Haematological and biochemical measurements in healthy, adult, free-ranging golden jackals (Canis aureus syriacus) held in captivity

Blood from 31 healthy, free-ranging golden jackals held in captivity for seven days was collected while they were anaesthetised. Haematological and serum biochemical measurements were analysed and the 95 per cent confidence interval for each variable was compared with the reference value for domestic dogs. The measurements of their red blood cells were within the reference interval for dogs, but the jackals had higher white blood cell counts and eosinophil counts than dogs. The male jackals had a higher haematocrit, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and a lower red blood cell distribution width than the female jackals. High activities of muscle enzymes were detected in many of the jackals, in several of which the activity of creatine kinase exceeded 5000 U/l; these were considered abnormal.     

Epidemiological investigations of the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Argentina

A total of 2126 herds, an attack rate of 0.82 per cent, were affected during an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in Argentina in 2001. The spatial and temporal distribution of the epidemic was investigated using nearest-neighbour and spatial scan tests and by estimating the frequency distributions of the times to intervention, and distances and times between outbreaks. The outbreaks were clustered and associated significantly (P<0.01) with herd density; 94 per cent were located in the Pampeana region, where the cattle population is concentrated, which had an attack rate of 1.4 per cent. The clustering results suggested that the virus had spread locally between outbreaks. Most of the outbreaks were separated by one day and the maximum distance between outbreaks was almost 2000 km, indicating that the infection spread rapidly over large distances. The index outbreak was detected more than 15 days after the primary outbreak, and restrictions on the movement of cattle were probably not enforced until about one month after infection occurred. As in other major epidemics, the period between the first outbreaks and the effective application of control strategies was probably crucial in determining the progress of the epidemic.     

Serum protein electrophoresis in 147 dogs

Reference intervals for serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) were created from a group of 75 clinically healthy dogs and compared with SPE results obtained from clinical cases presented to the University of Bristol over an eight-and-a-half-year period. A total of 147 dogs, in which SPE had been performed, had complete case records available and thus met the inclusion criteria. Signalment and final diagnoses taken from the case records and SPE results were divided into normal and abnormal based on the newly established reference intervals. Cases were grouped according to the SPE protein fraction abnormalities and diagnosis using the DAMNITV classification system. Of the 147 cases, 140 (95.2 per cent) had abnormal SPE results. The most common protein fraction abnormality was decreased albumin (59.3 per cent) followed by a polyclonal increase in γ globulins (38.6 per cent). Decreased β-1 globulins and increased β-2 globulins were documented in 36.4 and 30.0 per cent of cases, respectively. The most common DAMNITV classification associated with abnormal SPE results was infectious/inflammatory disease, which was diagnosed in 79 of 140 cases (56.4 per cent). Monoclonal gammopathies were noted in eight dogs (5.7 per cent), and underlying lymphoproliferative disease was present in all cases where a diagnosis was achieved, including multiple myeloma (four dogs), splenic plasmacytoma (one dog), hepatic plasmacytoma (one dog) and lymphoma (one dog).     

Thoracolumbar disc disease in large dogs: a study of 99 cases

The records of 99 dogs weighing over 20 kg with thoracolumbar disc disease were reviewed. Two types of disc disease were recognised: degenerative nuclear extrusion (n=63) and degenerative annular protrusion (n=36). Sixty-nine per cent of the affected discs were located between T12-T13 and L2-L3. Of the 63 dogs with degenerative nuclear extrusions, 35 were non-ambulatory and seven had no conscious pain perception at the time of presentation. Decompressive surgery was performed in 55 dogs, four dogs were managed non-surgically and three dogs were euthanased. A successful outcome was achieved in 49 (78 per cent) cases as assessed by the authors and in 53 (84 per cent) cases as assessed by the owners. Mean follow-up time was 11.7 months (range 1.5 to 48 months). Five dogs subsequently lost the ability to ambulate on their hindlimbs. Myelographic investigations in three of these dogs revealed a second thoracolumbar degenerative nuclear extrusion. Of the 36 dogs with degenerative annular protrusions, seven were non-ambulatory at the time of presentation. Fifteen cases had multiple protrusions. Twenty dogs were managed non-surgically, 12 surgically and four were euthanased. A successful outcome was achieved in eight (22 per cent) cases as assessed by the authors and in 19 (52 per cent) cases as assessed by the owners. Mean follow-up time was 9.2 months (range 1.5 to 30 months). The outcome of dogs with annular protrusions was significantly worse compared to the outcome of dogs with nuclear extrusions (P<0.001).     

The foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in Dumfries and Galloway, 2001. 1: Characteristics and control

The foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland comprised 177 infected premises (IPS) in 24 geographical clusters, and ran from March 1 until May 23, 2001. Initial seeding of infection was by livestock (predominantly sheep) that had passed through Longtown Market in adjacent Cumbria. Thereafter, spread within existing, and to new, clusters was associated with the movement of personnel and vehicles, with further transmission by Longtown Market contacts and across common boundaries. Sheep and cattle premises were equally affected. After the peak of the epidemic at the beginning of the third week of March, the upper possible limit of attack rates for premises contiguous to IPS, and premises within 3 km, remained around 10 per cent, with new clusters emerging more distantly. Control procedures included traditional methods of slaughter of all animals on IPS and, elsewhere, of animals considered by veterinary assessment to be Dangerous Contacts; movement restrictions; enhanced biosecurity; tracing of potential sources and spread of virus; and surveillance of premises subsequently considered at risk. These methods were supplemented by the novel pre-emptive slaughter, without veterinary assessment, of all susceptible livestock on all premises contiguous to IPS, and of small ruminants and pigs within a 3 km radius (known as the Protection Zone) around IPS. In total, approximately 80,000 cattle, 564,000 sheep, 2600 pigs and 500 goats were slaughtered, the novel methods accounting for 29 per cent of all cattle and 75 per cent of all sheep killed. Limitations of existing national databases necessitated the development of local databases to administer control procedures.     

Review of left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus and short term outcome in 98 dogs

The case records of 98 dogs with a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were reviewed. There were 35 breeds represented, with a female to male ratio of 3:1. Forty per cent of the dogs were older than one year at initial presentation and 31 per cent had clinical signs attributable to PDA. A left heart base continuous murmur of grade IV/VI or higher was noted in 90 per cent of the dogs. On electrocardiography, the most common abnormalities were tall R waves (63 per cent) and deep QII waves (62 per cent). The radiographic triad of dilation of the descending aorta with enlargement of the main pulmonary artery segment and left atrium, typical of PDA, was noted in only 26 per cent of cases. Two-dimensional (2D) and M-mode echocardiography detected left atrial enlargement (35 per cent) and an increased left ventricular diameter in diastole (82 per cent) and systole (84 per cent) as the most common abnormalities. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated increased aortic outflow velocities in 66 per cent of cases. The overall short-term successful outcome in this study was 95 per cent. There was no significant difference between surgical ductal ligation using a standard technique or the Jackson-Henderson technique in terms of survival, occurrence of haemorrhage or residual shunting. The number of interventional procedures used in this study was too low for statistical comparison, but there appeared to be a trend towards a higher rate of residual shunting and a lower fatality rate using a coil occlusion technique.     

Chronic valvular disease in the cavalier King Charles spaniel in Sweden.

The prevalence of chronic valvular disease was studied in 494 cavalier King Charles spaniels with a mean (+/- sd) age of 3.0 +/- 2.7 years. Cardiac murmurs were detected in 65 (13.2 per cent) of the dogs. Among 61 cavalier King Charles spaniels with a mean age of 6.4 +/- 2.8 years, cardiac murmurs were detected in 32 (52 per cent). In both groups of dogs the prevalence of cardiac murmurs was low among dogs younger than three years (1.9 per cent) but increased with age (P < 0.001). The estimated ages at which 50 per cent of the dogs had developed murmurs were 7.5 and 6.2 years, respectively. When 39 of the 61 dogs were re-examined three years later, cardiac murmurs were detected in 28 (72 per cent), and the intensities of the murmurs had generally increased (P < 0.05). Nine (28 per cent) of the dogs which had previously had murmurs had been euthanased for signs of congestive heart failure whereas none of the dogs which had been free of murmurs had died from congestive heart failure. Animal insurance statistics from 1982 to 1990 (1983 excluded) for dogs less than 10 years old showed that claims for veterinary care or death or euthanasia were five times more common in the cavalier King Charles spaniel than in dachshunds (P < 0.001) and eight times more common than the mean for all other insured breeds (P < 0.001).     

Evaluation of a disposable device for the measurement of haemoglobin A1c in dogs

A disposable device designed for measuring glycated haemoglobin (hba1c) in human blood was evaluated for use in dogs. edta blood samples were collected from 50 normoglycaemic dogs, 10 dogs suffering from anaemia and 112 diabetic dogs. hba1c was measured in all the dogs except for five of the diabetic animals, in which the concentrations were above the range of the device, that is, more than 13 per cent, and two of the anaemic dogs, in which they were below its limit of detection, that is less than 3 per cent. The diabetic dogs had higher hba1c values (range 4.9 to >13 per cent, median 9.3 per cent) than the normoglycaemic dogs (range 3.7 to 5.6 per cent, median 4.7 per cent). In the anaemic dogs the values were significantly lower (range <3.0 per cent to 5.2 per cent, median 3.5 per cent) than in the normoglycaemic dogs. There was a good correlation (R(2)=0.48) between the measurements obtained with the device and the measurements obtained with a system already validated for use in dogs.     

Retrospective study of congenital heart defects in 151 dogs

The case records of 151 dogs diagnosed with congenital heart disease were revlewed retrospectlvely. The most common defect Was aortic stenosls, accounting for 35 per cent of all cases, followed by pulmonic stenosls (20 per cent), ventricular septal defect (12 per cent), patent ductus arterlosus (11 per cent), mltral valve dysplasla (8 per cent), tricuspld valve dysplasla (7 per cent), endocardlal fibroelastosls (1.9 per cent) and tetralogy of Fallot (04 per cent). Fifty-one breeds were represented, with golden retrievers, German shepherd dogs and boxers predominating. No overall sex predilection was obvious. Seventy-five per cent of the dogs were asymptomatic presentation. The defects most often associated with presenting symptoms, such as dyspnoea, syncope, ascltes, fallure to grow and depression, were mltral valve dysplasla, atrial septal defect, tricuspld valve dysplasla and endocardial flbroelastosls. The latter presented with the most severe signs of heart fallure. In some cases of aortic stenosls and pulmonlc stenosls, where the defect could not be accurately visuallsed with two-dimensional echocardlography, Doppler echocardlographic examination was needed for definltive dlagnosls.     

Retrospective study of the epidemiological, clinical, haematological and biochemical findings in 109 dogs poisoned by Vipera xanthina palestinae.

One hundred and nine dogs were diagnosed as having been poisoned by viper (Vipera xanthina palestinae) venom between 1989 and 1996. Most of the cases occurred between April and September (86.2 per cent), with peaks in May (25.7 per cent) and July (20.2 per cent), and very few between November and February (3.6 per cent). Forty-two per cent of the dogs were poisoned in the evening (18.00 to 22.00), with a relative risk of 6.85, 17.4 per cent between 22.00 and 02.00, and 16.5 per cent between 14.00 and 18.00. The median age of the dogs was three years, and almost 80 per cent of them were from rural households. German shepherd dogs and rottweilers were over-represented (relative risk 1.98 and 1.87 respectively), and mongrel dogs and pinschers were under-represented (relative risk 0.41 and 0.53 respectively). Fifty-six per cent of the bites were on the head (excluding the mouth, lips and pinnae), 16.5 per cent on the front limbs, 9.7 per cent on the mouth and lips, 8 per cent on the hindlimbs, 4.4 per cent were submandibular and 5.4 per cent were at other sites. The main clinical signs were local swelling (98.2 per cent) and oedema (94.5 per cent), panting (45.7 per cent), tachypnoea (42.5 per cent), pain (34.9 per cent), tachycardia (29.8 per cent), lameness (25.7 per cent), and lymphadenomegaly (23.9 per cent). The mortality rate was 3.7 per cent. The most common haematological abnormalities were neutrophilia (67.6 per cent), leucocytosis (54.9 per cent), thrombocytopenia (51.9 per cent), increased haematocrit (47.6 per cent), and a left shift of neutrophils (37.8 per cent). Many biochemical abnormalities were observed, of which the most common were high activities of lactate dehydrogenase (84.6 per cent), creatine kinase (69 per cent), gamma-glutamyltransferase (40 per cent) and aspartate aminotransferase and high concentrations of globulin, phosphate and total bilirubin (33.3 per cent in each case).     

Avian paramyxovirus type 1 infection of racing pigeons: 5. Continued spread in 1984

The neurotropic disease of pigeons caused by a variant avian paramyxovirus type 1 virus was confirmed in 866 lofts in Great Britain during 1984, in comparison with 192 lofts during July to December 1983. The 1984 outbreaks were spread over 48 counties in England and Wales and three regions in Scotland. The main methods of spread of disease in the 1984 outbreaks appeared to be similar to 1983 with 574 of 866 probably resulting from contact with infected birds at, or travelling to, races or shows. In 791 of 866 (92.5 per cent) outbreaks in 1984 disease was seen only in unvaccinated birds. A further 61 (7 per cent) occurred in inadequately vaccinated birds or birds vaccinated after clinical signs appeared.     

Serum antibody titres to canine parvovirus, adenovirus and distemper virus in dogs in the UK which had not been vaccinated for at least three years

Antibody titres to canine distemper (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus (CAV) were measured in 144 adult dogs that had not been vaccinated for between three and 15 years. Protective antibodies to CPV were present in 95 per cent of the population, to CDV in 71.5 per cent and to CAV in 82 per cent. The prevalence of protective titres did not decrease with increasing time interval from the last vaccination for any of the three diseases studied. Booster vaccination increased the dogs CAV titres. For comparative purposes, 199 puppies were sampled at the time of their first and second vaccination. In the case of CPV and CAV a significantly higher proportion of the adult dogs were protected than of the puppies immediately after they were vaccinated. Natural CPV boosting was strongly suspected because the dogs had significantly higher titres three years after their primary vaccination than two weeks after it and three unvaccinated dogs had acquired protective antibody levels uneventfully. There was no evidence of natural exposure to CDV.     

Epidemiological investigations of outbreaks of bovine ephemeral fever in Israel

In two epidemics of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) in Israel, one in 1990 and one in 1999, the virus was probably carried by vectors transported by air currents across the Rift Valley and through the Red Sea trough. The disease broke out under optimal ecological conditions among vulnerable cattle populations and spread rapidly; it developed in the spring and summer and ended soon after the daily average ambient temperature fell below 16 degrees C in late autumn. The proportion of herds affected reached 78.4 and 97.7 per cent in 1990 and 1999, respectively. The highest rates of incidence, morbidity and mortality were recorded in dairy cattle herds in the Jordan Valley, the initial focus of the outbreaks, with a morbidity of 20 and 38.6 per cent in 1990 and 1999, respectively, and mortality among the affected animals of 2 and 8.6 per cent in 1990 and 1999, respectively. In 1991, the disease recurred sporadically in the central and southern regions of Israel in only three herds, but in 2000 the disease returned on an epidemic scale, and 85 per cent of herds were affected, with morbidity and mortality rates of 4-3 and 0-3 per cent, respectively. In the 1999 epidemic, the morbidity rate decreased from 38-6 per cent on average in the Jordan Valley to 12.8 per cent in the inner valleys and 5.3 per cent on the Mediterranean coastal plain, but the mortality rate increased from 8-6 per cent in the Jordan Valley to 14-3 per cent in the inner valleys, and to 28 per cent on the Mediterranean coastal plain, where the outbreak declined. An average of 2-7 per cent of the animals experienced a second attack of the disease two to six weeks later. The epidemic in 2000 was milder and shorter than that in 1999. All the cattle affected in both outbreaks were more than three months old. The vector(s) is not known for certain but the available evidence indicates that mosquitoes, and not Culicoides species, are the natural vectors of BEF virus in Israel.     

Canine dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study of signalment, presentation and clinical findings in 369 cases

O bjective : To review the clinical and diagnostic findings and survival of dilated cardiomyopathy from a large population of dogs in England.
M ethods : A retrospective study of the case records of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy collected between January 1993 and May 2006.
R esults : There were 369 dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy of which all were pure-bred dogs except for four. The most commonly affected breeds were dobermanns and boxers. Over 95 per cent of dogs weighed more than 15 kg and 73 per cent were male. The median duration of signs before referral was three weeks with 65 per cent presenting in stage 3 heart failure. The most common signs were breathlessness (67 per cent) and coughing (64 per cent). The majority of dogs (89 per cent) had an arrhythmia at presentation and 74 per cent of dogs had radiographic signs of pulmonary oedema or pleural effusion. The median survival time was 19 weeks.
C linical S ignificance : Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs primarily in medium to large breed pure-bred dogs, and males are more frequently affected than females. The duration of clinical signs before referral is often short and the survival times are poor. Greater awareness of affected breeds, clinical signs and diagnostic findings may help in early recognition of this disease which often has a short clinical phase.     

Management of 49 antebrachial and crural fractures in dogs using circular external fixators

Objectives : To evaluate frame constructs, postoperative fracture reduction, postoperative care, complications, treatment duration and outcome of circular external fixation for management of 49 antebrachial and crural fractures in dogs. Methods : Medical records of dogs that underwent surgery with circular external fixation were examined for fracture location, frame configuration, postoperative fracture reduction, treatment duration, complications and outcome. Results : Forty‐nine fractures in 48 dogs were stabilised using circular external fixation. Frame removal occurred on average 61 days after surgery (median±sd, 52±30 days). Minor complications were observed in 35 cases (71 per cent) and major complications in seven (14 per cent). Radiographic outcome at frame removal was judged as excellent in 18 cases (37 per cent), as good in 26 (53 per cent), as fair in four (8 per cent) and poor in one (2 per cent). After frame removal, one fracture was stabilised with a plate, and eight patients were lost to follow‐up. Functional and cosmetic outcome at follow‐up was judged as excellent in 32 cases (80 per cent), good in seven (18 per cent) and fair in one (2 per cent). Clinical Significance : Circular external fixation can effectively treat antebrachial and crural fractures in dogs, even geometrically complex fractures. Minor complications are frequent but easily managed in most instances. Healing time is comparable to that of other external fixation methods.     

Temporal patterns of domestic and wildlife rabies in central Namibia stock-ranching area, 1986-1996

Eleven years (1986-1996) of wildlife- and domestic-rabies data from the agriculture stock-ranching area of central Namibia were studied using time-series analysis. Nine hundred and sixty three rabies cases were observed in domestic ruminants (5.4 cases/mo), black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas, 1.3 cases/mo), domestic dogs (0.5 case/mo), and bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis, 0.1 case/mo). The incidence of rabies for all species did not change significantly over the whole study period. However, seasonal variations with an increase in the number of cases between June and November of each year, as well as 34 yr cyclical fluctuations were identified in domestic ruminants and black-backed jackals. The black-backed jackal time-series variable was a significant predictor of the domestic-ruminant and dog time-series variables. The rainfall seasonality combined with the seasonal reproductive pattern of the black-backed jackal appeared to be plausible explanations for the seasonal variations of rabies. However, there was no overall significant correlation between the cyclical weather fluctuations and the 3-4 yr cyclical rabies variations.     

Observational study of 14 cases of chronic pancreatitis in dogs

This study reports the clinical, clinicopathological and ultrasonographic findings from dogs with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Fourteen dogs with clinical signs consistent with CP and histological confirmation of the disease were evaluated. Abdominal ultrasound and clinical pathology results were recorded. Sensitivities of pancreatic enzymes for diagnosis of CP were calculated with two different cut-off values. The mean age of affected dogs was 9.1 years. Spaniels were the most common breed with CP, representing seven of the 14 dogs in this study. CP was histologically severe in nine cases. Most dogs showed chronic low-grade gastrointestinal signs and abdominal pain. Five dogs had exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and five dogs had diabetes mellitus. The sensitivity of elevated trypsin-like immunoreactivity for CP was 17 per cent. The sensitivities of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, lipase and amylase for CP were 44 to 67 per cent or 14 to 28 per cent depending on the cut-off value used. Cholesterol was elevated in 58 per cent of samples. Liver enzymes were often elevated. The pancreas appeared abnormal on 56 per cent of ultrasound examinations. Ten dogs had died by the end of the study period; only one case was due to CP.     

Laminectomy for 34 dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease and loss of deep pain perception

The case details and the results of treatment of 34 dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease, without deep pain perception, that had been treated by laminectomy and fenestration, are presented. The association of a number of potential prognostic factors with the neurological outcome is examined. Twenty-one dogs (62 per cent) recovered neurological function, seven (21 per cent) failed to recover neurological function and three (9 per cent) developed progressive myelomalacia postoperatively, while three dogs (9 per cent) were euthanized intraoperatively because of diffuse myelomalacia. Twenty of the dogs that recovered neurological function showed a return of deep pain perception within two weeks of decompressive surgery. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the outcome between dogs that took less than one hour to lose the ability to ambulate and dogs with a longer duration of onset of inability to ambulate. The extent of spinal cord swelling determined by myelography was not found to be a useful prognostic indicator.     

Bone allografts and adjuvant cisplatin for the treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma in 18 dogs

The results achieved in 18 dogs following the use of frozen bone cortical allografts for limb-sparing resection of non-metastatic canine appendicular osteosarcoma are presented. Three to five cisplatin doses (70 mg/m2) were administered, starting the day after surgery. The mean and median survival times were 478 and 266 days (range 80 to 2,611 days), respectively. The survival rate was 94 per cent at three months, 78 per cent at six months, 35 per cent at 12 months, 23 per cent at 18 months and 19 per cent at 24 months; the disease-free interval was 80 to 1,246 days (mean 365 days, median 266 days). Lung metastasis developed in 55 per cent of the dogs within one year. Complications were observed in 14/18 dogs (78 per cent), comprising local recurrence (28 per cent), allograft infection (39 per cent) and implant failure (11 per cent). Despite complications, limb sparing is a useful alternative to amputation in selected cases of appendicular osteosarcoma.     

Comparison of vedaprofen and meloxicam in dogs with musculoskeletal pain and inflammation

In this randomised, multicentre clinical study, dogs with musculoskeletal pain and inflammation were treated with either vedaprofen or meloxicam administered orally at the recommended dose rates. Clinical examinations were carried out regularly and clinical severity scores assigned. In total, 214 cases (73 acute, 141 chronic) were evaluated. Treatment with vedaprofen and meloxicam was continued for 14 and 17 days, respectively, in the acute cases, and 38 and 39 days in the chronic cases. NSAID treatment resulted in a significant improvement in clinical scores. The overall response to treatment ('responders') at the final clinical examination was 89 per cent and 87 per cent in the acute cases and 72 per cent and 65 per cent in the chronic cases in the vedaprofen and meloxicam groups, respectively. Mild transient gastrointestinal signs were observed in both groups (11 per cent vedaprofen, 12 per cent meloxicam). Adverse effects related to NSAIDs resulted in treatment cessation in 5 per cent of the dogs in each group. Vedaprofen and meloxicam were efficacious in, and well tolerated by, most of the dogs in the study.