Skin fragility syndrome in a cat with feline infectious peritonitis and hepatic lipidosis

A 6-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat with a 3-week history of inappetence, weight loss, and hiding was examined. A palpable abdominal fluid wave, dehydration, and a small tear on the left flank were noted during initial examination. When the cat was gently restrained for blood sampling, the skin on the dorsal neck tore, leaving a 15 cm x 7 cm flap of skin. Clinicopathological abnormalities included nonregenerative anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, increased globulin concentration, and mildly elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Abdominal fluid was viscous and had a total protein of 5.3 g dL(-1) with 316 cells microL(-1), consistent with a modified transudate. Cytology of the abdominal fluid revealed 86% nondegenerate neutrophils, 13% macrophages, and 1% small lymphocytes. Histopathological evaluation and indirect immunohistochemistry confirmed a diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis, hepatic lipidosis and feline skin fragility syndrome. Feline skin fragility syndrome has not previously been reported in association with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Its inclusion as a clinical sign associated with FIP may facilitate a diagnosis.     

Genotype by environment interaction for length of productive life in Swedish Red and White dairy cattle

In this study the amount of genotype by environment interaction (G×E) for length of productive life of Swedish Red and White dairy cattle was studied. The environmental variables used were the herd-year averages of number of first parity cows, peak yield, protein yield, and productive life. Data were analysed using multi-trait models (using low and high quartile herds) and reaction norm models (using the whole continuous scale). Considerable G×E was found for the trait productive life between environments (herds) with short or long average productive life, and a genetic correlation of 0.74 was found. For productive life in relation to herd size, G×E was negligible, and the genetic correlation was 0.95. For productive life in relation to herd-year average of peak yield or protein yield some G×E was indicated by the reaction norm model, especially between extreme environments. The G×E between herds with short or long average productive life should be studied further and might need to be considered in breeding programmes for dairy cattle.     

Genotype by Environment Interaction in Nordic Dairy Cattle Studied Using Reaction Norms

Genotype by environment interaction for production and fertility was studied by use of a reaction norm model. Milk recording data, comprising 927 929 records, were analysed to predict reaction norms for young bulls of the Nordic Red dairy breeds. Random regressions were estimated for each bull, regressing phenotypic values of daughters on herd environment. The phenotypic measures were 305 days kg protein production and days open in first lactation. The herd environment was defined as the herd-year average of protein production and days open, respectively. Heritability of protein production and days open and genetic correlation between the two traits were estimated as functions of the herd environment. The results showed that the genetic parameters change over environments, which are measured on a continuous scale across countries. Grouping of observations is avoided and thereby the problem of genetic connectedness between groups or countries may be avoided. Although significant genetic variation for the slope of the reaction norm was found, there was little reranking of sires, except between extreme environments. More appropriate models and methods need to be developed for further studies of genetic variation in reaction norms.     

Hypothyroid dogs treated with intravenous levothyroxine

The purpose of this retrospective study was to report clinical and clinicopathologic findings, response to treatment, and outcome of hypothyroid dogs treated with levothyroxine intravenously (IV). Seven levothyroxine IV treated hypothyroid dogs and 799 other hypothyroid dogs examined during the same period were included. Rottweiler dogs were overrepresented in the group of levothyroxine IV-treated hypothyroid dogs compared with other hypothyroid dogs (P < .0001). Common physical examination abnormalities were obese or overweight body condition (5 dogs), mental dullness (5 dogs), and nonpitting edema (4 dogs). Anemia (4 dogs) and hypercholesterolemia (5) were common, although 1 dog had neither. Concurrent disease (most commonly infection) was observed in 5 dogs. Glucocorticoids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs had been administered to 2 dogs before examination. Surgery was performed in 2 dogs before treatment with levothyroxine IV. Four of the 7 dogs received 4-5 microg/kg of levothyroxine IV. Subjective improvement in mentation or ambulation (6 of 7 dogs) and systolic hypotension (2 of 2 dogs) occurred within 30 hours of levothyroxine IV administration. Six of the 7 dogs responded well to therapy and were discharged from the hospital. It was concluded that physical examination and clinicopathologic findings of dogs with a hypothyroid crisis are nonspecific, although Rottweiler dogs may be at increased risk. Concurrent disorder, such as infection, concurrent administration of thyroid hormone-altering medication, and surgery, may be associated with development of a hypothyroid crisis. Resolution of abnormal mentation, ambulation, and systolic hypotension should be expected within 30 hours. Prognosis is good in most treated dogs.     

Reaction norms for protein yield and days open in Swedish red and white dairy cattle in relation to various environmental variables

Various environmental variables were used in analysis of genotype by environment interaction (GxE) for first lactation protein yield and days open in Swedish Red and White dairy cattle. The environmental variables described the herd level of production and fertility, herd size, geographic position, and weather conditions of the herds. Fixed effects of the environmental variables were analysed using a fixed regression sire model. All studied environmental variables, except the average rainfall during summer, had significant effect on both protein yield and days open. Possible effects of GxE were evaluated using random regression of protein yield and days open on the environmental variables. GxE was indicated between protein yield and herd level of production, protein yield and herd size, and days open and herd level of fertility. Correlations between the traits expressed at average and deviating levels of the environment were high indicating that GxE did not result in reranking of sires within the range of environments found in Sweden.     

Evaluation of cytokines and hormones in dogs before and after treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis and in uncomplicated diabetes mellitus

In human beings, diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are recognized as proinflammatory states and dysregulation of cytokines has been linked to some potentially fatal complications. Cytokine profiles of dogs with DM or DKA have not been reported. The objectives of this study were to compare cytokine and hormone concentrations in dogs with DKA before and after resolution of ketoacidosis, to compare these concentrations before treatment of DKA to those measured in dogs with uncomplicated DM and healthy dogs, and to compare concentrations in dogs with uncomplicated DM to those measured in healthy dogs. 27 dogs were included in this prospective clinical study. 18 dogs had naturally-occurring disease (9 DKA and 9 DM) and 9 dogs were healthy. Serum GMCSF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, CXCL8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-18, IFNγ, IP-10, TNFα, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), Keratinocyte Chemoattractant (KC), glucagon, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin were assayed using Milliplex MAP Canine kits.(2)(,)(3) IL-18, resistin, and GMCSF concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with DKA before treatment compared to after resolution of ketoacidosis. CXCL8, MCP-1, KC, and resistin were significantly higher in DKA dogs compared to healthy controls, and KC was also significantly higher in DKA compared to DM dogs. Additionally, CXCL8 and MCP-1 were significantly higher in dogs with DM compared to healthy controls. Significant differences were not detected in concentrations of the other measured analytes, including glucagon. It is concluded that IL-18, resistin, GMCSF, and KC may be involved in the pathogenesis of canine DKA, and their importance in this pathogenesis may be as great as that of glucagon. Dysregulation of CXCL8 and MCP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of DM in dogs.     

Effects of soil preparation methods and plant types on the establishment of poplars on forest land

Key message

The success of poplar plantations on forest land was affected by soil preparation, plant type, site, and clone. Mounding in combination with large plant types (rooted plants or long cuttings) of site-adapted clones achieved the highest survival and growth.

Context

Poplars (Populus species and hybrids) are fast-growing trees used to make various products. In north European countries, they are mainly grown on agricultural land, but interest in planting poplars on forest land has increased.

Aims

Plant damage and mortality problems occur on forest land, probably due to soil conditions and competing vegetation. It is therefore of interest to investigate whether combinations of soil preparation methods and plant materials can improve establishment.

Methods

At three sites in southern Sweden, the effects of four soil preparation treatments (no soil preparation, patch scarification, mounding, soil inversion) in combination with three plant types (short cuttings, long cuttings, rooted plants) were studied.

Results

Survival and growth were significantly influenced by site, soil preparation method, plant type, and their interactions. Mounding resulted in the best overall performance on all sites. Interactions between site and plant type revealed differences in growth dependent on site conditions, but rooted plants and long cuttings were in general most successful. Patch scarification and short cuttings were associated with lower survival and growth.

Conclusion

Soil preparation is needed to support survival and early growth, but the combination of method and plant type must be adapted to site conditions. The choice of clones should also be considered.