An immunohistochemical study of vitamin D receptor expression in canine cutaneous mast cell tumours.

The active form of vitamin D (1alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; calcitriol) has potent anti-neoplastic activity in the management of a number of human malignancies. Despite promising data to suggest that calcitriol is an effective adjunct to current chemotherapy modalities, the role of calcitriol in animal neoplasia is poorly understood. Vitamin D inhibits growth of canine mast cell tumours (MCTs) in vitro, presumably due to ligand-mediated activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The aim of the present study was to examine immunohistochemically the expression of the VDR by reactive and neoplastic canine cutaneous mast cells. Expression was graded according to frequency, intensity and score (frequency x intensity). VDR expression was found in all samples containing reactive mast cells (n=9), and in 67 of 69 (97%) MCTs selected from each of the three Patnaik grades. The frequency and score of VDR labelling was greater in MCTs compared with reactive mast cells (P=0.0005 and 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in VDR frequency between the MCT grades, but the frequency of labelling in grade 3 MCTs was higher than for reactive mast cells (P=0.001). There was no association between tumour mitotic index and any of the three VDR variables (all P>0.16). VDR is widely expressed by reactive and neoplastic canine mast cells in vivo. VDR expression is unlikely to represent an independent prognostic factor, but its presence within biopsy specimens might be used to identify patients that are suited to high-dose vitamin D therapeutic trials.

Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 concentrations in normal and septic neonatal foals.

Previously it was reported that compared to surviving septic foals, non-surviving foals had a 35-fold increase in interleukin-10 (IL-10) and 15-fold increase in IL-6 gene expression in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). As gene expression profiles can be time-consuming, we sought to determine if serum IL-6 and IL-10 in foals would aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of septicemia. A prospective study of septic neonatal foals admitted to the Cornell University Equine Hospital during 2007 and 2008 was performed. Septicemia was confirmed in 15 foals using blood culture results and sepsis scores. Blood samples for measurement of serum IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were collected at the time of admission (T0) and again 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours later. Blood samples from age-matched control foals (n=15) born at the Cornell Equine Park were obtained from foals 12-72h after birth (T0) and again 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours later. IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were determined in the serum from dams of septic foals and serum and colostrum from dams of control foals. Serum IL-6 was also measured in healthy foals prior to ingestion of colostrum. Interleukin-6 was detected using an ELISA and IL-10 was detected using a bead-based fluorescent immunoassay. Group differences were detected using a Wilcoxon rank sum test with a Bonferroni correction applied to the p value. There were no significant differences in serum IL-10 concentration between the two groups of foals. Relative to control foals, septic foals had significantly lower serum IL-6 concentrations at all 3 time points. Relative to septic foals, control foals had significantly higher serum IL-6:IL-10 ratios. Serum IL-6 was undetectable in foals prior to ingestion of colostrum. However, colostral IL-6 concentration measured in the control mares was high (> or =215ng/mL) in all samples suggesting passive transfer of maternal IL-6 to the equine neonate. Colostral IL-10 was undetectable in 11/12 samples. Failure of passive transfer may directly influence the serum IL-6 concentration in septic foals. Neither serum IL-6 nor IL-10 alone, were useful diagnostic indices of sepsis in equine neonates. Although the number of animals involved in this study was too small for the identification of a concrete value, the serum IL-6:IL-10 ratio is likely to provide a valuable prognosticator for neonatal septicemia.

The clinical and metabolic effects of rapid weight loss in obese pet cats and the influence of supplemental oral L-carnitine.

The efficacy, safety, and metabolic consequences of rapid weight loss in privately owned obese cats by means of a canned weight-reduction diet and the influence of orally administered L-carnitine on rate of weight loss, routine clinical evaluations, hepatic ultrasonography, plasma amino acid profiles, and carnitine analytes were evaluated. A double-blinded placebo-controlled design was used with cats randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 14) received L-carnitine (250 mg PO q24h) in aqueous solution and group 2 (n = 10) received an identical-appearing water placebo. Median obesity (body condition scores and percentage ideal body weight) in each group was 25%. Caloric intake was restricted to 60% of maintenance energy requirements (60 kcal/kg) for targeted ideal weight. The reducing formula was readily accepted by all cats. Significant weight loss was achieved by week 18 in each group without adverse effects (group 1 = 23.7%, group 2 = 19.6%). Cats receiving carnitine lost weight at a significantly faster rate (P < .05). Significant increases in carnitine values developed in each group (P < .02). However, significantly higher concentrations of all carnitine moieties and a greater percentage of acetylcarnitine developed in cats of group 1 (P < .01). The dietary formula and described reducing strategy can safely achieve a 20% weight reduction within 18 weeks in obese cats. An aqueous solution of L-carnitine (250 mg PO q12h) was at least partially absorbed, was nontoxic, and significantly increased plasma carnitine analyte concentrations as well as rate of weight loss.

The effect of maternally derived immunoglobulin G on the risk of respiratory disease in heifers during the first 3 months of life.

The objectives were to investigate the association between postcolostral serum IgG and the development of calf pneumonia, to elaborate the risk factors for pneumonia, and to compare the risk factors for clinician- and caregiver-diagnosed respiratory disease. In a prospective observational cohort study, 410 heifer calves were clinically examined weekly by a veterinarian during their first 3 months of life. With an initial questionnaire and during these weekly visits, management data were collected. A nested matched case-control design was used to compare risk factors between 105 calves with respiratory disease and their 59 control calves from the same initial population. The IgG levels were determined from blood samples taken within 2 weeks after colostrum intake. The appropriate cutoff point for the postcolostral IgG level to indicate failure of passive antibody transfer when predicting pneumonia appeared to be between 800 and 1300 mg/dl (values < or = the cutoff point indicated failure). Calves with low IgG levels had 2-times higher odds of pneumonia than calves with higher IgG concentrations. Housing mostly in the presence of adult cattle was a risk factor for pneumonia, whereas housing mostly alone in a hutch was protective. Feeding of mastitic colostrum was a risk factor for clinician-diagnosed pneumonia in the analysis of the cohort study but not in the matched case-control design. There was a three-times higher risk of pneumonia if calves were given their dam's colostrum for the first feeding and the dam had clinical mastitis at the time of first milking. Caregiver- and clinician-diagnosed pneumonia had slightly different risk factors which implies that caution should be used when comparing studies based on different definitions of pneumonia. The practical implications of this study are that more attention should be paid to proper housing conditions of the calves in order to reduce incidence of pneumonia.

A retrospective study of 77 cats with severe hepatic lipidosis: 1975-1990.

The physical, clinicopathologic, and survival rates of 77 cats with severe spontaneous hepatic lipidosis are detailed in this report. Cats were subdivided into groups designated as idiopathic lipidosis if no other disease process was recognized, or secondary lipidosis if another disease process was diagnosed. Cats were also subdivided into groups designated as survivors or nonsurvivors on the basis of successful recuperation at 4 months after initial diagnosis. Differences between disease and survival groups were evaluated for significance. Overall, more female cats and middle-aged cats were affected. Presenting complaints of vomiting, anorexia, weakness, and weight loss were common. Physical assessment of most cats showed obvious hepatomegaly, jaundice, dehydration, and a weight loss > or = 25% of usual body weight. Neurobehavioral signs indicative of hepatic encephalopathy, other than ptyalism and depression, were rare. Clinicopathologic features are characterized by hyperbilirubinemia and increased activities of serum ALT, AST, and ALP, with only small if any increase in gamma GT activity. Clinical features distinguishing cats with hepatic lipidosis from those with other serious cholestatic disorders include absence of hyperglobulinemia and low gamma GT activity relative to ALP activity. Although coagulation tests were abnormal in 45% of cats tested (n = 44), few cats showed clinical bleeding tendencies. Most cats received prophylactic vitamin K1 therapy. Forty two cats received aggressive nutritional and supportive care and of these 55% survived. Cats with idiopathic disease were significantly younger, had significantly higher ALP activity and bilirubin concentration, and had a slightly better survival rate than cats with secondary lipidosis. Low PCV, hypokalemia, and an older age were significantly related to nonsurvival. Because of the variety of diets and food supplements used in case management, the influence of nutritional factors on survival could not be evaluated.

Functional analysis of ectopic parathyroid activity in cats.

The ability of ectopic parathyroid tissue to support calcium homeostasis was evaluated by measuring serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, albumin, magnesium, and parathyroid hormone before and for 12 weeks after bilateral thyroparathyroidectomy in 14 cats. During the immediate postoperative period, significant decrease was observed in serum calcium, magnesium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Serum PTH concentration remained subnormal and did not significantly increase during the 12-week observation period. Despite persistent hypoparathyroidism, serum calcium and magnesium concentrations gradually increased. Ectopic parathyroid tissue is not capable of maintaining normal serum calcium concentration immediately after thyroparathyroidectomy. Serum calcium concentration gradually normalizes after thyroparathyroidectomy, apparently by means of a PTH-independent mechanism.

Cardiovascular effects of acupuncture stimulation at point Governing Vessel 26 in halothane-anesthetized ponies.

The acupuncture point Governing Vessel (GV-26) is used commonly in the Orient to treat shock in human beings and other species. The cardiovascular effects of stimulation of GV-26 were studied in healthy ponies during 2 episodes of halothane anesthesia. During one anesthetic episode, electrical stimulation (electrostimulation) of GV-26 was performed, and during the other anesthetic episode, heat stimulation (moxibustion) of GV-26 was performed. The order of the stimulations was random. A nonacupuncture point was selected for comparable control stimulation during each experiment. Control and acupuncture stimulations were of equal intensity. There were no significant changes in cardiac output, systemic arterial pressure, or heart rate associated with either electrical or heat acupuncture stimulation.

Epidemiology of parturient paresis: predisposing factors with emphasis on dry cow feeding and management.

Dry cow feeding and management were examined for predisposing factors for parturient paresis in 1,983 Holstein cows from New York Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative records, monthly technician visits to 31 farms, and questionnaires. Variables were estimated transmitting ability, season of calving, lactation number, parturient paresis, estimated potential hours per day of exercise, and estimated nutrient intakes (protein, calcium, phosphorus, and energy) during the preceding dry period. Nutrient intakes were estimated by farmers for the average dry cow (season dependent) in their herd for the early (greater than or equal to 3 wk prepartum) and late portions of the dry period. Intakes were percentages of National Research Council requirements for a 550 kg dry cow in the last 2 mo of gestation. Nutrient intakes were coded by ranking the herds by percentage of each requirement. Codes represented the approximate lower third, middle third, and top third of the herds. Individual cows were assigned their herd nutrition codes by their season of calving. For stepwise discriminant analysis, the group variable was parturient paresis (94 cases, 1,889 controls). As lactation number (most important) and estimated transmitting ability (second most important) increased, incidence of parturient paresis increased. Parturient paresis was reduced with high dietary protein fed during the early stage of the dry period, with low phosphorus and high energy (lead feeding) closer to calving, and with decreased opportunity for exercise. Most cows were overfed calcium, especially in the late stage of the dry period, but calcium intake was not important when phosphorus was low.