USER-ALT Claudia Verdial and others , University of Lisbon
Contaminated surfaces are an important reservoir of infection in medical facilities , which can readily transfer bacteria to hands and equipment . The authors investigated the level of bacterial contamination in the isolation and containment unit of a major veterinary teaching hospital . They found that the highest loads in the isolation rooms were in cages , the highest in the preparation area were in handheld sponges and , in staff rooms , telephones were the worst affected surfaces . The most frequently isolated organisms were Enterococcus species . Revised disinfection protocols reduced bacterial counts in the unit by 90 – 99 %.
Influence of breed and bodyweight on the incidence of periodontal disease in dogs
USER-ALT Corrin Wallis and others , Waltham Petcare Science Institute , Leicestershire
Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs but is probably underdiagnosed in primary care practices . The authors examined the clinical records from 3 million dogs treated by clinics in a major US veterinary chain to identify the influence of body size and breed on periodontal disease . The breeds most frequently diagnosed with this condition were in the extra-small ( 6.5 – 9 kg ) and medium-small ( 9 – 15 kg ) size categories . Age , obesity and time since last dental treatment were also predisposing factors .
Reversible infertility in a male dog following ketoconazole treatment
USER-ALT Anna Domosławska and Slawomir Zduńczyk , University of Warmia
There is little published data on the causes of infertility in male dogs , although there is evidence that a variety of veterinary drugs can adversely affect spermatogenesis . The authors report a case in which low libido and azoospermia were detected in a 7-year-old American Staffordshire terrier , which had been treated for 3 months with the antifungal agent ketoconazole for a persistent Malassezia dermatitis . The drug is known to be associated with infertility in male rodents . The dog ’ s sperm quality and testosterone levels returned to normal when ketoconazole treatment was withdrawn .
Effect of group size on wellbeing in domestic cats
USER-ALT Lauren Finka and Rachel Foreman-Worsley , Nottingham Trent University
Living in multi-cat households is often considered problematic by animal behaviourists , who have demonstrated links between group housing and reduced wellbeing . However , the impact of group size has rarely been the primary focus of feline behaviour studies . The authors review the literature on the effects of environment on cat welfare . Their results highlight the complex , multifactorial nature of cat wellbeing and its links to the social environment . They argue that other factors may have a more important influence on cat welfare than simply the numbers living within a particular household .
16 Veterinary Nursing Journal