Serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in clinically normal dogs and dogs with acute and chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVE: To compare serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-[OH]2D3) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-[OH]D3) in healthy control dogs and dogs with naturally occurring acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF). ANIMALS: 24 control dogs, 10 dogs with ARF, and 40 dogs with CRF. PROCEDURE: Serum concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D3 were measured by use of a quantitative radioimmunoassay, and serum concentrations of 25-(OH)D3 were measured by use of a protein-binding assay. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD serum concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was 153 +/- 50 pmol/L in control dogs, 75 +/- 25 pmol/L in dogs with ARF, and 93 +/- 67 pmol/L in dogs with CRF. The concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 did not differ significantly between dogs with ARF and those with CRF and was in the reference range in most dogs; however, the concentration was significantly lower in dogs with ARF or CRF, compared with the concentration in control dogs. Mean +/- SD concentration of 25-(OH)D3 was 267 +/- 97 nmol/L in control dogs, 130 +/- 82 nmol/L in dogs with ARF, and 84 +/- 60 nmol/L in dogs with CRF. The concentration of 25-(OH)D3 was significantly lower in dogs with ARF or CRF, compared with the concentration in control dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was within the reference range in most dogs with renal failure. Increased serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone indicated a relative deficiency of 1,25-(OH)2D3. A decrease in the serum concentration of 25-(OH)D3 in dogs with CRF appeared to be attributable to reduced intake and increased urinary loss.     

Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of dacryocystitis in rabbits: a retrospective study of 28 cases (2003–2007)

Objective  To document the clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and clinical outcome of rabbits with dacryocystitis.
Materials and methods  This retrospective study included 28 rabbits diagnosed with dacryocystitis. Available records of clinical and ophthalmological examinations, bacteriological samplings, diagnostic imaging, and treatment were reviewed. A telephone survey of the owners was conducted to evaluate recovery and recurrences.
Results  The mean age of the 28 rabbits presenting with ocular discharge from the nasolacrimal duct was 4.4 years. In 25 rabbits (89%), dacryocystitis was a unilateral finding. No underlying cause could be determined in 10 animals (35%). Dental malocclusion was observed in 14 rabbits (50%) and rhinitis in two animals (7%), with one animal showing both symptoms (4%). One rabbit (4%) presented with panophthalmitis. Most animals (96%) received topical antibiotic treatment. If necessary, additional topical (acetylcysteine, vitamin A ointment, nonsteroidals) or systemic treatment (antibiotics, nonsteroidals, paramunity inducer, and glucocorticoids) was provided. The mean duration of therapy was 5.8 weeks. The nasolacrimal duct was flushed in 27 of 31 affected eyes (87%). Dentistry was performed in 80% of the animals suffering from malocclusion. Regarding the clinical outcome, 12 animals (43%) showed complete recovery, eight rabbits (28%) were euthanized, three (11%) died due to unrelated causes, and three (11%) were lost to follow-up. Two rabbits (7%) continue to display signs of dacryocystitis and are being treated symptomatically by the owners.
Conclusions  This study reports the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of dacryocystitis in rabbits and outlines the importance of examination of the oral cavity, diagnostic imaging, and bacteriologic sampling.     

Control charts applied to simulated sow herd datasets

Statistical control charts were used to detect process change in pig production. Two charts were tested to detect small deviations in production processes: the cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart and the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart. A Monte-Carlo simulation was used for developing an optimal design of the EWMA and the CUSUM charts. The traits piglets born in total and the return to oestrus rate were considered. Over a given time period, small shifts were purposely implemented to test the performance of the charts. The average time to signal (ATS) and false positive rate (FPR) were taken as classification parameters to evaluate the performance of the charts. All shifts in the number of piglets born in total were detected with CUSUM and EWMA control charts. The trait piglets born in total showed an ATS ranging from 1.3 (FPR = 33.5%) to 6.8 weeks (FPR = 1.2%) using the CUSUM chart. The EWMA chart presented an ATS which ranged between 2.0 (FPR = 14.9%) and 6.3 (FPR = 1.9%) weeks. The application of the CUSUM to the return to oestrus rate resulted in an ATS of 2.6 (FPR =  38.3%) to 15.6 weeks (FPR = 3.0%) and the EWMA chart produced a signal between 4.1 (FPR = 14.5%) and 16.4 weeks (FPR = 1.4%). Both charts appear to be useful tools for tracking commercial swine farm processes and detecting emerging change in process performance.     

Guarded long-term prognosis in male cats with urethral obstruction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of urethral obstruction in cats. Forty-five male cats with urethral obstruction or lower urinary tract signs referable to urethral obstruction were included in the study. Follow-up information was gained by telephone interview in most cases and was available in 39 cats. Of the 22 cats with idiopathic urethral obstruction, eight (36%) re-obstructed after 3-728 days (median 17 days). Of 10 cats with urolithiasis, three (30%) re-obstructed after 10, 13 and 472 days, respectively. Of the seven cats with urethral plugs, three (43%) re-obstructed after 4, 34 and 211 days, respectively. Recurrent signs of lower urinary tract disease including obstruction were common in cats with urethral obstruction (20/39; 51%) and occurred in the same frequency irrespective of the primary cause of the obstruction. Recurrent obstruction (14/39; 36%) was the most common reason for euthanasia and was performed in 8/39 (21%) cats.     

Unusual systemic signs in a dog with sterile neutrophilic-macrophagic lymphadenitis and nodular panniculitis

A 7 mo old female English springer spaniel was presented with diarrhea, vomiting, apathy, and hyperthermia. Further examinations revealed generalized lymphadenomegaly consistent with sterile neutrophilic-macrophagic lymphadenitis and pulmonary involvement. Subcutaneous nodules developed one day after presentation. Histology was consistent with sterile idiopathic nodular panniculitis and vasculitis. No infectious organism was isolated. The dog responded to prednisolone, but relapsed during medication tapering. Cyclosporine had to be added to control the disease. No further relapse had occurred 98 wk after the first presentation. This is an unusual presentation of a systemic sterile neutrophilic-macrophagic lymphadenitis with nodular panniculitis and vasculitis associated with gastrointestinal and pulmonary signs.     

Detection and prevalence of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) in raw sausage

We investigated 158 samples of shortly ripened raw sausages bought in supermarkets of Dessau within 4 month. In 14 (8.8%) samples Verotoxin-producing E. coli were detected. 13 VT-positive samples were found in the group of easily spread raw sausages. The 14 isolates belonged to 6 different O-serotypes. 4 VT1-, 8 VT2- and 2 VT1/VT2-producers were found. 4 isolates belonged to serogroups which were already described in WHO tables and associated with EHEC infections in human beings. One strain of serogroup O22: H8, isolated from a "Teewurst", possessed the complete virulence gene combination of EHEC (eae, hlyA, stx). The detection procedure, already successfully used for detection and isolation of VTEC from raw milk, soft cheese and raw minced beef showed a sensitivity of approximately 10 CfU/25 g of raw sausages. It has to be considered that VTEC are frequently (8.8%) present in shortly ripened raw sausages. The group of easily spread raw sausages has a higher VTEC-contamination rate than firm raw sausages. Raw sausages, especially easy to spread types, belong to the risk foods for EHEC-infections in human beings.     

Seasonal interaction of serum vitamin D concentration and bone density in alpacas

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate temporal changes in bone mineral density associated with seasonal variation in serum vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations in alpacas. ANIMALS: 5 healthy mature neutered male alpacas. PROCEDURE: Metacarpal bone mineral density was measured at 4 times during a year. Each time alpacas were weighed, blood was collected for determination of serum calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D concentrations, and samples of feed were analyzed for nutrient content. Vitamin D status was determined by use of an assay that measured serum 25-hydroxycalciferol concentration. Effects of changes in serum vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus concentration and body weight with season on bone mineral density were determined. RESULTS: Bone mineral density, body weight, and serum vitamin D and phosphorus concentrations varied with season. Bone mineral density, serum vitamin D concentration, and body weight also varied among individual alpacas. Serum vitamin D concentration was lower in January than the previous October and increased from May to the following September. The decrease in bone mineral density lagged behind the decrease in serum vitamin D concentration and was lower in May, compared with the previous October. Body weight was lower in May than the previous October or following September. Solar radiation was highest in July and lowest in December. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Seasonal changes in bone mineral density are associated with changes in serum vitamin D concentrations in alpacas. Changes in bone mineral density associated with a decline in serum vitamin D concentration may predispose some alpacas to developing fractures minimal trauma.