RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THORACIC CONFORMATION AND THE RISK OF GASTRIC DILATATION-VOLVULUS IN DOGS

To test the hypothesis that breeds of dogs with a deeper and narrower thorax have an increased risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), thoracie depth, width, and length were measured for 437 dogs of 17 different breeds using radiographs on file at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine for the period of 1977 to 1993. These data were applied to risk estimates of GDV that were generated from a separate case control study using the Veterinary Medical Data Base. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to relate the mean thoracie measurements and the ideal, adult body size of the breeds to the risk of each breed developing GDV. When the risk of GDV was evaluated as a function of the mean thoracie depth/width ratio alone, or as a function of the thoracie depth/width ratio plus ideal adult breed weight, 37% (p = 0.022), respectively, of the variability in GDV risk was explained. These findings support the hypothesis tested and suggest that selective breeding can be used to decrease a breed's risk of GDV over time.     

Fungicidal activity and chemical constitution. XVIII. The activity of 4-(1-cyclo-, 1-iso- and 1-n-propylalkyl)-2, 6-dinitrophenols against powdery mildews

The synthesis of seven 4-(1-cyclopropylalkyl)- and eight 4-(1-isopropylalkyl)-2, 6-dinitrophenols is described. When tested, together with six 4-(1-n-propylalkyl)-2, 6-dinitrophenols, several of these compounds showed high protectant activities against apple and cucumber powdery mildews. Their activities are discussed in relation to π values obtained from g.l.c. retention times, and to hydrogen bonding characteristics (both intra-and inter-) derived from infrared spectroscopic data.     

Frequency, body distribution, and population size of Malassezia species in healthy dogs and in dogs with localized cutaneous lesions.

Malassezia species are commensal organisms of human and animal skin that occasionally act as opportunistic pathogens. The lipid-dependent species are associated with human skin disorders, whereas the non-lipid-dependent species (Malassezia pachydermatis) is considered as an opportunistic secondary pathogen affecting the canine skin surface and ear canal. This study evaluated the relationship between Malassezia yeasts, their population size, and the occurrence of skin lesions from healthy and skin-diseased dogs. The efficiency of cytological examination and fungal culture for Malassezia detection was also evaluated. From March 2002 to July 2003, 33 healthy dogs and 54 dogs with pruritic localized skin diseases were examined; skin swabs (1218) were collected from 7 anatomical sites for culture and cytological examination. Malassezia prevalence according to anatomical site and the agreement between cytological results and fungal cultures were statistically analyzed. Differences in mean colony forming unit counts between positive healthy and diseased dogs were evaluated using the Bonferroni test for post hoc pair-wise comparisons. In healthy dogs, Malassezia yeasts were most frequently isolated in the perianal and perioral areas. The frequency of isolation and population size of Malassezia species were higher in dogs with localized dermatitis, especially in affected areas, indicating a role for Malassezia in the occurrence of skin lesions. Malassezia pachydermatis was the species most commonly cultured from the skin and external ear canal of healthy and diseased dogs; isolation of lipid-dependent yeasts from healthy dogs was less frequent. Using fungal culture as the gold standard, cytological examination showed good relative specificity (95%) but very low relative sensitivity (30%).     

Molecular characterization of Phaseolus vulgaris L. genotypes included in Bulgarian collection by ISSR and AFLP™ analyses

Seventy-eight (33 Bulgarian and 45 foreign) common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes included in Bulgarian collection were screened for ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) and AFLP™ (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers. ISSR analysis was performed with 13 primers, and 55 (36.7 %) out of the 150 bands observed were polymorphic. One hundred and sixty-four AFLP™ fragments were obtained with three primer combinations, of which 54 (32.9%) were polymorphic. UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method Arithmetic Averages) analysis was performed using DICE coefficient and dendrograms were constructed using either the data from each method (ISSR and AFLP™) separately or combined in a single joint matrix. Despite some genetic heterogeneity observed in both pools (Middle American origin: M and Andean origin: A) the genotypes were separated in to main groups: one gathering genotypes mainly from pool M and the other more genotypes from pool A. Moreover, Bulgarian genotypes were spread over the two groups suggesting that they are not subject to genetic erosion and that the Phaseolus genetic diversity is conserved.     

Use of high-frequency ultrasonography for evaluation of skin thickness in relation to hydration status and fluid distribution at various cutaneous sites in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of high-frequency diagnostic ultrasonography for evaluation of changes of skin thickness in relation to hydration status and fluid distribution at various cutaneous sites in dogs. ANIMALS: 10 clinically normal adult dogs (6 males and 4 females) of various breeds. PROCEDURES: Ultrasonographic examination of the skin was performed before and after hydration via IV administration of an isotonic crystalloid solution (30 mL/kg/h for 30 minutes). A 13-MHz linear-array transducer was used to obtain series of ultrasonographic images at 4 different cutaneous sites (the frontal, sacral, flank, and metatarsal regions). Weight and various clinicopathologic variables (PCV; serum osmolality; and serum total protein, albumin, and sodium concentrations) were determined before and after the infusion. These variables and ultrasonographic measurements of skin thickness before and after hydration were compared. RESULTS: Among the 10 dogs, mean preinfusion skin thickness ranged from 2,211 microm (metatarsal region) to 3,249 microm (sacral region). Compared with preinfusion values, weight was significantly increased, whereas PCV; serum osmolality; and serum total protein, albumin, and sodium concentrations were significantly decreased after infusion. After infusion, dermal echogenicity decreased and skin thickness increased significantly by 21%, 14%, 15%, and 13% in the frontal, sacral, flank, and metatarsal regions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cutaneous site and hydration were correlated with cutaneous characteristics and skin thickness determined by use of high-frequency ultrasonography in dogs. Thus, diagnostic ultrasonography may be a useful tool for the noninvasive evaluation of skin hydration in healthy dogs and in dogs with skin edema.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in histologically confirmed Pug dog encephalitis

The purpose of the study was to describe magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of histologically confirmed necrotizing encephalitis in four Pugs and to compare those findings with MR imaging characteristics of necrotizing encephalitis in other breeds. All dogs had the following common findings: lesions restricted to the forebrain, both cerebral hemispheres diffusely but asymmetrically affected, lesions affected gray and white matter resulting in loss of distinction between both, most severe lesions in occipital and parietal lobes, lesions were irregularly T2-hyperintense and T1-isointense to slightly T1-hypointense, and no cavitation. There were various degrees of contrast enhancement of brain and leptomeninges. Asymmetry of lateral ventricles and midline shift was seen in one dog each. Two dogs had brain herniation, which may have contributed to the progression of neurologic signs. Hyperintensity on T2-weighted and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images in the hippocampus and piriform lobe was consistent with excitotoxic edema, whereas similar imaging features in other forebrain areas corresponded to areas of inflammation or liquefaction on histopathology. In comparison with necrotizing encephalitis in other canine breeds, Pug dog encephalitis has some unique MR imaging features. Therefore, these characteristics cannot be applied to other breeds, nor should imaging features of necrotizing encephalitis of other canine breeds be used for interpretation of MR images in Pug dogs.     

Eastern equine encephalitis in 9 South American camelids

BACKGROUND: Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is a mosquito-borne togavirus (alphavirus) that causes severe (often fatal) encephalitis in many mammalian species, but it has not been reported previously in South American camelids. Hypothesis: South American camelids can become naturally infected with EEE virus and show encephalitic signs similar to those observed in other affected species. ANIMALS: Nine cases (8 alpacas and 1 llama, aged 3.5 weeks to 12 years) were identified; 4 of 9 were 510 weeks old. All cases were from the East Coast of the United States and presented in late summer and fall. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to include confirmed cases of EEE in camelids in North America before 2006. RESULTS: Eight of nine (89%) camelids died or were euthanized in extremis, with the mean time to death of 2 days. Clinical signs were consistent with encephalitis and included fever, lethargy, ataxia, seizures, recumbency, torticollis, opisthotonus, and vestibular signs. No consistent hematologic abnormalities were identified, and cerebrospinal fluid contained an increased protein concentration in the single camelid analyzed. No successful therapy was identified. EEE was confirmed by alphavirus detection by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the central nervous system (CNS) and by serology. Findings included polioencephalitis with lymphocytic perivascular cuffing; neutrophil infiltration; gliosis; neuron satellitosis; necrosis; and edema, with intracytoplasmic alphavirus within neurons and glial cells. No virus was detected in extraneural tissues. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In endemic areas, EEE should be considered a differential diagnosis for young and adult camelids with CNS disease. Brain histopathology with indirect IHC or PCR is diagnostic.     

Associations between anti-Fasciola hepatica antibody levels in bulk-tank milk samples and production parameters in dairy herds

Our primary objective was to determine the relationships between Fasciola-specific antibody levels in bulk-tank milk and measures of productivity to estimate economic losses that are associated with Fasciola infections. A bulk-tank milk sample was collected in March 2004 from 1105 dairy herds in Flanders and the antibody levels against Fasciola hepatica (ODRf) and Ostertagia ostertagi (ODRo) were determined. The association of ODRf with four production parameters (milk yield, milk-protein %, milk-fat % and inter-calving interval) was assessed by multivariable linear-regression models. Production data were available for 463 out of the 1105 herds sampled. An increase in ODRf from the 25% quantile (0.428) to the 75% quantile (1.064) was associated with a decrease in the annual average milk yield of 0.7kg/(cowday) (P=0.002), with a decrease in the average milk-fat % of 0.06% (P<0.001) and with an increase of the mean inter-calving interval of 4.7 days (P=0.03). No significant relationship was found with the average milk-protein %. When the relationships of ODRf and ODRo with milk yield were tested simultaneously, we saw an additive rather than synergistic effect of concurrent infections.     

Pituitary macroadenoma in a cat with diabetes mellitus, hypercortisolism and neurological signs

A 13-year-old neutered male European short-hair cat was presented because of blindness and behavioural abnormalities. On physical examination, abnormal behaviour, compulsive walking, circling, continuous vocalization and blindness were the main neurological signs. In addition, abdominal alopecia, thin and inelastic skin, weight loss despite polyphagia, polyuria and polydipsia were present. Laboratory investigation revealed diabetes mellitus and pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism. Diagnostic imaging showed bilaterally enlarged adrenals and a large pituitary mass. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of an ACTH-producing pituitary macroadenoma.