Gordana Gregurić Gračner

PCR confirmation of Chlamydophila felis from nasal and conjunctival swab samples of a domestic cat in Croatia

Until now there is no evidence that chlamydiosis does exist among cats in the Republic of Croatia regardless of the fact that feline chlamydiosis is a worldwide disease. This report describes the clinical examination of a one year old cat with bilateral conjunctivitis, as well as the diagnostic methods used to confirm infection with Chlamydophila (Cp.) felis. We have used rapid enzyme immunoassay test (EIA) for antigen detection, in order to examine the swabs taken from the eyes and nostrils. The positive result was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) made on scrapings from cat’s conjunctivas. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) made on swabs taken from cats conjunctivas and nostrils and sequencing the PCR product was used to confirmed infection of cat precisely with Chlamydophila felis. No increase of IgG antibodies against chlamydias was noted using indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) method.

Control of Hymenolepis nana infection as a measure to improve mouse colony welfare

After cannibalism had appeared in the reproductive units of a white mouse colony, treatment against confirmed Hymenolepis nana, a tapeworm with zoonotic potential, was performed on 67 mice in the reproductive and nursery units. Faecal droppings were evaluated by flotation and sedimentation methods. The sedimentation method revealed a higher number of positive results before, during and after the treatment, but the flotation method yielded some additional positive cases. In the reproductive unit, H. nana eggs were confirmed in 50% of the tested mice by the flotation and in 70% by the sedimentation method. In the nursery units, H. nana eggs were detected in 10.5% of the tested mice by the flotation and in 24.6% by the sedimentation method. A colony of mice was treated against the tapeworm H. nana with praziquantel and emodepside in doses of 2.574 mg praziquantel/100 g body mass and of 0.642 mg emodepside/100 g body mass. The content of the original pipettes (Profender®) was applied as a spot-on on the back of the neck in the area between the shoulders. The application was repeated three times at 14-day intervals. Seven days after the third therapy no H. nana was found in any of the tested mice in the reproductive or the nursery units. After the treatment, cannibalism was no longer observed. This treatment represented one of the steps aimed at improving animal welfare and preventing potential zoonotic disease. The public health significance of this cestode should receive more attention, especially among people who take care of mice, have them as pets, or feed them to reptiles.

Number of stillbirths and preweaning mortality in the guinea pig – a study by individual owners and breeders in north-western Croatia

Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Anzahl tot geborener Meerschweinchen innerhalb eines Jahres in Nordwestkroatien zu ermitteln und die Jungtiersterblichkeit bis zum Absetzen zu bestimmen. Fur die Untersuchung wurden insgesamt 69 weibliche Meerschweinchen (38 reinrassige Tiere und 31 Kreuzungstiere) herangezogen. Von ihnen wurden insgesamt 192 Junge geboren (107 Bocke und 85 weibliche Tiere). Die durchschnittliche Wurfgrose betrug 2, 77 ± 1, 03. Es bestand ein signifikanter Unterschied in der Wurfgrose zwischen reinrassigen und anderen Meerschweinchen (2, 97 ± 1, 01 vs. 2, 54 ± 0, 98). Im Mittel betrug das Geburtsgewicht aller Jungtiere 78, 06 ± 15, 17 g. Es lies sich kein Zusammenhang zwischen dem Alter der Zuchttiere und dem Geburtsgewicht herstellen. Die meisten Meersaue waren zwischen vier und funf Monate bis zu drei Jahre alt. Multipare Tiere hatten schwerere Neugeborene, dies war ohne Einfluss auf die Sterblichkeit. Einige Primipare, besonders die nach Schwergeburten, lehnten die Versorgung der Neugeborenen ab. Zwischen mannlichen und weiblichen Tieren konnten keine signifikanten Unterschiede bezuglich des Geburtsgewichtes verzeichnet werden. Die Gesamtsterblichkeit der Meerschweinchen bis zur dritten Lebenswoche betrug 32, 81 % (n = 63), wobei 65, 08 % der Jungtiere bzw. 21, 35 % der Gesamtzahl der Jungtiere tot geboren waren. In den ersten zwei Lebenstagen starben 5, 73 % der Jungtiere (n = 11), 2, 6 % starben vom zweiten bis siebten Lebenstag (n = 5) und zwischen dem siebten und 21. Tag betrug die Sterblichkeit 3, 13 % (n = 6).Im Sommer lag die Sterblichkeit hoher, d. h. es starben fast die Halfte der Jungtiere bis zur dritten Lebenswoche (49, 02 %). Wurfe mit mehr als funf Jungtieren wiesen 63, 3 % Totge- burten auf, nur 23, 33 % der Jungtiere uberlebten. In Wurfen mit sechs Jungtieren uberlebten nur 8, 33 % der Jungtiere bis zum Alter von drei Wochen.