Preliminary evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG,a potential probiotic in dogs

Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) has been studied extensively as a probiotic in humans. However, the ability of an organism to survive passage through the intestinal tract and exert beneficial effects cannot be directly extrapolated between species. This study evaluated the ability of LGG to survive gastrointestinal transit in dogs and assessed whether oral administration of LGG is safe, in order to determine whether studies evaluating the efficacy of LGG in the treatment of canine disease are indicated. Dogs were divided into 5 groups receiving doses of 0 (control group, n = 4), 1 x 10(9) (group 1, n = 8), 1 x 10(10) (group 2, n = 8), 5 x 10(10) (group 3, n = 8) and 5 x 10(11) (group 4, n = 4) colony forming units per day, orally, for 5 days. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was detected in the feces of 4/8 dogs in groups 1 and 2, 5/8 dogs in group 3, 4/4 dogs in group 4, and 0/4 dogs in the control group. Fecal colonization was significantly greater in group 4 than in any other group (P < 0.001). Differences between groups 1, 2, and 3 were not significant. No adverse effects were noted. Fecal colonization of LGG in dogs is somewhat variable; however, clinical studies are indicated to evaluate this organism in the treatment and prevention of canine disease.     

Time to critical overcrowding of Manitoba swine barns in the event of restriction on animal movement

Canada maintains a stamping-out policy for control of foreign animal disease. Integral to stamping out, there are obligatory animal movement restrictions that, over time, can result in severe animal welfare problems. The purpose of this study was to estimate the time to critical overcrowding in a sample of Manitoba swine farms, if they were placed under movement restriction. Time to critical overcrowding in both static and dynamic populations was estimated by modeling swine growth and projecting anticipated on-farm stocking density through time and comparing it with a standard maximal stocking density. The time to critical overcrowding of 15 isowean piglet production units was 0.66 +/- 0.88 weeks. On average, 7 isolated nursery facilities reached critical overcrowding in 52 +/- 14 days and 5 farrow-to-finish operations reached critical overcrowding in 43 +/- 18 days. Animal welfare concerns should be included in contingency plans to control foreign animal disease.     

Minimum space allowance for transportation of swine by road

Space allowance for animals in transit is a consistent concern in many countries that are developing codes of practice and regulations to assure humane treatment of food producing animals. The minimum space allowance requirements for a broad size range of swine in transit has not been well described or scientifically substantiated. A maximal loading pressure recommendation for pigs weighing from 5 to 250 kg was derived by a consultative process involving the swine transportation industry, animal welfare groups, and a literature review. The recommended maximal loading pressure under ideal conditions for swine loaded in groups can be described as a hoerl model y = (37.53)(0.9969)w(W0.5008), where y = loading pressure in kg body weight/m2 and W = average animal body weight in kilograms.     

Ethylene glycol toxicosis in a free-ranging raccoon (Procyon lotor) from Prince Edward Island

A juvenile free-ranging raccoon (Procyon lotor) was presented for acute onset of abnormal mentation and seizures. Ethylene glycol toxicosis was diagnosed on postmortem examination. This report highlights the importance of including ethylene glycol toxicosis on the list of differential diagnoses for abnormal mentation and seizures in free-ranging raccoons.     

Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis with zafirlukast, a leukotriene-receptor antagonist: a single-blinded, placebo-controlled study

Zafirlukast and placebo were administered orally as individual agents to 20 dogs with atopic dermatitis. The pruritus was effectively reduced by at least 50% in 2/18 (11%) dogs that completed the trial with zafirlukast. Two dogs vomited after administration of the active drug.     

Evaluation of phenylpropanolamine in the treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in the bitch

In a multicentre, blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 50 dogs were treated for 28 days with either phenylpropanolamine or a placebo control. Each was given at a dose of one drop per 2 kg orally three times daily, equivalent to 1 mg/kg three times daily of phenylpropanolamine. Dogs that presented with clinical signs consistent with urinary sphincter mechanism incontinence were included in the study. They were examined on three occasions by the investigating veterinary surgeon. The frequency and volume of unconscious urination were scored by veterinary surgeons according to a pre-established scoring system. Phenylpropanolamine proved to be more effective than the placebo in regard to several parameters. At day 28, 85.7 per cent of phenylpropanolamine-treated cases had no episodes of unconscious urination compared with 33.3 per cent of placebo-treated cases. This was statistically significant. Few, mild side effects were seen in either group.     

Immunostimulation in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following intraperitoneal administration of Ergosan

The present work provides information concerning the immunostimulatory activity of Ergosan, an algal based product, injected intraperitoneally in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Ergosan is composed of 0.002% unspecified plant extract, 1% alginic acid from Laminaria digitata, and 98.998% algal based carrier. Migration of leucocytes into the peritoneal cavity was stimulated at doses > or =1 mg ml(-1). A single dose of 1mg significantly augmented the proportion of neutrophils, degree of phagocytosis, respiratory burst activity and expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and one of the two known isoforms of trout tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF2) in peritoneal leucocytes at 1 day post-injection. Humoral immune parameters were less responsive to intraperitoneal Ergosan administration, with complement stimulation only evident in the 1mg treated group at 2 days post-injection. Antiprotease and lysozyme activity were unaffected by Ergosan over a 7-day time period at the doses examined.     

The effect of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency on caudal cruciate ligament morphology: An experimental study in dogs

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) insufficiency on morphology of the canine caudal cruciate ligament (CdCL). STUDY DESIGN: In vivo experimental study. ANIMALS: Five adult foxhounds. METHODS: Two years after CrCL transection, the histologic appearance of CdCLs from CrCL-deficient and unoperated contralateral control (CrCL-intact) stifle joints were evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints had extracellular matrix changes, characterized by chondroid metaplasia and disruption of cell architecture. Percent of small-diameter fibrils in CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints was significantly greater (P <.05) than that in CdCLs from CrCL-intact joints. Collagen fibril density in CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints (41.09 +/- 5.39%) tended to be less than that in CdCLs from CrCL-intact joints (52.96 +/- 6.92%); however, this difference was not significant (P =.056). Mean eccentricity (ratio of minor to major diameters) of collagen fibrils was significantly (P <.0001) lower for CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints (0.85 +/- 0.016) when compared with that for CdCLs from CrCL-intact joints (0.87 +/- 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Significant alterations were found in the morphology of CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints. These changes may be associated with repetitive microtrauma to the CdCL secondary to instability or enzymatic degradation in the hostile synovial environment of an unstable joint. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Regardless of the cause, the switch to a predominantly small-diameter collagen fibril profile may reflect compromised material properties of the CdCL. This should be taken into account when considering surgical techniques that rely on the CdCL to stabilize CrCL-deficient stifles.