Blood lipids, fecal fat and chymotrypsin excretion in the dog: influence of age, body weight and sex

Effects of physiological variables (age, body weight and sex) on lipemia (total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides and NEFA), fecal fat and chymotrypsin excretion were examined in dogs. On comparing various ages and body weights, they found statistically significant differences, while only total lipids showed a statistically significant difference between the two sexes. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between body weight and fecal fat and chymotrypsin excretion. The results obtained contribute to the evaluation of small intestine functionality, especially in relation to some diseases, as malabsorption, maldigestion and steatorrhea in the dog.     

Effect of body position on the 6-lead ECG of dogs

ECGs recorded from dogs show characteristic morphology and changes in morphology with various disease states. These changes are determined by comparing individual recordings to reference ranges established from recordings obtained from normal dogs in right lateral (RL) recumbency. Using these reference ranges for ECGs recorded from dogs in other positions may not be valid. We compared ECG complexes from 39 normal dogs obtained in RL, left lateral (LL), and standing (ST) body positions. ECGs from dogs in ST position showed increased Q-wave and R-wave amplitudes in leads I and II, increased R-wave and S-wave amplitudes in leads aVR and aVL, and decreased R-wave and S-wave amplitudes in lead III when compared with recordings obtained in RL position. ECGs from dogs in LL position showed increased R-wave amplitude in leads II, III, and aVF and S-wave amplitude in lead aVL but decreased R-wave amplitude in lead aVR when compared with recordings obtained in RL position. The mean electrical axis (MEA) shifted to the left in ST position but remained within the normal range in LL position. We determined that both a change in the relative position of the recording electrodes with respect to the heart as well as a change in intrathoracic cardiac position contributed to these changes. P-wave amplitude, P-R and S-T intervals, and QRS complex durations remained unaltered by changes in body position. Our findings indicate that ECGs of dogs recorded in RL, LL, and ST positions yield dramatically different results, and investigators should use position-specific reference ranges to minimize potential misinterpretation of ECG results.     

Daily rhythm of total activity pattern in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) maintained in two different housing conditions

Housing conditions and human presence have been shown to have an influence on daily amount of activity in herbivores. Only few studies on the behavior of cats and interactions between cat and human were conducted, and these few works are referred to cats housed in laboratories. At the same way, only few and conflicting reports about the presence of circadian rhythms in cats are present. In view of this incomplete literature, the main aim of our study was to investigate the influence of different housing conditions on daily rhythm of total locomotor activity (TLA) in cats.For this purpose, 10 clinically healthy adult domestic cats were used. They were divided into 2 equal groups living with their owner in their home. Group A lived in 80-100 m² house and had free daily access to 20-40 m² garden from 08:00 to 9:00. Group B lived in 200-250 m² house, had free access to 2000-2500 m² garden all day, and from 21:00 to 08:00 they were kept outside. Our results showed that in group A, that live in strong symbiosis with owners respect to group B, the amount of activity was higher during the photophase. This supporting the view that domestic cats adapt their lifestyle with their owners. Group B exhibited the highest level of locomotor activity during the scotophase. Moreover, a robust daily rhythmicity of TLA was observed in group B; on the contrary, in group A, TLA showed no daily rhythmicity. Our findings underline the high influence of human presence and care on the amount of activity and daily rhythm in cats.     

Mathematical modeling for evaluating gain of logging companies in the timber market

We propose a game-theoretic model for a first-price sealed-bid auction (FPSB auction) of standing timber. A FPSB auction means that bidders simultaneously submit sealed bids so that no bidder knows the bid of any other participant. The highest bidder pays the submitted price. The mathematical model has been elaborated considering only two bidders. Each bidder is supposed to know only the probability distribution of the bid of the other bidder. Using appropriate distributions, the adversity and propensity of a bidder to risk can be described. From the view point of a bidder, the conservative solution is calculated for both types of the other bidder. If a standing timber belongs to a public owner, the market has to follow a public evidence procedure, including public auctions. The function obtained is illustrated with a numerical example of a typical standing timber auction from a forest located in central Italy. Considering average costs and prices of the local chestnut timber market, winning bids and expected gains are estimated. Their amounts are comparable with the currently average stumpage price registered in this market.     

Analyses of BioVOCs variation related to vegetation predominance in the natural park of ampezzo dolomites, UNESCO world heritage area of dolomites

The determination of emitted Biogenic Volatile Compounds (BioVOCs) profile via Field Air Analysis (FAA) — Solid Phase Micro Extraction (75 μm Carboxen/PDMS portable field sampler) was performed using GC-MS. The six sampling sites located in the Natural Park of Ampezzo Dolomites, part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, are characterized by different predominating vegetation. The ubiquitous compound hexanal was chosen as internal standard, in order to compare the amounts of the different compound in the different sites. The main terpenes identified were α-pinene, β-pinene, δ-3-carene and d-limonene, while 1,8 cineole was the highest abundant oxygenated terpene. In the site next the national road a higher amount of benzene derivatives (benzene, toluene, o-xylene, p-xylene and ethylbenzene) were observed. In the site relatively close to the road a marked decrease of benzene derivatives was observed. In the sites close to conifers (i.e. Fir, Pine and Larch) the terpenic content observed was higher than in the site close to the mixed forest (mainly large-leaf and some conifers). Some terpenes were observed also in the high-quote meadow site, although of lower abundance than in the other sites. The highest abundance of terpenes was observed in the Pinus cembra (Swiss Pine) site.     

Surgical complications following sentinel lymph node biopsy guided by γ-probe and methylene blue in 113 tumour-bearing dogs

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an accepted veterinary surgical procedure given the impact of early detection of nodal metastases on staging of several canine malignancies. This study aims at reporting the incidence and risk factors for surgical complications of SLNB in tumour-bearing dogs. A total of 113 client-owned dogs that underwent tumour excision and SLNB guided by γ-probing and blue dye were retrospectively enrolled. Recorded variables included: signalment, location and number of extirpated lymphocenters and nodes, time for SLNB, histopathological status of excised nodes. Incidence of SLNB complications was calculated. They were classified as minor and major based on severity and required treatment, and as short-term (0–30 days) and long-term (31–90 days). Univariate analysis with generalized linear model with binomial error estimated the association between variables and incidence of SLNB complications. Significance was set at 5%. Median overall time for SLNB was 25 min. Surgeons excised one node in 38% of dogs and multiple nodes in 62% of cases, belonging to one (62%) or multiple (38%) lymphocenters. Metastases were detected in 45% of nodes. No intraoperative complications occurred. The overall incidence of postoperative complications of SLNB was 21,24%, the majority of which (91.67%) were minor. Only increasing dogs' weight was associated with an increased incidence of SLNB complications (p = .00976). Sentinel lymphadenectomy was associated with a relatively low incidence of complications, most of which were self-limiting. The low morbidity and previously reported impact on staging of SLNB justify its implementation to collect data for prognostic studies.     

Clinicopathologic features and outcome predictors of Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup infection in dogs: a retrospective study of 20 cases (2001-2004)

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathologic findings and outcome predictors in dogs with Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup infections. ANIMALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 159 dogs that had a leptospiral microscopic agglutination test (MAT) performed between 2001 and 2004 were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty dogs met serologic criteria for either symptomatic (16 dogs) or asymptomatic (4 dogs) infection caused by Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup. Seven of 16 symptomatic dogs died or were euthanized and 9/16 recovered. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was observed in 9/16 dogs. The presence of SIRS did not affect prognosis (P = .357). C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hpt) concentrations were altered in all symptomatic dogs, but results did not differ significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors (P = .08 and P = .055, respectively). Conversely, the CRP to Hpt ratio (CRP/Hpt) was significantly increased in nonsurvivors. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was diagnosed in 7/16 dogs. DIC did not significantly affect outcome (P = .126). Multiple organ involvement was present with renal failure in 16/16, liver damage in 12/16, cardiac damage in 11/16, and muscular damage in 8/16 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Among the evaluated clinicopathologic biomarkers, serum albumin, cardiac troponin I, CRP/Hpt, urinary albumin, and urinary total protein to creatinine ratio were found to predict outcome and warrant evaluation in larger prospective studies.     

Paraneoplastic alopecia associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in a cat

A 15-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat presented with alopecia associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical signs, which had commenced 6 months previously, included loss of appetite, loss of weight, and depression. As reported by the owner, the cat developed alopecia a week before referral. The hair loss was localized to the ventral aspect of the thorax and abdomen, medial aspect of front and hind limbs, and ventral aspect of the tail, and was associated with histological features consistent with paraneoplastic alopecia. At necropsy, multiple hepatic nodules were observed, and subsequent histopathological investigation showed cords and sheets of hepatocyte-like neoplastic cells positive for the hepatocyte marker (Hep Par 1), thereby demonstrating the hepatocellular origin of the tumour, which was diagnosed as a hepatocellular carcinoma. This is the first report of feline paraneoplastic alopecia associated with hepatocellular carcinoma confirmed by the Hep Par 1 marker.