Observations of the sand flea (Tunga penetrans) in humans and dogs in French Guiana

The occurrence of sand fleas (Tunga penetrans) in a reservation in the north of French Guyana is described. The parasite is found on dogs, Europeans and children of the local Indian tribes. Infections in man are supported by a big population of stray dogs as well as by the local cottage construction. Due to the simultaneous efficiency against the larvae of Dermatobia hominis lvermectin is only of limited suitability for the treatment of tungiasis in dogs. In man single parasites can be removed with a splinter forceps. In dogs footbathing with 0.2% Neguvon has shown to be effective. On long term a reduction of the stray dog population is recommended.     

Otodectes cynotis infestation of dogs and cats: biology of the agent, epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis and case description of generalized mange in dogs

A review on the biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of Otodectes cynotis in dogs and cats is presented. Additionally, three cases of generalized otodectic mange in dogs are described.     

Diabetic neuropathy in dogs and cats--a bioptic electron microscopic study

Electron microscopic examination of peripheral nerves within dermal corium based upon skin biopsies (punch diameter = 6 mm) of chronic diabetic dogs and cats in comparison with normal controls revealed that more than 90% of the diabetic animals (31/34 dogs, 9/10 cats) had developed characteristic neuropathies. The main features were of axonal atrophy of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, demyelination and - to a lesser degree - intraaxonal accumulation of glycogen (about 25%). In contrast with human diabetic polyneuropathy vascular basement membranes were throughout of normal appearance. Thickening of the perineural basement membranes were observed in a few canine cases only. Diagnostic procedures as well as questions on pathogenesis are discussed in detail.     

Glomerulonephritis in dogs and cats

Immunohistology and special staining of plastic sections allow diagnosis and differentiation of subtypes of glomerulonephritis in dogs. Frequency and clinical importance of these forms of glomerulonephritis vary significantly. In cats, glomerulonephritis occurs frequently in FIV-positive cats but is rare in animals suffering from persistent FeLV infection or FIP.     

The determination of creatinine in blood and plasma of small animals using the dry chemical system Reflotron

The reagent carrier Reflotron-Creatinine was tested for its suitability for whole blood and plasma samples of dogs and cats. It showed a very good correlation between the results of Reflotron-Creatinine and the reference method. Using plasma the results of both methods were extremely close. Using whole blood with a hematocrit of up to 50% good results could be achieved. If the hematocrit exceeded 50% large deviations could result.     

The dry chemical system Kodak Ectachem DT 60. Working methods, performance and suitability for laboratory diagnosis in dogs and cats

The Kodak Ektachem DT 60 Analyzer, a compact tabletop analyzer, which is based on the multilayer film technology, has been evaluated to assess its suitability for veterinary use. For a period of 6 months more than 400 serum samples from dogs and cats were analyzed for the following 11 analytes: ALT, CK, AP, alpha-amylase, total bilirubin, glucose, urea, total protein, creatinine, sodium, and potassium. Results obtained with the DT 60 Analyzer were compared with those gained from a Hitachi 705 autoanalyzer and from an Eppendorf flame photometer. Precision study results (within-run precision and between-run precision) were generally very good. Comparisons with other methods were quite satisfactory. Good to very good correlation was found for nearly all the parameters. The analyzer is easy to use and has proved to be reliable. It can be used successfully in the determination of serum-analytes in dogs and cats.     

Pharmacologic principles in the treatment of epilepsy in the dog and cat

The pharmacokinetics of antiepileptic drugs used for the treatment of human epilepsies is reviewed for dogs and cats. In dogs, especially phenobarbital and primidone must be regarded as useful drugs for chronic treatment on account of their elimination rate and bioavailability. Phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid and benzodiazepines are eliminated so rapidly that a therapeutic value cannot be expected. In cats, phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproic acid and diazepam must be regarded as suited for chronic treatment, but there is a definite lack of clinical experience. Phenobarbital and primidone are useful for treatment of clonic-tonic generalized seizures (grand mal) in dogs. The effect of primidone depends mostly on its metabolite phenobarbital. Since primidone, given in high dosage for longer periods of time, gives rise to liver damage, phenobarbital is regarded as the drug of first choice. A status epilepticus may be treated by i.v. injection of diazepam, clonazepam, phenytoin or lidocaine. In cats with grand mal, treatment with daily doses of about 1 mg/kg diazepam may be tried. It proved effective for longer time periods without development of tolerance. There is no reliable clinical experience with other drugs in this species.     

Cystocentesis in dogs and cats]

The technique of cystocentesis in dogs and cats was studied. The indications and contraindications of this method are discussed, using illustrations.     

Experiences with the intraocular silicon prosthesis as an alternative to enucleation in dogs and cats

The intraocular implantation of a silicone prosthesis fulfills all important requirements to be used in dogs and cats. Given the appropriate indication including glaucoma in the first place, this method should be preferred to enucleation. The operation procedure is described and clinical observations in 14 dogs and 6 cats are reported. All animals tolerated the implant well and appeared to be pain-free. The cosmetic results depended on the correct size of the implant and on the nature of the corneal response. Final evaluation of the cosmetic effect was only possible one year or even more after operation.     

Cellulose acetate electrophoresis, radial immunodiffusion and nephelometry--comparative methods for the determination of albumin]

Different methods for the determination of albumin in dogs and cats are compared. Nephelometry was found to be the method of choice, due to its excellent precision, the immediate test results and the wide measuring range. The advantage of the radial immunodiffusion method is that expensive equipment need not be acquired, which makes the test profitable for small amounts of samples. At the expense of accuracy, electrophoresis enables the simultaneous evaluation of all protein fractions.     

Multimorbidity in aged dogs and cats

As in humans, an increase in the incidence of concurrent diseases occurs in dogs and cats with age. To some extent considerable species specific differences occur; the dog is affected more than the cat. In advanced age more chronic diseases are observed as in humans. The following diseases show a particular predisposition in aged dogs and cats: The dog exhibits especially non-inflammatory skin diseases, cardiopathies, chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, oral cavity, liver, kidneys and urinary tract, diseases of the CNS, and tumours, whereas the cat suffers from the leukaemia complex, to a lesser extent from non-inflammatory skin and cardiac diseases, also from chronic diseases of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys and urinary tract, endocrine system, and tumours.     

有毒铜绿微囊藻对大型溞生长和繁殖的影响研究

用铜绿微囊藻有毒株DS和无毒株573喂养大型溞,观察微囊藻对虫体的生长和繁殖的影响。试验结果表明,有毒的微囊藻不仅明显延缓大型溞的生长,而且阻碍虫体的怀卵和发育,并造成幼体产出困难、导致大型溞死亡率升高。无毒微囊藻虽然不影响虫体的生存,但影响其怀卵量和幼体产出。因此单一使用微囊藻饲喂大型溞不能保持其种群良好地生长和繁殖。     

Esophagoscopy and gastroscopy in dogs and cats. Technics and indications

A report is presented of esophagoscopy and gastroscopy in cats and dogs using flexible endoscopes. Following consideration of the basic equipment, an account is given of patient preparation and anesthesia, topography, investigation technique and normal findings. Diagnostic potential, indications and risks involved are discussed.     

盐度对透明溞存活、生长和繁殖的影响

采用试验生态学方法,在恒温(20±1)℃条件下,研究盐度变化对透明溞存活、生长和繁殖的影响。试验结果显示,透明溞的24 h和48 h半致死盐度分别为4.16和2.67,安全盐度为0.36。透明溞的产前发育期和有效积温随盐度上升而增加;体长增长率随盐度的升高先升后降,存活时间和内禀增长率随盐度的升高而下降。盐度对透明溞生存、生长及繁殖的影响显著(P<0.05),0.5盐度组的透明溞壳刺长显著大于对照组。研究结果表明,透明溞为嫌盐种,对盐度耐受性低。透明溞可作为水产经济动物开口饵料、水体盐碱变化的指示生物,对水环境监测具有重要意义。     

Congenital portosystemic shunt in dogs and cats

An overview of the circulation of the liver and of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of portal vascular anomalies is given. Clinical signs associated with portal systemic shunts are described on the basis of 16 cases, 14 dogs and 2 cats. These animals ranged in age at the time of presentation from 4 months to 7 years. The predominant abnormality observed were central nervous signs, which differed in severity. The different techniques of contrast angiography allowing demonstration of a portal systemic shunt are presented along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each. Additionally the significance of making portal venous pressure measurements prior to each angiography is also explained. In most cases mesenteric portography was chosen. Based on their location the anomalies could be categorized as intrahepatic (4 dogs) or extrahepatic (10 dogs, 2 cats). In both groups breeds of various size are represented. The extrahepatic shunts could be further described as portal-caval (n = 5), portal-phrenic (n = 4) and portal-azygos (n = 3). In five of the older animals angiography showed in addition some hepatic perfusion by the portal vein. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased resting blood ammonia concentrations (greater than 200-912 micrograms/100 ml) in all animals. Seven dogs had definitely subnormal BUN concentrations (less than 10 mg%) and ten dogs low total plasma protein levels (less than 5.4 g%). Free amino acids (24) were determined in four dogs and a lowered hepatic encephalopathy index (less than 1.64) found. Medical palliative therapy to control the clinical signs is discussed. The only effective long term therapy is, however, surgery. The shunt vessel is narrowed so that a greater volume of portal blood reaches the liver. Experience gained from the surgical therapy of 14 animals is presented. Ten of these survived well without requiring further therapy at a later time. Finally the etiology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis are summarized.     

发头裸腹(氵蚤)室内培养的研究

在21～23℃温度下,以有机肥培养的栅藻、细菌等作为食物,用间收方式培养发头裸腹(氵蚤),在该(氵蚤)培养液中保持栅藻密度为10万/毫升,经1个月实验,在0.15立方米水体中共采收鲜(氵蚤)131克,(氵蚤)个体密度最高达7828个/升,密度拐点为2.5个/毫升。     

Dysphagia as the result of disorders of esophagus function in dogs and cats

Disturbances of the oesophageal function in dogs and cats lead to the clinical symptoms of dysphagia. An oesophageal dilatation of various degree can result from this and can be categorized as primary, i.e. idiopathic form, or secondary form, if its cause is known. This present study of our own patient population gives a survey of the symptomatology, diagnostic measures, incidence, pathogenesis, and therapy of oesophageal dilatation.     

The congenital portosystemic shunt in dogs and cats. I

An overview of the circulation of the liver and of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of portal vascular anomalies is given. Clinical signs associated with portal systemic shunts are described on the basis of 16 cases, 14 dogs and 2 cats. These animals ranged in age at the time of presentation from 4 months to 7 years. The predominant abnormality observed were central nervous signs, which differed in severity. 15 animals showed a reduction in liver size. The different techniques of contrast angiography allowing demonstration of a portal systemic shunt are presented along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each. Additionally the significance of making portal venous pressure measurements prior to each angiography is also explained. In most cases mesenteric portography was chosen. Based on their location the anomalies could be categorized as intrahepatic (4 dogs) or extrahepatic (10 dogs, 2 cats). In both groups breeds of various size are represented. The extrahepatic shunts could be further described as portal-caval (n = 5), portal-phrenic (n = 4) and portal-azygos (n = 3). In five of the older animals angiography showed in addition some hepatic perfusion by the portal vein. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased resting blood ammonia concentrations (greater than 200-912 micrograms/100 ml) in all animals. Seven dogs had definitely subnormal BUN concentrations (less than 10 mg%) and ten dogs low total plasmaprotein levels (less than 5.4 g%). Free amino acids (24) were determined in four dogs and a lowered hepatic encephalopathy index (less than 1.64) was found. Medical palliative therapy to control the clinical signs is discussed. The only effective long term therapy is, however, surgery. The shunt vessel is narrowed so that a greater volume of portal blood reaches the liver. Experience gained from the surgical therapy of 14 animals is presented. Ten of these survived well without requiring further therapy at a later time. Finally the etiology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis are summarized.     

Bronchoscopy in small animals]

Indications for bronchoscopy, the equipment and technique performance in dogs and cats are presented. The method is invasive, therefore exact indications such as chronic cough of noncardial origin, foreign bodies, parasitic invasion, paralysis of the larynx or tumours are required. Bronchoscopy enables the surgeon to take samples of bronchial discharge.     

Experiences with a sedimentation technique for the enrichment of cerebrospinal fluid cells in the dog and cat. Part 1.]

The differentiation of cells of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gives valuable information about certain neurologic diseases. The sedimentation technique of Sayk modified by K?lmel is introduced and its application described. Cells of 300 samples of CSF from dogs and cats are evaluated. There were very good to reasonable results in 88% (263 of 300) of the samples. A comparison between cell number, morphology and protein content in 150 samples was performed. 90 CSF samples with normal cell count (less than or equal to 5/mm3, determined in the Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber) were compared with the cell yield after sedimentation. In 58% (52 of 90) of the samples more than 200 cells were found, in 13% (12 of 90) more than 800 could be differentiated. The results are compared with those of other methods mentioned in the literature.