Dogs and cats used at Emory University are classified as Class I (conditioned), Class II (partly conditioned) and Class III (unconditioned). Class II and III animals may be used for acute (i.e., nonsurvival surgery) procedures, while Class I animals may be used for acute or chronic (i.e. survival surgery) studies. Class II and III animals have incomplete health characterizations and may carry a variety of infectious diseases. For that reason they are quarantined and used shortly after they arrive and/or are released for research. Unconditioned animals must be kept separate from chronic, conditioned animals.
Class I animals may be purpose-bred or have been conditioned by the DAR or a vendor. Conditioning includes vaccination, treatment for endo- and ectoparasites, clinical and serologic assessment for infectious diseases, and socialization. The conditioning procedures for dogs and cats are described in DAR SOP 40-1 and 50-1, respectively. Contact The DAR veterinary staff at 7-3248 if you would like more information on vaccines or medications that are being used in your animals.
Rabies
Dogs and cats may carry rabies virus, even if vaccinated. The occupational health program provides prophylactic rabies vaccinations for anyone with contact with dogs, cats or other carnivores. If you are bitten by a dog or cat, contact the Emory Hospital Emergency Room (712-7100). The wound should be cleaned with soap and water as soon as possible. It is also critical that the DAR veterinary staff be contacted (7-3248) so the animal can be quarantined to observe for signs of rabies or euthanized for rabies diagnosis as required by State law. Pregnant women handling cats should discuss the health considerations of toxoplasmosis and other infectious diseases with their physician. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) may be seen in some animals and can cause lesions in humans. The use of gloves or hand washing is preventative.
Canine Heartworm Infection
Heartworms are endemic in dog, cat and wild carnivore populations in Georgia and most of the eastern United States. Mosquitos serve both as a carrier and a host vital to the life cycle. The estimated incidence of heartworm infection in all dogs in North Georgia is 5%. In the southeastern United States, data suggests that all dogs over one year of age, with access to the outdoors and not on a program of heartworm prevention are infected. However, most heartworm infections of dogs in Georgia and Florida involve 8 or fewer nematodes per host.
The "gold standard" for heartworm diagnosis is serology to detect a proteoglycan heartworm antigen. The Division of Animal Resources (DAR) enhances the diagnostic capability by combining a direct microscopic examination of a blood smear for microfilaria with an antigen test. Studies of naturally infected dogs have shown commercial heartworm serology kits to have sensitivities ranging from 80-99%. Serologic test sensitivity drops to 46-70% when there are fewer than 3 female worms per dog. Laboratory records of the DAR show the incidence of false negative heartworm diagnostic tests to be in the 5-10% range.
False negative results can be caused by laboratory error, host-related factors, size of the infection and heartworm immaturity and sex. Laboratory error is usually the consequence of failing to permit refrigerated reagents to reach room temperature. In long-standing infections, host-related factors, such as enhanced clearance of heartworm antigen from the circulation or high titer of specific antibody against heartworm antigen, may also reduce antigen concentrations to below detectable levels. Diagnostic tests will not detect any infection that has existed for less than 6.5 months, because immature worms do not release sufficient antigenic proteoglycans into the circulation for cumulative levels in the circulation to exceed the diagnostic threshold. Male worms, because of their smaller size, do not contribute significantly to antigenemia and are essentially undetectable. Chance dictated by statistics shows that all male infections may occur in 6% or more of dogs harboring four or fewer worms. To detect as few as three worms, infection must exist for 8 or more months. Large, spectacular infections usually occur in naive dogs that are acutely exposed to a high concentration of mosquitos carrying infectious larvae.
For studies requiring guaranteed heartworm-free dogs, the only way to reliably obtain such animals is to purchase purpose bred dogs raised in total indoor confinement.
Preventative Medicine Programs
Dogs and Cats
Nonhuman Primate Health Surveillance