Pasteurized tumoral autograft as a novel procedure for limb sparing in the dog: A clinical report

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of a pasteurized tumoral autograft prepared from the resected primary bone neoplasm for limb sparing in a dog with distal radial osteosarcoma (OSA). STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: A 9-year-old male Maremma shepherd dog. METHODS: After right distal radial OSA removal, the tumoral autograft was pasteurized. The excised bone segment was placed in a sterile watertight box containing sterile saline solution preheated to 65 degrees C in a water bath. The box was kept immersed in the water bath at 65 degrees C for 40 minutes to kill the tumor cells. The autograft was then fixed in the host with a plate and screws based on standard AO/ASIF technique for carpal arthrodesis. Three doses of cisplatin (70 mg/m(2) intravenously) were administered, 3 weeks apart; the initial dose was administered the day after surgery. RESULTS: The autograft was incorporated in a manner comparable to an allograft, and after 708 days, the metallic implants were removed. A 1-month activity restriction as well as spoon splint to protect the leg from a full loading were used thereafter. Limb function was fair to good, and the dog remains disease free after 56 months. CONCLUSIONS: A pasteurized autograft consisting of the resected primary bone neoplasm is a valid alternative to a cortical bone allograft for limb sparing in dogs with appendicular OSA in terms of feasibility and pattern of healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This procedure can be an alternative method of limb sparing when difficulties are encountered in establishing and maintaining a canine bone allograft bank.     

Behavioral problems in Italian saddle horses

A survey was carried out in 25 riding centers to evaluate the prevalence of behavioral problems among saddle horses and to investigate the relationship between these and individual traits, training and management of the affected horses. Seven percent of the 650 horses examined had some kind of behavioral problems, and crib-biting was the most frequent. These behavioral problems seemed to be related to the sort of training and management. Show jumping horses tended to be affected simultaneously by more than one behavioral problem and to be more aggressive towards other horses. Although show jumpers were ridden more often, they had fewer opportunities to graze. The prevalence of behavioral problems was lower among those horses ridden Western style than among those ridden English style; the latter employs more hand to bit contact. The study also showed that horses groomed and ridden by one and the same person had more problems than horses groomed and ridden also by different people.     

Influence of season on the hematological and serum biochemical values of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) housed in a controlled environment in northern Italy

Season appears to influence the physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). From 2000 to 2005, blood parameters of three captive bottlenose dolphins housed in northern Italy were examined to determine if seasonal variation was present. Seasonal variation was observed in the male dolphins, with both males exhibiting aminotransferase levels that were higher in autumn and lower in winter. Mean serum creatinine levels were higher during summer and lower during autumn in the adult male, and mean lactate dehydrogenase higher during summer and lower during spring in the juvenile male. Both males exhibited red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels that were higher during autumn and lower during summer. This study contributes to the knowledge of baseline hematologic and biochemical values based on seasonality in bottlenose dolphins.     

Pasteurized tumoral autograft and adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of canine distal radial osteosarcoma: 13 cases

OBJECTIVE: To report outcome in 13 dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma, without evidence of metastasis, treated by a combination of adjuvant chemotherapy and a pasteurized autograft limb-sparing procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Thirteen dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma. METHODS: Limb-sparing procedure was performed using an autograft from the excised tumoral segment, pasteurized at 65 degrees C for 40 minutes. Adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin or cisplatin and doxorubicin) was administered in all dogs. RESULTS: Mean and median survival times were 531 and 324 days, respectively (range, 180 to 1,868 days). Overall survival was 100% at 6 months, 50% at 12 months, 44% at 18 months, and 22% at 24 months. Lung metastasis occurred in 5 (38%) dogs. Observed complications were local recurrence (2 dogs, 15%), allograft infection (4 dogs, 31%), and implant failure (3 dogs, 23%). Limb function was good in 12 dogs (92%) and fair in 1 dog. CONCLUSIONS: Pasteurized bone autograft derived from the tumoral bone segment was an effective alternative to cortical bone allograft for limb sparing in canine distal radial osteosarcoma, in terms of feasibility, pattern of healing, complications, and survival. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of a pasteurized bone autograft eliminates the need for a canine bone allograft bank and has the added advantage of good fit to the recipient site.     

Antioxidant systems and lymphocyte proliferation in the horse,sheep and dog

To better define the species-specific antioxidant systems and to ascertain the influence of the intracellular redox status on the immune system of different animal species, we determined lymphocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, plasmatic glutathione levels (GSH) and the effect of H2O2 on the responsiveness of lymphocytes to proliferative stimuli. Among the three species considered, sheep presented the lowest plasmatic GSH and the highest lymphocyte GSHPx activity. On the contrary, dogs showed an inverted pattern (high GSH - low GSHPx). Horses displayed intermediate values for both parameters analysed. The effect of H2O2 on the proliferative capacity of lymphocytes was the same for all three species; the 200 microM dose in particular was strongly inhibiting. Each species, however, showed different rates of inhibition: sheep exhibited the highest sensitivity to the antiproliferative effect of H2O2. Our results confirmed that high H2O2 concentrations (200 microM) are noxious for the cellular functions of all animals; however this effect is mediated by a rigorously species-specific relationship between the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the molecular systems involved in cell proliferation.     

Multiplex real-time PCR SYBR Green for detection and typing of group III Clostridium botulinum

Clostridium botulinum type C and type D belonging to the group III organisms, are mainly responsible for animal botulism outbreaks. Clinical signs alone are often insufficient to make a diagnosis of botulism and a laboratory confirmation is required. Laboratory confirmation can be performed by demonstrating the presence of botulinum neurotoxins in serum, gastrointestinal contents, liver, wound of sick or dead animals, or by demonstrating the presence of C. botulinum in gastrointestinal contents, liver, and wound. Demonstration of spores in gastrointestinal contents or tissue of animals with clinical signs indicative of botulism reinforces the clinical diagnosis. With the aim of detecting and typing C. botulinum group III organisms, a multiplex real-time PCR SYBR Green was developed and in-house validated. Selectivity, limit of detection, relative accuracy, relative specificity, relative sensitivity, and repeatability of the method were investigated. The multiplex real-time PCR SYBR green used showed a 100% selectivity, 100% relative accuracy, 100% relative specificity, 100% relative sensitivity and a limit of detection of 277 and 580 DNA copies for C. botulinum type C and C. botulinum type D, respectively. The method reported here represents a suitable tool for laboratory diagnosis of type C and D botulism and for testing a large number of samples collected during the animal botulism surveillance and prevention activities.     

Relationship between serum cortisol levels and some physiological parameters following reining training session in horse

The changes of cortisol, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated after a reining training session in eight Quarter Horses. All parameters were measured before exercise (T0), immediately after exercise (T1), 1 h after exercise (T2), 2 h after exercise (T3) and 24 h after exercise (T4). One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, followed Bonferroni's post hoc test, showed a significant effect of the reining training session (P < 0.0001) on cortisol, RBC, Hb, Hct, HR, RR and RT. Simple linear regression analysis showed the positive correlation (P < 0.05) between cortisol changes and variations of studied parameters in T1, T3 and T4. Exercise‐induced cortisol concentrations reflect the physiological response of reining training, suggesting that the changes observed are useful to assess the performance in reining horses and their reining training adaptability.     

Paraneoplastic leukocytosis in a dog with a renal carcinoma

A 7-year-old male German Shepherd dog in poor body condition had a 3-month history of intermittent hematuria. Nonregenerative anemia, mild leukocytosis, marked hypoalbuminemia, and hematuria were observed. Subsequently, marked neutrophilia and moderate monocytosis were noted; anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hematuria persisted; and the dog developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen revealed the presence of an enlarged and irregularly shaped right kidney with a large area of cavitation, and a nephrectomy was performed 30 days after initial examination. Cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates and imprints of the right kidney revealed a neoplastic cell population suggestive of renal carcinoma. The histopathologic diagnosis was chromophobic cystic-papillary renal carcinoma. The tumor cells expressed granulocytic/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), detected by immunohistochemical staining, and elaboration of GM-CSF by the tumor may have mediated the leukocytosis in this dog. Following excision of the tumor, neutrophil and monocyte counts were only mildly increased. The dog died 135 days after initial presentation, and a necropsy was not permitted. Paraneoplastic neutrophilic leukocytosis is an uncommon finding and may be caused by elaboration of CSF by neoplastic cells.     

Application of hexanal,E-2-hexenal,and hexyl acetate to improve the safety of fresh-sliced apples

The aims of this work were to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, hexyl acetate, and their mixtures on the fate of pathogenic species such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in model systems as well as the antimicrobial activity against the target species of the chosen molecules when added to the packaging atmosphere of inoculated fresh-sliced apples. The result obtained in this work pointed out the potential use of compounds such as hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and hexyl acetate for both the extension of shelf life and an improvement of hygienic safety of "minimally processed foods". In fact, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and hexyl acetate had a significant inhibitory effect against pathogen microorganisms frequently isolated from raw materials (E. coli, S. enteritidis, and L. monocytogenes) when inoculated in both model and real systems. In this last condition, these compounds, at the levels used (150, 150, and 20 ppm for hexanal, hexyl acetate, and (E)-2-hexenal, respectively), displayed a bactericide effect on L. monocytogenes and they exhibited significant extensions of lag phase of E. coli and S. enteritidis inoculated at levels of 10(4)-10(5) CFU/g.