A VALENTINE‐SHAPED CARDIAC SILHOUETTE IN FELINE THORACIC RADIOGRAPHS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO LEFT ATRIAL ENLARGEMENT

Conflicting information has been published regarding the cause of a valentine‐shaped cardiac silhouette in dorsoventral or ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs in cats. The purpose of this retrospective, cross‐sectional study was to test the hypothesis that the valentine shape is primarily due to left atrial enlargement. Images for cats with a radiographic valentine‐shaped cardiac silhouette and full echocardiography examination were retrieved and independently reviewed. A subjective scoring system was used to record severity of radiographic valentine shape. Subjective radiographic evidence of left atrial enlargement in a radiographic lateral projection and a final diagnosis based on medical records were also recorded. A total of 81 cats met inclusion criteria. There was a strong positive correlation (P < 0.001) between echocardiographic left atrial size and severity of radiographic valentine shape. There was no effect of echocardiographic right atrial size on the severity of valentine shape, except when concurrent with severe left atrial enlargement. In this situation, right atrial enlargement increased the likelihood of observing a severe valentine shape. There was no effect of right atrial enlargement on the shape of the cardiac silhouette when left atrial enlargement was absent or only mild to moderate. There was no correlation between the category of final diagnosis of cardiac disease and the severity of valentine shape. Findings from this study supported the hypothesis that a valentine‐shaped cardiac silhouette in radiographs is due primarily to left atrial enlargement in cats, with right atrial enlargement only impacting the shape if concurrent with severe left atrial enlargement.     

Influence of race and crossbreeding on casein micelles size

Casein (CN) micelles are colloidal aggregates of protein dispersed in milk, the importance of which in the dairy industry is related to functionality and yield in dairy products. The objective of this work was to investigate the correlation of milk CN micelles diameter from Holstein and Zebu crossbreds with milk composition (protein, fat, lactose, total and nonfat solids and milk urea nitrogen), somatic cell count (SCC), age, lactation stage and production. Average casein micelles diameters of milk samples obtained from 200 cows were measured using photon correlation spectroscopy and multiple regression analysis was used to find relationship between variables. CN micelle diameter, SCC and nonfat solids were different between animals with different Holstein crossbreed ratios, which suggests influence of genetic factors, mammary gland health and milk composition. Overall, results indicate the potential use of CN micelle diameter as a tool to select animals to produce milk more suitable to cheese production.     

Inductively coupled plasma mass‐spectrometric determination of platinum in excretion products of client‐owned pet dogs

Residues of antineoplastic drugs in canine excretion products may represent exposure risks to veterinary personnel, owners of pet dogs and other animal care‐takers. The aim of this study was to measure the extent and duration of platinum (Pt) excretion in pet dogs treated with carboplatin. Samples were collected before and up to 21 days after administration of carboplatin. We used validated, ultra‐sensitive, inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry assays to measure Pt in canine urine, faeces, saliva, sebum and cerumen. Results showed that urine is the major route of elimination of Pt in dogs. In addition, excretion occurs via faeces and saliva, with the highest amounts eliminated during the first 5 days. The amount of excreted Pt decreased over time but was still quantifiable at 21 days after administration of carboplatin. In conclusion, increased Pt levels were found in all measured excretion products up to 21 days after administration of carboplatin to pet dogs, with urine as the main route of excretion. These findings may be used to further adapt current veterinary guidelines on safe handling of antineoplastic drugs and treated animals.     

Zoonotic Helminths of Urban Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the UK: Neglected Public Health Considerations?

Urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) carry microbial human pathogens but their role as reservoir hosts for helminths of public health importance is less well known. In this study, 42 brown rats trapped on Merseyside were subject to thorough combined helminthological and pathohistological post‐mortem examination. Eggs of the rodent‐borne zoonotic nematode Calodium hepaticum were initially detected in histological sections of the livers of 9.5% of rats, but overall diagnostic sensitivity increased to 16.6% when entire liver tissue was disrupted and the resulting filtrates were examined for released eggs. In their rat host, mainly trapped inside the dockland, infections with C. hepaticum were associated with a chronic multifocal pyogranulomatous hepatitis with intralesional eggs and peripheral fibrosis. Mean intensity of hepatic C. hepaticum egg infections was 1041 eggs. This is the first report of C. hepaticum in an urban brown rat population in the UK and provides original data for liver egg burdens in this abundant commensal rodent. The zoonotic cestode Rodentolepis nana had a prevalence of infection of 14.3%. Rodent‐specific, non‐zoonotic helminths found were the spiruroid Mastophorus muris (16.0%) in the stomach, the trichuroid Trichosomoides crassicauda in the urinary bladder (31.0%); the ascarid Heterakis spumosa was the commonest helminth of the large intestine (76.2%). Many millions of brown rats inhabit cities and rural areas of the UK, and the infective stages of the zoonotic worm species, particularly C. hepaticum, are likely to be widely distributed in the environment presenting a threat to public health.     

The interaction between maternal and post‐hatch n‐3 fatty acid supplementation in broiler diets

This study investigated whether offspring from n‐3‐supplemented breeders have an enhanced performance and immune organ weight when fed a post‐hatch n‐3‐enriched diet in comparison with their control‐fed counterparts and the importance of timing of omega‐3 supplementation. Therefore, 480 Ross‐308 broiler breeder hens were fed one of four different diets (120/treatment). The control diet (CON) was a basal diet, rich in n‐6 fatty acids (FA). The three other diets were enriched in n‐3 FA, formulated to obtain a different EPA/DHA ratio of 1/1 (EPA = DHA), 1/2 (DHA) or 2/1 (EPA). At 33 weeks of age, eggs were incubated to obtain 1440 offspring. They were set up according to their maternal diet and sex in 48 pens of 30 chicks each (12 pens per maternal treatment: six male and six female). Half of the offspring were given a post‐hatch control diet, whereas to other half received an n‐3‐supplemented diet. Zootechnical performance was followed for starter, grower and finisher phase, and at the end of each phase two, chicks per pen were sacrificed to determine the weight of the immune organs. No interaction was found between maternal and post‐hatch n‐3 treatment for zootechnical performance. An interaction arose between the maternal and post‐hatch n‐3 supplementation for proportional bursa weight at day 1 and day 14 and proportional liver weight at day 14, but effects on immune organ weight were rather limited. Offspring post‐hatch n‐3 supplementation did not enhance maternal n‐3 supplementation.     

Metabolizable energy intake of client‐owned adult cats

A retrospective analysis of the metabolizable energy (ME) intake of privately owned pet cats from the authors’ nutrition consultation practice (years 2007–2011) was carried out to test whether current recommendations are suitable for pet cats. Data of 80 adult cats (median age: 9.0 years, median deviation from ideal weight: +22.5%, majority neutered) at maintenance were available. Six percentage of the cats were healthy and the others were affected by various chronic diseases. A standardized questionnaire was used, cat owners weighed cat and food. For ration calculation, the software Diet Check Munich^? was used (ME prediction according to National Research Council, 2006: Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academy Press, Washington, DC). Data were analysed for the factors deviation from ideal weight, breed, age, gender, disease and type of feeding [prepared food (dry, wet) vs. home‐made]. Over‐ or underweight were defined as ≥15% deviation from ideal body weight (BW) according to Kienzle and Moik (British Journal of Nutrition 2011, 106, Suppl 1: S113). Cat owner's estimation of ideal BW was higher than literature data from Kienzle and Moik (2011). Based on literature data, 26.3% of the pet cats were normal weight, 63.7% overweight and 10% underweight. The mean ME intake of all adult cats amounted to 0.40 ± 0.14 MJ/kg actual BW^0.67 (n = 80). When the data were analysed according to normal, over‐ and underweight, there was a significant effect with normal weight cats eating 0.46 MJ/kg BW^0.67. Underweight cats ate even more (0.49 MJ/kg BW^0.67), whereas overweight cats ate considerably less (0.36 MJ/kg BW^0.67). The other factors had no influence on ME intake of adult cats.     

Comparative Expression Analysis of Gametogenesis‐Associated Genes in Foetal and Adult Bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) Ovaries and Testes

This study was conducted to identify and analyse the expression of gametogenesis‐associated genes and proteins in foetal and adult buffalo gonads of both the sexes. Relative quantification of the genes was determined by qPCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for various gametogenesis‐associated proteins in foetal and adult gonads of both the sexes. We observed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of primordial germ cell‐specific, meiotic as well as genes associated with oocyte maturation and development in foetal ovaries as compared to the adult ones. However, significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of proteins associated with oocyte maturation like GDF9 and ZP4 was found in adult ovaries, indicating temporal regulation of mRNA translation during oogenesis. Meiotic genes showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression in adult testes as compared to foetal testes and ovaries, indicating onset of meiosis at a later stage in spermatogenesis. In general, the expression of primordial germ cell‐associated as well as meiotic genes was higher in adult testes, indicating the increased biological activity in the organ. Immunohistochemistry revealed localized expression of gametogenesis‐associated proteins in ovarian follicles and seminiferous tubules of testes, while the surrounding somatic tissues were devoid of these proteins. The study gives an understanding of the sequential and temporal events of gene expression as well as mRNA translation during male and female gametogenesis. It could also be concluded that follicles and seminiferous tubules are the functional units of the female and male gonads, respectively, and their function could be enhanced by appropriate chemical and genetic intervention of the somatic tissue immediately surrounding them. This assumes importance in the context that buffalo attains sexual maturity at an older age of 2–3 years and have smaller ovaries with lesser number of primordial follicles in comparison with cattle, which is suggested to be the main reason of their poor breeding performance.     

Investigating the opinions of donkey owners and veterinary surgeons towards pain and analgesia in donkeys

The aim of this questionnaire‐based study was to identify which analgesics are currently prescribed to donkeys in clinical practice and to collect opinions from veterinary surgeons and donkey owners on the importance of different pain‐related behaviours in donkeys. Questionnaires were completed by 143 veterinary surgeons and 93 donkey owners. Phenylbutazone, flunixin, detomidine and butorphanol were reported as the most frequently used analgesics in donkeys. Most veterinary surgeons reported administering these drugs at the horse dose rate and dosing interval, which may be inappropriate in the donkey. Four pain‐related behaviours were identified as very important by veterinary surgeons and owners: dullness for colic‐associated pain, keeping the foot lifted, and lameness for foot and limb pain and inability to chew properly for head and dental pain. This is a more limited behavioural repertoire than has recently been identified to be associated with pain in the donkey and suggests that the respondents were reporting perceived wisdom as to what people think are the behavioural signs associated with pain or were not interpreting pain‐related behaviours correctly.