Relationship of serum total calcium to serum albumin in dogs, cats, horses and cattle

A retrospective study was performed in order to assess the relationship between serum calcium and serum albumin concentrations in domestic animals. Results of 9041 canine, 1564 feline, 2917 equine, and 613 bovine serum samples from hospitalized patients were examined by regression analysis. Subpopulations of cases with concurrent elevations in creatinine or that were less than six months of age were evaluated separately. Statistically significant linear relationships between calcium and albumin concentrations were established for each species (p <0.05). The coefficients of determination (r²) were 0.169 for dogs, 0.294 for cats, 0.222 for horses, and 0.032 for cattle. The correlation coefficients (r) computed were: dogs = 0.411, cats = 0.543, horses = 0.471, cattle = 0.182. Neither increases in creatinine concentration nor juvenile age appreciably influenced the relationship between calcium and albumin concentrations. Interspecies variation was marked, and a strong correlation between calcium and albumin concentrations was not established in any species.     

Conjunctival fungal flora in horses, cattle, dogs, and cats

Conjunctival swab specimens were obtained from both eyes of 43 horses, 25 cows, 50 dogs, and 25 cats without keratitis or other ophthalmologic problems. Fungi were isolated from 95% of the horses, 100% of the cows, 22% of the dogs, and 40% of the cats. Aspergillus spp were isolated from 56% of the horses, 12% of the cows, 8% of the cats, and none of the dogs. Penicillium spp and Cladosporium spp were isolated ubiquitously. Collectively, 28 species from 209 isolants were identified.     

Sonographic diagnosis of early pregnancy in horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, dogs and cats. Standard values and limitations

Ultrasonography allows early and reliable pregnancy detection in several domestic animals. Transrectal sonography can be recommended in horses and cattle, transrectal or transcutaneous procedures in sheep, goats and pigs while transcutaneous ultrasound scanning is appropriate in dogs and cats. Three periods of time can be distinguished in the diagnosis of early pregnancy by ultrasound: the earliest phase, where signs of pregnancy can be found in some cases, but accuracy of diagnosis is very low; the succeeding period, where reliable diagnosis is possible, but results are often difficult to achieve and examination can be time consuming; the third phase in which ultrasound diagnosis is very accurate even under practice conditions and can be efficiently carried out on a large scale basis in breeding management. To achieve high accuracy in determining pregnancies a suitable ultrasound scanner with a good image quality and considerable expertise are required. Under field conditions ultrasonic pregnancy diagnosis should be possible: from Day 14 in the horse, from Day 25-28 in cattle, from Day 25 (transrectal), resp. 35 (transcutaneous) in sheep, goats and swine and from Day 24-25 (transcutaneous) in the dog and cat. Before this period of time reliable diagnosis is sometimes possible: between Day 11 and 13 in the horse, between Day 20 and 25 in cattle, between Day 20 and 25 (transrectal), resp. between Day 30 and 35 (transcutaneous) in sheep and goats, between Day 20 and 25 (transrectal) and Day 22 and 35 (transcutaneous) in swine and between Day 19-20 and 24-25 in the dog and cat. Earlier sonographic indications of pregnancy are not sufficiently reliable for large scale accurate pregnancy diagnosis.     

Postmortem eyefluid analysis in dogs, cats and cattle as an estimate of antemortem serum chemistry profiles.

This study was carried out to determine the diagnostic usefulness of postmortem eyefluid analysis in estimating antemortem concentrations of serochemical constituents. A total of 31 cattle, 18 dogs and 22 cats were selected from routine elective euthanasia submissions to a diagnostic laboratory. For all cases, a biochemical profile, including determinations for electrolytes, glucose, urea, creatinine, enzymes, cholesterol, bilirubin, protein and osmolality was performed on antemortem serum, and postmortem aqueous and vitreous humors at 0 and 24 h incubation periods. The association between serum and postmortem eyefluid chemistry values was examined using simple linear regression. A strong correlation between serum and postmortem eyefluid urea and creatinine concentrations was demonstrated in the three species examined over a 24 h postmortem interval. We concluded that an accurate estimate of antemortem serum urea or creatinine can be made from the analysis of aqueous or vitreous fluid at necropsy. An estimation of antemortem serum electrolytes (including calcium in cattle) cannot be made with a high degree of accuracy due to the amount of variability in the relationship between serum and eyefluid electrolyte values. For large molecules such as proteins, enzymes, cholesterol and bilirubin there was very poor correlation between serum and eyefluid values.     

不同培养条件对鸭源鸡杆菌生物被膜形成的影响

采用体外定量法检测20株鸭源鸡杆菌的被膜形成能力,并对被膜形成能力较强的1株鸭源鸡杆菌在不同环境（培养时间、培养基质、营养条件）下产生生物被膜（BF）的差异进行了研究。结果显示,大部分鸭源鸡杆菌均具有不同程度形成被膜的能力,其中3株被膜形成能力中等,2株形成能力较强;鸭源鸡杆菌在银染法、试管法和微量板定量检测法中形成BF的最佳培养时间分别是24、60、24h。其生长周期为8h开始起始黏附、20h大量黏附阶段、24h时形成了完整的生物被膜、32h生物被膜老化散播,之后起始新一轮的被膜周期。葡萄糖、蔗糖及NaCl的加入均在一定程度上抑制了被膜的形成,且随着加入量增加NaCl对被膜形成抑制更显著,而低质量浓度的MgSO4在一定程度上促进BF的形成。扫描电镜观察发现,生物被膜内鸭源鸡杆菌聚集成团状、相互黏连形成致密的三维立体结构。     

Detection of autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase in serum samples of hypothyroid dogs

OBJECTIVE: To establish a sensitive test for the detection of autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in canine serum samples. SAMPLE POPULATION: 365 serum samples from dogs with hypothyroidism as determined on the basis of serum concentrations of total and free triiodothyronine (T3), total and free thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone, of which 195 (53%) had positive results for at least 1 of 3 thyroid autoantibodies (against thyroglobulin [Tg], T4, or T3) and serum samples from 28 healthy dogs (control samples). PROCEDURE: TPO was purified from canine thyroid glands by extraction with detergents, ultracentrifugation, and precipitation with ammonium sulfate. Screening for anti-TPO autoantibodies in canine sera was performed by use of an immunoblot assay. Thyroid extract containing TPO was separated electrophoretically, blotted, and probed with canine sera. Alkaline phosphatase-conjugated rabbit anti-dog IgG was used for detection of bound antibodies. RESULTS: TPO bands were observed at 110, 100, and 40 kd. Anti-TPO autoantibodies against the 40-kd fragment were detected in 33 (17%) sera of dogs with positive results for anti-Tg, anti-T4, or anti-T3 autoantibodies but not in sera of hypothyroid dogs without these autoantibodies or in sera of healthy dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The immunoblot assay was a sensitive and specific method for the detection of autoantibodies because it also provided information about the antigen. Anti-TPO autoantibodies were clearly detected in a fraction of hypothyroid dogs. The value of anti-TPO autoantibodies for use in early diagnosis of animals with thyroid gland diseases should be evaluated in additional studies.     

Effects of storage time and temperature on pH,specific gravity,and crystal formation in urine samples from dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of storage temperature and time on pH and specific gravity of and number and size of crystals in urine samples from dogs and cats. DESIGN: Randomized complete block design. ANIMALS: 31 dogs and 8 cats. PROCEDURE: Aliquots of each urine sample were analyzed within 60 minutes of collection or after storage at room or refrigeration temperatures (20 vs 6 degrees C [68 vs 43 degrees F]) for 6 or 24 hours. RESULTS: Crystals formed in samples from 11 of 39 (28%) animals. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals formed in vitro in samples from 1 cat and 8 dogs. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) crystals formed in vitro in samples from 2 dogs. Compared with aliquots stored at room temperature, refrigeration increased the number and size of crystals that formed in vitro; however, the increase in number and size of MAP crystals in stored urine samples was not significant. Increased storage time and decreased storage temperature were associated with a significant increase in number of CaOx crystals formed. Greater numbers of crystals formed in urine aliquots stored for 24 hours than in aliquots stored for 6 hours. Storage time and temperature did not have a significant effect on pH or specific gravity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urine samples should be analyzed within 60 minutes of collection to minimize temperature- and time-dependent effects on in vitro crystal formation. Presence of crystals observed in stored samples should be validated by reevaluation of fresh urine.     

Epidemiologic analysis of oral and pharyngeal cancer in dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.

Four hundred sixty-nine oral-pharyngeal malignancies diagnosed in dogs, cats, horses, and cattle and submitted to the Viterinary Medical Data Program between March 1, 1964, and Dec 31, 1974, were analyzed. Of these cases, 84% were in dogs. The most frequent oral-pharyngeal cancer in dogs was melanoma; in cats and horses, it was squamous cell carcinoma. In dogs, the risk of developing melanoma increased more with age than did the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma. Male dogs had significantly greater risk of developing fibrosarcomas and melanomas than did female dogs. The German Shorthaired Pointer, Weimaraner, Golden Retriever, Boxer, and Cocker Spaniel breeds had significantly higher risk and Dachshunds and Beagles had significantly lower risk, as compared with all breeds combined. There was no significant difference between observed and expected numbers of tonsillar carcinomas diagnosed at veterinary colleges located in small urban areas (less than 50,000 persons) as compared with large urban populations (greater than 500,000).     

Leptospirosis in sheep and goats under tropical conditions

Inadequate management practices and poor reproductive performance have been reported as fundamental factors on reducing the levels of productivity in livestock. Different pathogens have been reported in small ruminants' herds/flocks with reproductive failures. The aim of the present study was to review aspects of leptospirosis in small ruminants, mainly its impact on reproduction and consequently on productivity of the herds/flocks under tropical conditions. Leptospiral infection in goats and sheep is common in several countries, and those species can also act as carriers of leptospires. Severe disease is often associated to young animals and is frequently associated to incidental serovars. In contrast, subclinical infection is mainly characterized by reproductive problems, such as infertility, abortion, occurrence of stillbirths, and weak lambs/goat kids. Moreover, laboratorial tests are essential to achieve an accurate diagnosis of the infection. Microscopic agglutination test is the most common indirect test of leptospirosis, being used worldwide. In small ruminants, PCR consists on a recommendable method for diagnosing animals that carry leptospires. Control of leptospirosis in small ruminants involves measures such as the identification and treatment of the carriers and other sources of infection, quarantine in acquired animals, and systematic immunization with commercial vaccines containing the circulating serovars in the herd/flock. Productivity of small ruminant breeding can dramatically increase with adequate sanitary conditions and control of leptospirosis. Immunization of all the animals combined to the treatment of carriers may successfully control the infection and importantly reduce the economic reproductive hazards that are observed under tropical conditions.     

The occurrence of Clostridium difficile in fecal samples of dogs and cats

Fecal samples of 150 dogs and 175 cats originating from different veterinary practices were investigated for assessing the occurrence of Clostridium (Cl.) difficile by using a selective medium for cultural isolation. From dogs without enteric symptoms 7 (9.3%) of 75 samples were positive for Cl. difficile, with 2 strains being cytotoxic for bovine embryonic lung fibroblast cells, which could be neutralized by Cl. difficile-antitoxin. In samples of 75 dogs with enteric symptoms Cl. difficile could be isolated in 2 cases (2.7%). In cats 9 (9%) of 100 fecal samples deriving from animals without enteric symptoms contained Cl. difficile, while in 75 cats with enteric symptoms, the isolation rate was 6.7% (5 strains). Of either group only 1 Cl. difficile-strain showed cytotoxicity for tissue culture. The results of this study allow to conclude, that in contrast to the significance for man Cl. difficile is neither for dogs nor for cats an important enteric agent. However these pets can harbour and shed strains of Cl. difficile, even cytotoxigenic ones, in faeces. In view of these findings the possibility of occasional human infections by household dogs or cats needs attention and further investigation.     

Antimicrobial drug susceptibility of bacteria isolated from disease processes in cattle, horses, dogs and cats

Results are presented of antimicrobial disc diffusion susceptibility testing on commonly isolated bacterial pathogens made at the Ontario Veterinary College Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory in 1981 and 1982. Nearly 2 000 isolates from horses, cattle, dogs and cats were tested. Comparison of resistance in the same bacterial species isolated from different animal species showed significant differences between some of the same antibiotics.     

Relation between reticulocyte count and characteristics of erythrocyte 5'-nucleotidase in dogs,cats, cattle and humans

To examine substrate specificity and susceptibility to lead, erythrocyte 5'-nucleotidase was measured in dogs, cats, cattle and humans, and its relationship to the reticulocyte count in these species was determined. The reticulocyte count in dogs was similar to that in humans, but the count in cats was higher than that in humans. Reticulocytes were not observed in cattle. The activities of canine erythrocyte 5'-nucleotidase measured using cytidine and uridine 5'-monophosphates, which are preferentially catalyzed by one of the human pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase isozymes (P5N-I), were similar to those of the human enzyme. The canine enzyme preferentially catalyzed thymidine 3'-monophosphate, which is catalyzed only by human P5N-II, more strongly than the human enzyme. This suggests that canine erythrocytes have two isozymes similar to human P5N-I and P5N-II, and a higher P5N-II-like activity than human erythrocytes. Feline erythrocytes had the highest level of P5N-I-like activity among the species examined, and the bovine enzymic activities including those of P5N-I and II were the lowest among these species. According to these observations, the reticulocyte count was approximately proportional to the P5N-I-like activity in these species. Therefore, the P5N-I-like activity may be involved in the morphological maturation of mammalian erythrocytes. The canine and feline erythrocytes had markedly high activity and preferentially catalyzed purine 5'-monophosphate suggesting the presence of a purine-specific 5'-nucleotidase as in human erythrocytes. In addition, the canine and feline P5N-I-like activity showed less susceptibility to lead than the human P5N-I. This may be a reason why there are few case reports of lead-induced anemia in dogs and cats.