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Abstract Background Two loop diuretics, torsemide and frusemide, can affect the urinary system and consequently the cardiordiovascular haemodynamics in different ways. Objectives This study compared a number of echocardiographic parameters and systemic arterial blood pressure (ABP) changes following administration of furosemide or torsemide. Methods Five shelter dogs underwent transthoracic two‐dimensional M‐mode echocardiography to obtain the following measurements: left ventricular internal dimension at end‐systole (LVIDs), left ventricular internal dimension at end‐diastole (LVIDd), fractional shortening (FS), heart rate (HR) and the distance between the mitral valve socket and the ventricle wall (septal to E Point, SEP). Arterial blood pressure was measured using the oscillometric method. Measurements recorded before treatment (baseline data) were compared to those after the dogs received furosemide (5 mg/kg) or torsemide (0.5 mg/kg). Results Torsemide significantly reduced blood pressure 1 h after administration, but this was not seen with furosemide. Fractional shortening, LVIDd and SEP decreased following both treatments, but there were no significant differences between the treatment groups. Torsemide increased heart rate above that seen in the furosemide groups. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that 1 h after administration, torsemide increases heart rate and decreases blood pressure when compared to furosemide, but both drugs have similar effects on measured cardiovascular indices.

Background: This study aimed to reveal the serological prevalence of Neospora caninum in large dairy farms in Isfahan Province, central Iran. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 1500 cattle living in four large dairy farms in Isfahan Province, Iran during 2014-2015 and examined for anti N. caninum IgG antibodies. Overall, 113 serum samples were also collected from the dogs living in these areas; suspecting to be risk factors for this infection. All the serum samples were investigated to find IgG antibodies by using ELISA. Dogs' sera were also analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody test. Results: Totally, 395 out of 1500 bovine samples (26.33%) were positive for N. caninum: 34%, 21.61%, 23.03% and 29.01% in four investigated clusters (farms). Infection rate was significantly more in cows with the history of abortion. The infection rate in dogs was 17.69%: (20 out of 113). Conclusion: The results show a high seroprevalence of the infection and possibly the role of the dogs in horizontal transmission of the infection.

This survey was conducted to identify and estimate the frequencies of ectoparasites of dogs in Tehran, Iran. A total of 143 dogs attended at the Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary School, the University of Tehran, were examined for the presence of ectoparasites and dermatological lesions. Ectoparasite specimens and blood samples were sent to parasitology and hematology laboratories, respectively. Ticks were the most frequent ectoparasite (36.4%, 52/143), followed by fleas (29.4%, 42/143), mites (25.9%, 37/143), and lice (8.4%, 12/143). Mixed infestations with two or more ectoparasites were detected in eight dogs. Rhipicephalus bursa was the most frequent ectoparasite in spring and summer. Ectoparasitic infestations were recorded mainly in large breeds and juvenile animals. Eosinophilia was more observed in dogs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei. The most common clinical sign, skin pruritus, was associated with mite and lice infestations. These results indicate that the tick R. bursa was the most prominent species of ectoparasite found in the evaluated group, followed by Ctenocephalides canis and S. scabiei var canis.Esta pesquisa foi realizada para identificar e estimar a frequência de ectoparasitas de cães em Teerã, Irã. Um total de 143 cães, atendidos no Hospital de Pequenos Animais da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade de Teerã, foi examinado para a pesquisa de ectoparasitas e lesões cutâneas. Espécimes de ectoparasitos e amostras de sangue coletadas foram enviadas para exame em laboratório de parasitologia e hematologia, respectivamente. Os carrapatos foram os ectoparasitos mais frequentemente encontrados (36,4%, 52/143), seguidos por pulgas (29,4%, 42/143), sarnas (25,9%, 37/143) e piolhos (8,4%, 12/143). Infestações mistas com dois ou mais ectoparasitos foram observadas em oito cães. Rhipicephalus bursa foi o ectoparasito mais frequente na primavera e verão. Infestações de ectoparasitos foram registradas principalmente em raças maiores e animais jovens. Eosinofilia foi mais observado em cães infestados com Sarcoptes scabiei. O sinal clínico mais comum, prurido na pele, esteve associado às infestações por ácaros e piolhos. Estes resultados indicam o carrapato R. bursa como ectoparasito mais comum no grupo avaliado, seguido por Ctenocephalides canis e S. scabiei var canis.

BackgroundCats are definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii and play an essential role in the epidemiology of this parasite. The study aims at clarifying whether cats are able to develop specific antibodies against different clonal types of T. gondii and to determine by serotyping the T. gondii clonal types prevailing in cats as intermediate hosts in Germany.MethodologyTo establish a peptide-microarray serotyping test, we identified 24 suitable peptides using serological T. gondii positive (n=21) and negative cat sera (n=52). To determine the clonal type-specific antibody response of cats in Germany, 86 field sera from T. gondii seropositive naturally infected cats were tested. In addition, we analyzed the antibody response in cats experimentally infected with non-canonical T. gondii types (n=7).FindingsPositive cat reference sera reacted predominantly with peptides harbouring amino acid sequences specific for the clonal T. gondii type the cats were infected with. When the array was applied to field sera from Germany, 98.8% (85/86) of naturally-infected cats recognized similar peptide patterns as T. gondii type II reference sera and showed the strongest reaction intensities with clonal type II-specific peptides. In addition, naturally infected cats recognized type II-specific peptides significantly more frequently than peptides of other type-specificities. Cats infected with non-canonical types showed the strongest reactivity with peptides presenting amino-acid sequences specific for both, type I and type III.ConclusionsCats are able to mount a clonal type-specific antibody response against T. gondii. Serotyping revealed for most seropositive field sera patterns resembling those observed after clonal type II-T. gondii infection. This finding is in accord with our previous results on the occurrence of T. gondii clonal types in oocysts shed by cats in Germany.