Quality of tissue specimens obtained endoscopically from the duodenum of dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of duodenal tissue specimens obtained endoscopically from dogs and cats and submitted to 1 of 2 diagnostic laboratories for evaluation. DESIGN: Case series. SAMPLE POPULATION: Slides from 50 consecutive canine and 50 consecutive feline endoscopically obtained duodenal tissue specimens submitted to laboratory 1 and 49 consecutive canine and 46 consecutive feline specimens submitted to laboratory 2. PROCEDURE: Slides were examined independently by 3 investigators, and each tissue piece on each slide was classified as clearly inadequate, questionable, or clearly adequate on the basis of 4 criteria. An overall score was then assigned to the slide. RESULTS: Slides from laboratory 1 were more likely to be scored as clearly adequate and less likely to be scored as clearly inadequate than slides from laboratory 2. Clearly adequate slides from laboratory 1 had a higher number of clearly adequate pieces of tissue than did clearly adequate slides from laboratory 2. Slides scored as clearly adequate had a higher number of individual tissue pieces than did slides scored as clearly inadequate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the quality of endoscopically obtained duodenal tissue specimens submitted to laboratories can vary, possibly because of differences in experience of individuals collecting biopsy specimens. Results suggest that at least 8 individual tissue pieces should be submitted when performing endoscopic biopsy of the duodenum in dogs and cats.     

A survey of canine echinococcosis in Gobi Altai Province of Mongolia by coproantigen detection

Few studies have been carried out for the prevalence of canine echinococcosis in Mongolia. This study was designed to elucidate a preliminary information of the prevalence from feces collected in the field. Sixty-seven fecal samples from dogs and 2 red foxes in Altai town were collected and examined for Echinococcus coproantigen and eggs. Coproantigen detection was performed by a sandwich ELISA using a monoclonal antibody EmA9 raised against Echinococcus multilocularis somatic antigen. Of the dog samples examined, 17 (25.4%) were positive by the ELISA. One out of two foxes was positive, too. Taeniid egg-positive feces were recognized in 12 dog feces. Only 6 samples were both coproantigen and egg positive. Eggs of Ancylostoma sp., Trichuris sp.; and Capillaria sp.; were also registered.     

Risk factors associated with transmissible gastroenteritis in swine.

Commercial production data base records from 2 Illinois farms, on which epizootic or enzootic transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) was experienced, were accessed for an epidemiologic study. Risk factors investigated were sow parity, source of sows, location of farrowing crates, and breeding practices. At farm 1, an epizootic was experienced; at farm 2, an epizootic of TGE followed by enzootic TGE was experienced. Initially, crude risk ratios were calculated for these risk factors, and the crude risk ratios were subsequently adjusted for confounders and interactions, using multiple logistic regression techniques. After adjustment, parity-3 sows were 2.3 times more likely to have litters with TGE than were sows of all other parities on farm 1, and parity-1 sows were 2.6 times more likely to have litters that experienced TGE than were sows of all other parities on farm 2. A single boar on each farm was linked to increased likelihood of a sow's litter contracting epizootic TGE on each farm. Enzootic TGE was maintained by the periodic influx of outside-source gilts on farm 2; these gilts were 2.2 times more likely to have litters with TGE than were sows derived from farm 2. Sows housed in farrowing crates located under the cold air inlet of farm 2 were 1.7 times as likely as sows located in other rows to have litters with enzootic TGE.     

Plasma levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite and progesterone in repeat breeder heifers.

A detailed clinical-endocrine investigation was performed in 6 repeat breeder heifers (RBH) with the aim being to ascertain whether endocrine asynchronism exists at luteal regression and during early pregnancy. The heifers were first studied during an open cycle and then after insemination when 3 heifers became pregnant. Circulating plasma levels of PGF2 alpha metabolite were measured every 2nd h, while progesterone (P4) levels were measured every 6th h. The oestrous period and intervals between the onset of oestrus and ovulation were relatively longer, compared with what is normally seen in heifers. Plasma levels of P4 at the onset of oestrus were higher than normal, but it was concluded that the plasma levels of PGF2 alpha metabolite and P4 in RBH at luteal regression and early pregnancy were normal.     

Effect of dam and sire qualitative hip conformation scores on progeny hip conformation

OBJECTIVE: To determine in dogs what effect using hip conformation scores assigned by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) as a criterion for breeding selections would have on hip conformation scores of the progeny. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. ANIMALS: English Setters, Portuguese Water Dogs, Chinese Shar-peis, and Bernese Mountain Dogs for which OFA hip conformation scores were known. PROCEDURE: Pedigree data were obtained from the national breed clubs and the American Kennel Club and merged with data from the OFA hip conformation score database. An ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of sex, age at the time of radiographic evaluation, and year of birth on the variation in hip conformation scores among the progeny. Heritability was estimated by use of within-year midparent offspring regression analyses. RESULTS: Significant differences in progeny hip conformation scores between sexes were not detected, but age at the time of radiographic evaluation and year of birth had a significant effect on hip joint conformation of the progeny. Estimated heritability (mean +/- SE) was 0.26 +/- 0.03, and dam and sire hip conformation scores had a significant effect on progeny hip conformation scores. Annual decreases in percentage of dysplastic progeny and increases in percentages of progeny and breeding dogs with phenotypically normal hip joint conformation were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that hip conformation scores have moderate heritability in dogs and selection of breeding stock with better hip conformation scores will increase the percentage of progeny with phenotypically normal hip joint conformation.     

Transmissible gastroenteritis in neonatal dogs: experimental intestinal infection with transmissible gastroenteritis virus.

Fourteen neonatal dogs (4 through 11 days of age) were exposed orally to the Purdue strain of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, and six dogs of similar age were noninoculated controls. Clinical signs of enteric disease did not develop. Both exposed and control dogs had normal fecal passages and appetite throughout the experiment. Jejunal epithelium from dogs euthanatized at 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours and at 10 days after exposure did not exhibit morphologic alterations detectable by light microscopy. Electron microscopic examination indicated that jejunal epithelial cells contained TGE viral particles as early as 12 hours after dogs were exposed. There were no apparent morphologic alterations or signs of desquamation of virus-infected cells, however. Results of pig transmission studies indicated that viable TGE virus was in jejunal tissue of the dogs as early as 12 hours and as late as 10 days after exposure to the virus.     

Lupus-Type "Anticoagulant" in a Dog With Hemolysis and Thrombosis

A circulating anticoagulant was detected in a 2-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever with hemolytic anemia, nephrotic syndrome, thrombocytopenia, polyarthropathy, and pulmonary thromboembolism. A persistent prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was detected, and it did not correct with repeated administration of fresh frozen plasma. The aPTT was still prolonged, with a 1:1 mixture of patient's plasma and normal dog plasma in vitro, suggesting the presence of a circulating inhibitor. Results of assays to characterize the inhibitor were compatible with those described for the lupus anticoagulant in human patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Paradoxically, patients having the lupus anticoagulant are at increased risk for thrombosis. Pulmonary thromboembolism has been described as a frequent complication of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in the dog, and the presence of a circulating anticoagulant should be considered as a potential mechanism.     

Pathology of experimentally induced quail bronchitis

Bobwhite quails (Colinus virginianus) were inoculated with 10(6) mean tissue-culture infective dose of quail bronchitis virus at 1, 3, 6, or 9 weeks of age by intratracheal, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous routes. Quails developed necrotizing tracheitis, proliferative and necrotizing bronchitis and pneumonia; multifocal necrotizing hepatitis; necrotizing splenitis, with or without hyperplasia of splenic mononuclear phagocytes; bursal lymphoid necrosis; and bursal atrophy. Lesions were more extensive and severe in quails inoculated at 1 or 3 weeks of age than in older quails. Large intranuclear inclusions, characteristic of adenovirus infection, were identified in trachea, lung, liver, and bursa of Fabricius. This is the first report of the histopathology of experimentally induced quail bronchitis.