Accuracy of the withdrawal reflex for localization of the site of cervical disk herniation in dogs: 35 cases (2004-2007)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of neurologic examination versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in localization of cervical disk herniation and evaluate the usefulness of withdrawal reflex testing in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 35 client-owned dogs with a single-level cervical disk herniation as determined via MRI. PROCEDURES: 1 of 2 board-certified neurologists performed a complete neurologic examination in each dog. Clinical signs of a cervical lesion included evidence of neck pain and tetraparesis. The withdrawal reflex was used for neuroanatomic localization (C1-C5 or C6-T2). Agreement between results of neurologic and MRI examinations was determined. RESULTS: Agreement between neurologic and MRI diagnoses was 65.8%. In 11 dogs in which the lesion was clinically localized to the C6-T2 segment on the basis of a decreased withdrawal reflex in the forelimbs, MRI revealed an isolated C1-C5 disk lesion. In 1 dog, in which the lesion was suspected to be at the C1-C5 level, MRI revealed a C6-T2 lesion. Cranial cervical lesions were significantly associated with an incorrect neurologic diagnosis regarding site of the lesion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that the withdrawal reflex in dogs with cervical disk herniation is not reliable for determining the affected site and that a decreased withdrawal reflex does not always indicate a lesion from C6 to T2.     

Alteration of body composition in rats: effect of organic chromium and L-carnitine

A growth trial was carried out to test the effect of organic, trivalent chromium and L-carnitine on the body composition of growing rats. At the same time, an evaluation of different measurement methods (weight of epididymal fat pad, adipocyte morphometry, total body electrical conductivity) was performed. Outbred Wistar rats of 30 days of age were fed diets of different (0, 10 and 20%) protein level. The diets were supplemented with 4 mg/kg Cr as chromium nicotinate, and 100 mg/kg L-carnitine. The experimental feeding lasted 15 days, after a 5-day-long adjustment period. It was found that Cr addition increased feed intake. Both treatments caused changes in body composition, increasing fat and protein deposition. Organic chromium had no effect at either protein level, while L-carnitine improved the protein retention only at an optimum (20%) protein supply. No statistically significant correlation was found between total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) and body composition, which could be attributed to the great individual differences. A close correlation was found among total body fat percentage, weight of epididymal fat pad and the adipocyte surface. The data suggest that there is an interaction between dietary protein supply and the effect of repartitioning agents.     

Veterinary medical education and veterinary involvement in aquatic-animal health and aquaculture in Mexico

This article analyzes curriculum offerings related to aquaculture and/or aquatic-animal health taught in veterinary medical schools or colleges in Mexico. The information database of the Mexican Association of Schools and Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and the Web sites of veterinary institutions indicate that 60% of veterinary colleges include courses related to aquaculture in their curriculum, but most of these are optional courses. There are few specialized continuing education programs or graduate level courses. There is also a lack of veterinary participation, in both public and private sectors, in aquatic-animal health. It is evident that there should be a greater involvement by the veterinary profession in Mexico's aquaculture to ensure food production in a safe and sustainable manner; to achieve this, veterinary medical institutions must include more aquaculture and aquatic-animal health courses in their curricula.     

Acute phase proteins as a tool for differential diagnosis of wasting diseases in growing pigs

The concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured in wasted pigs, first to evaluate their usefulness in the diagnosis of infectious, wasting diseases in pigs, and second, to evaluate whether their concentrations can distinguish the lymphoid depletion score in the lymph tissues of wasted affected pigs. Fifty-three wasted pigs and seven specific pathogen free (SPF) pigs were postmortem examined. Gross lesions were evaluated and samples for histopathological, immunohistochemical, molecular biology and microbiological analysis were taken. Thirty-one pigs were diagnosed as postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and 22 as porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). Lymphoid depletion degree in lymph tissues of PMWS and PRDC affected pigs was determined. Serum Hp was significantly higher in pigs with PRDC in comparison with the PMWS affected pigs. Serum CRP concentration was significantly lower in pigs with PRDC than in PMWS affected pigs (P<0.001). CRP and SAA levels increased with the lymphoid depletion score, presenting statistical differences between pigs with no depletion and pigs with low, moderate or severe lymphoid depletion (P<0.05, P<0.05 and P<0.001 for CRP and P<0.01, P<0.01 and P<0.01 for SAA, respectively). Hp was higher in pigs with no or low depletion compared with the pigs suffering severe lymphoid depletion (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively).     

Anti-predator behaviour of adult red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) tutors improves the defensive responses of farm-reared broods

1. The aim of this work was to improve natural anti-predator behaviour of farm-reared gamebirds.

2. We evaluated the anti-predator behaviour of reared red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa chicks kept in brooder houses in large groups (>350 chicks), trained and not trained by parent red-legged partridges acting as experienced tutors.

3. The experiment consisted of two conditioned tests (a raptor model and a human) and two control tests, which were conducted during three consecutive phases of life (1–4, 15–17 and 30–32 d after hatching). The motor anti-predator behaviour, its duration, the intensity of response in chicks and alarm calls elicited by adults were recorded.

4. Tutors elicited aerial alarm calls (76% of tests) and showed prolonged crouching (59% of tests) in response to the raptor model whereas uttering the ground alarm call (73% of tests) and showing vigilance behaviour (78% of tests) was the main pattern during the human test.

5. Trained and not trained chicks showed similar motor behaviour in response to the raptor model (crouching) and the human test (escaping), but frequency of strong responses (all chicks responding) from chicks trained with tutors was double that of chicks trained without them, and chicks trained with tutors showed a higher frequency of long responses (41–60 s).

6. This study indicates that anti-predator training programmes before release may improve behaviour of farm-reared partridges which may confer benefits to survival of birds.

     

Cutaneous pythiosis in a dog from Brazil

This report describes a case of cutaneous pythiosis in a 6‐year‐old female mixed breed dog, from the central west region of São Paulo State, Brazil. The cytological and histopathological analyses showed an intense inflammatory infiltrate with presence of numerous hyphal elements, suggesting infection due to Pythium insidiosum. The diagnosis was confirmed by nested‐PCR, which was carried out with specific primers derived from the ribosomal DNA region. The pathogen occurs in Brazil and veterinarians should be aware of the importance of correctly diagnosing this disease and differentiating it from other fungal diseases.     

Dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion for 24 hours during and after propofol or isoflurane anaesthesia in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiovascular and respiratory effects and pharmacokinetics of a 24-hour intravenous constant rate infusion (CRI) of dexmedetomidine (DMED) during and after propofol (PRO) or isoflurane (ISO) anaesthesia in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, cross-over study. ANIMALS: Ten healthy adult Beagles. METHODS: Instrumented dogs received a DMED-loading bolus (25 microg m(-2)) at time 0 followed by a 24-hour CRI (25 microg m(-2) hour(-1)), with PRO or ISO induction/maintenance of anaesthesia during the first 2 hours (PRO and ISO treatment groups, respectively). Cardiovascular, respiratory, blood gas, airway gas, serum chemistry variables and DMED plasma concentration data were collected at -15, 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. A number of cardiorespiratory and tissue oxygenation variables were calculated from the above data. After the 2-hours of anaesthesia, heart and respiratory rates and electrocardiograms were recorded and DMED plasma concentrations were determined for up to 26 hours. RESULTS: Vasopressor effects and the decrease in heart rate (HR) and cardiac index induced by DMED were greater for PRO than ISO, but were within clinically acceptable ranges. Adequate oxygenation was maintained above the critical O(2) delivery level. The overall incidence of unfavourable arrhythmias was low and tended to vary inversely with HR. Mean DMED plasma concentration ranged from 0.23 to 0.47 ng mL(-1) for both groups during the 24-hour CRI with a mean elimination half-life of approximately 0.46 hour. CONCLUSION AND/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: DMED CRI resulted in typical alpha(2)-agonist induced haemodynamic changes with minimal respiratory effects, and appeared to be an efficacious adjunct during and after PRO or ISO anaesthesia in healthy dogs.