Veterinary drug therapies used for undesirable behaviours in UK dogs under primary veterinary care

Undesirable behaviours (UBs) in dogs are common and important issues with serious potential welfare consequences for both the dogs and their owners. This study aimed to investigate the usage of drug therapy for UBs in dogs and assess demographic risk factors for drug-prescribed UBs within the dog population under primary-care veterinary care in the UK in 2013. Dogs receiving drug therapy for UB were identified through the retrospective analysis of anonymised electronic patient records in VetCompass™. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression modelling. The study population comprised 103,597 dogs under veterinary care in the UK during 2013. There were 413 drug-prescribed UBs recorded among 404 dogs. The prevalence of dogs with at least one UB event treated with a drug in 2013 was 0.4%. Multivariable modelling identified 3 breeds with increased odds of drug-prescribed UB compared with crossbred dogs: Toy Poodle (OR 2.75), Tibetan Terrier (OR 2.68) and Shih-tzu (OR 1.95). Increasing age was associated with increased odds of drug-prescribed UB, with dogs ≥ 12 years showing 3.1 times the odds compared with dogs < 3 years. Neutered males (OR 1.82) and entire males (OR 1.50) had increased odds compared with entire females. The relatively low prevalence of dogs with at least one UB event that was treated with a drug in 2013 could suggest that opportunities for useful psychopharmaceutical intervention in UBs may be being missed in first opinion veterinary practice. While bodyweight was not a significant factor, the 3 individual breeds at higher odds of an UB treated with a behaviour modifying drug all have a relatively low average bodyweight. The current results also support previous research of a male predisposition to UBs and it is possible that this higher risk resulted in the increased likelihood of being prescribed a behaviour modifying drug, regardless of neuter status.

Veterinary drug Trametin obtained on the basis of Trametes pubescens xylotroph fungi: its effect on the biosynthesis of interferons and its prophylactic activity against calf respiratory diseases

Given the spread of bacterial and viral diseases in young farm animals, the use of interferons and drugs to stimulate their biosynthesis has gained relevance. In a previous study, we examined the effect of a veterinary drug Trametin produced on the basis of Trametes pubescens (Shumach.: Fr.) Pilat. on the biosynthesis of interferons in the blood of mice. The present work is aimed at studying the biosynthesis dynamics of α- and γ-interferons when using Trametin and studying its prophylactic activity in calves. It is shown that a single oral administration of Trametin in doses ranging from 15 to 60 mg/kg causes a dose-dependent induction and production of γ-interferon in the blood of mice, whose maximum content reaches 1337.0±93.0 pg/mL at 48 h after administering a dose of 30 mg/kg. With a Trametin dose increase from 15 to 30 mg/kg, the level of α-interferon production rises to 1388.0±84.0 pg/mL at 48 h after administration. At a Cycloferon dose of 4.5 mg/kg, the production level of α-interferon and γ-interferon amounts to 1455.47±84.2 and 1447.0±90.0 pg/mL, respectively. The immunostimulatory properties of Trametin are confirmed by a scientific and economic experiment conducted using immunocompromised calves. In our studies, an immunological test of calf blood performed prior to and following the administration of Trimetin and Cycloferon constitutes criteria for the prophylactic activity of these drugs. The prophylactic efficacy of Trametin is confirmed by an increase in phagocytic activity by 10.5%, phagocytic index by 61.8%, and phagocytic number by 52.8%. After Trametin administration, the bactericidal activity of the serum increases by 60%. Cycloferon exhibits a similar immunostimulatory effect. Nonspecific prophylaxis using Trametin is shown to reduce the incidence of bacterial and viral respiratory diseases in young calves and generally improve their immunity.

The use and control of antimicrobial substances in animal feed – EU regulations and the risks related to their presence

Animal feeds are routinely subject to contamination from diverse sources, including environmental pollution, activities of microbes, and veterinary drug residues. Contamination of feed with chemical substances such as coccidiostats or antibiotics can occur at the stage of production, transport and storage, and their presence may have a negative impact on the health of animals consuming feed contaminated with certain chemicals. This study presents the legal requirements for the production of feed, the presence of antimicrobial substances in feed, and the problem of contamination of feed with antibacterial substances as well as the possible transfer of these compounds to the animal tissues and the natural environment.

Antimicrobial Usage Surveillance Through Sales at Veterinary Drug Shops Intended for Livestock in Vietnam

There is a pressing need to establish surveillance systems for antimicrobial use (AMU) intended for animal production particularly in many low- and middle-income countries. This is an extremely challenging task, notably due to the wide range of animal species, production types and antimicrobials available in the market. In Vietnam, farmers commonly buy antimicrobials from veterinary drug shops. Therefore, veterinary drug shops are a potential target for data collection on AMU. We collected antimicrobial sales data at veterinary drug shops and estimated the amount of AMU in different animal species by antimicrobial active ingredient (AAI) class using different measurement metrics. We compiled information on all antimicrobials licensed in Vietnam and used this information to develop a mobile application to capture sales of antimicrobials intended for use in poultry, pig, and ruminant. We provided tablets with this application to 60 veterinary drug shops in two provinces of the country (Bac Giang in the north, Dong Thap in the south; three districts and 30 shops per province) for data collection over 3 weeks. Total sales of antimicrobials were extrapolated to 1 year, and these amounts were related to three different denominator estimates in each province including standing animal body weight, animal biomass, and Population Correction Unit (PCU). A total of 3,960 transactions [2,577 (median 75.5 per shop) in Bac Giang; 1,383 (median 28.5 per shop) in Dong Thap] of 831 different antimicrobial-containing products were recorded in the 3-week period. Sales of 57 AAIs belonging to 17 classes were recorded. In the three Bac Giang districts, we estimated that 242.0 kg of AAI were hypothetically sold over 1 year. Of those, 202.2 kg (83.6%) were intended for poultry, 19.8 kg (8.1%) for pigs, and 20.0 kg (8.3%) for ruminants. In Dong Thap, an estimated 48.4 kg of antimicrobials were sold, including 28.9 kg (59.7%) for poultry, 16.0 kg (33.1%) for pigs, and 3.5 kg (7.2%) for ruminants. After standardized by different animal population denominators, AMU in Bac Giang amounted to 1129.2 mg/kg standing animal body weight, 480.2 mg/kg biomass, and 636.1 mg/kg PCU. In Dong Thap, AMU figures were 1211.0 mg/kg standing animal body weight, 595.8 mg/kg biomass and 818.5 mg/kg PCU. We discuss the observed differences between species, location and metrics, as well as the potential advantages and limitations (including potential sources of bias) of this methodology and its applicability at country level. Retail level data collection can effectively be integrated into AMU surveillance systems that help identify priority AMU management areas (species, regions, and antimicrobial classes), establish national benchmarks and reduction targets.

A new LC–MS/MS method for multiple residues/contaminants in bovine meat

A multi-class and multi-residue/contaminant method for the determination of veterinary drug and pesticide residues and mycotoxins in bovine meat has been developed and validated. The veterinary drug residues/contaminants included antimicrobials, anabolic hormones, lactones, β-agonists, mycotoxins, and pesticides. Isotopic labeled internal standards were included to compensate residual matrix effects. The calibrators used in the method demonstrated linearity with the R2 > 0.98. The decision limit (CCα) values were in the range from 0.067 to 2103.84 μg/kg, while the range for detection capability (CCβ) was from 0.083 to 2482.13 μg/kg. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were in the range from 0.059 to 291.36 μg/kg, and 0.081 to 328.13 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery of analytes ranged from 61.28% to 116.20%. The intra-day coefficient of variation (CV) was from 0.97 to 25.93% and the inter-day CV was 2.30–34.04%. The method has been used for the determination of 49 residues/contaminants in bovine meat. Application of the method in routine analysis in bovine samples, revealed in limited samples the presences of enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline and sulfadiazine at the concentration of 35.22 µg/kg, 27.35 µg/kg, and 36.20 µg/kg, respectively.

Preclinical evaluation of the veterinary drug “Amoxidev 15” for its use in surgical and obstetric practice

Suspension for injection “Amoxidev 15” is prescribed to fur-bearing animals (mink, fox), dogs and cats for the treatment of respiratory diseases (tonsillitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchopneumonia), digestive (gastritis, enteritis, enteritis). genitourinary systems (nephritis, urethritis, urocystitis, mastitis, metritis, agalactia), musculoskeletal system (arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint injuries, tendonitis, hoof lesions), skin and soft tissues (eczema, dermatitis) caused by sensitive drug by microorganisms, including colibacillosis, streptococcus, bronchopneumonia, etc. Toxicological evaluation of the veterinary drug “Amoxidev 15” under the conditions of acute and subacute toxicological experiments on a model of white rats. According to the results of an acute toxicological experiment with intragastric administration of the drug “Amoxidev 15” white rats DL50 could not be calculated because the death of laboratory animals was not detected within 14 days after administration. The maximum administered dose (in absolute weight of the drug) was 20000.0 mg/kg body weight, which allows to refer the drug to class VI toxicity of relatively harmless substances (DL50 > 15000 mg/kg body weight), and the degree of safety to class IV – low-hazard substances (DL50 > 5000 mg/kg). According to the results of an acute toxicological experiment with subcutaneous administration of the drug “Amoxidev 15” white rats DL50 could not be calculated because the death of laboratory animals was not detected within 14 days after administration, the maximum dose was 5000.0 mg/kg body weight, therefore, the drug “Amoxidev 15” when administered subcutaneously by toxicity can be classified as class VI substances relatively harmless (DL50 Subcut > 4500.0 mg/kg). When administered subcutaneously to white rats, the drug “Amoxidev 15” under conditions of subacute toxicological experiment in doses of 0.1–1.0 ml/kg does not cause hemo-, hepato- and nephrotoxic effects on the body of laboratory animals, although 3-day administration of the drug in a dose 1.0 ml/kg body weight caused an increase in the activity of hepatospecific enzymes ALT and AST by 12.5 and 11.1 % (P < 0.05), respectively, relative to the control, which was restored to the control level 7 days after cessation.

A Comparative Analysis of Cost and Affordability between Veterinary and Human Pharmaceutical Drugs in India

To analyze the comparison of cost and affordability between veterinary and human drugs in India. A comparative study was conducted in two regions of Chennai based on a simple random sampling technique. Both Veterinary and human drugs were collected from private veterinary and Human drug pharmacies. Price and availability data of veterinary medicines and human medicines were collected from private sector retail pharmacies. As per the data analysis, descriptive statistics are used. The comparison of various antibiotic, anti-helminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-histamine, anti-tick drug prices used in humans and Animals. The variation of a single unit Amoxicillin drug for veterinary costs Rs.30 whereas in Humans, the same drug costs to Rs.18.6.Cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, Sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, clindamycin drugs showed a higher cost range in veterinary than in human drugs which had a difference of Rs.9 on average. Doxycycline, Chlorpheniramine, aspirin, Clotrimazole were the only veterinary drug cheaper than their similar human combination. The veterinary drugs are too expensive and we must take certain steps to avoid those high prices. Drug Regulation policies must be implemented for a veterinary drug similar to a human drug. Keywords: Veterinary Drugs, Human Drugs, Price, Affordability.