Search

This report provides an analysis and critical assessment of the sampling strategy, the data collected, and the detection methods used in the Norwegian 2012-2013 E. multilocularis surveillance campaigns and reported in the context of Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011 regarding preventive health measures for the control of E. multilocularis infection in dogs. The surveillance aims at detecting the parasite, if present, in mainland Norway. The Norwegian surveillance reports were assessed by checking the description of the surveillance system for completeness against the relevant elements that need to be addressed in assessing the quality of E. multilocularis surveillance reports in the context of Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011. The data reported on individual samples were assessed using the raw data submitted by Norway via the EFSA Data Collection Framework (DCF). Descriptive statistics were calculated to check whether the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011 had been fulfilled. The E. multilocularis-specific surveillance programme aimed at detecting the parasite, if present in mainland Norway, has not detected E. multilocularis through the surveillance activities performed in 2012 and 2013. Under the assumption of unbiased representative sampling and considering the sensitivity of the tests applied, Norway has fulfilled the requirement of Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011 to the effect that the surveillance activities should detect a prevalence of E. multilocularis of 1 % or less at a confidence level of at least 0.95 in 2012, but not in 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norwegian and Icelandic dog owners were interviewed about aspects of their dog keeping and their attitudes to the veterinary profession. Dogs were found to play an important role in the lives of their owners, who had high expectations of their veterinarians, not only with respect to the treatment of their dogs but also with respect to themselves as clients. About one-third of owners reported problems related to a lack of trust and poor communications in encounters with their veterinarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary aim of this study was to obtain more knowledge about the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in young dogs in Norway. The occurrence of these parasites was investigated in a longitudinal study by repeated faecal sampling of dogs between 1 and 12 months of age (litter samples and individual samples). The dogs were privately owned and from four large breeds. Individual faecal samples were collected from 290 dogs from 57 litters when the dogs were approximately 3, 4, 6, and 12 months old. In addition, pooled samples were collected from 43 of the litters, and from 42 of the mother bitches, when the puppies were approximately 1 and/or 2 months old. Methods: The samples were purified by sucrose gradient flotation concentration and examined by immunofluorescent staining. Results: 128 (44.1%) of the young dogs had one or more Cryptosporidium positive samples, whilst 60 (20.7%) dogs had one or more Giardia positive samples. The prevalence of the parasites varied with age. For Cryptosporidium, the individual prevalence was between 5.1% and 22.5%, with the highest level in dogs < 6 months old, and declining with age. For Giardia, the individual prevalence was between 6.0% and 11.4%, with the highest level in dogs > 6 months old, but the differences between age groups were not statistically significant. Significant differences in prevalences were found in relation to geographic location of the dogs. Both parasites occurred at low prevalences in Northern Norway. Conclusion: Both Cryptosporidium and Giardia are common in Norwegian dogs, with Cryptosporidium more prevalent than Giardia. Prevalences of the parasites were found to be influenced by age, geographical location, and infection status before weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]