John C. New

Birth and death rate estimates of cats and dogs in U.S. households and related factors

Studies report variable factors associated with dog and cat surpluses in the United States. Estimates of cat and dog birth and death rates help understand the problem. This study collected data through a commercial survey company, distributing questionnaires to 7,399 cat- and dog-owning households (HHs) in 1996. The study used an unequal probability sampling plan and reported estimates of means and variances as weighted averages. The study used estimates of HHs and companion animals for national projections. More than 9 million owned cats and dogs died during 1996-yielding crude death rates of 8.3 cat deaths/100 cats in HHs and 7.9 dog deaths/100 dogs in HHs. The study reported twice as many kitten as puppy litters, with an average litter size of 5.73 and 7.57, respectively. The study reported data on planned versus unplanned litters, reasons caregivers did not spay females, disposition of litters, and sources of animals added to HHs. These first national estimates indicate the magnitude of, and reasons for, animals leaving HHs. The crude birth rate was estimated to be 11.2 kittens/100 cats in HHs and 11.4 puppies/100 dogs in HHs.

Risk factors associated with transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to sows kept in different management systems in Tennessee

Of 3841 serum samples from sows received from the Tennessee State Diagnostic Laboratory in 1991-1992, 1130 were positive for Toxoplasma gondii antibody. The total number of farms sampled was 343. The observed seroprevalence was 36% for both years. A questionnaire that dealt with herd management practices was mailed to 303 of the swine farms that were sampled; 107 (35%) responses were returned and analyzed. There was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the sows on the farms of respondents and non-respondents. From the analysis of the questionnaire, sows associated with cats were 2.6 times more likely to be seropositive for T. gondii than sows that were not associated with cats. Sows kept outdoors at any time were 23 times more likely to be seropositive than sows that were kept indoors. Sows on small farms (< 29 sows) were 4.5 times more likely to be seropositive than sows on large farms (> 29 sows).

A serologic survey of selected viral and bacterial diseases of European wild hogs, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA.

Blood samples were collected from 108 wild hogs (Sus scrofa) from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), USA, February to July 1990. We found no antibodies for swine brucellosis, pseudorabies, bovine virus diarrhea virus or porcine rotavirus infection. Antibody titers to porcine parvovirus were found in 15 (14%) samples and antibody to one or more leptospiral serovars was found in 48 (44%) samples. Thirty-nine (89%) of the 44 positive samples reacted to all five leptospiral serovars tested.

PREVALENCE OF LEPTOSPIRA ANTIBODIES IN WHITE-TAILED DEER, CADES COVE, GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TENNESSEE, USA

We conducted a study of the population dynamics, movement, and diseases of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee (USA) from 1980 to 1984. During the study 590 blood samples were collected from 518 deer, with some deer recaptured one or two times. The estimated percent of the herd sampled each year ranged from 8% to 28%. We also collected serum samples from 56 cattle pastured in Cades Cove. Deer and cattle sera were tested using the microagglutination test for the presence of antibody to the following serovars of Leptospira: pomona, hardjo, grippotyphosa, icterohemorrhagiae, and canicola. One hundred and six deer (21%) were seropositive for only one of the serovars. We found that 57 (11%) of the deer had antibodies to serovar hardjo, 33 (6%) were positive for antibodies to serovar pomona, 15 (3%) were positive for antibodies to serovar icterohemorrhagiae, and one deer had antibodies to serovar canicola. Age class and sex of deer were associated with antibody presence. Adult (≥1.5 yr) male deer were more likely to have antibodies than the other age class and sex groups (P = 0.001). In recaptured deer, similar titers were found in samples from one deer taken 807 days apart. Titer declined below the screening dilution level (1:250) after 37 days in one deer.

Equine-assisted therapy and its impact on cortisol levels of children and horses: a pilot study and meta-analysis

Childhood trauma, abuse or neglect impacts the function and structure of the brain of affected children. Attunement with other beings as well as an enriched environment can contribute to normal brain development. The enriched environment of a barn and attunement with an animal may contribute to reductions in stress for traumatised children. A pilot study, using a multiple base line, single case design included four children with post-traumatic stress syndrome (aged eight to ten years) and four therapy riding horses. This study hypothesised that cortisol would correlate between each child–horse pair, using a 12-day intervention that included six consecutive days of riding and grooming. A meta-analysis was completed of correlation levels of four child–horse pairs The weighted mean cross-correlation, controlling for autocorrelation, was 0.23, Z = 3.03, approximate 95% confidence interval 0.23 ± (1.96 × 0.076) or 0.08 to 0.38. The data suggest a need for further research.

Baylisascaris procyonis in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Eastern Tennessee

Raccoon (Procyon lotor) carcasses (n=118) were collected from July through December 2007 throughout eastern Tennessee. Necropsies were performed, and Baylisascaris procyonis was collected from the gastrointestinal tract of infected carcasses. Prevalence rates were determined for the overall sample population, males and females, and adults and juveniles. The sample population had a B. procyonis prevalence of 12.7%. Males and females had a prevalence of 15% and 11%, respectively; prevalence in adults and juvenile was 13% and 12.6%, respectively. There were no significant differences in prevalence rates between the different groups. Baylisascaris procyonis is an ascarid infection of raccoons that can infect humans and over 100 species of other animals. The presence of infection in raccoons, paired with the expansion of human populations in eastern Tennessee, is likely to lead to increased interactions between humans and raccoons and therefore an increased risk of human and domestic animal exposure to B. procyonis.

Emergency evacuation of horses: a madison county, Kentucky survey *

Abstract A survey of horse farms in Madison County, Kentucky, was made to collect data to use in preparation of an equine evacuation plan, in case of a natural disaster. The farms ranged in size from 0.5 to 500 acres. Nine breeds of horses were represented. Only 65.5% held horses for commereial reasons. Other animals on the farms included cattle, goats, dogs, cats, poultry, and waterfowl. Most farms had multiple sources of water for livestock. Only 26.9% of the farm managers thought they would need supplemental horse feed during an emergency. All of the farms had some type of shelter for horses. None had experienced an evacuation, but 11.5% had plans developed. All had some equipment for evacuation, but help would be a problem in on 57.7% of the farms. It was estimated that on average 5 horses at a time could be moved from the farms. A wide variety of evacuation sites were mentioned by respondents; family-owned land 25.9%; friends 29.6%; boarding stables 11.1%; a designated evacuation area 7.7%. Credible sources of evacuation information was considered radio/TV, county extension agents, Governor, police, firemen, emergency management personnel, and military officials. Regarding a decision to leave the farm in an emergency, 80.8% said their homes were a very or moderately important factor. If horses were to be left on the farm during an evacuation the concerns were water and feed (61.5%), survival and well-being (26.9%). None were concerned about theft. There were family members living within 20 miles of 76.9% of the farms surveyed. From a safety standpoint, if the notice of an emergency evacuation was given from a credible source, only 70% of the horse owners/managers would consider their families as first priority and their animals secondary. This survey points out that emergency plans should address the unique needs of horse owners. There was evidence that some owners would provide safety for their animals to the detriment of themselves. The primary criterion used for the choice of horses to evacuate would be sentimental valae on 46% of the farms. The inclusion of representatives from the horse-owning segment of the population on local emergency management planning committees is critical both to fully understand and prepare for the problems horse owners encounter and to provide timely and factual information in an emergency involving horses, livestock and other animals.

Prevalence of endoparasitic infection in children and its relation with cholera prevention efforts in Mexico

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether increased knowledge and use of public health measures promoted for cholera prevention is reflected in lower prevalence of parasitic infection in households in a community in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, that is close to the border with the United States of America. METHODS Between 1994 and 1997, fecal samples from 438 children were collected through convenience sampling and then examined for helminth eggs/larvae and protozoan cysts as biologic indicators of household compliance with recommended cholera prevention measures. The suggested measures were to wash hands before meals and after defecation, to drink purified water, to wash fruits and vegetables, and to eat well-cooked food. In addition, information on the knowledge of and the use of cholera preventive measures was collected by interviews with adult informants in 252 households (186 of those households also provided a fecal sample for analysis). RESULTS Parasitic infections occurred in 131 of the 438 children (30%), who resided in 79 of the 186 households (42%) that provided fecal samples. Giardia lamblia accounted for 12.5% of all infections. Infections with Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Ancylostoma/Necator, Strongyloides stercoralis, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hartmanni, Entamoeba histolytica, Endolimax nana, and Iodamoeba bütschlii were also noted. Infected children were older and more often had an infected sibling. Households with three or more children were also more likely to have an infected child. The primary caregivers in the households where at least one child had a parasitic infection were distinguished by their inability to list at least three cholera prevention measures from memory. CONCLUSIONS The 42% household prevalence of parasitic infection was relatively high and indicates that some residents of this community may not have fully embraced the public health education efforts promoted for prevention of cholera. The occurrence of nonpathogenic protozoan parasites such as Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hartmanni, and I. bütschlii are important bioindicators for the persistence of unhygienic behaviors that increase the risk of cholera and other infectious diseases dependent on fecal-oral transmission. Information obtained by similar studies can be useful for monitoring compliance with community health and hygiene programs and may indicate the need to intensify educational efforts for the prevention of diarrhea associated with enteric pathogens that cannot be controlled by drugs alone.

Estimating the Time of Death in Domestic Canines

Abstract:  Because 36.1% of U.S. households have dogs, the time of death (TOD) of dogs at crime scenes can be useful to forensic investigators. However, there are few published studies based on postmortem changes in dogs. This study, conducted indoors in still air at approximately room temperature, monitored the postmortem reduction in rectal, liver, brain, and aural temperatures in 16 dogs for 32 h after death. Graphs of temperature reduction were prepared to estimate the TOD of dogs within the first 32 h postmortem. Sex, body mass, and hair coat density did not affect the rate of body temperature reduction, but increased body weight and volume slowed it. Rectal temperature was the most convenient, reasonable site for measuring body temperature. Vitreous humor potassium ion concentration [K+] was measured in both eyes at c. 1.5 and 7 h after death. Both eyes had the same [K+] when measured simultaneously, and [K+] increased after death.

Pastors, parishioners, and pets

Case examples of how three parishioners in one congregation dealt with pet loss are examined. Each person discusses reasons for owning a pet, relates personal reactions to the loss, explains who was and who would have been supportive during the grief process, and illustrates why such support was needed. Suggestions for how a local minister might provide outreach to parishioners dealing with grief over a pets death are presented.