We all know that backyard chickens are becoming increasingly popular – despite some of their associated infectious disease hazards, which we’ve discussed many times before. The latest “pandemic pastime” takes the trend to a whole new level, with scores of people fostering chicks or ducklings as a family activity, aka something
Leishmaniasis in a Dog from California
Around here, infection in dogs caused by Leishmania infantum typically comes up in the context of imported dogs, particularly those from countries around the Mediterranean (e.g. Greece, Israel, Spain). This parasite is usually transmitted between a variety of mammalian species, including dogs and humans, by certain species of sandflies. We’re quite lucky here in Ontario
An Unusual Case of Echinococcus multilocularis in Manitoba
Last spring, we posted about a report of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in a child in Quebec from 2018. This very serious parasitic infection is caused by the intermediate stage of the fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis (EM), which despite its common name is often also found in coyotes (including right here in southern Ontario
A Plague of Men, and Dogs, and Marmots
Taking a break from the latest pandemic microbe, there have been a couple of recent items about another very old pandemic bug that’s never really completely gone away – Yersina pestis, known commonly as plague, and the cause of the Black Death of the mid 1300s, aka the deadliest pandemic recorded in human history.
Practical ways to help vets during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of strain on a lot of people, and those in the veterinary profession are no exception. Thank you, Captain Obvious. Self-care and mental health support at times like these are critical, but can be hard to come by for many still working on the front lines in clinics,
5 things to remember about zoonoses
A recent CDC expert commentary was recently published on “Animal Lovers and Zoonotic Diseases: 5 Things to Know“. Regular readers of Worms & Germs will find many of the points very familiar, but the article provides a nice summary of some of the recurring themes that arise when dealing with animals and people
Canine brucellosis international, factsheet for veterinarians
Recently another couple of good examples have cropped up of the risks of canine brucellosis (caused by Brucella canis) associated with both canine breeding kennels and international movement of dogs.
The state veterinarian for Iowa confirmed that there were several cases of brucellosis diagnosed in dogs from a small breeding facility in Marion County
Itchy dogs: Topical treatments and culture-critical cases
The latest companion animal infographic from the Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN) is now available! Currently the network is working on a series of infographics focused on good antimicrobial stewardship. Stewardship includes knowing when NOT to use antimicrobials, and what to use when antimicrobials are needed. Guidance is available from leading veterinary infection control experts, through the open-access ISCAID Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Hillier et al. 2014). Click here to download the infographic in pdf.
Continue Reading Itchy dogs: Topical treatments and culture-critical cases
Small animal infectious diseases, and how they get around
The latest issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice includes a number of chapters on infectious diseases that have been making regular appearances on this blog, including rabies, influenza, brucellosis, Lyme disease, and more, as well as chapters on certain feline-specific infectious diseases. Check out the full table of contents and summaries here.
Continue Reading Small animal infectious diseases, and how they get around
Ontario hits 10 000 dRIT rabies tests since 2015
Today’s post comes from Rachel Gagnon, Rabies Science Transfer Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), highlighting some of the amazing work being done in Ontario in the ongoing battle against wildlife rabies.
Ontario’s rabies control program is a world leader when it comes to controlling and eliminating rabies. The MNRF