[Real-time analysis of parturition in bitches of a medium-sized breed]. / Echtzeitanalyse des Geburtsablaufes bei Hündinnen einer mittelgroßen Rasse.

OBJECTIVE: Observation of the birth processes in healthy bitches under controlled conditions. The primary aim was to gain more insight into the natural birth process. Additional goal was to determine under which circumstances caregivers seek veterinary assistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data regarding length of gestation, the course of the parturition process, litter size, as well as neonatal characteristics were collected from 345 Boxer bitches. A real-time evaluation supplied the data concerning the birth process itself. Statistical analysis included single- and multi-factor variance analyses, as well as correlation, regression, and rank correlation analyses. RESULTS: Mother dogs with fewer fetuses were gravid for a significantly longer period than those with a high number (p=0.0012). The proportion of live neonates decreased significantly from the 5th litter onwards (p=0.0072). Female neonates exhibited a lower birth weight than male neonates (p<0.0001). Diurnal influences on the onset of stage II were not found. Birth processes could be divided into 3 groups based on the recorded progression: group 1 - eutocia (54.6%), group II - eutocia with prophylactic measures by the caregiver (20.5%), and group III - dystocia (24.9%). Bitches of group 1 were slightly younger than those of groups 2 and 3. In groups 2 and 3, the proportion of older primiparae (≥4 years) was significantly higher than in group 1 (p<0.05). The total duration of labor differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 (p<0.0001). Significant differences were seen between the groups in labor activity. In group 3, the proportion of bitches with a type I (=primary) weakness in labor was strikingly high (45.2%). In 83.8% of the births (groups 1 and 2), one or more pauses in labor (>60 min) occurred during the expulsive phase. This was correlated with litter size (p=0.0025), but not with age or birth number. The rate of stillbirth was positively correlated with duration of the birth process. Reasons for veterinary intervention primarily pertained to conditions of type II and III labor weakness (inadequate contractions of the uterus during parturition). The average time span between identification of a birth disorder and presentation of the bitch to a practice/clinic was 4.8±3.3 hours. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In pre-partum-counselling, special attention should be paid to conditions of hyperfetia (>20% above the mean) as well as uniparous and biparous gravidity and these dams should be classified as risk patients with regard to the course of parturition. In the case of birth complications, rapid veterinary intervention is warranted in order to minimize the development of maternal inanition and fetal vitality depression.

Effect of a single meloxicam administration on newborn Holstein-Friesian dystocia calves: Field results from the first 10 days of life.

Background and Aim: Calves have increased morbidity and mortality rates after dystocia. One cause is pain during birth, which reduces their colostrum intake. The administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may break this causality. This study aimed to determine the consequences of a single administration of the NSAID meloxicam to dystocia calves after birth. Materials and Methods: Fifty Holstein-Friesian calves born with dystocia from four dairy cattle farms were included in this study. The animals were randomized into two groups. The animals in Group I (n=25, treatment group) received subcutaneous 0.5 mg meloxicam/kg body weight 2-8 h after birth. The animals in Group II (n=25, control group) received a control substance (Amynin®, bovine infusion solution, Merial) with the same volume. The newborn calves were clinically examined on the 1st and 10th days of life. The information regarding the days in between was gathered by questioning the farmer. Results: There was a significant difference (p=0.04) only in calves with thin, mushy fecal consistency on the 10th day in the treatment group compared with the control group. Moreover, meloxicam had no effect on dystocia calves. Conclusion: Since NSAID administration did not produce a significant clinical effect, its necessity is questionable. Further studies should examine how modifying its application time would have an effect. The primary indicators of well-being, such as pain indicators in the blood, were not measured; however, these should be considered in subsequent studies.

Suppression of reproductive function in juvenile rams by a slow-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone implant.

Background: Regarding animal welfare and reversible suppression of reproduction the need for alternatives to surgical castration, like slow-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) implants, is increasing. Aim: In this study, we evaluated whether the onset of puberty can be suppressed by implantation of a slow-release GnRH implant (4.7 mg deslorelin) in juvenile rams. Methods: Seven juvenile rams (3-5.5 months) were treated with the GnRH analog deslorelin to analyze the effects on testicular development, sonographic findings of testicular tissue, testosterone concentration in the blood, spermatogenesis, and sperm parameters from the epididymis after castration. Seven rams of the same age without an implant served as controls. Results: Follow-up examinations were conducted over 5 months, after which four rams per group were castrated. No significant group differences were found in the andrological parameters on the group level, but testicular development was suppressed in three rams in the treated group. Histological examination revealed spermatogenesis in the testicular tissue in three of four animals treated with a GnRH analog. Conclusion: The onset of puberty in juvenile rams cannot be reliably suppressed by using the slow-release GnRH implant Suprelorin®.

Epididymis incision as a method to collect epididymal sperm cells in alpacas.

BACKGROUND: Epididymal sperm can be collected post-castration or post-mortem. This method has already been described for alpaca (Vicugna pacos), but little data are available on success rate and the influence of diluent on it. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of epididymis incision as an extraction method. METHOD: Post-castration epididymides (n = 78) were incised and semen was collected from cut surfaces. Further sperm were flushed with two semen extenders. For the left epididymis, a diluent without animal proteins and for the right, a diluent with egg yolk was utilised. Collected sperms were immediately spermatologically examined. RESULTS: Due to incorrect measurements, the samples of seven epididymides were not analysed. An evaluation was possible in 58 samples. Average density was 108.80 ± 83.28 million/mL and motility was 53.30 ± 18.17%. On average, 76.70 ± 11.60% of the sperm were vital in eosin-stained specimens. In the hypoosmotic swelling test, an average of 69.50 ± 10.48% of the sperm had an intact plasma membrane. Semen extender had no effect on spermatological parameters (p > 0.05). Overall success rate of sperm recovery was 83%. Extraction of epididymal sperm was possible in 68.80% of the 2-year-old males. The 13 epididymides from which no sperm recovery was possible were histologically examined and for 10, there was no histological evidence of sperm. The corrected success rate was 95.60%. CONCLUSION: Testicular volume (p = 0.0453), but not age (p = 0.62), had an effect on the probability of obtaining sperm.

Efficacy of Nx4 to Reduce Plasma Cortisol and Gastrin Levels in Norwegian Sled Dogs During an Exercise Induced Stress Response: A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Cohort Study.

Introduction: An exercise induced stress response is commonly seen in high performance sled dogs, resulting in increased plasma cortisol. A stress induced rise of cortisol might result in increased prevalence of gastritis and gastric ulcers mediated by an increase of gastrin. Neurexan® (Nx4) is a medicinal product used for stress relief by reduction of cortisol. The aim of the study was to show that Nx4 reduces plasma cortisol and plasma gastrin in high performance sled dogs and to show tolerability of Nx4 in dogs. Material and Methods: First, a pilot study was done to validate the increase of cortisol by performance. The data from the pilot study was used for sample size estimation via an adapted power analysis as well as the identification of important variables. These were then used in the randomization procedure of the main study. Second, a prospective randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled cohort study was conducted. The main study included 45 sled dogs, assigning 23 dogs to the Nx4 group, and 22 dogs to the placebo group, to analyze plasma cortisol and plasma gastrin at four time points: before, directly after and 30 and 120 min after performance. Results: For the main target variable, area under the curve (AUC) of plasma cortisol, a significantly lower adjusted mean value in the Nx4 group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.031) was found. Plasma gastrin was also significantly reduced in the Nx4 group 30 min after performance (p = 0.023), resulting in a significantly reduced plasma gastrin AUC in the Nx4 group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.049). Discussion: Within the limitation of the study, the results carry implications for the usefulness of Nx4 to reduce exercise induced plasma cortisol and gastrin levels. The reduction of the exercise induced stress response could help to improve the welfare of high-performance sled dogs. Since activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis resulting in increased cortisol is similar for exercise induced stress and psychologic stress, the same might be true independent of the stressor, making Nx4 potentially useful in any stressful situation for dogs.

Influence of first colostrum pasteurization on serum immunoglobulin G, iron, and activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase in newborn dairy calves.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Colostrum pasteurization is an established procedure in dairy farms in developed countries. This practice can improve the health status of the offspring by reducing several pathogens. This study aimed to focus on the pasteurization of bovine first colostrum and its influence on certain important bioactive components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in Holstein-Friesian bull calves, which were randomly divided into two groups and fed with 6 L of untreated (UT, n=10) or 6 L of heat-treated (HT, 63.5°C for 30 min, n=10) colostrum from their own dam within the first 12 h after birth. Blood samples were taken before, 24 h, and 48 h after first colostrum intake to determine the concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and iron and the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the serum. RESULTS: The level of IgG was not affected by pasteurization (p=0.19). However, a slower increase in GGT activity (p<0.05) and a lower serum iron concentration (p=0.04) were observed in the HT group. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that pasteurization influences the absorption of colostrum components and therefore, the passive transfer of immunity, although the level of IgG was not affected by pasteurization in this study.

Radiographic analysis of the thickness of the cranial bones in captive compared to wild-living cheetahs and in cheetahs with hypovitaminosis A.

Captive cheetahs often demonstrate a high incidence of diseases in which vitamin A imbalances are implicated. These can occur even under controlled and optimised feeding regimens, which is why surveillance of vitamin A status is mandatory in the successful health management of cheetahs. Serum levels of the vitamin do not reflect the true vitamin A status and liver tissue analysis is rather impractical for routine application in large felids. A biomarker for evaluating overt and subclinical vitamin A deficiency in cheetahs is needed. This study evaluates whether increased calvarial bone thickness can be detected on routine skull radiographs of vitamin A deficient cheetahs compared to unaffected animals, and secondly, evaluates whether there is increased bone thickness in clinically sound captive cheetahs in general compared to wild-living controls. Bone thickness in the neuro- and splanchnocranium was measured in 138 skull radiographs. Significant thickening of the parietal bones was found in latero-lateral radiographs of immature cheetahs (< 12 months) with vitamin A deficiency. This finding may allow a presumptive diagnosis of hypovitaminosis A in immature cheetahs. A general difference in skull thickness between free-living and captive cheetahs was not found.

In vitro evaluation of potential interference of lokivetmab with protein electrophoresis and immunofixation.

OBJECTIVE: In humans, misdiagnoses of monoclonal gammopathy after use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies has been documented. This triggers concerns for similar misdiagnoses in animals treated with monoclonal antibodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate if lokivetmab interferes with serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Residual sera from 25 client-owned, healthy blood donor dogs from 2 veterinary hospitals in Germany were used. The residual sera were analysed with serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis before and after being spiked with lokivetmab at a concentration of 10 µg/ml (corresponding to the mean peak serum concentration after a subcutaneous injection of 2 mg/kg lokivetmab). RESULTS: No monoclonal gammopathy was observed on serum protein electrophoresis and all proteins had a normal distribution pattern without any pathologic bands on immunofixation electrophoresis. The absolute γ-globulin values of spiked samples, however, were significantly higher than in the native sera although they remained within the reference interval. No other globulin fractions were significantly different. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests that lokivetmab at a dose of 2 mg/kg is not detected as a monoclonal peak on serum protein electrophoresis or immunofixation electrophoresis, and thus is unlikely to lead to a misdiagnosis of other diseases that are characterised by monoclonal gammopathies.

Associations between the metabolic status of the cow and colostrum quality as determined by Brix refractometry.

Supplying newborn calves with immunoglobins is critical for their health and a daily challenge in the dairy industry. Among various factors determining colostrum quality, the prepartum metabolic status of the cow might be of particular importance. The objective of this observational cross-sectional study was to evaluate relationships between cow-level variables and the colostrum quality as determined by Brix refractometry. A total of 873 cows of varying breed and parity from 124 German dairy herds were included in the study, and blood and urine samples were taken 3 to 1 wk before the expected calving date. Effectively, samples were collected on average 8.2 d (geometric mean) before calving, ranging from 2 to 45 d. The final variable set included body condition score, lameness score, breed, parity, vaccination of the cow, the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase, the urine concentration of creatinine, net acid-base excretion, the serum concentration of cholesterol and calcium, and the difference in albumin and total protein concentration. Generalized linear mixed effects regression models with hierarchically structured random effects (cow within herd) using the maximum likelihood method were fitted to the data to identify associations between the Brix value as an outcome and cow-level variables as predictors. Cows entering second parity had lower Brix values compared with cows entering third or greater parity, and prepartum vaccination of cows led to higher Brix values compared with nonvaccinated cows. Cows with a moderate to high lameness score had lower Brix values than cows with low-grade lameness. An increase of glutamate dehydrogenase serum activity and serum calcium concentration were associated with lower Brix values, whereas an increase in the difference of total protein and albumin serum concentration led to higher Brix values. In conclusion, the metabolic health of the cow affects colostrum quality and may cause failure of passive immunoglobulin transfer as well as impaired calf health.

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Ionized Calcium-Binding Adapter Molecule 1 Immunostaining Score for the Central Nervous System of Horses With Non-suppurative Encephalitis and Encephalopathies.

Like humans, horses are susceptible to neurotropic and neuroinvasive pathogens that are not always readily identified in histological sections. Instead, alterations in astrocytes and microglia cells can be used as pathological hallmarks of injured nervous tissue in a variety of infectious and degenerative diseases. On the other hand, equine glial cell alterations are poorly characterized in diseases. Therefore, in this study, we provide a statistically proved score system to classify astrogliosis and microgliosis in the central nervous system (CNS) of horses, based on morphological and quantitative analyses of 35 equine cases of encephalitis and/or encephalopathies and four non-altered CNS as controls. For this system, we used glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) immunohistochemistry, allied to statistical analysis to confirm that the scores were correctly designated. The scores of alterations ranged from 0 (non-altered) to 3 (severely altered) and provided a helpful method for describing astrocytic and microglial alterations in horses suffering from inflammatory and degenerative lesions. This system could be a template for comparative studies in other animal species and could aid algorithms designed for artificial intelligence methods lacking a defined morphological pattern.

Correlation of brachycephaly grade with level of exophthalmos, reduced airway passages and degree of dental malalignment' in Persian cats.

For many years, there has been a trend to breed cats with an increasing degree of brachycephalic head features, which are known to have a severe impact on the animals' health and welfare. The direct relation between different grades of brachycephaly and their negative implications have not been researched in this species. The aim of this study was therefore to establish correlations between the different grades of brachycephaly and reduced upper respiratory airways, exophthalmos of the eye globes and malalignment of the teeth in Persian cats. Sixty-nine Persian cats of various skull dimensions and ten Domestic shorthair cats were recruited for the study. The cats' skulls were examined using three-dimensional reconstructions created from Computed Tomography datasets. Brachycephaly was graded using established craniometric measurements (facial index, cranial index, skull index, craniofacial angle). The flow area of the nasal passageways at different locations, the amount of the eye globe not supported by the bony orbit and the axial deviation of the teeth were quantified and evaluated for a correlation with the grade of brachycephaly. The results of this study clearly show that increased grades of brachycephaly in Persian cats resulted in larger extra-orbital parts of the ocular bulbs. The brachycephalic skull dimension also resulted in a lower height of the naso-osseal aperture, while other areas of the nasal airways were not correlated with the severity of brachycephaly. Persian cats showed a significantly increased occurrence of premolar tooth displacement in the upper jaw with increasing brachycephaly grades. It was interesting to note that the measured values had a broad range and values of some individual Persian cats showed an overlap with those of Domestic shorthair cats.

Relationship between clinical signs and hormonal analytical findings in bitches with lactatio sine graviditate.

OBJECTIVE: Lactatio sine graviditate of the bitch can become clinically relevant in particularly severe manifestations. The aim of the study was to relate the hormone pattern consisting of progesterone (P4), estradiol 17ß (E2) and prolactin to the time of occurrence of lactatio sine graviditate in the course of metoestrus and anoestrus as well as to its symptomatology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-eight bitches with apparent lactatio sine graviditate were divided into 3 groups according to their cycle status. All bitches were examined for gynaecological findings. Furhtermore, their blood progesterone, oestrogen, and prolactin concentrations were determined and compared with the 133-day hormone profile of 7 control animals. RESULTS: Lactatio sine graviditate occurring in early metoestrus was characterised more by a shifted P4:E2 ratio than by hyperprolactinaemia. Overall, the prolactin concentration in the peripheral blood was significantly increased. Analysis of the individual cases revealed that hyperprolactinaemia was present to varying degrees. It could be detected in almost all bitches that showed full symptomatology at the end of metoestrus or at the beginning of anoestrus. Only then clinical signs correlated with an increased prolactin concentration in the peripheral blood. In most cases, the estradiol-17ß concentration was within the reference range. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study indicates that the administration of prolactin inhibitors alone is not indicated in all cases of lactatio sine graviditate and that the timepoint of onset of the clinically relevant symptoms and the current prolactin level should be taken into account in the treatment of affected bitches.

Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated whether the administration of the progestin altrenogest provides noninvasive, temporary, and reversible suppression of gonadal function in the goat as a potential alternative to chirurgical castration, which is related with irreversibility, risks of complications till death of the animal and welfare issues. Eight sexually mature Peacock goats were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was administered altrenogest (0.088 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 weeks. The remaining four goats received an oral glucose solution and served as the control group. After completing the administration period, the reversibility of the medication was evaluated for another 7 weeks (observation phase). The treatment effects were assessed by clinical examination; ultrasound examination of the testes, including one-dimensional grayscale analysis, blood testosterone levels, analysis of semen parameters and libido. At the end of the observation period, the animals were castrated and the testicles were examined histologically. RESULTS: Altrenogest treatment had no significant effect on the physical development of the goats, the sonographic appearance of the testes, the gray values measured in the ultrasound images, or the blood testosterone levels. The effects of treatment on the testicular and semen parameters varied widely in the experimental animals; the testicle volume was significantly lower and the number of pathologically altered sperm in the ejaculate was significantly higher in treated animals. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that daily altrenogest administration at a dose of 0.088 mg/kg does not reliably suppress gonadal function in the goat.

Wild Boars Carry Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase- and AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent major healthcare concerns. The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of these bacteria is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine their prevalence in wild boars in Germany and to characterize individual isolates. A total of 375 fecal samples and 439 nasal swabs were screened for the presence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli and MRSA, respectively. The associations of seven demographic and anthropogenic variables with the occurrence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli were statistically evaluated. Collected isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular typing methods, and gene detection by PCR and genome sequencing. ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli were detected in 22 fecal samples (5.9%) whereas no MRSA were detected. The occurrence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli in wild boars was significantly and positively associated with human population density. Of the 22 E. coli, 19 were confirmed as ESBL-producers and carried genes belonging to blaCTX-M group 1 or blaSHV-12. The remaining three isolates carried the AmpC-ß-lactamase gene blaCMY-2. Several isolates showed additional antimicrobial resistances. All four major phylogenetic groups were represented with group B1 being the most common. This study demonstrates that wild boars can serve as a reservoir for ESBL-/AmpC-producing and multidrug-resistant E. coli.

Metabolic Signatures of Cryptosporidium parvum-Infected HCT-8 Cells and Impact of Selected Metabolic Inhibitors on C. parvum Infection under Physioxia and Hyperoxia.

Cryptosporidium parvum is an apicomplexan zoonotic parasite recognized as the second leading-cause of diarrhoea-induced mortality in children. In contrast to other apicomplexans, C. parvum has minimalistic metabolic capacities which are almost exclusively based on glycolysis. Consequently, C. parvum is highly dependent on its host cell metabolism. In vivo (within the intestine) infected epithelial host cells are typically exposed to low oxygen pressure (1-11% O2, termed physioxia). Here, we comparatively analyzed the metabolic signatures of C. parvum-infected HCT-8 cells cultured under both, hyperoxia (21% O2), representing the standard oxygen condition used in most experimental settings, and physioxia (5% O2), to be closer to the in vivo situation. The most pronounced effect of C. parvum infection on host cell metabolism was, on one side, an increase in glucose and glutamine uptake, and on the other side, an increase in lactate release. When cultured in a glutamine-deficient medium, C. parvum infection led to a massive increase in glucose consumption and lactate production. Together, these results point to the important role of both glycolysis and glutaminolysis during C. parvum intracellular replication. Referring to obtained metabolic signatures, we targeted glycolysis as well as glutaminolysis in C. parvum-infected host cells by using the inhibitors lonidamine [inhibitor of hexokinase, mitochondrial carrier protein (MCP) and monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) 1, 2, 4], galloflavin (lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor), syrosingopine (MCT1- and MCT4 inhibitor) and compound 968 (glutaminase inhibitor) under hyperoxic and physioxic conditions. In line with metabolic signatures, all inhibitors significantly reduced parasite replication under both oxygen conditions, thereby proving both energy-related metabolic pathways, glycolysis and glutaminolysis, but also lactate export mechanisms via MCTs as pivotal for C. parvum under in vivo physioxic conditions of mammals.

Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Fassisi® bovine immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunoassay for quantification of bovine IgG in neonatal calf serum.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rapid tests are routinely used to estimate serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in diagnosing a failure of passive transfer (FPT) in calves. The study aimed to compare the Fassisi® Bovine IgG (FB-IgG) immunoassay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantifying bovine IgG in neonatal calf serum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 277 calves of 1-10 days of age were used in this study. Blood samples were obtained, and serum was extracted by centrifuging the samples at 2740× g for 5 min at 20°C. The serum was analyzed using the FB-IgG according to the manufacturer's specifications. Serum IgG concentrations were also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-IgG). FPT was defined as a serum IgG concentration <10 mg/mL. RESULTS: The mean ELISA-IgG serum concentration was 8.40 mg/mL (SD=7.02, range=0.10-47.50 mg/mL). FPT prevalence based on the ELISA measurements was 66.8%. The prevalence of partial and full FPT based on the FB-IgG was 54.5%. The ELISA-IgG and FB-IgG results were subjected to correlation and regression analysis. Overall sensitivity and specificity of the FB-IgG were 61.1% and 58.7%, respectively. A statistically significant dependence on age was identified in the results. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the FB-IgG rapid method is less accurate and provides no other advantages over established methods.

Hoof kinetic patterns differ between sound and laminitic horses.

BACKGROUND: No kinetic data on hoof loading in laminitic horses are available, despite their importance for optimising supportive shoeing therapies. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the load distribution pattern in laminitic and sound horses. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled observational study. METHODS: Fifty-four sound and laminitic horses were assigned to three groups: control group (sound horses), group 1 (G1) horses with acute laminitis, evaluated immediately after acute clinical signs subsided, and group 2 (G2) horses that had been free of acute laminitis signs for 6-12 weeks. Measurements on both forelimbs in barefoot condition were performed during walk using the Hoof™ System. Kinetic parameters were recorded and compared between hoof regions and groups using covariance analyses and t tests (P < .05). RESULTS: Peak loading in the toe region occurred during midstance phase in control group, but during break-over in laminitic horses. This is reflected by the time to peak vertical force in the toe, which was significantly shorter in the control group compared to laminitic horses (G1 and G2) (76% ± 6% vs 89% ± 9 [P = .002], 86% ± 7 [P = .001] of stance duration respectively). The relative vertical force in the toe in the control group (46% ± 7%) was significantly higher compared to laminitic horses (G1: 29% ± 9% [P = .001]; G2: 32% ± 10% [P = .003]). The main shift of the load occurred between toe and middle hoof regions in laminitic horses as compared with the control group. No significant differences were found between G1 and G2. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Measurements were not obtained in horses with acute laminitis on admission, to avoid risk of further damage to the lamellae. CONCLUSIONS: Supportive therapy in laminitis should focus on supporting both caudal and middle hoof areas to decrease the peak pressure in these regions, and ease break-over during which the maximal loading of the toe occurs.

Canine mammary tumours: Size matters-a progression from low to highly malignant subtypes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible association between mammary tumour size and increasing degree of malignancy. Data of 625 dogs with a total of 1459 mammary tumours were analysed retrospectively. 80.3% dogs were intact, mean age at diagnosis was 9.7 ± 2.5 years, 75.8% were pure breed dogs. Median body weight was 20.0 kg. Malignant tumours (n = 580) were significantly larger than their benign counterparts (1.94 cm vs 0.90 cm in mean, respectively; P ≤ .0001), resulting in a positive correlation between increasing tumour size and a change from benign to malignant (P ≤ .0001; rs  = 0.214). When malignant tumours were grouped into four degrees of increasing malignancy (complex/simple/solid/anaplastic carcinomas) a significant positive correlation between increasing tumour size and more malignant tumour degree (P ≤ .0001; rs  = 0.195) could be demonstrated. In a number of cases, highly malignant tumours were found to arise within less malignant lesions, supporting the concept of a further progression within the malignant tumour subtypes. In patients with multiple tumours, mean tumour sizes for malignant tumours were significantly smaller compared to patients with only one tumour (1.67 vs 2.71 cm in mean, respectively; P < .0001). These findings suggest that mammary tumours progress not only from benign to malignant but also from low to highly malignant. An increase in diameter of only a few millimetres may therefore have a big impact on the patient's outcome.

Interictal Single-Voxel Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Temporal Lobe in Dogs With Idiopathic Epilepsy.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H1-MRS) could provide insight into the metabolic pathophysiology of the temporal lobe of canine brain after seizure. Currently, there is no evidence-based data available on MRS of temporal lobe in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE). The aim of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to evaluate the interictal metabolic activity of the temporal lobe in IE dogs compared to a control group with the use of H1-MRS. Ten healthy dogs and 27 client-owned dogs with IE underwent 1.5-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single-voxel H1-MRS. The MRS studies were acquired as spin echoes with a repetition time (TR) of 2,000 ms and an echo time (TE) of 144 ms. A cubic voxel (10 ×10 ×10 mm) was positioned bilaterally into the region of the left and right temporal lobe, including a middle part of the hippocampus and the amygdala. The N-acetylaspartate (NAA)-to-creatine (NAA/Cr), NAA-to-choline (NAA/Cho), choline-to-creatine (Cho/Cr), and choline-to-NAA (Cho/NAA) ratios were determined in both hemispheres and compared to controls. No significant differences in all metabolite ratios between epileptic dogs and the control group could be found. A time-dependent decrease in the NAA/Cho ratio as well as an increase in the Cho/NAA ratio was found with proximity in time to the last seizure. We found no correlation between metabolite ratios and age or sex in this animal group. Time span from the last seizure to the acquisition of MRS significantly correlated with NAA/Cho and Cho/NAA ratio. We conclude that without a time relation, metabolite ratios in dogs with IE do not differ from those of the control group.

Effects of supplementation of DL-methionine on tissue and plasma antioxidant status during heat-induced oxidative stress in broilers.

Exposure to high ambient temperature has been shown to impair growth performance and to cause oxidative stress in broilers. This study investigated the hypothesis that supplementation with methionine (Met) as DL-Met (DLM) more than the National Research Council recommendations improves growth performance and alleviates oxidative stress in broilers exposed to high ambient temperature. One-day-old male Cobb-500 broilers (n = 68) were allotted to 4 groups and phase-fed 3 basal diets during days 1 to 10, 11 to 21, and 22 to 35. One group was kept under thermoneutral temperature conditions and received the basal diets with Met + cysteine (Cys) concentrations according to recommendations of NRC. The other 3 groups were kept in a room with an increased ambient temperature from week 3 to 5 and were fed either the basal diet or the basal diets supplemented with 2 levels of DLM in which Met + Cys concentrations exceeded NRC recommendations by around 20% (group DLM1) and 40% (group DLM2), respectively. As expected, the broilers exposed to high ambient temperature showed a lower feed intake, lower body weight gains, a higher feed:gain ratio, and biochemical indications of oxidative stress in comparison to broilers kept under thermoneutral temperature conditions. Supplementation of DLM did not improve the growth performance in broilers exposed to high ambient temperature. However, the broilers supplemented with DLM had increased concentrations of glutathione in liver and breast muscle (groups DLM1 and DLM2), increased concentrations of tocopherols in the liver (group DLM2), and reduced concentrations of 7α-hydroxycholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol in heat-processed thigh muscle (groups DLM1 and DLM2) in comparison to the control group exposed to high ambient temperature. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and vitamin C in plasma, liver, and muscle were not different between the 3 groups exposed to heat stress. Nevertheless, the study shows that supplementation of DLM in slight excess of the Met concentration required for maximum growth performance improved the antioxidant status in tissues and reduced the susceptibility of muscle toward oxidation in heat-stressed broilers.