Thermoregulation of the testicle in response to exercise and subsequent effects on semen characteristics of stallions

Stallions (n = 8) were implanted with a thermal sensory device in the muscle of the neck and the subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum and then assigned to either a nonexercise (Non-EX; n = 4) or exercise (EX; n = 4) group. A motorized equine exerciser was used to work EX stallions 30 min/d for 4 d/wk during a 12-wk period from July through October 2010. Temperatures (subcutaneous scrotal, intramuscular neck, and rectal) were recorded at 0, 22, and 30 min after the start of exercise, as well as 60 and 120 min post-exercise. Hourly ambient temperature and relative humidity data were also obtained. Semen was collected at 0, 4, 8, and 12 wk and analyzed for volume, sperm concentration, total sperm numbers, percentages of total and progressively motile sperm, sperm morphologic characteristics, and sperm DNA quality. No effect (P > 0.05) of exercise was observed on any of the measured semen variables. Implantation of thermal sensory devices had no demonstrable acute or chronic effects on the scrotal or neck tissue, indicating that the thermal sensory devices are a safe and effective way to measure subcutaneous scrotal and neck temperatures. At 22 and 30 min of exercise, rectal and neck temperatures increased (P < 0.0001) approximately 1.9 and 2.4°C, respectively, and scrotal temperatures simultaneously increased, although not significantly (P = 0.33), approximately 0.8°C. Correlations existed between scrotal, neck, rectal, and ambient temperatures, with the correlation between scrotal and rectal temperatures being greatest (r(s) = 0.76; P < 0.0001). Although moderate exercise for a short duration in extreme heat and humidity did significantly increase core body temperatures in stallions, scrotal temperatures did not significantly increase, and sperm parameters were unaffected.     

Successful medical management of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse in a ferret

Thoracolumbar disc herniation was diagnosed in a two-year-old ferret using a myelogram followed by a computed tomography scan. The ferret was paraplegic with no control over urination and defecation. Conservative treatment that included cage rest and passive range of motion exercises for three weeks followed by extensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy resulted in full recovery two months after the onset of treatment. Although intervertebral disc disease has been reported previously in four ferrets, this is the first report in which a postmyelogram computed tomography was used to demonstrate the herniated disc, and physiotherapy was used as principal treatment modality.     

Effects of reconcile (fluoxetine) chewable tablets plus behavior management for canine separation anxiety

Canine separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem presented to veterinarians. Associated behaviors are distressing to both dog and owner, have the potential to disrupt the human-companion animal bond, and may lead to euthanasia. The results of this study demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of Reconcile (fluoxetine, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day [0.45 to 0.91 mg/lb/day]), in conjunction with behavior management, for the treatment of canine separation anxiety. The beef flavored chewable formulation was palatable to treated dogs and easy to administer. This study provides to veterinarians and owners valuable information about an effective separation anxiety treatment plan that combines use of Reconcile with behavior modification.     

Culture and Stimulation of Tammar Wallaby Lymphocytes

We describe the culture and stimulation of lymphocytes from the model marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). We also describe the capacity of tammar wallaby lymphocytes isolated from blood, spleen and lymph nodes to produce soluble immunomodulatory factors. Culture conditions were optimized for mitogen-driven stimulation using the plant lectin phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Products secreted by stimulated cells were harvested and crudely fractionated before they were added back to freshly isolated lymphocytes. Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, both stimulatory and inhibitory bioactive factors were detected in serum-free supernatants harvested from mitogen-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This paper describes the capacity of leukocytes of the tammar wallaby to respond to mitogenic stimulation and to produce soluble, low-molecular-weight bioactive molecules that possess cytokine-like activity.     

Risk-based surveillance for H5N1 avian influenza virus in wild birds in Great Britain

Recent outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in Europe have highlighted the need for continuous surveillance and early detection to reduce the likelihood of a major outbreak in the commercial poultry industry. In Great Britain (gb), one possible route by which H5N1 could be introduced into domestic poultry is through migratory wild birds from Europe and Asia. Extensive monitoring data on the 24 wild bird species considered most likely to introduce the virus into GB, and analyses of local poultry populations, were used to develop a risk profile to identify the areas where H5N1 is most likely to enter and spread to commercial poultry. The results indicate that surveillance would be best focused on areas of Norfolk, Suffolk, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, south-west England and the Welsh borders, with areas of lower priority in Anglesey, south-west Wales, north-east Aberdeenshire and the Firth of Forth area of Scotland. These areas have significant poultry populations including a large number of free-range flocks, and a high abundance of the 24 wild bird species.     

Morphology and Neurochemical Expression of Neurons Immunoreactive for the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP-IR) in the Lamb Ileum

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Evaluation of the association between microalbuminuria and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio and systemic disease in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate semiquantitative and quantitative assays for microalbuminuria and determination of the urine albumin-creatinine (UAC) ratio in detection of systemic disease in dogs without overt proteinuria. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 408 dogs. PROCEDURES: Urine samples that had been obtained from dogs for which a complete medical record was available and in which results of a dipstick test for urine protein were negative were evaluated. Urine protein-creatinine ratios (cutoff values, 0.5 and 0.1), semiquantitative and quantitative microalbuminuria values (cutoff value, 1 mg/dL), and UAC ratios (cutoff values, 100 and 200 mg/g) were determined. Clinical diagnoses rendered within 3 months of enrollment in the study were recorded. Sensitivity and specificity were determined with disease status serving as the standard. Associations with clinical diagnosis, sex, age, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, blood pressure, results of bacterial culture of urine, temperature, pyuria, hematuria, and bacteriuria were evaluated by use of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 48 dogs were healthy, and 360 had at least 1 disease. Significant associations were detected between age, presence of disease, presence of neoplastic disease, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, and hematuria and results of 1 or both of the microalbuminuria assays. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Microalbuminuria was associated with underlying disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the semiquantitative microalbuminuria test for detection of systemic disease were superior to those of other tests. Microalbuminuria testing in conjunction with other screening procedures may increase diagnosis of subclinical disease, but a prospective study in which the predictive values of screening tests are evaluated, with and without microalbuminuria determination, is needed.