Exposure-to-treatment interval and clinical severity in canine poisoning: a retrospective analysis at a Portland Veterinary Emergency Center

Thirty years of slug control using the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita and beyond

Several slug species are highly pestiferous and threaten global sustainable agriculture. Current control methods rely heavily on metaldehyde pellets, which are often ineffective, harm nontarget organisms and have been banned in some countries. A viable alternative is the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (and recently P. californica), which has been formulated into a biological control agent (Nemaslug®) to control slugs across northern Europe. Nematodes are mixed with water and applied to soil where they seek out slugs, penetrate behind the mantle and kill them in 4-21 days. Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita has been on the market since 1994 and since then there has been ample research on its use. Here we review the research carried out on P. hermaphrodita over the last 30 years since its development and release as a commercial product. We provide information on life cycle, worldwide distribution, history of commercialisation, gastropod immunity, host range, ecological and environmental factors that affect its success in the field, bacterial relationships, and summarise results of field trials. Finally, we suggest future directions for P. hermaphrodita research (and other Phasmarhabditis species) to enhance its use as a biological control agent to control slugs for the next 30 years. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Distribution of Phasmarhabditis (Nematode: Rhabditidae) and Their Gastropod Hosts in California Plant Nurseries and Garden Centers

Three species of Phasmarhabditis were recovered from 75 nurseries and garden centers in 28 counties in California during fall and winter 2012-2021. A total of 18 mollusk species were recovered, most of them invasive. Nematodes were identified by sequencing the D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU or 28S) rRNA. Based on these surveys, P. californica was the most widespread species (37 isolates, 53.6% recovery); followed by P. hermaphrodita (26 isolates; 37.7% recovery); P. papillosa and a closely related P. papillosa isolate (6 isolates; 8.7% recovery). Nematode isolates were mainly collected from four invasive slugs (Deroceras reticulatum, D. laeve, Arion hortensis agg, Ambigolimax valentianus) and snails (Oxychilus spp. and Discus spp.). Results suggest that P. californica and P. hermaphrodita share an ecological niche in Northern, Central, Coastal, and Southern California, north of Los Angeles County.

A survey of animal poisonings in New Zealand veterinary practices: perceptions of incidence and frequency of poisoning cases

AIMS

To survey New Zealand veterinary practices on the incidence and frequency of animal poisonings encountered over a 1-year period.

METHODS

A national questionnaire-based cross-sectional online survey was made available to all members of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, active as of 2010, via an email supplying a link to the questionnaire. Veterinary practices listed by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand were also contacted via email or phone. Respondents entered their information on the online survey site or provided a hard copy of their responses, which were then entered by the authors into the database. The questionnaire contained a mixture of tick box options and short answer questions. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Of 463 veterinary practices deemed eligible to complete the survey, 120 (25.9%) responded to the survey. However, only 94 (78.3%) questionnaire entries (78.3%) were deemed adequate for analysis. Veterinary practices (45 mixed practices, 38 companion animal-only practices, nine large animal practices, and two equine-only practices) from 14/16 regions of New Zealand were represented. All respondents affirmed that in the last 12 months, cases of suspected poisoning in animals were attended by veterinarians at their practices and estimated a total of 5,326 poisoning cases. The subcategories most commonly associated with estimated cases of poisoning were pasture mycotoxins (2,133/5,326; 40%), anticoagulant rodenticides (753/5,326; 14.1%), plants (469/5,326; 8.8%), slug/snail baits (305/5,326; 5.7%) and chocolate (221/5,326; 4.1%). Except for anticoagulant rodenticides (once a month), and slug/snail baits, human prescription or over-the-counter drugs, and chocolate (once a year), the majority of respondents reported toxicants caused poisonings seasonally or infrequently.

CONCLUSIONS

A variety of poisons were encountered with environmental toxins and household pest control agents being the most common cause of poisoning for animals attended by veterinarians in New Zealand. Most cases of poisoning in animals occurred seasonally or infrequently. Further research is needed to determine the actual number of animals poisoned, the affected species, and the seasons when poisoning occurs in New Zealand.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This report provides baseline information on cases of poisoning in animals in New Zealand which could be used for case management, prevention through client education, and poisoning risk assessment.

Pathogenicity of wild and commercial Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita exposed to the pestiferous slug Deroceras invadens

Many terrestrial gastropods are pestiferous and pose a significant threat to agriculture, horticulture and floriculture. They are usually controlled by metaldehyde based pellets but an alternative control method is the slug parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, which has been formulated into a biological control agent (Nemaslug®) for use by farmers and gardeners to kill certain pestiferous slug species in 4-21 days. The current strain of P. hermaphrodita (called DMG0001) has been used in commercial production since 1994, but there is little information about the pathogenicity of wild strains of P. hermaphrodita towards slugs. Here, we exposed the pestiferous slug Deroceras invadens to nine wild isolated strains of P. hermaphrodita (DMG0002, DMG0003, DMG0005, DMG0006, DMG0007, DMG0008, DMG0009, DMG0010 and DMG0011) and the commercial strain (DMG0001) to three doses (0, 500 and 1000 nematodes per ml). Survival and feeding were recorded over 14 days. All wild P. hermaphrodita strains (other than DMG0010) and P. hermaphrodita (DMG0001), applied at 500 nematodes per ml, caused significant mortality to D. invadens compared to an uninfected control. Similarly, all P. hermaphrodita strains applied at 1000 nematodes per ml, caused significant mortality to D. invadens compared to an uninfected control. Overall, all wild P. hermaphrodita strains (other than DMG0011) caused significantly more mortality than P. hermaphrodita DMG0001 at one or both nematode concentrations. In summary, we have found some wild P. hermaphrodita strains were more virulent than P. hermaphrodita (DMG0001). Ultimately, these strains could potentially be developed as alternative, efficient biological control agents for use against slugs.

Poisoning of dogs and cats by drugs intended for human use

One of the main causes of poisoning of small animals is exposure to drugs intended for human use. Poisoning may result from misuse by pet owners, off-label use of medicines or, more frequently, accidental ingestion of drugs that are improperly stored. This review focuses on classes of drugs intended for human use that are most commonly involved in the poisoning of small animals and provides an overview of poisoning episodes reported in the literature. To perform this review a comprehensive search of public databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar) using key search terms was conducted. Additionally, relevant textbooks and reference lists of articles pertaining to the topic were reviewed to locate additional related articles. Most published information on small animal poisoning by drugs intended for human use was from animal and human poison control centres or from single case reports. The dog was the species most frequently poisoned. The major drugs involved included analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), antihistamines (H1-antihistamines), cardiovascular drugs (calcium channel blockers), central nervous system drugs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, baclofen, benzodiazepines and zolpidem), gastrointestinal drugs (loperamide), nutritional supplements (vitamin D and iron salts) and respiratory drugs (β2-adrenergic receptor agonists).

Characterization of Animal Exposure Calls Captured by the National Poison Data System, 2000-2010

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to characterize the data captured in all animal exposure calls reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS), a national poison center reporting database, from 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2010 and identify Poison Center usage and needs in animal exposure calls.

DESIGN

We calculated descriptive statistics characterizing animal type, exposure substance, medical outcome, year and month of call, caller location, and specific state for all animal exposure call data in NPDS from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2010. SAS version 9.2 was used for the analysis.

RESULTS

There were 1,371,095 animal exposure calls out of 28,925,496 (4.7%) total human and animal exposure calls in NPDS during the study period. The majority involved companion animal exposures with 88.0% canine exposures and 10.4% feline exposures. Pesticides were the most common exposure substance (n=360,375; 26.3%), followed by prescription drugs (n=261,543; 18.6%). The most common outcome reported was 'Not followed, judged as nontoxic exposure or minimal clinical effects possible' (n=803,491; 58.6%), followed by 'Not followed, judged potentially toxic exposure' (n=263,153; 19.2%). There were 5,388 deaths reported. Pesticide exposures were responsible for the greatest number of deaths (n=1,643; 30.4%).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Approximately 1 in 20 calls to PCs are regarding potentially toxic exposures to animals, suggesting a need for veterinary expertise and resources at PCs. Pesticides are one of the greatest toxic exposure threats to animals, both in numbers of exposures and severity of clinical outcomes, and is an important area for education, prevention, and treatment.

Some food toxic for pets

According to world statistics, dogs and cats are the species that owners most frequently seek assistance with potential poisonings, accounting 95-98% of all reported animal cases. Exposures occur more commonly in the summer and in December that is associated with the holiday season. The majority (>90%) of animal poisonings are accidental and acute in nature and occur near or at the animal owner's home. Feeding human foodstuff to pets may also prove dangerous for their health.The aim of this review was to present common food items that should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs, i.e. chocolate, caffeine, and other methylxanthines, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, avocado, alcohol, nuts, xylitol contained in chewing gum and candies, etc. Onion and avocado are toxic for cats, too. The clinical effects of individual toxicants and possible therapy are also mentioned. Knowing what human food has the potential to be involved in serious toxicoses should allow veterinarians to better educate their clients on means of preventing pet poisonings.It can be concluded that the best advice must surely be to give animal fodder or treats specifically developed for their diets.