So, we developed consensus definitions, using a broad international group and an iterative Delphi-based approach.
The results are in this paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
and discussed here: www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2026/04/arti...
2/2
Consensus definitions for infectious urinary tract disease in dogs and cats.
Speaking the same language is critical for consistent and accurate surveillance, communication and guidelines, but some terminology is pretty loose and variable.
1/n
It's good to follow the specific product labels but once you get beyond their recommendation (hours to a couple days), there are no concerns. Frequent swimmers just need a few days out of the pool, not more regular treatment.
3/3
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2026/04/arti...
These products work through the drug's effects in the body, not on the surface. Topical application is just a route of administration, not where the drug stays.
So, once the drug is attached and absorbed, water isn't an issue.
2/3
Does bathing/swimming mean wash off topical antiparasitics for dogs/cats?
Do dogs that swim a lot need more frequent treatment?
tl:dr: No.
Depending on the product, keeping them out of water for a few hours to a few days may be needed, but after that, they're fine.
1/n
I'll give the anti-vaxxers credit, they're determined. They keep sending me bills because I haven't stopped vaccination of people in Canada (who knew I was that powerful)
The 'escalator clause per the third book of Moses is a killer
I don't think @uofg will let me expense this
It mainly helps us figure out what vaccine a 🐕 or 🐱 is reacting too if it has problem (but vaccine reactions are often random, non-repeatable events).
So, we don't have high certainty evidence but nothing really supports vaccine splitting as a routine preventive measure.
5/6
...nothing really supports splitting vaccines as an effective tool when you consider the animal as a whole and it's overall vaccination plan.
Splitting vaccines might help in dogs at really high risk (but splitting would have to drop the rate by 50+% for a net benefit).
4/n
If we give one vaccine now (21/10,000 risk) and then have to do that again (another 21/10,000), have we helped.
Or have we harmed, since the combined dose risk was 27/10,000?
Data are crude and we can't have much certainty in analysis, but...
3/n
..we then need to get the animal back for another vaccine event, that comes with it's own risk.
It we look at small breed dogs (higher risk) and a large study from 2023, the risk of an adverse event is ~27/10,000 with 2 vaccines and 21/10,000 for one.
But..
2/n
Splitting vaccines in dogs/cats is sometimes done with a hope of reducing vaccine reactions.
But does it help (or harm)?
We don't have good data but should think about it more. Yes, giving fewer vaccines at one visit decreases the risk...at that visit...
But..
1/n
We just released an update to Firstline-OVC/CPHAZ....free online antimicrobial prescribing guidance (canine and feline guidelines).
Nothing major in this update, but I've added a few new diseases and drugs, and some minor updates.
firstline.org/ovc-cphaz/
So, here's WormsAndGermsMap, version 2
wormsandgermsmap.glide.page
I think there's a need for something like this.
Will it be used enough to be useful? Time will tell.
Comments are always welcome.
More info about it is available in the blog post below
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2026/03/arti...
A while ago, we launched WormsAndGermsMap, for crowd-based reporting of infectious diseases in companion animals
It didn't really work out, in large part because the tech wasn't ready (at least in our $ range)
But, since tech (and diseases) have advanced, we're trying again
1/n
Not much data, but Salmonella transmission has occurred from dogs/cats in clinics. Multidrug resistant bacteria transmission could be more insidious. It's a good reminder of the need for good routine hygiene and more awareness around raw fed pets.
More comments about this study and risk reduction practices here:
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2026/03/arti...
3/3
Shiga-toxigenic E. coli (a bad one): 12%)
Antibiotic-resistant E. coli: 20%
Colistin (last resort drug) resistant E. coli: 1%
MRSA: 10%
Plus, 8% of packages leaked while being defrosted, showing risk for contamination of fridges/countertops.
2/n
UK study of commercial raw pet food diets....unsurprisingly concerning.
380 diets were tested.
1+pathogenic bacteria in 35%
Salmonella: 21%
Multidrug resistant Salmonella: 9%
Campylobacter: 14% (and 21% of C. jejuni were multidrug resistant)
1/n
Registration for the 2026 free online Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses symposium, May 12 from 9-4 Eastern time, is now open.
www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-cphaz...
We have a solid history of screwing up the use of anti-infectives in human and veterinary medicine, and need to learn from that past.
That doesn't mean don't consider anti-FIP antivirals for other things, but to do so with caution and guidance.
That's increasingly a problem
2/3
"Antiviral resistance in cats….let’s not screw up our game changing drugs"
The title sums it up. Antivirals have saved countless cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), but does increased (non-evidence-based) use for other things pose a risk?
1/n
Great question. It's hard enough to get samples from canine importers. People that import cats seem to be even less on the radar and accessible. It would be interesting to do if we could get access to cats (and find $$).
Close to 50% of imported dogs with rabies vaccine certificates didn't have adequate titres. Many had no detectable antibodies.
Surprising? Not really.
Concerning? It should be.
More details below
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2026/03/arti...
First finished batch of the season.
Human intestinal infection with the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum.
Rare. Probably of limited healthy concern. But maybe overlooked.
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2026/03/arti...
It might be effective, and the right studies haven’t been done.
It might be effective in certain animals and certain situations, and those haven’t been studied.
It might be effective at different doses or with different preparations.
The issue is….we have no idea.
4/n
Does this mean cranberry doesn’t work?
No. It means we don’t have any data showing that it works.
So, it’s buyer beware. These products are probably harmless but it’s hard to say if they are useful at all.
3/n
