Peripartum Haemodynamic Status of Bitches with Normal Birth or Dystocia

There has been limited investigation of parturition in the bitch and there is little information published on clinical and obstetrical examination other than opinion and anecdote. While there are substantial data on haemodynamic and vascular changes during normal parturition in humans, little is known about the physiological events in the dog. This study was aimed at maternal haemodynamic changes occurring during normal parturition and to investigate how these were modified in bitches with dystocia (DYST) treated either medically or via assisted delivery and caesarean operation. Three groups of 10 bitches were investigated; those with normal parturition, those with DYST corrected by manipulative assistance or caesarean operation and those with uterine inertia treated by oxytocin administration. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, electrocardiogram and blood glucose concentration were measured pre-partum, intra-partum, immediately after parturition and 1 h later. Heart rate was high at all times throughout the study and the majority of bitches had normal sinus rhythm. Blood pressure was generally within the normal range, and although systolic and diastolic blood pressure was highest during the intra-partum period and sometimes during the immediate post-partum period, there were no significant differences between groups. All bitches had blood glucose concentrations within the normal range throughout the study although pre-partum concentrations were statistically lower than many of the other time periods. The study provides useful physiological data that will facilitate monitoring and clinical management of bitches throughout normal parturition and DYST.     

Neonatal Clinical Evaluation, Blood Gas and Radiographic Assessment After Normal Birth, Vaginal Dystocia or Caesarean Section in Dogs

This study aimed to standardize signs and diagnostic criteria of respiratory function in newborn puppies delivered normally or after dystocia and caesarean operation. A total of 48 neonates were allocated into groups: eutocia (n = 20), dystocia (n = 8), caesarean (c)-section (n = 20). Neonatal health was assessed using the Apgar score and body temperature was determined at 0, 5 and 60 min after delivery. Venous blood gases (pO₂ and SO₂) was measured immediately and 60 min after delivery, and a thoracic radiograph was made between 0 and 5 min of life. The c-section group had significantly lower Apgar scores at birth and 5 min. Hypothermia was present at 5 min in the eutocia and c-section groups, and at 60 min in all groups. The eutocia group had an irregular respiratory pattern in 78% of puppies at birth, 27.7% at 5 min and 21% at 60 min compared with 87.5%, 62.5% and 12.5% of the pups in the dystocia group where there was irregular respiratory rhythm, moderate to intense respiratory sounds with agonic episodes. The c-section group had respiratory alterations in 70%, 45% and 16% of puppies at 0, 5 and 60 min, respectively. Radiographic abnormalities were present in 17% of the pups in the eutocia group, 25% of the pups in the dystocia group and 30% of the pups in the c-section group, respectively. The c-section group had significantly lower SO₂ values at 60 min than at birth. All puppies had hypoxaemia, but a significant decrease was observed in the c-section group. Newborn puppies had tissue hypoxia and irregular respiratory pattern at birth. Caesarean-section puppies had lower vitality; however, all developed satisfactory Apgar scores at 5 min of life, regardless of the obstetric condition.     

The Oxidative Stress,Antioxidant Profile and Acid–base Status in Preterm and Term Canine Neonates

During the initiation of neonatal pulmonary respiration, there is an exponential increase in reactive oxygen species that must be scavenged by antioxidant defences. However, neonate and preterm newborns are known to possess immature antioxidant mechanisms to neutralize these toxic effects. The purposes of this study were to compare the development of antioxidant system between preterm and term canine neonates and to evaluate the magnitude of acid–base balance during the initial 4 h of life. A prospective study was conducted involving 18 neonatal puppies assigned to Term Group (63 days of gestation; n = 5), Preterm‐57 Group (57 days of gestation; n = 8) and Preterm‐55 Group (55 days of gestation; n = 5). Neonates were physically examined through Apgar score and venous haemogasometry within 5 min, 2 and 4 h after birth. No difference on amniotic fluid and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the marker of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS) was verified. Irrespective of prematurity, all neonates presented low vitality, hypothermia, acidosis, hypoxaemia and hypercapnia at birth. However, term puppies clinically evolved more rapidly than preterm newborns. During the course of the study, premature neonates presented more severe complications, such as prolonged hypoxaemia and even death. In conclusion, premature puppies have no signs of immature enzymatic mechanisms for controlling oxidative stress, although SOD and GPx may participate in achieving acid–base balance. Aside from initial unremarkable symptoms, premature puppies should be carefully followed up, as they are at high risk of succumbing to odds of prematurity.     

Thrombokinetic Studies in Normal and Factor VIII-deficient Canine Plasmas

Thrombokinetograms are graphic depictions of the optical changes occurring in plasma during the clotting process and provide information, not only on the time required for clotting to begin, but also on the way in which the clot forms. We studied thrombokinetic profiles in plasmas from normal dogs, and dogs with varying degrees of factor VIII deficiency. Clotting was induced through intrinsic, extrinsic and common coagulation pathways [activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and thrombin time, respectively].

The thrombokinetograms for the various clotting tests were qualitatively similar in normal canine plasmas. After activation of the clotting system there was a period in which no change in optical density occurred. This period was represented by the left base line and corresponded to the duration of the clotting time. When fibrin production commenced there was a rapid increase in the rate of optical density change (ΔOD) to a maximum (V_maxΔOD) in time t₁. This was followed by a more gradual reduction in ΔOD in time t₂.

The activated partial thromboplastin time thrombokinetograms for von Willebrand's disease plasmas were characterized by a reduced V_maxΔOD and prolonged t₁. In severe hemophilic plasma [factor VIII coagulant (F VIII:C)<1% of normal] there was a very slow increase in ΔOD following a prolonged left baseline. The V_maxΔOD, t₁ and t₂ could not be determined since a peak was not attained in one minute. The prothrombin and thrombin time thrombokinetograms for von Willebrand's disease plasmas were normal. The prothrombin time thrombokinetogram for hemophilic plasma had a 2X normal V_maxΔOD possibly related to the relatively high fibrinogen concentration of this plasma compared to the normal.

Changes in thrombokinetogram profiles may be of value in studying mild to moderate clotting factor deficiencies particularly where the clotting times are not markedly prolonged.

     

Plasma Endotoxin Concentrations in Clinically Normal and Potentially Septic Equine Neonates

Plasma endotoxin concentrations were measured at 1 to 2 and 5 to 6 days of age in clinically normal foals and in potentially septic neonatal foals admitted to North Carolina State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a variety of conditions. In 1 to 2 and 5 to 6 day old normal foals, median plasma endotoxin concentrations were 2.17 (range, 1.61–2.54; n = 6) and 2.89 (range, 2.61–3.50; n = 7) endotoxin units/mL (EU/mL), respectively. Median plasma endotoxin concentration in potentially septic foals with negative blood cultures or gram positive isolates (n = 8) was 2.73 (range, 0.59–4.04) EU/mL. In hospitalized foals with gram negative isolates (n = 6), median plasma endotoxin concentration was 78.06 (range, 0.76–2,696.41) EU/mL, but individual endotoxin values were only increased in foals that were extremely sick and died within hours of sampling. Plasma endotoxin concentrations were significantly greater in foals with sepsis scores ≥ 11 compared with foals with sepsis scores ≤ 10. Increased plasma endotoxin concentrations appear to predict an unfavorable outcome in septic foals, but normal endotoxin concentrations do not appear to have any predictive value. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1993; 7:296–302. Copyright © 1993 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)     

Signalment Changes in Canine Leptospirosis between 1970 and 2009

Background

Previous studies have identified large breed, male, outdoor dogs of herding or working groups to be at increased risk for Leptospira infection. Exposure risk factors may change over time, altering the signalment of dogs most commonly diagnosed with leptospirosis.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to evaluate possible signalment changes by decade in canine leptospirosis cases diagnosed at university veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada using reports to the Veterinary Medical DataBase (VMDB) over a 40‐year period (1970–2009).

Animals

One thousand and ninety‐one dogs with leptospirosis diagnosed among 1,659,146 hospital visits.

Methods

Hospital prevalence of leptospirosis by decade was determined by age, sex, weight, and breed groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to evaluate the association between variables and the odds of disease for each decade.

Results

Veterinary Medical DataBase hospital prevalence of leptospirosis in dogs, after a marked decrease in the 1970s and low rates in the 1980s, began increasing in the 1990s. Hospital prevalence significantly increased in dogs between 2 and 9.9 years of age (P < .05) and in male dogs (P < .05) in each decade since the 1980s. Among weight groups in the most recent decade (2000–2009), dogs weighing <15 pounds had the greatest odds of being diagnosed with leptospirosis (P = .003).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Hospital prevalence rates by age, weight, sex, and breed groups differed by decade. These changes may reflect changes in exposure risk, Leptospira vaccination practices for dogs, or both.     

Pergamon Press Ltd. Printed in Great Britain Canine Vaginal Cytology—II Cyclic Changes

Abstract— —The different cellular elements which are encountered in vaginal smears made during pre-oestrum, oestrous and metoestrum and the degree of variation during these phases, are discussed.
Résumé— —Les différents éléments cellulaires se trouvant dans les macules vaginales durant les phases préoestrus, oestrus et postoestrus et le degré de variations durant ces phases, sont discutés.
Zusammenfassung— —Es werden die verschiedenartigen Zellengrundstoffe, die vor, während und in der transzendentalen Brunstperiode in Scheidenausstrichen vorgefunden werden und der Variationsbreitengrad während dieser Stadien besprochen.     

Canine intervertebral disc disease: Changes in the cerebrospinal fluid

Data was obtained from 118 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from dogs with intervertebral disc disease. The effect of lesion location and the severity and duration of clinical signs was studied. Ninety-seven samples were obtained from the cerebellomedullary cistern and 21 from the lumbar cistern. Changes in CSF were identified in 84.7 per cent of the lumbar samples, compared with only 37.1 per cent of the cerebellomedullary samples. More pronounced pleocytosis and protein level increases were seen in dogs with acute and clinically severe lesions. The protein concentration was more commonly elevated than the total white blood cell count. These results indicate that marked protein and white blood cell count elevations can occur in association with intervertebral disc extrusion. Such findings, therefore, should not necessarily preclude myelographic examination in dogs presented for paralysis.     

犬瘟热病犬肝功能的变化

为了研究出现典型临床症状犬瘟热病犬肝功能的变化,为犬瘟热的治疗及预后提供理论指导,试验采用半自动生化分析仪测定了5例犬瘟热病犬丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、门冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)及血清总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)、球蛋白(SP)、总胆红素(T-Bil)、直接胆红素(D-Bil)等指标.结果表明:出现典型临床症状犬瘟热病犬的ALT、AST普遍偏高,测定值分别为(84.20±17.68) U/L、(79.20±14.14) U/L;TP、ALB普遍偏低,分别为(53.00±7.31) g/L、(24.80±5.17) g/L;T-Bil、D-Bil、SP浓度分别为(5.96±1.47)μmol/L、(3.88±1.84) μmol/L 和(28.30±8.26) g/L,变化不明显.     

Computed Tomography Atlas of the Normal Cranial Canine Abdominal Vasculature Enhanced by Dual‐phase Angiography

This study was performed to provide a detailed atlas of the normal arterial and venous canine vasculature in the cranial abdomen by dual‐phase computed tomographic angiography. Five adult beagles were positioned in dorsal recumbency on a multislice helical CT scanner. An unenhanced survey CT scan from the diaphragm to the pelvic inlet was performed. Bolus‐tracking software was used for the dual‐phase angiogram, and contrast medium was administered in a cephalic vein. The arterial phase was scanned from the mid‐abdomen to the cranial aspect of the diaphragm; the portal phase was scanned a few seconds after the arterial phase in the opposite direction. The DICOM studies from all dogs were analysed. Representative images were selected and anatomic structures labelled. Maximum intensity projections and three‐dimensional images were generated using software techniques. A detailed atlas of the venous and arterial vasculature of the cranial canine abdomen was created with the help of bolus‐tracking dual‐phase computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Practitioners can use this anatomic atlas with its detailed venous and arterial phase CT angiograms of the canine cranial abdomen to compare normal versus abnormal vascular anatomy.     

Vascular and Morphologic Changes in Canine Femora after Uncemented Hip Arthroplasty

The effects on femoral remodeling of medullary reaming and insertion of a porous endopros-thesis in uncemented hip arthroplasty (UHA) were measured. A unilateral hip hemiarthroplasty (HA) was performed in 12 dogs, with six dogs receiving full-sized and six dogs receiving undersized femoral endoprostheses. A prosthetic head and neck, or acetabular cup, was not implanted. A control group of six dogs underwent femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) only. All dogs were killed 4 weeks after the surgical procedure. Porosity, vascularity, and bone formation were quantified in each femur of the dogs that had been operated on and in each femur of two unoperated dogs. Full-sized did not differ from undersized HA bones in vascularity, porosity, or bone formation. Femurs in which hemiarthroplasties had been performed (full-sized and undersized) had a three-fold increase in porosity, vascularity, and bone formation compared to the contralateral and the FHNE femurs. Changes in porosity and vascularity were greatest (p < .05) at the metaphyseal level and in the medial and caudal quadrants. There was a strong correlation (R² 0.77 to 0.93, and p − .0001) between the increase in porosity and vascularity. These results support the hypothesis that medullary reaming followed by uncemented prosthetic stem implantation contribute to remodeling of the proximal portion of the femur after UHA.     

Canine GM2‐Gangliosidosis Sandhoff Disease Associated with a 3‐Base Pair Deletion in the HEXB Gene

Background

GM2‐gangliosidosis is a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by deficiency of either β‐hexosaminidase A (Hex‐A) and β‐hexosaminidase B (Hex‐B) together, or the GM2 activator protein. Clinical signs can be variable and are not pathognomonic for the specific, causal deficiency.

Objectives

To characterize the phenotype and genotype of GM2‐gangliosidosis disease in an affected dog.

Animals

One affected Shiba Inu and a clinically healthy dog.

Methods

Clinical and neurologic evaluation, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), assays of lysosomal enzyme activities, and sequencing of all coding regions of HEXA, HEXB, and GM2A genes.

Results

A 14‐month‐old, female Shiba Inu presented with clinical signs resembling GM2‐gangliosidosis in humans and GM1‐gangliosidosis in the Shiba Inu. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the dog's brain indicated neurodegenerative disease, and evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified storage granules in leukocytes. Lysosomal enzyme assays of plasma and leukocytes showed deficiencies of Hex‐A and Hex‐B activities in both tissues. Genetic analysis identified a homozygous, 3‐base pair deletion in the HEXB gene (c.618‐620delCCT).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Clinical, biochemical, and molecular features are characterized in a Shiba Inu with GM2‐gangliosidosis. The deletion of 3 adjacent base pairs in HEXB predicts the loss of a leucine residue at amino acid position 207 (p.Leu207del) supporting the hypothesis that GM2‐gangliosidosis seen in this dog is the Sandhoff type. Because GM1‐gangliosidosis also exists in this breed with almost identical clinical signs, genetic testing for both GM1‐ and GM2‐gangliosidosis should be considered to make a definitive diagnosis.     

Effect of Recombinant Canine Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor on Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Counts in Normal Cats

Recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rcC-CSF) was administered subcutaneously at a dosage of 5 μg/kg/day to five healthy, young adult cats for 42 days. Mean neutrophil counts ± standard deviation increased significantly ( P > 0.001) from 10,966/μL ± 2324 to 30,688/μL ± 5296 within 24 hours after administration of the first dosage of rcG-CSF. Mean neutrophil counts reached 52,978/μL ±11,207 on day 6, representing a second significant increase ( P > 0.01) over the previous 5 days. Mean neutrophil counts continued to increase, reaching 66,994/μL ± 12,419 on day 14, then remaining within a range of 66,994 to 87,839/μL throughout the remainder of the study. The maximum mean neutrophil count was 87,839/μL ± 8,695 on day 42. Neutrophil counts remained high until the administration of recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was discontinued 42 days after initiation of therapy. Once the rcG-CSF administration was discontinued, neutrophil counts returned to pretreatment values within 5 days. There were no significant changes in numbers of any of the other cell lines. There was no clinically significant toxicosis associated with the administration of rcGCSF.     

Hepatic Failure in Dairy Cattle Following Mastitis or Metritis

Hepatic failure developed following mastitis or metritis in five adult cows. In all five cases, cows initially showed clinical signs compatible with endotoxemia, which resolved with appropriate therapy for the mastitis or metritis. Subsequently, signs of liver failure developed including profound anorexia, weight loss, cessation of milk production, and in one case, photosensitization. Four cows had laboratory evidence of liver disease and failure (abnormally prolonged sulfobromophthalein [BSP] clearance half-life and abnormally high serum liver enzyme activity). Hepatocellular necrosis or vacuolization was seen on histopathologic examination of liver specimens from all five cows. The hepatocellular necrosis, in some cases, was thought to be due to the direct or indirect effects of endotoxin on the liver. Three of the cows responded to symptomatic therapy. One cow failed to respond and one was not treated.