Morbidity and mortality in pups from pet stores and private sources: 968 cases (1987-1988).

Morbidity (greater than or equal to 1 disease condition) for pups sold from 3 pet stores from January 1987 through December 1988 ranged from 54 to 68%. In 1 store, morbidity was higher for store pups, compared with pups originating from private parties, for such disease conditions as "kennel cough," diarrhea, and several species of gastrointestinal parasites. In-store mortality ranged from 5 to 9.5% of pups arriving for sale.     

Genetic analyses of piglet survival and individual birth weight on first generation data of a selection experiment for piglet survival under outdoor conditions

Genetic parameters of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated on the first generation data of a selection experiment aimed at improving piglet survival using a multiple trait linear and threshold model. Data on 5293 piglets for survival at birth, at day one after birth and during the entire nursing period, as well as individual birth weight and litter size, were recorded in an outdoor production system. Genetic effects of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated based on threshold and Gaussian models, respectively, using a Bayesian approach. The statistical model included as fixed effects selection group, parity, gender, fostering, gestation length and month of farrowing and, alternatively, an adjustment for litter size. Direct genetic effects (i.e. the piglet's genetic potential) for piglet survival and birth weight were estimated separately, whereas maternal genetic and environmental effects could only be estimated for the given data structure in a combined litter effect. Posterior means of heritabilities for direct genetic effects of survival at birth, at first day after birth and the entire nursing period, as well as birth weight, were 0.08, 0.07, 0.08 and 0.20, respectively. Genetic correlations among survival traits were in the range of 0.29 to 0.40 and indicate that these traits were mainly attributable to different genetic effects. Genetic correlations between direct effects of survival traits and birth weight ranged between 0.18 and 0.23 and were reduced when weights of stillborn piglets were omitted in the analysis or the traits were adjusted for litter size. The magnitudes of direct genetic effects of survival traits are substantially higher than estimates in the literature, which may indicate that these traits have a higher genetic influence under outdoor conditions. The use of birth weight in the multiple trait estimation provided important information for the estimation of survival traits due to its favourable genetic correlations with survival, its high heritability and its high information content as a continuously measured trait.     

Cerebrospinal Fluid Eosinophilia in Dogs

Background: Marked eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalomyelitis (EME) is rarely reported in dogs and the cause is usually undetermined. Long-term prognosis for dogs with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) eosinophilia is variable.
Animals: Twenty-three client-owned dogs.
Methods: Retrospective case series. Dogs with eosinophilic CSF, defined as total nucleated cell count (TNCC) >3 cells/μL with >20% eosinophils, were identified by a computerized search of all dogs having cisternal and/or lumbar CSF analyzed as part of the diagnostic workup between 1992 and 2007.
Results: TNCC in CSF ranged from 4 to 4,740 cells/μL (median 84 cells/μL, reference range ≤3 cells/μL), with 22 to 95% (median 78%) eosinophils in the differential count. An infectious agent was identified on necropsy in 4 of 23 (17%) dogs ( Cryptococcus neoformans [n = 2], Neospora caninum [n = 1], and Baylisascaris procyonis [n = 1]). Each of these dogs had progressive neurologic deterioration. Sixteen dogs had idiopathic EME. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were abnormal in 7 of 13 dogs with EME; 2 dogs had focal lesions and 5 dogs had multifocal lesions. Clinical signs in 12 of 16 (75%) dogs with idiopathic EME resolved with prednisone treatment. Three dogs with acute intervertebral disc herniations recovered after decompressive surgery alone.
Conclusions: Idiopathic EME is a common cause of eosinophilic pleocytosis in dogs. MRI findings are variable. Infectious causes of EME were less common and had a poor prognosis.     

Prediction of digestibility and energy concentration of winter pasture forage and herbage of low-input grassland--a comparison of methods.

Regarding the estimation of the energy concentration or digestibility of herb-dominated forage and plant samples from winter pastures, it could be expected that the estimation is only reliable when in vitro methods with rumen fluid as inoculum (= gas production techniques) are used. For the verification of this thesis based on logical reflections, an in vitro-method with rumen fluid added as inoculum, as well as chemical, and enzymatic methods were applied under consideration of existing estimating functions. As a possible reason for the observed divergence of the methods, effects of fungal infections or, respectively, secondary compounds in herbs are discussed. At the present state of knowledge, it is adequate to estimate the energy concentration in vitro by gas tests, as far as fattening types like suckler cows and beef cattle are concerned, maybe in contrast to the forage evaluation for dairy cows.     

Growth hormone modulates cholecalciferol metabolism with moderate effects on intestinal mineral absorption and specific effects on bone formation in growing dogs raised on balanced food

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of growth hormone (GH) on Vitamin D3 metabolism and the subsequent effects on calcium (Ca) homeostasis and skeletal growth in growing dogs. A group of Miniature Poodles received supraphysiological doses of GH (GH group; n = 6; 0.5 IU GH per kg body per day) from 12 to 21 weeks of age and was compared with a control placebo-treated group (n = 8). Biologic activity of GH in the GH compared to the control group was indicated by (a) the 2.5- to 3.5-fold increase in the plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), (b) the increased production of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol as indicated by the significantly increased plasma 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentrations and the 12.9-fold increase in renal 1alpha-hydroxylase gene expression, and (c) the inhibited production of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol as indicated by the significantly lower plasma 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentrations and the similar levels of renal 24-hydroxylase gene expression. Despite the distinct effects on Vitamin D(3) metabolism in the GH group, there were only moderate effects on the intestine, i.e. at 20 weeks of age there was a significant increase of 14.4 and 5.6% in fractional absorption of Ca and phosphate (Pi), respectively, compared to the control group. GH administration resulted in significantly elevated glomerular filtration rate, with no differences in Pi urine excretion as a result of a concomitant increase in the tubular reabsorption of Pi. GH had only limited disturbing effects on endochondral ossification as indicated by the maintenance of the regularity of the growth plates. However, GH had specific anabolic effects on bone formation without concomitant effect on bone resorption that may result in disorders of skeletal remodeling and manifestation of enostosis.     

Nephrotoxicity in Goats Caused by Dosing with a Water Extract from the Stems of Narthecium Ossifragum Plants

Seven goats were given a single dose of an aqueous extract derived from 30 g (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. Their serum creatinine and urea concentrations increased to day 5 but then fell to normal by day 10. Serum magnesium increased to day 4 and decreased to normal by day 9. Their serum calcium concentration was lower than normal on days 4, 5 and 6. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of goats killed or found dead 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 or 16 days after dosing revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. Regeneration of the tubular epithelium and signs of interstitial fibroplast proliferation and fibrosis could be seen in animals killed on days 8, 11, 16 and 42. No signs of liver damage were observed in 3 goats dosed with the insoluble plant material from 40 g (wet weight) Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. The total dose was divided into three doses, which were given intraruminally within 7 h. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, -glutamyl-transferase and glutamate dehydrogenase remained within the normal range in all 10 goats after dosing.     

Evaluation of a glutamine-containing oral rehydration solution for the treatment of calf diarrhoea using an Escherichia coli model

A high-calorie oral rehydration solution (ORS) with glutamine (n=11) was more effective in correcting plasma, extracellular fluid and blood volume than solutions without (one WHO-type solution, n=6, and two high-glucose but glutamine-free solutions, n=7, n=12). It was the only solution to improve plasma volume significantly within 48 h and sustain the improvement throughout treatment; similarly, it was the only solution to correct packed-cell volume within 48 h and sustain the benefit to the end of treatment. At the end of treatment, the glutamine-treated calves were the only ones to avoid a significant weight loss compared with their pre-diarrhoeic values. The crucial difference between this solution and those used with glutamine previously is that it gave significant nutritional support whereas WHO type solutions did not. It also had more favourable effects on hyponatraemia and metabolic acidosis than a standard ORS. Use of a high-calorie ORS for 4 days (rather than 2 days of 50:50 admixture with milk replacer) brought additional beneficial effects on blood glucose and body weight.     

Diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism in a cat using echocardiography and pulmonary scintigraphy

A 10-year-old male cat was presented with sudden onset of respiratory difficulties. Clinical examinatlon revealed an acute dyspnoea with cyanosis associated with a left systolic heart murmur. Standard thoracic radiographs excluded pulmonary oedema and showed very few pulmonary changes given the intensity of the respiratory compromlse. Echocardiographic examination revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a thrombus In the right pulmonary artery. Pulmonary sclntlgraphy confirmed a pulmonary thromboembolism with hypovascularisatlon of the left cranial lobe and of the ventral segment of the right lobe. Conservative treatment was instituted using an antibiotic (doxycycllne), anticoagulants (heparin, coumadine) and a calcium lnhlbitor (diltiazem). The cat was given absolute rest. The general condition of the animal improved.     

Phase II Clinical Trial of Carboplatin in Canine Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

Fourteen dogs with histologically-confirmed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder were treated with 300 mg/m² carboplatin every 3 weeks. Response to therapy was assessed with abdominal radiography, double contrast cystography, urinary bladder ultrasonography and thoracic radiography before therapy and at 6–week intervals during therapy. Dogs were monitored for hematologic toxicity with a CBC and platelet count performed immediately before and 10 to 14 days after carboplatin treatment. Tumor responses included progressive disease in 11 dogs and stable disease in 1 dog. Two dogs were euthanized due to carboplatin toxicity before assessment of tumor response. Toxicity included thrombocytopenia with or without neutropenia in 7 dogs and gastrointestinal toxicity in 6 dogs. Carboplatin therapy was not beneficial in the treatment of TCC in the 14 dogs in this study.