Serum thyroid hormone concentrations and thyrotropin responsiveness in dogs with generalized dermatologic disease.

Fifty-eight dogs with generalized dermatologic disease that had not been given glucocorticoids systemically or topically within 6 weeks of entering the study were evaluated for thyroid function by use of the thyrotropin-response test. Dogs were classified as euthyroid or hypothyroid on the basis of test results and response to thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Baseline serum thyroxine (T4), free T4 (fT4), and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were evaluated in the 58 dogs. Serum T4, fT4, and T3 concentrations were evaluated in 200 healthy dogs to establish normal values. Hormone concentrations were considered low if they were less than the mean -2 SD of the values for control dogs. Specificity of T4 and fT4 concentrations was 100% in predicting hypothyroidism; none of the euthyroid dogs with generalized skin disease had baseline serum T4 or fT4 concentration in the low range. Sensitivity was better for fT4 (89%) than for T4 (44%) concentration. Significant difference was not observed in serum T4 and fT4 concentrations between euthyroid dogs with generalized skin disease and healthy control dogs without skin disease. Serum T3 concentration was not accurate in predicting thyroid function; most of the euthyroid and hypothyroid dogs with skin disease had serum T3 concentration within the normal range.     

Difficult interactions with veterinary clients: working in the challenge zone.

As veterinarians, effective interactions with clients and coworkers are fundamental to our professional satisfaction and success. This article first reviews the basis of a difficult interaction and provides specific communication skills to help the veterinarian more successfully manage situations that he or she may find difficult. Then, the authors offer exercises to assist veterinarians in practicing these skills. The information in this article relies closely on the work provided through the Bayer Animal Health Communications Project.     

浅谈孕犬难产

在犬病临床上，孕犬自然分娩从产程开始(即第一次出现宫缩)，到10h以上仍未能分娩的情况为难产。难产的发病原因较为复杂，通过这些年对我室难产病例的分析，各类难产的发生可因孕犬品种，胎儿体况以及外界因素的影响而各不同。一般地说，短头品种犬比头长品种犬易发生难产：初产犬比经产     

低碳畜牧的甜与难

<正>茶馆茶,久饮,可以益思、可以养性;茶馆,常往,可品论道,道尽天下时事。时事如茶,需时刻关注、不断辨析;久之,便可把脉风云、运筹帷幄。2010年,可以称之为"低碳年",各行各业均从各自领域开展"低碳"     

Laboratory diagnosis of canine pyometra.

The principal laboratory test used to confirm the pyometra diagnosis in the bitch has been the determination of the total white blood cell count in venous blood. A marked elevation is known to be a characteristic of the disease.In the present study, the white blood cell count was determined as well as the γ-globulin level. An elevation of the γ-globulin level and the total white blood cell count was very characteristic to the pyometra patients. The increase in the number of white blood cells nor the high γ-globulin level cannot be regarded specific for pyometra, therefore it was regarded important to find out a more specific test for pyometra.When sonicated E. coli bacteria were tested against sera from pyometra patients in electroimmunodiffusion, the precipitation was almost always detected when E. coli had been isolated from the uterus. This technique provides a quick method in detecting the causative E. coli infection.The present study suggests that whenever laboratory tests are used to confirm the pyometra diagnosis by the total white blood cell count, it is advantageous to analyze the total γ-globulin level in the serum as well as specific antibodies against a common E. coli antigen.Because of the reliability of the glutaraldehyde coagulation test and the simple technique, this can be suggested as the method of choice for an average small animal practice.     

The art of physical diagnosis.

Preservation of the art of physical examination of food animals is warranted because veterinarians are still asked to assess sick valuable individuals as well as sick animals that may be representative of herd or flock problems. It is very important to establish a consistent, thorough routine for physical and rectal examination to ensure that no problems are overlooked. An example of a routine for examining dairy cattle is presented, as is a sample form for recording findings.     

Tropical fish medicine. Behavioral diagnosis

An appreciation of the significance of behavior patterns of fish can be as useful to the practitioner as for any of the more familiar domestic species. Veterinarians are trained in comparative medicine, and a logical clinical approach is warranted regardless of the species to which it is directed. The information provided here can serve to bridge the veterinarian's knowledge of other species with the problems encountered in a fish in the sense that knowing what to look for, or what you are looking at, can help put things in perspective. There is no substitute, however, for common sense. The experience a clinician gains through seeing many animals of many species will be as useful with piscine patients as with other animals.