Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis and Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis Associated with Pectineus Myotomy: Short‐Term Outcome in 56 Dysplastic Puppies

Objectives— (1) To compare short‐term outcome of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) in puppies aged 12–17 weeks with lax hips (group JPS1), in puppies aged 18–22 weeks (group JPS2), and control (group C) puppies; and (2) to document outcome of bilateral pectineus myotomy (PM) associated with JPS in 18–22‐week‐old puppies (group JPS–PM). Study Design— Prospective study. Methods— Puppies (12–22 weeks) from large and giant breed dogs with a combination of a positive Ortolani sign, poor acetabular coverage (Norberg angle [NA]≤100°), and a subluxation index (SI) >0.5 for one or both hips were selected. Puppies aged <18 weeks were randomly assigned to group JPS1 or C. Puppies aged 18–22 weeks were randomly assigned to group JPS2, JPS–PM, or C. Three to 4 months later, surgery was considered successful in pain‐free dogs with negative Ortolani sign, normalized acetabular coverage (NA≥105°), and SI>0.5. Success rates were compared using Fisher's exact tests: JPS1 versus JPS2 versus C; JPS2 versus JPS–PM. Significance was set at P<.05. Results— All dysplastic hips from nonoperated (C) groups were dysplastic at follow‐up, meaning that our criteria for case selection were accurate. JPS1 had significantly better success rate than JPS2 (85 versus 17.8%, respectively). JPS–PM dysplastic hips failed to demonstrate a better outcome than JPS2 hips. Clinical Relevance— This study confirms, on a large series of dysplastic hips, the age‐dependent effects of JPS, with better results if performed before 18 weeks of age. There is no benefit of adding PM to the procedure in candidates >18 weeks at surgery.     

THE EFFECT OF ANESTHESIA ON THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE COXOFEMORAL JOINTS

The effect of anesthesia on the radiographic appearance of the coxofemoral joints was evaluated by taking pelvic radiographs of thirty dogs. Each dog was radiographed twice, once under general anesthesia and once without anesthesia. The radiographs were submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals independently of one another to be evaluated for signs of hip dysplasia. Results suggest there was no statistical difference between the two groups of dogs. Twenty five dogs received the same reading. Three dogs received readings that were worse by one grade while under anesthesia and two dogs received readings that were one grade better while under anesthesia. This study failed to demonstrate any changes due to anesthesia on the radiographic appearance of the coxofemoral joints. Anesthesia may, however, be beneficial for proper positioning and to decrease unnecessary patient, and personnel exposure to radiation.     

COMPARISON OF CLINICAL, RADIOGRAPHIC, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHODS FOR EARLY PREDICTION OF CANINE HIP LAXITY AND DYSPLASIA

The purpose of the study was to use two palpation methods (Bardens and Ortolani), a radiographic distraction view, three computed tomography (CT) measurements (dorsolateral subluxation score, the lateral center-edge angle, and acetabular ventroversion angle) and two magnetic resonance (MR) imaging hip studies (synovial fluid and acetabular depth indices) in the early monitoring of hip morphology and laxity in 7–9 week old puppies; and in a follow-up study to compare their accuracy in predicting later hip laxity and dysplasia. The MR imaging study was performed with the dog in dorsal recumbency and the CT study with the animal in a weight-bearing position. There was no association between clinical laxity with later hip laxity or dysplasia. The dorsolateral subluxation score and the lateral center-edge angle were characterized by a weak negative correlation with later radiographic passive hip laxity (−0.26< r <−0.38, P <0.05) but its association with hip dysplasia was not significant. There was an association between early radiographic passive hip laxity and synovial fluid index with later passive hip laxity (0.41< r <0.55, P <0.05) and this was significantly different in dysplastic vs. nondysplastic hips ( P <0.05). There was no association between the remaining variables and later hip laxity or dysplasia. The overlapping ranges of early passive hip laxity and synovial fluid index for hip dysplasia grades and the moderate correlations with the later passive hip laxity make the results of these variables unreliable for use in predicting hip laxity and dysplasia susceptibility.     

Prevalence and co-occurrence of hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia in Dutch pure-bred dogs

Hip as well as elbow dysplasia (HD, ED) are developmental disorders leading to malformation of their respective joints. For a long time both disorders have been scored and targeted for improvement using selective breeding in several Dutch dog populations. In this paper all scores for both HD and ED, given to pure bred dogs in the Netherlands from 2002 to 2010, were analyzed. Heritabilities and correlations between HD and ED were calculated for the 4 most frequently scored breeds. Heritabilities ranged from 0.0 to 0.37 for HD related traits (FCI-score, osteoarthritis, congruity, shape and laxity (Norberg angle); FCI: Fédération Cynologique Internationale) and from 0.0 to 0.39 for ED related traits (IEWG score, osteoarthritis, sclerosis and indentation; IEWG: International Elbow Working Group). HD related traits showed high genetic and residual correlations among each other but were only to a minor extent correlated with ED related traits, which also showed high correlations among each other. Genetic correlations were higher than residual correlations. Phenotypic and genetic trends since 2001 for the four most scored breeds were slightly positive but decreasing over time, indicating that selection over the past decade has not been effective.     

Impact of sedation method on the diagnosis of hip and elbow dysplasia in Swedish dogs

Our objective was to investigate the effect of sedation method on the screening result for hip and elbow dysplasia. The study was based on a questionnaire survey of routines for hip and elbow screening at Swedish veterinary clinics and results of hip and elbow status, for eight breeds (Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxer, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, and Saint Bernard) recorded by the Swedish Kennel Club. In total 5877 and 5406 dogs examined for hip and elbow dysplasia, respectively, from January 2002 through March 2003 were included. We used logistic regression to examine whether the type of chemical restraint used for sedation affected the screening result for hip and elbow dysplasia. In addition to sedation method, the effects of veterinary clinic, sex, breed, and age at screening were studied.

The type of chemical restraint used for sedation affected the screening result for hip but not for elbow dysplasia. Acepromazine gave less than half the odds of hip dysplasia compared with medetomidine and butorphanol (the most common method), medetomidine alone or xylazine. Females had about 25% higher odds for developing hip dysplasia whereas males had almost 40% higher odds for developing elbow dysplasia. Saint Bernard, Newfoundland and German Shepherd Dog had the highest odds of developing hip dysplasia, whereas Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever had the lowest odds. Boxer had the lowest risk for elbow dysplasia, followed by Labrador Retriever. Saint Bernard and Rottweiler had the highest odds of elbow dysplasia. Increasing age increased the odds of both hip and elbow dysplasia, by about 2.5% per month.

Following the results in this study, recording of the type of chemical restraint used for sedation during hip screening has now become mandatory in Sweden. This makes it possible to account for the effect of sedation method in a model for prediction of breeding values for hip dysplasia.     

草鱼幼鱼对缬氨酸需要量的研究

试验选用体重(9.5±0.3)g的草鱼幼鱼,随机分成6个组,每组3个重复,每个重复20尾;以花生仁粕、酪蛋白及明胶为蛋白质源,分别饲喂缬氨酸水平为7.3～22.3 g/kg的6组等氮半精制饲料(粗蛋白质含量为32%),经70 d的生长试验研究其日粮缬氨酸的最适需求量.试验结果表明:日粮缬氨酸水平对草幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率、蛋白质效率、肌肉RNA/DNA比率、鱼体常规成分组成、消化酶活性、肝胰脏谷草-谷丙转氨酶和谷氨酸脱氢酶活性以及血液学指标都有显著的影响(P<0.05).随日粮缬氨酸水平的增加,增重率,特定生长率、蛋白质效率及肌肉RNA/DNA比率均呈先升后降趋势,均在16.3 g/kg组达到最大值(P<0.05).以增重率、特定生长率、肌肉RNA/DNA比率为基础对饲料缬氨酸水平进行二次回归分析,确定草鱼幼鱼日粮(32%粗蛋白质)缬氨酸适宜需要量分别为15.6、15.1及16.0 g/kg(日粮基础)或48.8、47.2及50.0 g/kg(日粮蛋白质基础).     

Seasonal variation in the hip score of dogs as assessed by the New Zealand Veterinary Association Hip Dysplasia scheme

Abstract

AIM: To determine whether there is a seasonal variation in the phenotypic hip score of dogs born in New Zealand as assessed by the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) canine hip dysplasia (CHD) scheme.

METHODS: Data from dogs born in New Zealand between 1988 and 2009 that have been scored for CHD were retrospectively evaluated for the effect of month of birth on radiographic phenotype. Data included both the total score and the subtotal score, comprising Norberg's angle, the subluxation score and changes to the cranial acetabular edge, for each dog. Datasets were created for all breeds combined and for the four most populous breeds using the scheme (German Shepherd dog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and Rottweiler) and stratified according to month of birth and season. Due to the skewed nature of the data, a Kruskal–Wallis Rank Sum test was used to test for statistical significance. Additionally, χ² analysis was performed using the median of each dataset (proportion above/below the median). The null hypothesis was that there would be no effect of month of birth, and hence seasonality, on hip phenotype for dogs born and scored in New Zealand by the NZVA.

RESULTS: For all breeds combined, month of birth had an effect on total and subtotal NZVA CHD scores (p<0.001) with a lower total hip score in the autumn months of March and April than other months. When individual large breed data were analysed, there was an effect of month of birth on total and subtotal scores for the Labrador Retriever and the Rottweiler (p≤0.05), but not the German Shepherd dog or Golden Retriever breeds.

CONCLUSIONS: Being born in the autumn was associated with a protective effect on hip phenotype in some breeds. These results suggest that weather and/or another seasonal factor may have a significant environmental effect on the phenotype of the coxofemoral joint.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The protective effect of being born in autumn suggests that a decreased level of exercise during subsequent development over winter may positively impact on final coxofemoral joint conformation. Whilst statistically significant, the magnitude of the sparing effect is not likely to be clinically relevant. However, this study, in concert with other studies, may suggest that the effects of exercise can be manipulated to improve hip phenotype.     

Juvenile Pancreatic Atrophy in Greyhounds: 12 Cases (1995–2000)

Background: This study describes compound failure of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in Greyhounds, a condition that has not been reported in the veterinary literature.
Objective: To describe the clinical and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds with juvenile pancreatic atrophy.
Animals: Ten Greyhounds presented for necropsy examination and 2 sibling Greyhounds presented for clinical evaluation before necropsy, all with a history of small-bowel diarrhea.
Procedures: Retrospective study of laboratory and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds, including serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity assays, oral glucose tolerance testing, and serum anti-insulin antibody concentrations.
Results: Gross pancreatic atrophy was found in all 12 dogs. Histopathologic lesions were found in both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas and included acinar cell apoptosis, zymogen granule loss, cytoplasmic clearing or vacuolar change, lobular atrophy, islet loss, and lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis. Antemortem test results on the 2 Greyhound puppies indicated concurrent exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Compound failure of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas is rarely reported in dogs and neither disease is well recognized in the Greyhound. This condition is of potential economic importance to the Greyhound racing industry.     

玉米秸秆饲粮条件下阴外动脉灌注氨基酸混合物对奶牛乳腺内短链脂肪酸摄取规律的影响

本试验采用动静脉血插管技术,以泌乳中期荷斯坦奶牛为研究对象,研究玉米秸秆饲粮条件下阴外动脉灌注氨基酸(AA)混合物对奶牛产奶性能、尾动脉血和乳静脉血中短链脂肪酸(SCFA)浓度及其比例以及乳腺内SCFA摄取规律的影响。采用2×2交叉试验设计,将体况良好、体重相近、日乳产量为(20.17±1.28)kg的8头经产(2~3胎)荷斯坦奶牛随机分为采食不同饲粮的2组[苜蓿组(MF组)和玉米秸秆组(CS组)],每组4头。2组奶牛饲喂的饲粮精粗比均为45∶55,精饲料组成相同,粗饲料组成不同,MF组粗饲料由苜蓿干草、玉米青贮和羊草组成,CS组以单一的玉米秸秆全部替代MF组饲粮中的粗饲料。试验分为2个阶段,每个阶段20 d,均分为饲粮适应期(预试期)14 d,载体灌注期3 d,正式灌注期3 d。在第1阶段,在载体灌注期,MF组奶牛接受载体灌注(阳性对照组1),CS组奶牛也接受载体灌注(对照组);在正式灌注期,MF组奶牛继续接受载体灌注(阳性对照组2),CS组奶牛接受AA混合物灌注;在第2阶段,将2组动物互换后处理方法同第1阶段。每个正式灌注期的最后2 d采集乳样和血样。结果显示:CS组奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物可显著提高乳蛋白率(P0.05),对乳产量、4%乳脂校正乳(FCM)产量、乳脂率、乳脂产量、乳蛋白产量有一定促进效果,但部分指标仍然显著低于MF组(P0.05)。CS组奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物可趋于显著地提高乳静脉血中乙酸的浓度(P=0.09),显著降低乳腺内乙酸的动静脉差(P0.05),缩小CS组与MF组奶牛在乳腺对乙酸的摄取量和摄取效率方面存在的差距。CS组奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物对提高尾动脉血中乙酸/丙酸、(乙酸+丁酸)/丙酸有一定的促进效果(P0.05)。由此得出,以玉米秸秆为粗饲料的奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物可显著提高乳蛋白率,增加乳静脉血中的乙酸浓度,同时缩小与以苜蓿干草、玉米青贮和羊草为粗饲料的奶牛在乳腺对乙酸的摄取量和摄取效率方面存在的差距。     

The history and progress of the town milk supply tuberculin testing scheme

Extract

This scheme was originally drawn up in 1945, but, for reasons which will be stated, it did not commence to function to the extent that the many difficulties permitted it to function until January, 1951—i.e., four years ago. The various factors which have been handicaps are discussed, and also the useful experience which has been gained.     

Hip dysplasia in Estrela mountain dogs: prevalence and genetic trends 1991-2005

Three hundred and thirteen Estrela mountain dogs were examined for hip dysplasia (HD) using the standard ventrodorsal hip extended view, and graded into five categories (A, B, C, D and E) using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale’s (FCI) scoring system. The Ortolani method was performed to evaluate hip joint laxity. Pedigree information was obtained from the Portuguese Kennel Club and the genetic trend was evaluated by calculating the mean breeding values (BVs) for the last 15 years, using the threshold model.HD was found in 66% of the dogs. There was low-moderate correlation between the results of the Ortolani test and FCI hip scores (r_s = 0.386; P < 0.001). Grades of hip dysplasia were equal in both males and females (P = 0.14) and in the animals’ right and left sides (P = 0.51). The mean BVs for HD were stable in dogs born between 1991 and 2003, and showed an improvement in 2004 and 2005. The data confirm the high prevalence and severity of HD in predisposed breeds that do not have breeding programmes in place. It also confirms an initial favourable change in BVs that is a likely consequence of the voluntary radiographic hip-screening programme.