Serum urea and creatinine are extensively used as parameters to screen for azotaemia. Their reciprocal plots roughly correlate with glomerular filtration rate (GFR). They are, however, subject to influence by non-renal factors and to increase their specificity they are often tested concurrently. In renal disease they are expected to behave similarly, with both parameters increasing as GFR decre...

The safety of two vaccines available on the French market against canine babesiosis - Nobivac Piro® (NP) and Pirodog® (P) - have been evaluated. Their local, general and biochemical impacts have been compared in a controlled experimental study. Three groups were used: a control group (T) and two groups vaccinated twice at 21 days interval. All dogs presented moderate local reaction. However, ei...

This prospective, interventional, case-controlled study sought to determine the association between adrenocortical function and mortality in dogs with naturally occurring Babesia rossi babesiosis. Sixty-eight dogs with canine babesiosis were studied and fifteen normal dogs were used as controls. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein in each dog prior to treatment, at admission to ho...

A total of 344 dogs belonging to people in resource-poor communities in North West Province, South Africa, was examined for ectoparasites, and all visible arthropods were collected from the left side of each dog. By doubling these numbers it was estimated that the dogs harboured 14,724 ixodid ticks, belonging to 6 species, 1,028 fleas, belonging to 2 species, and 26 lice. Haemaphysalis leachi a...

The influence of anaemia on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in dogs infected with B. canis was investigated. Samples of blood and serum from 230 infected dogs were divided into two groups: A (with anaemia) and B (without anaemia). The differences in the activities of the enzymes between both groups were not statisticall...

The author summarises the occurrence of major diseases in wild animals maintained in captivity in South America. The epidemiology, impact and significance of the diseases are discussed, together with appropriate husbandry practices to control and prevent transmissible diseases. The following animal groups and pathologies are considered in this review: poxvirus dermatitis, gastroenteritis, pneum...