COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION OF DYSPLASIA AND PROGRESSION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN DOG ELBOWS PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED OFA GRADES 0 AND 1

Elbow dysplasia is a heritable disease that is a common cause of lameness and progressive elbow osteoarthritis in young large breed dogs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screens elbow radiographs, and assigns grades 0–3 based on presence and severity of bony proliferation on the anconeal process. Grade 1 is assigned when less than 3 mm is present and considered positive for dysplasia. We investigated the incidence of elbow dysplasia and progression of osteoarthritis in elbows with grades 0 and 1 in 46 elbows screened at least 1 year previously, using CT as a gold standard and with the addition of CT absorptiometry. The incidence of dysplasia based on CT was 62% in grade 0, and 75% in grade 1 elbows, all of which had medial coronoid disease. Progressive osteoarthritis at recheck was consistent with elbow dysplasia. The sensitivity and specificity of the OFA grade for elbow dysplasia compared to CT findings was 75% and 38%, respectively. Increased bone mineral density of the medial coronoid process as characterized by osteoabsorptiometry warrants further investigation with respect to elbow dysplasia. Proliferation on the anconeal process without CT evidence of dysplasia or osteoarthritis was present in 20% of the elbows, and is theorized to be an anatomic variant or enthesopathy of the olecranon ligament/synovium. Results of our study suggest that the “anconeal bump” used for elbow screening by the OFA is a relatively insensitive characteristic, and support the use of CT for identifying additional characteristics of elbow dysplasia.     

Infection, immunity and the neuroendocrine response

The Central Nervous (CNS) and Immune Systems (IS) are the two major adaptive systems which respond rapidly to numerous challenges that are able to compromise health. The defensive response strictly linking innate to acquired immunity, works continuously to limit pathogen invasion and damage. The efficiency of the innate response is crucial for survival and for an optimum priming of acquired immunity. During infection, the immune response is modulated by an integrated neuro-immune network which potentiates innate immunity, controls potential harmful effects and also addresses metabolic and nutritional modifications supporting immune function. In the last decade much knowledge has been gained on the molecular signals that orchestrate this integrated adaptive response, with focus on the systemic mediators which have a crucial role in driving and controlling an efficient protective response. These mediators are also able to signal alterations and control pathway dysfunctions which may be involved in the persistence and/or overexpression of inflammation that may lead to tissue damage and to a negative metabolic impact, causing retarded growth.This review aims to describe some important signalling pathways which drive bidirectional communication between the Immune and Nervous Systems during infection. Particular emphasis is placed on pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunomodulator hormones such as Glucocorticoids (GCs), Growth hormone (GH), Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), and Leptin, as well as nutritional factors such as Zinc (Zn).Finally, the review includes up-to-date information on this neuroimmune cross-talk in domestic animals. Data in domestic animal species are still limited, but there are several exciting areas of research, like the potential interaction pathways between mediators (i.e. cytokine-HPA regulation, IL-6-GCS-Zn, cytokines-GH/IGF-1, IL-6-GH-Leptin and thymus activity) that are or could be promising topics of future research in veterinary medicine.     

Comparison of blind intubation and a smartphone-based endoscope-assisted intubation in rabbits

ObjectiveTo compare between blind and smartphone-based endoscope-assisted techniques for endotracheal intubation in rabbits.Study designProspective clinical study.AnimalsA total of 34 rabbits.MethodsRabbits were assigned to four groups: intubation by a veterinary anesthesiologist (VA) or an exotic pet medicine specialist (EPS) using blind or endoscope-assisted techniques. Propofol dose, number of attempts until successful intubation, total time for intubation, duration of the successful attempt and occurrence of lingual cyanosis/laryngeal lesions were recorded. Data were analyzed by t test, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney U test or chi-square test. Pearson correlation for body weight was performed.ResultsThe success rate of blind intubation was 88.9% and 77.8% for VA and EPS, respectively. Propofol dose, total and median number of attempts, total time for intubation and duration of the successful attempt were 3.1 (0–6.2) mg kg^–1, 19, 2 (1–5), 79 ± 65 and 30 ± 20 seconds for VA and 1.5 (0–4.5) mg kg^–1, 24, 3 (1–5), 136 ± 92 and 38 ± 16 seconds for EPS. The success rate of endoscope-assisted intubation was 87.5% for both operators. Propofol dose, total and median number of attempts, total time for intubation and duration of the successful attempt were 2.5 (1.3–7.4) mg kg^–1, 22, 3 (1–5), 170 (65–368) and 46 (22–150) seconds for VA and 3.2 (0–6) mg kg^–1, 11, 1 (1–4), 56 (27–432) and 55 (26–79) seconds for EPS. VA performed blind intubation more quickly, propofol dose was lower and cyanosis was less frequent than in the endoscope-assisted group.Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth techniques were reliable for rabbit endotracheal intubation. Best results were achieved when the operator was experienced in the technique. The smartphone-based endoscope is a useful aid for rabbit intubation.     

芦荟多糖的生物学功能及其在动物生产上的应用

芦荟多糖(aloe polysaccharide,AP)是从百合科多年生肉质草本植物芦荟中分离提取出来的,它具有免疫调节、抗肿瘤、护肝养胃等生物学功能,并可作为饲料添加剂用于动物生产。文章旨在综述芦荟多糖的生物学功能及其使用效果,为其在动物生产上的广泛应用提供综合性的理论依据。     

β-葡聚糖的生物学功能及在水产养殖中的应用

β-葡聚糖来源广泛,主要存在于植物和微生物细胞壁中,由葡聚糖单体构成,具有多种结构,因其侧链残基种类和数量的不同而具有多种生物学功能,如通过降低炎症相关基因表达及提高免疫因子的表达发挥调节免疫的作用;通过减少脂质的产生和吸收发挥调节脂质代谢的作用;通过提高抗氧化酶、自由基、超氧阴离子的清除活性及激活Nrf2信号通路、上调抗氧化基因的表达来增强机体的抗氧化能力,发挥抗氧化作用;通过增强缺氧耐受性及提高抗氨氮应激能力、能量代谢和抗氧化酶基因的表达等发挥抗应激作用。自抗生素禁用以来,β-葡聚糖在水产动物中的研究和应用逐渐深入,β-葡聚糖在预防水产动物疾病和减少抗生素使用等方面发挥着重要作用。在水产养殖中,β-葡聚糖可通过提高消化酶活性、改善肠道结构、优化肠道菌群及增强非特异性免疫力来提高水产动物生长性能,β-葡聚糖的联合使用比添加单一种类的免疫刺激剂具有更好的免疫效果。作者就β-葡聚糖的结构特征、生物学活性、作用机制及在水产动物中的应用进行了综述,并对β-葡聚糖今后的发展方向进行了展望,为实现水产动物生态健康养殖提供材料。     

动物诊疗机构人用药品使用现象分析及建议

随着社会经济水平日益提升,越来越多的人饲养宠物作为伴侣,与此同时宠物诊疗机构如春笋般蓬勃发展。然而其在发展中存在诸多问题,尤以使用人用药品问题最为突出。论文从药品使用现状、原因、管理等方面,对动物诊疗机构人用药品使用现象进行分析并提出一些建议,旨在进一步规范动物诊疗机构临床用药,使其良性发展。