Descriptive analysis of haemangiosarcoma occurrence in dogs enrolled in the Golden Retriever lifetime study

Haemangiosarcoma is a relatively common malignant tumour in dogs, and one of the primary outcomes of interest for the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. This study collects longitudinal data and samples from a cohort of golden retrievers, with the aim of identification of nutritional, genetic, environmental, lifestyle and reproductive risk factors for cancers and other important diseases in dogs. This analysis describes the accumulating data and samples, which are available for use by researchers to fulfil the study's objectives. As of September 2022, 233/3044 dogs enrolled in the study had been diagnosed with haemangiosarcoma (7.65%), with an incidence rate of 1.10 cases per 100 dog-years. Visceral haemangiosarcoma was the most common, affecting 211/3044 study dogs (6.9%). One hundred and twenty eight visceral haemangiosarcoma diagnoses specified the presence of splenic tumours (60.7%) and 119 specified the presence of cardiac tumours (56.4%). The probability of remaining without a haemangiosarcoma diagnosis declined from 100% from approximately 4 years of age, to a 12 year probability of 91.1% in intact females (95% CI 84.4%–98.3%), 60.7% in neutered females (95% CI 41.6%–88.6%), 72.9% in intact males (95% CI 62.9%–84.6%) and 70.0% in neutered males (95% CI 53.4%–92.0%). The 1 year survival probability for visceral haemangiosarcoma was 1.42% (95% CI 0.37%–5.47%); for cutaneous haemangiosarcoma, it was 84.6% (95% CI 67.1%–99.99%). The accumulated data and samples are a considerable resource for further investigation of canine haemangiosarcoma and have a potential role in translational medicine.     

Reduced Klotho expression and its prognostic significance in canine hepatocellular carcinoma

Klotho is an anti-ageing gene and is known to act as a tumour suppressor in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to a previous study, Klotho is present in normal canine mammary glands, and down-expression in tumours is positively associated with negative prognosis. However, the presence and significance of Klotho in canine HCC has not yet been reported. This study aimed to confirm Klotho expression in normal canine liver tissues using western blotting and immunohistochemistry, and whether the expression differed in non-neoplastic liver disease and HCC. Furthermore, correlation between clinicopathologic features and expression of Klotho was evaluated. All of the normal liver tissues showed the presence of Klotho, and Klotho expression was significantly decreased in the HCC tissue as compared to the non-neoplastic hepatic tissue. Additionally, Klotho expression was significantly associated with tumour size (P = .045), liver enzyme (alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) (P = .018), and metastasis (P = .024). Analysis of the survival curve revealed that reduced Klotho expression was significantly associated with poor disease-free survival (P = .041) in HCC. These results show that Klotho expression is present in normal canine liver tissue and that reduced Klotho expression is associated with poor prognosis in canine HCC. Thus, Klotho was presumed to be a potential clinical prognostic marker for canine HCC.     

Evaluation of an automatic approach device to the epidural space of Beagle dogs

ObjectiveTo compare the epidural anesthesia device (EPIA), which facilitates an automatic approach to location of the epidural space, with the performance of clinicians using tactile sensation and differences in pressure when inserting an epidural needle into the epidural space of a dog.Study designProspective, crossover experiment.AnimalsA total of 14 Beagle dogs weighing 7.5 ± 2.4 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsEach dog was anesthetized three times at 2 week intervals for three anesthesiologists (two experienced, one novice) to perform 14 epidural injections (seven manual and EPIA device each). The sequence of methods was assigned randomly for each anesthesiologist. The dogs were anesthetized with medetomidine (10 μg kg^–1), alfaxalone (2 mg kg^–1) and isoflurane and positioned in sternal recumbency with the pelvic limbs extended cranially. Epidural puncture in the manual method was determined by pop sensation, hanging drop technique and reduced injection pressure, whereas using the device a sudden decrease in reaction force on the device was detected. A C-arm identified needle placement in the epidural space, and after administration of iohexol (0.3 mL), the needle length in the epidural space was defined as the mean value measured by three radiologists. Normality was tested using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and significant differences between the two methods were analyzed using an independent sample t test.ResultsIn both methods, the success rates of epidural insertion were the same at 95.2%. The length of the needle in the epidural space using the device and manual methods was 1.59 ± 0.50 and 1.68 ± 0.88 mm, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.718).Conclusions and clinical relevanceEPIA device was comparable to human tactile sense for an epidural needle insertion in Beagle dogs. Further research should be conducted for application of the device in clinical environments.     

Epidemiological study of non-systemic parasitism in dogs in southeast Mediterranean Spain assessed by coprological and post-mortem examination

The prevalence and risk factors of non-systemic canine ecto- and endoparasitism and anthelminthic use in Murcia located at the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean coastal arch, was investigated by coprology and necropsy in up to 275 pet, city shelter and stray dogs in 2001-2004. Faecal parasite stages were detected in 25% of dogs. Species frequency was 6-10% for Toxocara canis, Ancylostomatidae spp., Toxascaris leonina and Isospora canis, and 0.4-1% for Trichuris vulpis, Giardia lamblia, and Dipylidium caninum. Logistic regression indicated that the risk of intestinal parasitism was highest for dogs 相似文献