Spontaneous tumors in domestic hamsters

A total of 90 tumors from 85 domestic hamsters (70 Djungarian hamsters and 15 Syrian hamsters) were examined by histology. In the Djungarian hamsters, 64 neoplastic and 11 non-neoplastic lesions were identified, whereas 14 Syrian hamsters showed neoplastic disease, and one showed non-neoplastic disease. The Djungarian hamsters showed a high prevalence of neoplastic disease, similarly to laboratory Djungarian hamsters. In the Djungarian hamsters, almost all tumors were integumental, whereas hematopoietic tumors were the most common type in the Syrian hamsters. The most common integumental tumors in the Djungarian hamsters were mammary tumors, atypical fibromas and papillomas, and a spectrum of integumental tumors that have not been reported in laboratory Djungarian hamsters were identified. Most mammary tumors occurred in the females, whereas all atypical fibromas were observed in the males. In the Syrian hamsters, plasmacytomas and lymphomas were the most common tumors. The small number of Syrian hamsters in this study may reflect the low prevalence of spontaneous tumors seen in laboratory Syrian hamsters. The mean age of the affected hamsters was 19.8 months, which is relatively advanced. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study of tumors in domestic hamsters.     

Spontaneous tumors of small mammals.

The most common tumor of guinea pigs is bronchogenic papillary adenoma; of hedgehogs is mammary gland adenocarcinoma; of hamsters is adrenal cortical adenoma; of gerbils is ovarian granulosa cell and theca cell tumors; of mice is pulmonary carcinoma; and of rats is mammary fibroadenoma. A relatively low incidence of tumors is described for chinchillas and hamsters, whereas the incidence of tumors is high for gerbils, hedgehogs, mice, and rats. Limited literature regarding neoplasia exists for prairie dogs, sugar gliders, and chinchillas.     

Pharmacological aspects of hypersensitivity in domestic animals: A review

Hypersensitivities may be divided into (a) antibody-dependent, immediate-type reactions and (b) cell (lymphocyte)-mediated, delayed-type reactions. The former are mediated by a complex group of biochemical agents including biogenic amines, lipids and polypeptides. The latter class are mediated by a group of chemical agents known as lymphokines. This article describes the basic immunopharmacology of allergic reactions in mammals and further relates the fundamental phenomena to important clinical manifestations in domestic species. The classification of antiallergic drugs and their applications in the control of clinical allergic conditions are also reviewed.     

Ascarid nematodes in domestic and wild terrestrial mammals

The biology of the ascarid nematodes has been discussed in the context of their important economic role in farm animals, pet animals and zoo animals with special attention to carnivores and primates. In farm animals, infection with the most common roundworm of horses (Parascaris equorum) and swine (Ascaris suum) depend on many factors such as environmental conditions (larval development in the egg and egg survival), age of the host, breed, husbandry system, hygiene and treatment schedule. The monoxenic ascarids Toxocara canis and T. cati are the most important nematodes in carnivorous animals (dogs, cats, foxes) and carnivores in the zoo. In the period of March 2000 till March 2001, 57.1% of examined representatives of Felidae, Ursidae and Canidae in the Zoological Garden of Wroc?aw were found to be infected with ascarids (T. canis, T. cati, Toxascaris leonina). The prevalence of T. canis in the Canidae was 66.7%, of T. cati in the Felidae was 14.3%, while 57.1% of the Felidae carried T. leonina infection. Ascaris lumbricoides, a typical parasite of primates, was found in some gorillas, chimpanzees and orang-utans during parasitological survey.     

Equine metabolic myopathies with emphasis on the diagnostic approach. Comparison with human myopathies. A review

This review gives an overview of the presently known human and equine metabolic myopathies with emphasis on the diagnostic approach. Metabolic myopathies are muscle disorders caused by a biochemical defect of the skeletal muscle energy system, which results in inefficient muscle performance. Myopathies can arise in different levels of the metabolic system. In this review the metabolic myopathies are categorized in disorders of the carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial myopathies (other than those described in lipid metabolism), disorders of purine metabolism, primary disorders involving ion channels and electrolyte flux and secondary or acquired metabolic myopathies.     

Canine inflammatory myopathies: a clinicopathologic review of 200 cases

A retrospective study was performed on 200 randomly selected cases of inflammatory myopathy in dogs from diagnostic muscle biopsies received at the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory, University of California, San Diego. The most common clinical signs in dogs diagnosed with an inflammatory myopathy were generalized weakness, stilted gait, dysphagia, masticatory or generalized muscle atrophy, inability to open the jaw, megaesophagus, and dysphonia. Myalgia was rarely described. Age of onset ranged from 0.25 to 14 years. Genders were equally represented. Breed distribution approximated the 2002 American Kennel Club registration statistics (r = .85) with the notable exception of Boxers and Newfoundlands. From the results of muscle biopsies, clinical signs, and presence or absence of antibodies against type 2M fibers, dogs were classified as a generalized inflammatory myopathy (gIM)--including immune-mediated polymyositis; infectious and preneoplastic myositis; and, rarely, dermatomyositislike or overlap syndromes or unclassified myositis-or a focal inflammatory myopathy (flM)--including masticatory muscle and extraocular myositis. Average creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations in gIMs were significantly higher than those with fIMs (P < .05). Neoplasia developed in 12 of 200 dogs within 12 months of diagnosis of polymyositis, with lymphoma diagnosed in 6 of 32 Boxers. Inflammatory myopathy was associated with antibody titers against infectious diseases in 38 dogs. Neospora caninum and Hepatozoon americanum cysts were found in tissues of 2 dogs not serologically tested. Antibodies against an unidentified sarcolemmal antigen were found in 9 of 19 Newfoundlands with polymyositis. The spectrum of canine inflammatory myopathies can be broad, with infectious etiologies relatively common, and can include preneoplastic and uncharacterized syndromes.     

Germline gene polymorphisms predisposing domestic mammals to carcinogenesis

Cancer is a complex disease caused in part by predisposing germline gene polymorphisms. Knowledge of carcinogenesis in companion mammals (dog and cat) and some livestock species (pig and horse) is quite advanced. The prevalence of certain cancers varies by breed in these species, suggesting the presence of predisposing genetic variants in susceptible breeds. This review summarizes the present understanding of germline gene polymorphisms, including BRCA1, BRCA2, MC1R, KIT, NRAS and RAD51, associated with predisposition to melanoma, mammary cancer, osteosarcoma and histiocytic sarcoma in dogs, cats, pigs and horses. The predisposing variants in these species are discussed in the context of human germline gene polymorphisms associated with the same types of cancer.     

Abiotrophy in domestic animals: a review.

This review of abiotrophies in domestic animals has been organized by the predominate anatomical location of the lesion. Secondary considerations include the major signs of the clinical disorder and special neuropathological features. Those abiotrophies that have an established genetic basis are identified but the review includes degenerative disorders in which the etiology is not yet established.     

A review of oxalate poisoning in domestic animals: tolerance and performance aspects

Published data on oxalate poisoning in domestic animals are reviewed, with a focus on tolerance and performance. Oxalic acid is one of a number of anti‐nutrients found in forage. It can bind with dietary calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) to form insoluble Ca or Mg oxalate, which then may lead to low serum Ca or Mg levels as well as to renal failure because of precipitation of these salts in the kidneys. Dietary oxalate plays an important role in the formation of Ca oxalate, and a high dietary intake of Ca may decrease oxalate absorption and its subsequent urinary excretion. Oxalate‐rich plants can be supplemented with other plants as forage for domestic animals, which may help to reduce the overall intake of oxalate‐rich plants. Non‐ruminants appear to be more sensitive to oxalate than ruminants because in the latter, rumen bacteria help to degrade oxalate. If ruminants are slowly exposed to a diet high in oxalate, the population of oxalate‐degrading bacteria in the rumen increases sufficiently to prevent oxalate poisoning. However, if large quantities of oxalate‐rich plants are eaten, the rumen is overwhelmed and unable to metabolize the oxalate and oxalate‐poisoning results. Based on published data, we consider that <2.0% soluble oxalate would be an appropriate level to avoid oxalate poisoning in ruminants, although blood Ca level may decrease. In the case of non‐ruminants, <0.5% soluble oxalate may be acceptable. However, these proposed safe levels of soluble oxalate should be regarded as preliminary. Further studies, especially long‐term studies, are needed to validate and improve the recommended safe levels in animals. This review will encourage further research on the relationships between dietary oxalate, other dietary factors and renal failure in domestic animals.     

Comparative and surgical anatomy of the calcaneal tendon in domestic mammals

The components of the common calcanean tendon were studied by dissection of ten limbs each of eight domestic mammalian species. The tendon of the bovine triceps surae muscle was found to consist of two distinct parts. This led to the suggestion, after examining the topography and trials on patients, to alter the tenotomy procedure (after Götze , 1932) for the treatment of spastic paresis.     

Wild is not really wild: brain weight of wild domestic mammals]

Domestication leads to the reduction of brain weight, decreases reach from 8.1% in laboratory rats up to 33.6% in domesticated pigs. The question is: Do brain weights increase by feralization? We compared the brain weights of domesticated mammals (cat, dog, pig, goat, ass) with their feral forms. In none of the cases studied, brain weight is increased in wild domestic mammals. So, feral mammals do not return back to the status of their wild species.     

Bacteria and fungi of marine mammals: a review

A list of the different bacterial and fungal agents isolated from marine mammals in different parts of the world is presented. Importance is given to some of the most recently identified bacterial agents, including Actinobacillus delphinicola, A. scotiae, and Brucella spp. A list, in alphabetical order, of bacteria recovered from different tissues or organs from marine mammals is presented for the integumentary, respiratory, digestive, genitourinary, and reticuloendothelial systems. Infectious bacterial agents associated with abscesses and with cases of septicemia are also listed. Information about the different fungal agents recovered from marine mammals is summarized. A section covering some of the zoonotic infectious agents recovered from marine mammals is included.     

Neurodegenerative diseases in domestic animals: a comparative review

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by selective damage to specific neurons in the nervous system. Interest in such diseases in humans has resulted in considerable progress in the molecular understanding of these disorders in recent decades. Numerous neurodegenerative diseases have also been described in domestic animals but relatively little molecular work has been reported. In the present review, we have classified neurodegenerative disease according to neuroanatomical criteria. We have established two large groups, based on whether the neuronal cell body or its axon was primarily affected. Conditions such as motor neuron diseases, cerebellar degenerations and neuroaxonal dystrophies are discussed in terms of their clinical and neuropathological features. In the most studied disorders, we also present what is known about underlying pathomechanisms, and compare them with their human counterparts. The purpose of this review is to re-kindle interest in this group of diseases and to encourage veterinary researchers to investigate molecular mechanisms by taking advantage of current diagnostic tools.     

A review of autoimmune skin diseases in domestic animals: I - superficial pemphigus

In humans, the pemphigus denomination encompasses a group of autoimmune blistering skin diseases with intraepidermal separation resulting from cell-cell detachment by acantholysis. Entities are classified based on the level of blistering in the epidermis, and both superficial (pemphigus foliaceus, IgA pemphigus) and deep (pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus) variants are recognized. In domestic animals, subsets of pemphigus have been recognized since the mid-1970s, and the disease classification resembles that used for human patients. This article reviews up-to-date knowledge on the epidemiology, clinical signs, histopathology, immunopathology and treatment outcome of superficial pemphigus in domestic animals. Detailed information on canine, feline, equine and caprine pemphigus foliaceus, canine and feline pemphigus erythematosus and canine panepidermal pustular pemphigus is provided.     

Comparative anatomy of the meniscofemoral ligament in humans and some domestic mammals

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence, position and relative sizes of the meniscofemoral ligaments (MFL) in three quadrupeds and humans and relate these to the caudal slope of the lateral tibial plateau. Canine, ovine and equine stifles and human knees were dissected to identify the presence of MFLs, their obliquity in relation to the caudal cruciate ligaments (CCL), the relative size and shape of the MFLs compared with the CCL, the points of femoral attachment of the MFLs and CCL, and the distance between the MFLs and CCL at their midpoints. The lateral tibial condyle was divided sagittally with a handsaw and the caudal slope was measured. An MFL was present in all quadrupeds. It was caudal to the CCL, being analogous to the human posterior MFL. There was no structure analogous to the human anterior MFL, a structure that has a different femoral attachment from the human posterior MFL and MFLs in other species examined. The meniscotibial attachments were of varying sizes. The size ratio between the MFL and CCL was greater in all three quadrupeds than it was in the human knee. The MFL lies more obliquely than the CCL in all species examined. The caudal tibial slope was steeper in the quadrupeds. In the stifle joints of quadrupeds, the MFL is a substantial structure and appears to be related to the caudal tibial slope. It is known to resist caudal translation of the tibia in conjunction with the lateral meniscus. This must be borne in mind when considering its function in the human knee.