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Two surgically treated haematomyelia cases were documented. One dog and one cat were presented for acute progressive paraplegia following a fall from height incident. Neurological examinations suggested a L4–S3 myelopathy in both cases. Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging in both cases revealed no fracture or subluxation of the spine, but well‐defined intramedullary mass lesions in lower lumbar regions compatible with haemorrhage and haematoma formation. Exploratory surgeries were performed over the lesions. Dark‐red friable masses were removed via myelotomy. Histopathological examinations revealed organizing haematomas at the acute to subacute stage. Postoperatively, both cases improved and regained ambulation. The dog walked normally but remained urinary and faecal incontinent 9 months after the surgery. The cat was continent and ambulatory with a paraparetic gait 5 months after the surgery. In both cases, the outcomes and the patients' quality of life were considered satisfactory by the owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoarthritis is common in the aging dog and is associated with chronic pain and impaired mobility. The main objective of this study was to determine whether low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) would increase physical activity in dogs with osteoarthritis. Methods: Twenty‐three dogs with osteoarthritis were instrumented with an accelerometer 48 h before the first LLLT session (baseline), to record daily activity. Each dog underwent six consecutive weekly laser treatments. The scores of the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs' were recorded for clinical purposes, as a tool to titrate the analgesic therapy of each individual dog, before LLLT (as baseline) and then weekly for 6 weeks. Results: The number of daily activities increased during week 2 (161,674; SD, 103,666) and remained higher than baseline (93,481; SD, 107,878) until week 6 (179,309; SD, 126,044; p < 0.001). Daily step count increased from week 1 (4472; SD, 3427) compared to baseline (1109; SD, 1061) and remained higher than the baseline until the end of week 6 (8416; SD, 3166; p < 0.001). Average energy expenditure during the study period was 179 [range, 2–536] kcal/day; there were no statistically significant differences in this variable between weeks of treatment. Systemic analgesics therapy was decreased in 50% of the dogs during the study period. Conclusions: Laser therapy may advance the management of osteoarthritis by increasing the level of activity of dogs, therefore improving their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reverse zoonoses occur because of interactions between humans and animals. Homology of ACE‐2 cell receptors in different hosts and high mutation rate of SARS‐CoV‐2 enhance viral transmission among species. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate spillover of SARS‐CoV‐2 between humans and companion animals. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was constructed using nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs, serum and blood samples collected from 66 companion animals (33 cats and 33 dogs) that were in contact with SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive owners from December 2020 to March 2021. Swabs were screened by rRT‐PCR and some positive cases were confirmed by partial spike gene sequencing. Clinical pathology and pathological studies were also performed. Results: Our findings revealed that 30% of cats (10/33) and 24% of dogs (8/33) were SARS‐CoV‐2 positive. While 33% of these animals were asymptomatic (6/18), 28% showed mild respiratory signs (5/18) and 39% displayed severe respiratory signs (7/18) including 4 dead cats 40% (4/10). Partial spike gene sequencing of 6 positive samples collected in December 2020 were identical to SARS‐CoV‐2 that was detected in humans in Egypt in that time frame. Clinical pathology findings revealed thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, as well as elevated levels of D‐dimer, LDH, CRP, and ferritin. Post‐mortem and histopathological examinations illustrated multisystemic effects. Conclusions: There is a potential occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spillover between humans and pet animals. Impacts: The present study highlighted the potential occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spillover between humans and their companion animals.Biosecurity measures should be applied to decrease spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 among humans and pet animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study determines the seroprevalence and associated factors of rabies in unvaccinated dogs in Sierra Leone. Background: Rabies control is poorly coordinated in Sierra Leone which was ranked as the third hungriest country in the world. Due to limited access to rabies vaccines, the need for comprehensive serological data on dogs for control of the disease is expedient. Methods: A random multistage technique considering high, medium and low incident areas of rabies cases in dog‐populated communities was adopted. Samples were collected from dogs with owners which were at least 1‐year old. Samples were analysed using a commercial ELISA in accordance to manufacturer's instructions. Results: 25.2% of the total 270 samples tested positive for the presence of rabies antibodies. Kenema district had the highest number of positive samples, followed by the Bombali district and Moyamba district the least. Predisposing factors, including sex, the status of castration, the type of settlement, district and the availability of fences at locations where dogs are kept, had significant effects (p<0.05) on the exposure of dogs to rabies. The 25.2% antibody seroprevalence obtained is very low. Conclusions: Concerted effort should be made to enhance rabies vaccination through an awareness campaign and provision of vaccine to dog owners. Good waste disposal and management practices to reduce open garbage disposal in communities will go a long way to limit the stray‐dog population and minimize rabies outbreaks especially in third‐world countries where rabies vaccines are not accessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]