Evaluation of human recombinant tissue factor-activated thromboelastography in 49 dogs with neoplasia

BACKGROUND: Abnormal routine coagulation assay results have been reported to be common in veterinary patients with neoplasia, but the overall hemostatic functional state, including hypercoagulability, has not been described. HYPOTHESIS: The overall hemostatic functional state, including hypercoagulability, can be assessed in dogs with neoplasia by tissue factor (TF)-activated thromboelastography (TEG). ANIMALS: Thirty-six dogs with malignant neoplasia and 13 dogs with benign neoplasia presented to the Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark. METHODS: Prospective study evaluating the overall hemostatic functional state in dogs with neoplasia by a newly validated TF-activated TEG assay and routine coagulation parameters activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), platelet count, and D-dimer concentration. RESULTS: Hemostatic dysfunction was observed in 28/49 (57%) dogs with neoplasia. Twenty-four were dogs with malignant neoplasia, the majority of which 18/36 (50%) were hypercoagulable, whereas 6/36 (17%) were hypocoagulable. All hypocoagulable dogs had metastatic disease. The proportion of dogs with altered hemostasis was significantly different between dogs with malignant and benign neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: TF-activated TEG detected hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable states in this population of dogs with neoplasia. The most common hemostatic abnormality in dogs with malignant neoplasia was hypercoagulability. These findings suggest that this novel hemostatic function test may be of value as a cage side method for the assessment of overall hemostatic function in dogs with cancer, including the detection of both hyper- and hypocoagulable states as well as mixed disorders.     

Renal amyloidosis in cattle with inflammatory diseases

BACKGROUND: The association of inflammatory diseases such as traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), mastitis, metritis, and pododermatitis with renal amyloidosis in cattle is poorly described. HYPOTHESIS: Serum amyloid A (SAA) levels are elevated during inflammatory diseases, and renal amyloidosis is formed as a complication. ANIMALS: This study was conducted with 82 crossbred cattle with mastitis (n = 18 cows), metritis (n = 11 cows), TRP (n = 30 cows), and pododermatitis (n = 23 : 15 cows and 8 beef cattle). Ten clinically healthy cows served as controls. Methods: Hematological, urinary, and blood parameters, including SAA, were measured by an automated procedure provided with trade kits. Determination of amyloidal structures was made by histopathological examination of renal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: At the end of this trial, amyloidosis was detected in 5 cows displaying typical nephrotic syndrome, with hypoproteinemia and proteinuria in combination with polyuria and weight loss. Furthermore, it was observed that cows with renal amyloidosis had significantly higher (P < .01) total leukocyte counts, serum and urine enzyme activities, and urea and creatinine concentrations, with lower serum total protein concentrations, when compared with animals without renal amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The incidence of AA amyloidosis in cattle in this study suggests that cattle with mastitis, metritis, and pododermatitis have a high prevalence of systemic amyloidosis in response to inflammation.     

A histopathologic and immunohistochemical review of archived UK caprine scrapie cases

In 2005, a prion disease identified in a goat from France was reported to be consistent with disease from the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent. Subsequent retrospective examination of UK goat scrapie cases led to the identification of one potentially similar, but as yet unconfirmed, case from Scotland. These findings strengthened concerns that small ruminant populations exposed to the BSE agent have become infected. The lack of data relating specifically to scrapie in goats has been contributory to past assumptions that, in general, sheep and goats respond similarly to prion infections. In this study, brain material from 22 archived caprine scrapie cases from the UK was reviewed by histopathology and by immunohistochemical examination for accumulations of disease-specific prion protein (PrP(Sc)) to provide additional data on the lesions of caprine scrapie and to identify any BSE-like features. The vacuolar change observed in the goats was characteristic of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in general. PrP(Sc) immunohistochemical morphologic forms described in scrapie and experimental BSE infections of sheep were demonstrable in the goats, but these were generally more extensive and variable in PrP(Sc) accumulation. None of the cases examined showed a PrP(Sc) immunohistochemical pattern indicative of BSE.     

First outbreak of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in metropolitan France

The first outbreak of trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi in camels in France was reported on a farm in the Aveyron Department. Five camels were imported from the Canary Islands to the farm in early July 2006, and trypanosomes were observed on a stained blood smear from one of them, which died in October. On further investigations, trypanosomes were observed in the blood of five camels, three of them indigenous to the farm and two that had been imported. On the basis of microscopical examination (morphological criteria and measurements) and serological results based on the card agglutination T evansi test and PCR typing, the parasites were identified as T evansi. After treatment with melarsomine, the infected camels rapidly became negative by parasitological tests and were negative two to four months later by serological tests. The parasite was probably transmitted by tabanids and Stomoxys calcitrans, which were abundant in July to September 2006. No parasites were observed in other animals on the farm or on neighbouring farms, but some of the sheep on these farms were positive by PCR or serology.     

Leukemia inhibitory factor protein and receptors are expressed in the bovine adrenal cortex and increase cortisol and decrease adrenal androgen release

The release of adrenal steroids during acute stress is primarily regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In contrast, during chronic inflammatory stress additional factors are involved in regulating adrenal function. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that increases ACTH release from the pituitary. In addition, LIF and LIF receptors (LIFR) are expressed in the human adrenal cortex and the human adrenocortical tumor cell line H295R. Furthermore, LIF increases basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol release from H295R cells. However, the expression of LIF and LIFR in non-human adrenal glands and the effects of LIF on the release of cortisol from adrenal cells of non-human species have not been determined. Furthermore, the effects of LIF on adrenal androgen release from all species are unknown. In this study, immunohistochemistry, Western blots, RT-PCR, and nucleotide sequencing was utilized to demonstrate that LIF and its receptor are expressed throughout the bovine adrenal cortex. Although LIF did not modify basal cortisol release from dispersed cells isolated from the bovine adrenal zona fasciculate, this cytokine increased ACTH-stimulated release of cortisol from these cells in a manner dependent on the LIF concentration and exposure interval. In contrast, LIF in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner decreased basal and ACTH-stimulated adrenal androgen release from dispersed cells isolated from the bovine adrenal zona reticularis. Because LIF release increases during inflammatory stress and this cytokine stimulates adrenal cortisol release and inhibits adrenal androgen release, this cytokine may play an important role in regulating the release of adrenal steroids during inflammatory stress.     

Surgical treatment of shoulder instability. A retrospective study on 76 cases (1993-2007)

This study evaluates 76 cases of shoulder instability in dogs, functional outcome after treatment, and the effectiveness of medial biceps tendon transposition using a metallic staple. Clinical examinations of the shoulder were performed and radiographs were taken. Conservative treatment or surgery (biceps tendon transposition or arthrodesis) was then opted for on the basis of type of instability, associated lesions and dog (age, weight, behaviour). Long-term functional outcome was categorized as 'excellent', 'good', 'average' or 'poor'. In our series, the most frequently affected breed was the Poodle (13%). Humeral head intermittent displacement was either medial (80%), lateral (19%) or cranial (1%). On clinical examination, 97% of the animals experienced pain. In anaesthetised dogs, shoulder instability was observed in 90% of the population. Muscle atrophy (33%) and associated radiographic lesions (34%) were less frequent. Ninety-five percent of the dogs were treated surgically, either by bicipital tendon transposition (81%) or by shoulder arthrodesis (19%). Results were 'good' to 'excellent' in 25% of the animals treated conservatively, and in 84.5% and 87.5%, respectively, in those treated by tendon transposition and arthrodesis. Complications did not arise from the use of a metallic staple to anchor the tendon during medial transposition. Tendon transposition or arthrodesis resulted in a good functional outcome in more than 80% of the dogs with shoulder instability. During the medial transposition, the biceps tendon was easily and effectively stabilized using a metallic staple.     

Housing situation of small animals in Swiss pet shops

This study investigates the situation regarding housing of small animals in Swiss pet shops. Data of 92 pet shops were collected with a questionnaire. On average 813 fish, 52.5 invertebrates, 32.2 small mammals, 26.9 birds, 8.9 reptiles and 2.7 amphibians were offered for sale per pet shop. Small mammals, birds and reptiles were mainly obtained from Swiss breeders, while fish and amphibians were almost exclusively purchased from foreign providers. The housing systems which were sold differed from those in which the animals were kept in the shop. This may be misleading to the future pet owners and may lead to faulty husbandry. Animals on reserve were often kept in different housing systems than those in the pet shop. Sick animals were usually treated or killed by the pet shop owners. The killing methods varied between the various species.     

Juniper Consumption Does Not Adversely Affect Meat Quality in Boer-Cross Goats

Goat browsing can be used as an alternative brush management option for redberry (Juniperus pinchotii Sudw.) and ashe (Juniperus asheii Buch) juniper instead of more expensive and invasive brush control methods, assuming consumption of juniper does not adversely affect the marketability of offspring. Some wildlife species reportedly retain juniper flavor when consumed. We determined if juniper consumption affected meat quality or flavoring of Boer-cross kid carcasses. Twenty recently weaned, Boer-cross wethers were randomly assigned to one of four treatments with treatments fed different amounts of juniper (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% juniper in the diet). All goats were fed juniper for 28 d at the Angelo State University (ASU) Management, Instruction, and Research Center. All goats were also fed a feedlot ration to meet maintenance requirements (2% body weight). Juniper intake varied (P < 0.05) between all treatments (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) primarily because treatments were fed different amounts of juniper. Following a 28-d trial, goats were harvested at the ASU Food Safety and Product Development Laboratory. Carcass characteristics including live weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, loineye area, body wall fat thickness, and leg circumference were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. Sensory characteristics including tenderness, juiciness, flavor intensity, off-flavor, and overall acceptability were also similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. Landowners can utilize goats as a biological management tool without adversely affecting goat meat quality or flavoring.     

Cone beam computed tomography and intraoral radiography for diagnosis of dental abnormalities in dogs and cats

The development of veterinary dentistry has substantially improved the ability to diagnose canine and feline dental abnormalities. Consequently, examinations previously performed only on humans are now available for small animals, thus improving the diagnostic quality. This has increased the need for technical qualification of veterinary professionals and increased technological investments. This study evaluated the use of cone beam computed tomography and intraoral radiography as complementary exams for diagnosing dental abnormalities in dogs and cats. Cone beam computed tomography was provided faster image acquisition with high image quality, was associated with low ionizing radiation levels, enabled image editing, and reduced the exam duration. Our results showed that radiography was an effective method for dental radiographic examination with low cost and fast execution times, and can be performed during surgical procedures.