Retracted: Mycobacterium bovis BCG Danish Strain 1331 isolated from a periarticular lesion in a domestic cat

A 7-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair outdoor cat was referred for chronic left forelimb lameness, which had been treated with intra-articular injections of triamcinolone acetonide. A soft tissue swelling around the elbow joint, extending from the distal humerus to the proximal ulna, was surgically explored and biopsy samples obtained. Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from samples from the soft tissue and bone. The mycobacteria from the media were killed and the DNA extracted and tested on a multiplex real-time PCR for the absence of specific genes and the presence of mycobacterial genus markers. The PCR revealed bacillus Calmette-Guérin Danish Strain 1331; this was also isolated from the prescapular lymph node, muscle and bone, obtained at post mortem examination. Badgers had been vaccinated with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine SSI (Statens Serum Institute) in the area where the cat lived, in the spring and autumn of the previous year. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of infection with M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin Danish Strain 1331 in a domestic cat, potentially associated with annual vaccination of badgers in the proximity of the cat's home.     

Morphometric and anatomic study of the hind limb of a dog

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the anatomic and morphometric data required for biomechanical analysis of the hind limb in dogs. ANIMALS: A healthy adult mixed-breed 23-kg male dog. PROCEDURE: Following euthanasia of the dog, all muscles of the right hind limb were identified and meticulously removed. Physiologic cross-sectional areas (PCSA) and architectural indices (AI) were calculated. The coordinates for the origin and insertion of each muscle were determined, using orthogonal right-handed coordinate systems embedded in the pelvis, femur, and tibia. RESULTS: PCSA and AI were calculated for 29 muscles, and coordinates for the origins and insertions of these muscles were determined. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide the morphometric and anatomic data necessary for 3-dimensional biomechanical studies of the hind limb in dogs.     

Evaluation of cognitive learning, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in healthy puppies fed foods fortified with docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil from 8 to 52 weeks of age

Objective-To assess effects of foods fortified with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich fish oil on cognitive, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal function and other measures of development in healthy puppies. Design-Evaluation study. Animals-48 Beagle puppies. Procedures-Puppies were assigned to 3 groups after weaning (n = 16/group) and received 1 of 3 foods (low-DHA, moderate-DHA, or high-DHA food) as their sole source of nutrition until 1 year of age. Visual discrimination learning and memory tasks, psychomotor performance tasks, and physiologic tests including blood and serum analysis, electroretinography, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were performed at various time points. Anti-rabies virus antibody titers were evaluated 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after vaccination at 16 weeks of age. Results-Foods had similar proximate analysis results but varied in concentration of DHA from fish oil; the high-DHA food also contained higher concentrations of vitamin E, taurine, choline, and l-carnitine than did other foods. The high-DHA group had significantly better results for reversal task learning, visual contrast discrimination, and early psychomotor performance in side-to-side navigation through an obstacle-containing maze than did the moderate-DHA and low-DHA groups. The high-DHA group had significantly higher anti-rabies antibody titers 1 and 2 weeks after vaccination than did other groups. Peak b-wave amplitudes during scotopic electroretinography were positively correlated with serum DHA concentrations at all evaluated time points. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Dietary fortification with fish oils rich in DHA and possibly other nutrients implicated in neurocognitive development following weaning improved cognitive, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in growing dogs.     

Bacterial infective arthritis of the coxofemoral joint in dogs with hip dysplasia

The objective of this study was to describe seven cases of unilateral bacterial infective coxarthritis from a total of 19 cases of bacterial infective arthritis (BIA), presenting over a two year period. We recorded the history, clinical signs, diagnostic process, treatment and clinical outcome in these cases. The data were obtained from medical records, review of the radiographs, and telephone follow-up with the owners. All of the dogs in this study had severe chronic osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia, which caused periodic hind limb lameness. They were all admitted with severe acute hind-limb lameness. Pelvic radiographs were performed under general anaesthesia shortly after presentation, followed immediately by arthrocentesis of the affected joint. The synovial fluid was evaluated microscopically by direct smear and a sample was sent for culture and sensitivity. An attempt was not made to drain or lavage the affected joint during the course of treatment. The initial choice of antibiotics was empiric and subsequently modified, as required, based on the sensitivity results. Four of the dogs showed a rapid return to weight-bearing after the initiation of antibiotic treatment, and all of the patients returned to their pre-BIA level of function. Neither recurrent infections nor any adverse sequela requiring further intervention were reported by the owners on telephone follow-up.     

Non-skeletal multicentric chondrosarcoma in the hindlimb of a dog

An eight-year-old, spayed, female golden retriever was presented with progressive right hindlimb lameness and polyuria/polydipsia. Multiple soft tissue masses were palpable within the hindlimb muscles. A tentative diagnosis of sarcoma was made on fine needle aspiration. A computed tomography scan of the hindlimb and thorax confirmed the presence and location of the masses, none of which were associated with the bones of the hindlimb. In addition, two pulmonary lesions were identified in the right cranial lung lobe. A diagnosis of chondrosarcoma was confirmed on histopathology with a final diagnosis of extraskeletal chondrosarcoma. A high, hindlimb amputation was performed, and chemotherapy was initiated. Polyuria and polydipsia resolved 2 weeks postoperatively. Numerous lung lesions, suspected to be metastases were found on routine followup radiographs, 73 days post surgery after which the dog was lost to follow-up.     

ANXITANE® tablets reduce fear of human beings in a laboratory model of anxiety-related behavior

Anxiety and fear are common underlying factors in many canine behavior problems that impair the human–pet bond and often result in abandonment, relinquishment, or euthanasia. A combination of behavioral and pharmacological interventions is used to ameliorate the behavioral signs associated with anxiety-related behaviors in dogs, but there continues to be need for effective interventions. The current study examined the effects of the nutraceutical ANXITANE^® (l-Theanine) chewable tablets on fear of unfamiliar human beings. We first characterized dogs as anxious on the basis of the existence of a fear response to human beings in their home-pen. We then demonstrated that dogs characterized as anxious (N = 10) showed reduced interaction with an unknown human being as compared with normal controls (N = 7). The effect of an administration of ANXITANE^® tablets (N = 5) on these anxious Beagle dogs was compared with placebo (N = 5). Objective behavioral measures of anxiety were obtained using an open-field test, a human interaction test, and an actiwatch protocol that allowed monitoring of activity over 24-hours. The ANXITANE^® tablets-treated dogs showed greater human interaction and approach than the placebo control group, and no side effects related to treatment, including motor stimulant or sedative effects, were seen. The current study suggests that ANXITANE^® tablets are effective for reducing fearful behavior toward unfamiliar human beings in dogs and supports their use for treating anxiety-related behaviors.     

陕西省生态旅游开发初探

对陕西省开发旅游的必要性进行了分析,根据陕西省生态旅游资源的实际赋存条件,提出陕西省生态旅游产品开发各地市层次定位的框架构想,并对陕西省生态旅游产品开发提出几点建议.