Dominique Grandjean

Prevalence and risk factors of astrovirus infection in puppies from French breeding kennels

Aiming at determining the prevalence and the risk factors associated to astrovirus infection in puppy, fecal samples were collected in 316 puppies (age from 5 to 14 weeks of age) from 33 French breeding kennels. Data were registered for each puppy, including age, breed, gender, origin of the dog, and feces quality. The samples were tested by specific RT-PCR for the presence of canine astrovirus. Astroviruses were identified in 20.9% (66/316) of the puppies and in 42% (14/33) of the breeding kennels. Young puppies (i.e. <7 weeks of age) and puppies from large breeding kennels were more likely to be infected by the astrovirus. No association between the quality of feces and astrovirus infection could be determined in this survey.

Habituation of healthy dogs to treadmill trotting: Repeatability assessment of vertical ground reaction force

To assess the repeatability of kinetic gait analysis with a treadmill, 28 sound adult dogs were made to trot on an instrumented system. Vertical ground reaction force variables (Peak PFz and Impulse IFz) were collected by 10-s recordings, once a week, 4 weeks in succession. Data were analysed using a repeated-measures two-way ANOVA to investigate habituation to treadmill locomotion. Recorded data were stabilized from the end of the first and second sessions for IFz and PFz, respectively. The percentages of variance attributable to dogs, weeks, minutes and repetitions were, respectively, 72%, 10%, 7%, and 11% for PFz and 84%, 7%, 3%, and 6% for IFz. Habituation occurred after a single training session. Good repeatability was determined by a low coefficient of variation (3.4-4.7%). Adding a treadmill to kinetic gait analysis deserves consideration: reliable data are easily recorded using appropriate habituation and statistical model.

Prevalence, risk factors of infection and molecular characterization of trichomonads in puppies from French breeding kennels

Abstract The trichomonad species Tritrichomonas fetus and Pentatrichomonas hominis were recently identified in the feces of dogs with diarrhea. However the prevalence and pathogenicity of these parasites in the canine population still remained poorly resolved. Therefore the aim of the present study was (1) to determine the prevalence of trichomonads infecting puppies living in French breeding kennels, (2) to confirm the predominance of P. hominis in dogs, (3) to investigate the genetic diversity of P. hominis isolates identified in the French canine population and (4) to evaluate the risk factors for infection by P. hominis and the influence of the parasite on feces consistency. A total of 215 both diarrheic and non-diarrheic puppies from 25 French breeding kennels were included in this epidemiological survey. Fecal samples from each puppy were examined for 6 gastrointestinal pathogens: parvovirus type 2 (CPV2), coronavirus, Toxocara canis, Cystoisospora ohioensis-complex, Cystoisospora canis, and Giardia intestinalis. A part of each collected stool was also tested for the presence of motile trichomonads by microscopy after culturing. The prevalence of trichomonad infection was 15.8% (34/215) among puppies and 20% (5/25) among breeding kennels. DNA from 26 of the 34 positive samples was successfully amplified using a trichomonad-specific primer pair. Analysis of the sequences of PCR products indicated that P. hominis was the only trichomonad infecting the canine population. All the puppies infected with P. hominis belonged to large breed dogs. Moreover, puppies from large breeding kennels, excreting a high level of G. intestinalis and/or excreting a high level of C. canis oocysts showed a higher probability of being positive for P. hominis infection. Univariate analysis also revealed an increased risk for P. hominis infection in puppies with abnormal feces. However, in a multivariate analysis, CPV2 was the only gastrointestinal pathogen associated with abnormal feces. Since enteropathogens were commonly found in dogs infected by P. hominis, the pathogenic potential of this trichomonad species remained uncertain and has to be further evaluated by experimental infection studies.

Risk factors of weaning diarrhea in puppies housed in breeding kennels

Abstract Diarrhea represents one of the most frequent disorders in dogs. In puppies, degradation of feces quality is associated with a reduced daily weight gain and an increased risk of death. Prevention of diarrhea in puppies requires a global approach encompassing enteropathogens, environment and management practices especially when housed in groups. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of enteropathogens in puppies in breeding kennels and to identify risk factors of diarrhea. Two hundred and sixty six puppies (between 5 and 14weeks of age) from 29 French breeding kennels were included. For each kennel, data about environment, management of the kennel and puppies’ characteristics (age, sex and breed) were collected. For each puppy, fecal consistency and fecal excretion of enteropathogens (viruses and parasites) was evaluated. At least one enteropathogen was identified in 77.1% of puppies and 24.8% of puppies presented abnormal feces. The main risk factor of weaning diarrhea was fecal excretion of canine parvovirus type 2 (odds ratio=5; confidence interval 95%: 1.7–14.7). A targeted sanitary and medical prophylaxis against canine parvovirus type 2 should be implemented to decrease risk of weaning diarrhea.

Validation of a fecal scoring scale in puppies during the weaning period.

Abstract In puppies weaning is a high risk period. Fecal changes are frequent and can be signs of infection by digestive pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites) and indicators of nutritional and environmental stress. The aim of this study was to define a pathological fecal score for weaning puppies, and to study the impact on that score of two intestinal viruses (canine parvovirus type 2 and canine coronavirus). For this, the quality of stools was evaluated on 154 puppies between 4 and 8weeks of age (100 from small breeds and 54 from large breeds). The scoring was performed immediately after a spontaneous defecation based on a 13-point scale (from 1; liquid to 13; dry and hard feces). Fecal samples were frozen for further viral analysis. Each puppy was weighed once a week during the study period. The fecal score regarded as pathological was the highest score associated with a significant reduction in average daily gain (ADG). Fecal samples were checked by semi-quantitative PCR or RT-PCR for canine parvovirus type 2 and canine coronavirus identification, respectively. The quality of feces was affected by both age and breed size. In small breeds, the ADG was significantly reduced under a fecal score of 6 and 7 for puppies at 4–5 and 6–8weeks of age, respectively. In large breeds, the ADG was significantly reduced under a fecal score of 5 whatever the age of the puppy. Whereas a high viral load of canine parvovirus type 2 significantly impacted feces quality, no effect was recorded for canine coronavirus. This study provides an objective threshold for evaluation of fecal quality in weaning puppies. It also emphasizes the importance to be given to age and breed size in that evaluation.

Le contrôle antidopage chez l’animal de sport : actualités et perspectives

Resume Face au developpement constant des differentes disciplines de sports faisant appel a l’animal (cheval, chien), et compte-tenu de l’ampleur et des enjeux de certaines manifestations, le respect de l’animal comme de l’ethique sportive passe par la necessaire mise en œuvre de controles antidopage. Dans le domaine equestre, ces derniers touchent l’ensemble des activites de courses et de concours d’equitation. Chez le chien, les courses de levriers (Etats-Unis, Australie, Grande-Bretagne) et celles de pulka et traineau a chiens (Etats-Unis, Europe) font figures de precurseurs en disposant d’ores et deja de reglementations internationales. L’auteur en envisage les modalites pratiques de mise en œuvre, mais egalement les nombreuses questions ethiques soulevees.