Current

Pojav influence konj

lukam — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:11:37 +0000

Outbreaks of Equine Influenza lukam Sun, 04/05/2020 - 07:10 Clinic for Breeding and Health Care of Horses Current

Equine influenza is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory disease in horses, donkeys, mules and other equines. It is present on all continents where horses are located, with the exception of New Zealand and Iceland. Vaccinated horses can also become infected and become sick. Infections have also been confirmed this year in Slovenia.

The virus is transmitted between horses by aerosol (secreted by horses with coughs) and direct contact with secretions (nasal discharge, vomit). It is transmitted to clothing and equipment through people working with infected horses. Despite caution and proper hygiene, the virus can spread rapidly between horses that share a living space.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of the disease appear within one to three days (rarely seven days) of being infected with the influenza virus. A high temperature (up to 41oC), cough and bilateral nasal discharge are characteristic. Due to the high fever, horses can become apathetic and stop eating and drinking. The duration of the disease depends on the severity of the symptoms. Horses usually recover within three weeks of infection, however, the condition can be complicated mainly by secondary respiratory infections. In rare cases, animal deaths can also occur.

Protection from infection

The most effective way of protecting against equine influenza is to prevent the influenza virus from entering the herd. Any new horses introduced into the herd should be isolated for three weeks. The isolation of horses that are regularly transported for sporting or other events also reduces the risk of disease throughout the herd. Regular vaccination of horses reduces the likelihood of the disease. However, if the disease does occur, the symptoms of vaccinated horses are milder than those that have not been vaccinated.
It is important that horses showing signs of illness are examined by a veterinarian. For accurate confirmation of the disease, nasal swabs or nasal flush of horses in an acute phase of the disease are taken to confirm the virus. The virus is easiest to confirm through a nasopharyngeal swab, however, the cooperativeness of horses is lower in this procedure. Confirmation of the diagnosis is also performed by determining antibodies in the blood. It is important to take two blood samples. The first sample is taken as soon as possible at or after the onset of the disease signs, and the second blood sample (reconvalent sample) is obtained 14 days later. It is advisable to perform both tests to increase the chance of proof of infection. Virus isolation and serological testing can be performed at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to sampling and submitting samples, consult with the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza of the National Veterinary Institute of the Faculty of Medicine (contact number 01 4779 245), and for more information on the disease itself, contact the Clinic for Breeding and Health Care of Horses (01 4779 329 or 051 613 350).

It is necessary to closely monitor body temperature and general well-being (appetite, stooling, urination) of sick horses. Complete regeneration of the respiratory tract affected by the influenza virus is a lengthy process that can take anywhere from 50 to 100 days. The effects of the infection on sports horses manifest in poorer athletic fitness for up to six months after infection. In horses that start training or racing at a stage where the airways are not fully healed, chronic respiratory problems and a long-term reduced ability for optimal athletic performance may occur.

The transmission of the virus from diseased to healthy animals is an important factor in preventing the spread of infection. Isolation of infected horses by relocating them to another room or stall where contact with other horses is reduced is very effective. Moving/transporting horses is not recommended in cases of infections. Ensuring basic biopreventitve measures such as washing and disinfecting hands and the use of clean clothing/footwear can further reduce the possibility of transmission of the virus between horses. Therefore, it is very important to use special clothing, footwear and rubber gloves when working with an infected or suspected horse and to make sure that they do not come into contact with other horses or animals. Hands should be thoroughly washed and disinfected after contact with an infected horse.

The influenza virus is very sensitive to all common disinfectants. If possible, those who are looking after a diseased horse should avoid contact with other horses. Consult a veterinarian in cases of fever, coughing and a runny nose. The spread of the disease in the herd and the condition of individual horses are monitored by regular body temperature measurements (twice daily). Horses that are present on an estate/land at the onset of the disease should not leave the estate/land for three weeks after the last signs of the diseases have passed. The return of sports horses to training should be gradual by increasing the load over a period of at least eight weeks after the last signs of the disease have passed.

Equine influenza virus poses a very low risk of human infection. Clinical illness in humans due to equine influenza virus has not yet been confirmed. However, dogs can contract equine influenza virus and may show signs of respiratory illness. Cases of dogs infected with influenza virus have been reported mainly in the US, the UK and Australia.

Prostoživeče živali so dober pokazatelj onesnaženosti okolja

lukam — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:24:00 +0000

Wild Animals are a Good Indicator of Environmental Pollution lukam Thu, 03/14/2024 - 14:28 Inštitut za patologijo, sodno veterinarstvo, prostoživeče živali, čebele in akvakulturo lisica pesticidi prostoživeče živali Current Research Professional

In foxes, we conducted the first study on the occurrence of poisons for rodent control in non-target species in Slovenia and the Western Balkans.

Preserving the environment is one of the fundamental priorities of the European Union. Nature and biodiversity have been protected for many years by several laws that are now integrated into the broader framework of the European Green Deal, which is one of the six overarching priorities of the European Commission for the period 2019‒2024. Interest in environmental research is high in Europe and worldwide, which also offers great opportunities for veterinary medicine to contribute to these efforts.

Wild animals are a good bioindicator of environmental pollution that affect the entire ecosystem. For this reason, we have started research at the Veterinary Faculty to determine the presence of environmental pollutants in representative animal species in Slovenia and to assess their toxic effects in order to make a holistic assessment of the risk of poisoning.

In foxes (Vulpes vulpes), we conducted the first study on the occurrence of poisons for rodent control in non-target species in Slovenia and the Western Balkans. In the liver, we found statistically higher concentrations of rodenticide pesticide residues with anticoagulant effects than in comparable studies in Europe and the world, which revealed and drew attention to a significant environmental problem of secondary poisoning in our country and region. The research results are related to the results of a survey of disinfection, disinsection and pest control (DDD) operators, which showed that the use of increasingly toxic second-generation rodenticides is increasing, mainly due to the increasing resistance of rodents to these less toxic and more commonly used substances in the past. We have linked the detected concentrations of rodenticides to regional and local urbanization and agronomic factors. The research results will contribute to knowledge about the protection of European ecosystems, as wildlife is not limited by national borders.

Article link in the journal Science of the Total Environment: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170400

Authors: Vesna Cerkvenik-Flajs, Detlef Schenke, Diana Žele-Vengušt, Simona Korenjak-Černe, Anton Perpar, and Gorazd Vengušt

Participating institutions:

University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Slovenia
Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Berlin, Germany
University of Ljubljana, School of Economics and Business, Slovenia
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Slovenia
Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Z zdravljenjem psov s spontanimi tumorji pomembno prispevali k razvoju novega genskega zdravljenja raka

lukam — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 07:46:15 +0000

By treating dogs with spontaneous tumors, we made an important contribution to the development of a new gene therapy for cancer lukam Tue, 11/02/2021 - 10:26 Klinika za male živali rak genska terapija elektrokemoterapija genski elektroprenos Current Research

The first gene therapy trial in Slovenia was approved to treat cancer patients to the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana. Entire development and production of the therapeutic is result of domestic collaboration between research institutions and the industry.

Domestic industry and academic science put Slovenia on the gene therapy world map with the successfully completed SmartGene.si project.

The Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of the Republic of Slovenia (JAZMP) has approved a clinical trial to the SmartGene.si consortium for the head-and-neck cancer treatment with gene therapy. This makes the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana the first holder of a license to conduct a clinical trial with a novel genetic drug. The therapeutic, preparation and the entire production platform are result of Slovenian knowledge and experience of the project consortium. The SmartGene.si project lasted for more than three years and ended in September this year. In addition to the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, which is the project applicant, the consortium included COBIK, Iskra PIO, JAFRAL and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana. The Small Animal Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Ljubljana and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery of the University Medical Center Ljubljana (ORL clinic) also helped with the project realization.

The project was partially funded by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Regional Development Fund. Dr. Matjaž Peterka, CEO of COBIK: “We estimate that this is probably the most successful publicly co-funded project in the field of medicine and biotechnology in Slovenia. For the first time, we actually brought innovative therapies to people by developing technologies and an environment that enables the production of such advanced drugs and therapeutic approaches.”

Prof. Dr. Gregor Serša, head of the Department of Experimental Oncology at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, said, “A platform for the preparation of gene therapies has been established and a phase I clinical trial is starting, in which we will enroll the first patient. Patients will be treated with gene therapy by first injecting them with an interleukin-12 gene transcript, which will be delivered to the tumor cells by electrotransfer. The cells themselves will produce interleukin-12, which has the ability to stimulate the immune system and thus also has an anti-tumor effect.”

The SmartGene.si project is based on the long experience of all partners, improving the safety, efficiency and accessibility of gene therapy. This collaboration also increases the innovative capacity of domestic biotechnology environment. “We have fully achieved the goal of the project, including the last piece of the puzzle, i.e., the receipt of JAZMP approval to conduct a clinical trial. The start of clinical trials is the first step towards the deployment of the therapy, and the project partners are already in the phase of raising funds for further clinical trials.” explain the project partners. The established production platform for the advanced gene drug opens new avenues for DNA- or RNA-based gene therapies and vaccines. This allows process development, production, preclinical and clinical testing for the domestic and global markets.

A genetic drug for the treatment of cancer, which is developed and produced exclusively on the basis of domestic knowledge, represents a major achievement in both biotechnology and science. Therefore, a symposium on the development and challenges of gene therapy in Slovenia will be jointly organized by the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SAZU) and the SmartGene.si consortium at the end of November 2021.

Video statement: dr. Peterka & prof. dr. Serša

Obvestilo o pojavu virusa Zahodnega Nila in Usutu virusa pri pticah

lukam — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 10:49:37 +0000

Notice About Outbreak of West Nile Disease and Usutu Virus in Birds lukam Mon, 04/06/2020 - 20:44 Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology Current

The Laboratory for Infectious Diseases of Poultry and Birds of the National Veterinary Institute has confirmed West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in hooded crows (Corvus cornix) and the Usutu virus in common blackbirds (Turdus merula). All the birds that tested positive were found in Ljubljana.

West Nile virus and Usutu virus are flaviviruses belonging to the serological group of Japanese encephalitis. Wild birds are natural hosts and the main carriers of the virus are mosquitoes, mainly from the Culex spp. genus, which are also found in Slovenia.

Some species of birds (e.g. crows, geese, birds of prey) are highly susceptible to the disease caused by WNV and die from a serious systemic disease. Signs of the disease can manifest in the form of nervous disorders (cramps, coordination problems) and death. Among mammals, horses are particularly sensitive and, after being infected with the WNV virus, they can fall ill showing signs of encephalitis or encephalomyelitis. The disease can be present with or without a fever, and it progresses progressively leading to paralysis, coma and death. In Europe, however, an increasing number of cases have been reported in humans.

Usutu virus infections can be particularly dangerous for some species of birds, such as blackbirds and some owls; the infection can cause them to die. It was first discovered in South Africa in 1959 in mosquitoes. Outbreaks of this disease in birds in Europe were reported as early as 2001 and 2002 in Austria, 2005 in Hungary, 2006 in Italy, Switzerland and Spain; 2011 in Germany and the Czech Republic, 2012 in Belgium, 2015 in France, 2016 in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany, 2017 in Austria and 2018 in Germany.

According to available data, no clinical cases of this disease have yet been reported in other animal species, although the virus was isolated from the brains of two dead bats in Germany. However, there are known to be individual cases of infection in humans.

Useful links:

Priporočilo za ravnanje v primeru najdbe poginjene prostoživeče ptice

http://www.uvhvvr.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/zdravje_zivali/bolezni/

http://www.nijz.si/sl/spremljanje-virusa-zahodnega-nila

Inštitut za perutnino, ptice, male sesalce in plazilce, Veterinarska fakulteta Ljubljana

Kačji ugrizi pri psih

lukam — Sun, 26 May 2019 09:07:42 +0000

Snake Bites in Dogs lukam Tue, 03/31/2020 - 11:50 Small Animal Clinic Current

The season of snake activity is in fully swing and, consequently, the occasional occurrence of snake bites in dogs.

There are three types of poisonous snakes in Slovenia: horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), common adder (Vipera berus) and the asp viper (Vipera aspis). Due to their curiosity, it is most often young dogs that are the victims of snake bites. Snakes most often bite dogs in the head or limbs. Clinical signs of poisoning usually develop within two hours but can also appear a few hours after a bite. The clinical condition can severely worsen within 24 hours of a bite, therefore it is advisable to take dogs to an animal hospital for treatment regardless of whether or not they are showing any signs of poisoning.

The seriousness of the clinical signs depends on various factors: the location of the bite; the weight, age and general health of the dog; the type, size and age of the snake; and how much venom the snake has excreted. The severity of the poisoning is also determined by the amount of poison excreted based on the victim's body weight. Following an adder bite, clinical signs occur in dogs in about 97% of cases. About two-thirds of affected dogs develop both systemic and local effects, while one-third develop only local poison effects. In less than 3% of dogs the effect is asymptomatic, i.e. without any visible signs of illness. For this 3% it can be assumed that a snake bite did not occur at all or that the bite was ‘dry’, i.e. that poison was not excreted.

Given that it is less likely that dogs without clinical signs are taken to a vet, the frequency of ‘dry’ bites may be underestimated. There are no statistics available of dogs bitten by horned vipers and asp vipers. Although bites are painful and can lead to many complications, they are rarely fatal and most dogs recover completely. Various studies report different mortality rates, mentioning rates of death of between 3.5% and 4.6%.

First aid

If your animal is bitten by a poisonous snake or you suspect that it has been, you should seek veterinary assistance immediately. Try to calm the dog as much as possible and carry it rather than let it walk, if at all possible. Rest slows the spread of poison from the bite into the bloodstream. Never suck the poison from the wound or bandage the affected area, as this may cause additional damage.

Clinical signs

Snake bites in dogs can cause both systemic and local effects. Swelling, hematoma/bleeding and pain can occur locally. Local swelling after 24 hours may be the same or may increase significantly; spreading from the affected limb to the body is less frequent. Systemic signs often include hypersensitivity reactions, shock, accelerated shallow breathing and accelerated heartbeat, enlargement of the affected lymph nodes, and heart rhythm disturbances. Liver and kidney injuries are somewhat less common. The clinical response of the victim to the poison is the only way to assess the severity of each snake bite. It is recommended that dogs are hospitalised and intensively monitored for at least 24 hours following a snake bite. The minimum extent of examinations should include a complete blood count, a creatinine test, a blood clotting assessment (PT and aPTT), an ECG, a haematocrit and total protein test, and measurement of blood pressure. Treatment should always be adapted to the animal's clinical condition.

Therapy

Treatment is overwhelmingly supportive and consists of fluid therapy, antihistamines, and pain management. The routine use of antibiotics in dogs after snake bites is not required, but prophylactic use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in dogs with extensive necrosis is reasonable.

Specific therapy:

Antivenom is advised for potentially serious cases, such as a bite to the face, the appearance of systemic signs (e.g. heart rhythm disturbances, blood clotting disorders, including thrombocytopenia, lack of response of low blood pressure to treatment), or rapidly progressing local swelling. In these cases it is sensible to use antivenom as soon as possible after the bite for maximum effect. It is unlikely that antivenom will have an effect on a local level if used more than 24 hours after a bite, however, its use is still indicated as long as systemic signs of intoxication are present. Response to antivenom is often rapid - dogs should show an improvement in their general condition, systemic signs disappear, and the spreading of local oedema stops. Using antivenom can cause a hypersensitivity reaction because it contains proteins that are foreign to the body, therefore it should always be used only in serious cases that are potentially life-threatening to animals.

The clinical signs of poisonous snake bites are very diverse, so each case should be treated individually, and owners should be informed of any unexpected complications that may occur despite intensive therapy for several days following the bite. The most common complications after a poisonous snake bite are bacterial infections, local necrosis at the location of the bite, obstruction of the upper respiratory tract due to oedema of the throat, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure and severe thrombocytopenia.

Prevention

Dogs are repeatedly bitten because, due to their curious nature, they can disturb snakes whilst exploring the undergrowth, thus provoking an attack. Most encounters occur during the active snake season between March and October. Snakes are actually quite timid in nature and will usually not bite unless they feel threatened or cornered. They prefer to retreat, provided they have the opportunity to do so. Upon encountering a snake in the wild, owners should ensure they first stop and calm down and allow the snake to move away. Try to avoid bites by taking care when walking, and by making noise, so that snakes can detect you in time and may retreat. In terms of keeping your dog safe, be sure to keep it under control (preferably on a lead) and guide it along trodden paths, especially in areas where you know that snakes can appear in warmer months, or avoid walking in such terrain during this time. You can also train your dog to leave snakes alone or to immediately come back to you if it encounters one.

This year the Small Animal Clinic has dealt with several cases of poisonous snake bites in dogs. Given the increasing number of cases compared to previous years, additional caution in exposed areas is advised.

This article is informative. In the event of problems with animals, it is essential to contact a veterinarian immediately.

Author: Petra Jelovčan

Koronavirus - Razkuževanje okolice

lukam — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 08:38:33 +0000

Coronavirus – Disinfecting the Environment lukam Fri, 04/24/2020 - 20:13 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Koronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Covid-19 Current

Given that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive in a vicinity for at least a few days, it is advisable to always disinfect any potentially infected areas prior to re-use.

Updated on 18. 3. 2020

Given that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive in a vicinity for at least a few days, it is advisable to always disinfect any potentially infected areas prior to re-use.

The antimicrobial efficacy of various disinfectants has been demonstrated to date for other types of Corona viruses (Table 1). Some of these active substances are also found in commonly used household products (e.g. sodium hypochlorite or ethanol (medical alcohol)). Studies on various types of Corona viruses have found that, for example, 70% ethanol performs better than 0.06% sodium hypochlorite. SARS-CoV is considered to be sensitive to sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of 0.05-0.1% - the disinfectant must be active for at least five minutes. Alcohol or ethanol is only effective in concentrations above 65%, while home-made spirits and similar alcohol drinks do not destroy the virus.

Table 1: Antimicrobials that are effective in different types of Corona viruses

Substance	Concentration
Ethanol	70%
Sodium hypochlorite	0.05 – 0.1% for SARS-CoV 0.1 – 0.5% for human Coronavirus 229E
Povidone-iodine	10 %
Glutaraldehyde	2 %
Isopropanol	50 %
Benzalkonium chloride	0.05 %
Sodium chlorite	0.23 %
Formaldehyde	0.7 %

Process of Cleaning at Home

Although there is currently no concrete scientific evidence of the efficacy of various disinfectants against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is first recommended that areas are cleaned using a neutral detergent (conventional cleaner) followed by disinfection using 0.1% sodium hypochlorite (dilute bleach at a ratio of 1:50 by mixing 1dcl of bleach with 50dcl (5 litres of water)). Surfaces that cannot be cleaned with bleach should first be cleaned using detergent and then disinfected using 70% ethanol.

When cleaning don't forget that you also need to protect yourself using suitable protective equipment. If reusable protective equipment (gloves, etc.) is used, It should be disinfected with bleach or ethanol after use. Rooms should be well ventilated during cleaning.

Those textiles that allow, should be washed at 90°C using washing powder. If textiles cannot be washed at a high temperature, chemicals such as bleach or other preparations containing sodium hypochlorite should be used.

Care for the Cleanliness of Pets

Before entering or returning home, it is advisable that the paws of dogs who are regularly taken for walks are washed using detergent/soap. Dogs' owners/carers should also wash their hands and disinfect them using a hand sanitizer containing alcohol or other disinfectants. Many owners also use shampoos and solutions containing chlorhexidine, which is a suitable disinfectant. Gloves should be used when washing dogs' paws, and owners/carers should ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly following the procedures for proper hand washing.

We also recommend that you shorten your walks appropriately and ensure you keep an appropriate distance from other pedestrians. However, if you still find yourself among a larger group of pedestrians, be sure to wipe your dog's fur using a disinfectant and a paper towel or disposable cloth on returning home.

Extracted from: Interim guidance for environmental cleaning in non-healthcare facilities exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (18.2.2020), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Koronavirus – Obvestila za stranke

lukam — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 11:50:48 +0000

Coronavirus – Customer Notification lukam Fri, 04/24/2020 - 10:27 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Koronavirus Covid-19 SARS-CoV-2 Licenciranje žrebcev Current

In order to reduce the possibility of the onset and transmission of coronavirus, urgent changes have been made to our clinics in terms of their work.

Posodobljeno dne 21. 10. 2020

In order to reduce the possibility of the onset and transmission of coronavirus, urgent changes have been made to our clinics in terms of their work.

Updated 16. 3. 2020

Small Animal Clinic

Dear Customer,

In order to reduce the possibility of the onset and transmission of coronavirus disease, urgent changes have been made to our work at the Small Animal Clinic:

The clinic will only accept emergencies until further notice
Please call us prior to arrival (01/4779-277 or 030/716-190

Upon arrival, please follow all the instructions displayed at the entrance as well as any follow-up instructions that employees will familiarise you with.

These instructions apply until they are revoked.

In the hope of stopping the spread as quickly as possible, we thank you for your understanding.

Diagnostic Laboratory of the Small Animal Clinic

In order to reduce the possibility of the outbreak and transmission of coronavirus, the afternoon on-call duty service at the Diagnostic Laboratory of the Small Animal Clinic, has been suspended until further notice. Samples are accepted from 8am to 3pm.

Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles

For preventative reasons, with effect from 16 March 2020 only urgent cases, which are notified in advance by telephone, will be accepted at the Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles.

Prior to entering the clinic premises, please call: 01/4779 251.
Admission is restricted to one healthy person at a time.

Thank you for your understanding!

Sample Reception

For preventative reasons to contain the spread of coronavirus, with effect from Wednesday 18 March the Sample Reception at Gerbičeva 60 will only be open from 7am to 3pm from Monday to Friday. Samples are not accepted on Saturdays.

Thank you for your understanding!

Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals

Department for the Selective Breeding of Equidae

Dear Customers,

We advise you that there are currently NO OFFICE HOURS until further notice at the Department for the Selective Breeding of Equidae due to preventive measures related to the increased risk of transmission of coronavirus.

Please contact us via our other communication channels:

Telephone number: 01 4779 384
E-mail: selection.kopitarjev@vf.uni-lj.si
Post: Department for the Selective Breeding of Equidae, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana

Thank you for your understanding!

More about our working hours can be found on the following link.

Koronavirus – priporočila lastnikom ljubiteljskih vrst živali

lukam — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:37:39 +0000

Coronavirus – recommendations for owners of domestic animals lukam Fri, 04/24/2020 - 19:45 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Koronavirus Covid-19 SARS-CoV-2 Current

Recommendations from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to owners of domestic animals in the event of infection with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Updated on 1. 4. 2020

Recommendations from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to owners of domestic animals in the event of infection with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (greenish brown) heavily infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (pink), isolated from a patient sample. Credit: NIAID

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19

In December 2019 several cases of human pneumonia were detected in Wuhan, China. The usual pathogens of respiratory diseases were excluded in these patients and infection with the new coronavirus was confirmed. The infection spread to different continents in a relatively short period of time. The new coronavirus was named SARS-CoV-2, and the disease caused by the virus was named COVID-19. The disease is characterised by: fever, malaise, fatigue, shortness of breath, a cough, and, in severe forms, difficulty in breathing. About 80% of those infected have a mild form of the virus. Based on the clinical signs of the virus, infection with the new coronavirus cannot be distinguished from other respiratory infections, thus microbiological testing is required.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are RNA viruses that belong to the Coronaviridae family. Coronavirus infections are common in humans and animals. Alpha and beta coronaviruses usually infect mammals, while gamma and delta coronaviruses infect birds and fish. Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a beta-coronavirus. Beta-coronaviruses also include SARS-CoV (a coronavirus that causes acute respiratory distress syndrome - SARS) and MERS-CoV (a coronavirus that causes Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome - MERS). SARS broke out in 2002 in China. The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is genetically more similar to SARS-CoV than MERS-CoV.

Can Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 originate in animals?

Human-isolated SARS-CoV-2 is 96% identical to beta-coronaviruses isolated from several bats of the Rhinolophus genus. Genetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 and beta-coronaviruses isolated from bats indicate that the predecessors of SARS-CoV-2 are derived from bats of the Rhinolophus genus. Bats belonging to this genus are widespread in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

It is very likely that an intermediate host was involved in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from animal reservoirs (bats) to humans. No information is currently available regarding a potential intermediate host, but these may be various species of animals including wildlife, domestic animals (pets or reared) or stray animals.

What to do in the event of contact with animals and animal products?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends general hygiene measures for the handling of live animals and animal products. This means regular washing of hands with soap and running water after contact with animals and animal products, avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth, and taking special care when dealing with diseased animals or rotten animal products. The WHO also recommends avoiding contact with stray dogs and cats, rodents, birds and bats.

The WHO's standard recommendations for preventing the spread of infection are: regular washing of hands, covering the mouth and nose with your elbow when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with people with a respiratory tract infection. Hand washing can be replaced by disinfection if the hands are not visibly dirty. Although there is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is foodborne, careful handling of raw meat, milk and animal organs is recommended. Foods that are consumed raw (e.g. fruit and vegetables) should be washed thoroughly.

Can pets become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus?

The current spread of SARS-CoV-2 is due to the transmission of the virus to humans. According to the information collected, there is no evidence that pets can transmit the virus. Therefore, measures that could affect the welfare of domestic animals are not currently needed.

Veterinary services in Hong Kong have reported that two dogs that were in close contact with owners showing signs of the virus had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Both dogs were healthy and showed no clinical signs of disease.

On 18 March a case of a cat that showed signs of respiratory disease and tested positive for the presence of Sars-CoV-2 was reported in Belgium. The cat became infected from its sick owner through very close constant contact. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is aware of this case and is monitoring it closely, however, for now there is no new information to indicate that it is necessary to change any of the instructions found on its websites. It appears that the cat was infected by a human being through very close contact, but so far there is no evidence that infection could occur in the opposite direction, i.e. that a cat or dog could infect a human.

In developing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, researchers have so far tested Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Both types of animals were found to develop clinical signs of respiratory and gastrointestinal disease when subjected to significant amounts of experimental infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. All the infected animals have since recovered. The Syrian hamsters also developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 viruses following infection. The animals in both experiments eliminated the virus that infected the uninfected animals living with them. The results of these studies indicate that under experimental conditions SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted from infected to healthy Syrian hamsters and ferrets. However, this does not mean that this virus can be transmitted from people to these two species of animals, or vice versa, or that these two species could transmit the virus and could be infected by humans. A safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 could be key in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring human health. Development of vaccines is a demanding and time-consuming process based on numerous studies, including the choice of the species of animal on which the vaccine will be tested.

At this time, there is no evidence of the transmission of the virus from animals to humans and, according to all known data, pets do not pose a risk to humans. There is no evidence that animals could spread the virus or become ill due to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Many additional studies will be needed to investigate the possible role of domestic animals in the epidemiology of the disease, especially in the case of domestic animals from households in which people have confirmed or suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2.

Should people with an acute respiratory infection avoid contact with pets?

People with acute respiratory tract infections are advised to limit contact with domestic animals. This means that they should not stroke, hug or caress, or share food with pets, and pets should not lick infected people. It is recommended that animals are taken care of by another person in the household who is healthy. If the infected person cannot avoid contact with their pets, they should wear a face mask and wash and disinfect hands before and after contact with the animals.

What to do with pets that have been in contact with a person who has been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

The current spread of SARS-CoV-2 is due to the transmission of the virus among humans. According to the information collected, there is no evidence that domestic animals can transmit the virus or become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, since animals and humans can share diseases (known as zoonotic diseases), humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 are advised to limit their contact with domestic animals. Basic hygiene measures must be followed when handling and caring for animals. This includes regularly washing hands before and after handling animals and animal feed. Stroking, hugging, caressing and sharing food with pets should be avoided. People who are ill and/or quarantined due to a possible SARS-CoV-2 infection should avoid close contact with domestic animals as much as possible. Pets should be taken care of by other household members. If this is not possible, maintain good hygiene and, in as much as it is possible, a mouth and nose mask should be worn.

What to do if your pet becomes ill after being in contact with a person infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

Call your vet to arrange a visit. DO NOT visit a veterinary clinic without first consulting with the staff there.

Can a pet that has been in contact with an infected person pass on the infection to other people?

The current spread of SARS-CoV-2 is due to the transmission of the virus among humans. According to the information collected, there is no evidence that pets could transmit or become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Is there a preventative vaccination for pets that prevents infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?

No.

What should those in self-isolation do with their pets?

People under quarantine or self-isolation are advised to keep their animals with them. Animals should be allowed outside as little as possible.

If you live in a detached building with its own courtyard/garden and providing your health permits, you can take your dog out to the courtyard/garden but only for the time required. Dogs should not be left unattended!

If you live in an apartment building or your health is poor, you should allow your dog to do the necessary, i.e. go to the toilet, inside. Choose a location where the dog can go to the toilet - a space that can be cleaned - and lay out a nappy or an old sheet, towel etc. Dispose of the faeces in the toilet bowl. Cats should not be let out, rather a litter tray should be provided.

Persons who have been confirmed as being infected with SARS-CoV-2 are advised to avoid contact with animals. Basic hygiene measures must be followed when handling and caring for animals. This includes regularly washing hands before and after handling animals and their food. Stroking, hugging, caressing and sharing food with animals should be avoided. People who are ill or quarantined due to suspected infection with SARS-CoV-2 should avoid close contact with domestic animals as much as possible. Pets should be taken care of by other household members. If this is not possible, maintain good hygiene and, in as much as it is possible, a mouth and nose mask should be worn.
In the event that a pet owner is hospitalised, the animal should be kept at home and taken care of by other household members.

What should pet owners do in the event that they are admitted to hospital due to being infected with coronavirus infection and do not have anyone to look after their pet(s)?

Patients who are under quarantine or in self-isolation and whose condition deteriorates to such an extent that hospital care is required should NOT bring their animals to an animal shelter. Since the situation is changing rapidly and varies between municipalities, ensure you check with the competent shelter or other competent authority to find out how to properly handle the situation in a particular municipality.

Can the virus survive in the environment?

It is currently not known how long-lasting SARS-CoV-2 is. It is assumed to be similar to other coronaviruses. The results of research have shown that human coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and HCoV, are infectious on metals, glass or plastic for up to nine days. Viruses are effectively inactivated through disinfecting surfaces using 62 to 71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite. The disinfectant should be on the surfaces for at least one minute. As there is no specific treatment available for SARS-CoV-2, early inhibition and prevention of further spread will be critical in stopping the onset of the virus and in controlling the spread of this new pathogen.

Learn more about the home cleaning process on the following link.

How should pets be kept clean?

Learn more about keeping your pets clean and the home cleaning process on the following link.

Care of animals, such as horses, in another municipality

At this point in time it is still permitted for those with animals housed in another municipality to travel there to take care of their animals, as this is considered an urgent need, which is permitted by the Decree on the temporary general prohibition of movement and gathering of people in public places and areas in the Republic of Slovenia and the prohibition of movement outside the municipalities. Source

(Extracted from recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA))

Should you have any questions about the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and domestic or wild animals please send them by email to: koronavet.vf@vf.uni-lj.si. We will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Informacije o nevarnostih koronavirusa COVID-19

lukam — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 11:40:36 +0000

Information About the Dangers of COVID-19 Coronavirus lukam Fri, 04/24/2020 - 10:23 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Koronavirus Covid-19 Current

To date the transmission of animal coronavirus to humans has only been confirmed for the SARS and MERS viruses, while there is no evidence for the new COVID-19 virus that it can be transmitted from humans to animals and back from animals to humans.

Posodobljeno dne 21. 10. 2020

The new coronavirus was first identified towards the end of 2019 in Wuhan in the Chinese province of Hubei. The infection spread rapidly, causing a dangerous respiratory disease in humans with a mortality rate of around 2%. The virus was named 'SARS-CoV-2'; the disease caused by the virus is called 'coronavirus disease 2019', which is abbreviated to 'COVID-19'.
Various coronaviruses form the large Coronaviridae family and are often present in many species of animals, including domestic animals such as cattle, horses, pigs, dogs and cats. Infection of a host requires a low amount of virus, and coronavirus infections can spread rapidly. In rare cases, animal coronaviruses can infect humans and then spread from person to person. This was the case for SARS and MERS a few years ago, however, today these viruses do not pose a significant risk and are not spreading.
In the early stages of the epidemic, at the outbreak of the new COVID-19 virus in Wuhan, China, many patients had a proven link to a central major market (a suspected source of infection) where seafood and various live animals are sold, suggesting the transmission of a new virus through animals (when eaten) to humans. It was subsequently shown that the growing number of patients could not be epidemiologically linked to direct or indirect contacts in that market or to animal products, which confirmed the initial suspicion that the virus could spread from person to person. Human-to-human transmission was subsequently confirmed in many countries outside China. Several cities report that, based on to the first cases identified, the number of patients increased sharply in a very short period of time, especially in places with a larger number of infected people, and there are also many unexplained ways of infection.
Diseases caused by animal coronaviruses are mostly manifested as respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Infections of cats with coronavirus are manifested by fever, accompanied by loss of appetite, inactivity and weight loss, which in 90% of cases is accompanied by gastrointestinal inflammation with the appearance of fluid in the abdominal cavity. In dogs, it is known that the intestinal and lung types of coronaviruses are caused by two different viruses. Bovine coronavirus causes the so-called winter diarrhoea in cattle, and the same virus is found in the causative agents of the bovine respiratory complex. Equine coronavirus is often found when diarrhoea occurs. In pigs, the well-known type of TGE coronavirus is, as is the case with the PED virus, a typical intestinal virus. The PRCV virus, which causes milder respiratory disease in pigs, is also widespread. Even in poultry, coronaviruses infect the respiratory tract. HOWEVER, NONE OF THESE VIRUSES HAVE BEEN TRANSMITTED FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS AND DO NOT CAUSE INFECTIONS IN HUMANS.

To date the transmission of animal coronavirus to humans has been confirmed only for the SARS and MERS viruses, while there is no evidence that the new COVID-19 virus can be transmitted from humans to animals and back from animals to humans. However, caution should always be practiced. Protection against a potential source of animal contamination involves avoiding unnecessary contact with unknown animals and the mandatory washing and disinfection of hands after contact with animals. Care must also be taken to ensure that meat, meat products and eggs are properly heat treated before being eaten.

Kaj naredimo s ptičjimi mladiči, ki jih najdemo izven gnezda?

lukam — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 08:26:29 +0000

What to do with chicks that are found outside of a nest? lukam Thu, 04/02/2020 - 20:41 Institute of Poultry Birds Small Mammals and Reptiles Current Dobrobit

Spring is slowly ending and summer is on its way, even though the weather is still fairly April-like. For numerous birds this is the time when the first chicks leave the safe haven of the nest and set off into the wide world. It doesn’t always go to plan, however, and many chicks find themselves in trouble. Sometimes we can help them, however, most often it is best to leave them to their caring parents.

Author: Slovenian Bird Watching and Research Society (DOPPS – Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenije)

Smaller songbirds, such as the great tit, sparrow, blackbird or starling, make their nests where the female lays a number of eggs. Chicks hatch after approximately two weeks of hatching, and their parents care for them for about three weeks. It is often the case that due to the large number of offspring, nests become too small and the chicks venture out of the nest a day or two early. When finding chicks out of a nest, we are always confronted with a dilemma of whether or not to help them.

In most cases the answer to the dilemma is ‘NO’. The chick’s parents are close by and will also look after them outside the nest. However, how can we recognise the signs that chicks need our help?

We should help chicks when they are visibly injured or when we suspect that their parents have abandoned them. This can be concluded with great certainty when chicks are not visited by their parents for more than an hour. If the chicks are exposed to any danger (cats, dogs, traffic…) but their parents are close, they can be moved to the shelter of a bush or tree or returned to the nest if found and if it is accessible (at the same time be sure to take care of your own safety).

Should you find an injured or abandoned chick you should contact a designated facility. In Slovenia this is the Wildlife Refuge (Zatočišče za živali prosto živečih vrst), Glavni trg 7, 2366 Muta (tel: 02 876 12 85 or 041 518 939).

Do not feed or care for birds for an extended period.
Additional information can be obtained from the Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (tel: 01 4779 251).

Source: DOPPS – Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenije