoV/RaTG13/2013] found in bats [bed reservoir] shared 96% of its genetic material with the virus [SARS-CoV-2] responsible for the current pandemic, COVID-19. But this particular bat virus is unlikely to have infected human cells directly, suggesting that the virus jumped to humans via another animal, the pangolin. Due to mutations, the same virus developed the ability to infect humans. All coronaviruses are lethal but there are always the ones that are more harmful because of how easily they can be transmitted. When a virus jumps from animal to humans it is called a zoonotic virus. But the infection is not just limited to humans as there are reports of it spreading to other animals.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in pets.

Studies and risk factors:

A tiger at the Bronx Zoo, New York City has tested positive for COVID-19 after developing a dry cough. A small number of lions at the same zoo also showed signs of infection.

There are several reports from countries like Hong Kong where dogs have tested positive without manifesting any of the usual symptoms. Scientists also believe that cats are very susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Such circumstances have caused panic among pet owners as they wonder what this means for them and their pets.

Caretakers and their vets are curious about how the virus can affect the livestock. Although, pigs, chicken and ducks are not likely to get infected according to the research papers released from china and the Republic of Korea. There are clear hints that pets can contract the infection from their SARS-CoV-2 infected owners, but the claims are more obscure due to lack of research.

Precautions and quarantine:

The current events are shocking enough to rattle pet owners. Following the statistics, it will not be surprising to see many reports of such cases shortly. Studies have hinted that the transmission is of a reverse zoonosis type, where pets are at the risk of getting infected from positive SARS-CoV-2 owners and not the other way around. It is thus safe to conclude that both human and animal species are facing a greater risk. Therefore, during the quarantine phase, you should consider the needs of your pets and prepare accordingly.

Exposure and care

The first symptoms that appear after a possible SARS-CoV-2 infection are dry cough and fever. If your pet develops the following symptoms or seems more lethargic than usual it is important to take the advice of your veterinarian. The period for which the virus can survive on the surface of your pet’s body depends on factors such as humidity, temperature, and nature of the surface. But the current understanding denies the possibility of transmission of the infection from pets to their owners. Comparing the larger number of cases of positive COVID-19 humans and the small number of pet infection. It is improbable that your pet will be infected or can transmit the disease to others.

Should your pet exhibit symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, contact your veterinarian immediately for further advice. According to the data gathered from the few animal cases, it is seen that the symptoms are mild. Therefore, all COVID-19 positive animals need is rest and recovery. In case of a more severe incident, your veterinarian will consult with the animal and public health officials on the course of action.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in farm animals.

Studies and risk factors:

The SARS-CoV-2 has shown an adequate ability to evolve and adapt in an intermediate host before reaching humans. The receptor sequence binding to SARS-CoV-2 in animals and humans is remarkably similar, suggesting that there is a weak species barrier for the virus to transmit to farm animals. The members of Coronaviridae cause respiratory and intestinal infections in animals. Introductory data shows that the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is cleaved by the enzyme Furin during its biosynthesis. This is similar to the avian influenza viruses, which acquire a polybasic structure if introduces in poultry farms and yet again cause a deadly outbreak of a highly pathogenic virus.

ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME-2 commonly known as ACE-2 is a single-pass type 1, an integral membrane protein that covers the entirety of a cellular membrane [transmembrane protein]. It has a key expression in vascular endothelial cells, renal cells and Leydig cells of the testis. Analysis via Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] revealed it is also expressed in cells of the lung and gastrointestinal tract. Angiotensin II is the major substrate of ACE-2, meaning it negatively regulates the Renin-Angiotensin System.

ACE-2 and SARS-CoV-2

Evidence reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 virus also uses ACE-2 as a receptor for entering the cells. There are similarities between the mechanism of viral entry into different cells between humans and animals. This creates a better foundation to the factorize a higher probability of the same virus infecting humans due to contact residues that have been found between Spike protein and ACE-2.

The ACE-2 in humans is glycosylated at following binding sites – N53, N90, N322. N53 did not give similarities in any animal species. N90 was not the site for glycosylation in ACE-2 in the following animals – mouse, pig, racoon, civet, fox, and chicken. N322 was not the site in mouse, rat, cattle, sheep, and pangolin.

But the big risk arises after it was found that some species have additional glycosylation sites in the same region. In chicken residue, L79 is a potential site with M82 being the sites in pangolin and rat. Drawing from the results, the most interesting is the ACE-2 proteins in farm animals and pet cats, as they are the next plausible reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2. Until now, there are chances of minimal exchange and therefore does not pose an intermediate threat of infection.

It should be reflected that for generations cattle producers have been dealing with infections in farm animals from different strains of coronaviruses. Animals caretakers and veterinarians have come across coronavirus infections in swine – porcine epidemic diarrhoea [PED] virus and Transmissible Gastroenteritis [TGE] virus and in companion animals – Feline INFECTIOUS peritonitis [FIP] virus. As discussed above, the difference in protein structure and varying sites, show that there is a lack of consistency in the types of vaccines used in animals, which means the evidence of its usefulness in humans is even more variable.

Precautions and quarantine:

Practising precautionary measures during the pandemic will guarantee that there is a secure, safe, and stable food supply. Preparing well in advance for plausible viral interactions in livestock should include maintaining a proper source for feeding and medications. In case, any abnormal behaviour is detected, or if any unit of the livestock shows the usual symptoms of COVID-19 disease, it is best to inform your veterinarian as a better effort towards disaster management.

Drugs and SARS-CoV-2 VIRUS

The present fight against the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been solely dependent on prevention and containment. But there is hope as more and more existing drugs are showing positive results towards inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One such drug that surfaced quite recently is Ivermectin. It is an FDA- approved drug used for parasitic infections. It was originally known to be an inhibitor of the interaction between the HIV-1[Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1] protein and the importer protein [IMP ɑ? 1]. Its inclusion on the WHO model list of essential medicines makes Ivermectin widely available across the globe.

Ivermectin is responsible for opening the glutamate sensitive chloride channel currents in helminths, which is believed to be the reason why it shows such anti-parasitic activity. It is the drug of choice for the treatment of Onchocerciasis and Strongyloidiasis, both of which are parasitic infections. It is also effective against several intestinal nematodes including Ascariasis, Trichuriasis, Cutaneous Larva Migrans, Wucheria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Masonella ozzardi and Loa loa. It is also used for the treatment of scabies and head lice.

The reason why ivermectin might be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Once the SARs-CoV-2 virus enters the cells of a body using the H2 receptor, it releases its messenger RNA into the same cells. The infected cell then starts to translate the messenger RNA from the virus which leads to the production of viral proteins responsible for the formation of new viral cells. New viral proteins then enter the nucleus, impairing the ability of the host cell to fight the infection. Scientists believe that the viral proteins enter the nucleus of a cell through specific channels made up of Importin [Protein]. There are various forms of Importin proteins namely, Importin Type alpha [imp alpha] and Type beta [Imp Beta]. It is in this process of nuclear entry of the virus where Ivermectin has an inhibitory role. It inhibits the passage of the viral protein into the nucleus. It does so by binding to the protein channels, effectively blocking the passage of the SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins from the cytoplasm into the nucleus of the cells, in vitro. Scientist at Monash University, Melbourne, were able to demonstrate that Ivermectin killed COVID-19 virus growing in cells of primates in a culture dish. A single dose of ivermectin had a 5000-fold reduction in virus levels at 48 hours in cell cultures. Justifying that this drug has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2, in vitro.

The drug Ivermectin, therefore, shows ample basis for further investigation for use to cure COVID-19 patients. Other drugs that have been investigated in clinical trials against SARS-CoV-2 virus are Remdesivir, Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine.

Although, Ivermectin is shown to be effective in a laboratory environment, is still cannot be used in humans who have tested positive for COVID-19. The potential operation of the drug to combat COVID-19 needs funding to conduct clinical trials to confirm the effectiveness of the drugs at levels that are safe for human dosing.

Based on what is already known, the most common adverse reaction of ivermectin is the Mazzoti reaction. The compromise takes place only when ivermectin is used for the treatment of Onchocerciasis, a parasitic infection.

The Mazzoti reaction was first described in 1948, it is a symptoms complex seen in patients after the treatment of Nematode infestation. This was seen to occur particularly with the medication diethylcarbamazine [DEC] and the same symptoms occurred with Ivermectin. Mazzoti reactions are known to be life-threatening, characterized by symptoms such as fever, hives, generalized swelling, swollen lymph nodes, tachycardia [fast heart rate], hypertension [low blood pressure], joint pain and abdominal pain. Whilst using Ivermectin to treat onchocerciasis particularly, there is a 25% chance of Mazzoti reactions and 2% chance of diarrhoea. Treating COVID-19 with the same drug it is unlikely that Mazzoti reaction should surface. Ivermectin should not be administered to pregnant or lactating women and to children weighing less than 15 kilograms.

Conclusion

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 is definitive of the firm relationship existing between animal and human health, conditions in the ecosystem and human habits. It is strongly agreed that many viruses have existed in their natural reservoirs for a great deal of time. The constant jumping of the same viruses from their natural hosts to human species and other animals is mainly due to factors such as modern agricultural practices and urbanizations. Therefore, it is safe to say that the most constructive method of preventing viral zoonosis and reverse zoonosis is to maintain these barriers between human society and natural reservoirs. Despite the probable animal origin, the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 has not yet infected many animals including companion animals and farm animals, although human cases are now quite common. But there is a need to observe and investigate all animal species that are in close contact with humans for signs of infection. The current situation is saturated with vulnerabilities if new evidence emerges in terms of the virus behaving differently than what is expected.

Posted on April 16, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

As COVID-19 keeps us apart, we will let the animals in

As COVID-19 keeps us apart, we will let the animals in

First, the eyes. I pressed mine to the opening of a little wooden house. The park ranger behind me cleared her throat.

“Yeah, watch out because they jum–”

The shiniest eyes bugged out, followed by a little furry body.

An Australian northern quoll is fast, spotty and critically endangered. Ginger Meggs landed deftly on my neck, scuttled across my shoulders and flattened his body against my wrist. Normal quoll behaviour?

“He’s feeling your pulse,” the ranger told me. She asked if maybe I was a calm sort of a person because he stayed there, belly warm against wrist, reading my blood. No one has ever described me as calm. In the human world, I’m excitable. But maybe in quoll time my big human heart is languid, lazy.

I was living alone in a caravan in the Northern Territory Wildlife Park at the time, researching my novel about communication between humans and animals, which begins, a little too presciently, with a new flu pandemic sweeping the country. Ginger Meggs was living alone in an enclosure. We paused there together, sharing my heartbeat.

But now, in the age of coronavirus, we all live alone. Or with a couple of people, max: our bubble buddies that we are happy to share germs with and no one else. While we keep apart to protect each other, there are still many moments of connection online. We can watch author Miranda July dance in her loungeroom. We can learn how to do the #BlackfellaHug on NITV, celebrate Jacinda Ardern or deplore Scott Morrison together on Facebook. But on the last day of on-site work, I can’t hug my crying colleagues. I recently moved from Melbourne to regional New Zealand and can’t get to my family across the deep Tasman Sea. And I can’t cope with the thousands who have already died from coronavirus.

In my riverside town, people tended to holler “hello” of a morning. This week, they’ve been inadvertently reduced to a whisper, as though even a greeting might imply inappropriate social contact. Our bodies move awkwardly in public – we don’t know how to communicate togetherness and solidarity while being so physically separate.

But then a woman appears on the river bend, easy limbed, with a dog keeping pace. She doesn’t break her stride when she sees me, she smiles; she’s not alone because she’s with a dog. And that dog wags, showing us how to be in the world.

“You know who this is all working out very nicely for?” author Ella Holcomb posted online, “PETS! VERY nicely indeed.”

Another Twitter user had to take their dog, Rolo, to the vet because he sprained his tail from excessive wagging at his suddenly homebound humans. (Rolo now has an Instagram account.)

Meanwhile my cousin jokes that, “While the rest of NZ was panic buying toilet paper and tins of tomatoes, we panic bought a dog!”

Dr Liz Walker, CEO of RSPCA Victoria, tells me over a stuttering Zoom connection that, “People with pets have higher self-esteem, are less likely to be depressed, and cope with grief and stress more effectively than non-pet owners. Especially now amid Covid-19, animals give us a sense of connectedness. No matter how bad it gets, animals make you feel safe, they make you feel happy and they’re always glad to see you.”

As countries close down and our home lives get smaller, I too “joke” with my partner that now is the exact right time to rescue a rabbit. I imagine long days of watching Cottontail chewing the furniture and pooing on the rug. And indeed, pets are generally good. For us. But – and if I didn’t think so much about this I’d have a Cottontail with me right now – what about the animals? How do they fare in this new world paradigm?

Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan, an animal welfare expert from UNSW, says that in times of crises, “we’re looking out for the humans, but animals are considered dispensable for some. There’s no doubt that you’re still vulnerable when you’re a nonhuman animal, even as a companion animal”. Some people, for instance, have asked vets to put pets to death because they’re concerned that they might carry the virus. New research that cat-to-cat transmission is possible not only increases fear, but makes a pet’s position as beloved family member increasingly tenuous. When it comes down to it, will we continue to protect our companions?

Walker agrees that while it’s natural to seek support from your companion animal, “it’s also important to prioritise downtime for everyone, including animals, so that when this ends – and it will – animals can cope with the changes in the household. Cats sleep for 18 hours and if you’re home when you were once out, you’re disturbing their sleep patterns. I would get cranky too!”

If we’re to eradicate coronavirus globally, isolation will drag into months; for some of us, the birds that we see hanging around outside the window could become our only non-screen living contact for the day. Maybe having more time to watch animals and observe that they have their own lives and needs, will give us a new appreciation for them. “That feeling of connectedness that you get from animals, and watching them do their thing … it’s extremely comforting. A lot of people get a whole lot of joy out of watching animals experience happiness and freedom,” Walker says. Can we stop, look around ourselves, realise that we aren’t the centre of the universe, and try to be a different way in the world?

Our Zoom chat is broken by a terrifying screech as the New Zealand government sends an emergency alert to every mobile phone in the country, marking the beginning of phase four: total isolation: “Follow the rules and STAY HOME. Act as if you have Covid-19. This will save lives”. For the next four weeks, I’m allowed to see people on the screen and my partner in person – no one else.

But I know that when I go for my sanctioned solitary river walk, I will still see life. Everywhere. Like a scene from the novel I just published, where a strange new flu enables us to understand other animals, my senses will be heightened to them. In the skies, crawling between rocks, hopping in the long grass and waddling at the end of a lead. From their perspective, my presence might mean very little – they have their own thing going on – but my heartbeat will slow, calm for a moment. It will mean the world.

• The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay is out now through Scribein paperback or as eBook

The Guardian

Posted on April 3, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

Some questions about pets during a pandemic COVID-19?

covid and pets online pet pharmacy homelabvet

In the middle of a pandemic, it’s those closest to us that we worry about most: our friends, families and… pets.

The most pressing question for many pet owners is whether their beloved animals can catch the new coronavirus.

The World Health Organization says no.

There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 in the form it appears in humans can be passed onto companion animals and similarly, no evidence of a pet transmitting the virus to humans. So even if you have the disease, you shouldn’t worry about passing it to your pets.

But senior vet Sean Wensley, who works for veterinary charity PDSA, says regular hygiene measures are still important.

“There’s no evidence of any ongoing transmission of the disease by our pets,” he told Euronews.

“Nevertheless, as we seek to understand the disease, we think it’s really important that we apply the usual hygiene measures that we ought to be applying all the time, so washing our hands before and after contact with our pets, their leads, their food, their poop, but that’s just all good precautionary advice.”

Even if our pets don’t seem to be physically threatened by the disease, there’s still the matter of making sure they’re cared for properly while under lockdown. In most European countries that have introduced mandatory social-distancing measures, there are exemptions to the stay-inside directive if you need to walk your dog. But it’s important to keep the walk as short as possible and avoid other people. Most parks and dog run parks are closed to keep human contact to a minimum.

“When we’re able, if we’re not self-isolating because of suspected signs of coronavirus, and are therefore still able to take our dogs for a walk, we should make sure they’re kept on a lead, we wash our hands before we take them out and we crucially keep them two meters distance or whatever your local government advice is, away from other dog walkers,” explained Wensley.

If you’re self-isolating because you think you might have COVID-19 but can’t keep a greyhound indoors all day with you, it’s okay to reach out for help, said Wensley. Asking a friend or family member to take your dog for a walk is a good move, as long as both people take precautions.

Again, pets can’t get the disease, but items like their collar or lead could transmit it if an infected person touches them.

“That person shouldn’t come into your house, you should maintain a two-meter distance from them, and just be sensible, wash your hands, wipe your pet down, before you transfer them, ask them to bring their own lead with them.”

And just like us, pets aren’t overly fond of big changes in routine. Whatever lockdown measures look like in your household, it’s likely that the routine isn’t exactly the same as it was before the pandemic. That could be a recipe for stressed-out pets, according to Wensley.

“For some pets, having people around in the house that they wouldn’t normally have, perhaps children, if there’s a change in routine that can be stressful for some of our animals. Cats are particularly prone to that.”

“The one top tip I would give for those pets, and indeed all pets actually, because of the change of routine, is to make sure they’ve got somewhere that they can go to get away from the rest of the household and commotion, if they want to.”

Whether it’s a pet bed, or under your bed, Wensley said it’s important to identify a place where your pet can minimize their stress.

“I think we all need to in these trying times,” he said.

Materials by: euronews.com

Posted on April 3, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

Risk of people spreading COVID-19 to pets and other animals

Key Points of COVID-19 to pets

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others cause illness in certain types of animals.
Coronaviruses that infect animals can sometimes be spread to people, but this is rare.
We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person to person.
CDC is aware of a very small number of pets outside the United States reported an external icon to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19.
We do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19.
We do not have evidence to suggest that imported animals or animal products imported pose a risk for spreading the 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States.
Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect humans.

Risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people

Some coronaviruses that infect animals can sometimes be spread to humans and then spread between people, but this is rare. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) are examples of diseases caused by coronaviruses that originated in animals and spread to people. This is what is suspected to have happened with the virus that caused the current outbreak of COVID-19. However, we do not know the exact source of this virus. Public health officials and partners are working hard to identify the source of COVID-19. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person to person. The coronavirus most similar to the virus causing COVID-19 is the one that causes SARS.

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mostly from person to person through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19 to people or that they might be a source of infection in the United States.

Risk from imported animals and animal products

CDC does not have any evidence to suggest that imported animals or animal products pose a risk for spreading COVID-19 in the United States. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Regulation of imported animals and animal products

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) play distinct but complementary roles in regulating the importation of live animals and animal products into the United States. CDC regulates animals and animal products that pose a threat to human health; USDA regulates external icon animals and animal products that pose a threat to agriculture; and FWS regulates external icon importation of endangered species and wildlife that can harm the health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture, or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources.

Stay healthy around animals

In the United States, there is no evidence to suggest that any animals, including pets, livestock, or wildlife, might be a source of COVID-19 infection at this time. However, because all animals can carry germs that can make people sick, it’s always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals.

Wash your hands after handling animals, their food, waste, or supplies.
Practice good pet hygiene and clean up after pets properly.
Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s health.

Risk of people spreading COVID-19 to pets

CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC is aware of a very small number of pets outside the United States reported an external icon to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19. To date, there is no evidence that pets can spread the virus to other animals or people. CDC is working with human and animal health partners to monitor this situation and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.

Protect pets if you are sick

If you are sick with COVID-19 (either suspected or confirmed), you should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people. Although there have been no reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. This can help ensure both you and your animals stay healthy.

When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick.
Avoid contact with your pet including, petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food.
If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

Posted on March 26, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

A woman and pussy

A woman and pussy

Woman and pussy: the unique tandem of cats and women has always attracted attention and generated many different theories about their relationship with each other. Although cats have always been distinguished by their independence and dissimilarity to other living beings, their similarities with women and their special relationship with them require a special discussion.

Pure Beauty

The main common feature that a woman and a cat have is the desire of both beauty and conquest of the world. Such a tradition originated in the depths of centuries, and even in ancient times cats were always depicted next to the most beautiful women, and any beauty was automatically compared in her grace and grace to representatives of the cat family. And, of course, cats and women always got along very well. For example, in Turkey, statuettes were found dating back to the 6th millennium BC, which depicts women playing with cats. And even then, each mistress of the house reserved for her pet the most privileged place in the house.

This is not surprising, because a woman and a cat have one more thing in common – independence, bordering on affection. It was the gentleness of a woman who always attracted a cat to her side, and thanks to this, the feline race was closely intertwined with the human one, and the cat began not only to decorate the house with itself but also to protect it from various dangers. Soon, in almost every country, special rules and laws appeared that require respectful and reverent treatment of cats:

in Britain there was a code of laws determining the value of a cat and prescribing punishment for cruelty to it;
in America, a cat immediately became an object of exchange trade, as well as the patroness of many houses, which she saved from epidemics and other disasters;
in Paraguay, at the legislative level, it has been established that every cat is worth a pound of gold;
in Ancient Russia in the 14th-century laws existed that penalized cat larceny and imposed huge fines on thieves.

And in each of the situations, the behavior of cats was not important: animals were considered sacred even when they showed their difficult character, and it was women who played a significant role in recognizing their sacred value.

Unattainable ideal

In addition, from time immemorial, women and cats have in common many common features – both appearance and character:

resourcefulness and intelligence inherent in both
quick reaction and agility,
excellent plastic
undeniable external beauty
some detachment.

Thanks to this, women gave their hearts to cats many centuries ago. And today this tradition continues, because it is in the graceful representatives of feline women that they see a real ideal, which is often unattainable for themselves.

A cat for women is a living embodiment of beauty, and the independent behavior of cats is an example to follow. This is not surprising, because:

cats do not have problems with being overweight,
cats do not need fur coats – their silky and delicate fur is admired by every one;
cats do not need to fawn in front of people to be stroked – it only allows you to do this if she liked the person;
the cat is always beautiful, no matter what she does;
the cat does not need to take care of its kittens all its life and even think about who it is pregnant from;
the cat is patient and ready to faithfully listen to all the sorrows of its owners, without giving them any stupid advice,
the behavior of cats can be anything, but no one can be angry for a graceful and touching animal for a long time.
And, of course, there are some comic “differences” between women and cats, which men often like to talk about:
the cat is fluffy throughout the body, and not just on the head,
for beauty, the cat doesn’t need makeup,
the cat remains graceful in any situation,
the cat eats less
the cat can purr beautifully,
the cat is easy to keep on your lap
if her owner gets sick, the cat will just sleep next to him, without disturbing him,
the cat will never whimper and complain
the cat is always clean and takes care of itself,
the cat will not be offended by you if you are tired and you are not up to it,
a good word will always please a cat,
the cat doesn’t need new outfits,

Getting a cat in the house is always very easy!

However, even in spite of these small “differences”, it is the woman and the cat who always get along best with each other. And even if the owner of the animal is just the man, his pet can easily neglect it, and all attention will be paid to his chosen one!

Of course, if you want your cat to feel healthy every time you should give him anthelmintic drugs and you can find a lot of different cat supplies HERE.

Posted on March 5, 2020 by sergeyufe — Leave a comment

The puppy has watery eyes: what to do?

The puppy has watery eyes: what to do?

One of the most “vulnerable” in all plans of organs in the animal’s body is the eyes. Any of their pathologies is fraught with very serious problems, up to complete / partial blindness. Consider a situation when a puppy’s eyes watery: what to do in this case.

1 Main causes of lacrimation in puppies
2 Optimization of conditions of detention
3 Simple Eye Wash Products
4 Tearing of allergic origin
4.1 Change feed
4.2 Antiparasitic treatment.

The main causes of lacrimation in puppies

However, seeing the puppy’s tears, you do not need to panic right away. It is possible that this phenomenon is caused by completely natural, harmless reasons:

The indoor or outdoor air is dusty. Strictly speaking, this reason is not particularly harmless, since the ingress of dust into the conjunctival cavity is fraught with inflammation.
Severe emotional stress.
Heat and dry air.
In bulldogs and other representatives of brachycephalic breeds, eyes are watery constantly. This, in connection with the features of their anatomical development, is considered the norm…

But still more often watery eyes with a variety of diseases. In the case of puppies, this is especially important, since lacrimation is a common symptom of viral pathologies. And they are critically dangerous for kids.

Content optimization

Since a frequent cause of lacrimation is dryness and dustiness of the air, it is necessary to exclude the influence of these negative factors:

If possible, use a humidifier when turning on central heating.
The room must be regularly ventilated, avoiding, however, the appearance of drafts.
In the room you need to regularly do wet cleaning, avoiding extreme dust. This is especially important in the spring when the air contains a lot of pollen from trees and flowers. This will protect the health of both pets and the owners themselves. In addition, wet cleaning is especially important in urban areas, when there is a lot of dust in the street air, regardless of the season.

Simple Eye Wash

With lacrimation of the eyes, it will not hurt to rinse them. Washing will remove contaminants and allergens from the conjunctival cavity (if any). At home, you can use the funds from the assortment of a regular first-aid kit. They are inexpensive and quite effective with timely use:

Normal saline. Yes, it does not have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, but it perfectly flushes out contaminants from the conjunctival cavity. Before use, the solution is heated to 37 ° C.
If there is no saline solution at hand, the use of distilled or boiled and settled water is permissible. It also needs to be heated.
A solution of furatsilin. It is better to buy it in finished form at the pharmacy, warning the seller that it is required for washing the eyes (the concentration of furatsilin solutions for different purposes differs).
Eyes can be washed with tea leaves (leafy, not from bags). This tool can be used no more than four times a day because increasing the frequency of treatments often causes dry eyes.
A solution of chlorhexidine 0.05%. A drug in such a concentration is better to buy in a pharmacy; it is problematic to make it yourself. You can wash your eyes with a decoction of chamomile and oak (1: 1), up to three times a day. This composition has a good anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic and healing effect.

Lacrimation of allergic origin

If the puppy’s eyes began to water suddenly and in the spring, or lacrimation appeared after the baby went outside, it makes sense to suspect an allergic reaction. Of course, it is better to consult a veterinarian right away, but if this is not possible, you can help your puppy yourself:

Pets of small breeds are given ¼ tablets of diphenhydramine; larger puppies are allowed to give up to ½ tablets.
In the same doses, Suprastin can be given. If within about one and a half hours from the moment the pill was delivered, there are no visible improvements, then lacrimation is probably not caused by allergies. Feeding a puppy with antihistamines is harmful and useless, you need to call a veterinarian.

If within about one and a half hours from the moment the pill was delivered, there are no visible improvements, then lacrimation is probably not caused by allergies. Feeding a puppy with antihistamines is harmful and useless, you need to call a veterinarian

Feed change

If the puppy’s eyes began to watery during accustoming to a new feed, or during the transition to adult food, we recommend immediately changing the diet. There is no need to immediately rush for special hypoallergenic food. It is enough to first change the brand or manufacturer. If this does not help, we recommend consulting your veterinarian nutritionist and allergist.

Antiparasitic treatment

It is very likely that chronic, sluggish allergic reactions are a consequence of the presence of parasites in the puppy’s body. They can manifest themselves not only in the form of lacrimation but also in a strange rash on the stomach and groin.
Again, we warn that sudden tearfulness can be a sign of dangerous viral pathologies, and therefore the puppy should be shown to the veterinarian anyway!

There are a lot of different quality medicines at homelabvet.com.