American Staffordshire Research Articles

Management of massive blood loss in a dog under general anaesthesia during a sternotomy

A 2-year-old male neutered American Staffordshire Terrier was presented collapsed, with tachycardia, dyspnoea and pale mucous membranes. An emergency sternotomy and lateral thoracotomy was performed. Before surgery the dog's blood was typed and found to be DEA negative. The dog lost the equivalent of its entire blood volume (estimated) during the first hour of surgery. Cardiovascular parameters initially responded to boluses of crystalloids and colloids. He also received transfusions of DEA negative packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. Due to ongoing haemorrhage, the dog's clinical condition, and a lack of availability of any more DEA negative blood products, the decision was made to give a unit of DEA positive packed red blood cells. The dog recovered uneventfully, although following diagnosis of an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma the dog was later euthanased. This report discusses the management of massive blood loss in veterinary medicine and the implications, potential options for management, and treatment of these cases perioperatively.

Behandeling van een maligne perifere zenuwschedetumor door intraveneuze toediening van combretastatine A4-fosfaat bij een hond

Een vijftienjarige, mannelijke, gecastreerde Amerikaanse staffordshireterriër werd aangeboden met een subcutane, ulceratieve massa ter hoogte van het rechter carpaal gewricht. Thoraxradiografieën en een abdominale echografie waren beide negatief voor metastasen. Er werden punchbiopten genomen van de massa waaruit histopathologisch een maligne perifere zenuwschedetumor werd gediagnosticeerd. Doordat de primaire massa zo uitgebreid was, was chirurgische excisie onmogelijk en amputatie van de voorpoot was geen optie voor de eigenaar. De hond werd intraveneus behandeld met combretastatin A4-phosphate, een stof die het cytoskelet van immature bloedvaten verstoord. Voor en na de behandeling werd een biopt genomen en via “power-doppler ultrasound” en contrastechografie werd de doorbloeding van de tumor voor en na de therapie opgevolgd. De behandeling resulteerde in massale necrose van de tumor.

Comparison of demographic data, disease severity and response to treatment, between dogs with atopic dermatitis and atopic-like dermatitis: a retrospective study.

Limited information is available describing the features of canine atopic-like dermatitis (ALD) compared with atopic dermatitis (AD). To compare demographic data, disease severity and response to therapy between ALD and AD dogs. Two hundred and fifty-three atopic dogs with intradermal and serum allergen-specific IgE test results were selected retrospectively. Dogs were enrolled into the ALD group if both IgE tests were negative and into the AD group if at least one test was positive. Demographic data, pruritus level and number of body sites affected before and during therapy, in addition to maintenance therapy protocols, were compared between groups. There were 216 (85.38%) dogs in the AD group and 37 (14.62%) in the ALD group. The soft-coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over-represented in the AD group. No significant differences between the groups were noted regarding the other demographic variables evaluated. There were no differences in the mean pruritus scores and number of affected body sites at the first visit or during treatment. Furthermore, no significant differences between the groups were noted for the maintenance treatment scores and reduction of pruritus level and number of body sites affected during treatment. The soft-coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over-represented in the AD group. No significant differences in the other demographic data and clinical features were noted between dogs with ALD and AD in the present study.

Prevailing Clusters of Canine Behavioural Traits in Historical US Demand for Dog Breeds (1926⁻2005).

Simple SummaryThe popularity of various breeds of dog and, by extension, the ancestors of at least a portion of the crossbred population varies over time. As pedigree dogs tend to exhibit breed-specific behaviour, the loads of both adaptive and less adaptive canine behaviours within society might also be expected to vary with trends in popularity, assuming that a breed in decline is not always replaced by increasing demand for a new similarly tempered breed. Using average breed behaviours from a large online survey of dog behaviour, we organised 82 pedigree breeds into six clusters and tracked the absolute and relative numbers of American Kennel Club registrations of breeds in these behaviour clusters in 1926–2005. Our data show that there is lability in the demand for breeds of the six behavioural clusters over time. Regardless of whether behavioural differences are causative of changes in demand or merely a consequence of it, changes in the types of behaviour in the pedigree population have implications for urban planning, the demand for dog training and veterinary behavioural services and the nature of human–canine interactions. Shifts in breed demand reveal an important aspect of canine behavioural epidemiology worthy of future study.Drawing on American Kennel Club (AKC) puppy registration numbers for approximately 82 varieties of pedigree dogs between 1926 and 2005, the current article analyses behavioural reports on 32,005 dogs of these varieties reported through the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). Cluster analysis of C-BARQ scores indicates that the 82 breeds fell into six clusters. Average scores for each of the 14 behavioural subscales and 22 miscellaneous traits in C-BARQ were calculated for each cluster, and the breeds in each cluster with average scores most similar to the cluster averages were selected as titular breeds. Titular breeds for each cluster were the Maltese terrier, the Great Dane, the Akita, the Australian shepherd, the American Staffordshire terrier, and the Weimaraner. Using the AKC data, we tracked longitudinal trends in annual registration numbers of breeds of each cluster over the period from 1926 to 2005. This period was subdivided into periods with differing overall trends by fitting natural cubic splines to the overall raw trend and considering both the spline and its derivative curves. Differences in the absolute numbers of dogs and trends in registrations over nearly 80 years were identified: an Early period (1926–1944, during which total registration numbers were very low); a Mid-Century Period (1945–1971, during which total registration numbers were tending to rise from year to year); a First Decline (1972–1979, a brief period during which registration numbers experienced a trend of more gradual decline); a Recovery (1980–1992, where registration numbers began to gradually rise again); and a Second Decline (1993–2005, a second sustained period of falling registration numbers, more dramatic than the first decline). The current article describes the ways in which the clustered behaviour of dogs associate with these trends. That said, there is no compelling evidence that shifts in the popularity within or between the clusters reflect consumer canine behavioural preferences. Understanding historic trends in the demand for certain canine behavioural traits could help veterinary and urban animal management stakeholders to anticipate future needs for education and infrastructure.

Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis in an American Staffordshire Terrier

A 9-year-old female American Staffordshire terrier was presented to a veterinary hospital with diarrhoea, severe prostration, hypothermia, dehydration and anaemia. The dog died 6 days after the first consultation. At necropsy examination the serosa of the large intestine showed a granular appearance and the mucosa was thickened, ulcerated and red, with prominent folding. Histological examination revealed marked inflammatory infiltration of macrophages into the mucosa and submucosa of the large intestine. These cells stained positively by the periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Immunohistochemistry showed marked presence of intracytoplasmic Escherichia coli in the macrophages. Bacteriological examination of intestinal sections yielded E. coli growthand the isolate displayed atypical characteristics when compared with strains associated with previously published cases of histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC). The molecular characterization showed that the isolate harboured none of the genes associated with enterotoxigenic E. coli strains and harboured only a limited number of genes associated with extra-intestinal pathotypes. Adherent and invasive E. coli are unlikely to have been involved in the pathogenesis of HUC in the present case. HUC is a rare disease with a predisposition for boxer dogs; however, sporadic occurrence in other breeds may occur. This is the first reported case of HUC in an American Staffordshire terrier.

Juvenile-onset polyneuropathy in American Staffordshire Terriers.

BackgroundThe only hereditary neurologic disorder described so far in American Staffordshire Terriers is adult‐onset cerebellar degeneration secondary to ceroid lipofuscinosis. We have seen several dogs with a newly recognized neurological disease characterized by locomotor weakness with or without respiratory signs and juvenile onset consistent with degenerative polyneuropathy of genetic origin.ObjectivesTo characterize a novel polyneuropathy in juvenile American Staffordshire Terriers.AnimalsFourteen American Staffordshire Terriers presented with clinical signs consistent with juvenile‐onset polyneuropathy at 5 veterinary hospitals between May 2005 and July 2017.MethodsCase series. Dogs were included retrospectively after a diagnosis of degenerative polyneuropathy had been confirmed by nerve biopsy. Clinical, pathological, electrophysiological, histological data, and outcome were reviewed and a pedigree analysis performed.ResultsAll dogs displayed clinical signs of neuromuscular disease with generalized motor and sensory involvement, associated with focal signs of laryngeal paralysis (10/14 dogs) and megaesophagus (1/14 dogs). Histopathological findings were consistent with degenerative polyneuropathy. Follow‐up was available for 11 dogs, and 3 dogs were euthanized shortly after diagnosis. In these 11 dogs, the disease was slowly progressive and the animals maintained good quality of life with ability to walk. Pedigree analysis was mostly consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceJuvenile polyneuropathy, associated with laryngeal paralysis, is a newly described entity in American Staffordshire Terriers, and results from degenerative neuropathy. When surgery for laryngeal paralysis is performed, lifespan may be similar to that of normal dogs even though affected dogs have locomotor disturbance.

Babesia gibsoni cytochrome b mutations in canine blood samples submitted to a US veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

Background: Babesiosis caused by Babesia gibsoni is recognized throughout the world and can be difficult to treat. Resistance to atovaquone is associated with mutations in the B. gibsoni mitochondrial genome, specifically the M128 position of cytochrome b (cytb). The prevalence of cytb mutations in North America has not been reported. Hypothesis/Objectives: The objective of our study was to describe the prevalence of cytb M128 mutations in B. gibsoni in canine blood samples submitted to a US veterinary diagnostic laboratory. A secondary objective was to determine whether or not some dogs had wild‐type cytb in our initial samples then had M128 mutations detected in follow‐up samples. Animals: One‐Hundred seventy‐four dogs that tested positive for the presence of B. gibsoni between 2012 and 2017. Methods: Case series of consecutive samples submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Partial B. gibsoni cytb genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and screened for the presence of mutations at the M128 position. Results: The overall prevalence of M128 mutants was 3.5% (6/173 dogs) in the initial samples. The incidence of new cytb mutants in dogs that tested positive for B. gibsoni, which then had follow‐up testing, was 12.1% (5/41). Conclusions and Clinic Importance: Our study reaffirms that B. gibsoni infection is widespread and most commonly detected in American Staffordshire Terrier/American Pit Bull Terrier dogs (128/174, 74% of the infected dogs in our study). The prevalence of cytb mutations does not warrant pretreatment genotyping.

A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs

Previous research in animal shelters has determined the breeds of dogs living in shelters by their visual appearance; however the genetic breed testing of such dogs is seldom conducted, and few studies have compared the breed labels assigned by shelter staff to the results of this testing. In the largest sampling of shelter dogs’ breed identities to-date, 459 dogs at Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (AAWL) in Phoenix, Arizona, and 460 dogs at San Diego Humane Society & SPCA (SDHS) in San Diego, California, were genetically tested using a commercially available product to determine their breed heritage. In our sample, genetic analyses identified 125 distinct breeds with 91 breeds present at both shelters, and 4.9% of the dogs identified as purebreds. The three most common breed signatures, in order of prevalence, American Staffordshire Terrier, Chihuahua, and Poodle, accounted for 42.5% or all breed identifications at the great grandparent level. During their stay at the shelter, dogs with pit bull-type ancestries waited longer to be adopted than other dogs. When we compared shelter breed assignment as determined by visual appearance to that of genetic testing, staff at SDHS was able to successfully match at least one breed in the genetic heritage of 67.7% of dogs tested; however their agreement fell to 10.4% when asked to identify more than one breed. Lastly, we found that as the number of pit bull-type relatives in a dog’s heritage increased, so did the shelter’s ability to match the results of DNA analysis. In total when we consider the complexity of shelter dog breed heritage and the failure to identify multiple breeds based on visual identification coupled with our inability to predict how these breeds then interact within an individual dog, we believe that focusing resources on communicating the physical and behavioral characteristics of shelter dogs would best support adoption efforts.

A de novo mutation in the EXT2 gene associated with osteochondromatosis in a litter of American Staffordshire Terriers.

BackgroundWe aimed to identify mutations associated with osteochondromatosis in a litter of American Staffordshire Terrier puppies.HypothesisWe hypothesized that the associated mutation would be located in a gene that causes osteochondromatosis in humans.AnimalsA litter of 9 American Staffordshire puppies, their sire and dam, 3 of 4 grandparents, 26 healthy unrelated American Staffordshire Terriers, and 154 dogs of 27 different breeds.MethodsWhole genome sequencing was performed on the proband, and variants were compared against polymorphisms derived from 154 additional dogs across 27 breeds, as well as single nucleotide polymorphism database 146. One variant was selected for follow‐up sequencing. Parentage and genetic mosaicism were evaluated across the litter.ResultsWe found 56,301 genetic variants unique to the proband. Eleven variants were located in or near the gene exostosin 2 (EXT2), which is strongly associated with osteochondromatosis in humans. One heterozygous variant (c.969C > A) is predicted to result in a stop codon in exon 5 of the gene. Sanger sequencing identified the identical mutation in all affected offspring. The mutation was absent in the unaffected offspring, both parents, all available grandparents, and 26 healthy unrelated American Staffordshire Terriers.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThese findings represent the first reported mutation associated with osteochondromatosis in dogs. Because this mutation arose de novo, the identical mutation is unlikely to be the cause of osteochondromatosis in other dogs. However, de novo mutations in EXT2 are common in humans with osteochondromatosis, and by extension, it is possible that dogs with osteochondromatosis could be identified by sequencing the entire EXT2 gene.

Prevalence of canine parvovirus infection in Grand Tunis, Tunisia

Objective: The aim of this work was to describe the prevalence of Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) infection in young dogs of clinical cases presented at the National School of Veterinary Medicine clinic coming from four different governorates of Tunisia, according to epidemiological parameters: sex, breed, age, period, and vaccination status. Materials and methods: 168 domestic juvenile dogs aged between one and seven months were selected based on their pattern of consultation (diarrhea or anorexia with or without vomiting). Data were collected from the database during the period going from September 2012 to July 2013. Results: The overall prevalence of CPV-2 was 32.14% (n=54/168). A total number of 54 young dogs, aging 1 to 7 months, of American Staffordshire terrier, German shepherd, Rottweiler and Spaniel breeds were affected. There was no sex predisposition and German shepherd was the over-represented breed (n=33/54; 61.11%). The prevalence of clinical cases below the three months old was 70.37% (n=38/54) with autumn (n=27/54; 50%) as the most common season of infection. Furthermore, the study showed that 87.04% (n=47/54) of CPV-2 unvaccinated young dogs were positive. Conclusion: This work was a new descriptive study concerning canine parvovirus infection in the Grand Tunis; further studies are required to better characterize the epidemiology of CPV-2 infection in Tunisia. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2018.e251

Epidemiological Study of Canine Mast Cell Tumours According to the Histological Malignancy Grade.

The aim of the study was to identify significant relationships between the tumour malignancy grade and dogs' age, breed, sex, size, and location of mast cell tumours (MCTs). MCTs accounted for 13.27% of all diagnosed canine skin tumours. The highest incidence was recorded among Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Golden Retrievers. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher probability of occurrence of the grade I mast cell tumour in the French Bulldog in the head, neck, torso, and limb regions, the grade-II mast cell tumour in Boxer, Doberman, Dachshund, shepherds, and setters in the scrotal region, and the grade III mast cell tumour in Shar-Pei in the axilla region. In the group of the oldest dogs aged 11-16, there was higher risk of development of MCTs grade II and III. Young dogs (aged 2-3 and 4-6) were found to be more prone to development of MCTs grade I. There was no correlation between MCTs grade and dogs' sex and size. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report on statistical relationships between the degree of mast cell tumour malignancy and dogs' phenotypic traits, age and tumour location. This analysis indicate predilections for development of the particular mast cell tumour malignancy degrees in certain dog breeds, age, and anatomical location.

Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and left atrial strain imaging features of a dog with atrial flutter and third-degree atrioventricular block

A 14-year-old American Staffordshire terrier was presented for episodes of exercise-induced syncope. At admission, atrial flutter coupled to third-degree atrioventricular block was diagnosed electrocardiographically. On the second day of hospitalization, surface electrocardiogram revealed spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm with persistence of atrioventricular block. Complete transthoracic echocardiograms were performed after each electrocardiographic examination. The combined use of conventional echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging-based modalities allowed to investigate the atrial electromechanical correlation and function during typical atrial flutter and after its resolution.

Neumorraquis postraumático en un perro de raza American Staffordshire Terrier

Pneumorrhachis is the presence of intratracheal air and may be extra or intramedullary. Its relationship with traumatic events in the thoracic cavity such as pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum has been demonstrated. We present the case of a dog of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed, which suffered a fall accident from a height of two floors, producing a severe thoracic trauma with the presence of pneumomediastinum. Thoracentesis was performed to restore respiratory function and thoracic negativity. In the neurological examination, the patient presented spastic paraplegia, hyperesthesia at the level of the thoracolumbar spine and urinary incontinence. Simple x-rays of the spine were taken without conclusive results, so a multislice helical tomography was performed, finding air in the intrarachidian location compatible with traumatic Pneumorrhachis. Although the Pneumorrhachis is reported as benign, in the present case, it triggered severe alterations in the medullary tissue with serious neurological consequences.

Metabolizable energy intake of client-owned adult dogs.

A post hoc analysis of the metabolizable energy (ME) intake of privately owned pet dogs from the authors' nutrition consultation practice (Years 2007-2011) was carried out to identify if current ME recommendations are suitable for pet dogs. Data on 586 adult dogs were available (median age 5.5, median deviation from ideal weight 0.0), 55 of them were healthy; the others had various diseases. For ration calculation, a standardized questionnaire and the software diet-check Munich(™) was used. ME was predicted according to NRC (2006). Data were evaluated for the factors disease, breed, size, age, gender and type of feeding. The mean ME intake of all adult dogs amounted to 0.410±0.121 MJ/kg metabolic body weight (BW(0.75) ) (n=586). There was no effect of size and disease. Overweight dogs ate 0.360±0.121 MJ/kg BW(0.75) , and underweight dogs ate 0.494±0.159 MJ/kg BW(0.75) . Older dogs (>7years, n=149, 0.389±0.105 MJ/kg BW(0.75) ) had a lower ME intake than younger ones (n=313, 0.419±0.121 MJ/kg BW(0.75) ), and intact males had a higher ME intake than the others (p<0.001). Some breeds were above average: Jack Russell Terrier, Dalmatian, small Munsterlander and Magyar Viszla, Bearded Collies, Sight Hounds, German Boxers, English foxhounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Flat-Coated Retrievers with a mean ME intake of 0.473±0.121 MJ/kg BW(0.75) . The following breeds were below average: Dachshunds, Bichons, West highland White Terrier, Collies except Bearded Collies, Airedale Terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and Golden Retrievers with a mean ME intake of 0.343±0.096 MJ/kg BW(0.75) . The mean maintenance energy requirements of pet dogs are similar to that of kennel dogs which do not exercise very much. These results suggest that opportunity and stimulus to exercise provided for pet dogs are lower than for kennel dogs. Lower activity in pet dogs may reduce part of potential effects of breed, medical history and age groups.

Suspected neospora-associated myocarditis in a dog

Neosporosis was diagnosed in an American Staffordshire Terrier with collapse and arrhythmia episodes by serological and cardiovascular examination. Clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of Neospora caninum are described. The dog did not develop any neurological abnormality, which is the most common manifestation. Furthermore, the dog was also serologically positive for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and negative for Bartonella henselae and Borrelia burgdorferi. Serological diagnosis was achieved by indirect immunofluorescence. The arrhythmia, cardiac markers, biochemistry, complete blood count and clinical signs gradually improved following therapy with clindamycin and antiarrhythmic therapy. After 3 months of therapy Toxoplasma gondii titres persisted low but Neospora caninum titres changed to negative values. According to the veterinary literature and to the authors’ knowledge this was one of the few cases successfully treated for this condition. These observations demonstrated that neosporosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of myocarditis in dogs and can be successfully treated by supportive therapy and clindamycin.

Multicentric lymphoma in 411 dogs - an epidemiological study

To provide an overview of the epidemiology of canine multicentric lymphoma in Germany. A total of 411 dogs with multicentric malignant lymphoma were retrospectively analysed regarding breed, age, sex, weight and the number of animals dogs with hypercalcaemic lymphoma and B-/T-immunophenotype, and compared to two reference populations (total own clinic population, n = 52 142; dogs with health insurance in Germany, n = 123 423). In total, 298 (72.5%) of the 411 dogs belonged to 86 different breeds, while 113 (27.5%) dogs were mixed breed. In comparison to both reference populations, a breed predisposition for the American Pitbull Terrier (odds ratio [OR] 5.2 and 18.5), American Staffordshire Terrier (OR 3.3 and 4.6), Briard (OR 5.6 and 9.5), Bullmastiff (OR 7.8 and 5.0), Irish Setter (OR 3.3 and 4.1) and Rottweiler (OR 2.8 and 3.6) was found. Golden Retrievers (n=22, OR 1.3 and 0.9) and Bernese Mountain Dogs (n=22, OR 2.4 and 2.0) were frequently affected in absolute numbers, but when compared to the reference populations an OR < 3 was detected. Mean body weight was 30.2±13.7kg; only 75 (18%) dogs weighed <15kg. Amongst the small dogs (<15kg), there was a large number of West Highland White Terriers (n=12). Mean age of the dogs with lymphoma was 7.9±2.7years. Dogs weighing ≥ 15 kg were significantly (p < 0.001) younger (7.6± 2.4years) compared to dogs weighing <15kg (9.3±3.2years). Dogs with a B-cell immunophenotype (8.5±2.6years) were significantly older compared to dogs with a T-cell immunophenotype (6.4± 1.8years) (p<0.001). There was no gender predisposition (54% male, 46% female). Hypercalcaemia as an indicator of T-cell lymphoma was present in 44 (11.4%) of the dogs. A T-cell and B-cell immunophenotype was found in 20.6% and 79.4% of the dogs, respectively. This study confirms previous data about breed predispositions for canine malignant multicentric lymphoma and demonstrates that further breeds are predisposed (Briard, West Highland White Terrier, Irish Setter). Small-breed dogs (<15kg BM) appear to be affected with lymphoma at a greater age.

Neuronale Zeroidlipofuszinose bei einem adulten American Staffordshire Terrier

A female, 5-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier with severe progressive neurological deficits, particularly in terms of ataxia and keeping balance, was examined pathomorphologically and a genetic analysis was performed. In neurons of various localizations of the central nervous system an accumulation of a finely granular pale eosinophilic or light brown material was found. In addition, the cerebellum revealed marked degeneration and loss of Purkinje and inner granule cells. The accumulated PAS-positive, argyrophilic, autofluorescent material showed ultrastructurally a lamellar appearance suggestive of lipofuscin. Genetic analysis revealed the presence of a sequence variant in the ARSG gene encoding the lysosomal enzyme arylsulfatase G. This case report describes an adult-onset of a neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis that shows similarities with a human disorder termed Kufs disease.

A retrospective study of canine prostatic diseases from 2002 to 2009 at the Alfort Veterinary College in France

A retrospective study was used to investigate the incidence of prostatic diseases in a large population of dogs at Alfort Veterinary Hospital and to clarify epidemiologic features, which might be of a great help to veterinarians in managing and discriminating prostatic disorders. During the investigation period, a total of 72,300 male dogs (coming mainly from the Ile-de-France region) were registered in the Alfort Veterinary College database, and 481 of them (0.7%) were found to have prostatic disorder. The diagnosis was carried out on the basis of clinical signs and ultrasound findings. Among dogs experiencing a prostatic disorder, most frequently recorded diseases were benign prostatic hyperplasia (45.9%) and prostatitis (38.5%), followed by abscesses (7.7%), cysts (5.0%), neoplasia (2.6%), and squamous metaplasia (0.2%). Our study revealed an incidence of 0.3% of prostatic disorders observed in intact male dogs, except in the case of prostatic neoplasia. The mean age of the dogs experiencing prostatic disorders was 8.6 ± 3.2 years. This was significantly different (P < 0.001). Large dogs were significantly more affected by prostatic disorders (P < 0.05), except for prostatic neoplasia. A breed predisposition was suspected in German Shepherd (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5–2.9), Rottweiler (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2–2.7), American Staffordshire Terrier (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 2.5–5.8), Berger de Beauce (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 2.2–6.1), and Bernese Mountain Dog (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3–4.7).

Inconsistent identification of pit bull-type dogs by shelter staff

Shelter staff and veterinarians routinely make subjective dog breed identification based on appearance, but their accuracy regarding pit bull-type breeds is unknown. The purpose of this study was to measure agreement among shelter staff in assigning pit bull-type breed designations to shelter dogs and to compare breed assignments with DNA breed signatures. In this prospective cross-sectional study, four staff members at each of four different shelters recorded their suspected breed(s) for 30 dogs; there was a total of 16 breed assessors and 120 dogs. The terms American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, pit bull, and their mixes were included in the study definition of ‘pit bull-type breeds.’Using visual identification only, the median inter-observer agreements and kappa values in pair-wise comparisons of each of the staff breed assignments for pit bull-type breed vs. not pit bull-type breed ranged from 76% to 83% and from 0.44 to 0.52 (moderate agreement), respectively. Whole blood was submitted to a commercial DNA testing laboratory for breed identification. Whereas DNA breed signatures identified only 25 dogs (21%) as pit bull-type, shelter staff collectively identified 62 (52%) dogs as pit bull-type. Agreement between visual and DNA-based breed assignments varied among individuals, with sensitivity for pit bull-type identification ranging from 33% to 75% and specificity ranging from 52% to 100%. The median kappa value for inter-observer agreement with DNA results at each shelter ranged from 0.1 to 0.48 (poor to moderate). Lack of consistency among shelter staff indicated that visual identification of pit bull-type dogs was unreliable.

IQCB1andPDE6BMutations Cause Similar Early Onset Retinal Degenerations in Two Closely Related Terrier Dog Breeds

To identify the causative mutations in two early-onset canine retinal degenerations, crd1 and crd2, segregating in the American Staffordshire terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier breeds, respectively. Retinal morphology of crd1- and crd2-affected dogs was evaluated by light microscopy. DNA was extracted from affected and related unaffected controls. Association analysis was undertaken using the Illumina Canine SNP array and PLINK (crd1 study), or the Affymetrix Version 2 Canine array, the "MAGIC" genotype algorithm, and Fisher's Exact test for association (crd2 study). Positional candidate genes were evaluated for each disease. Structural photoreceptor abnormalities were observed in crd1-affected dogs as young as 11-weeks old. Rod and cone inner segment (IS) and outer segments (OS) were abnormal in size, shape, and number. In crd2-affected dogs, rod and cone IS and OS were abnormal as early as 3 weeks of age, progressing with age to severe loss of the OS, and thinning of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) by 12 weeks of age. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified association at the telomeric end of CFA3 in crd1-affected dogs and on CFA33 in crd2-affected dogs. Candidate gene evaluation identified a three bases deletion in exon 21 of PDE6B in crd1-affected dogs, and a cytosine insertion in exon 10 of IQCB1 in crd2-affected dogs. Identification of the mutations responsible for these two early-onset retinal degenerations provides new large animal models for comparative disease studies and evaluation of potential therapeutic approaches for the homologous human diseases.