A case of canine gastrinoma

The dog of this case was a 10-year-old Shih Tzu with refractory vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia. Endoscopy revealed an unclear at gastric angle, a stenosis at pyloric antrum and congestion in duodenal mucosa. Since abnormal shadows of irregular echo-levels were disclosed by pancreas ultrasonography, serum gastrin level was determined with a suspect of gastrinoma. And an increase of serum gastrin was demonstrated. In addition, postmortem histological examination revealed that the pancreatic cells were positive for gastrin. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed as pancreatic gastrinoma.     

Comparison of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide concentrations in the blood,ovarian follicular fluid and uterine fluid: a clinical case of bovine metritis

We investigated the concentration of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the blood, ovarian follicular fluid and uterine fluid of a clinical case of bovine metritis. A 2-year-old lactating Holstein cow exhibited continuous fever >39.5°C for more than 2 weeks after normal calving. The cow produced a fetid, watery, red-brown uterine discharge from the vagina and was diagnosed with metritis. The LPS concentrations in plasma and uterine fluid were 0.94 and 6.34 endotoxin units (EU)/ml, respectively. One of seven follicles showed an extremely high level of LPS (12.40 EU/ml) compared to the other follicles (0.62–0.97 EU/ml). These results might suggest the presence of high concentration of LPS in follicles in cows with postpartum metritis.     

Detection of Ehrlichia muris DNA from sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) in Hokkaido, Japan

Ehrlichia muris DNA was detected in the blood of sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) by species-specific PCR based on the citrate synthase gene, which was shown to be more sensitive than species-specific PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Among 102 deer examined, one deer was positive. Deer may be a possible mammalian reservoir of E. muris.     

Prevalence of tick-borne Rickettsia and Ehrlichia in Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes ovatus in Tokachi district, Eastern Hokkaido, Japan

DNA from 111 ticks collected by flagging in Tokachi district, Eastern Hokkaido, Japan were examined for infection with Rickettsia and Ehrlichia, by PCR and sequencing methodology. For Rickettsia, analysis of the partial sequence of the citrate synthase gene was successfully performed on 11 DNA samples from I. persulcatus, and 7 of them showed 99.8% identical with Rickettsia helvetica while the other 4 showed 99.8% identical with ;Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae'. For Ehrlichia, a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene detected from I. persulcatus was 100% identical with that from Ehrlichia muris, and another DNA sample from I. ovatus showed 99.8% identical with Ehrlichia species detected from I. ovatus. The results suggest that the pathogens detected here might be distributed in this area.     

The incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in dogs with malignant tumor

The incidence of DIC in 208 dogs with a malignant tumor was evaluated. The incidence of DIC was 9.6% in dogs with a malignant tumor which was a solid tumor in all. In 164 dogs with a malignant solid tumor, the incidence of DIC was 12.2%. The incidence of DIC in dogs with hemangiosarcoma, mammary gland carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung was significantly higher than that in dogs with other malignant tumors. These results suggested that special care in looking for DIC should be taken in dogs with a malignant solid tumor.     

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of benazepril in the treatment of chronic renal insufficiency in cats

BACKGROUND: Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is a common disease in cats. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) have beneficial effects in humans with CRI by reducing the loss of protein in the urine and increasing life expectancy. HYPOTHESIS: The ACEI benazepril has beneficial effects on survival, clinical variables, or both as compared with placebo in cats with CRI. ANIMALS: 61 cats with naturally occurring CRI. METHODS: The cats were enrolled into a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Cats received placebo or 0.5-1 mg/kg benazepril once daily for up to 6 months. RESULTS: Urine protein/urine creatinine ratios were significantly (P < .05) lower with benazepril as compared with placebo at days 120 and 180. Three cats with placebo and 1 cat with benazepril were removed prematurely from the study because of deterioration of CRI or death. Cats were classified into 4 stages of CRI according to the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) classification scheme. Incidence rates of cats with IRIS classification stage 2 or stage 3 that remained in stage 2 or 3 without progressing to stage 4 were higher with benazepril (93 +/- 5%) as compared with placebo (73 +/- 13%). CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results suggest a potential for benazepril to delay the progression of disease, extend survival time, or both in cats with CRI.