The effect of a hiding space on the behaviour and heart rate variability of dairy calves during temporary separation from the dam.

In natural settings, newborn calves hide for several days before joining the herd. It is unclear whether dairy calves housed indoors would show similar hiding behaviour. This study aimed to describe the use of an artificial hide provided to calves during temporary separation from the dam and assess the effect it has on lying and sleep-like behaviour, as well as heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty-eight cow-calf pairs were randomly assigned to having a hide (n = 14), or no hide (n = 14). Hide use (n = 14), as well as lying and sleep-like behaviour (n = 28), were recorded continuously via video camera during the first hour after the dam was removed for morning milking on day three to seven. Heart rate and R-R intervals were recorded using Polar equine monitors for a subsample of 12 calves (n = 6 per treatment) on day six. Descriptive statistics were calculated for hide use. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used to evaluate whether having a hide affected lying and sleep-like behaviours as well as HRV. Hide use decreased over days and was highly variable between calves. Lying behaviour did not differ between treatments. Duration of sleep-like behaviour was higher for calves without a hide compared to those with a hide. Calves with a hide tended to show signs of higher HRV and parasympathetic activity compared to calves without a hide. Results suggest that providing a hiding space to young calves may be beneficial during periods when the cow is removed from the pen for milking.

Characteristics and outcomes of cats with and without pacemaker placement for high-grade atrioventricular block.

INTRODUCTION: Available information on characteristics and outcome in cats with high-grade atrioventricular block (AVB) that receive a pacemaker is limited. ANIMALS: Twenty-two privately owned cats presenting with high-grade AVB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively examined. Cats were grouped as having received a pacemaker (PACE group) or not having received a pacemaker (non-PACE group). Clinical characteristics and outcomes of groups were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 10 cats in the PACE group and 12 cats in the non-PACE group. At presentation, syncope or seizure-like behavior (p = 0.004) and bradycardia (p = 0.043) were more common in the PACE than the non-PACE group. Historical lethargy (p = 0.015) and dull mentation (p = 0.045) were more common in the non-PACE group, as was clinically relevant systemic disease. Pacemaker placement improved syncope or seizure-like behavior in 100% of cats. The degree of AVB at presentation was not associated with pacemaker placement nor the future degree of AVB. The major complication rate of pacemaker placement was 40%. Intergroup survival was not significantly different (PACE group 1278 days, 95% confidence interval: 0-2145 days; non-PACE group 213 days, confidence interval: 1-not available, p = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Pacemaker placement improved clinical signs in cats with high-grade AVB. A difference in survival time could not be demonstrated between cats that received and did not receive a pacemaker in this retrospective study. High-grade AVB can be transient and accompanied by systemic disease in some cats.

Longitudinal analysis of quality of life, clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease receiving pimobendan or benazepril: the QUEST study.

BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To compare, throughout the period of follow-up of dogs that had not yet reached the primary endpoint, the longitudinal effects of pimobendan versus benazepril hydrochloride treatment on quality-of-life (QoL) variables, concomitant congestive heart failure (CHF) treatment, and other outcome variables in dogs suffering from CHF secondary to MMVD. ANIMALS: A total of 260 dogs in CHF because of MMVD. METHODS: A prospective single-blinded study with dogs randomized to receive pimobendan (0.4-0.6 mg/kg/day) or benazepril hydrochloride (0.25-1.0 mg/kg/day). Differences in outcome variables and time to intensification of CHF treatment were compared. RESULTS: A total of 124 dogs were randomized to pimobendan and 128 to benazepril. No difference was found between groups in QoL variables during the trial. Time from inclusion to 1st intensification of CHF treatment was longer in the pimobendan group (pimobendan 98 days, IQR 30-276 days versus benazepril 59 days, IQR 11-121 days; P = .0005). Postinclusion, dogs in the pimobendan group had smaller heart size based on VHS score (P = .013) and left ventricular diastolic (P = .035) and systolic (P = .0044) dimensions, higher body temperature (P = .030), serum sodium (P = .0027), and total protein (P = .0003) concentrations, and packed cell volume (P = .030). Incidence of arrhythmias was similar in treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Pimobendan versus benazepril resulted in similar QoL during the study, but conferred increased time before intensification of CHF treatment. Pimobendan treatment resulted in smaller heart size, higher body temperature, and less retention of free water.

Prospective evaluation of NT-proBNP assay to detect occult dilated cardiomyopathy and predict survival in Doberman Pinschers.

BACKGROUND: Occult (asymptomatic) dilated cardiomyopathy (ODCM) is highly prevalent in Doberman Pinschers. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Assess ability of NT-proBNP assay to detect ODCM and predict death. ANIMALS: 155 asymptomatic Dobermans presenting for ODCM screening. METHODS: Echocardiography, 24-hour Holter, and NT-proBNP assay were performed prospectively. Diagnosis was based on increased left ventricular end-systolic dimension, >50 ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), or both on Holter. Utility was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic curves. Effect of age, weight, sex, disease status, VPCs, and NT-proBNP on survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-three (47.1%) Dobermans were diagnosed with ODCM, including 31, 17, and 25 that met Holter, echocardiographic, or both criteria, respectively. Sensitivity of NT-proBNP > 457 pmol/L to detect these groups was 45.2, 76.5, and 96.0%, respectively. Combination of NT-proBNP and Holter to detect ODCM yielded sensitivity of 94.5%, specificity of 87.8%, and accuracy of 91.0%. Follow-up data were available for 78 Dobermans. The median survival time of Dobermans with > 50 VPCs (469 days), NT-proBNP > 900 pmol/L (284 days), or ODCM (474 days) was significantly (P < .0001) shorter than those with < 50 VPCs (1743 days), NT-proBNP < 900 pmol/L (1743 days), or without disease (1743 days). NT-proBNP concentration and disease status were independently predictive of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The combination of NT-proBNP assay and Holter detected ODCM with high accuracy. NT-proBNP and disease status were independently associated with survival. NT-proBNP assay identified Dobermans with high probability of increased LVIDs consistent with ODCM, and can facilitate pursuit of confirmatory diagnostic testing, such as echocardiography, in suspected Dobermans.