Double-blind evaluation of implants of gold wire at acupuncture points in the dog as a treatment for osteoarthritis induced by hip dysplasia.

Thirty-eight dogs with hip dysplasia were studied to evaluate the use of gold wire implants at acupuncture points around the hip joints. They were assigned at random into two groups of 19. In the treated group, gold wire was inserted through hypodermic needles at electrically found acupuncture points around both hips. In the control group, the areas were prepared in the same way but had only the skin pierced at sites which were not acupuncture points, with a needle of the same size as that used in the treated group. Over a period of six months the dogs were studied repeatedly by two veterinarians and by the dogs' owners who were unaware of the treatments the dogs had received; they assessed the dogs' locomotion, hip function and signs of pain. Radiographs were taken at the beginning and end of the study. Although the data collected from both groups by the veterinarians and the owners showed a significant improvement of locomotion and reduction in signs of pain (P=0.036 for the veterinary evaluation and locomotion and P=0.0001 and P=0.0034 for the owners' evaluation of locomotion and pain, respectively), there were no statistically significant differences between the treated and control groups (P=0.19 and P=0.41, P=0.24, respectively).     

针刺犬后三里穴对脾虚泄泻证病理模型疗效及血清中超氧化物歧化酶含量变化的影响

本试验以中医理论体系中的"证"为基础而复制的脾虚泄泻动物模型,分别采用白针、电针和水针的方法,通过观察犬的临床症状变化,同时测定血清中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量的变化,比较采用3种方法对犬脾虚泄泻证的效果,为兽医针炙术在治疗畜禽疾病中的应用提供一定的依据.     

Bacterial infective arthritis in the dog

Bacterial infections of joints produce an inflammatory arthropathy. Most cases appear to be due to the haematogenous localisation of bacteria in a joint and trauma may predispose a joint to infection. Two clinical syndromes are identified; the classic acute onset case and a more chronic local grade infection syndrome. Affected joints are usually thickened and show pain on manipulation. The synovial fluid has increased numbers of white cells, most of which are polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Peripheral blood analysis may be normal and only a few dogs show systemic illness. Radiography in the early stage, will only show soft tissue changes; periosteal new bone and bony destruction are seen in longer standing cases. The carpus was the most frequently affected joint and the larger breeds, particularly the males, were over-represented. Various organisms were isolated but haemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus intermedius were the most common. Culture of the synovial membrane was more sensitive than the synovial fluid. Antibiotic therapy for several weeks was generally successful providing an early diagnosis was made. In a few cases, steroid responsive synovial inflammation persisted in the absence of viable bacterial organisms.     

Effects of electrostimulated acupuncture on ground reaction forces and pain scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of electrostimuluated acupuncture (ESA) would result in significant improvements in ground reaction forces and lameness scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial. ANIMALS: 9 dogs with chronic forelimb lameness and radiographic evidence of elbow joint osteoarthritis. PROCEDURES: All dogs had a 3-week control acclimation period during which gait analysis was performed weekly. Dogs then received ESA once weekly for 3 weeks followed by a sham treatment once weekly for 3 weeks or received the sham treatment followed by ESA. Gait analysis was repeated prior to each treatment, and owners were asked to provide pain scores by use of a visual analog scale method. RESULTS: Treatment (control, acupuncture, or sham) did not have a significant effect on ground reaction forces for any limb. Owners of 8 of the 9 dogs were able to correctly guess the time period when ESA was delivered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that ESA did not have any significant effects on severity of lameness, as determined by measurement of ground reaction forces, or severity of pain, as determined by visual analog scale pain scores, in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia.     

Dacryocystomaxillorhinostomy for chronic dacryocystitis in a dog

A 10-year-old female spayed Vizsla had intermittent mucoid ocular discharge from the right eye for 7 years. History, clinical findings, imaging studies, and culture and histopathology results confirmed chronic dacryocystitis with granuloma. A dacryocystomaxillorhinostomy was performed to preserve the functional portions of the nasolacrimal system remaining in this patient, as well as to promote healing of the lacrimal sac granuloma and secondary infection. Complete resolution of the clinical abnormalities was achieved, and the dog remains healthy 3 years postoperatively.     

Field evaluation of the efficacy of tolfenamic acid administered in one single preoperative injection for the prevention of postoperative pain in the dog

In this randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded field trial, 62 dogs (of which four were excluded) taken to a veterinary practice for orthopaedic surgery with a postoperative painful component were enrolled to assess the efficacy of a preoperative intramuscular injection of tolfenamic acid (TA) at a dose of 4 mg/kg in preventing postoperative pain. The animals were clinically examined at T1 + 1H, T1 + 4H, T1 + 24H (T1 = extubation). The efficacy results showed a statistical effect of TA in preventing postoperative pain with the evolution in the pain statistically in favour of TA treatment (Visual Analogue Scale). This was confirmed by the sum of the scores calculated at T1 + 24H that was statistically higher in the placebo group, and by the evolution in the respiratory rate, which was statistically lower in the TA-treated animals after surgery. TA treatment was very well tolerated as no clinical sign (except one isolated case of vomiting and diarrhoea, i.e. 3.5%) or change in biochemical and haematological values was observed and as no interaction with the anaesthetic drugs and with marbofloxacin was reported.     

Semen evaluation in the Beagle dog

Using standard techniques, semen was collected from six normal Beagles, aged 1–2 years, at monthly intervals on seven occasions. The mean value of ejaculate was 3.1 ml, and the mean sperm count was 47.7 million/ml. Libido was maintained over the experimental period and the results were consistent throughout.
Résumé. Au moyen des méthodes habituelles, on a fait sept prélèvements, espacés d'un mois, de spermatozoïdes de six chiens beagles courants normaux, âgés de 1 à 2 ans. Le volume moyen de l'éjaculation était de 3,1 ml et le compte moyen était de 47,7 millions/ml. La libido a persisté pendant la période expérimentale et les résultats étaient consistants tout au long.
Zusammenfassung. Unter Venvendung von Standardmethoden wurde Sperma von sechs normalen Beagle-Rüden im Alter von 1–2 Jahren in monatlichen Abständen bei sieben Untersuchungen gewonnen. Die mittlere Ejakulatmenge betrug 3, l ml, und die rnittlere Spermienzahl 47,7 Millionen/ml. Die Libido blieb während der ganzen Versuchsperiode erhalten, und die Ergebnisse waren ebenfalls konsistent.     

Model of chronic pancreatitis in the dog

A model of chronic pancreatitis was developed and characterized in the dog. Pancreatitis was produced by infusion of oleic acid through a cannula in the accessory pancreatic duct. Biochemical changes included early and marked increases in serum amylase and lipase activities which returned to base line within 3 weeks, at which time the dogs were clinically normal. In dogs euthanatized within 2 weeks, pathologic changes included massive necrosis and hemorrhage, cystic spaces filled with fluid, and abscesses. Histologic features revealed acute exudative pancreatitis with pancreatic atrophy and fibrosis. In dogs killed between weeks 3 to 12, changes included: marked atrophy with remaining acini surrounded by remnants consisting of collapsed stroma, blood vessels, and pancreatic ducts; marked coarse fibrosis with scattered inflammatory cells and occasional acinar tissue; and large irregular pseudocysts.     

Quantitative evaluation of echinocytes in the dog

Echinocytes were evaluated quantitatively in both healthy and sick dogs and compared with red blood cell (RBC) morphology on Wright's-stained blood smears. Of 68 samples submitted from sick dogs, 32 had high echinocyte numbers. Two diseases, glomerulonephritis and lymphosarcoma, accounted for 15 of the 32 cases. In only four instances were echinocytes reported from blood smear evaluation and not found to be high by quantitative studies. We conclude that nonartifactual echinocytosis occurs in the dog and that it may be associated with specific diseases.     

Staphylococcal bacterin for treatment of chronic staphylococcal blepharitis in the dog

A homologous Staphylococcus aureus bacterin was used successfully in the treatment of chronic staphylococcal blepharitis after antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy had not prevented disease recurrence. Of 44 dogs with staphylococcal blepharitis, 31 responded to the antibiotic/corticosteroid treatment, whereas 13 also required injections of bacterin to promote regression of clinical signs. Weekly bacterin injections controlled clinical signs without adverse side effects.     

Prophylactic efficacy of desmopressin acetate for diabetes insipidus after hypophysectomy in the dog

The prophylactic efficacy of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) on diabetes insipidus (DI) after hypophysectomy was investigated in the dog. In the control group, hypernatremia with a plasma level of 155 mEq/l or higher persisted for 12 hr from the 4th to the 16th hour after hypophysectomy, and symptoms of DI developed within five days after surgery. In the DDAVP treatment group, these changes were not observed, showing that administration of DDAVP (4 microg, installation, twice daily) effectively prevented hypernatremia that develops immediately after surgery and DI-like symptoms that persists for about one week after surgery.