Acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with nasal disease

The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A, haptoglobin (Hp) and α(1)-acid glycoprotein were measured in dogs with clinical signs of nasal disease and compared with those of healthy dogs in order to determine the expression of these proteins in cases of canine nasal disease. A significant difference (P<0.001) between the symptomatic group and the control group was found for both CRP and Hp. Among the animals with nasal disease, a significant intergroup difference (P<0.05) was found in the expression of Hp between dogs with aspergillosis and those with chronic rhinitis.     

Effect of age at castration on behavioural response to subsequent tail docking in lambs

Objective To investigate the effects of age at castration on the subsequent behavioural response to tail docking. Study design Randomised prospective blinded experimental study. Animals Forty‐five male lambs were admitted to the study at birth. Methods The lambs were allocated into two groups for castration by rubber ring at 1 (1D, n = 20) or 10 (10D, n = 25) days of age. Following castration both groups of lambs were tail‐docked by rubber ring at between 26 and 34 days of age. Their behavioural responses to tail docking were recorded by video for 30 minutes before (n = 11) and 30 minutes after (n = 45) tail docking. Statistical differences were tested using anova with Mann‐Whitney post‐hoc testing. Results Two data sets were removed resulting in n = 19 and = 24 at 1D and 10D, respectively. A significant increase in the incidence of active and abnormal postural behaviour was seen in both groups after tail docking. Three behaviours were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups. These behaviours were rolling, standing unsteadily and the total proportion of time standing with abnormal posture. These behaviours all had greater incidence in the lambs castrated at 1D of age. Conclusions Lambs castrated at 1D appeared to perceive a greater intensity of pain after subsequent tail docking than lambs castrated at 10D. Clinical relevance The timing of a single noxious stimulus in young animals can affect subsequent pain perception.     

Cooking decreases observed perfluorinated compound concentrations in fish

Dietary intake is a major route of exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Although fish and seafood contribute significantly to total dietary exposure to these compounds, there is uncertainty with respect to the effect of cooking on PFC concentrations in these foods. Eighteen fish species purchased from markets in Toronto, Mississauga, and Ottawa, Canada were analyzed for perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSAs)-based fluorochemicals and perfluorinated acids (PFAs) in raw and cooked (baked, boiled, fried) samples. Of 17 analytes, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was detected most frequently; concentrations ranged from 0.21 to 1.68 ng/g ww in raw and cooked samples. PFOSAs were detected only in scallops at concentrations ranging from 0.20 ng/g ww to 0.76 ng/g ww. Total concentrations of PFAs in samples were 0.21 to 9.20 ng/g ww, respectively, consistent with previous studies. All cooking methods reduced PFA concentrations. Baking appeared to be the most effective cooking method; after baking samples for 15 min at 163 C (325 degrees F), PFAs were not detected in any of the samples. The margin of exposures (MOE) between the toxicological points of reference and the dietary intake of perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) and PFOS in fish and seafood muscle tissue were greater than 4 orders of magnitude. This indicates that reducing consumption of fish muscle tissue is not warranted on the basis of PFC exposure concerns at the reported levels of contamination, even for high fish consuming populations.     

Survival of Aujeszky's disease virus in frozen pig meat

The survival of Aujeszky's disease virus was studied in muscle, lymph node and bone marrow frozen at -18 degrees C, following infusion of a large dose of the virus into the hindquarter of a freshly killed pig. Previous attempts to induce an adequate viraemia for such studies, using intranasal and intravenous routes of inoculation of large doses of virus in live pigs, were unsuccessful. In frozen meat and marrow, the virus showed a biphasic inactivation curve with time, similar to that seen with cell-cultured virus. Most virus was rapidly inactivated initially but a small population of more stable virus persisted for a considerable period of time. In contrast, virus in lymph node showed a uniform inactivaton rate, like that of the more stable componet only. Virus was not detectable in any of the tissues after 35 days of storage at -18 degrees C.     

Heterologous penetrating keratoplasty for treatment of a corneal sequestrum in a cat

A corneal sequestrum was diagnosed in an 8-year-old, neutered male Burmese cat. A heterologous penetrating keratoplasty (PK) (fresh canine corneal tissue) was performed to restore a clear visual axis. A heterograft was selected in order to decrease the risk of viral transmission as a screened donor was not available. One month postoperatively the graft was vascularized and opaque. The owner failed to return for recheck examinations until 16 months postoperatively at which time only a faint central nebula remained.     

Hepatic Hepcidin Gene Expression in Dogs with a Congenital Portosystemic Shunt

Background

Microcytic anemia is common in dogs with a congenital portosystemic shunt (cPSS) and typically resolves after surgical attenuation of the anomalous vessel. However, the pathophysiology of the microcytic anemia remains poorly understood. Hepcidin has been a key role in controlling iron transport in both humans and animals and in mediating anemia of inflammatory disease in humans. The role of hepcidin in the development of microcytic anemia in dogs with a cPSS has not been examined.

Hypothesis

To determine whether hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression decreases, while red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increase in dogs after surgical attenuation of a cPSS.

Animals

Eighteen client‐owned dogs with confirmed cPSS undergoing surgical attenuation.

Method

Prospective study. Red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), together with hepatic gene expression of hepcidin, were measured in dogs before and after partial attenuation of a cPSS.

Results

There was a significant increase in both RBC (median pre 6.17 × 10¹²/L, median post 7.08 × 10¹²/L, P < .001) and MCV (median pre 61.5fl, median post 65.5fl, P = .006) after partial surgical attenuation of the cPSS. Despite the increase in both measured red blood cell parameters, hepatic gene expression of hepcidin remained unchanged.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study found no evidence that dysregulated production of hepcidin was associated with anemia in dogs with a cPSS.