ADHD = Separation Anxiety ???

Hello, Summarians!

Separation anxiety is a frustrating disorder for everyone involved. Wouldn’t it be awesome to find a way to help identify these pets sooner? We know that early intervention helps with most disorders …

Please give me feedback on ways I can make it more useful to you.

If it is valuable to you please consider sending it on to a friend 😄 

UK Macrolide Resistance in Horses

This descriptive field study aimed to assess the efficacy of macrocyclic lactone (ML) drugs in controlling cyathostomins (intestinal parasites) on Thoroughbred horse studs in the UK and determine the cyathostomin species present before and after treatment. The study involved performing fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) and conducting genetic analysis of cyathostomin species composition. Results showed that on one of the four Thoroughbred studs (Stud A), yearlings exhibited resistance to ivermectin (IVM) and moxidectin (MOX) with fecal egg count reductions (FECRs) ranging from 36.4% to 78.6% after 3 IVM treatments, 72.6% after MOX treatment, and 80.8% after pyrantel (PYR) treatment. However, the other three studs (B, C, and D) did not show ML resistance, with FECRs ranging from 99.8% to 99.9% after MOX or IVM treatment. It's worth noting that all studs had an egg reappearance period (ERP) of 6 weeks for MOX, except for stud C, which had a 4-week ERP for IVM. Furthermore, the genetic analysis revealed a reduction in species diversity of cyathostomins post-treatment on Stud A, indicating that specific species might be associated with resistance. The main limitation of the study was the limited number of studs sampled, making it uncertain if ML resistance is widespread among UK cyathostomin populations. In conclusion, this study confirmed the presence of ivermectin and moxidectin resistance in Thoroughbred yearlings on one UK stud (Stud A), emphasizing the importance of surveillance to assess the extent of ML resistance in cyathostomin populations in the UK. 

The first report of macrocyclic lactone resistant cyathostomins in the United Kingdom. Equine Vet J, 55: 14-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.20_13972 

Bottom line — A report of imported horses has shown a similar alarming resistance. A trend to watch in the US…

ADHD vs Separation Anxiety in Dogs.

ADHD is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder with a global prevalence of 2-7% in humans. It is characterized by persistent and inappropriate levels of motor overactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, resulting from abnormalities in various cognitive processes. ADHD can manifest in different presentations, including hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive, or combined types, and often persists into adulthood with various comorbidities. Impulsivity, a component of ADHD, is characterized by impaired motor inhibitory control and an inability to tolerate gratification delay. High levels of impulsivity are associated with detrimental behaviors in various species, including humans, rodents, and dogs. The under-recognition of ADHD in humans hinders its management, partly due to the lack of suitable animal models. Dogs, with approximately 12-15% displaying high hyperactivity/impulsivity and 20% exhibiting inattention, offer a potential animal model for ADHD. Dogs and humans share behavioral, biological, and genetic factors related to these traits, and dogs respond to ADHD medications used in humans. To study ADHD in dogs, objective and reliable phenotyping methods are essential. Owner-filled questionnaires, like the one developed by Vas et al., provide a reliable way to measure hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention in dogs. This questionnaire was recently validated and linked high impulsivity and inattention scores to lower cognitive task performance. This study involved over 11,000 Finnish pet dogs, aiming to identify demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors associated with canine hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. It found several factors influencing these traits, including age, sex, body size, breed, exercise, training, and time spent alone. Some breeds displayed higher levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity or inattention, likely due to selective breeding for specific behaviors. The study also uncovered comorbidities between hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention and other behavioral traits, such as compulsive behavior, aggressiveness, and fearfulness in dogs. These findings parallel the comorbid associations observed in human ADHD with conditions like autism, anxiety, and mood disorders. Overall, this research suggests that different breeds of dogs could serve as models for various presentations of ADHD. Canine hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention have strong genetic components and share neurobiological pathways with human ADHD. The study highlights the dog as a valuable model for ADHD research due to its genetic, physiological, and environmental similarities to humans, offering insights into both canine behavior and human ADHD research. 

Sulkama, S., Puurunen, J., Salonen, M. et al. Canine hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention share similar demographic risk factors and behavioral comorbidities with human ADHD. Transl Psychiatry 11, 501 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01626-x 

Bottom line — Better recognition of this may help with early intervention and better outcomes clinically

Acute Diarrhea Treatment in Dogs

Idiopathic acute diarrhea (IAD) is a common syndrome in dogs characterized by self-limiting diarrhea without an identifiable underlying cause. Management of IAD is often empirical due to the lack of a clear underlying etiology. Various treatment options are recommended, including nutritional modification, probiotics, antimicrobials, fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), and supportive care medications. Recent clinical trials have provided evidence-based recommendations for IAD management, but there is still limited evidence on the relative effectiveness of different treatments. Clinicians in the US tend to prescribe nutritional management, probiotics, and antimicrobials most commonly for IAD, despite conflicting evidence on their efficacy. There is a disconnect between the preferred treatment options and their perceived effectiveness, indicating the influence of individual preferences and practice trends. Antimicrobial use, particularly metronidazole, is common in IAD management, but the evidence supporting its effectiveness has been historically low-grade. Recent studies suggest that nutritional management and FMT are more effective than antimicrobials. Clinicians often justify their prescribing practices based on veterinary school education, colleague recommendations, and personal experience, highlighting the importance of continuing education to align practices with evidence-based recommendations. Nutritional management is increasingly prescribed, aligning with evidence-based recommendations. Probiotic use has mixed results in clinical trials, and more research is needed to determine their effectiveness. Other therapies, such as antidiarrheals and gastrointestinal supportive medications, lack strong evidence-based recommendations. The survey reveals that coprescription of multiple modalities is common, indicating a need for further research into the efficacy of multimodal management. The study suggests that ongoing efforts are required to disseminate evidence-based recommendations and align clinician prescribing practices with the latest research findings in the field of IAD management in dogs. 

Francillon, W. B., Winston, J. A., Schreeg, M. E., Lilly, M. L., Parker, V. J., & Rudinsky, A. J. (2023). Clinician prescribing practices for managing canine idiopathic acute diarrhea are not evidence-based. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.06.0313 

Bottom line — Are we treating dogs with evidence-based medicine?

Just putting things in perspective …