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In northern Australia, wild dog populations potentially interact with domestic dogs from remote communities, which would create opportunities for disease transmission at the wild–domestic interface. An example is rabies, in the event of an incursion into northern Australia. However, the likelihood of such wild–domestic interactions is ambiguous. Hybridisation analyses based on 23 microsatellite DNA markers were performed on canine‐origin scats collected in bushland areas around remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland. Sufficient DNA was extracted from 6 of 41 scats to assess the percentage of dingo purity. These scats most likely originated from two 'pure' domestic dogs (0% dingo purity), one hybrid (20% dingo purity) and three 'pure' dingoes (92%–98% dingo purity). The two domestic dog samples were collected in the vicinity of communities. The location of two of the dingo‐origin samples provides genetic evidence that dingoes are present in areas close to the communities. The availability of anthropogenic food resources likely creates opportunities for interactions with domestic dogs in the region. The hybrid sample demonstrates the occurrence of antecedent contacts between both populations by means of mating and supports the likelihood of a spatio‐temporal overlap at the wild–domestic interface. This represents the first genetic survey involving a wild dog population of equatorial northern Queensland, with evidence of dingo purity. Our results have implications for potential disease transmission within a priority area for biosecurity in northern Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free‐roaming domestic dogs in Indigenous communities of northern Australia have the potential to spread diseases at the wild–domestic dog interface. Hunting activities with domestic dogs, commonly practiced in Indigenous communities, also create opportunities for wild–domestic dog interactions in the bush, providing pathways for potential disease spread. Data from a camera‐trap study conducted in remote Indigenous communities of northern Australia were used to explore spatial and seasonal opportunities for interactions between dingoes and unsupervised domestic dogs. For each type of dog, activity indices, based on detection events per camera station with an adjustment for sampling effort, were mapped across the study area and plotted against distance to communities. Unsupervised domestic dogs were mostly active in proximity (<1 km) to the communities. However, there was a noticeable peak of activity further in the bush away from the communities, especially in the wet season, coinciding with areas commonly used for hunting activities. In contrast, the activity of dingoes was more homogeneous within the study area, with a higher peak of activity around the communities during the dry season, and in bush areas distant (>10 km) to communities during the wet season. Overall, our findings suggest that interactions between dingoes and unsupervised community dogs are more likely to occur around the communities, particularly during the dry season, whereas in the wet season, there is increased opportunity for interactions in distant areas in the bush between dingoes and, presumably, hunting dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This survey aimed to understand hunting practices involving domestic dogs in remote Indigenous communities in northern Australia and, in the context of disease transmission, describe the domestic–wild dog interface and intercommunity interactions of hunting dogs during hunting activities. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey of 13 hunters from communities of the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Queensland gathered information on demographics of hunters and hunting dogs, hunting practices and past encounters with wild dogs during hunting trips. Social networks that described the connections of hunters between NPA communities from hunting expeditions were developed. Results: Most hunters interviewed were not aware of any diseases that could be transmitted to dogs (n = 11) or humans (n = 9) from wild animals while hunting. More than half (n = 7) of the respondents had experienced at least one wild dog encounter during hunting in the year prior to the interview. A map of the relative risk of interactions between wild and hunting dogs during hunting trips allowed the identification of high‐risk areas in the NPA; these areas are characterised by dense rainforests. The social networks at the community level resulted in relatively large density measures reflecting a high level of intercommunity connectedness. Conclusions: This study contributes to our knowledge of Australian Indigenous hunting practices and supports the potential for disease transmission at the domestic–wild dog interface and intercommunity level through contacts between hunting dogs during hunting activities. Insights from this study also highlight the need for educational programs on disease management in Indigenous communities of northern Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Dal blood group system was identified a decade ago by the accidental sensitization of a Dal− Dalmatian with a Dal+ blood transfusion. Similar Dal-related blood incompatibilities have been suspected in other Dalmatians, Doberman Pinschers, and other breeds. Objectives To determine the prevalence and mode of inheritance of the Dal antigen expression in dogs. Animals A total of 1130 dogs including 128 Dalmatians, 432 Doberman Pinschers, 21 Shih Tzus, and 549 dogs of other breeds including 228 blood donors were recruited from North America between 2008 and 2015. Methods Prospectively, dogs were blood typed for Dal applying a gel column technique using polyclonal canine anti- Dal sera. Pedigrees from 8 typed families were analyzed. Results The prevalence of the Dal+ blood type varied between 85.6 and 100% in Dalmatians and 43.3-78.6% in Doberman Pinschers depending on geographical area. Dal− dogs were identified mostly in Dalmatians (15/128; 11.7%), Doberman Pinschers (183/432; 42.4%), and Shih Tzus (12/21; 57.1%), and sporadically in mixed-breed dogs (3/122; 2.5%), Lhasa Apsos (1/6) and Bichon Frises (1/3). Only 6/245 (2.4%) blood donors were found to be Dal−, including 5 Doberman Pinschers. The mode of inheritance of the Dal+ phenotype was determined to be autosomal dominant. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The high percentage of Dal− Doberman Pinchers, Dalmatians and Shih Tzus increases their risk of being sensitized by a blood transfusion from the common Dal+ donor. Extended Dal typing is recommended in those breeds and in dogs when blood incompatibility problems arise after initial transfusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Otitis media is a common disease in calves that can be subclinical, making antemortem on-farm diagnosis challenging. Objectives To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography of tympanic bullae for the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical otitis media and to evaluate the reproducibility of the technique. Animals Forty calves 19-50 days of age were selected from a veal calf farm. Methods Prospective study. Ultrasonography was first performed on the farm by ultrasonographer A ( US A). Ultrasonography was repeated by ultrasonographer A ( US A') and another ultrasonographer ( US B) at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire. Images were later reread by both examiners and a diagnosis was recorded. The calves were euthanized and submitted for necropsy, and histopathologic diagnosis was used as the gold standard. Results Forty-five bullae were affected by otitis media and 35 bullae were normal. Sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasound technique ranged from 32 to 63% and 84 to 100%, respectively, depending on the examiner and classification of suspicious ultrasonography results. Kappa analysis to evaluate interobserver agreement between A' and B yielded a к value of 0.53. Agreement within the same examiner (A versus A') yielded a к value of 0.48, and real-time ultrasound versus rereading of recorded images for A' and B yielded к values of 0.58 and 0.75, respectively. Conclusions Sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasound imaging technique are, respectively, low and high for diagnosis of clinical and subclinical otitis media in calves, with moderate reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although there is serologic evidence of exposure of cats to Leptospira spp., clinical disease is rarely reported in cats. Objective To compare the seropositivity and urinary polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) status for Leptospira spp. between healthy ( H) cats and cats with kidney disease ( KD), to investigate the serovars potentially involved, and to evaluate potential risk factors. Animals Two hundred and forty client-owned cats. Methods Cats were prospectively recruited and classified based on physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis (125 H and 115 KD cats). Leptospira spp. serology (titers ≥1 : 100 considered positive) and urinary PCR were performed in all cats. Data assessing risk factors, obtained from a questionnaire, were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results Seropositivity for Leptospira spp. was statistically different between groups: 7.2% (9/125) and 14.9% (17/114) in the H and KD, respectively ( P = .05). The proportion of PCR-positive cats was not. The most common serovars detected serologically were Pomona (n = 16) and Bratislava (n = 8). Risk factors for seropositivity included outdoor and hunting lifestyles ( P = .03 and P < .001, respectively), the presence of another cat in the household ( P < .01), and the sampling period, with the greatest number of cases identified between June and August (P =.02). Conclusions Seropositivity was significantly greater in KD cats, suggesting that the role of Leptospira spp. in KD in cats should be further investigated. The detection of urinary shedding of leptospires in several cats identifies a potential role in the transmission of the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference biochemical ranges for young adult and adult ewes in mid-gestation were derived from 83 pooled serum samples taken from 30 flocks in the Province of Quebec, Canada. In each flock the samples were pooled into three age categories and each category contained between six and 10 samples. The blood samples were taken by jugular venepuncture in December 1999. All the values were within the normal published ranges. As the age of the ewes increased there were slight increases in the concentrations of globulin and total protein and decreases in the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, glucose and albumin, and in the activities of alkaline phosphatase and glutathione peroxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the serologic and urinary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey of leptospirosis in cats with chronic kidney disease and healthy cats.