Presumptive increase in protein‐bound serum calcium in a dog with multiple myeloma

Abstract: An 11‐year‐old male castrated Australian Shepherd was presented with a history of lethargy, panting, and weight loss for 1 month. Physical examination revealed a moderately enlarged spleen. Laboratory abnormalities included thrombocytopenia and marked hypercalcemia, with hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and a monoclonal spike in the β‐globulin region on serum protein electrophoresis. Serum total calcium concentration was markedly increased (16.5 mg/dL, reference interval 8.9–11.4 mg/dL) but ionized calcium concentration (1.39 mmol/L) was within the reference interval (1.25–1.45 mmol/L). Isosthenuria was noted, but the dog was not polyuric or polydipsic. Serum parathyroid hormone concentration was within reference limits and parathyroid hormone‐related peptide concentration was 0 pmol/L. Radiographic findings were largely unremarkable. Results of cytologic evaluation of a fine‐needle aspirate specimen from the spleen indicated plasma cell neoplasia. Based on the results of the electrophoresis, splenic aspirates, radiographs, and hypercalcemia, a diagnosis of splenic multiple myeloma was made. The marked hypercalcemia, normal ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations, and lack of osteolytic lesions indicated a presumptive increase in protein‐bound serum calcium, likely due to binding to molecules of the paraprotein (M protein). Protein binding of calcium in dogs with multiple myeloma should be considered as a potential mechanism of elevated total serum calcium concentration.     

宠物犬犬粮的选择技术

宠物热的兴起,同时带动了一系列宠物行业的发展。宠物食品占据宠物用品的主要部分。然而,宠物主人在购买犬粮时存在很多疑惑。本文从犬粮的类型、选择犬粮的依据及优质犬粮的特点等方面进行阐述,以达到为宠物主人提供参考的目的。     

Dog and owner characteristics affecting the dog–owner relationship

The nature of the relationship between companion dogs and their owners has important impact on the effect of life for both dog and owner. Identifying factors that affect the dog–owner relationship will assist the understanding of how the successful relationship is achieved and how the less successful relationship is mended, with potential benefits for the welfare of both species. In the present study, we investigated the effect of several dog and owner characteristics, including the personality of the dog, on the dog–owner relationship as measured by the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS). Data were collected by inviting owners of dogs that had been tested on the Danish Dog Mentality Assessment (DMA) to answer an online questionnaire. We were able to match 421 owner answers with their dogs' DMA test results. The questionnaire consisted of the 28 items of the MDORS, as well as questions about the owners and their dogs. Using factor analysis, 5 dog personality traits could be derived from the dogs' test results on the DMA. The predictive value of questionnaire-based owner and dog variables and the 5 dog personality traits on the dog–owner relationship was tested using multiple linear regressions: 1 for each of the 3 subscales of the MDORS. Overall, the variables investigated only predicted a small proportion of the variance in MDORS scores, and owner characteristics appeared to influence the dog–owner relationship more than dog personality traits did. We found that children in the family and using the dog only for company were negatively associated with the owners' perception of the relationship with their dogs. The only dog characteristics to predict the dog–owner relationship were fearfulness and fear-related behavior problems.     

The Perceptions of Dog Intelligence and Cognitive Skills (PoDIaCS) Survey

Dog cognition research is expanding, but few studies have examined people's perceptions of specific cognitive abilities in dogs. The aim of this study was to explore owner perceptions of dog cognitive abilities across different cognitive domains and to determine whether these were associated with the dog–owner relationship. We developed an online questionnaire and analyzed the results from 565 dog owners. Dog owners generally indicated the belief that dogs are socially intelligent and possess the capacity to learn social and general cognitive skills. One quarter of dog owners agreed or strongly agreed that dogs were smarter than most people, and 45.7% indicated the belief that a dog's mental ability is equal to “3-5 year old human children.” Perceived emotional owner–dog closeness correlated with all cognition ratings. A better understanding of dog cognitive abilities may help owners interpret dog behavior more appropriately, which may lead to a reduction in the number of dogs relinquished to shelters because of behavioral problems.     

Post-mortem re-cloning of a transgenic red fluorescent protein dog

Recently, the world''s first transgenic dogs were produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer. However, cellular senescence is a major limiting factor for producing more advanced transgenic dogs. To overcome this obstacle, we rejuvenated transgenic cells using a re-cloning technique. Fibroblasts from post-mortem red fluorescent protein (RFP) dog were reconstructed with in vivo matured oocytes and transferred into 10 surrogate dogs. One puppy was produced and confirmed as a re-cloned dog. Although the puppy was lost during birth, we successfully established a rejuvenated fibroblast cell line from this animal. The cell line was found to stably express RFP and is ready for additional genetic modification.     

肉犬育肥对比试验

对大丹犬、圣伯纳犬、本地犬、大丹—圣伯纳—本地犬的三元杂交后代进行不同品种犬的育肥试验 ,试验结果表明 ,大丹犬、圣伯纳犬、三元杂交犬出栏体重均显著高于本地犬 ,料重比均显著低于本地犬 ,通过经济合算认为三元杂交后代进行育肥最适合当地的基本情况     

宠物犬电子芯片的应用

随着城市宠物犬数量上升,其监管和公共卫生安全问题日益突出。电子芯片的出现,为宠物犬\"实名制\"管理提供了行之有效的解决方案,有效解决了城市宠物犬丢失、遗弃、伤人和违法监管难的窘境。但犬电子芯片在普及过程中面临不少问题,如政府对犬籍管理重视程度不够,电子芯片植入缺少法律依据,管理部门重收费轻管理,植入电子芯片导致犬局部感染等。建议政府部门加强养犬的法律法规建设,施行宠物犬\"实名制\"管理,坚持\"轻收费、重管理、严处罚\"的犬籍注册办证机制,并加大对兽医植入电子芯片的技术培训力度。