Tooth brushing inhibits oral bacteria in dogs

In this study, scaling, polishing and daily tooth brushing were performed in 20 beagle dogs, and the number of oral bacteria was determined using a bacterial counter. The dogs were randomized into the scaling (S), scaling + polishing (SP), scaling + tooth daily brushing (SB) and scaling + polishing + tooth daily brushing (SPB) groups. Samples were collected from the buccal surface of the maxillary fourth premolars of the dogs immediately after scaling and every week thereafter from weeks 1 to 8. Throughout the study, the number of bacteria was significantly lower in the SB and SPB groups compared with the S group. The findings suggest that daily tooth brushing inhibited oral bacterial growth in the dogs.     

The impact of body site, topical melatonin and brushing on hair regrowth after clipping normal Siberian Husky dogs

The aims of this study were to determine the impact of body site, vigorous brushing and topical melatonin treatment on hair regrowth after clipping normal dogs. Siberian Husky dogs were randomly assigned to three groups of eight dogs each. All dogs had the lumbosacral region and both lateral thighs clipped. The left thigh and lumbosacral area received no treatment and were compared in all 24 dogs. Eight dogs had the right thigh treated with 0.1% melatonin twice daily for 2 months, and hair regrowth was compared with the left thigh. Eight dogs had the right thigh brushed twice daily for 2 months, and hair regrowth was compared with the left thigh. Eight dogs had neither thigh treated. Hairs were plucked before and 2 months postclipping, and the proportion of hair growth from the original length was calculated and compared as described above. Biopsy samples were collected before and after treatment to determine if brushing induced dermal inflammation and melatonin increased the proportion of anagen follicles. Proportionally, left thigh hairs were significantly longer compared to lumbosacral hairs 2 months postclipping. No significant differences in hair regrowth were noted between the nontreated thigh and the thigh treated with melatonin or brushed. No significant difference in dermal inflammation was noted before and after brushing. No significant differences were observed in the proportion of anagen follicles before and after topical melatonin treatment. Our results showed that the hairs in the lumbosacral region were proportionally shorter than lateral thigh hairs 2 months postclipping. Moreover, topical melatonin and brushing had no impact on hair regrowth after clipping normal dogs.     

Fabellae and popliteal sesamoid bones in cats

Radiographs of the stifle joints of cats revealed a lack of mineralisation in the medial os fabella in a high percentage of domestic cats and also some exotic species of cat. In all the post mortem examinations undertaken the medial sesamoid bones were smaller. In the non-radiopaque sesamoid bones there was a solid mass which on histological examination consisted of fibrocartilage, whereas the radiodense sesamoid bones consisted of lamellar osseous tissue. The lack of mineralisation of the medial fabellae seems to be more prevalent in domestic than in pedigree cats. None of the exotic cats had mineralised tissue in the medial fabellae. Lack of mineralisation of the sesamoid bones is not significant clinically.     

普氏野马头骨和牙齿研究

研究了北京动物园保存的４例（♂２、♀２）普氏野马的头骨和牙齿，同时与９例（♂４、♀５）西藏野驴、４例（♂２、♀２）斑马的头骨和牙齿作了比较。结果：普氏野马在鼻骨、泪骨、腭正中缝、下颌骨腹缘面上，以及原尖、马刺、齿棱、齿槽等方面，都具有区别于西藏野驴、斑马的形态特征。     

Effect of electrical stunning frequency on ventricular fibrillation, downgrading and broken bones in broilers, hens and quails

The effect of stunning current frequency on the incidence of ventricular fibrillation was determined in broilers and hens. When a pulsed unipolar square wave (DC) was used the incidence of ventricular fibrillation decreased as the frequency was increased beyond 125 Hz. When a sinusoidal AC was used, 50 Hz killed some of the birds whereas at the corresponding r.m.s. currents no birds experienced a ventricular fibrillation with 1500 Hz. In quail, it was found that between 45 and 110 mA (50 Hz) all birds experienced a ventricular fibrillation. The effect of 50, 200 and 350 Hz square wave DC on carcass downgrading was examined in broilers, and there were no differences between the groups. It was concluded that there were few advantages from using high frequency stunning currents in poultry.     

Determinants of bone mass,density and growth in growing dogs with normal and osteopenic bones

Survey radiographs of all the growing dogs aged up to 6 months, which were presented to the IVRI polyclinics during the 10 year period were screened to study the determinants of bone mass, density and growth. On the basis of clinical history and radiographic evaluation of long bones, the cases were categorized as normal or osteopenic. The relative cortical density (RCD), cortical index (CI), diameter of bone at the distal metaphysis (DDFM) and the width of the growth plate (WFGP) were determined by taking the femur as a model bone in German shepherd, Doberman and Spitz breeds of dogs at different age groups. The results showed that the RCD was the least in 0–2 month old normal growing dogs in all the breeds. As the age advanced up to 6 months the RCD increased 20–25%, and at 6 months, Spitz and Doberman showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in the RCD. In osteopenic bones, RCD remained less (25–50%) than that of normal animals at all age groups, and at 2–6 months of age, RCD in osteopenic bones was significantly lesser than in normal animals in GSD and Spitz breeds. The CI was also the least at 0–2 months of age in normal dogs. The CI increased about 50% at 4–6 months of age in GSD and Spitz. Whereas in Dob., there was no appreciable change in the CI at different age groups, and at 2–6 months it was significantly (P < 0.05) lesser than that of Spitz. In osteopenic bones, the CI was 25–75% lesser than that of normal animals at different age groups, and at 4–6 months there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the normal and osteopenic bones in GSD and Spitz. The DDFM was the least in 0–2 month old normal growing dogs, and as the age advanced, it increased 10–20% up to 6 months. However, no significant difference in the DDFM was seen between breeds and also between the normal and osteopenic bones at different age groups. In normal animals, the WFGP was highest in the early age, subsequently it reduced 50–75% and at 4–6 months there was significant decrease (P < 0.05) in all the breeds of dogs. And at 4–6 months, there was significant (P < 0.05) difference in the WFGP between breeds, it was the least in Spitz and maximum in Dob., suggesting faster growth plate closure in Spitz than in GSD and Dob. breeds. In osteopenic bones, WFGP was generally more than in normal animals, and at 4–6 months (about 3–5 times more) there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the normal and osteopenic bones in all breeds, indicating that physeal closure may be delayed in osteopenic bones. The results indicate that among different breeds Doberman breed has the least bone mass and may be more prone to osteopenia; whereas Spitz has the strongest bone.     

Intramedullary pressure in canine long bones

Intramedullary pressure was measured bilaterally in 36 dogs: in the diaphysis and distal metaphysis of the femur, in the proximal metaphysis of the tibia and humerus, and in the diaphysis of the radius. Pressure measurements were repeated in 5 dogs, 14 days after the initial recordings. Mean (+/- SD) pressures in the femoral diaphysis and distal metaphysis were 27.6 (+/- 15.4) mm of Hg and 17.6 (+/- 10.5) mm of Hg, respectively. Mean (+/- SD) pressures in the tibial diaphysis and proximal metaphysis were 26.4 (+/- 13.0) mm of Hg and 17.9 (+/- 11.8) mm of Hg, respectively. Mean (+/- SD) pressures in the humeral diaphysis and proximal metaphysis were 26.2 (+/- 15.8) mm of Hg and 13.4 (+/- 7.7) mm of Hg, respectively. The mean (+/- SD) pressure in the radial diaphysis was 15.4 (+/- 18.9) mm of Hg. Metaphyseal pressure was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than diaphyseal pressure. Repeated pressure measurements in 5 dogs did not vary significantly from initial values, suggesting that the wide range of pressure was real not artifactual.