Detection of canine microalbuminuria using semiquantitative test strips designed for use with human urine

Background — Commercial testing for microalbuminuria in human urine is often performed with point-of-care semiquantitative test strips followed by quantitative testing when indicated. An ELISA that quantifies canine urine albumin concentration has been developed, but semiquantitative test strips for use in the dog are not available.
Objective — The purpose of this study was to prospectively determine the concordance of canine urine albumin concentrations measured by a commercial human test strip and by ELISA.
Methods — Urine samples were obtained from 67 dogs evaluated for a variety of clinical conditions. Dipstick urinalyses were performed on all samples; clinician discretion determined method of urine collection and performance of urine sediment examination and/or urine culture. Urine albumin concentration was determined using test strips (Clinitek Microalbumin, Bayer Corporation, Elkhart, Ind, USA), and results were compared with those obtained by ELISA.
Results — The Clinitek strips correctly determined albumin concentration in 42 of 67 (63%) urine samples tested. Concordance was lowest (48%) for dogs with microalbuminuria (10–300 μg/mL by ELISA). Clinitek strip sensitivity and specificity for correct identification of microalbuminuria were 48% and 75%, respectively. Concordance was lower in dogs with urinary tract infection or hematuria and in samples collected by catheterization. Sensitivity and specificity for correct identification of microalbuminuria after exclusion of dogs with urinary tract infection or hematuria were 59% and 83%, respectively.
Conclusion — These results suggest that the Clinitek strips lack sufficient concordance with results obtained by ELISA to be reliable screening tests for microalbuminuria in the dog. A reliable semiquantitative point-of-care test for canine urine albumin concentrations below those detected by standard urine dipsticks is still needed.     

Protective effect of clenbuterol on duodenal epithelium during food restriction in rats

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the beta2-adrenoceptor, clenbuterol, on the duodenal epithelium of food-restricted rats. Clenbuterol was administered as a dietary admixture (4 mg/kg diet) to three groups of male Wistar rats (n = 8) housed individually in metabolic cages and fed ad libitum for 15 days at 110% and 160% of the estimated requirement for energy maintenance. Untreated groups at each energy intake level were also included. Samples of the duodenum were examined by light microscopy. Compared with control animals, clenbuterol treatment significantly increased body mass in all diet groups, although it induced no changes in mean food intake. Gastrointestinal (GIT) dry mass was increased by clenbuterol only in the most severely-restricted-diet group. In this group, clenbuterol treatment increased GIT tissue nitrogen (23%), more than it did in the ad libitum group (13%). In all treated groups, clenbuterol induced significant hypertrophy of duodenal enterocytes and circular muscle layers, and the diameter of lymphatic vessels increased. In the clenbuterol-treated, restricted-diet groups the height of the brush borders of enterocytes increased. It is concluded that clenbuterol has a protective effect on the intestinal structure in rats on restricted as well as ad libitum diets.     

Immunization against gnRH in mature mares: antibody titres,ovarian function,hormonal levels and oestrous behaviour

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of active immunization against GnRH in mature Standardbred mares (three experimental and one control mare) on antibody titres, ovarian function, hormonal levels and oestrous behaviour. The mares were individually teased with a stallion once each day. During the first part of the experiment (period I: late April until November), blood was sampled every third day during the first 3 months, thereafter once per week. In the second part of the experiment (period II: December until August), sampling was carried out every second week. Progesterone, oestradiol-17beta and LH were analysed. Rectal gynaecological examination was made with the same intervals as the blood samplings and included palpation of the genital organs and ultrasonography. The experimental mares were immunized against GnRH with a GnRH-BSA conjugate. Equimune (Vetrepharm, Bracetown, Business Park, Clonee, Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland) was used as adjuvant. The mares were immunized on four occasions (20-30 day intervals) and GnRH antibody titre was determined. All immunized mares produced antibodies against GnRH but the maximum titres as well as the duration of a greater than 10% binding capacity varied between the mares (1 : 1600 to 1 : 50 000; 5 to 12 months, respectively). After the first injection, all mares showed one oestrus and ovulated at the regular time. In two of the mares, the immunization resulted in ovarian atrophy. Their hormone levels of progesterone, oestradiol- 17beta and progesterone decreased to basal levels and the cyclical hormone pattern was interrupted from approximately 30 days onwards. They continued to show oestrous signs but with irregular durations and intervals. The third mare showed ovarian suppression only for short periods and not in both ovaries at the same time; the hormone levels were basal for only about 20 days (days 50-70) and the mare ovulated on day 75 after start of immunization. The other mares ovulated after 13.5 and 15 months, respectively. It is concluded that the effect of immunization against GnRH in mature mares was individual concerning antibody titre response and the suppression of ovarian activity and hormone levels. Mares with totally inactive ovaries continued to show oestrous signs but with irregular intervals and durations.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC INTESTINAL HYPERECHOIC MUCOSAL STRIATIONS IN DOGS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LACTEAL DILATION

In this retrospective study, the medical records of 23 dogs with the sonographic feature of small intestinal hyperechoic mucosal striations and an endoscopic or surgical intestinal biopsy were reviewed. Histopathologic lacteal dilation was present in 96% of dogs with mucosal striations. Sonographic findings associated with mucosal striations included: mild jejunal wall thickening (96%), mild duodenal wall thickening (78%), mucosal speckles (70%), and abdominal effusion (87%). The mucosal striations were diffuse (70%) or multifocal (30%) and did not cause loss of wall layering, except in one dog with a severe mural lipogranuloma. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy was identified in 9% of dogs. Thirteen dogs with endoscopic biopsies had mild to moderate villus lacteal dilation and the nine dogs with surgical biopsies had moderate to severe dilation. Inflammatory infiltrates were mild (61%) or moderate (30%) with variable numbers and combinations of cells, including eosinophils (65%), plasma cells (61%), lymphocytes (57%), and neutrophils (30%); one dog had disseminated villus histiocytic sarcoma. The biochemistry changes and clinical signs were consistent with protein-losing enteropathy in 78% of dogs. Hyperechoic mucosal striations in dogs are associated with lacteal dilation and are frequently associated with mucosal inflammation and protein losing enteropathy.     

A Comparison of Indirect Blood Pressure Monitoring Techniques in the Anesthetized Cat

Objective —To determine the accuracy of three indirect blood pressure monitoring techniques (oscillometric technique [OS], Doppler [DOP], and optical plethysmography [OP] [blood pressure determined with a pulse oximeter waveform]) when compared with direct arterial pressure measurement in cats. Study Design —Prospective study. Animal Population —Eight healthy (five female, three male), domestic short-hair cats, weighing 3.5 ± 0.8 kg Methods —Cats were anesthetized with isoflurane. The inspired concentration of isoflurane was adjusted to produce mild hypotension (80 to 100 mm Hg direct systolic), moderate hypotension (60 to 80 mm Hg direct systolic), and severe hypotension (<60 mm Hg direct systolic). Indirect pressure measurements were obtained from the thoracic limb and compared with concurrent direct measurement using regression analysis and a modification of Bland and Altman's technique. Results —All three techniques underestimated systolic pressure. OS produced the best prediction of systolic pressure with a bias ± precision of -15.9 ± 8.1 mm Hg. DOP and OP were relatively inaccurate with a bias ± precision of -25 ± 7.4 mm Hg and -25 ± 7.5 mm Hg. All three techniques correlated well with direct pressure with r values of 0.81, 0.88, and 0.88 for OS, DOP, and OP. DOP and OP provided an accurate prediction of direct mean arterial pressure with a bias ± precision of -0.8 ± 6 mm Hg and 0.6 ± 5.5 mm Hg. Correlation was good between DOP and mean arterial pressure with r = 0.89. Correlation was also good between OP and mean arterial pressure with r = 0.90. Conclusions —OS provided the most accurate prediction of direct systolic pressure. DOP and OP provided a good prediction of mean arterial pressure in the cat. Clinical Relevance —All three of these techniques are useful for detecting trends. Direct monitoring of blood pressure should be considered if accurate blood pressure measurement is required.     

Isolation of Mycobacterium species from raw milk of pastoral cattle of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

A study to determine the secretion of Mycobacterium spp. in milk from indigenous cattle was carried out in pastoral cattle reared in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The study was aimed at elucidating the dangers associated with milk-borne zoonoses in a society where milk is normally consumed raw. Out of 805 milk samples, 31 (3.9%) were positive for mycobacteria. There was a preponderance of atypical mycobacteria (87%) whereas only two isolates (6.5%) were confirmed as M. bovis. Atypical mycobacteria included: M. terrae (n=7), M. fortuitum (n=2), M. flavescens (n=13), M. gordonae (n=1) and M. smegmatis (n=4). Although the number of M. bovis positive samples was low, the habit of pooling milk may still pose great public health dangers to milk consumers in this part of the world. Moreover, isolation of atypical mycobacteria should also be considered to be a danger to human health in countries such as Tanzania, where the number of people with lowered immunity due to HIV infection is on the increase.     

The efficacy of used engine oil against ticks on cattle

The study was conducted in a peri-urban agricultural system at Botshabelo, a city in the south-eastern Free State. A questionnaire survey revealed that 88.5% of cattle farmers in the area experienced problems related to ticks and tick-borne diseases. Because of the cost of commercial acaricides the Botshabelo farmers use alternative, cheaper methods of tick control, including the application of used engine oil. The specific aim of the study was to determine whether used engine oil can effectively control ticks on cattle. From March to August 1996 the tick burdens of ten control animals and six animals treated by their owner with used engine oil were compared. The total tick burdens for the 6 month period differed significantly between the two experimental groups. The efficacy of the used engine oil on the treated group varied between 15.1% and 64.8% with a mean of 38.1%. Although commercial acaricides can be more cost-effective, the application of used engine oil can be useful to reduce tick numbers on cattle during periods of peak abundance. Another advantage in that the use of the oil will not influence existing endemic stability of Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina infections because of the residual tick burdens after treatment.