Gene expression profiling demonstrates differential expression of osteopontin in follicular thyroid carcinomas compared to normal thyroid tissue in dogs.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is an aggressive tumour in dogs with little known about its molecular pathogenesis. The overall goal of this study was to examine FTC and normal thyroid tissue gene expression. Microarray analysis was performed on a pilot group of five FTC-affected dogs and four healthy dogs, and then osteopontin validated with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of thyroid tissue from non-invasive FTC, invasive FTC and healthy dogs. On microarray analysis, 489 transcripts were differentially expressed between FTC and normal thyroid: 242 transcripts were down-regulated and 247 were up-regulated. Osteopontin expression was markedly increased in tumour tissue compared to normal thyroid tissue. Quantitative PCR and IHC confirmed differential expression of osteopontin in both tumour types (invasive and non-invasive) compared to normal thyroid tissue. There is justification for further investigation of osteopontin as a potential molecular marker for screening and monitoring of canine FTC.

Seroprevalence of Porcine Circovirus type 2 in swine herds in Trinidad and Tobago.

The seroprevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in the swine population of Trinidad and Tobago was studied, focusing on the association between the seroprevalence of the virus and each of four variables: gender, age, group, farm size, and geographic location. Farms were classified as large (>1000 sows) or small (2 pigs to 250 sows); three age groups-nursery pigs (3 to 10 weeks, n=82), grower (11 to 22 weeks, n=107), and breeding animals(n=85) were studied. A multistage sampling design with non-proportional sampling between strata (farm sizes) was employed. A total of 274 serum samples were tested, collected from three large farms (n=109) and 109 randomly chosen small farms (n=165). Samples were tested using the PCV type 2 indirect fluorescent antibody test kit by VMRD (USA). Sixty-one percent of the farms tested were positive (2 large farms, 66 small farms). The overall seroprevalence of PCV2 was 62.0% (170/274) and after adjusting for non-proportional sampling between strata, was 70.3% ...

Seroprevalence of Porcine Circovirus type 2 in swine herds in Trinidad and Tobago.

The seroprevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in the swine population of Trinidad and Tobago was studied, focusing on the association between the seroprevalence of the virus and each of four variables: gender, age, group, farm size, and geographic location. Farms were classified as large (>1000 sows) or small (2 pigs to 250 sows); three age groups-nursery pigs (3 to 10 weeks, n=82), grower (11 to 22 weeks, n=107), and breeding animals(n=85) were studied. A multistage sampling design with non-proportional sampling between strata (farm sizes) was employed. A total of 274 serum samples were tested, collected from three large farms (n=109) and 109 randomly chosen small farms (n=165). Samples were tested using the PCV type 2 indirect fluorescent antibody test kit by VMRD (USA). Sixty-one percent of the farms tested were positive (2 large farms, 66 small farms). The overall seroprevalence of PCV2 was 62.0% (170/274) and after adjusting for non-proportional sampling between strata, was 70.3% ...

Haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for categories of pigs in Trinidad and Tobago.

A study was done to establish haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for nursery pigs (n=120), growers/finishers (n=120), adult non-pregnant, non- lactating female pigs (n=90), mature boars (n=63), pregnant female pigs (n=121), and lactating sows (n=120) in Trinidad and Tobago. Thirty-seven farms were randomly selected for the study. Physical examination was conducted on all animals in order to exclude animals that appeared unhealthy. Blood samples (640 in all) from the pigs were evaluated for haematological and serum chemistry parameters. Reference intervals for the blood parameters were defined by their mean values plus or minus two standard deviations (mean+/- 2 s.d.). The reference limits obtained showed differences among the various age groups and physiological states of the animals, therefore providing an alternative set of reference values to aid in interpretation of data at veterinary laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago.

Haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for categories of pigs in Trinidad and Tobago.

A study was done to establish haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for nursery pigs (n=120), growers/finishers (n=120), adult non-pregnant, non- lactating female pigs (n=90), mature boars (n=63), pregnant female pigs (n=121), and lactating sows (n=120) in Trinidad and Tobago. Thirty-seven farms were randomly selected for the study. Physical examination was conducted on all animals in order to exclude animals that appeared unhealthy. Blood samples (640 in all) from the pigs were evaluated for haematological and serum chemistry parameters. Reference intervals for the blood parameters were defined by their mean values plus or minus two standard deviations (mean+/- 2 s.d.). The reference limits obtained showed differences among the various age groups and physiological states of the animals, therefore providing an alternative set of reference values to aid in interpretation of data at veterinary laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago.

Case Report: Diabetes Mellitus in a Yorkshire terrier.

One week after the onset of polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy and weight loss and a one-day history of anorexia and vomiting, a 3.9kg, middle aged, spayed female Yorkshire terrier was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Clinical examination was unremarkable except for cranial abdominal pain. Based on blood analyses, radiographic findings, and urinalysis, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was made. Insulin therapy was initiated at the hospital and adjusted appropriately based on monitoring clinical signs and serial blood glucose determinations. Despite acheiving adequate glycaemic control in the hospital environment, this dog developed cataracts after two months of therapy at home, but was otherwise clinically normal.

Case Report: Diabetes Mellitus in a Yorkshire terrier.

One week after the onset of polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy and weight loss and a one-day history of anorexia and vomiting, a 3.9kg, middle aged, spayed female Yorkshire terrier was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Clinical examination was unremarkable except for cranial abdominal pain. Based on blood analyses, radiographic findings, and urinalysis, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was made. Insulin therapy was initiated at the hospital and adjusted appropriately based on monitoring clinical signs and serial blood glucose determinations. Despite acheiving adequate glycaemic control in the hospital environment, this dog developed cataracts after two months of therapy at home, but was otherwise clinically normal.