Dog behaviour on walks and the effect of use of the leash

This paper describes how often pet dogs interact with other dogs, people and the environment, whilst being walked. Such interactions may involve aggression or the transmission of infectious disease. We also assessed the effect of the use of a leash as a modifier of these outcomes. In study one, the behaviour of pet dogs being walked in popular public walking areas was observed (286 observations). Interactions with people were much rarer than interactions with dogs. Multivariable modelling suggested that percentage duration spent sniffing the ground was associated with the UK Kennel Club Breed Type, and whether the dog was observed urinating. Gundogs were observed to sniff more than other breed types. In study two, dogs (n = 10) were filmed twice walking along a pre-defined route, alternately once on leash and once off leash, in order to assess the effects of leash use on interactions between the subject dog and any other dog or person encountered. Multilevel modelling suggested that if either dog was on the leash, then the likelihood of an interaction with a dog occurring was reduced. There was no evidence for statistical interactions between these variables, therefore the effect of the leash on one dog did not seem to be influenced by whether the other dog was on or off leash. We conclude that in circumstances where interactions need to be prevented, such as to reduce spread of infectious diseases during an outbreak, both dogs should be leashed.

Inflammatory bowel disease in the dog: Differences and similarities with humans

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) represent important chronic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract in man. However, similar disorders are found in several animal species and the IBD affecting dogs are particularly important. These are encompassed by an umbrella of probably several different entities with common symptoms, some of which seem to share striking similarities with human conditions. This review will focus on the actual knowledge of IBD in dogs, and attempt to identify differences and similarities with human IBD conditions.

Vitrification of canine cumulus-oocyte complexes in DAP213 with a cryotop holder

Purpose

The effects of the cryoprotectant and the container (holder) used for the vitrification of canine germinal vesicle stage oocytes were examined to improve the cryopreservation method for canine oocytes and embryos.

Methods

Canine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovaries, and were vitrified with E30S (30% ethylene glycol and 0.5 M sucrose) or DAP213 (2 M dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 M acetamide, and 3 M propylene glycol) solution held by a cryotube or cryotop sheets. After warming, the oocytes were stained with propidium iodide for the assessment of their plasma membrane integrity.

Results

In all the vitrification groups, more than 65% of the vitrified oocytes displayed a normal morphology (E30S-top, 65.6%; DAP-tube, 67.3%; DAP-top, 80.0%). However, when assessed by propidium iodide staining, the viability of oocytes in the DAP-top group (43.6%) was higher than that in the E30S-top group (21.3%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the viability of the oocytes in the DAP-top group (43.6%) was higher than that in the DAP-tube group (4.1%, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results suggest that a combination of DAP213 as the cryoprotectant and a cryotop sheet as the holder improved viability after the vitrification of canine oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage.

Modulation of canine cardiac sodium current by Apelin

Apelin, a ligand of the G protein-coupled putative angiotensin II-like receptor (APJ-R), exerts strong vasodilating, cardiac inotropic and chronotropic actions. Its expression is highly up-regulated during heart failure. Apelin also increases cardiac conduction speed and excitability. While our knowledge of apelin cardiovascular actions is growing, our understanding of the physiological mechanisms behind the cardiac effects remains limited. We tested the effects of apelin on the cardiac sodium current (I(Na)) using patch clamp technique on cardiac myocytes acutely dissociated from dog ventricle. We found that apelin-13 and apelin-17 increased peak I(Na) by 39% and 61% and shifted its mid-activation potential by -6.8+/-0.6 mV and -17+/-1 mV respectively thus increasing channel opening at negative voltage. Apelin also slowed I(Na) recovery from inactivation. The effects of apelin on I(Na) amplitude were linked to activation of protein kinase C. Apelin also increased I(Na) "window" current by up to 600% suggesting that changes in intracellular sodium may contribute to the apelin inotropic effects. Our results reveal for the first time the effects of apelin on I(Na). These effects are likely to modulate cardiac conduction and excitability and may have beneficial antiarrhythmic action in sodium chanelopathies such as Brugada Syndrome where I(Na) amplitude is reduced.

Individual fertility differences in the frozen-thawed spermatozoa among semen donors in the Labrador Retriever

Purpose

We aimed to validate and determine the possible application of transcervical insemination of frozen semen for improved breeding in guide dogs for the blind in Japan.

Methods

From February 2004 to March 2007, a total of 53 Labrador Retriever bitches, used for the breeding of guide dogs for the blind, were transcervically inseminated with frozen-thawed semen from 13 males by means of a cystoscope.

Results

The overall whelping and pregnancy rate with the frozen semen was 42%. Pregnancy rates ranged widely from 0 to 100% depending on the semen donor male. Of 13 males, 6 males exhibited severely poor fertility (less than 20% pregnancy rate) and 3 males exhibited high fertility (over 70% pregnancy rate) on artificial insemination. However, the spermatozoa motility after thawing was not significantly different among these dogs. In addition, heterospermic insemination revealed the optimal timing for transcervical insemination with frozen-thawed semen to be by day 6 after the LH surge.

Conclusions

Although transcervical insemination of frozen-thawed semen is effective for breeding of guide dogs for the blind, some modification of freeze-thawing procedures might be required to overcome individual fertility differences in the frozen-thawed spermatozoa among semen donor dogs,. In addition, the motility of spermatozoa after thawing might not be an appropriate indicator of the relative fertility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa in dogs.

In vitro isolation and molecular characterization of an Ehrlichia canis strain from São Paulo, Brazil

An Ehrlichia canis isolate was obtained from an naturally infected dog exhibiting clinical signs of ehrlichiosis in São Paulo Municipality, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The isolate was characterized by PCR and DNA sequencing of portions of the ehrlichial genes dsb, 16SrRNA, and p28. Partial dsb and 16S rRNA sequences were identical to three and five other E. canis strains, respectively, from different countries and continents (including North America, Africa, Asia and Europe). Conversely, the p28 partial sequence for this E. canis (São Paulo) differed by 1, 2, and 2 nucleotides from the corresponding sequences of the E. canis strains Jake (from USA), Oklahoma (USA), and VHE (Venezuela), respectively. The results in this study indicate that E. canis is the only recognized Ehrlichia species infecting dogs in Brazil.

Portal vein embolization induces compensatory hypertrophy of remnant liver

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different portal vein branch embolization agents in inducing compensatory hypertrophy of the remnant liver and to offer a theoretic basis for clinical portal vein branch embolization.

METHODS: Forty-one adult dogs were included in the experiment and divided into four groups. Five dogs served as a control group, 12 as a gelfoam group, 12 as a coil-gelfoam group and 12 as an absolute ethanol group. Left portal vein embolization was performed in each group. The results from the embolization in each group using different embolic agents were compared. The safety of portal vein embolization (PVE) was evaluated by liver function test, computed tomography (CT) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of liver and portal veins. Statistical test of variance was performed to analyze the results.

RESULTS: Gelfoam used for PVE was inefficient in recanalization of portal vein branch 4 wk after the procedure. The liver volume in groups of coil-gelfoam and absolute ethanol increased 25.1% and 33.18%, respectively. There was no evidence of recanalization of embolized portal vein, hepatic dysfunction, and portal hypertension in coil-gelfoam group and absolute ethanol group.

CONCOUSION: Portal vein branch embolization using absolute ethanol and coil-gelfoam could induce atrophy of the embolized lobes and compensatory hypertrophy of the remnant liver. Gelfoam is an inefficient agent.

Suppurative Inflammation of Apocrine Sweat Glands (Suppurative Hidradenitis) in the Dog: A Retrospective Clinicopathological Analysis of 100 Cases

Résumé- Une analyse rétrospective clinicopathologique a été menée chez 100 chiens présentant une hydradénite suppurative diagnostiquée par biopsie cutanée. Aucune prédisposition d'âge, de race ou de sexe n'a été mise en évidence. Tous les chiens présentaient cliniquement une folliculite bactérienne, ou une furonculose, ou les deux, qu'elle soit primaire ou secondaire à d'autres dermatoses. Aucene lésion clinique n'était pathognomonique d'hidradénite suppurative. Chez 73 chiens, l'hidradénite suppurative était associée microscopiquement à des degrés variables d'inflammation du follicule pileux. Chez 27 chiens, l'hidradénite suppurative était la seule évidence histologique d'inflammation annexielle. L'observation histopathologique d'hidradénite suppurative suggère l'existence sur le plan clinique d'une folliculite bactérienne, d'une furonculose, ou des 2. [Scott, D.W. Suppurative inflammation of apocrine sweat glands (suppurative hidradentis) in the dog: a retrospective clinicopathological analysis of 100 cases (inflammation suppurative des glandes sudorales apocrines (hidradénite suppurative) chez le chien: une analyse rétrospective clinicopathologique de 100 cas). Resumen- Se llevó a cabo un estudio clinicopatológico retrospectivo en 100 perros con hidradenitis supurativa diagnosticada mediante biopsia cutánea. No se detectó predominancia alguna de raza, sexo o edad. A todes los perros se les habia diagnosticado clinicamente foliculitis o furunculosis bacteriana, o ambas, ya sea de forma primaria o secundaria a otras dermatosis. No se encontraron lesiones clinicas especificas indicativas de hidradenitis supurativa. En 73 animales, la hidradenitis supurativa estaba asociada con varios grados de inflamación folicular a nivel microscópico. En los 27 casos restantes, los anejos presentaban unicamente hidradenitis supurativa. La presencia de hidradenitis supurativa a nivel microscópico sugiere la existencia de foliculitis o furunculosis bacteriana clinicas, o de ambas. [Scott, D.W. Suppurative inflammation of apocrine sweat glands (suppurative hidradenitis) in the dog: a retrospective clinicopathological analysis of 100 cases (inflamación supurativa de las glándulas sudoriparas apocrinas (hidradenitis supurativa) en el perro: estudio clinicopatológico retrospectivo de 100 casos). Abstract- A retrospective clinicopathological study was conducted on 100 dogs with suppurative hidradenitis as determined by skin biopsy. No apparent age, breed, or sex predilections were recognized. All dogs had been given a clinical diagnosis of bacterial folliculitis, furunculosis, or both of these, whether primary or secondary to other dermatoses. There were no clinical lesions that uniquely suggested the presence of suppurative hidradenitis. In 73 dogs, suppurative hidradenitis occurred in conjunction with varying degrees of hair follicle inflammation microscopically. In 27 dogs, suppurative hidradenitis was the only histological evidence of adnexal inflammation. The histopathologic finding of suppurative hidradenitis suggests the existence of clinical bacterial folliculitis, furunculosis, or both of these.

Photosensitivity in a Kennel of Harrier Hounds

Résumé- Une dermite s'est développé subitement dans un chenil de 30 chiens courants chez 12 d'entre eux. A la fois des males et des femelles étaient atteints et les lésions étaient limitées aux régions non pigmentées, principalement la face, les membres et la région inguinale. Initiallement les lésions étaient un érythème, un œdéme et une exsudation. Des croutes brunes se sont ensuite formées, et chez la plupart des animaux trés atteints, la peau a laissé la place à un escarre brun agglutiné dans les poils. Un pus malodorant était accumulé sous l'escarre. Les chiens moyennement atteints ont guerie sans traitement et les plus atteints ont guerie après exérèse des escarres et antibiothérapie. Aucun des chiens n'est mort et la plupart ont retrouvé une peau normale au bout de 3 mois. Cliniquement et histologiquement, ces lésions étaient compatibles avec une photosensibilisation, mais il a été impossible de retrouver l'agent causal. [Fairley, R. A., MacKenzie, I. S. Photosensitivity in a kennel of harrier hounds (Photosensibilisation dans un chenil de chiens courants). Resumen- Una condición de la piel se desarrolló de repente en 12 de 30 perros harrier. Afectó a machos y hembras y las lesiones se limitaban a areas de piel sin pigmento, principalmente la cara, patas e ingle. Inicialmente, la piel afectada estaba eritematosa, edematosa y húmeda. Entonces se formaban costras marrones y, en los perros más gravemente afectados, la piel se desprendia dejando una costra marrón seca enredada en el pelo. Debajo de la costra se acumulaba un exudado purulento maloliente. Los perros levemente afectados mejoraron sin tratamiento y los más gravemente afectados lo hicieron despues de tratamiento antibiotico y extirpación de la costra y el pus acumulado. Ninguno de los perros murió y la piel de la mayoria de ellos era normal en 3 meses. Clinica e histologicamente, las lesiones eran compatibles con una condición de fotosensibilidad de la piel, pero las investigaciones no lograron encontrar ningún agenté fotodinámico responsable. [Fairley, R. A., Mackenzie, I. S. Photosensitivity in a kennel of harrier hounds (Fotosensibilidad en una perrera de perros harrier). Abstract- A skin condition developed suddenly in 12 out of 30 harrier hounds. Both males and females were affected and lesions were confined to areas of unpigmented skin, mainly on the face, legs and groin. Initially the affected skin was erythematous, edematous and moist. Brown crusts then formed, and in the most severely affected dogs the skin sloughed leaving a dry brown eschar matted in the hair. A foul-smelling purulent exudate accumulated under the eschar. The mildly affected dogs improved without treatment and the most severely affected dogs improved following antibiotic treatment and the removal of the eschar and the accumulated pus. None of the dogs died and the skin of most dogs was normal within 3 months. Clinically and histologically, the lesions were compatible with a photosensitive skin condition, but investigations failed to find any responsible photodynamic agent.

A Spontaneously Regressing Pseudolymphoma in a Dog Resembling Pseudo-Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract- A case report of a dog with a lymphohistiocytic proliferative disorder of the skin, third eyelids and lymph nodes is presented. Skin biopsies showed a nodular to diffuse cellular proliferation of lymphohistiocytic cells with many cytological features of malignancy. Numerous Reed-Sternberg cells were present. The pathological diagnosis was malignant lymphoma with cytological features of Hodgkin's disease. The dog experienced a spontaneous remission which has lasted for over three years. Résumé- Le cas clinique d'un chien présentant un désordre prolifératif lymphohistiocytaire de la peau, des troisièmes paupières et des ganglions lymphatiques est présenté. Des biopsies de peau ont motré une prolifération de nature nodulaire à diffuse des cellules lymphohistiocytaires avec plusieurs caractères cytologiques de malignité. De nombreuses cellules de Reed-Sternberg étaient présentes. Le diagnostic histologique était celui d'un lymphome malin avec des signes cytologiques de maladie de Hodgkin. Le chien a presénté une rémission spontanée qui a duré plus de 3 ans. Zusammenfassung- Der Fallbericht eines Hundes mit einer lymphohistiozytären, proliferativen Erkrankung von Haut, Nickhäuten und Lymphknoten wird beschrieben. Die Untersuchung von Hautbiopsien erbrachte eine noduläre bis diffuse zelluläre Proliferation der lymphohistiozytären Zellen mit zahlreichen zytologischen Anzeichen für maligne Veränderungen. Zahlreiche Reed-Sternberg-Zellen traten auf. Die pathologische Diagnose lautete "malignes Lymphom mit zytologischen Merkmalen der Hodgkinschen Erkrankung". Es kam zu einer spontanen Remission, die sich über drei Jahre erstreckte. Resumen  Se describe un caso de una enfermedad linfohistiocítica proliferativa que afectaba a la piel, al tercer párpado y a los ganglios linfáticos. Las biopsias cutáneas mostraron una proliferación nodular a difusa de células linfoides con características de malignidad. Se apreciaban numerosas células de Reed-Sternberg. El diagnóstico histopatológico fue linfoma maligno con características citológicas de enfermedad de Hodgkin. El perro sufrió una remisión espontánea que duró más de tres años.