How often do veterinarians assess the bodyweight and body condition of dogs?

Measurements of bodyweight and body condition are useful for monitoring the state of health of companion animals, but the frequency with which they are used by veterinarians in general practice is not known. Information derived from 148 dogs was analysed to determine how often their bodyweight and body condition had been assessed. Bodyweight had been measured at least once in 103 (70 per cent) of the dogs. The median time between the measurements was 114 days (range five days to 6.8 years), and the median number of consultations per measurement was four (range one to 44). Body composition had been assessed subjectively in 43 (29 per cent) of the dogs. The median time between the assessments was 216 days (21 days to 6.26 years) and the median number of consultations per assessment was seven (two to 43). A recognised body condition score had been assessed in only one dog on one occasion.     

Morphology of the Lingual Dorsal Surface and Oral Taste Buds in Italian Lizard (Podarcis sicula)

With 4 figures The Italian lizard (Podarcis sicula) is the most diffused reptile in Italy, but it is also present in other European countries. This lizard belongs to the Lacertidae family, lives near walls, slants and along the borders of the paths; its diet includes bugs and aracnids. No data are so far available in literature about the three‐dimensional morphology of the tongue of Podarcis sicula, therefore the aim of the present paper was to study by scanning electron and light microscopy the three‐dimensional characteristics of the dorsal lingual surface and moreover the presence of chemosensory receptors like the taste buds in the oral cavity. Our results demonstrate that the Podarcis sicula tongue is a triangular muscular membranous organ, dorsoventrally flattened and that three different areas can be observed: a bifid apex, a body and a root. No papillae were observed in the apex, characterized by a flattened mucosa and by two deep median pouches. In the body cylindrical papillae with a flat surface are present, aborally gradually substituted by imbricated papillae. Foliate‐like papillae were observed in the lateral parts of the tongue body. No sensory structures were showed on the lingual dorsal surface, while they were numerous in the oral cavity, particularly on the gingival epithelium. The light microscopy shows, on the dorsal surface, a stratified pavimentous not keratinized epithelium, conversely keratinized along the ventral surface. Many caliciform cells on the lateral parts of the papillae, deputed to the secretion of mucus, were also observed. Therefore, the results obtained in this paper could give a contribution to the knowledge of the tongue anatomy in a species widely diffused in different European countries and could be of help for clinical purposes in reptiles.     

Long‐term Effects of Pyrethrin and Cyfluthrin,a Type II Synthetic Pyrethroid,Insecticide Applications on Bull Reproductive Parameters

The objectives of this study were to determine effects of cyfluthrin and pyrethrin spray products, used in combination with cyfluthrin topical and ear tag applications, on bull reproductive parameters over 18 weeks. Angus or Angus x Simmental bulls were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (i) no exposure to pyrethrins/cyfluthrin (CONT; n = 10), (ii) cyfluthrin ear tag and topical applications (ET; n = 10), or (iii) cyfluthrin ear tag, topical, premise spray and pyrethrin fog spray applications (ET+S; n = 8). Bull body weight was measured every 3 week, and body condition score and scrotal circumference were recorded on weeks 0, 9 and 18. Semen and serum were collected every 3 weeks for sperm evaluation and testosterone measurement, respectively. There was a treatment × week interaction (p < 0.01) for sperm with primary defects; bulls in CONT group had a greater (p = 0.01) percentage of sperm with primary defects than bulls treated with insecticides at week 18. Overall and progressive sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, secondary sperm defects and serum testosterone concentrations changed (p < 0.01) over time in all bulls; however, treatment did not affect (p ≥ 0.13) any of these parameters. There were also no treatment effects (p ≥ 0.08) on bull body weight, body condition score or scrotal circumference. The use of pyrethrin‐ and cyfluthrin‐based insecticides, regardless of application, did not negatively affect reproductive parameters in beef bulls when administered over 18 weeks.     

Exposure of females and pups of the levant vole to diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated nesting material: Effect on the breeding capacity of the female offspring

Adult Levant vole (Microtus guentheri) females, which at the age of 1 or 4 days had been in direct contact for 2 h with filter paper impregnated with a suspension of diethylstilbestrol dipropionate (DES) in soybean oil (0.125 mg DES/cm²), or whose nursing mothers had been in similar contact with DES during that period, were found to be sterile in the overwhelming majority of cases. Females slightly older (5–6 days old) at the time of such contact with DES (direct, or through their nursing mothers) retained their fertility.     

Hypocobalaminaemia is uncommon in cats in the United Kingdom

Recent work has highlighted the importance of cobalamin deficiency in cats with a range of alimentary tract diseases. The primary aim of our study was to determine the incidence of subnormal cobalamin concentrations in sick cats with and without alimentary system disorders. Firstly, serum cobalamin concentrations were measured in a population of cats, with and without gastrointestinal (GI) disease, evaluated at a referral hospital. In the second part of the study, the incidence of cobalamin deficiency was assessed in samples submitted to a commercial laboratory specifically for cobalamin measurement. For both studies, a validated radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum cobalamin concentrations (reference range: > 150 pg/ml). In the first part of the study, 132 cats were included and none of these cats had subnormal cobalamin concentrations (median=1,172; range: 278 to >2,000). There were no differences in cobalamin concentrations between cats with alimentary system disorders, and those with diseases of other organs. In the second part, 682 samples were submitted for cobalamin assay over a period of 3 years, and only one cat had a result below the reference range (median=794; range: 147 to >2,000). Cobalamin deficiency was rare in the population tested and this may suggest that the incidence of this biochemical abnormality is less common than reported in the USA.     

Trilostane therapy for treatment of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in 5 cats

Hyperadrenocorticism is a rare syndrome in cats. Current medical therapy is unsatisfactory and prognosis for long-term survival with surgical treatment is guarded. We report on 5 cats treated with the 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor trilostane. Diagnosis was confirmed in all cats by endocrine testing. Three cats had concurrent diabetes mellitus. Trilostane reduced clinical signs and improved endocrine test results in all cats, but insulin requirements did not change and all continued to have some signs of hypercortisolemia. Two died or were euthanized after 16 and 140 days, whereas 3 were still alive 6, 11, and 20 months after the start of trilostane therapy. Trilostane ameliorates clinical signs of feline hyperadrenocorticism, but more research is needed before it can be recommended for treatment.     

MN blood-group locus: data concerning the possible chromosomal location

Combined data derived from clinical, cytogenetic, and blood-grouping studies of one family suggest that the MN locus is on the long arm of either the No. 2 or the No. 4 chromosome.     

Activities of antioxidants are affected by colloidal properties of oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions and bulk oils

The activity of alpha-tocopherol, Trolox, propyl gallate, gallic acid, methyl carnosoate, and carnosic acid was studied in two oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions, in two water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions, and in bulk oil with and without added emulsifiers. All antioxidants had either moderate or higher activity in bulk oil than in the emulsions. In most emulsions, the most polar antioxidants, propyl gallate and gallic acid, exhibited either prooxidant activity or no antioxidant activity. Methyl carnosoate was the most active antioxidant in w/o emulsions but was less active than Trolox in o/w emulsions. alpha-Tocopherol was less active in bulk oil than in emulsions, but its activity in bulk oil was markedly enhanced by the addition of o/w emulsifiers. Partitioning of antioxidants, hydrogen bonding, interphase transport, surface accessibility, and interaction of emulsifier with antioxidants are considered to be important parameters that determine antioxidant activity in lipid-containing systems.