Canine idiopathic immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia: a review with recommendations for future research

Idiopathic immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) is one of the most common immune-mediated diseases of dogs. The aim of this article is to review current knowledge of canine IMHA, its etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, complications, and treatment, in an attempt to establish why its outcome is still so poor. Clinical signs of anaemia develop within 3 days and dogs present with a median haematocrit of 13%, leucocytosis, a left shift, and reticulocytosis. Coagulation test results support the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. About 50% of dogs die in the first 2 weeks after presentation, and analysis of risk factors suggests that mortality is associated with hypercoagulability, inflammatory response, and liver and kidney failure. A positive direct agglutination test, spherocytosis, and true autoagglutination are widely accepted tests to demonstrate anti-erythrocyte antibodies, but are not yet standardized. To date, there is no evidence to support the efficacy of immunomodulators in addition to corticosteroids in the treatment of IMHA. Despite numerous investigations, the prognosis of IMHA remains dismal. There is an urgent need to validate and standardize diagnostic tests and criteria, and clinical trials might benefit from stratifying dogs by mortality risk. Analysis of samples from well-defined cases of canine IMHA might provide insight into the aetiology and pathophysiology of IMHA.     

Equine post operative ileus: A review of current thinking on pathophysiology and management

Equine post operative ileus (POI) is a serious post surgical complication in the horse, with a significant fatality rate. Despite the ongoing debate with regard to both the clinical definition of equine POI and the optimal management of this condition, there is increasing awareness and acceptance, supported by scientific research, that inflammation plays a key role in its pathophysiology. This review aims to outline the current thinking on the pathophysiology and management of this condition, with reference to the published literature on equine, rodent and human POI. Although studies conducted in other species are likely to provide an abundant source of information with potentially useful translational applications for the equine condition, such an approach needs to be cognisant of potential interspecies differences both in the pathogenesis of the condition and in basic gastrointestinal physiology.     

Aquaculture and stress management: a review of probiotic intervention

To meet the ever‐increasing demand for animal protein, aquaculture continuously requires new techniques to increase the production yield. However, with every step towards intensification of aquaculture practices, there is an increase in stress level on the animal as well as on the environment. Feeding practices in aqua farming usually plays an important role, and the addition of various additives to a balanced feed formula to achieve better growth is a common practice among the fish and shrimp culturists. Probiotics, also known as ‘bio‐friendly agents’, such as LAB (Lactobacillus), yeasts and Bacillus sp., can be introduced into the culture environment to control and compete with pathogenic bacteria as well as to promote the growth of the cultured organisms. In addition, probiotics are non‐pathogenic and non‐toxic micro‐organisms, having no undesirable side effects when administered to aquatic organisms. Probiotics are also known to play an important role in developing innate immunity among the fishes, and hence help them to fight against any pathogenic bacterias as well as against environmental stressors. The present review is a brief but informative compilation of the different essential and desirable traits of probiotics, their mode of action and their useful effects on fishes. The review also highlights the role of probiotics in helping the fishes to combat against the different physical, chemical and biological stress.     

Traumatic brain injury: a review of pathophysiology and management

Objective – To review current information regarding the pathophysiology associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to outline appropriate patient assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic options. Etiology – TBI in veterinary patients can occur subsequent to trauma induced by motor vehicle accidents, falls, and crush injuries. Primary brain injury occurs at the time of initial impact as a result of direct mechanical damage. Secondary brain injury occurs in the minutes to days following the trauma as a result of systemic extracranial events and intracranial changes. Diagnosis – The initial diagnosis is often made based on history and physical examination. Assessment should focus on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems followed by a complete neurologic examination. Advanced imaging may be indicated in a patient that fails to respond to appropriate medical therapy. Therapy – Primary brain injury is beyond the control of the veterinarian. Therefore, treatment should focus on minimizing the incidence or impact of secondary brain injury. Because of a lack of prospective or retrospective clinical data, treatment recommendations for veterinary TBI patients are primarily based on human and experimental studies and personal experience. Therapeutic guidelines have been developed that center on maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion. Prognosis – Severe head trauma is associated with high mortality in humans and animals. However, dogs and cats have a remarkable ability to compensate for loss of cerebral tissue. It is therefore important not to reach hasty prognostic conclusions based on initial appearance. Many pets go on to have a functional outcome and recover from injury.     

Autopsy report for a caffeine intoxication case and review of the current literature

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a popular mild central nervous system stimulant found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of various plants and in foodstuffs such as coffee, tea, and chocolate, among others. Caffeine is widely used and is not associated with severe side effects when consumed at relatively low doses. Although rarely observed, overdoses can occur. However, only a few fatal caffeine intoxication cases have been reported in the literature. Herein, we report the pathological examination results and information on caffeine concentrations in the blood, urine and main organs in a fatal caffeine intoxication case. Even though high caffeine concentrations were found in the systemic organs, no caffeine-related pathological changes were detected.     

西南地区农田主要种植草种及种植模式探讨

利用南方农区丰富的农田资源,大力发展草地畜牧业,引草入田,是发挥草业优势,突破农村发展瓶颈,增加农民收入的一项重要措施。探讨了西南地区农田的主要种植草种以及适宜西南地区的种植利用模式。     

Efficacy of tramadol for postoperative pain management in dogs: systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the evidence of analgesic efficacy of tramadol for the management of postoperative pain and the presence of associated adverse events in dogs.Databases usedA comprehensive search using PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, Google Scholar and CAB databases with no restrictions on language and following a prespecified protocol was performed from June 2019 to July 2020. Included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in dogs that had undergone general anesthesia for any type of surgery. Two authors independently classified the studies, extracted data and assessed their risk of bias using Cochrane’s tool. RevMan and GRADE methods were used to rate the certainty of evidence (CoE).ConclusionsOverall 26 RCTs involving 848 dogs were included. Tramadol administration probably results in a lower need for rescue analgesia versus no treatment or placebo [moderate CoE; relative risk (RR): 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26–0.85; I² = 0%], and may result in a lower need for rescue analgesia versus buprenorphine (low CoE; RR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.20–1.24), codeine (low CoE; RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.16–3.41) and nalbuphine (low CoE; RR: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.00–0.72). However, tramadol administration may result in an increased requirement for rescue analgesia versus methadone (low CoE; RR: 3.45; 95% CI: 0.66–18.08; I² = 43%) and COX inhibitors (low CoE; RR: 2.27; 95% CI: 0.68–7.60; I² = 45%). Compared with multimodal therapy, tramadol administration may make minimal to no difference in the requirement for rescue analgesia (low CoE; RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.48–2.60; I² = 0%). Adverse events were inconsistently reported and the CoE was very low. The overall CoE of the analgesic efficacy of tramadol for postoperative pain management in dogs was low or very low, and the main reasons for downgrading the evidence were risk of bias and imprecision.     

Dirlotapide: a review of its properties and role in the management of obesity in dogs

Dirlotapide is a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor developed specifically for canine weight reduction. MTP catalyzes the assembly of triglyceride-rich apolipoprotein-B containing lipoproteins to form chylomicrons in the intestinal mucosa and very low-density lipoproteins in the liver. Following oral administration, dirlotapide has in vivo selectivity for intestinal MTP compared with hepatic MTP. In addition to reducing intestinal fat absorption, dirlotapide also reduces food intake in a dose-dependent manner, probably via increased release of peptide YY into the circulation. The decrease in food intake is responsible for the majority of the weight reduction effect. In clinical use, it is recommended to adjust the dose according to the observed weight loss of each individual. The initial dose of 0.05 mg/kg is doubled after 14 days and then adjusted monthly, the maximum permitted daily dose is 1.0 mg/kg, although doses as high as 10 mg/kg have been administered to dogs without severe adverse experience in safety studies. Dirlotapide can be used without necessitating changes to the current feeding or exercise regimens, but it is desirable to monitor the food intake during weight-stabilization to establish revised feeding and exercise routines that will minimize the risk of weight regain post-treatment. The drug offers a novel approach that is applicable in cases where dietary management alone has proved to be unsuccessful.     

美国、欧盟和中国饲料管理法规现状及发展趋势

文章综述了美国、欧盟和中国的饲料管理的主要法律、法规、指令、指南等。美国、欧盟的饲料管理法规建设历史长、系统、完整、科学、可操作性强。我国饲料管理法规建设发展相对较晚,发展很快,需要借鉴美、欧的经验。饲料法规的发展趋势是更为科学、系统、操作简便、高效率,有利于保护食品安全、动物安全与福利、有利于建立公平、和谐的法制环境,促进饲料工业的可持续发展。     

中国草业教育发展史:4.少数民族草业教育

中国少数民族草业教育在中华民国时期已有萌芽,1939年国立青海初级实用职业学校在青海贵德县成立,主要培养藏族学生,设有垦牧科,开设了牧草课。中华人民共和国建立以后,民族草业教育有了巨大的发展,全国各地的30个高等院校草业科学专业大部分都曾培养过少数民族的学生。根据培养少数民族学生较多的西部7所普通高等学校,北京林业大学(只包含博士研究生)和两所职业技术学院(含中专生)的统计,截止2008年,已培养出了31个少数民族草业科学本专科毕业生2 985名,高职和中职毕业生1 143名;授予了13个少数民族的98名研究生草业科学硕士学位和蒙古、回、朝鲜、哈萨克、达斡尔、仡佬和柯尔克孜7个少数民族的21名研究生草业科学博士学位;此外,还通过短训班培训了2 027名草业专业人员。少数民族草业教育取得这些巨大成绩的主要原因是党和国家关心和重视发展少数民族教育,贯彻执行了党的优惠和特殊的民族教育政策,根据少数民族特点,采取灵活多样的教学制度和教学方法等。     

Developing new veterinary services in milk quality: a review of a recent mastitis risk management co-development in Australia

A new veterinary service to promote ongoing, incremental improvements in the risk management of mastitis and milk quality was developed between 2005 and 2008. This was designed to enhance the relationship between the farmer and advisor, as an extension of the Countdown Downunder programme, Australia's national mastitis and milk quality programme. This service was co-developed between the Countdown Downunder programme team and a core development group of veterinarians involved with trialling the service, and farmers and social researchers. The service, known as Countdown MAX, involved advisory input at the planning stage, a written risk management plan, multiple engagements between the farm team and advisor for tracking and re-planning, and a service fee. Risk management resources (modules) were developed to be employed at the drying-off and calving periods, and during lactation. During the development and implementation phase eight veterinary practices conducted Countdown MAX consultations on 55 farms. Eighty-eight Countdown MAX modules were delivered in total, with 55% of farms completing more than one module but only 38% of modules reviewed successfully. A social research project examined the implementation of the Countdown MAX service in participating veterinary practices during the development phase. Findings of the project were that the successful uptake of a new mastitis service into a veterinary practice was enhanced through uptake by practice owners of the concept, the formation of a written practice plan, adequate communication and explanation of the new service to all staff, logistical support for the service within the practice, and transfer of mastitis expertise within the practice.     

草原红牛微卫星标记与部分生产性能的相关研究

本研究以草原红牛为试验群体,对8个微卫星位点的多态性进行了检测并分析了其与部分生产性状的关系。结果发现8个微卫星位点中有5个位点与体高、体长、胸宽、胸深、腰角宽、胸围、腿围等性状显著相关;有8个位点与眼肌面积、失水率、熟肉率、净肉率、pH4R、屠宰率、滴水损失、剪切力和肌纤维直径等性状显著相关。     

中国荷斯坦牛生产性状候选基因研究进展

遗传因素在影响奶牛生产性能方面起到非常重要的作用,目前主要利用RAPD、PCR-SSCP、PCR-RFLP等分子生物学技术鉴定影响奶牛生产性状的候选基因,并取得初步成果。本文就近几年来在奶牛生产性状相关候选基因上的研究进展作一综述。     

中国草业教育发展史:2.研究生教育

中国的草业科学研究生教育开始于1951年,较本科专业早7年,也是较早启动研究生教育的学科之一。近60年来,历经了非学位研究生教育(1951～1976年)和学位研究生教育(1978年至今)两个阶段的发展,培养和研究的方向从牧草学和草原学,扩展和覆盖到环境生产、植物生产、动物生产、工贸生产4个生产层的诸多方面;专业的名称也由草原科学改为草业科学。研究生教育在内涵提高的同时,外延也得到了很大的扩展,学科点的数量和培养规模大幅度增加,2010年全国共有草业科学硕士点38个,博士点19个,覆盖全国27个省市自治区;有硕士生导师232人,博士生导师107人。已毕业硕士生1 643名,博士生328名;在读硕士生1 114名,博士生319名。我国已成为世界上同类专业中教学指导思想先进,培养层次完整、学科点和学生数量最多的国家。     

An overview of veterinary medical education in China: current status, deficiencies, and strategy for improvement

Especially in developing countries, the profession of veterinary medicine is closely tied with agriculture and government economic development, the national structure of education, and national public health. Currently, the Chinese veterinary medical educational system and accreditation standards are distinctly different from those of some more developed countries, such as the United States, Japan, or the countries of the European Union. Chinese veterinary education is still closely based on traditional Chinese education approaches and standards, which has led to some deficiencies in the Chinese system. With the development of a stronger economy in China and the growing trend toward globalization, and particularly since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), some important questions about China's system of veterinary education are being raised: How can veterinary science develop more rapidly in China? How can it meet the needs of the growing Chinese society? How can China bring its veterinary medical practice more in line with that of other, more advanced countries? This article describes some of the realities of veterinary medical education in China, discusses several existing problems, and puts forward some ideas for possible reforms. It is hoped that by this means those outside China may gain insight into our veterinary education program and that this, in turn, will lead to helpful input from international educators and other professionals to help improve our programs.     

Undesired behaviour in horses: A review of their development,prevention, management and association with welfare

Undesired behaviours are a common problem amongst leisure and sporting horses in the UK and have a significant impact on the work of equine practitioners. In most cases, behaviours considered aberrant by owners are normal responses for their horses. Behaviours perceived as ‘naughtiness’ may in fact signify direct actions to avoid pain‐ or fear‐inducing stimuli. Examples that practitioners might deal with include trailer loading problems, avoidance of having saddlery equipment applied or reluctance to leave the yard. Even where no evidence of physical problems or pain can be detected, avoidance behaviours may reflect learnt responses that previously led to success in evading unpleasant consequences. Because owners often misunderstand the reason for such behaviours to develop in their horses, attempts at resolution often involve suppression or punishment based approaches. Although repeated subjugation of undesirable responses may ultimately appear to resolve the overt behavioural problem in some cases, in many others it can lead to a worsening of the problem, the development of alternative avoidance strategies or the horse learning that escaping the source of its pain or anxiety is impossible and ceasing to respond. Some horses develop abnormal or repetitive behaviours, which are not in the ‘normal’ behavioural repertoire. These stereotypic behaviours, sometimes termed ‘vices’, can indicate strategies to cope with a suboptimal environment. Indeed, their performance may serve to improve the situation for the animal. Attempts to suppress or prevent horses showing stereotypies, therefore, will generally exacerbate the underlying welfare problem. When dealing with either stereotypies or avoidance behaviours, it is important to recognise the role of learning in their development and maintenance. Resolution involves both understanding the underlying motivation for showing the behaviour and how it has become reinforced and established over time, for each individual case. The use of environmental change and/or behavioural modification techniques that are both successful and welfare compatible, are important in dealing with undesired behaviour in horses and selection of suitable professionals for referral an important responsibility for the equine practitioner.     

建立中国的牧草病害可持续管理体系

根据从事牧草病理学研究的实践和当今社会与科技的发展,作者提出了建立中国的牧草病害可持续管理体系,这一体系以信息技术,生物技术和经济学与社会学的知识为技术支撑。通过抗病品种的利用和对草地的持续管理,并辅以杀菌剂拦种和生物防治等措施,将病害控制在经济阈值水平之下,达到提高草地农业生态系统整体生产力和稳定性的目的。     

Identification and management of cognitive decline in companion animals and the comparisons with Alzheimer disease: A review

There are a number of correlations between the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of early Alzheimer disease in humans and age-related cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats. Changes in social interaction and the reduced ability to cope with everyday situations are difficulties experienced in human, canine, and feline age-related cognitive decline. Anxiety, distress, and confusion commonly precede diagnosis. Information obtained from family members, carers, or owners may be key to identifying early behavioral markers and allowing early management or treatment.Environment may predispose to or protect from cognitive decline over time. Neuroinflammation associated with air pollution or excessive noise can lead to oxidative damage within the cerebrum and development of β-amyloid plaques. Targeted programs promoting mental exercise may be used to delay progression once clinical signs have been presented.Pharmacological interventions in humans have focused mainly on augmenting neuronal efficacy by using agents to increase the chemical communication, whereas in veterinary medicine cerebral vasodilators are commonly used. Preclinical and mildly impaired patients have limited options in human medicine, whereas there is a trend in veterinary medicine to offer targeted nutritional supplements that include antioxidants, L-carnitine, or omega-3 fatty acids.Comparing treatment options in species provides opportunities to identify new methods of controlling age-related cognitive decline.