Detection of DNA from undeclared animal species in commercial elimination diets for dogs using PCR.

Background: Elimination diets are the gold standard for the diagnosis of adverse food reactions (AFR). A broad variety of commercial diets are available containing either hydrolysed protein or novel ingredients which claim to be suitable for elimination diets. Contamination may be one factor accounting for the failure of commercial elimination diet trials.

Phylogenetic relationships and new genetic tools for the detection and discrimination of the three feline Demodex mites.

Two feline Demodex mite species have been described as causative agents of feline demodicosis, until recently a third species was detected. We provide an updated analysis on the phylogenetic relationship of Demodex mites. In addition, we present the first qPCR assay for the detection and differentiation of all three feline mite species in a single reaction.

The first case of Demodex gatoi in Austria, detected with fecal flotation.

Feline demodicosis is a rare parasitic condition caused by three different species of mites (Demodex cati, Demodex gatoi, and an unnamed species). D. gatoi inhabits the superficial skin layer (stratum corneum) and is easily transmitted between individual cats.

Tepoxalin reduces pruritus and modified CADESI-01 scores in dogs with atopic dermatitis: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.

Thirty dogs with atopic dermatitis were given tepoxalin (Zubrin, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Boxmeer, the Netherlands) or placebo once daily for 4 weeks, followed by a wash-out period of 1 week before reversing the treatments. Pruritus was scored by the owners using the Edinburgh Pruritus Scale and one investigator employed a modification of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index-01 (mCADESI-01) to score the physical lesions. After administration of tepoxalin there was a > or = 50% reduction in pruritus and mCADESI-01 scores in 36% and 25% of the dogs, respectively, whereas following administration of the placebo there was a > or = 50% reduction in pruritus and mCADESI-01 scores in only 25% and 16% of the dogs, respectively.