Understanding kitten fostering and socialisation practices using mixed methods.

Many companion kittens entering shelters are fostered by volunteer community members during the sensitive period for socialisation (~2 to 9 weeks of age) when early experiences are critical to behavioural development. Using a mixed-method survey, we explored current fostering practices relevant to kitten behavioural development and welfare. Foster caretaker participants (n = 487) described their fostering practices and reported providing kittens with a majority of recommended socialisation experiences, such as handling and exposure to various toys and exploratory items.

Guidelines unmet: Assessing gaps in breast cancer survivorship care.

Background: In Canada, after completing their treatment at oncology centers in tertiary care facilities, most breast cancer patients are discharged and receive survivorship care from primary care providers (PCPs). Evidence-based guidelines exist to inform appropriate care for breast cancer survivor follow-up.

Objectives: This study analyzed the concordance of breast cancer survivorship follow-up care by PCPs with recommended guidelines at an academic Family Health Team (FHT) in Ottawa.

Canadian beach cohort study: protocol of a prospective study to assess the burden of recreational water illness.

Background: Recreational water activities at beaches are popular among Canadians. However, these activities can increase the risk of recreational water illnesses (RWI) among beachgoers. Few studies have been conducted in Canada to determine the risk of these illnesses.

Using an automated tail movement sensor device to predict calving time in dairy cows.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated tail movement sensor device (Moocall; Bluebell, Dublin, Ireland) to predict time of calving in dairy cows. At a commercial dairy farm in southern Ontario, Moocall (MC) devices were attached with the device's strap, and an additional elastic wrap, to the tail of cows approximately 3 d before their expected calving date. The MC has 2 types of alarm, a high activity alarm in the previous hour (1HA), and a high activity alarm in the previous 2 h (2HA); these alarms were sent and registered to the MC software.

Assessing avian influenza surveillance intensity in wild birds using a One Health lens.

Wildlife disease surveillance, particularly for pathogens with zoonotic potential such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV), is critical to facilitate situational awareness, inform risk, and guide communication and response efforts within a One Health framework. This study evaluates the intensity of avian influenza virus (AIV) surveillance in Ontario's wild bird population following the 2021 H5N1 incursion into Canada. Analyzing 2562 samples collected between November 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022, in Ontario, Canada, we identify spatial variations in surveillance intensity relative to human population density, poultry facility density, and wild mallard abundance.

The seroprevalence and risk factors for exposure to Neospora caninum and Neospora hughesi in Ontario broodmares.

The seroprevalence and risk factors for exposure to Neospora caninum and Neospora hughesi in broodmares in Ontario were investigated. Sixty of the 219 (27.4%) study broodmares were seropositive for N.

How do life history and behaviour influence plastic ingestion risk in Canadian freshwater and terrestrial birds?

Plastic ingestion presents many potential avenues of risk for wildlife. Understanding which species and environments are most exposed to plastic pollution is a critical first step in investigating the One Health implications of plastic exposure. The objectives of this study were the following: 1) Utilize necropsy as part of ongoing passive disease surveillance to investigate ingested mesoplastics in birds collected in Ontario and Nunavut, and examine the relationships between bird-level factors and ingested debris; 2) evaluate microplastic ingestion compared to ingested mesodebris in raptors; and 3) identify potential sentinel species for plastic pollution monitoring in understudied freshwater and terrestrial (inland) environments.

Examination of the Relationship Between Daily Perceptions of Collective Efficacy and Marijuana Use Among Black Youth: Does the Location of the Perception Matters?

Neighborhood-level collective efficacy protects Black youth from substance use; however, neighborhood research does not account for the entirety of adolescents' exposure or their perceptions of space which may be critical to understanding the role of context in substance use. To address this limitation, the SPIN Project recruited 65 Black adolescents (() = 15.32(1.

Investigating the association between socioeconomic and agricultural risk factors and the incidence of Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Typhimurium in Ontario in 2015: A multi-level ecological approach.

The incidence of salmonellosis, and other enteric zoonotic diseases, has been associated with various food and environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors. Increasingly, there is interest in exploring differences among serotypes of Salmonella to better inform public health prevention efforts. Consequently, we investigated whether rates of Salmonella Heidelberg and Typhimurium in Ontario communities in 2015 were influenced by household characteristics, agricultural factors, and the presence of meat plants.

Comparing the diagnostic performance of ordinary, mixed, and lasso logistic regression models at identifying opioid and cannabinoid poisoning in U.S. dogs using pet demographic and clinical data reported to an animal poison control center (2005-2014).

Researchers have begun studying the impact of human opioid and cannabinoid use on dog populations. These studies have used data from an animal poison control center (APCC) and there are concerns that due to the illicit nature and social stigma concerning the use of these drugs, owners may not always be forthcoming with veterinarians or APCC staff regarding pet exposures to these toxicants. As a result, models derived from APCC data that examine the predictability of opioid and cannabinoid dog poisonings using pet demographic and health disorder information may help veterinarians or APCC staff more reliably identify these toxicants when examining or responding to a call concerning a dog poisoned by an unknown toxicant.

Classification of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome clinical impact in Ontario sow herds using machine learning approaches.

Since the early 1990s, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus outbreaks have been reported across various parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The incursion of PRRS virus (PRRSV) in swine herds could result in various clinical manifestations, resulting in a substantial impact on the incidence of respiratory morbidity, reproductive loss, and mortality. Veterinary experts, among others, regularly analyze the PRRSV open reading frame-5 (ORF-5) for prognostic purposes to assess the risk of severe clinical outcomes.

Abundance and diversity of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in southern Ontario, Canada.

Background: Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a genus of hematophagous midges feeding on various vertebrate hosts and serving as a vector for numerous pathogens important to livestock and wildlife health. North American pathogens include bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) viruses. Little is known about Culicoides spp.

CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS ECOLOGY: INSIGHTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL SEROLOGIC STUDY IN WILD RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR).

Increasing reports of canine distemper virus (CDV) in a variety of hosts, and changing CDV dynamics, have led to renewed interest in the ecology of CDV infections in wildlife. Longitudinal serologic studies provide insights into intrapopulation and intraindividual pathogen dynamics, but few studies in wildlife have been conducted. We used data from 235 raccoons (Procyon lotor) captured on more than one occasion between May 2011 and November 2013 to investigate CDV dynamics in Ontario, Canada.

Environmental determinants of infectious and chronic disease prevention behaviours: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research.

Regulatory health policies facilitate desired health behaviours in communities, and among them, smoke-free policies and COVID-19 restrictions have been widely implemented. Qualitative research studies have explored how these measures and other environmental influences shape preventive behaviours. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize previously published qualitative research, generate across-study themes, and propose recommendations for behaviour change interventions.

Predictive analysis for pathogenicity classification of H5Nx avian influenza strains using machine learning techniques.

Over the past decades, avian influenza (AI) outbreaks have been reported across different parts of the globe, resulting in large-scale economic and livestock loss and, in some cases raising concerns about their zoonotic potential. The virulence and pathogenicity of H5Nx (e.g.

Factors associated with Giardia infection in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada.

Information concerning risk factors associated with Giardia infection in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada, is currently lacking. This study therefore aimed to identify risk factors for Giardia infection in dogs that visit off-leash dog parks in southern Ontario. From May-November 2018, fecal samples were collected from 466 dogs in 12 off-leash dog parks in the Niagara and Hamilton regions of Ontario.

Orchestration of miRNA Patterns by Testosterone and Dietary Tomato Carotenoids during Early Prostate Carcinogenesis in TRAMP Mice.

Background: The integrative effects of prostate cancer risk factors, such as diet and endocrine status, on cancer-associated miRNA expression are poorly defined.

Objectives: This study aimed to define the influence of androgens and diet (tomato and lycopene) on prostatic miRNA expression during early carcinogenesis in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model.

Methods: Wild type (WT) and TRAMP mice were fed control, tomato-containing, or lycopene-containing diets from 4 to 10 weeks of age.

A Cross-Sectional Study and Observational Assessment of Shoppers' COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the level of alcohol-based sanitizer, mask use, and physical distancing across indoor community settings in Guelph, ON, Canada, and to identify potential barriers to practicing these behaviors.

Methods: Shoppers were observed in June 2022 across 21 establishments. Discrete in-person observations were conducted and electronically recorded using smartphones.

Investigating the distribution of calls to a North American animal poison control call center by veterinarians and the public in space, time, and space-time.

Health assessments via phone call or tele-triage have become very popular. Tele-triage in the veterinary field and North American context is available since the early 2000s. However, there is little knowledge of how caller type influences the distribution of calls.

Access to general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic - a cross-sectional view of the opinions of adults who use social media.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people worldwide. General practices were forced to adapt to constantly changing circumstances, leading to predominance of virtual consultations. The aim of this study was to examine the impact the pandemic had on the ability of patients to access general practice.