浅析影响犬蛋白质需要的因素

蛋白质是犬的一种必需营养物质,是犬日粮的主要营养要素之一。犬需要饲粮提供充足的蛋白质以获得最佳生长状态。然而在实际饲养过程中,宠物犬对蛋白质的需要受很多因素的影响,包括品种、年龄、生理状态、饲料、饲粮、气候条件、应激程度、运动和管理情况等,其中年龄、生理状态、饲料、饲粮、环境因素等五个方面是其主要影响因素。     

南宁市犬感染附红细胞体的调查

用鲜血压片镜检法,对66只犬进行附红细胞体(EH)检测,结果表明有64只犬感染附红细胞体,感染率为96.97%;不同品种、年龄和性别犬感染附红细胞体没有显著差异;对5只母犬及其分娩的21只初生仔犬检测,结果2只阴性母犬的仔犬都为阴性,3只阳性母犬的仔犬感染率为100%,说明垂直传播是存在的.     

An investigation on the presence of Chlamydiaceae in Swedish dogs

Background

Bacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae cause a broad spectrum of diseases in a wide range of hosts, including man, other mammals, and birds. Upper respiratory and genital diseases are common clinical problems caused by Chlamydiaceae. Very little is known about chlamydial infections in dogs. Few clinical reports on natural disease in dogs describe mainly conjunctival and upper respiratory signs, and the role of Chlamydiaceae in genital disease is unclear. The present study aimed at studying the prevalence of Chlamydiaceae in healthy dogs and in dogs with genital or upper respiratory disease, including conjunctivitis.

Methods

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Chlamydiaceae was used to detect any chlamydial species within this family. Swab samples from the conjunctiva and the mucosal membranes of the oropharynx, rectum and genital tract were taken from 79 dogs: 27 clinically healthy dogs, 25 dogs with clinical signs from the genital tract and 28 dogs with conjunctivitis. There were 52 female and 27 male dogs. From 7 of the male dogs, additional semen samples were analysed.

Results

No Chlamydiaceae were detected from any dog.

Conclusions

Although the number of dogs that was included is limited, the results suggest that cases of Chlamydiaceae in dogs probably are related to infection from other species, and that dogs in general do not harbour Chlamydiaceae. Bacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae do not seem to be of major importance for genital or ocular disease in Swedish dogs.     

An investigation into the detection of the pulse in conscious and anaesthetized dogs

ObjectivesTo record the success rate of veterinary professionals and students at identifying the pulse in conscious and anaesthetized dogs. To explore the influence of clinical experience, pulse location, anaesthesia and likely confounding variables on the success of pulse palpation.Study designProspective, observational, randomized study.AnimalsA total of 54 client-owned dogs scheduled for general anaesthesia.MethodsFor each dog, three participants (senior anaesthetist, anaesthesia resident/nurse, veterinary student/animal care assistant) attempted pulse palpation at three locations (femoral, radial and dorsal pedal pulse) in conscious and anaesthetized dogs. The time to pulse palpation was measured with a stopwatch for each attempt and data were modelled using a multivariate Cox regression survival analysis (significance p < 0.05).ResultsThe overall success rate of pulse palpation was 77%, with a median time of 10.91 seconds (interquartile range 9.09 seconds). Success rate was lower in conscious dogs (67%) than in anaesthetized dogs (87%). There was a 77% lower likelihood of success at the radial than at the femoral pulse [hazard ratio (HR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38–0.69, p < 0.001]. Veterinary students/animal care assistants had a 71% lower likelihood of success than senior anaesthetists (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.22–0.39, p < 0.001). Age, weight and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status had no significant influence. Premedication/anaesthetic drugs, heart rate or mean arterial pressure had no significant influence on the time to pulse palpation in anaesthetized dogs. The median time to palpation was less than 10 seconds for all experience groups at the femoral location.ConclusionsPalpation of the femoral location had the greatest likelihood of success with the least amount of time. Monitoring the femoral pulse during induction of anaesthesia is suggested as a method for confirming spontaneous circulation. Pulse palpation improves with clinical experience.     

An investigation into the association between cpb2-encoding Clostridium perfringens type A and diarrhea in neonatal piglets

To investigate the possible role of cpb2-positive type A Clostridium perfringens in neonatal diarrheal illness in pigs, the jejunum and colon of matched normal and diarrheic piglets from 10 farms with a history of neonatal diarrhea were examined grossly and by histopathology, and tested for C. perfringens, for C. perfringens beta2 (CPB2) toxin, as well as for Clostridium difficile toxins, Salmonella, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, rotavirus, transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, and coccidia. Clostridium perfringens isolates were tested using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the presence of cpa, consensus and atypical cpb2, and other virulence-associated genes. The numbers of C. perfringens in the intestinal contents were lower in diarrheic piglets (log₁₀ 5.4 CFU/g) compared with normal piglets (log₁₀ 6.5 CFU/g) (P < 0.05). The consensus cpb2 was present in 93% of isolates in each group, but atypical cpb2 was less common (56% healthy, 32% diarrheic piglets isolates, respectively, P < 0.05). The presence of CPB2 toxin in the intestinal contents of normal and diarrheic piglets did not differ significantly. Clostridium difficile toxins and rotavirus were each detected in 7 of the 21 (33%) diarrheic piglets. Rotavirus, C. difficile toxins, Salmonella, or enterotoxigenic E. coli were concurrently recovered in different combinations in 4 diarrheic piglets. The cause of diarrhea in 8 of the 21 (38%) piglets on 6 farms remained unknown. The etiological diagnosis of diarrhea could not be determined in any of the piglets on 2 of the farms. This study demonstrated that the number of cpb2-positive type A C. perfringens in the intestinal contents was not a useful approach for making a diagnosis of type A C. perfringens enteritis in piglets. Further work is required to confirm whether cpb2-carrying type A C. perfringens have a pathogenic role in enteric infection in neonatal swine.     

Refractive states of eyes and association between ametropia and breed in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To assess the refractive state of eyes in various breeds of dogs to identify breeds susceptible to ametropias. ANIMALS: 1,440 dogs representing 90 breeds. PROCEDURES: In each dog, 1 drop of 1% cyclopentolate or 1% tropicamide was applied to each eye, and a Canine Eye Registration Foundation examination was performed. Approximately 30 minutes after drops were administered, the refractive state of each eye was assessed via streak retinoscopy. Dogs were considered ametropic (myopic or hyperopic) when the mean refractive state (the resting focus of the eye at rest relative to visual infinity) exceeded +/- 0.5 diopter (D). Anisometropia was diagnosed when the refractive error of each eye in a pair differed by > 1 D. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD refractive state of all eyes examined was -0.05 +/- 1.36 D (emmetropia). Breeds in which the mean refractive state was myopic (< or = -0.5 D) included Rottweiler, Collie, Miniature Schnauzer, and Toy Poodle. Degree of myopia increased with increasing age across all breeds. Breeds in which the mean refractive state was hyperopic (> or = +0.5 D) included Australian Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, and Bouvier des Flandres. Astigmatism was detected in 1% (14/1,440) of adult (> or = 1 year of age) dogs; prevalence of astigmatism among German Shepherd Dogs was 3.3% (3/90). Anisometropia was detected in 6% (87/1,440) of all dogs and in 8.9% (8/90) of German Shepherd Dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Refractive states of canine eyes varied widely and were influenced by breed and age. In dogs expected to have high visual function (eg, performance dogs), determination of refractive state is recommended prior to intensive training.     

Calculations of energy requirements of dogs, cats and small psittacine birds

How much and on what should I feed my dog, cat or budgerigar? This must be a common question veterinarians are asked by their clients and possibly the most difficult question to answer because of the number of options available. When advising on the most appropriate daily feeding regimen for a companion animal, one must not only consider the animal's requirement for energy and other key nutrients at a particular bodyweight or age but also provide a food that is readily consumed by the pet. Feeding plays an important role in the relationship between the pet and its owner. The occasion provides the greatest pleasure for the owner when the pet has not only eaten the food supplied but also indicated, via its behaviour pattern, that the occasion was pleasurable. These factors, together with the animal's own individual preferences, will determine whether a particular food, even if nutritionally balanced, is eaten or not.     

Evaluation of the association between microalbuminuria and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio and systemic disease in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate semiquantitative and quantitative assays for microalbuminuria and determination of the urine albumin-creatinine (UAC) ratio in detection of systemic disease in dogs without overt proteinuria. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 408 dogs. PROCEDURES: Urine samples that had been obtained from dogs for which a complete medical record was available and in which results of a dipstick test for urine protein were negative were evaluated. Urine protein-creatinine ratios (cutoff values, 0.5 and 0.1), semiquantitative and quantitative microalbuminuria values (cutoff value, 1 mg/dL), and UAC ratios (cutoff values, 100 and 200 mg/g) were determined. Clinical diagnoses rendered within 3 months of enrollment in the study were recorded. Sensitivity and specificity were determined with disease status serving as the standard. Associations with clinical diagnosis, sex, age, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, blood pressure, results of bacterial culture of urine, temperature, pyuria, hematuria, and bacteriuria were evaluated by use of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 48 dogs were healthy, and 360 had at least 1 disease. Significant associations were detected between age, presence of disease, presence of neoplastic disease, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, and hematuria and results of 1 or both of the microalbuminuria assays. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Microalbuminuria was associated with underlying disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the semiquantitative microalbuminuria test for detection of systemic disease were superior to those of other tests. Microalbuminuria testing in conjunction with other screening procedures may increase diagnosis of subclinical disease, but a prospective study in which the predictive values of screening tests are evaluated, with and without microalbuminuria determination, is needed.     

Force plate analysis of the walking gait in healthy dogs

Ground reaction forces, impulses, and their relationships to morphometric measurements were evaluated for walking gait in 17 healthy dogs. A force plate was used to record forces at 1-ms intervals. Vertical, craniocaudal, and mediolateral forces were measured and normalized by body weight. Impulses, defined as the total force applied over time, were calculated in vertical and craniocaudal directions. Craniocaudal impulses were further divided into braking and propulsion phases. Braking impulses were significantly greater in the forelimbs (P less than or equal to 0.001), whereas propulsion impulses were generally greater in the hind limbs. Impulses and peak forces were then compared with morphometric measurements (body weight, humeral and femoral lengths, and paw length). All relationships were linear, with correlation coefficients significant (P less than or equal to 0.001). As the size of the dog increased, braking, propulsion and vertical impulses increased. Conversely, as morphometric measurements increased, peak vertical forces decreased. Thus, larger dogs had a lower peak force on each limb, but had a higher total impulse applied during stance phase. As stance phase time increased, peak vertical forces decreased. The results indicated that healthy dogs had significant correlations between ground reaction forces, impulses, and morphometric measurements.     

The association of exercise,diet and other factors with owner-perceived obesity in privately owned dogs from metropolitan Perth,WA

Randomly selected dog-owning households (n=657) were interviewed to identify exercise, dietary and other factors associated with obesity in dogs. Dogs (n=860) were categorised by their owners as underweight, correct-weight or overweight and the weight of 386 dogs was also recorded. Twenty five percent of dogs were reported as overweight. In random-effects logistic regression, overweight dogs had higher odds of being neutered (OR=2.8), fed snacks (OR=1.5), fed once a day (OR=1.4) or living in single-dog households (OR=1.6). For each year of age, the odds of obesity increased (OR=1.1) and for each hour of weekly exercise the odds of obesity decreased (OR=0.9).