Evaluation of the association between initial proteinuria and morbidity rate or death in dogs with naturally occurring chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP:C) > or = 1.0 at initial diagnosis of chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises, death, and progression of renal failure in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 45 dogs with CRF PROCEDURE: Dogs were prospectively assigned to 2 groups on the basis of initial UP:C < 1.0 or 2 > or = 1.0. The association between magnitude of proteinuria and development of uremic crises and death was determined before and after dogs with initial UP:C > or =1.0 were assigned to 3 subgroups and compared with dogs with initial UP:C < 1.0. Changes in reciprocal serum creatinine concentration were used to estimate decrease in renal function. RESULTS: Initially, dogs had similar clinical characteristics with the exception of systolic blood pressure and UP:C. Relative risks of development of uremic crises and death were approximately 3 times higher in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Relative risk of adverse outcome was approximately 1.5 times higher for every 1-unit increment in UP:C. The decrease in renal function was of greater magnitude in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Initial UP:C > or =1.0 in dogs with CRF was associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises and death, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Initial determinations of UP:C in dogs with naturally occurring CRF may be of value in refining prognoses.     

Canine plasma and erythrocyte response to a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched supplement: characterization and potential benefits

Results of this study confirm that dietary supplementation in dogs with a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon oil), with a docosahexaenoic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA:EPA) ratio of 1.5:1, increases plasma and red blood cell levels of these fatty acids. Supplementation with this DHA-enriched oil improves the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-6:omega-3 (n-6:n-3) ratio, which may benefit dogs of all ages. Studies describing some of the neurologic, renal, cardiovascular, immune, and musculoskeletal effects of elevated blood levels of n-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are reviewed. The importance of providing an enriched source of DHA, instead of its shorter precursors, is emphasized.     

Poultry, pig and the risk of BSE following the feed ban in France--a spatial analysis

A spatial analysis was carried out in order to analyse the reason why the risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was spatially heterogeneous in France, during the period following the feed ban of Meat and Bone Meal to cattle. The hypothesis of cross-contamination between cattle feedstuff and monogastric feedstuff, which was strongly suggested from previous investigations, was assessed, with the assumption that the higher the pig or poultry density is in a given area, the higher the risk of cross-contamination and cattle infection might be. The data concerned the 467 BSE cases born in France after the ban of meat and bone meal (July 1990) and detected between July 1st, 2001 and December 31, 2003, when the surveillance system was optimal and not spatially biased. The disease mapping models were elaborated with the Bayesian graphical modelling methods and based on a Poisson distribution with spatial smoothing (hierarchical approach) and covariates. The parameters were estimated by a Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation method. The main result was that the poultry density did not significantly influence the risk of BSE whereas the pig density was significantly associated with an increase in the risk of 2.4% per 10 000 pigs. The areas with a significant pig effect were located in regions with a high pig density as well as a high ratio of pigs to cattle. Despite the absence of a global effect of poultry density on the BSE risk, some areas had a significant poultry effect and the risk was better explained in some others when considering both pig and poultry densities. These findings were in agreement with the hypothesis of cross-contamination, which could take place at the feedstuff factory, during the shipment of food or on the farm. Further studies are needed to more precisely explore how the cross-contamination happened.     

Frequency of urinary tract infection among dogs with pruritic disorders receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency of urinary tract infection (UTI) among dogs with pruritic disorders that were or were not receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment. DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: 127 dogs receiving glucocorticoids for > 6 months and 94 dogs not receiving glucocorticoids. PROCEDURE: Bacterial culture of urine samples was performed in dogs receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment, and information was collected on drug administered, dosage, frequency of administration, duration of glucocorticoid treatment, and clinical signs of UTI. For dogs not receiving glucocorticoids, a single urine sample was submitted for bacterial culture. RESULTS: Multiple (2 to 6) urine samples were submitted for 70 of the 127 (55%) dogs receiving glucocorticoids; thus, 240 urine samples were analyzed. For 23 of the 127 (18.1%) dogs, results of bacterial culture were positive at least once, but none of the dogs had clinical signs of UTI. Pyuria and bacteriuria (present vs absent) were found to correctly predict results of bacterial culture for 89.9% and 95.8% of the samples, respectively. Type of glycocorticoid, dosage, frequency of administration, and duration of treatment were not associated with frequency of UTI. None of the urine samples from dogs not receiving glucocorticoids yielded bacterial growth. The frequency of UTI was significantly higher for dogs treated with glucocorticoids than for dogs that had not received glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that dogs receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment have an increased risk of developing a UTI. On this basis, we recommend that urine samples be submitted for bacterial culture at least yearly for such dogs.     

In vitro cytopathic effects of a cysteine protease of Tritrichomonas foetus on cultured bovine uterine epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytopathic effects of Tritrichomonas foetus and a purified cysteine protease (ie, CP30) of T foetus on cultured bovine uterine epithelial cells (BUECs) in vitro. SAMPLE POPULATION: 10 reproductive tracts were obtained from late-term bovine fetuses at a commercial abattoir. PROCEDURE: An in vitro culture system of BUECs was developed to study the cytopathic effects of T foetus and purified CP30 of T foetus on host cells. Cytotoxicity of T foetus or CP30 on exposed BUECs was determined. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses were used to detect apoptosis. A fluorometric assay was used to detect BUEC caspase 3 activation. The CP inhibitor E-64 and a caspase inhibitor were used to inhibit apoptosis. RESULTS: Cytopathic effects were observed in BUECs treated with parasites or CP30 and were concentration and time dependent. The BUECs underwent apoptosis in the presence of parasites or CP30. The specific CP inhibitor E-64 abolished the induction of apoptosis in BUECs by CP30. The caspase inhibitor reduced the amount of apoptosis in BUECs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T foetus and its CP30 induce apoptosis in cultured BUECs in vitro. Induction of apoptosis by CP30 is correlated with protease activity. Endometrial cell death as a result of a T foetus infection is likely to be more important in mediating infertility than a direct effect on the conceptus. Provoking an apoptotic reaction in the host may mitigate an inflammatory reaction or immune response and therefore favor survival of the parasite in a chronic infection.     

Assessment of infectious organisms associated with chronic rhinosinusitis in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine detection rates for feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), Mycoplasma spp, fungi, and bacteria in flush samples and biopsy specimens from the nasal cavities of cats with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 10 CRS-affected cats and 7 cats without signs of respiratory tract disease. PROCEDURES: Nasal flush samples and biopsy specimens were collected from all cats for bacterial (aerobic and anaerobic), fungal, and mycoplasmal cultures; additional biopsy specimens were collected for virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (to detect FHV-1 DNA). RESULTS: Aerobic bacteria were detected in flush samples from 5 of 7 control cats; culture of flush samples from CRS-affected cats yielded aerobic bacteria (9/10 cats), anaerobic bacteria (3/10), and Mycoplasma spp (2/10). No fungal organisms were isolated from any cat. Potential pathogens were isolated significantly more often from CRS-affected cats than from control cats. Bacterial culture of biopsy specimens yielded aerobic bacteria (2/7 control cats and 4/10 CRS-affected cats) and anaerobic bacteria (2/10 CRS-affected cats). Although FHV-1 was not detected in nasal biopsy specimens from control or CRS-affected cats, FHV-1 DNA was detected via PCR assay in specimens from 4 of 7 control cats and 3 of 10 CRS-affected cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with findings in control cats, anaerobic bacteria, Mycoplasma spp, and a variety of potentially pathogenic organisms were detected more commonly in samples from cats with CRS. In both groups, FHV-1 was detected via PCR assay as a nonviable organism or in noncultivable amounts.     

Does l‐Asparaginase Influence Efficacy or Toxicity When Added to a Standard CHOP Protocol for Dogs with Lymphoma?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate response rates, 1st remission duration (FRD), and toxicity in dogs with previously untreated lymphoma receiving an identical CHOP-based combination chemotherapy protocol with or without L-asparaginase (LASP). One hundred fifteen dogs with lymphoma were scheduled to receive an identical CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol that included L-ASP. However, because of manufacturer-imposed random rationing, 31 dogs did not receive L-ASP as scheduled. The 2 treatment groups were statistically similar with respect to signalment and presence of historical negative prognostic factors. No difference was observed in the median FRD whether dogs did or did not receive L-ASP (206 versus 217 days, respectively; P = .67). No difference was observed in the median overall survival times between dogs receiving or not receiving L-ASP (310 versus 308 days, respectively; P = .84). No statistical difference was observed with respect to overall response rate between dogs that did or did not receive L-ASP (89.3% versus 87.1%, respectively; P = .75). Complete response rates between the groups also were no different (83.3% and 77.4% for L-ASP and non-L-ASP groups, respectively; P = .59). Prevalence of toxicity (neutropenia, diarrhea, or vomiting) and treatment delays (P = .80) also were similar between groups. The results of this study suggest that exclusion of L-ASP in this multidrug protocol does not significantly impact outcome. Therefore, it may be more appropriate to reserve the use of L-ASP for treating relapse in dogs with lymphoma that have failed induction therapy.     

Activins, inhibins and follistatins in the large domestic species

The activins and inhibins are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily and, along with follistatin, a high affinity binding protein of activin, form a group of interrelated factors originally isolated for their role in regulating the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Knowledge of their function, particularly that of activin, has expanded since being originally isolated, such that they are now regarded as important paracrine regulators in many cellular systems. This review summarizes the biology of these proteins as has been established in the large domestic animals. While the majority of data relate to the pituitary, ovary, uterus/placenta and testis, consideration is also given to emerging roles in inflammatory processes and in non-reproductive tissues or systems.     

The Content of Amino Acids in Pasture Vegetation and Their Apparent Digestibility in 2-year-old Horses

Ten samples of plant vegetation and 10 samples of fresh excrement were taken from the same pasture area. The excrement were collected from 10 2-year-old Old Kladruber horses that received the pasture vegetation daily. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen and amino acids in pasture vegetation was determined by using the acid-insoluble ash marker method. In comparison with excrement, the pasture vegetation contained higher levels of Ser, Ala, Leu, and His and higher levels of Pro (P ≤ .01), Met (P ≤ .01), and Arg (P ≤ .05). The mean level of Ile in pasture vegetation was lower than in excrement (P ≤ .05). The apparent digestibility of amino acids from pasture vegetation was high for Pro and Met (86.75 and 89.39%), moderate for Ser, Ala, Leu, His, and Arg (68.61%-76%), and low for Asp, Thr, Glu, Gly, Val, Leu, Tyr, Phe, and Lys (56.15%-66.03%). The digestibility of lysine and Ile was relatively low (56.39% and 56.15%, respectively). The total content of nitrogen per dry matter was 10.98 ± 2.46 g/kg for pasture vegetation and 12.12 ± 2.38 g/kg for excrement, whereas the content of protein nitrogen was 7.20 ± 0.25 g/kg and 6.89 ± 0.21 g/kg of dry matter in pasture vegetation and excrement, respectively. This means that only 65.55% and 56.90% of N is bound in proteins in pasture vegetation and excrement, respectively. Non-protein nitrogen accounts for 34.45% in pasture vegetation and for 43.10% in excrement.     

Accidental intra-auricular artery injection of ceftiofur in two beef steers.

Two beef steers accidentally injected into a branch of the auricular artery with an oil-based formulation of ceftiofur died within 5 minutes of injection. Notable pathologic findings included distention and obstruction of cerebral and cerebellar arteries by a whitish tan material and hemorrhages within meningeal spaces, the choroid plexus, cerebrum, and cerebellum. Lipid material was identified within cerebral blood vessels in frozen sections stained with oil red O. This report describes an unusual case of brain ischemia in beef cattle.