Nodular dermatofibrosis and cystic renal disease in three mixed-breed dogs and a Boxer dog

Three mixed-breed dogs and a Boxer dog with nodular dermatofibrosis are described. The three mixed breed dogs had concurrent renal epithelial cysts ( n  = 2) or renal cystadenomas ( n  = 1); these lesions were visualized antemortem on ultrasonographic examination. One of these dogs was a 7-year-old Labrador Retriever-Gordon Setter mixed breed which survived 5 years after diagnosis, and was euthanized for unrelated causes. The Boxer dog had renal cystic adenomatous hyperplasia and renal cystadenocarcinomas which were not visualized on ultrasonographic examination but were diagnosed at necropsy.     

HEPATIC ABSCESSES IN 13 DOGS: A REVIEW OF THE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS, CLINICAL DATA AND THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS

Historical, physical examination, clinicopathologic, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings of 13 dogs with hepatic abscesses were reviewed. Liver abscessation was characterized by number, size, shape, echogenicity and location. Solitary lesions greater than 3 cm were more common than multiple ones. The abscesses were mainly poorly echogenic lesions, often with central cavitation. The shape of the lesion ranged from round to oval or irregular. Enhancement artifact, abdominal effusion, regional lymphadenopathy and hyperechoic perihepatic fat, were identified in several dogs. Ultrasound-guided aspiration was performed in 10 of 13 dogs, and confirmed abscessation with cytologic and microbiologic evaluation. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of abscesses was performed as an adjunct to medical management in four dogs.     

The effect of topical minoxidil treatment on hair follicular growth of neonatal hairless descendants of Mexican hairless dogs

The effect of daily topical minoxidil treatment on hair growth was investigated in eight neonatal hairless pups. After 21 days of minoxidil treatment, hair growth occurred in the minoxidil-treated areas of each neonatal hairless pup. The numbers of hairs in the treated areas increased as compared with that in the areas treated with vehicle only. Histological findings revealed that the skin treated with minoxidil contained many hair follicles derived from epidermal ingrowths (hair germs) projecting into the dermis. These hair follicles showed various stages of neofolliculogenesis. After 31 days of treatment, terminal hair growth was observed. In the minoxidil-untreated areas, epidermal ingrowths remained undifferentiated. These results revealed that hairless dogs developed hair growth reactions following minoxidil-treatment when such treatment is applied in the early neonatal period. Neonatal hairless pups are a useful model for evaluating the effectiveness of hair growth stimulators.     

昆明犬IGF2基因克隆、生物信息学分析及其时空表达研究

【目的】 克隆昆明犬胰岛素样生长因子2（IGF2）基因并研究其序列特征及时空表达规律,为工作犬体型及生长发育相关研究提供基础资料。【方法】 采用PCR法扩增昆明犬IGF2基因CDS区,运用生物信息学分析预测昆明犬IGF2蛋白的结构与功能;利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测IGF2基因在2.5月龄昆明犬心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏及大腿内侧肌肉和不同年龄段肝脏中的表达情况。【结果】 昆明犬IGF2基因CDS区全长717 bp,编码238个氨基酸;系统进化树分析显示,昆明犬IGF2基因与赤狐的遗传距离最近,与鸡的遗传距离最远。生物信息学分析表明,IGF2蛋白分子质量为26.46 ku,理论等电点为9.61,无信号肽和跨膜结构,属于亲水性非分泌蛋白;主要分布于细胞核（47.8%）和线粒体（17.4%）,存在23个磷酸化位点;该蛋白的二级结构以α-螺旋和无规则卷曲为主,三级结构与二级结构预测结果相符。组织表达谱分析显示,IGF2基因在2.5月龄昆明犬肝脏中相对表达量最高,且极显著高于肾脏、肺脏及肌肉组织（P<0.01）;仔犬期（2.5月龄）肝脏中的IGF2基因的表达量极显著高于幼犬期（6月龄）、青年期（1岁）及成年期（1.7和2.5岁）（P<0.01）。【结论】 本研究成功克隆昆明犬IGF2基因,并发现IGF2在多个组织广泛表达,在肝脏中的表达量最高,可为深入探讨昆明犬IGF2基因在生长发育中的调控机理提供参考。     

犬猫皮肤病细菌性病原分离鉴定及天然产物抑菌效果分析

【目的】 分离鉴定武汉市患皮肤病犬猫细菌性病原,并探索其对传统抗菌药物与天然活性产物藤黄酸(GA)和6-溴靛玉红-3’-肟(BIO)的敏感性。【方法】 对患皮肤病犬猫采样并分离病原,通过生长特性观察、革兰氏染色镜检、PCR等方法鉴定并利用SPF小鼠验证致病性;通过药敏纸片验证其对传统药物的耐药性,并测定天然产物对其最小抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC)值。【结果】 分离得到2株金黄色葡萄球菌、3株伪中间型葡萄球菌、2株猫葡萄球菌、1株犬链球菌及1株奇异变形杆菌。SPF小鼠皮肤创伤感染验证分离菌株均有致病性。犬链球菌及奇异变形杆菌对各自受试药物均敏感;葡萄球菌对复方新诺明、青霉素、红霉素、四环素、左氧氟沙星、苯唑西林、庆大霉素、克林霉素及氯霉素存在不同程度耐药。天然活性产物GA和BIO对上述9株菌均具有良好抑菌效果,且除分离菌株F5外GA对分离菌株的MIC值均小于BIO。【结论】 本研究共分离得到5种、9株犬猫皮肤细菌。犬链球菌、奇异变形杆菌对传统抗菌药物均敏感,部分葡萄球菌存在耐药。GA和BIO对犬猫皮肤病原菌均有明显抑菌活性,显示其可作为防控犬猫细菌性皮肤病的候选药物。     

SCINTIGRAPHIC TRACKING OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AFTER PORTAL,SYSTEMIC INTRAVENOUS AND SPLENIC ADMINISTRATION IN HEALTHY BEAGLE DOGS

Mesenchymal stem cells have been proposed to treat liver disease in the dog. The objective of this study was to compare portal, systemic intravenous and splenic injections for administration of mesenchymal stem cells to target the liver in healthy beagle dogs. Four healthy beagle dogs were included in the study. Each dog received mesenchymal stem cells via all three delivery methods in randomized order, 1 week apart. Ten million fat‐derived allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells labeled with Technetium‐99m (99mTc)‐hexamethyl‐propylene amine oxime(HMPAO) were used for each injection. Right lateral, left lateral, ventral, and dorsal scintigraphic images were obtained with a gamma camera equipped with a low‐energy all‐purpose collimator immediately after injection and 1, 6, and 24 h later. Mesenchymal stem cells distribution was assessed subjectively using all four views. Pulmonary, hepatic, and splenic uptake was quantified from the right lateral view, at each time point. Portal injection resulted in diffuse homogeneous high uptake through the liver, whereas the systemic intravenous injection led to mesenchymal stem cell trapping in the lungs. After splenic injection, mild splenic retention and high homogeneous diffuse hepatic uptake were observed. Systemic injection of mesenchymal stem cells may not be a desirable technique for liver therapy due to pulmonary trapping. Splenic injection represents a good alternative to portal injection. Scintigraphic tracking with 99mTc‐HMPAO is a valuable technique for assessing mesenchymal stem cells distribution and quantification shortly after administration. Data obtained at 24 h should be interpreted cautiously due to suboptimal labeling persistence.     

Intercostal thoracotomy in 20 dogs: muscle-sparing versus traditional techniques

The levels of pain, duration of approaching and closure, and surgical exposure associated with intercostal thoracotomy were compared between muscle-sparing and traditional techniques in 20 dogs. Postoperative pain was assessed based on numerical pain scores using behavioral observation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and wound palpation. Time for approaching and closure were measured, and the extent of intrathoracic organ exposure for the surgical procedures was described for each technique. There were significant differences in numerical pain scores at 2 h as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after surgery between the two groups (p < 0.0001). There was no significant (p = 0.725) difference in times for approaching and closure between the two groups. Compared to the traditional method, the muscle-sparing technique also achieved the desired exposure without compromising exposure of the target organs. Our results suggest that the muscle-sparing technique is more effective than the traditional method for providing a less painful recovery during the first 7 days after intercostal thoracotomy. Additionally, the muscle-sparing technique is as effective as the traditional modality for providing an appropriate time for approaching and closure during intercostal thoracotomy as well as adequate organ exposure for the surgical procedures.