Investigation of the potential heritability of persistent right aortic arch in Greyhounds

In 2 successive matings of the same dam and sire in a Greyhound kennel, 1 of 6 puppies and 2 of 6 puppies were born with persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) in the first and second litters, respectively. Many congenital heart defects in dogs are believed to be heritable; however, proof of this has been difficult to obtain. Genetic predisposition to PRAA has been reported in German Shepherd Dogs and Irish Setters. The occurrence of PRAA in related Greyhounds within a kennel suggested a genetic predisposition to PRAA in a breed with which it has not been associated previously. Although the number of matings available for analysis was insufficient to conclusively prove a genetic basis for these observations, the occurrence of PRAA in puppies arising from successive matings of the same dam and sire strongly suggests that some lines of dogs of various breeds may be genetically predisposed to PRAA.     

Acute nontraumatic hemoabdomen in the dog: a retrospective analysis of 39 cases (1987-2001)

The medical records of 39 dogs with acute nontraumatic hemoabdomen were identified and reviewed. Anemia and hypoalbuminemia were identified in 36/37 (97%) and 25/33 (76%) dogs, respectively. Coagulopathies were identified in 26/31 (84%) dogs. When a definitive diagnosis was obtained, malignant neoplasia was diagnosed most frequently and occurred in 24/30 (80%) dogs. Hemangiosarcoma accounted for 21/30 (70%) diagnoses. Sixteen dogs underwent exploratory laparotomy, of which seven (44%) survived the perioperative period. Of the dogs that did not undergo surgery, 9/23 (39%) survived to be discharged from the hospital.     

Surgical management of adrenal gland tumors with and without associated tumor thrombi in dogs: 40 cases (1994-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To compare pathologic findings and results of adrenalectomy for adrenal gland tumors in dogs with and without vena caval tumor thrombi. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 40 dogs with adrenal gland tumors. PROCEDURE: Medical records were examined. An exact logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between tumor type or right-sided versus left-sided tumor involvement and development of caval tumor thrombi and associations between tumor thrombi, tumor type, or right- versus left-sided location and perioperative complications and mortality rate. Survival was compared between dogs with and without tumor thrombi. RESULTS: Caval thrombi were detected in 25% of dogs, including 3 of 28 (11%) dogs with an adrenocortical tumor and 6 of 11 dogs with a pheochromocytoma. A caval tumor thrombus was detected in 6 of 17 right-sided and 4 of 20 left-sided tumors. Sensitivity and specificity of abdominal ultrasonography for detection of caval thrombi were 80 and 90%, respectively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications developed in 15 and 51% of dogs, respectively. The mortality rate was 22%. There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity and mortality rates between dogs with and without tumor thrombi. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Caval thrombi associated with adrenal gland tumors are amenable to adrenalectomy and thrombectomy without significantly increased perioperative morbidity and mortality rates, assuming the surgeon is experienced in appropriate techniques.     

Cyclosporine and ketoconazole for the treatment of perianal fistulas in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and cost of using cyclosporine and ketoconazole for the treatment of perianal fistulas in dogs. DESIGN: Clinical trial. ANIMALS: 12 dogs with perianal fistulas. PROCEDURE: Dogs received cyclosporine and ketoconazole orally (target whole blood trough cyclosporine concentrations of 400 to 600 ng/ml). Study endpoints were resolution of clinical signs, remission, and recurrence of disease. Adverse effects and cost of medications were reported. Results were compared with those from previous studies in humans and in dogs in which single agent cyclosporine treatment for perianal fistulas was used. RESULTS: All dogs had resolution of clinical signs. Eight dogs went into remission; however, 5 of those 8 had recurrence of fistulas. Adverse effects of treatment were minimal and well tolerated. Cost of treatment was comparable to traditional surgical options and less than single agent cyclosporine treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of cyclosporine with ketoconazole is an effective and cost-comparable treatment for perianal fistulas in dogs.     

Evaluation of lymphocyte apoptosis in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

Objective-To determine whether lymphocyte apoptosis in intestinal mucosae is more common in healthy dogs than dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and whether numbers of apoptotic cells increase after successful treatment of affected dogs. Animals-8 dogs with IBD (IBD dogs) and 8 healthy control dogs. Procedures-Biopsy specimens of the duodenum and colon were obtained via endoscopy from dogs with IBD before and after 10 weeks of standard treatment and compared with specimens obtained from control dogs. Expression of activated caspase 3 (Casp3), caspase-cleaved fragment p85 from poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was measured in the duodenal (villous tip and base) and colonic mucosae. Results-Expression of Casp3 was greater in the duodenal villous tips of control dogs, compared with expression in similar tissues from dogs with IBD before or after treatment. Despite clinical improvement of dogs with IBD, expression of Casp3 did not increase after treatment. Expression of PARP did not differ between groups at any time point. Expression of Bcl-2 was greater at all 3 tissue sites in control dogs, compared with expression at the same sites in dogs with IBD. Furthermore, Bcl-2 expression in duodenal villous tips was higher in dogs with IBD after treatment but was not higher elsewhere. In control dogs, expression patterns for all 3 markers were similar between sites (villous tip > villous base > colon). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Expression of Casp3 in lymphocytes in duodenal villous tips was significantly reduced in dogs with IBD, compared with expression in healthy dogs, but no increase was detected following successful treatment of IBD. Increased expression of Bcl-2 may be a potential marker of the success of treatment.     

Variations in condition and body constitution in a tropical estuarine fish with year-round recruitment

Fish condition (Fulton's K) and the abundance of biochemical constituents (water, protein, lipid and carbohydrate) of juveniles of the tropical estuarine fish, Ambassis vachelli, were monitored over a 15 month period. Fulton's K and biochemical constituents of juveniles recruiting into the adult habitat varied significantly throughout the study. Correlations between Fulton's K and all biochemical measures were weak, with a maximum correlation of 0.1379 (with protein abundance). Significant differences in condition and body constitution of individuals suggest that juveniles recruiting into the adult habitat are not in equal condition and therefore survivorship and success may vary within and among cohorts. Temperature (and salinity) display greater variation in tropical estuarine waters than in other tropical waters and are likely to play a role in determining recruit condition and body constitution. However, the exact role of physical parameters in determining condition and body constitution of fishes is still unknown.     

Infection with Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus stimulates an early gamma interferon response in the serum of pigs

The early release of cytokines by cells involved in innate immunity is an important host response to intracellular pathogens. Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) is an important cytokine produced during the early stages of an infection by macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and other cell types, and it is also a central cytokine mediator for the induction of cellular or Th1 immunity. To better understand innate and adaptive immune responses after infection with Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), we investigated serum IFN-gamma concentrations and the duration of viremia. For 2 strains of atypical PRRSV, IFN-gamma was detectable in swine serum soon after infection and lasted for approximately 3 wk. Serum concentrations of IFN-gamma peaked at about 10 d after inoculation and returned to approximately baseline levels by day 22. However, individual pigs manifested short, sporadic increases in the serum concentration of IFN-gamma from 18 to 50 d after inoculation. Prior vaccination blocked the serum IFN-gamma response associated with homologous virus challenge and altered the kinetics of the response after heterologous challenge. Two other respiratory viruses of pigs, Porcine respiratory coronavirus and Swine influenza virus, do not appear to induce serum IFN-gamma. The early production of IFN-gamma in PRRSV-infected pigs might result from activation of NK cells, a response that is more characteristic of immune pathways stimulated by intracellular bacterial and protozoan infections.