Comparison of four dog diets (including nitrogen balance study)

Four pairs of Beagle dogs received in rotation, a specially prepared purified diet in powder form (reference diet), a semi-solid (SS) diet and two complete dry diets in expanded-pellet form (Dry-S and Dry-P). Finally, all dogs received a nitrogen-free diet. The diets were offered in equi-caloric quantities (175 kcal/kg body weight/day) and consumed for 14-day periods. Nitrogen balance was determined during the last 5 days of each period. Clinical observations (clinical signs, body weight, food and water consumption) revealed no differences between the semi-solid and two dry diets. On the reference diet, however; food consumption was poor, no weight was gained and water intake was increased. Nitrogen balance studies revealed that:

• (i). The relative biological values (BV) of the reference diet protein (casein) and that in the Dry-S diet were similar and greater than those of the other two products. The value for the Dry-S diet (BV = 58) was significantly greater than that on the Dry-P diet (BV = 50) at almost the 5 per cent level of probability.
• (ii). The apparent digestibility of nitrogen was greatest on the reference diet, however any advantage that this may have entailed was reversed by the low food intake, so that significantly greater quantities of nitrogen were absorbed by the same dogs, when offered the dry diets (0–1 per cent level of significance) and also the semi-solid diet (5 per cent level of significance).
• (iii). Nitrogen retention within the body was significantly greater on the Dry-S diet, but analysis of covariance showed that the group differences were entirely dependent on the amounts of nitrogen absorbed.

Résumé. Quatre paires de chiens Beagles reqoivent tour à tour un régime spécialement purifié préparé sous forme de poudre (régime de référence), un régime semi-solide (SS) et dew régimes complètement secs, sous forme de tablettes (Dry-S et Dry-P). Puis, tous les chiens reçoivent un régime totalement dépourvu d'azote. La nourriture était administrée en des quantités équicaloriques (175 calories/kg de poids corporel et par jour) et poursuivie pendant 14 jours. Le bilan azoté était déterminé au cours des 5 derniers jours de chaque période. L'observation clinique (signes cliniques, poids, consommation de nourriture et doses) n'a montré aucune différence entre le régime semi-solide et les deux régimes secs; cependant, avec le régime de référence, la consommation de nourriture était réduite, celle de l'eau augmentée, et le poids est resté stationnaire. L'étude du bilan azoté a donné les résultats suivants:

• (i). Les valeurs biologiques relatives (BV) concernant la protéine du régime de référence (caséine) et celle du régime Dry-S étaient similaires et supérieures à ce qui était observé avec les deux autres produits. Les valeurs pour le régime Dry-S (BV = 58) étaient significativement plus grandes que celles du regime Dry-P (BV = 50) à un niveau de presque 5% de probabilité.
• (ii). La digestibilité apparente de l'azote était la plus grande avec le régime de référence, cependant les avantages qui pouvaient en être tirés étaient réduits par la faible prise de nourriture, d'où absorption de quantités significativement plus grandes d'azote chez le meme chien soumis ultérieurement au régime sec (niveau de signification = 0,1%) et aussi au régime semi-solide (niveau de signification = 5%).
• (iii). La retention azotée dans l'organisme était significativement plus grande avec le régime Dry-S, mais l'analyse des covariances a montré que les différences de groupes dépendaient totalement des quantités d'azote absorbées.

Zusammenfassung. Vier Paare von Beaglehunden erhielten in planmässigem Wechsel ein besonders hergestelltes gereinigtes Futter in Pulverform (Reference Diet), ein halbfestes Futter (SS) und zwei völlig trockene Futtertypen in Form expandierter Pellets (Dry-S und Dry-P). Schliesslich erhielten alle Hunde ein stickstomreies Futter. Die Futtertypen wurden den Tieren in kalorisch gleichwertigen Mengen (175 cal/kg Körpergewicht/Tag) geboten und jeweils 14 Tage lang gefressen. Während der letzten 5 Tage jeder Periode wurde die Stickstoffbilanz bestimmt. Die klinischen Beobachtungen (klinische Zeichen, Körpergewicht, Futter- und Wasserverbrauch) ergaben keine Unterschiede zwischen dem halbfesten Futter und den zwei trockenen Futtertypen. Bei der Reference Diet war jedoch der Futterverbrauch gering, es erfolgte keine Gewichtszunahme und der Wasserverbrauch war erhöht. Die Stickstoff bilanzbestimmungen zeigten, dass:

• (i). Die relativen biologischen Werte (BW) des Reference-Diet-Proteins (Casein) und des Proteins im Dry-S-Futter ähnlich und grösser als die der beiden anderen Produkte waren. Der Wert für das Dry-S-Futter (BW = 58) war wesentlich grösser als der für das Dry-P-Futter (BW = 50) bei fast 5% Probabilität.
• (ii). Die scheinbare Verdaulichkeit des Stickstoffs war am grössten bei der Reference Diet, jedoch wurde jeder dadurch mögliche Vorteil durch die geringe Futteraufnahme aufgehoben, so dass die gleichen Hunde wesentlich grössere Stickstoffmengen absorbierten, wenn sie die trockenen Futtertypen erhielten (0,1% Signifikanz) oder auch das halbfeste Futter (5% Signifikanz).
• (iii). Die Stickstoffspeicherung im Körper war beim Dry-S-Futter wesentlich grösser, aber die Kovarianzanalyse zeigte, dass die Gruppenunterschiede völlig von den absorbierten Stickstoffmengen abhingen.

     

Comparison of four dog diets (including nitrogen balance study)

Four pairs of Beagle dogs received in rotation, a specially prepared purified diet in powder form (reference diet), a semi-solid (SS) diet and two complete dry diets in expanded-pellet form (Dry-S and Dry-P). Finally, all dogs received a nitrogen-free diet. The diets were offered in equi-caloric quantities (175 kcal/kg body weight/day) and consumed for 14-day periods. Nitrogen balance was determined during the last 5 days of each period. Clinical observations (clinical signs, body weight, food and water consumption) revealed no differences between the semi-solid and two dry diets. On the reference diet, however; food consumption was poor, no weight was gained and water intake was increased. Nitrogen balance studies revealed that:

• (i). The relative biological values (BV) of the reference diet protein (casein) and that in the Dry-S diet were similar and greater than those of the other two products. The value for the Dry-S diet (BV = 58) was significantly greater than that on the Dry-P diet (BV = 50) at almost the 5 per cent level of probability.
• (ii). The apparent digestibility of nitrogen was greatest on the reference diet, however any advantage that this may have entailed was reversed by the low food intake, so that significantly greater quantities of nitrogen were absorbed by the same dogs, when offered the dry diets (0–1 per cent level of significance) and also the semi-solid diet (5 per cent level of significance).
• (iii). Nitrogen retention within the body was significantly greater on the Dry-S diet, but analysis of covariance showed that the group differences were entirely dependent on the amounts of nitrogen absorbed.

Résumé. Quatre paires de chiens Beagles reqoivent tour à tour un régime spécialement purifié préparé sous forme de poudre (régime de référence), un régime semi-solide (SS) et dew régimes complètement secs, sous forme de tablettes (Dry-S et Dry-P). Puis, tous les chiens reçoivent un régime totalement dépourvu d'azote. La nourriture était administrée en des quantités équicaloriques (175 calories/kg de poids corporel et par jour) et poursuivie pendant 14 jours. Le bilan azoté était déterminé au cours des 5 derniers jours de chaque période. L'observation clinique (signes cliniques, poids, consommation de nourriture et doses) n'a montré aucune différence entre le régime semi-solide et les deux régimes secs; cependant, avec le régime de référence, la consommation de nourriture était réduite, celle de l'eau augmentée, et le poids est resté stationnaire. L'étude du bilan azoté a donné les résultats suivants:

• (i). Les valeurs biologiques relatives (BV) concernant la protéine du régime de référence (caséine) et celle du régime Dry-S étaient similaires et supérieures à ce qui était observé avec les deux autres produits. Les valeurs pour le régime Dry-S (BV = 58) étaient significativement plus grandes que celles du regime Dry-P (BV = 50) à un niveau de presque 5% de probabilité.
• (ii). La digestibilité apparente de l'azote était la plus grande avec le régime de référence, cependant les avantages qui pouvaient en être tirés étaient réduits par la faible prise de nourriture, d'où absorption de quantités significativement plus grandes d'azote chez le meme chien soumis ultérieurement au régime sec (niveau de signification = 0,1%) et aussi au régime semi-solide (niveau de signification = 5%).
• (iii). La retention azotée dans l'organisme était significativement plus grande avec le régime Dry-S, mais l'analyse des covariances a montré que les différences de groupes dépendaient totalement des quantités d'azote absorbées.

Zusammenfassung. Vier Paare von Beaglehunden erhielten in planmässigem Wechsel ein besonders hergestelltes gereinigtes Futter in Pulverform (Reference Diet), ein halbfestes Futter (SS) und zwei völlig trockene Futtertypen in Form expandierter Pellets (Dry-S und Dry-P). Schliesslich erhielten alle Hunde ein stickstomreies Futter. Die Futtertypen wurden den Tieren in kalorisch gleichwertigen Mengen (175 cal/kg Körpergewicht/Tag) geboten und jeweils 14 Tage lang gefressen. Während der letzten 5 Tage jeder Periode wurde die Stickstoffbilanz bestimmt. Die klinischen Beobachtungen (klinische Zeichen, Körpergewicht, Futter- und Wasserverbrauch) ergaben keine Unterschiede zwischen dem halbfesten Futter und den zwei trockenen Futtertypen. Bei der Reference Diet war jedoch der Futterverbrauch gering, es erfolgte keine Gewichtszunahme und der Wasserverbrauch war erhöht. Die Stickstoff bilanzbestimmungen zeigten, dass:

• (i). Die relativen biologischen Werte (BW) des Reference-Diet-Proteins (Casein) und des Proteins im Dry-S-Futter ähnlich und grösser als die der beiden anderen Produkte waren. Der Wert für das Dry-S-Futter (BW = 58) war wesentlich grösser als der für das Dry-P-Futter (BW = 50) bei fast 5% Probabilität.
• (ii). Die scheinbare Verdaulichkeit des Stickstoffs war am grössten bei der Reference Diet, jedoch wurde jeder dadurch mögliche Vorteil durch die geringe Futteraufnahme aufgehoben, so dass die gleichen Hunde wesentlich grössere Stickstoffmengen absorbierten, wenn sie die trockenen Futtertypen erhielten (0,1% Signifikanz) oder auch das halbfeste Futter (5% Signifikanz).
• (iii). Die Stickstoffspeicherung im Körper war beim Dry-S-Futter wesentlich grösser, aber die Kovarianzanalyse zeigte, dass die Gruppenunterschiede völlig von den absorbierten Stickstoffmengen abhingen.

     

Is there a role of ocean environment in American and European eel decline?

American eel (Anguilla rostrata) recruitment has declined dramatically, in parallel with that of European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Since both species spawn in the Sargasso Sea and migrate as larvae to continental waters, the coincidence in recruitment failure implies an Atlantic-wide cause, due perhaps to ocean climate. There is indirect evidence that the Gulf Stream has weakened in the 1980s. A slower Gulf Stream could interfere with larval transport and generate observed patterns of declining abundance of American eel only in northern North America and relatively uniform declines of European eel throughout Europe. While specific causes are still unclear, these data indicate a threat to both species and to their commercial fisheries.     

Electroencephalography of Detomidine-Ketamine-Halothane and Detomidine-Ketamine-lsoflurane Anesthetized Horses During Orthopedic Surgery A Comparison

This study was done to compare the electroencephalographic (EEG) response evoked by orthopedic surgery in halothane- and isoflurane-anesthetized horses. Eight horses scheduled for bilateral arthroscopic surgery of the stifle were premedicated with detomidine (20 μg/kg) intravenously and five minutes later induced to anesthesia with ketamine (2.2 mg/kg) intravenously. Anesthesia was maintained with either halothane or isoflurane. Assignment of inhalation anesthetic was done randomly. The multiple of minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of halothane required for anesthesia was significantly higher than the multiple of MAC of isoflurane (p < .05) required. Total amplitude of the EEG with halothane was smaller than with isoflurane (p < .05), but 13.0 to 32.0 Hz high frequency/0.0 to 3.9 Hz low frequency (|3/A) ratio was greater for halothane (p < .05). Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) was significantly (p < .05) higher with isoflurane than with halothane. The differences in EEG frequency shift observed suggest that isoflurane provided better analgesia than halothane for this group of horses.     

RADIOGRAPHICALLY VISUALIZED SKELETAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS VI IN CATS

The radiographic skeletal form and structure of all cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI is described. Common manifestations included epiphyseal dysplasia, generalized osteoporosis, abnormal nasal turbinate development, his subluxation, impaired development of skeletal growth, pectus excavatum, hyoid hypoplasia, aplasia, hypoplasia and fragmentation or abnormal ossification of the dens, and aplasia or hypoplasia of frontal and sphenoid sinuses. The skeletal measurements of two affected cats were compared with those of normal, sex-matched littermates, and the measurements of two affected female cats were compared with those of a normal male littermate.     

Systemic and Local Effects Associated With Long-Term Epidural Catheterization and Morphine-Detomidine Administration in Horses

Objective — The purpose of this study was to determine the systemic and local effects associated with long-term epidural catheterization and epidural morphine-detomidine administration in horses. Study Design — Development of systemic or local effects was assessed by placing caudal epidural catheters in study horses and administering injections through the catheters every 12 hours for 14 days. Animals — Ten horses with epidural catheters that received daily injections; six uncatheterized horses presented for euthanasia. Methods — Horses received either 0.2 mg/kg morphine sulfate and 30 μg/kg detomidine hydrochloride or an equivalent volume of physiologic saline solution through epidural catheters. Systemic effects were compared between control and treatment horses by measuring physical parameters and hay and water consumption, as well as by evaluating major organs after euthanasia. Local effects were studied by examining cerebrospinal fluid and by grading representative samples of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues histologically for inflammation and fibrosis. Local effects were compared between control and treatment horses, as well as between catheter-ized (control plus treatment) horses and uncatheterized horses. Results — No significant difference was identified in daily variables or hay and water consumption between control and treatment horses. No growth was obtained from cerebrospinal fluid cultures. No significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid values or spinal tissue inflammation or fibrosis grades was shown between control and treatment horses. However, when compared with uncatheterized horses, cerebrospinal fluid red blood cell values were marginally higher and protein concentrations were significantly higher in the catheterized group. Lumbosacral and sacral spinal tissue segment inflammation grades, and sacral segment fibrosis grades were significantly higher in catheterized horses. Conclusions — Long-term epidural administration of a morphine-detomidine combination is not associated with apparent adverse systemic effects in horses. Localized inflammation and fibrosis seem to be catheter-related. Clinical Relevance — Potential systemic and local effects are important considerations with long-term administration of a morphine-detomidine combination through indwelling epidural catheters for alleviation of chronic musculoskeletal pain in horses.     

Subepidermal bullous dermatosis due to topical corticosteroid therapy in dogs

Six adult dogs were presented with an unusual bullous dermatosis affecting the glabrous skin of the ventral abdomen and medial thighs. Clinically, flaccid bullae were accompanied by erythema, ulceration, haemorrhage and hyperpigmentation in four of six dogs; the remaining two dogs had thin skin without grossly apparent bullae. Histologically, subepidermal bullae and clefting, vascular proliferation and dilatation (phlebectasia), and alteration in the density and staining of superficial dermal collagen were seen in all dogs. In all cases, corticosteroid-containing topical products had been applied to the affected areas prior to the development of the dermatosis; skin lesions resolved when topical corticosteroids were withdrawn. Follow-up biopsy of three dogs showed resolution of the previously abnormal collagen and subepidermal clefting. Residual lesions included phlebectasia, comedones and hyperpigmentation. The authors postulate that subepidermal clefting was due to local, corticosteroid-induced skin fragility. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of bullous skin disease in dogs resulting from topical corticosteroid therapy.     

Resistance of mice infected with Moloney leukemia virus to Friend virus infection

Mice inoculated with the Moloney strain of mouse lymphoid-leukemia virus showed marked diminution of spleen weight response to infection with Friend leukemia virus given 3 to 4 weeks later.