Understanding the distribution of dogs in the environment is relevant for establishing human and animal health actions. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of community feeders and commercial food outlets on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in an urban area of a municipality in Southeast Brazil. The dogs were identified via photographic capture and recapture performed over five sampling efforts. The spatial densities of dogs were determined using the Kernel method. Spatial correlations between the distribution of free-roaming dogs and the locations of community feeders and commercial food outlets were analyzed using the K function. During the study, 1207 captures/recaptures were performed encompassing 554 dogs, the majority (62.6%) of which were males. Agglomerations of male and female dogs were observed in the areas where food was present. Positive spatial autocorrelations were detected between the distribution of dogs and food sources. The median distances between dogs and community feeders or commercial food outlets were 1.2 and 1.4 km, respectively, and the difference between these two was statistically significant. The presence of community feeders and food outlets demonstrates the influence of human activity, on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs. These results will be useful for developing strategies aimed at the improvement of animal welfare and the prevention of zoonoses.

Understanding the relationship between dogs and their guardians provides insight into the role that animals occupy within households and families and, by extension, within society. This perspective offers essential elements for informing policies and practices that affect outcomes in Public Health and animal welfare. This study aimed to comprehensively examine guardians’ perceptions, including expectations, meanings, and social roles attributed to dogs, in a municipality in Brazil. We conducted a qualitative and descriptive investigation grounded in Social Constructionism and Laurence Bardin’s Content Analysis, based on 40 semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that guardians frequently describe dogs as “family members,” “sources of joy,” “companions,” or even a form of “therapy,” underscoring strong emotional bonds and noteworthy psychosocial benefits. At the same time, the interviews revealed neutral or negative perceptions of this relationship, as well as expressions of grief following the loss of an animal and indignation toward situations of mistreatment. Taken together, the results suggest that although dogs are widely viewed in a positive light and often regarded as family members, divergent understandings of their value and roles persist, reflecting cultural tensions that influence both human and animal well-being.

Background: Identification of risk and protective factors for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is essential to understand the epidemiology of the disease and direct prevention and control strategies. Building on a previous systematic review, this study presents new findings relating to the associations between CVL and a range of variables. Methods: The systematic review included articles from the previous review (up to September 2011) and additional studies published thereafter regarding factors associated with CVL in the American continent. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies that analyzed associations between CVL and socioeconomic, environmental, household-level, or dog-level variables, regardless of the diagnostic method employed. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models and subgroup analyses, while the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to classify levels of evidence. Results: Of the 111 studies included in the analysis, the vast majority were cross-sectional (87.4%), conducted in Brazil (95.5%), and employed serological diagnostic tests alone (77.5%). The variables most consistently associated with CVL, based on moderate levels of evidence, were short-haired dogs, dogs dwelling in the peridomicile or with free access to the street, and proximity of the domicile to green areas. Male dogs, large dogs, ectoparasite-infested animals, dogs in contact with horses, and living in homes with yards also had higher odds of infection, although the levels of evidence were low. Other variables associated with CVL but assigned with very low levels of evidence included the presence of chickens, cats, sand flies, and other dogs in the dog environment; previous cases of CVL in the domicile; substandard custodianship; and guardians with poor education and low income. The quality of the studies has improved since the last review, although methodological limitations were still present, in particular, the absence of control for confounders. Conclusions: The analyses performed in this review strengthen the current knowledge of CVL and highlight the importance of further research to better understand some of the associated variables. Additional cohort and case–control studies are required, particularly those utilizing molecular diagnostics and adequate control for confounding factors. This review represents progress in understanding the determinants of CVL in the Americas and provides support for improving prevention and control strategies. Graphical

Ectoparasite infestation represents a significant sanitary problem in poultry production, especially in extensive rearing systems where management conditions favor the maintenance of the parasites' biological cycles. Among the ectoparasites with the greatest impact on domestic chickens, the lice Menopon gallinae and Menacanthus stramineus stand out for compromising animal welfare and productive performance. This study aimed to report the identification, diagnosis, and efficacy of carbaryl in controlling these lice in backyard chickens in Novorizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Thirty birds of the species Gallus gallus domesticus were evaluated and subjected to clinical inspection, manual collection of ectoparasites, and laboratory identification by optical microscopy. Treatment consisted of the topical application of a carbaryl-based product, combined with sanitary management of the facilities. Before the intervention, intense infestation was observed in all birds. Seven days after treatment, a statistically significant reduction in the parasitic load was observed. Using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the calculated efficacy was 90.24%, exceeding initial expectations for extensive systems. It is concluded that carbaryl proved to be an effective, practical, and easy-to-apply alternative for lice control in family-based poultry farming when combined with adequate hygiene and prophylactic measures.