PrP genotyping of Austrian sheep breeds

Scrapie, an ovine and caprine transmissible spongiforme encephalopathy, is widely spread among sheep populations in many European countries. As it is known that susceptibility to scrapie is determined genetically, breeding programmes aiming at providing scrapie-resistant flocks have been established. Selection is based on the prion protein (PrP) genotype, which is used to classify animals into risk groups of susceptibility (R1-R5) according to the amino acids encoded by codons at positions 136, 154 and 171, respectively. At position 136 (136V-->136A) alanine and at position 154 (154H-->154R) as well as 171 (171Q-->171R) arginine are the favoured amino acids. Whereas PrP genotyping data are available for many of the European sheep breeds, comparable data for local Austrian sheep breeds are missing. The most known among these are Tyrolean mountain sheep, forest sheep. Tyrolean stone sheep and Carynthian sheep. The genotypes of 112 sheep from these four local breeds were determined. In terms of PrP genetics, Austrian breeds belong to the group of non-valine-breeds, with the exception of the Carynthian sheep, that exhibited a frequency of 136V of 4.2%. The most frequent allele was ARQ with 64.6-71.2% (depending on the breed), followed by ARR (14.8-25.8%). In contrast to the above-mentioned findings, scrapie has never been diagnosed in any of the Austrian sheep breeds. Native Austrian sheep breeds exhibit a very robust constitution, a pronounced adaptation to harsh climates and good reproduction parameters as well as a marked mother instinct. Therefore, these breeds are often used in crossbreeding programmes. Beside the above-mentioned characteristics, our results indicate that the investigated breeds may be effectively used in crossing-out breeding programmes for eliminating valine at position 136 of PrP.     

Use of bone morphogenetic proteins for augmentation of bone regeneration

A large body of preclinical and clinical data now documents that recombinant BMPs can be used for skeletal regeneration in humans and animals. Recombinant human BMP-2 and BMP-7 have been approved for use in human patients with long-bone fractures and nonunions and in patients undergoing lumbar fusion or various maxillofacial and dental regenerative procedures. These products have also been made available for veterinary use.     

Comparative efficacies of oral ketoconazole and terbinafine for reducing Malassezia population sizes on the skin of Basset Hounds

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of oral ketoconazole and terbinafine for reducing population sizes of Malassezia yeasts on canine skin. Twenty-one Basset Hounds were randomised in three groups of seven according to Malassezia populations. Dogs in the first group were treated by oral administration of ketoconazole (Ketofungol) 200 mg, Janssen-Cilag) at 10 mg x kg-1, every 24 h with food, for 3 weeks. Dogs in the second group were treated by oral administration of terbinafine (Lamisil) 250 mg, Novartis) at 30 mg x kg-1, every 24 h with food, for 3 weeks. The seven remaining dogs were used as controls. Malassezia population sizes were assessed by use of contact plates on four cutaneous sites at days 7, 14 and 21. Both ketoconazole and terbinafine were effective in reducing the baseline levels of Malassezia organisms with no significant difference between the two drugs. In further studies, oral terbinafine should be evaluated for the management of canine cases of Malassezia dermatitis.     

Clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine in dogs with atopic dermatitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacy and safety of cyclosporine in the treatment of atopic dermatitis among dogs in North America. DESIGN: Randomized controlled (phase 1) and open-label (phase 2) trials. ANIMALS: 268 dogs with atopic dermatitis. PROCEDURE: In phase 1, dogs were randomly assigned to be treated with cyclosporine (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/Ib], PO, q 24 h) or a placebo. In phase 2, all dogs were treated with cyclosporine for 16 weeks. Frequency of cyclosporine administration was decreased if dogs improved clinically. RESULTS: At the end of phase 1, canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores for dogs treated with cyclosporine were significantly lower than scores for control dogs. Percentage of dogs with severe pruritus decreased from 67% to 16% for the cyclosporine group but from 66% to only 61% for the control group. During phase 2, cyclosporine dosage was decreased to every-other-day administration in 39% of the dogs after 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, 22% of the dogs were treated twice weekly and 36% were treated every other day. After 16 weeks, CADESI score had decreased > 50% in 68% of the dogs and 47% of dogs had no or mild pruritus. The most frequent adverse reactions were gastrointestinal tract signs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that cyclosporine is efficacious for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs and that frequency of cyclosporine administration can be reduced following an initial induction period. The drug was well tolerated.     

Effect of the recently established admissions procedure on success in the first-year exams at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria

RATIONALE FOR THIS STUDY: The purpose of this study was to compare the success during the first academic year of students who underwent an admissions procedure (class 2005) and students of the three previous classes (2002-2004), who did not undergo an admissions procedure but took their exams under the same curricular framework. METHODOLOGY: Exam results of 802 students of the 2002-2004 classes were compared with those of 181 students from the 2005 class. RESULTS: Students of the 2005 class were more likely to pass all three exams given in the first academic year than students of the 2002-2004 classes (p < 0.001; OR = 3.2), and the quality of two of the three exams (indicated by individual scores) was also significantly better in 2005 than in the preceding classes (p < 0.001). In unselected classes, 25% to 31% of students showed no successful attempts to pass any of the three exams currently administered. CONCLUSION: The implementation of an admissions procedure measuring, among other indicators, academic ability has significantly improved first-year exam performance. Incoming students presenting with higher scores on academic standards are more likely to complete their courses successfully.     

Demonstration of the articular cartilage of the canine ulnar trochlear notch using high-field magnetic resonance imaging

The articular cartilage covering the ulnar trochlear notch (UTN) of both elbow joints from 25 adult canine cadavers was demonstrated by the use of high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a fat-suppressed, three-dimensional, spoiled gradient echo sequence. The dogs used for this study were divided into five groups: giant, large, mid-sized, small, and chondrodystrophic breeds. The distribution of articular cartilage of the UTN was assessed on MR images. The joints were then opened, and the distribution of the articular cartilage of the UTN was verified. In 29/50 joints, there was good agreement between gross findings of the distribution of the articular cartilage of the UTN and MRI interpretation. Reasons for the poor results in small and chondrodystrophic breeds were decreased thickness of the articular cartilage, small size of the articular surface and of its structural features, and the frequent inability to visualize the joint space.     

Toxicity in Doberman Pinchers with Ventricular Arrhythmias Treated with Amiodarone (1996–2005)

Background: Asymptomatic Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) often die suddenly owing to ventricular tachycardia that degenerates into ventricular fibrillation. A safe and effective antiarrhythmic drug treatment is needed. This will require a large, well-controlled, prospective study.
Hypothesis: Amiodarone toxicity is common in Dobermans with occult DCM and ventricular tachyarrhythmias refractory to antiarrhythmia therapy. Infrequent monitoring of hepatic function is inadequate. Frequent monitoring may be useful to determine dogs in which the dosage should be decreased or the drug withdrawn.
Methods: Medical records from the University of Georgia and Cornell University were searched for Doberman Pinschers diagnosed with preclinical DCM that received amiodarone for severe ventricular arrhythmias refractory to other antiarrhythmic agents. Echocardiographic data, Holter recording data, hepatic enzyme serum activity, and serum amiodarone concentrations were recorded. The presence of clinical signs of toxicity was recorded. Serum amiodarone concentrations were obtained in some dogs.
Results: Reversible toxicity was identified in 10 of 22 (45%) dogs.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Adverse effects from amiodarone were common and were, in part, dosage related. Patients should be monitored for signs of toxicity and liver enzyme activity should be measured at least monthly.     

APPEARANCE OF THE SACROILIAC JOINT IN VENTRODORSAL RADIOGRAPHS OF THE NORMAL CANINE PELVIS

Radiology of the canine sacroiliac (SI) joint was investigated by obtaining ventrodorsal radiographs of cadaveric pelves and bone specimens (n = 40) marked with solder wire or radiopaque paint to demonstrate the orientation of the sacroiliac joint in various radiographic views. In the following retrospective radiographic study (n = 94 survey sacroiliac joint radiographs), central projections of the sacrum were noted to ease identification of the dorsal, middle and ventral joint components, whereas angled projections of the sacrum had advantages when assessing the cranial joint components. Radiographic assessment was already successful in juvenile dogs older than 5 months. Failure in tracing the outlines of the joint space of the sacroiliac joints is not consistent with alteration of the SI joint. Rather, it was felt that alterations would have assisted in identifying the contours of the SI joints because of an increase in mineralization.     

A comparison of the effects of carbon dioxide and medical air for abdominal insufflation on respiratory parameters in xylazine-sedated sheep undergoing laparoscopic artificial insemination

AIMS: To determine if abdominal insufflation with medical air will improve oxygenation and ventilation parameters when compared to insufflation with CO₂ in xylazine-sedated sheep undergoing laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI).

METHODS: Forty-seven sheep underwent oestrus synchronisation and were fasted for 24 hours prior to laparoscopic AI. Each animal was randomised to receive either CO₂ or medical air for abdominal insufflation. An auricular arterial catheter was placed and utilised for serial blood sampling. Respiratory rates (RR) and arterial blood samples were collected at baseline, after xylazine (0.1?mg/kg I/V) sedation, 2 minutes after Trendelenburg positioning, 5 minutes after abdominal insufflation, and 10 minutes after being returned to a standing position. Blood samples were collected in heparinised syringes, stored on ice, and analysed for arterial pH, partial pressure of arterial O₂ (PaO₂), and CO₂ (PaCO₂). The number of ewes conceiving to AI was also determined.

RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated temporal effects on RR, PaO₂, PaCO₂ and arterial pH during the laparoscopic AI procedure (p<0.001), but no difference between insufflation groups (p>0.01). No sheep experienced hypercapnia (PaCO₂>50?mmHg) or acidaemia (pH<7.35). Hypoxaemia (PaO₂<70?mmHg) was diagnosed during the procedure in 14/22 (64%) ewes in the CO₂ group compared with 8/23 (35%) ewes in the medical air group (p=0.053). Overall, 15/20 (75%) ewes in the CO₂ group conceived to AI compared with 16/22 (72.7%) in the medical air group (p=0.867).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There were no statistical or clinical differences in RR, PaO₂, PaCO₂, pH, or conception to AI when comparing the effects of CO₂ and medical air as abdominal insufflation gases. None of the sheep experienced hypercapnia or acidaemic, yet 42% (19/45) of sheep developed clinical hypoxaemia, with a higher percentage of ewes in the CO₂ group developing hypoxaemia than in the medical air group. Based on the overall analysis, medical air could be utilised as a comparable alternative for abdominal insufflation during laparoscopic AI procedures.