Serum triglyceride concentrations in Miniature Schnauzers with and without a history of probable pancreatitis

Background: The association between hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis remains obscure in dogs. A possible role of hypertriglyceridemia as a cause of pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers has been suspected. Hypothesis/Objectives: To compare serum triglyceride concentrations between Miniature Schnauzers with and without a recent history of pancreatitis. Animals: Seventeen Miniature Schnauzers with a history of pancreatitis (group 1) and 34 age‐matched Miniature Schnauzers without a history of pancreatitis (group 2) were prospectively enrolled. Methods: Prospective case‐control study. Two samples were collected from each of the 17 Miniature Schnauzers with pancreatitis: 1 during pancreatitis and 1 after clinical and biochemical resolution of pancreatitis. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were compared between group 1 (after resolution of pancreatitis) and group 2. Results: Miniature Schnauzers in group 1 were significantly more likely to have hypertriglyceridemia (>108 mg/dL) (71%) after resolution of pancreatitis than Miniature Schnauzers in group 2 (33%; odds ratio = 5.02; 95% confidence interval = 1.4–17.8; P= .0163). Serum triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in dogs of group 1 (median: 605.0 mg/dL) after resolution of pancreatitis than in dogs of group 2 (median: 73.5 mg/dL; P= .002). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Miniature Schnauzers with a history of pancreatitis were 5 times more likely to have hypertriglyceridemia than controls. Hypertriglyceridemia might be associated with the development of pancreatitis in some dogs of this breed. Additional studies are needed to further clarify the role of hypertriglyceridemia in the development of pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers as well as other dog breeds.     

In vitro inhibition of Citrobacter freundii, a red-leg syndrome associated pathogen in raniculture, by indigenous Lactococcus lactis CRL 1584

Red-leg syndrome (RLS) is one of the main infectious diseases that cause economic losses in Lithobates catesbeianus hatcheries, Citrobacter freundii being an etiological agent. Treatment or prevention with therapeutics or chemicals results in modifications of the indigenous microbiota, development of antibiotic resistance, presence of their residues in food and enhancement of production costs. Thus, probiotics could be used as an alternative therapy. Lactic acid bacteria are part of the indigenous microbiota of healthy frogs and can prevent pathogen colonization by different mechanisms, including the production of antagonistic substances. In this work, the evaluation and characterization of the inhibition of C. freundii CFb by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CRL 1584, a potentially probiotic candidate, were carried out. This strain produced lactic acid, H(2)O(2) and bacteriocin in static and shaken conditions and inhibited pathogen growth in associative cultures, with an earlier inhibition under agitated conditions. The elimination of each of the antimicrobial metabolites partially abolished the inhibition of the pathogen, suggesting that the inhibitory effect could be attributed to a combined action of the three antagonistic molecules. Electron microphotographs revealed the damage caused by L. lactis CRL 1584 supernatants to C. freundii cells. The addition of pure lactic acid, H(2)O(2) and bacteriocin to the culture media showed that each metabolite caused different morphological modifications in C. freundii, in agreement with the effect on viable cell counts. The results support the possibility that L. lactis CRL 1584 might be considered as a probiotic to be used in the prevention of RLS in raniculture.     

Prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in Argentinean cattle

Sarcocystis cruzi, S. hirsuta and S. hominis are apicomplexan parasites that affect cattle worldwide with variable prevalence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in Argentinean cattle comparing microscopic fresh examination and molecular methods. Blood, myocardium and loin samples were collected in five slaughterhouses from a total of 380 bovines. Origin of animals was representative of the major beef cattle production area of Argentina. Samples were analyzed by fresh microscopical examination, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), IFAT and PCR-RFLP. Thin walled sarcocysts corresponding with S. cruzi were found in 99.5% of heart samples. Sarcocysts were detected in 73.1% of loin samples; 71.5% had S. cruzi cysts and 23.1% had thick walled sarcocysts (S. hirsuta or S. hominis). TEM observation revealed the presence of characteristic S. hominis and S. hirsuta cyst walls in 7 and 1 loin samples respectively. Using IFAT, 379/380 animals had titers 25 or higher, showing a full agreement with fresh examination. Amplification products were detected in 35.5% (135/380) of loin samples; however Sarcocystis species could only be determined by RFLP in 29 samples. Agreement between fresh examination and PCR was low (Kappa value=0.262). This is the first report of S. hominis and S. hirsuta in Argentina. Further studies are needed to improve the sensitivity of molecular methods for species identification, especially for differentiation of S. cruzi and S. hirsuta from the zoonotic species S. hominis. The results of the present study and others focusing on sensitivity and specificity of Sarcocystis spp. diagnostic methods should contribute to improve food safety.     

Resistance to cypermethrin, deltamethrin and chlorpyriphos in populations of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) from small farms of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

This study was undertaken to determine the flea diversity on urban dogs and cats in Australia in 2009-2010. A total of 2530 fleas were recovered from 291 animals (151 dogs, 69 cats and 71 uncategorised dogs or cats) from veterinary clinics across five states of Australia. The majority of specimens were from coastal areas. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) was the most frequent flea species identified (98.8%, 2500/2530). The only other flea species identified was the stickfast flea (Echidnophaga gallinacea) from Western Australia. Sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit II mtDNA revealed a single haplotype across Australia within a subset of C. f. felis (n=19). Our study demonstrated dominance and haplotype homogeneity of C. f. felis on dogs and cats. Although Ctenocephalides canis was recovered from a feral fox, it was not identified from the sample of fleas analysed. This suggests that, under current conditions, it is unlikely that foxes are reservoirs of C. canis for domestic dogs or cats residing in coastal Australia, as previously speculated.     

Meniscal translocation and deformation throughout the range of motion of the equine stifle joint: an in vitro cadaveric study

Reason for performing study: By study of the translocation and deformation of equine menisci throughout the range of motion, it may be possible to identify potential mechanical factors in the pathogenesis of injury to the cranial horn of the medial meniscus. Objective: To quantitatively document meniscal translocation and deformation using radiographic and MR imaging, and to evaluate for potential variation between the medial and lateral menisci. Methods: Radiographic markers were embedded in the periphery of the menisci in 6 cadaver stifles. Proximal‐distal radiographs were taken at 15° intervals ranging from full flexion (30°) to full extension (160°). Magnetic resonance imaging sequences of 3 additional cadaver stifles were obtained in axial and sagittal planes at the predetermined stifle angles. Results: A significantly greater overall mean cranial‐caudal translocation (1.6 times) of the lateral meniscus relative to the medial was seen from full extension to full flexion (P = 0.002). The cranial horn of the medial meniscus was the least mobile of the 4 horns, yet a significant cranial displacement relative to the cranial horn of the lateral meniscus was seen in the terminal 10° of extension. MRI images revealed a significantly greater axial compressive strain in the cranial horn of the medial meniscus relative to the cranial horn of the lateral meniscus in the terminal 10° of extension (P = 0.017). Conclusion: The equine menisci exhibit a cranial‐caudal translocation over the tibia throughout the range of motion. While the cranial horn of the medial meniscus is the least mobile of the 4 horns, it undergoes significant cranial translocation and axial compression in the terminal 10° of extension. Potential relevance: Hyperextension of the stifle may place the cranial horn of the medial meniscus at risk of injury and thus explain the higher prevalence of meniscal tears at this location.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of valnemulin in broiler chickens

Wang, R., Yuan, L.G., He, L.M., Zhu, L.X., Luo, X.Y., Zhang, C.Y., Yu, J.J., Fang, B.H., Liu, Y.H. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of valnemulin in broiler chickens. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 34 , 247–251. The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of valnemulin in broiler chickens after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral administrations of 10 mg/kg body weight (bw). Plasma samples were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). Pharmacokinetic characterization was performed by non‐compartmental analysis using WinNonlin program. After intravenous administration, distribution was wide with the volume of distribution based on terminal phase(V_z) of 4.27 ± 0.99 L /kg. Mean valnemulin t_1/2β(h), Cl_β(L /h /kg), V_ss (L /kg) and AUC_(0–∞)(μg·h /mL) values were 2.85, 0.99, 2.72 and 10.34, respectively. After intramuscular administration, valnemulin was rapidly absorbed with a C_max of 2.2 μg/mL achieved at 0.43 h (t_max), and the absolute bioavailability (F) was 88.81%; and for the oral route the same parameters were 0.66 ± 0.15 μg/mL, 1.54 ± 0.27 h and 74.42%. A multiple‐peak phenomenon was present after oral administration. The plasma profile of valnemulin exhibited a secondary peak during 2–6 h and a tertiary peak at 32 h. The favorable PK behavior, such as the wide distribution, slow elimination and acceptable bioavailability indicated that it is likely to be effective in chickens.     

On ancestors of dog breeds with focus on Weimaraner hunting dogs

Paternally inherited Y chromosomal markers and maternally inherited mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences were investigated in 27 dog breeds (Canis familiaris), of which the Weimaraner hunting dog was studied in greater detail. Altogether, nine potentially polymorphic markers of the Y chromosome were examined as well as parts of the canine mt genome (1947 base pairs) in 111 male dogs and four wolves for comparison. Twenty Y chromosomal and fifty-nine mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes were identified in the canine breeds and wolves. In 34 Weimaraners, four distinct Y chromosomal haplotypes were observed as well as three mtDNA types thus reflecting at least four male and three female ancestors for the current population in Germany. Tracing patri- and matrilineages, several entries in the Weimaraner stud book cannot be reconciled with the male-only, Y chromosomal neither the female-only, mt inheritance patterns, respectively. The investigated breeds represent 9 of 10 groups defined by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The level of Y chromosomal and especially mtDNA diversity was immense considering the relatively small number of individuals investigated per breed. Unique haplotypes were found only in a few breeds and the wolf. Other haplotypes were shared among several breeds, also across different FCI groups, suggesting that these canine breeds had common male and female ancestors.     

Estimating feed efficiency: evaluation of mathematical models to predict individual intakes of steers fed in group pens

To evaluate feed efficiency using residual feed intake (RFI), it is necessary to measure and record daily feed intake for each animal. This can be accomplished by housing them in individual pens or by using sophisticated electronic feeders in group pens. All the available options are very expensive and very laborious; therefore, several researchers have developed methods to predict individual DMI of cattle fed in group pens. Three intake models were tested with a data set of 60 Angus × Hereford steers fed a corn-based finishing diet in both group and individual pens. After the first 60 d (period 1) of the study, animals were switched from group to individual pens, and then vice versa for another 60 d (period 2); thus, the entire feeding trial was 120 d long. No difference was observed in DMI between periods for steers fed individually (period 1 = 10.9 kg/d and period 2 = 11.2 kg/d, P = 0.44), but a difference was observed in group pens (period 1 = 12.7 kg/d and period 2 = 10.9 kg/d, P < 0.01). In addition, no difference (P ≥ 0.15) was observed in carcass characteristics, such as HCW, dressing percentage, quality grade, LM area, KPH percentage, yield grade, or backfat between RFI groups (low, medium, and high). Average daily gain and G:F were not different between RFI groups within each period (P ≥ 0.06), but there were period differences (P < 0.001). Models 1 and 2 were based on growth, carcass composition, and nutrient requirements, whereas model 3 was based on the heterogeneity of pen intakes when cattle were rotated through the pens on a daily basis. Models 1 and 2 were forced through the mean observed DMI, so the mean bias was zero, but they were not precise, with a slope bias greater than 50%. Model 3 showed low accuracy (mean bias = 20%), but it was precise, with a slope bias of 21%. Because RFI is the error of the DMI equation, any inaccuracy when estimating intake will lead to a bias in the prediction of RFI. In conclusion, these models could be used to predict mean DMI, but they were not adequate for estimating RFI.     

Subcutaneous electronic identification in cattle: a field study

The use of injectable transponders in cattle for identification purposes, for up to 30 months, was investigated. Passive electronic transponders, encapsulated in either polymer or glass, were injected subcutaneously into either the ear base or the earlobe of 652 calves in three populations. The animals were clinically examined weekly, and transponder signalling was checked immediately before and after injection, after two weeks and after about eight months. About 10 per cent of animals in one population were also checked after 20 and 30 months. No severe clinical or visible pathological changes were observed, and the calves' welfare was not apparently affected by the procedure. None of the transponders migrated from their injection sites. Eight months after injection, a signal was detected from 98.2 per cent of transponders injected in the ear base and from 90.5 per cent of those in the earlobe. At 20 and 30 months after injection, 10.4 per cent and 2.6 per cent of transponders, respectively, had ceased to signal. Thus, most transponders in the calves' ear base demonstrated functionality for up to 30 months.