The aim of the present study was to evaluate the insecticidal effect of the cassia, thyme and oregano volatile oils against the immature and adult flea's stages. For this purpose, the tested samples were chemically characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. The mortality of larvae and adult fleas, eggs, and pupae of Ctenocephalides felis felis was performed through in vitro tests at different concentration levels. Inhibition of development and residual efficacy were also determined. The chemical characterization of the cassia, thyme, and oregano volatile oils presented cinnamaldehyde (91%), thymol (44.7%), and carvacrol (76.2%), respectively, as major constituents. In general, the samples showed insecticidal activity for both immature and adult flea's stages. The best LC 50 values for adults were obtained by oregano volatile oils (33.5 and 21.8 μg•cm −2 , respectively, 24 and 48 h). Cassia volatile oils showed the best results against larvae (17.2 and 10.3 μg•cm −2 , respectively, 24 and 48 h), eggs (3 μg.cm −2), and pupae (34.6 μg•cm −2), as well as the lowest value for inhibition of development (2.3 μg•cm −2). The oregano and thyme volatile oils showed residual efficacy greater than 80% for 6 days while cassia showed this result for 4 days. The results demonstrated the potential of volatile oils for flea control in all stages of the life cycle, with emphasis on cassia. The residual effects of the volatile oils are promising for the development of new and environmentally friendly phyto-pesticides for veterinary uses.

The essential oils (EOs) of Illicium verum and Pelargonium graveolens were evaluated for lethality, inhibition of development and residual efficacy against the flea Ctenocephalides felis felis. Their chemical composition was characterized by means of gas chromatography with a flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection. Mortality at different immature stages and among adult fleas was measured through in vitro filter paper tests at different concentrations of EOs. The chemical characterization of I. verum volatile oil showed that E-anethole (79.96%) was the major constituent, while the major compounds in P. graveolens were citronellol (29.67%) and geraniol (14.85%). Insecticidal activity against both immature and adult flea stages were observed. The EO of I. verum had insecticidal activity for approximately 18 days, while the EO activity of P. graveolens lasted for 13 days. The pulicidal activity of I. verum remained above 70% for up to 9 days, while the activity of P. graveolens was 41.7% for up to 2 days. Essential oils, especially that of I. verum, showed insecticidal activity for flea control at different life cycle stages and have potential for the development of ectoparasiticides (biopesticides) for veterinary use.

Background Dermatobia hominis (D. hominis) is a botfly that causes furuncular myiasis in several species of domestic and wild animals. However, reports of feline infestation by larvae of this dipteran are rare. Objective To report the natural occurrence of furuncular myiasis caused by D. hominis in five cats and the efficacy of topical fluralaner for its treatment. Animals Five adult mixed‐breed cats (four males, one female) were diagnosed and treated, all living in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Results The cats were treated with topical fluralaner. After this treatment, the larvae were dead after 24 h in three cats and after 48 h in two. There was spontaneous expulsion of larvae in two cats, and it was necessary to perform manual expression for removal of dead larvae in the other three cats. Conclusions and clinical importance Dermatobia hominis can cause furuncular myiasis in cats, although this appears to be less common than in other animal species. Topical fluralaner proved to be effective in the treatment of this parasitic disease.

Background: Automated hematology analyzers have been developed to optimize the time between analyses and have promising precision and accuracy. Complete blood count (CBC) is often requested as part of veterinary clinical examination. Automated analyzers are often used to determine CBCs, since processing as well as container-related errors may occur owing to variable sizes, aggregates, white or red blood cell fragments, and effects of EDTA on cell morphology. Platelet aggregates frequently occur in felines, with studies reporting a prevalence of approximately 71%. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of exercise aggregates on the global white blood cell count of domestic cats using automated hematological counters with the impedance method.Materials, Methods & Results: Blood samples of 140 cats, irrespective of age, sex, and breed, were collected into EDTA-containing tubes. The samples were obtained via routine clinical examinations at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) and processed at the Veterinary Parasitology Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory (LQEPV), belonging to the same institution. All the samples were processed on the Sysmex pocH-100iV Diff automated hematology apparatus according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Leukocyte counts were also manually determined using a duplicate Neubauer chamber. Standard dilutions were prepared immediately after the automated analysis. To identify the occurrence of platelet aggregates, a blood smear was made and visualized under a brightfield microscope at a magnification of 10× and scored 0 to 3 (G1, G2, G3, and G4) based on the aggregation intensity. In case of changes, the groups were subdivided according to the intensity of occurrence. Of the 140 samples analyzed, 76.4% (107/140) showed some degree of platelet aggregation. The maximum variation in leukocyte counts determined by the automatic and the manual technique in G1 was 2,500 cells. In G2, it was possible to identify a variation of 6,500 nucleated cells, whereas in G3, this value was 7,100 cells. In G4, where platelet aggregation was intense, the variation between counts was up to 15,000 nucleated cells. A significant difference of variation in total white blood cell count between manual and automated methods was observed when compared to animals that did not show any degree of platelet aggregation (P < 0.05). Of the total samples, 23.57% (33/140) comprised G1, 24.28% (34/140) G2, 22.14% (31/140) G3, and 30% (42/140) G4. Of the 140 samples analyzed, 107 showed aggregates, pseudo-thrombocytopenia, and changes in the total number of leukocytes.Discussion: Samples with higher platelet aggregate formation showed greater interference in global leukometry when analyzed using the hematological counter. White blood cell counts determined by automated analyzers should be interpreted with caution and compared to manual counts when there is significant platelet aggregation in the sample. The findings reinforce the importance of reconfirming the results obtained using an automated equipment in order to avoid misinterpretations that may influence diagnosis and therapy. It is essential to re-check the values obtained from an automated equipment with traditional methods in order to minimize possible errors generated by the equipment, since such errors may affect the clinical diagnosis and subsequently, the therapeutic approach chosen.

Purulent fibrous and necrotizing ileitis secondary to intussusception associated with infection by Giardia intestinalis and Cystoisospora felis in a cat-case report Ileítefibrino purulenta e necrosante secundária a intussuscepção associada a infecção por Giardia intestinalis e Cystoisospora felis em gato-relato de caso