A veterinarian in Thailand was diagnosed with COVID-19 after being sneezed on by an infected cat owned by an infected patient. Genetic study supported the hypothesis of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from the owner to the cat, and then from the cat to the veterinarian.

No abstract

COVID-19 patients have often required prolonged endotracheal intubation, increasing the risk of developing ventilatorassociated pneumonia (VAP). A preventive strategy is proposed based on an endotracheal tube (ETT) modified by the in situ deposition of eucalyptus-mediated synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The surfaces of the modified ETT were embedded with AgNPs of approximately 28 nm and presented a nanoscale roughness. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of silver on and inside the coated ETT, which exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi, including multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. Inhibition of planktonic growth and microbial adhesion ranged from 99 to 99.999% without cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells. Kinetic studies showed that microbial adhesion to the coated surface was inhibited within 2 h. Cell viability in biofilms supplemented with human tracheal mucus was reduced by up to 95%. In a porcine VAP model, the AgNPs-coated ETT prevented adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and completely inhibited bacterial invasion of lung tissue. The potential antimicrobial efficacy and safety of the coated ETT were established in a randomized control trial involving 47 veterinary patients. The microbial burden was significantly lower on the surface of the AgNPs-coated ETT than on the uncoated ETT (p < 0.05). Key points• Endotracheal tube surfaces were modified by coating with green-synthesized AgNPs • P. aeruginosa burden of endotracheal tube and lung was reduced in a porcine model • Effective antimicrobial activity and safety was demonstrated in a clinical trial Keywords Ventilator-associated pneumonia • Endotracheal tube • Silver nanoparticles • Biofilms • Animal models • COVID-19

Stray dog population leads to problems, which are directly related to humans and the environment, has transformed stray dog issues from a third world problem to a global, public health priority. Hence, this study aimed to determine factors related to the feeding of stray dogs and other factors, which influence the results of stray dogs-related problems. This was a community based cross-sectional study, performed in Bangdan village, Songkhla, Thailand. Data were collected through phone interviews. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to measure the association between the independent variables and the problems-related with stray dogs. Among 168 participants, 137 participants (81.5%) were bothered by problems caused by stray dogs. The most common problem reported was garbage scavenging (62.5%), which occurred predominantly from the hours of 6 pm. to Midnight. Feeding stray dogs was significantly associated with stray dog-related problems (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.94 with 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-17.41). However, other factors; such as, gender, length of stay and owning pets had no statistically significant association. In conclusion, feeding stray dogs was significantly associated with stray dog-related problems, with garbage scavenging being the most common problem reported.

Background and Aim: Vessel sealing (VS) is used widely in human medicine and veterinary practice during laparoscopic surgery; however, few studies have investigated VS in canine ovariohysterectomy (OHE) using the median celiotomy approach. This study aimed to compare the effect of VS and suture ligation (SL) on surgical time, blood loss, and perioperative pain in canine OHE through median celiotomy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight dogs were randomly and equally assigned into two groups that underwent surgery either by SL at both the ovarian pedicle and uterus or using a disposable VS device. The short form of the Glasgow composite pain scale (SF-GCPS) and the Colorado state university canine acute pain scale (CSU-CAP) were used to determine pain pre-operatively (baseline); at 30 min; and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 24, and 72 h post-operatively. Perioperative physiological parameters, surgical duration, and percentage of blood loss were recorded. Repeated measures analysis was performed to determine the differences in all parameters among time-related tasks and between both groups. A significant difference was defined at p < 0.05. Results: The duration from identification of the first ovary to uterus removal was shorter in VS than in SL (p < 0.05). No clinically relevant differences were found among physiological variables. Both groups showed higher SF-GCPS and CSU-CAP values after surgery compared with baseline. The SF-GCPS in SL at 1 h was higher than in VS (p < 0.05). Two dogs in the SL group required additional post-operative rescue analgesia. No differences were found between the groups in terms of blood loss. Conclusion: The use of a VS device in dogs undergoing OHE celiotomy decreased post-operative pain and shortened the perioperative time, making it an effective alternative technique for this common surgery. However, the VS device must be applied 2–3 times in the same location during the OHE procedure to prevent technical failure. This disposable device was reused up to 5 times for economic reasons without device failure. Soft tissue damage during OHE using the VS device should be investigated in a future prospective study.

Background and Aim: The effect of anesthetic drugs on intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important concern in ophthalmic surgery. The impact of dexmedetomidine (DEX) combined with tiletamine-zolazepam on IOP is scarcely studied. This study aimed to evaluate IOP and cardiovascular effects in dogs after premedication with 5 μg/kg (DEX5) or 10 μg/kg (DEX10) of intramuscular DEX followed by intravenous tiletamine-zolazepam administration for induction of anesthesia in healthy dogs. Materials and Methods: Eighteen dogs, American Society of Anesthesiologists I or II, without ocular abnormality were investigated. All dogs were randomly divided into the DEX5 (n = 9) and DEX10 groups (n = 9). The IOP, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), oxygen saturation, and sedation scale were measured before premedication (baseline), after premedication at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min, after tiletamine-zolazepam administration, after endotracheal intubation, and post-operative. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups at any time point. The DEX5 and DEX10 groups had significantly decreased HR values at 10 min compared with baseline. The IOP at 20 min was significantly lower compared to the baseline in the DEX10 group. Moreover, the DEX10 group showed increased IOP, HR, SBP, and sedation scale values after induction and intubation compared with 20 min, but these values did not differ significantly from baseline. All parameters of both groups did not change significantly between post-operative and baseline. Conclusion: Intramuscular DEX (10 μg/kg) is an appropriate premedication in ophthalmic examination or surgical procedures. Moreover, it could be combined with tiletamine-zolazepam for generalized anesthesia in dogs with an ophthalmic problem, as it had no clinically significant effects on IOP or cardiovascular values.