VN October 2020

Vetnews | October 2020 39 Heavier mixed-breed dogs have higher health risks if neutered or spayed early, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis. The study found mixed-breed dogs weighingmore than 44 pounds as adults are at higher risk for one or more joint disorders if neutered before 1 year of age. Dogs weighing up to 43 pounds had no increased risk for joint problems. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. It's standard practice in the U.S. and much of Europe to neuter dogs by six months of age. This study, which analysed 15 years of data from thousands of dogs at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, suggests dog owners should consider their options carefully. "Most dogs are mixed breeds," said lead author Benjamin Hart, distinguished professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "We hope this study will influence the spay or neuter process in order to give people wishing to adopt a puppy the time to make an informed decision on when to spay or neuter." Researchers examined common joint disorders including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament tears, a knee injury, in five weight categories. Bits and Bobs I Stukkies en Brokkies Big dogs face more joint problems if neutered early marginale worldwide. Currently, a blood-based vaccine developed by Theiler is still in use in South Africa, but it does not provide complete protection against Anaplasma marginale . It cannot be used in the United States because the vaccine can also transmit other blood-borne pathogens. According to an article published in Ticks and Tick-borne diseases , five of Anaplasma marginale’s outer proteins have been identified as potential targets for a global vaccine. For several years, the five proteins – Am779, Am854, omp7, omp8 and omp9 – have been identified as potential vaccine targets in the United States due to their location and function. What remained unknown is if the proteins’vaccine candidacy would remain valid across the diverse strains of Anaplasma marginale in endemic regions like South Africa. “If you’re trying to develop a vaccine you want it to work everywhere. Based on our research, a vaccine targeting these five proteins should be just as effective in the United States as it is in South Africa,” Brayton said. To conduct the research, Brayton and her colleagues at the University of Pretoria collected a wide variety of Anaplasma marginale strains from throughout South Africa. Once collected, researchers cloned the candidate genes from the South African strains and compared the potential target proteins with the versions for the United States. “The proteins weren’t particularly diverse, which is one reason why they are on our list to serve as good vaccine candidates,” Brayton said. The team works with the Mnisi people, a community of subsistence farmers near Orpen in Mpumalanga, to test ticks and blood from humans, captured rodents, community dogs and livestock. “Malaria in Africa has declined over the past 10 to 15 years but the incidence of acute febrile illness has not. Our premise is that some of that acute febrile illness is due to tick-borne disease,” Brayton said. University of Pretoria has a long-standing relationshipwith theMnisi community: over 80 research projects are run in the community. In exchange, UP veterinary students provide free veterinary care through a clinical rotation in the community. “Ticks are spreading, and they are gaining new ecological niches in areas so the diseases that go with them are spreading and becoming more of a problem,” Brayton said. “This partnership and program will help us keep a pulse on tick-borne disease and detect new diseases early.” v (Source: https://news.wsu.edu/2020/06/05/pursuing-pathogen - building-century-research/) Pursuing a pathogen: building on a century of research <<< 38 >>> 40