Grade is an independent prognostic factor for feline mammary carcinomas: A clinicopathological and survival analysis

Feline mammary carcinomas (FMC) are highly infiltrative tumours which show a strong tendency for local recurrence and metastasis. Histological type assessment of these tumours is not sufficiently discriminatory in predicting prognosis and in this study the prognostic significance of the Elston and Ellis method of histological grading was evaluated. Ninety-two feline mammary carcinomas from 84 cats were graded and 64 queens were included in a follow-up study.Grade was significantly related to tumour size (P = 0.006), clinical stage (P = 0.005), lymphovascular invasion (P < 0.0001), mitotic index (P < 0.0001), Ki67 index (P = 0.001), overall survival (P = 0.0001) and disease-free survival (P < 0.0001). Cox regression analysis identified grade as an independent prognostic factor. Multivariable analysis also showed regional lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular emboli as independent prognostic factors related to overall survival and to disease-free-survival, respectively. The study demonstrated that histological grading can be used as a prognostic factor to evaluate the biological behaviour of FMC.     

Plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides in normal cats and normotensive and hypertensive cats with chronic kidney disease

ObjectivesTo determine if natriuretic peptide concentrations are increased in cats with systemic hypertension and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD).Animals22 normal cats, 13 normotensive cats with mild-moderate CKD (NT-CKD), 15 hypertensive cats with mild-moderate CKD (HT-CKD) and 8 normotensive cats with severe CKD (NT-CKD-severe).MethodsN-terminal pro-B-type (NT-proBNP) and pro-A-type (NT-proANP) natriuretic peptides were measured in plasma samples from all cats using commercially available assays and concentrations in the normal and diseased groups compared using non-parametric statistical tests. Spearman's rank correlation was used to test for an association between natriuretic peptide and creatinine concentrations.ResultsNT-proANP was significantly higher in the NT-CKD-severe than the normal group of cats (P = 0.006) but there were no other differences between groups. NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the HT-CKD group than both the normal (P < 0.001) and the NT-CKD (P < 0.001) groups. NT-proBNP concentrations were also higher in the NT-CKD-severe (P < 0.001) and the NT-CKD (P = 0.005) groups than the normal group. NT-proANP but not NT-proBNP was significantly and positively associated with plasma creatinine concentration.ConclusionsMeasurement of NT-proBNP shows promise as a diagnostic marker for systemic hypertension in the cat. Its concentration is not significantly increased in cats with mild-moderate normotensive CKD.     

Response of cats to familiar and unfamiliar human contact using continuous direct arterial blood pressure measurement

Continuous direct measurement of feline arterial blood pressure (ABP) was carried out via a modified method with percutaneous, ultrasound guided catheterization of the common carotid artery. In 21 healthy, conscious cats the ABP was measured during rest, alertness and activity. Furthermore, the ABP response to being petted by familiar and unfamiliar persons was assessed.Linear mixed modelling revealed that the mean blood pressure (MBP) in resting cats (114.6 mmHg) was lower (P < 0.001) than in alert cats (122.7 mmHg), which was lower (P < 0.001) than that of active cats (136.8 mmHg). The MBP during petting by a familiar person (144.7 mmHg) tended to be higher (P = 0.065) than that during petting by an unfamiliar person (139.4 mmHg). The MBP of active cats was lower (P = 0.003) than MBP of cats petted by a familiar person, but not different from MBP of cats petted by an unfamiliar person. The MBP returned to resting values between 16 and 20 min after the familiar person had left, whereas resting values were reached between 11 and 15 min after the unfamiliar person had left. The complications of the described method were limited considering the potential risks of continuous direct ABP measurement.In conclusion, the described technique enables accurate measurement of feline ABP, which is influenced by the cat’s activity level and the familiarity of persons.     

Assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of circulating natriuretic peptide concentrations to distinguish between cats with cardiac and non-cardiac causes of respiratory distress

ObjectivesTo determine if serum natriuretic peptide (NP) concentrations could distinguish cardiac from non-cardiac causes of respiratory distress (RD) in cats.AnimalsSeventy-four cats from 1 university hospital were used.MethodsSerum NP concentrations were measured in 41 cats with non-cardiac respiratory distress (RD-NC) and compared to 33 cats with RD due to congestive heart failure (RD + CHF) using sandwich enzyme immunoassays (ELISA).ResultsRD-NC cats had lower (P = 0.0001) median NT-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations (614 and 45 fmol/mL, respectively) than RD + CHF cats (1690 and 523 fmol/mL, respectively). The area under the curve was 0.88 and 0.96 for the receiver operating curve analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of NT-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations to discriminate RD + CHF from RD-NC cats (P = 0.036). An optimum cut-off concentration of 986 fmol/mL for NT-proANP and 220 fmol/mL for NT-proBNP accurately discriminated RD-NC from RC + CHF cats with a sensitivity of 93.8% and 93.9% and a specificity of 80.3% and 87.8%, respectively.ConclusionsSerum NP concentrations were different in RD + CHF cats compared to RD-NC cats. Evaluation of circulating NP concentrations may be helpful in the initial approach to cats presenting with respiratory distress, particularly if advances in ELISA technology result in a rapid cage-side test.     

Utility of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to distinguish between congestive heart failure and non-cardiac causes of acute dyspnea in cats

BackgroundCirculating plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration facilitates emergency diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in people. Its utility to discriminate between dyspneic cats with CHF vs. primary respiratory disease requires further assessment. Our objectives were to determine if NT-proBNP (1) differentiates dyspneic cats with CHF vs. primary respiratory disease; (2) increases with renal insufficiency; (3) correlates with left atrial dimension, radiographic cardiomegaly, and estimated left ventricular filling pressure (E/E_a).MethodsNT-proBNP was measured in 167 dyspneic cats (66 primary respiratory disease, 101 CHF) to evaluate (1) relationship with clinical parameters; (2) ability to distinguish CHF from primary respiratory disease; (3) optimal cut-off values using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsNT-proBNP (1) was higher (median and inter-quartile [25th–75th] percentile) in CHF (754 pmol/L; 437, 1035 pmol/L) vs. primary respiratory disease (76.5 pmol/L; 24, 180 pmol/L) cohorts (P < 0.001); (2) positively correlated in CHF cats with increased inter-ventricular septal end-diastolic thickness (ρ = 0.266; P = 0.007) and LV free wall thickness (ρ = 0.218; P = 0.027), but not with radiographic heart size, left atrial size, left ventricular dimensions, E/E_a ratio, BUN, creatinine, or thyroxine; (3) distinguished dyspneic CHF cats from primary respiratory disease at 265 pmol/L cut-off value with 90.2% sensitivity, 87.9% specificity, 92% positive predictive value, and 85.3% negative predictive value (area under ROC curve, 0.94).ConclusionsNT-proBNP accurately discriminated CHF from respiratory disease causes of dyspnea.     

Evaluation of a technique to measure heart rate variability in anaesthetised cats

Analysis of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are powerful tools to investigate cardiac diseases, but current methods, including 24-h Holter monitoring, can be cumbersome and may be compromised by movement artefact. A commercially available data capture and analysis system was used in anaesthetised healthy cats to measure HR and HRV during pharmacological manipulation of HR. Seven healthy cats were subjected to a randomised crossover study design with a 7 day washout period between two treatment groups, placebo and atenolol (1 mg/kg, IV), with the efficacy of atenolol to inhibit β₁ adrenoreceptors challenged by epinephrine. Statistical significance for the epinephrine challenge was set at P < 0.0027 (Holm–Bonferroni correction), whereas a level of significance of P < 0.05 was set for other variables.Analysis of the continuous electrocardiography (ECG) recordings showed that epinephrine challenge increased HR in the placebo group (P = 0.0003) but not in the atenolol group. The change in HR was greater in the placebo group than in the atenolol group (P = 0.0004). Therefore, compared to cats pre-treated with placebo, pre-treatment with atenolol significantly antagonised the tachycardia while not significantly affecting HRV. The increased HR in the placebo group following epinephrine challenge was consistent with a shift of the sympathovagal balance towards a predominantly sympathetic tone. However, the small (but not significant at the critical value) decrease in the normalised high-frequency component (HF_norm) in both groups of cats suggested that epinephrine induced a parasympathetic withdrawal in addition to sympathetic enhancement (increased normalised low frequency component or LF_norm). In conclusion, this model is a highly sensitive and repeatable model to investigate HRV in anaesthetised cats that would be useful in the laboratory setting for short-term investigation of cardiovascular disease and subtle responses to pharmacological agents in this species.     

The influence of oral bacteria on tissue levels of Toll-like receptor and cytokine mRNAs in feline chronic gingivostomatitis and oral health

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is an inflammatory disease of the oral cavity that causes severe pain and distress in affected cats. Treatment methods are currently very limited. The aims of this study were to assess the feline innate immune response by investigating the levels of cytokine and Toll-like receptor (TLR) mRNAs in tissue biopsies of cats with and without FCGS, and to relate this to the presence or absence of putative oral pathogens identified previously within these cats. Mucosal biopsies were collected from 28 cats with FCGS and eight healthy cats. The levels of TLR (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9) and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ) mRNA was determined using quantitative PCR. In the FCGS group a statistically significant increase was seen in TLR2, TLR7, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the healthy group. In cats where Tannerella forsythia was present, statistically significant increases were seen in TLR2, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels compared to cats where this putative pathogen was absent. Statistically significant increases in mRNA expression were also seen in cats harbouring feline calicivirus (FCV) (TLR2, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ) and Porphyromonas circumdentaria (TLR2, TLR3) compared to cats where these putative pathogens were absent. Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida and Pseudomonas sp. did not significantly alter the expression of any TLR or cytokine mRNAs when compared to animals who tested negative for these species, while cats colonised with P. multocida subsp. septica demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the expression of TLR7, TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNAs compared to cats free of this species. The expression of mRNA for several TLRs and cytokines is elevated in FCGS. A positive correlation was observed between clinical disease severity and the presence of FCV (p = 0.001; Rho = 0.58). Although the number of cats harbouring T. forsythia was low by comparison, 80% of samples in which it was present were from cases with the highest clinical disease severity. Positive correlations with clinical disease severity were seen for TLR2 (p = 0.00086), TLR7 (p = 0.049), TNF-α (p = 0.027), IFN-γ (p = 0.0015), IL-1β (p = 0.004) and IL-6 (p = 0.00001) mRNAs. The putative pathogens FCV and T. forsythia may be important in stimulating a host immune response to FCGS and may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.     

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor Flk-1/KDR in promoting tumour angiogenesis in feline and canine mammary carcinomas: A preliminary study of autocrine and paracrine loops

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptor KDR are involved in the regulation of angiogenesis and are up-regulated in a number of tumours in humans and in particular, breast cancer. We therefore evaluated the prognostic potential of the angiogenetic process in feline and canine mammary carcinomas by the immunohistochemical assessment of VEGF expression and micro vessel density (MVD) quantification and examined the interplay between VEGF and KDR. These variables were related to some relevant clinicopathological parameters and to overall survival (OS). VEGF and KDR expression were evaluated in epithelial, stromal and endothelial compartments in order to identify autocrine and/or paracrine loops. In dogs an increased VEGF expression did not show any statistical correlation with the clinicopathological parameters examined and was not correlated to a poorer prognosis. MVD was found to be significantly correlated to the histologic type (P = 0.04), tumour grading (P = 0.02), and to the OS (P = 0.01). In cats VEGF expression was significantly correlated to tumor grading (P = 0.01) and OS (P = 0.03), while no significant associations were found between MVD and the other parameters. VEGF and KDR were found to be detected on the epithelial, and/or endothelial and/or stromal cells of the carcinomas in both species, suggesting indications for some possible autocrine and paracrine loops. Our results encourage further studies on the possible prognostic role of VEGF and MVD in canine and feline mammary tumours and on the role of growth factors and their receptors in promoting tumour proliferation and an “angiogenetic shift”. The VEGF/KDR system may play a role in malignant transformation and tumor progression.     

Use of topical bovine thrombin in an anti-coagulated rat model of hepatic injury

The need for surgical hemostasis in patients treated with anticoagulant medications is a concern. This study assessed a bovine-derived topical hemostat (FastAct, FA) using a partial hepatectomy hemorrhage model in anticoagulated rats. Ninety rats were randomly assigned to receive preoperative heparin, warfarin, or nothing (n = 30/treatment). Within each treatment group, FA, saline, direct pressure (DP), electrocautery, or nothing (n = 6/group) was applied to the hepatectomy site. Eight additional rats were used for assessment of the preoperative anticoagulant regimen. Rats that were not anticoagulated and received FA had faster clot times and less hemorrhage than those receiving DP (P < 0.05). In warfarin-pretreated rats, FA resulted in faster coagulation times than saline or DP and less hemorrhage than saline (P < 0.05). No differences were detected in heparinized rats. Across all groups, rats receiving FA lost less blood and formed clots more frequently than saline (P < 0.05). FA may be useful to treat hemorrhage from hepatic lacerations in anticoagulated patients.     

Investigation into the use of plasma NT-proBNP concentration to screen for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of feline NT-proBNP plasma concentration [NT-proBNP] as a screening tool for cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Animals, materials and methodsForty adult Maine Coon or Maine Coon crossbred cats from the feline HCM research colony at the University of California, Davis were studied. All cats had previously been genotyped as heterozygous or negative for the A31P myosin binding protein C (MYBPC) mutation. Echocardiograms were performed to assess the severity of HCM in each cat. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of [NT-proBNP].ResultsIn these cats with severe HCM, [NT-proBNP] was significantly elevated (P < 0.0001) when compared to all other groups of cats and an [NT-proBNP] > 44pmol/L accurately predicted the presence of severe HCM. However, [NT-proBNP] was not increased in cats with moderate or equivocal HCM when compared to normal cats. Cats heterozygous for the MYBPC mutation had a significantly elevated [NT-proBNP] when compared to cats without the A31P mutation (P = 0.028).ConclusionsMeasurement of [NT-proBNP] has a high sensitivity and specificity as a means of detecting severe HCM in cats, but it is not sensitive for the identification of moderate HCM as judged by the evaluation of Maine Coon and Maine Coon cross cats in our colony. Consequently, we conclude that this test cannot be used to screen cats for the presence of mild to moderate HCM.     

Effects of early weaning and breed on calf performance and carcass and meat quality in autumn-born bull calves

This study assessed the effects of age at weaning (early weaning at 90 d or traditional weaning at 150 d) and breed (Parda de Montaña or Pirenaica) on calf performance and carcass and meat quality in autumn-calving beef cattle. At calving, 14 Parda de Montaña and 14 Pirenaica cow–calf pairs were randomly assigned to one of two weaning treatments, and kept indoors during lactation. After weaning, calves were fed an intensive diet until slaughter at 450 kg. The interaction between age at weaning and breed was not significant for any of the parameters studied. From 90 d to 150 d, early weaned calves had greater ADG (P = 0.001) and IGF-I concentrations (P = 0.001) than traditionally weaned calves, but their leptin concentrations were similar (P = 0.15). During the finishing phase, performance, daily feed intake, and efficiency did not differ between treatments. Early weaning did not affect age at slaughter, carcass weight, fatness score, fat colour, and meat quality, but improved carcass conformation (P = 0.04). Early weaned calves had greater total DMI (P = 0.002) with greater concomitant feed costs (P = 0.001) and yielded a slightly greater income than traditionally weaned calves; therefore, economic margins did not differ. Parda de Montaña calves tended to have greater ADG from birth to 90 d and were heavier at 90 d (P = 0.01) than were Pirenaica calves. From 90 d to 150 d, performance and IGF-I and leptin concentrations did not differ between breeds; thus, Parda de Montaña calves remained heavier at 150 d. During the finishing phase, at times, weight gains of Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica calves differed, but the overall performance, feed intake, and efficiency of the two breeds were similar. Pirenaica calves had heavier carcasses (P = 0.04) with greater conformation scores (P = 0.04) than Parda de Montaña calves; thus, income per carcass was greater for the former than the latter (P = 0.007). As feed costs were similar for both breeds, the economic margin of Pirenaica calves was greater than that of Parda de Montaña calves (P = 0.01). In conclusion, in both breeds weaning strategies had similar effects on performance and carcass and meat quality; however, from an economic point of view, and considering only the costs associated with the calf, raising Pirenaica calves would be more profitable, at either age at weaning.     

The effect of a spot-on formulation containing polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential oils on dogs with atopic dermatitis

Recent studies have shown that immunological aberrations and epidermal barrier defects could be important in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and that oral polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might influence the epidermal barrier. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a spot-on formulation containing PUFAs and essential oils on pruritus and lesions caused by CAD. Forty-eight privately owned dogs of different breeds, ages and genders diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were included in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial. Dogs were treated with a spot-on formulation containing PUFAs and essential oils or placebo on the dorsal neck once weekly for 8 weeks. Before and after the study, CAD extent and severity index-03 (CADESI-03) and pruritus scores were determined by veterinarians and owners, respectively.There was significantly more improvement in CADESI-03 and pruritus scores in the treatment group than in the placebo group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.036, respectively). Additionally, more dogs improved by at least 50% in CADESI-03 and pruritus scores in the treatment group than in the placebo group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.070, respectively). No adverse reactions were observed. The topical preparation containing PUFAs and essential oils was a safe treatment and beneficial in ameliorating the clinical signs of CAD.     

The prevalence of Giardia infection in dogs and cats,a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence studies from stool samples

Giardia has a wide range of host species and is a common cause of diarrhoeal disease in humans and animals. Companion animals are able to transmit a range of zoonotic diseases to their owners including giardiasis, but the size of this risk is not well known. The aim of this study was to analyse giardiasis prevalence rates in dogs and cats worldwide using a systematic search approach. Meta-analysis enabled to describe associations between Giardia prevalence and various confounding factors. Pooled prevalence rates were 15.2% (95% CI 13.8–16.7%) for dogs and 12% (95% CI 9.2–15.3%) for cats. However, there was very high heterogeneity between studies. Meta-regression showed that the diagnostic method used had a major impact on reported prevalence with studies using ELISA, IFA and PCR reporting prevalence rates between 2.6 and 3.7 times greater than studies using microscopy. Conditional negative binomial regression found that symptomatic animals had higher prevalence rates ratios (PRR) than asymptomatic animals 1.61 (95% CI 1.33–1.94) in dogs and 1.94 (95% CI 1.47–2.56) in cats. Giardia was much more prevalent in young animals. For cats >6 months, PRR = 0.47 (0.42–0.53) and in dogs of the same age group PRR = 0.36 (0.32–0.41). Additionally, dogs kept as pets were less likely to be positive (PRR = 0.56 (0.41–0.77)) but any difference in cats was not significant. Faecal excretion of Giardia is common in dogs and slightly less so in cats. However, the exact rates depend on the diagnostic method used, the age and origin of the animal. What risk such endemic colonisation poses to human health is still unclear as it will depend not only on prevalence rates but also on what assemblages are excreted and how people interact with their pets.     

Effects of trilostane on the pituitary-adrenocortical and renin–aldosterone axis in dogs with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism

The medical records of 63 dogs with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism (PDH) before and during treatment with trilostane were reviewed retrospectively. The correct trilostane dosage in dogs with PDH was based on the resolution of clinical signs and the results of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. The mean (±SD) dose rate of trilostane to achieve good clinical control was 2.8 ± 1.0 mg/kg bodyweight. Trilostane treatment resulted in a significant decline in basal plasma cortisol concentrations. The median plasma ACTH concentration (39 pmol/L, range 7–132 pmol/L; n = 60) at the optimal trilostane dosage time was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than before treatment (13 pmol/L, range 2–102 pmol/L). These values did not overlap with plasma ACTH concentrations (range 212–307 pmol/L) of five PDH dogs with trilostane-induced hypocortisolism.The median cortisol/ACTH ratio in well-controlled dogs (0.23, range 0.03–2.5; n = 46) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than before treatment (2.59, range 0.27–13.25). Trilostane treatment resulted in an insignificant decrease in plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), but the median plasma renin activity (PRA) at the time the trilostane dosage was considered optimal (265 fmol/L/s, range 70–3280 fmol/L/s; n = 18) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than prior to treatment (115 fmol/L/s, range 15–1330 fmol/L/s). Similarly, the median PAC/PRA ratio during trilostane treatment (0.16, range 0.003–0.92; n = 17) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than before treatment (median 0.44, range 0.04–1.33). Trilostane affected both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical and the renin–aldosterone axes. The results also suggested that basal plasma ACTH concentration may be used to detect trilostane overdosage.     

A cross-sectional study of risk factors associated with pulmonary lesions in pigs at slaughter

A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify herd-level factors that may influence the prevalence and severity of macroscopically visible pulmonary lesions in pigs at slaughter. Data were collected following abattoir inspection of 50 randomly-selected batches of 6335 pigs and by interviewing the producers. Macroscopic lung lesions were identified and scored semi-quantitatively in ?80 pigs/herd and the prevalence of pleuritis and pneumonia was 20.76% and 23.85%, respectively. Following multivariable analysis, the seroprevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (P < 0.001) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (P = 0.018) and the number of pigs/nursery pen (P = 0.023) were positively associated, whereas average weaning age was negatively associated (P = 0.001) with the pleuritis score. Risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of pneumonia were the presence of pleuritis (P = 0.001) and the frequent purchasing of pigs (P = 0.020). The findings of this study indicate that the prevalence of pleuritis and pneumonia remains high in Belgium and management factors are central to disease control.     

Preference among 7 bait flavors delivered to domestic dogs in Arizona: Implications for oral rabies vaccination on the Navajo Nation

Less than 20% of the domestic dogs on tribal lands in the United States are vaccinated against rabies. One method to increase vaccination rates may be the distribution of oral rabies vaccines (ORVs). ONRAB^® (Artemis Technologies, Inc., Ontario, Canada) is the primary ORV used in Canada to vaccinate striped skunks and raccoons. To investigate the potential use of ONRAB^® ORV baits to vaccinate feral domestic dogs against rabies on tribal lands and beyond, we performed a flavor preference study. A total of 7 bait flavors (bacon, cheese, dog food, hazelnut, sugar-vanilla, peanut butter, and sardine) were offered in pairs to 13 domestic dogs. Each dog was offered all possible combinations of bait pairs over a period of 10 days, with each bait offered 6 times. The proportion of times each bait was consumed first by individual dogs was calculated and comparisons among dogs were conducted using the MIXED procedure in SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Pairwise comparisons between baits were performed using “contrast” statements with sugar-vanilla flavor as the default for comparison. Type 3 tests of fixed effects showed a significant treatment effect (F_6,72 = 9.74, P < 0.0001). Sugar-vanilla was selected first during 14% of the offerings and exhibited the least preference among all bait types (F_1,72 = 22.46, P < 0.0001). Dog food was selected first 56% of the time, and more frequently than all other bait types (F_1,72 = 13.09, P = 0.0005).     

The impact of dystocia on dairy calf health,welfare, performance and survival

Up to one-third of dairy calves are born after dystocia and this is a major cause of calf mortality. This study investigated the neonatal physiology, survival, health and subsequent growth of dairy calves following dystocia and is the first longitudinal study to analyse multiple effects and to look beyond the perinatal period.A total of 455 live born Holstein calves (N: No assistance, n = 360; FN: Farmer assistance but normally presented calf, n = 82; FM: Farmer assistance of malpresented calf, n = 13) were followed from birth to first service (heifers) or until leaving the farm (bulls). Compared to N calves, FN and FM animals had higher salivary cortisol concentrations at day 1 (P < 0.001) and FN calves had lower passive immune transfer (P = 0.03). Dystocia had no biologically significant impact on rectal temperature throughout the first 4 days (P > 0.05). During the first 60 days, FM calves had a higher proportion of days with non-routine health treatments (P < 0.05) and, by the time of weaning, mortality in FN and FM heifers was higher than in N calves (2.8×; P < 0.01). However, in surviving calves, growth to first service was not affected by dystocia category (P > 0.05).Calves which survive dystocia experience lower passive immunity transfer, higher mortality and higher indicators of physiological stress. Such calves have poorer welfare in the neonatal period and possibly beyond. Strategies need to be implemented to improve the subsequent health and welfare of such calves and to lower the incidence of dystocia.     

The effect of a pressure wrap (ThunderShirt®) on heart rate and behavior in canines diagnosed with anxiety disorder

The effect of moderate-to-deep pressure on soft tissue has been studied in both humans and nonhuman animals with positive results shown in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Canine anxiety disorders are often treated with medications and behavior modification programming. Pressure wraps are sometimes used to treat canine anxiety, but the effects of this investigation have not been rigorously investigated. The aims of this study were to investigate the use of a pressure wrap (ThunderShirt®; ThunderWorks, Durham, NC) on heart rate and behavior in dogs diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Subjects were 90 dogs (39 males and 51 females) that were diagnosed with Separation Anxiety or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 groups, namely Experimental Group 1 (dogs wore the ThunderShirt® per manufacturer's recommendations), Experimental Group 2 (dogs wore the ThunderShirt® loosely without pressure), and Control Group (dogs had no specific treatment). Average and maximum heart rates were measured at baseline and after 15 minutes alone in the kennel. Dogs were video-recorded and analysis completed for 12 behaviors, namely pacing, panting, yawning, tongue-flicking, drooling, elimination, barking, stress whining, howling, licking, door orientation, and calmness. The results were as follows: Dogs in Experimental Group 1 showed significantly less increase from baseline in average heart rate than the Control Group dogs (P < 0.001) and dogs in Experimental Group 2 (P < 0.001). Dogs in Experimental Group 1did not differ significantly from Control Group dogs in maximum heart rate when all dogs were considered, but did differ significantly from the Control Group (P = 0.04) when only those dogs not currently on anxiety medication were considered. There were no statistically significant differences among groups on behavioral outcomes, except that the dogs in the Control Group were significantly more likely to orient toward the door than the dogs in both Experimental Groups 1 (OR = 7.46, P = 0.01) and 2 (OR = 4.42, P = 0.04). Dogs in the Experimental Group 1 presented a trend of less tongue-flicking (P = 0.06) and yawning (P = 0.07) stress reduction behaviors when compared with the other 2 groups. More research should be conducted with the ThunderShirt® on behavioral outcomes. The ThunderShirt® can be used with behavior modification programming and medication as an adjunct treatment option to assist dogs diagnosed with anxiety disorder to reduce heart rate.     

Follow-up of 100 dogs with acute diarrhoea in a primary care practice

This study aimed to examine the aetiology of acute diarrhoea and the relapse rate in 100 client-owned dogs presented to a first-opinion clinic. History, physical examination, faecal testing and owner questionnaire data were collected at initial presentation (T₀) and at either the time of relapse or at a recheck performed within 3 months. All dogs received treatment according to their clinical signs. Of 96 dogs that completed the study, 37 (38.5%) relapsed during the study period, 21 (21.9%) relapsed within 3 months, and 16 others (16.6%) at 3 months to 1 year after initial examination. Dogs that had undergone a change in housing location within 1 month prior to presentation and dogs <1 year old were significantly more likely to have positive parasitological analyses (P = 0.02 and P = 0.001, respectively). Pica was a risk factor for relapse (P = 0.0002).     

Computed tomographic morphology and clinical features of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in 172 dogs in Japan

Canine extrahepatic congenital portosystemic shunts (EH-cPSS) are classified into several anatomical types, depending on the origin and termination of the shunt vessel. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the proportion and clinical features of each anatomical shunt type in a population of dogs presented to a veterinary teaching hospital in Japan. Dogs diagnosed with EH-cPSS using computed tomographic (CT) portography were included (n = 172) and shunts were classified based on previous reports. Clinical data were collected from case records and analysed statistically. The most common anatomical type was the spleno-phrenic shunt (n = 64), followed by the spleno-azygos (n = 38), right gastric-caval (n = 29), spleno-caval (n = 21), right gastric-caval with caudal loop (n = 9), right gastric-phrenic (n = 6), colono-caval (n = 3), spleno-phrenic and azygos (n = 1), and porto-caval (n = 1) shunts. Spleno-phrenic and spleno-azygos shunts were diagnosed more frequently in older dogs than right gastric-caval and spleno-caval shunts (P < 0.05). The portal vein/aortic (PV/Ao) ratio was significantly larger in dogs with spleno-phrenic shunts than in dogs with spleno-azygos, right gastric-caval or spleno-caval shunts (P < 0.05). The PV/Ao ratio was significantly larger in dogs with spleno-azygos shunts than in dogs with right gastric-caval shunts. Dogs with spleno-phrenic shunts had significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase activities than those with right gastric-caval or spleno-caval shunts. Dogs with spleno-phrenic shunts had significantly lower fasting ammonia concentrations than those with spleno-caval shunts.