Canine model of ischemic stroke with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion: clinical and histopathological findings

The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and histopathological findings in a canine model of ischemic stroke. Cerebral ischemic stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in four healthy beagle dogs using silicone plugs. They showed neurological signs of forebrain dysfunction such as reduced responsiveness, head turning, circling, postural reaction deficits, perceptual deficits, and hemianopsia. These signs gradually regressed within 4 weeks without therapy. On magnetic resonance imaging, T2 hyperintensity and T1 hypointensity were found in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. These lesions were well-defined and sharply demarcated from adjacent brain parenchyma with a homogenous appearance. No abnormalities of the cerebrospinal fluid were observed. At necropsy, atrophic and necrotic lesions were observed in the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus were partially unstained with triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride. Histopathologically, typical features of infarction were identified in cortical and thalamic lesions. This study demonstrates that our canine model resembles the conditions of real stroke patients.     

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma with systemic metastasis in a five-month-old irish setter dog

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma was found in a five-month-old male Irish setter dog. At necropsy, the largest mass, measuring 15 × 13 × 13 cm, was found in the right caudal lobe of the lung, and metastatic small masses were observed in multiple organs. Microscopically, the tumor comprised mainly atypical mesenchymal cells and myxoid stroma, which stained positively with Alcian blue. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells stained positively for vimentin, S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, calretinin, and chromogranin A. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm of the tumor cells was comprised abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi complex, free ribosomes and short irregular microvillous processes extending from the cytoplasm. Based on these pathological findings, this tumor was diagnosed as extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.     

Therapeutic trial of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor for dilated cardiomyopathy in three dogs

Three dogs were presented to us for evaluation of cardiac problems. Electrocardiographic recordings revealed severe tachyarrhythmia and atrial fibrillation with ventricular tachycardia in 2 of the 3 dogs. The echocardiographic findings of the 3 dogs revealed markedly decreased fractional shortening and a marked increase in E-point septal separation. Based on the results of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation, the 3 dogs were diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The dogs were treated with conventional cardiac medication, but cardiac function did not improve and the clinical signs remained. We subsequently attempted treatment with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; 10 microg/kg, subcutaneously). The specific purpose of G-CSF therapy for DCM was to improve cardiac function and a significant improvement in cardiac function was confirmed. The three dogs had no treatment side effects. This case report suggests that G-CSF might have therapeutic effects for medically refractory DCM in dogs.     

A case of hyperplastic dermatosis of the West Highland White Terrier controlled by recombinant canine interferon-gamma therapy

A 3.5-year-old, male West Highland White Terrier was diagnosed as having hyperplastic dermatosis by clinical and histopathological findings. Controlling of Malassezia overgrowth by antifungal drugs provided a temporal improvement of the skin lesions, but the disease was deteriorated within the next 2 months despite the negative demonstration of the yeasts. Induction of recombinant canine interferon-gamma (rCaIFN-gamma) therapy resulted in almost complete cure of the skin lesions within 2 months after the initiation of the therapy. No adverse effects were detected during the therapy. Our results suggested that the rCaIFN-gamma therapy is potential to be a novel therapeutic option for controlling the breed-specific hyperplastic skin disease.     

Comparison of the rebound tonometer (TonoVet) with the applanation tonometer (TonoPen XL) in normal Eurasian Eagle owls (Bubo bubo)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and accuracy of a handheld rebound tonometer, TonoVet, and to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) readings of the TonoVet with those of an applanation tonometer, TonoPen XL, in normal Eurasian Eagle owls. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten clinically normal Eurasian Eagle owls (20 eyes). PROCEDURES: Complete ocular examinations, using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy, were conducted on each raptor. The IOP was measured bilaterally using a rebound tonometer followed by a topical anesthetic agent after 1 min. The TonoPen XL tonometer was applied in both eyes 30 s following topical anesthesia. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD IOP obtained by rebound tonometer was 10.45 +/- 1.64 mmHg (range 7-14 mmHg), and by applanation tonometer was 9.35 +/- 1.81 mmHg (range 6-12 mmHg). There was a significant difference (P = 0.001) in the IOP obtained from both tonometers. The linear regression equation describing the relationship between both devices was y = 0.669x + 4.194 (x = TonoPen XL and y = TonoVet). The determination coefficient (r(2)) was r(2) = 0.550. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that readings from the rebound tonometer significantly overestimated those from the applanation tonometer and that the rebound tonometer was tolerated well because of the rapid and minimal stress-inducing method of tonometry in the Eurasian Eagle owls, even without topical anesthesia. Further studies comparing TonoVet with manometric measurements may be necessary to employ rebound tonometer for routine clinical use in Eurasian Eagle owls.     

Thromboelastography platelet mapping in healthy dogs using 1 analyzer versus 2 analyzers

The objective of this study was to describe the results of thromboelastography platelet mapping (TEG-PM) carried out using 2 techniques in 20 healthy dogs. Maximum amplitudes (MA) generated by thrombin (MA_thrombin), fibrin (MA_fibrin), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor activity (MA_ADP), and thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) receptor activity (stimulated by arachidonic acid, MA_AA) were recorded. Thromboelastography platelet mapping was carried out according to the manufacturer’s guidelines (2-analyzer technique) and using a variation of this method employing only 1 analyzer (1-analyzer technique) on 2 separate blood samples obtained from each dog. Mean [± standard deviation (SD)] MA values for the 1-analyzer/2-analyzer techniques were: MA_thrombin = 51.9 mm (± 7.1)/52.5 mm (± 8.0); MA_fibrin = 20.7 mm (± 21.8)/23.0 mm (± 26.1); MA_ADP = 44.5 mm (± 15.6)/45.6 mm (± 17.0); and MA_AA = 45.7 mm (± 11.6)/45.0 mm (± 15.4). Mean (± SD) percentage aggregation due to ADP receptor activity was 70.4% (± 32.8)/67.6% (± 33.7). Mean percentage aggregation due to TxA₂ receptor activity was 77.3% (± 31.6)/78.1% (± 50.2). Results of TEG-PM were not significantly different for the 1-analyzer and 2-analyzer methods. High correlation was found between the 2 methods for MA_fibrin [concordance correlation coefficient (r) = 0.930]; moderate correlation was found for MA_thrombin (r = 0.70) and MA_ADP (r = 0.57); correlation between the 2 methods for MA_AA was lower (r = 0.32). Thromboelastography platelet mapping (TEG-PM) should be further investigated to determine if it is a suitable method for measuring platelet dysfunction in dogs with thrombopathy.     

Influence of dietary protein on blood cholesterol and related metabolites of growing calves

Forty male, Holstein calves were utilized to evaluate effects of either low (12%) or high (25%) dietary protein on growth and serum metabolites, with a particular concern for serum cholesterol. All diets contained 19% acid detergent fiber and consisted of corn silage, alfalfa hay and grain mixtures. Average concentration of total serum cholesterol was depressed (P = .001) for calves on the high-protein diets (58.8 mg/dl) as compared with their low-protein counterparts (67.9 mg/dl). Calves fed the high-protein diet had lower (P = .002) free serum cholesterol but elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a percentage of total cholesterol. Calves receiving the high-protein diets showed increases (P = .206) in lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity compared with low-protein counterparts. Serum urea nitrogen was increased (P = .001) for calves fed high-protein diets, while serum protein and glucose remained unchanged. Calves fed the high-protein diets consumed less dry matter with improved (P = .09) growth efficiency (gain/feed).