Mineral requirements of hair sheep in tropical climates

In this study, we evaluated the requirements of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) for sheep hair growth. Experimental diets contained different levels of metabolizable energy [ME; 0.96, 1.28, 1.72, 2.18 and 2.62 Mcal/kg of dry matter, (DM), corresponding to 4.23, 5.64, 7.58, 9.61 and 11.55 MJ/kg DM]. The lambs' hair (n = 48) at 2 months of age presented an average body weight (BW) of 12.05 ± 1.81 kg. At the beginning of the experiment, eight animals were slaughtered as a reference group to estimate the initial empty body weight and body composition. Net mineral requirements (g/day) ranged from 0.73 to 0.71 g of Ca, 0.51 to 0.49 g of P, 0.026 to 0.026 g of Mg, 0.16 to 0.19 g of Na and 0.15 to 0.13 g of K for animals with a BW ranging from 15 to 30 kg and a daily gain of 100 g. The results of this study indicate that the net macromineral requirements for weight gain in Morada Nova lambs are different from the values commonly recommended by the Agricultural and Food Research Council.     

NHLRC1 repeat expansion in two beagles with Lafora disease

Lafora disease is a fatal genetic disorder characterised by neurotoxic deposits of malformed insoluble glycogen. In humans it is caused by mutation in the EPM2A or NHLRC1 genes. There is a known mutation in miniature wirehaired dachshunds which has not been documented in other dog breeds, including beagles, in which the disease is relatively commonly reported. This case report describes the causative defect in two affected beagles, namely the same massive expansion as in miniature wirehaired dachshunds of a 12‐nucleotide repeat sequence that is unique to the canine NHLRC1 gene. This is the first mutation described in beagles with Lafora disease, and so far the only Lafora disease genetic variant in dogs.     

Immunohistochemical Detection of CD4-, CD8- and MHC II-Expressing Immune Cells and Endoglin in the Canine Corpus Luteum at Different Stages of Dioestrus

Specific immunohistochemical methods were applied to detect the presence of CD4-, CD8- and major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II)-expressing immune cells and of endoglin in the canine corpus luteum between days 15 and 75, after ovulation. Corpora lutea were obtained from groups of three clinically healthy beagle bitches, ovariohysterectomized at the respective days. For all four parameters, the effect of time was highly significant. Quantitative evaluation yielded high values on day 15, followed by a decrease on day 30 (CD4, CD8 and endoglin) and day 45 (MHC II). While there were no further changes for cells staining positive for CD4 and endoglin, CD8-positive immune cells increased from day 45 to day 60 to drop again on day 75; MHC II-positive staining increased from day 45 to days 60-75. These data suggest an involvement of the immune system in control of luteal function also in the dog that may have both stimulatory and inhibiting effects.     

Chronic canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis): a retrospective study of 19 natural cases

Nineteen dogs from Greece with chronic ehrlichiosis were studied. The dogs exhibited bicytopenia or pancytopenia, bone marrow hypoplasia, seroreactivity to Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) antigens, and had no history of drug or radiation exposure. Anorexia, depression, severe bleeding tendencies, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity were also hallmarks of the disease. All these animals eventually died, irrespective of the treatment applied. Some dogs were also serologically positive for Rickettsia conorii, Leishmania infantum (L. infantum), and Bartonella vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii. Polymerase chain reaction testing of bone marrow samples revealed E. canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilia, Anaplasma platys, and L. infantum in some dogs. Concurrent infections did not appear to substantially influence the clinical course and final outcome of the chronic canine ehrlichiosis.     

Patch test reactions to house dust mites in dogs with atopic dermatitis

The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of dogs with spontaneous atopic dermatitis that show a positive patch test reaction to a commercially available 20% house dust mites mixture containing equal parts of Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in white petrolatum. In addition, we evaluated whether skin reactions induced after the epicutaneous application of house dust mites were clinically and histologically similar to naturally developed skin lesions of dogs with atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, we investigated if the reactions induced by house dust mites were true allergic reactions by comparing them to atopic lesional skin and to patch test reactions induced by an irritant substance (sodium lauryl sulphate). White petrolatum alone and nonlesional skin sites were used as negative controls. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of the patch test and control sites were performed in a blinded fashion at 48 and 72 h after patch test application. Microscopic results were evaluated in a qualitative and quantitative manner. A chi‐square test for homogenicity was used for the quantitative analysis to compare the proportion of each dermal inflammatory cell type among positive histopathological tested sites. P values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. The study included 12 healthy nonatopic dogs and 13 dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis. None of the nonatopic dogs reacted to house dust mites and white petrolatum. Ten (77%) of the 13 atopic dogs reacted macroscopically and histopathologically to house dust mites. Macroscopic reactions induced by house dust mites were characterized by erythema, oedema and papules. The macroscopic reactions induced by house dust mites were identical to lesional skin in 20% of the dogs and identical to reactions induced by sodium lauryl sulphate in 40% of the dogs. Qualitative histopathological findings showed that the reactions induced by house dust mites were similar to atopic lesional skin in 80% of the dogs and were similar to sodium lauryl sulphate in 20% of the dogs. Quantitative analyses showed that the proportion of neutrophils in reactions induced by sodium lauryl sulphate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to house dust mites reactions, which could be a differentiator factor between an allergic and an irritant reaction. These results showed that the epicutaneous application of house dust mites in dogs with atopic dermatitis induced histopathological lesions similar to spontaneous atopic lesions in dogs. Therefore, this study demonstrated that house dust mites penetrated the skin of dogs with atopic dermatitis and induced an inflammatory response that resembled a true allergic reaction. Funding: Small Companion Animal Grant, University of Minnesota.     

P‐36 Juvenile idiopathic nasal scaling in three Bengal cats

Affected cats were three Bengals, one male and two females, whose age at onset of lesions ranged from 13‐ to 20‐weeks old. Nasal planum scaling progressed to thick crusting, consequent exfoliation and exposure of underlying erosions. No signs of pruritus or pain were present but mild respiratory signs were noticed. In all cats, haematology and biochemistry were normal, they were FIV and FeLV negative, PCR for herpesvirus, calicivirus and Chlamydia were negative, and viral isolation for calicivirus and herpesvirus was negative. Wood's lamp examination was negative, as were bacterial and fungal cultures. Cytology showed exfoliating keratinocytes. A skin biopsy taken from one case showed no significant changes. Biopsies from the nasal planum of four dead cats with nondermatological conditions (controls) were collected for comparative studies. Morphometry to record the percentage of the granular layer (GL) and stratum corneum (SC) on the total thickness of the epidermis of the nasal planum was performed. The GL and SC accounted for 10.2 and 21.7% of the epidermal thickness in the affected cat, compared to 18.3 and 20.2%, respectively, in the controls. A significant reduction (P < 0.02) of the SC thickness was detected in the affected cat compared to controls. No treatment was instituted as all cats underwent complete (two cats) or nearly complete (one cat) resolution. The reported cases share the same breed, age at onset, type of lesions and a similar outcome. A reduction of the SC thickness in one of the affected cats was recorded. Therefore, an underlying congenital condition is suspected that manifests with high epidermal cell turnover and normal keratinization. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Genetic analysis of European bat lyssavirus type 1 isolates from France

European bat lyssavirus type 1a (EBLV-1a) was first identified in central France from a serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) collected at the end of 2002. Rabies was diagnosed by reference rabies diagnosis methods and molecular tools. Phylogenetic analysis of 14 viral isolates obtained from French bats infected with EBLV-1 between 1989 and the end of 2002 against 47 nucleoprotein sequences showed a north-west to east distribution of EBLV-1a virus and a south to north distribution of EBLV-1b virus, isolates of which could be divided into two groups: group 1 in north-eastern France and group 2 in central and north-western France.     

Investigation of the composition, turnover, and thermal properties of ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To assess different components of the extracellular matrix with regard to their thermal properties, composition, and turnover in ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments (CCLs) of dogs, compared with components of intact CCLs from a breed predisposed to CCL failure. SAMPLE POPULATION: Ruptured CCLs obtained from 8 dogs of breeds predisposed to ruptured CCLs and intact CCLs from 12 cadaveric Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURE: Ruptured and intact CCLs were analyzed for water content; collagen content and collagen cross-links were evaluated via hydroxyproline and amino-acid analyses, respectively. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was analyzed via dimethylmethylene blue and uronic acid assays. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1 and -2 were detected via gelatin SDS-PAGE zymography and reverse gelatin zymography. Thermal analysis of ligaments was performed by use of differential scanning calorimetry. RESULTS: Ruptured CCLs had significantly higher lamounts of immature cross-links, total and sulfated GAGs, and water content, compared with that of the intact ligaments. Compared with intact CCLs, concentration of pro-MMP-2 was significantly higher in ruptured CCLs; the maximum temperature of collagen denaturation was significantly lower in the ruptured CCLs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The extracellular matrix of ruptured CCLs had an increased matrix turnover indicated by increased collagen and GAG synthesis, compared with that of intact CCLs. Although the extracellular matrix changes may have occurred before ligament rupture, it is possible that these observed changes may be part of a reparative process after rupture.