HEALTHGENE´S CANINE BULLETIN (11.25.2004)
IN BRIEF
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SCIENTISTS
BEGIN SEQUENCING DOG GENOME
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In June, scientists at the Whitehead Institute/Massachusetts Institute
of Technology Center for Genome Research began a project to sequence
the genome of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Researchers believe
the project will yield vital information in the fight against both
human and canine diseases.
Source: VetProductNews.com
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MULTIDISCIPLINARY TASK FORCE TACKLES CHICAGO DISTEMPER OUTBREAK
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A task Force of veterinarians, a virologist, and animal control
officials are searching for the cause of a canine distemper outbreak
in the Chicago area, and advising the city's municipal shelter on
disease control and eradication measures. Cases of canine distemper
were first confirmed by laboratory tests in April; since then, more
than 100 dogs have tested positive for the disease at the Chicago
Department of Animal Care and Control shelter.
Source: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
(www.avma.org)
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DOGSTROKING CAN TRANSMIT DEBILITATING PARASITE
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People can become infected with a worm that causes blindness
simply by stroking the coats of dogs that carry the parasite.
The findings challenge previous assumptions that the worms
only spread to people who come into contact with dog feces,
and suggests that owners need to be extra vigilant in washing
and worming their pets. In the US, around 10,000 people a
year, mainly children under 12, become infected with Toxocara
canis, a newatode worm that grows up to 20 centimeters long
in the intestines of dogs.
Source: NewScientist.com
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HEALTHGENE'S HIGHLIGHTS
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CHRONIC LEPTOSPIROSIS IN DOGS
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Leptospirosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira
spp. The disease has been recorded worldwide and has been known
to spread among many animal species, including dogs. In canines,
leptospirosis represents a severe kidney and liver infection. If
not treated timely, a chronic kidney disease is a common continuation
of this bacterial infection.
Animals are usually infected with Leptospira bacteria through contact with
contaminated water or fluids and tissues from infected animals.
The bacteria can survive in moist conditions for weeks and months.
Rats, mice and many wild animals such as raccoons, opossums
and skunks can adapt to different types of Leptospira and
serve as reservoirs of the bacteria by spreading it to other
animals. This is why hunter breeds, show dogs and other dogs
with access to water such as ponds are considered to be at
higher risk.
It should be mentioned that by spreading to placenta and fetus, chronic
leptospirosis is known to be the cause of abortion, stillbirth,
infertility and reduced litter size. Unvaccinated puppies or puppies
whose dams were not vaccinated are at greater risk of severe disease
and death.
Clinical signs of leptospirosis vary in severity. Many infections are asymptomatic
(no clinical signs) and the incidence of this bacterial infection
in dogs may be greatly underestimated. The severity of clinical
signs is influenced by such factors as a dog's age, vaccination
status, type of Leptospira bacteria, the route and degree of exposure.
Chronic cases of infections are often associated with no apparent
illness or only fever of unknown origin and mild to severe conjunctivitis
("red eyes").
The diagnosis of leptospirosis in dogs depends on detecting the bacteria
in clinical specimens. Latest advancement in DNA testing has allowed
for very accurate and specific identification of the organism.
This is especially important for chronic or asymptomatic infections
when a DNA test on a urine sample can detect even a few bacterial
pathogens. Early detection and timely treatment are the most
effective ways to avoid severe development of leptospirosis.
According to CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
leptospirosis is considered to be the most widespread zoonotic
disease in the world. Zoonoses are organisms that can be transmitted
from animals to humans. In humans, symptoms of leptospirosis
are flu-like but may develop into kidney, liver, heart, brain
or lung infection. Preventive vaccination and regular testing
of pet animals will protect household members especially children,
elderly and other immunodeficient people from being infected
with Leptospira.
For more information about zoonotic infections, visit Health
Awareness Program website
HealthGene offers lectures for kennel clubs in Ontario, Canada. For more information,
call 416-658-2040 or e-mail info@healthgene.com
If you would like to use any information available on www.healthgene.com
or in this bulletin for your club's newsletter, please contact
us by e-mail at info@healthgene.com
or by phone – 416-658-2040.
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