Companion Animals Symposium: Obesity in dogs and cats: What is wrong with being fat?

Few diseases in modern pets are diet induced. One possible exception to this is obesity, which is ultimately caused by consuming more calories than needed by the dog or cat. Although fat is the most concentrated and efficiently stored source of calories, and protein least so, an excess of calories from any source will contribute to adiposity. Obesity is an excess of body fat sufficient to result in impairment of health or body function. In people, this is generally recognized as 20 to 25% above ideal BW. This degree of excess is important in dogs as well. A lifelong study in dogs showed that even moderately overweight dogs were at greater risk for earlier morbidity; these dogs required medication for chronic health problems sooner than their lean-fed siblings. The average difference in BW between groups was approximately 25%. Obese cats also face increased health risks, including an increased risk of arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hepatic lipidosis, and early mortality. The risk for development of diabetes increases about 2-fold in overweight cats and about 4-fold [corrected] in obese cats. Altered adipokine secretion appears to be an important mechanism for the link between excess BW and many diseases. Once considered to be physiologically inert, adipose tissue is an active producer of hormones, such as leptin and resistin, and cytokines, including many inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and C-reactive protein. The persistent, low-grade inflammation secondary to obesity is thought to play a causal role in chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and others. For example, tumor necrosis factor-α alters insulin sensitivity by blocking activation of insulin receptors. In addition, obesity is associated with increased oxidative stress, which also may contribute to obesity-related diseases. Management of obesity involves nutritional modification as well as behavioral modification. Increased protein intake combined with reduced calorie intake facilitates loss of body fat while minimizing loss of lean body mass. Limiting treats to 10% of calorie intake and increasing exercise both aid in successful BW management.     

Streptococcus spp. and related bacteria: Their identification and their pathogenic potential for chronic mastitis – A molecular approach

Streptococcus spp. and related bacteria form a large group of organisms which are associated with bovine intramammary Infections (IMI). Some of them are the well-known mastitis pathogens Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus agalactiae. In addition, there are a considerable number of these gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci (PNC) with unclear mastitic pathogenicity such as Aerococcus viridans which make the conventional diagnostics of PNC difficult. One diagnostic, API 20 Strep (API, Biomérieux) is recommended which, as a phenotypic assay, involves a series of miniaturized biochemical tests. Recently, preference is given to genotypic identification methods. In particular, sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene allows highly reproducible and accurate identification of bacteria and permits discovery of novel, clinically relevant bacteria. As a consequence, the aim of the present study was to compare identification of IMI-associated PNC by the API method as well as by sequencing of their 16S rRNA gene (16S). Furthermore, the correlation of these bacteria to bovine chronic mastitis and their phylogeny was investigated.102 PNC isolated from single quarter milk samples were identified by API and 16S sequencing. Considering Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae and Streptococcus agalactiae, both methods generated fully concordant results. In contrast, a very high disconcordance was observed for most of the other PNC, in particular Enterococcus spp., Aerococcus viridans and the viridans streptococci were shown as apathogenic. Lactococcus garvieae was found to be an opportunistic pathogen causing IMI during late lactation. In addition, PNC isolated from milk were frequently observed together with other bacteria, in particular with Staphylococcus spp. In these cases, the levels of somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined by the specific PNC present in the sample. Considering PNC phylogeny based on 16S sequencing, 3 major clusters were observed. They included all the common mastitis pathogens (cluster I), the Lactococcus spp., Enterococcus spp. and Aerococcus spp. (cluster II) and all the viridans streptococci (cluster III).     

Infection by Eucoleus aerophilus in dogs and cats: Is another extra-intestinal parasitic nematode of pets emerging in Italy?

The occurrence of the infection by the lungworm Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) in dogs and cats from Italy has been evaluated with conventional diagnostic procedures. Individual faecal samples from 569 dogs and 200 cats were undertaken to faecal flotation with sugar and zinc sulphate solution. Sixteen dogs (2.8%) and 11 cats (5.5%) scored positive for eggs of E. aerophilus when samples were processed with either of the two flotation solutions. Overall 14 of 16 dogs and eight of 11 cats infected by E. aerophilus showed respiratory symptoms and the most common were general respiratory distress, dry cough, wheezing and sneezing. These results indicate that E. aerophilus is not uncommon and that canine and feline capillariosis is of clinical importance. Given the impact that E. aerophilus infections may have upon animal health and its zoonotic potential, it is strongly advisable to routinely include this disease in the differential diagnosis of (cardio)-respiratory diseases of dogs and cats.     

Current status and epidemiological observation of Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) in dogs, cats and foxes in Italy: a "coincidence" or a parasitic disease of the Old Continent?

Thelazia callipaeda is a spirurid nematode which causes ocular infections in dogs and man and, occasionally, in cats, foxes and rabbits. The intermediate host and vector of T. callipaeda is unknown. For a long time T. callipaeda incidence was reported only from the Russian Federation and the Far East, but recently it has also been found in Italy. In order to investigate the spread of T. callipaeda in Italy, a survey was carried out in two sites, site A in the Piedmont region (North West Italy), and site B in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). Dogs, cats and foxes in site A and dogs in site B were examined for eyeworms, using different procedures and timing. From January 1995 to August 2002, 91 dogs, 4 cats and 903 fox carcasses were examined in site A, and from October 1999 to January 2003, 443 dogs were examined in site B, and the eyeworms collected were identified using morphological keys. Twenty-one (23.07%) and 185 (41.76%) of the dogs from sites A and B, respectively, were found to be infected by eyeworms; furthermore, all the cats examined and 46 fox carcasses (5.1%) were positive for eyeworms. All the nematodes collected were identified as T. callipaeda. These results indicate that T. callipaeda is not confined to Eastern Europe and Asia, but that it has spread to the Old Continent, and to both Northern and Southern Italy. Considering the high prevalence of infected dogs reported in some municipalities (e.g. 60.14% of 138 dogs examined in a municipality from site B), it is assumed that one or more vectors are significantly present in the areas under investigation. Furthermore, there is good reason to believe that T. callipaeda is also present in other European countries. Speculation as to the origins of this parasitic infestation in Europe and the biology of T. callipaeda and its vector/s is also discussed.     

Coughing in dogs: what is the evidence for and against a cardiac cough?

Cough has been historically reported as a major clinical sign of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in dogs. However, recent evidence appears to contradict the traditional dogmatic approach that linked cough to congestive heart failure in dogs. Here we use a question‐based format to introduce and discuss the modern evidence regarding “cardiac cough” and the interpretation of this important but often misleading clinical sign.     

What is the definition of intraoperative hypotension in dogs? Results from a survey of diplomates of the ACVAA and ECVAA

ObjectiveDetermine arterial blood pressure range that diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) and European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ECVAA) use to define intraoperative hypotension in dogs and identify the threshold values used for intervention.Study designSurvey of veterinary anesthesia specialists.PopulationDiplomates of the ACVAA and ECVAA.MethodsACVAA and ECVAA diplomates (n=313) were invited to participate in an Internet-based survey regarding anesthetized healthy dogs undergoing two types of procedures (diagnostic or surgical).ResultsThere were 151 respondents to the survey; 70.2% were ACVAA diplomates and 29.8% were ECVAA diplomates. The majority of the respondents (70.9%) worked in academia while the others were in private practice (19.2%), or research, diagnostic or pharmaceutical fields (9.9%). Hypotension was defined (mean ± SD) by the respondents as systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) <87 ± 8 mmHg for surgical cases and <87 ± 6 mmHg for diagnostic cases, or mean arterial pressure (MAP) <62 ± 4 mmHg for both types of cases. Arterial pressures reported to prompt treatment were SAP 85 ± 13 mmHg or MAP 61 ± 4 mmHg in surgical cases, and SAP 84 ± 11 mmHg or MAP 63 ± 8 mmHg in diagnostic cases.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThere was agreement between ACVAA and ECVAA diplomates on the definition of intraoperative hypotension in dogs during anesthesia. The blood pressures used to define hypotension were similar to the pressures that would prompt diplomates to start treatment. Readers could infer that diplomates define hypotension as a clinical condition that requires treatment at the time of diagnosis.     

The complex role of veterinary clinical teachers: how is their role perceived and what is expected of them?

The purpose of this study was to identify personal attributes in veterinary clinical teachers that are valued most by members of their work environment (fellow faculty, clinical training scholars [CTS; residents], undergraduate students, and referring veterinary surgeons) and to determine whether the opinions of these subgroups differed. Faculty (n=50), CTS (n=35), students (n=200), and referring veterinary surgeons (n=25) were presented with a list of 15 potentially desirable attributes. Respondents were asked to rank the three most important and the three least important attributes of effective clinical teachers. Respondents were also asked to select in which of the three main activities (clinical service, teaching, or research) in which clinical teachers currently invest the most and the least effort and in which they should invest the most and the least effort. All respondent groups agreed that "competence-knowledge" was among the most desirable attributes. Faculty, undergraduate students, and referring veterinary surgeons additionally included "enthusiasm" in the top three, whereas CTS regarded "respects independence" as more important. All respondent groups consistently chose "scholarly activity" as one of the three least important characteristics. A similar number of faculty members (38%) expressed that the greatest effort should be invested in clinical service or teaching, and the greatest proportions of CTS (44%) and students (56%) felt that most emphasis should be put on teaching alone. The differences in opinion between respondent groups regarding importance of attributes and emphasis of activity indicate that what is perceived as effective performance of clinical teachers differs depending on the role of those who engage with them.     

Are the material properties and matrix composition of equine flexor and extensor tendons determined by their functions?

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is common in competition horses. The SDFT contributes to locomotory efficiency by storing energy; such tendons have low safety margins. Tendons which merely position the limb, including the opposing common digital extensor tendon (CDET), are rarely injured. The current failure of strategies to prevent or effectively treat injury to the SDFT indicates the importance of understanding how it differs from tendons which are not injury-prone. HYPOTHESIS: That the structural and material properties and matrix composition of the SDFT and CDET differ, reflecting their specific functional requirements in vivo. METHODS: Forelimb tendons were harvested from 26 mature horses and loaded to failure prior to matrix composition analysis of specimens. RESULTS: The SDFT had a significantly higher cross-sectional area, structural stiffness, failure load and failure strain and a lower elastic modulus than the CDET (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The SDFT has conflicting requirements for strength and elasticity; although as a whole it is a stiffer structure than the CDET, differences in the matrix molecular composition including water and total sulphated glycosaminoglycan contents allow it to remain more elastic as a material. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Further information on how the two tendons attain these different properties may be of use in the development of prevention and treatment strategies for SDFT rupture.     

Is it possible to increase the n-3 fatty acid content of eggs without affecting their technological and/or sensorial quality and the laying performance of hens?

1. The aim of this study was to increase the n-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) content of eggs without affecting their sensorial and/or technological properties or the laying performance of hens. Laying hens from line 477 were divided into 5 groups corresponding to 5 different diets over the laying period: control diet (C) and diets containing extruded linseed with a high level of fibre (ELHF), extruded linseed with a low level of fibre (ELLF), microalgae, or a combination of 75% ELLF and 25% MA (ELLF+MA).

2. Dietary enrichment with n-3 FA had no effect on the laying performance, hen body weight or egg white viscosity. The egg yolks produced by hens fed the diet containing microalgae were redder than egg yolks from the other groups, suggesting the presence of red pigments in the microalgae preparation. However, the colour difference was low and not perceptible to the human eye. Moreover, colour measurement of egg yolks by sensorial analysis panellists using the Roche colour fan did not reveal a diet effect on this parameter.

3. Egg yolk lipid content was not affected by diet. The egg yolk of hens fed on diets containing linseed and/or microalgae had greater n-3 FA content (×2.5 to 2.9 compared to group C). Linseed mainly increased the linolenic acid content (×3.0 to 3.4 compared to group C) and the microalgae increased the LC n-3 FA content (×4.1 compared to group C). Dietary enrichment with n-3 FA had no effect on the sensorial quality of shell cooked eggs except for the “unusual flavour” criterion for which the score was higher for the MA group compared to the other groups and corresponded to a fishy flavour.

     

Clinical and computed tomography tumour dimension assessments for planning wide excision of injection site sarcomas in cats: how strong is the agreement?

In injection site sarcoma (ISS) in cats lateral as well as deep margins should be correctly planned for a successful surgical outcome. The discrepancy between clinical and computed tomography (CT) measurements of dimension in resectable tumour has led to possible bias that affects the subsequent surgical dose. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the agreement between clinical and CT measurements of dimension in newly diagnosed ISS in cats. Fifty‐three client‐owned cats that underwent both clinical and CT measurements of the length and width of ISS were included. CT measurements showed a tendency towards being larger than clinical dimensions, and this difference increased with increasing tumour size. Based on our results, in further studies focusing on ISS in cats, the kind of assessment used to define tumour dimensions (CT versus clinic) should be declared and specified to properly consider surgical results and prognostic impact of this variable.