Dogs Of Different Sex Research Articles

PREVALENCE OF TOXOCARA CANIS AND ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES OF THE COMMUNITY IN BISHOFTU TOWN, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of Toxocara canis, potential risk factors, and knowledge, attitude, and practices in Bishoftu, central Ethiopia. Fecal samples were taken from 300 randomly selected dogs of different sex, age group, breeds, and diarrheal status. The samples were processed using a flotation technique to detect the eggs of Toxocara canis. The current result revealed an overall prevalence of 32.33% (95% CI: 27.07 - 37.95) of Toxocara canis. The prevalence of the disease was 30.30% (95% CI: 22.61 - 38.90), 31.06% (95% CI: 23.30 - 39.70), and 44.44% (95% CI: 27.94 - 61.90) in young, adult and older dogs, respectively. The prevalence of Toxocara canis was 32.43% (95% CI: 26.77 - 38.50) and 31.71% (95% CI: 18.08 - 48.09) in female and male dogs, respectively. The present findings indicated that there were statistically significant links between the prevalence of Toxocara canis regarding dog breeds and diarrheal status (p < 0.05). The prevalence was higher in German Shepherd breed dogs (56.52%; 95% CI: 34.49 - 76.81) than in local dog breeds (30.32%; 95% CI: 24.97 - 36.11). The prevalence of the disease was higher in diarrheic dogs (46.48%; 95% CI: 34.55 - 58.71) than in non-diarrheic dogs (27.95%; 95% CI: 22.24 - 34.24). The knowledge, attitude, and practice assessment in the present study indicated poor dog management practices and insufficient public awareness. Most dog owners (56.7%; 95% CI: 50.85 - 62.35) did not deworm their dogs regularly, while 90.67% (95% CI: 86.79 - 93.71) fed dogs raw animal products. The present finding indicated that most respondents were not aware of zoonotic canine parasites (83.7%; 95% CI: 81.18 - 89.43) and toxocariasis (80.7%; 95% CI: 75.74 - 84.98). This study demonstrates a higher prevalence of Toxocara canis and lower public awareness about the disease. Therefore, this study recommends strategic deworming of dogs, better dog management, and increased public awareness in order to control the impact of the disease on animal and human health.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Ehrlichia canis Isolates from Three Geographic Regions in Mexico: A Retrospective Study.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is the most common tick-borne disease affecting domestic dogs and other wild canids. It has a worldwide distribution and is associated with the presence of the brown dog tick. Few studies have been conducted in Mexico to identify and characterize Ehrlichia canis genetic variability. In the present study, 111 dogs of different sex, breed, and age from three geographic regions in Mexico were included. All of them had a previous history of tick infestation and/or the presence of one or more clinical signs compatible with CME. All dogs were tested by a commercial ELISA and nested PCR assay for the detection of E. canis. In addition, we analyzed the E. canis genetic diversity from the 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained in this study, along with 15 additional sequences described for E. canis in Mexico and obtained from GeneBank. Serological detection by commercial ELISA results showed overall infection rates of 85.58% (95/111), including 73.1% (30/41) in samples from Guerrero state; 75% (15/20) in Morelos; and 100% (50/50) in Chihuahua. On the other hand, molecular detection (nPCR assay) showed 31.5% (35/111) overall infection rate, with 41.4% (17/41) in Guerrero state; 55% (11/20) in Morelos; and 14% (7/50) in Chihuahua. We observed a high 16S rRNA gene sequence conservancy in most of the E. canis isolates in the three geographical areas from Mexico, including those analyzed in this research, suggesting a common geographic origin among isolates.

Histological Findings and T2 Relaxation Time in Canine Menisci of Elderly Dogs—An Ex Vivo Study in Stifle Joints

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that often affects the canine stifle joint. Due to their biomechanical function, the menisci in the canine stifle play an important role in osteoarthritis. They compensate for the incongruence in the joint and distribute and minimize compressive loads, protecting the hyaline articular cartilage from damage. Meniscal degeneration favors the development and progression of stifle joint osteoarthritis. Qualitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the current golden standard for detecting meniscal changes, but it has limitations in detecting early signs of meniscal degeneration. A quantitative MRI offers new options for detecting early structural changes. T2 mapping can especially visualize structural changes such as altered collagen structures and water content, as well as deviations in proteoglycan content. This study evaluated T2 mapping and performed a histological scoring of menisci in elderly dogs that had no or only low radiographic osteoarthritis grades. A total of 16 stifles from 8 older dogs of different sex and breed underwent ex vivo magnet resonance imaging, including a T2 mapping pulse sequence with multiple echoes. A histological analysis of corresponding menisci was performed using a modified scoring system. The mean T2 relaxation time was 18.2 ms and the mean histological score was 4.25. Descriptive statistics did not reveal a correlation between T2 relaxation time and histological score. Ex vivo T2 mapping of canine menisci did not demonstrate histological changes, suggesting that early meniscal degeneration can be present in the absence of radiological signs of osteoarthritis, including no significant changes in T2 relaxation time.

Surveillance of ectoparasite of dogs in the State of Tripura

A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 to October 2022, to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites in dogs of different sex, breed and age groups in Tripura. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites, determine associated risk factors and identify the most important ectoparasites species of dogs in four districts of Tripura. A total of 528 dogs were screened for ectoparasites and were identified using standard taxonomic keys.Of 528 dogs, 69.69% (368/528) were positive to one or more ectoparasites. Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick was the most prevalent species (54.92%) followed by fleas Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis (41.47%), lice Trichodectis canis (3.03%) and mites demodex spp. and sarcoptes scabies var. canis (8.90%). No significant difference (p>0.05) was seen in the district wise prevalence but during study period significant difference (p

Red blood cells morphology and morphometry in adult, senior, and geriatricians dogs by optical and scanning electron microscopy.

Red blood cells (RBC) morphologic evaluation through microscopy optical (OM) and SEM, provides information to forecast, evaluate, and monitor the functioning of many organs. Factors, such aging and diseases affect RBC morphology in both, human and animals. SEM is useful to evaluate RBC morphology, although its use in diagnosis and evaluation in dogs is limited, due to the availability and cost. The aim of this research was to assess the normal RBC morphology in adult, senior and geriatrician dogs, clinically healthy by OM and SEM. In addition to evaluating the age effect, sex, body size, and their interaction on erythrocyte morphometry. To carry out the research 152 blood samples were evaluated from dogs of different sexes and body sizes (small, medium, and large). Three groups were made based on dogs age: group I adults (1-7.9 years old), group II senior (8-11.9 years old), and group III geriatricians (>12 years old). Erythrocyte parameters were evaluated by OM (diameter, height, and axial ratio). Per each dog, the parameters of 20 erythrocytes were measured. A total of 2,600 cells were scanned with the AmScope™ Software scale. In addition, the RBC morphology was evaluated by SEM. Statistical analyses used analysis of variance and a general linear model, which allows the comparison of multiple factors at two or more levels (p < 0.05). The results of this study showed that diameter and height were lower in adult dogs than in senior and geriatrician dogs (p < 0.05). Whereas, sex, body size, and the interaction did not show a significant effect (p > 0.05). Additionally, some images of anisocytosis, polychromasia, and poikilocytosis (echinocytes, acanthocytes, codocytes, spherocytes, stomatocytes, dacryocytes quatrefoil, and elliptocytes) were obtained by OM and SEM. Our study provides information about the morphological and morphometry alterations of adult, senior, and geriatrician dogs RBC. This work contributes to future investigations and the diagnosing diseases, where it is necessary to evaluate the morphology of RBC.

Efficacy, tolerability and safety study of zinc hyaluronan for dogs with osteoarthritis

Relevance. In recent years, the problems of arthrology have become more relevant among domestic and farm animals. The significance of the article is due to the fact that in the Russian market of veterinary drugs, there is obviously a small number of drugs for the treatment of various pathologies of the joints, created on the basis of hyaluronic acid.Methods. 32 dogs of different sexes and breeds aged from 8 to 13 years with destructive-degenerative pathologies of the joints were selected for the study. Animals were treated with hyaluronic acid with zinc. Research methods: hematological analysis, general clinical examination.Results. In the process of drug therapy, in 81.25% of dogs was noted an increase in motor activity. Also, 7 days after the 5th injection of the drug, there was a significant decrease in the manifestations of starting pains up to their complete absence. The main positive changes in the course of arthrosis in dogs, according to all evaluation criteria, reached their maximum manifestation after 3–4th injections and remained practically unchanged by the 5th injection. The results of a biochemical study of blood serum indicate that against the background of the use of the drug in dogs with osteoarthritis, no significant changes were found that characterize the main types of metabolism. According to the results of hematological studies, it can be noted that in dogs receiving therapy with hyaluronic acid with zinc, there is a steady positive trend in a number of hematological parameters. So, a week after the 5th injection of the “Drug” there was a decrease in the total number of platelets. The percentage of eosinophils in the leukocyte formula stabilized to the upper values of the reference range. It is appropriate to emphasize that the “Drug” does not exhibit the properties of an antigen, and has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

Evaluation of body surface temperature variations in dogs affected by spinal cord injuries during physiotherapy exercise in a water treadmill

The aim this study was to evaluate variation in body surface temperature (BST) in healthy and spinal cord injured (SCI) dogs, and to outline temperature variation at rest (T0), during (T1) and after (T2) water-treadmill physiotherapy sessions in SCI using infrared thermography (IRT). Sixty-seven dogs of different sex, breed, body weight and age were enrolled: 14 healthy dogs and 53 dogs affected by disc pathologies. The study examined three regions of interest (ROIs): the total image of the spine (IMAGE), the spinal cord area from 1st thoracic vertebra to the last lumbar vertebra (AR01) and the surgery wound or spinal cord lesion area (AR02). Significant BST variations between healthy and SCI were reported in T°max and T°max-min (ΔT) values in IMAGE (P < 0.05). In SCI group, AR01 and AR02 assessment showed an increase in temperature ate the sited of the injured area and adjacent body structures. In SCI, a significant effect of water-treadmill exercise in AR01 and AR02 was reported. In fact, both AR01 and AR02 reported higher BST (T°max, T°mean, T°min and ΔT) during the physical exercise (T1), representing the response to physical activity of the spine vascularization, muscles and column contiguous tissues. Furthermore, in T2, the same areas reported a significant lower BST (T°max, T°mean, and ΔT), related to a decrease in tissue inflammation on the target area of the water treadmill physiotherapy. This study highlights how IRT can detect BST variations associated with injured areas. In addition, IRT revealed a positive effect of water-treadmill exercise on the injured spinal cord areas, thus it could be a viable non-invasive and rapid method to support both clinical examination and assessment of the effectiveness of medical treatment in SCI.

Influência do tempo de análise nos parâmetros hematológicos&#x0D;

The blood count is one of the fundamental tests to analyze the dog's general clinical status. Through hematological analysis can be established for diagnosis, diagnosis and also monitor the animal's health, indicating possible bacterial, viral or parasitological infections. Given the importance of performing the blood count, this work aims to prove changes caused by the storage time of samples stored at the ideal temperature suggested in the literature (from 2° to 6° C) and refrigerated for 24, 48 and 72 hours, through the analysis of hematological parameters such as hematocrit, erythrocytes, total leukocyte counts, leukocyte differentiation, hemoglobin, protein, platelets, mean corpuscular volume (VCM), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (CHCM) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (HCM) . Blood samples from three dogs of different sex, breed, weight and sizes were used, which after having carried out their anamnesis, two blood samples were collected from each animal for hematological analysis. With a sample of each dog, the exam was performed immediately (time 0) and the other samples were analyzed after 24, 48 and 72 hours. All samples were stored in all anticoagulant EDTA. The samples analyzed at time 0 and those analyzed within 24 hours kept some parameters the same. Those that maintained the values were hematocrit, hemoglobin, protein and CHCM. The other parameters such as erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, MCV and HCM, obtained changes, but satisfactory results. In the 48- and 72-hours analyses, the parameters showed significant changes.

Echocardiographic Pulmonary to Left Atrial Ratio in Dogs (ePLAR): A Differential Marker of Pre- and Postcapillary Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) in dogs is a complicated syndrome that could be primary, due to idiopathic or genetic causes, or secondary due to pulmonary disease, pulmonary thromboembolism, heartworm disease, heart failure. Due to the inability of the routine use of right heart catheterization in veterinary patients, there is a lack of differential criteria between PH forms. This study was performed to verify ePLAR as a differential marker in PH forms. Analyze wide specter of echocardiography-derived markers and novel ePLAR-marker to find efficient parameters in PH differentiation and ePLAR accuracy. We studied 59 dogs of different sex, age and breed. Groups were formed according to a primary pathology: Healthy dogs (HD, n = 8); dogs with MMVD and postcapillary PH (PostPH, n = 23); dogs with MMVD and precapillary PH (PrePH, n = 28). Animals in the study were diagnosed with the primary disease by standard echocardiographic methods and algorithms. In Post PH, LA was significantly larger than in the PrePH and the control. Left vertical walls were thicker in the PrePH than in the PostPH. Left ventricle diameter was higher in the PostPH than in the control and the Pre-PH. PV was smaller in the PrePH than in the Post PH and the control (р<0.001 and р<0.021). PV/RPA in the PrePH was lower than in the control and in the PostPH (р<0.001). AT was lower in the PrePH and the PostPH. AT/ET ratio was higher in the control to both experimental. AT/ET was lower in the PrePH to the PostPH. RV was dilated both in the PrePH and the PostPH to control. RV wall thickness was increased in the PrePH in comparison to both control and PostPH. Significant reductionin E-wave velocity for both the PrePH and PostPH to control and PostPH; reduction in A-wave; decreased Е/А. TR velocity was higher in both experimental to control, but didn't differ between each other. ePLAR increased in the PrePH and PostPH to control. In this study we found several echocardiographic parameters to differentiate Pre-and Post-PH forms: LA, LA/Ao, LV diameter, LV/RPA, IVS thickness and a novel in veterinary studies index - EPLAR.

Pre- and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension in dogs: Circulating biomarkers.

Background:Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in dogs is a syndrome that could be primary or secondary due to pulmonary disease, pulmonary thromboembolism, heartworm disease, and heart failure. Due to the inability of right heart catheterization in veterinary patients, there is a lack of differential criteria between PH forms. In some acute cases, it is impossible to provide a full EchoCG or catheterization study. In this situation, circulating markers may be useful to discover the possible mechanism of PH form and provide specific therapy.Aim:Following all previous data in human and veterinary studies, we assumed that plasm concentration of serotonin, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) would show a predominance in affected part of pulmonary circulation. Methods:We studied 59 small-breed dogs of different sexes and ages. Groups were formed according to a primary pathology: healthy dogs (n = 8); dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and postcapillary PH (PostPH, n = 23); dogs with MMVD and precapillary PH (PrePH, n = 28). Animals in the study were diagnosed with the primary disease by standard echocardiographic methods and algorithms. Blood samples were collected at the moment of presentation and frozen in a −80°C fridge. For biochemistry analysis, we used species-specific ELISA kits, provided by Cloud-Clone Corp. (USA). The tests were provided by the means of Almazov National Medical Research Center, IEM laboratory.Results:Dogs with EchoCG-proved PostPH had a higher concentration of VEGF-D in comparison to control and PrePH (р <0.001, for both). There was no difference between the control and PrePH groups (р >0.05). ET-1 was higher in PrePH in comparison to PostPH and control dogs (р <0.001, for both). In addition, there was no difference between the control and PostPH groups (р >0.05). Serotonin concertation did not have a difference between controls and PostPH. However, it was higher in PrePH than in control (р <0.033) and PostPH group (р <0.006). Receiver operating curve analysis showed that plasma concentrations of ET-1 (0.99) and VEGF-D (0.92) had high effectiveness in the differentiation of PostPH and PrePH.Conclusion:This study showed a correlation between circulating biomarkers (serotonin, ET-1, and VEGF-D). We found a connection between ET-1 and right-sided heart failure as well as VEGF-D and left heart failure in the PH context.

Isolation and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry of canine peripheral blood and intraepithelial and lamina propria duodenal T lymphocytes

The gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) effector sites play a crucial role on the pathogenesis of many immune-mediated gastrointestinal diseases. The lymphocytes at these effector sites are principally T cells which present important morphological, phenotypical and functional differences. Flow cytometry (FC) is one of the most commonly used techniques to characterize intestinal lymphocytes in human and animal models. Published studies with a focus on dogs for intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) immunophenotyping exist in very limited numbers. Moreover, no lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) isolation protocols in the canine species have been described for FC evaluation. In addition to immune intestinal dysregulation, imbalances in the peripheral blood immune system have been described in both human and animal gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to provide a protocol for canine IEL and LPL isolation for FC immunophenotyping of T cells subsets. Specifically, T helper, T cytotoxic, activated Th and Tc lymphocytes, regulatory, double negative, double positive, IFN-γ and IL-4 producing T cells, and to compare their respective populations between these effector sites and with the blood stream compartment in healthy dogs. The potential relationship of these cells distributions with age, sex and breed was also evaluated. This study included sixteen healthy dogs of different sexes and breeds with a mean age of 4.55 ± 2.93 years old. The selected protocols for the three immune compartments showed proper cell yield, purity, viability, and the absence of phenotypic and functional disturbances. Histologically, an adequate separation of the duodenal epithelium from the lamina propria was also observed. All the proposed T cells subsets were identified in the three immune compartments studied, showing some statistically significant differences in their distributions at these locations that highlight the importance of their individual evaluation. This study provides an adequate method for canine small intestine IEL and LPL isolation for FC immunophenotyping and is key for future studies on the gastrointestinal immune system associated with different canine diseases.

Histochemical characteristics and distribution of lipofuscin and polyglucosan bodies in the brain of dogs more than 10 years old

The ageing process is accompanied by numerous changes in the brain of dogs, such as accumulation of amyloid, fibrosis of blood vessel walls and meninges, accumulation of lipofuscin, and the presence of polyglucosan bodies (PGBs), satellitosis and neuronophagia. In this study, the presence of lipofuscin and PGBs in various parts of the brain in dogs of different sexes and ages was examined. For this purpose, brain samples were stained using haematoxylin eosin, modified Ziehl Neelsen and Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) methods. Lipofuscin was visualised by Ziehl Neelsen and PAS methods of specific staining on the same brain tissue segments. Lipofuscin had accumulated in 93% of old (more than 10 years old) dog brains, mostly in neurons of the medulla oblongata. The percentage of age-related lipofuscin pigment in other examined brain tissue segments was lower than in the medulla oblongata. There was a small difference in the percentage of lipofuscin-positive individuals between the two staining methods. The presence of PGBs was established by the PAS method for the vast majority (about 93%) of the old dogs (more than 10 years old), while PGBs were not detected in the group of young dogs (up to 5 years old). However, PGBs occurred in all examined segments of the dog?s brain tissues (for each of the tissue types, from 90% to 93% of dogs were positive for PGBs). The results obtained the oldest dogs (15 years old) harboured PGBs both extracellularly and intracellularly, while in other dogs, only extracellular PGBs were seen. Lipofuscin was accumulated mostly in large neurons of olivary nuclei of the medulla oblongata. PGBs were confirmed in all examined segments of the brain tissue of dogs more than 10 years old. This is one of the numerous indications that old dogs could be a very good animal model for studying the normal ageing process or neurodegenerative diseases.

Working qualities of search dogs of German and Belgian shepherd breeds

The main tasks for which canine units of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine use search dogs are: inspection of various areas and search operations to identify persons who have committed or intend to commit offenses, their odors and things, detection of persons moving or hiding in the condition of limited visibility in the area; prosecution of offenders, their detention, protection and escort; inspection of trucks and localization of persons hiding in these vehicles; odorological identification of odorous traces of detainees and their belongings; strengthening the personal security of law enforcement officers during their service; psychological impact on offenders. The fundamentals for the active use of dogs in official activities are the physiological features of the olfactory analyser and the physical capabilities of the dog's body. The most common breeds used to perform the outlined tasks are: German shepherd, Bloodhound, Belgian shepherd (Malinois) and others. The article reflects the comparative characteristics of the working qualities of search dogs of German and Belgian (Malinois) shepherd dogs of different sexes and ages. The study was conducted on service dogs in the Canine Training Center of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine located in Velyki Mosty, Sokal district, Lviv region. The working qualities of search dogs were assessed by the skills of obedience, protection, pursuit of a person on his odor trail, secure of the area and detection of a person hiding and moving, selection of odorous objects (things), search and detection of objects (things). It is fixed that the working qualities of search dogs are influenced by breed and sex. Among the males of the German and Belgian (Malinois) Shepherd breeds, the service dogs of the German Shepherd breed were noted for the best working qualities, and among the female – the Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) breeds. A generalized assessment of all four sections of the studied breeds showed that the best performance was in males of the German Shepherd breed (325.4 points) and females of the Belgian Shepherd breed (Malinois) (325.9 points), and among individuals of different sexes – males compared to females of the German Shepherd breed and females compared to males of the Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) breed. Two-year-old males and one-year-old females of the German shepherd breed and two-year-old females of the Belgian Shepherd breed (Malinois) were noted for the best working qualities in terms of skills to be evaluated. As for males of the last breed, their testing qualities almost did not depend on age. The strength of the influence of the breed of service dogs on their working qualities in the skills to be assessed ranged from 0.6 to 6.8 %, sex – from 0.1 to 7.3 % and age - from 0.1 to 11.4 %. The general assessment of service dogs in all sections was generally influenced by their age (1.6 %).

Epizootology and biochemical Pparameters of Dogs with babesiosis in barnaul

The purpose of the research is studying the epizootology of babesiosis and biochemical parameters of dogs with babesiosis in Barnaul. Materials and methods. The studies were conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Epizootology, Parasitology and Veterinary-Sanitary Examination of the Altai State Agrarian University and at the Barnaul Central Veterinary Hospital. Statistical analysis was performed according to the laboratory research journal from 2013 to 2017. Babesiosis was diagnosed based on clinical evidence and microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total and conjugated bilirubin, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, calcium and phosphorus contained in the blood serum was determined. In total, 1258 blood samples of dogs of different sex, age and breed were examined. In order to identify age-related features in hematological parameters, we formed 4 groups of 30 dogs in each age group. We studied indicators such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the total number of red blood cells, and white blood cells, hemoglobin concentration and color index, and counted formed elements. The spread of ixodic ticks was studied in Barnaul and a suburban area of Chernitsky Forest. Ixodic ticks were collected on flag. A total of 535 live ticks of the Ixodidae family were collected. The species of ixodic ticks was identified using the Guide to arachnoentomoses. Results and discussion. The rate of babesia infection in dogs was 36.3%. Most often babesiosis occurs in outbred dogs, the terrier, German Shepherd dog, Cocker Spaniel, Central Asian Shepherd dog and dachshund. Males, especially those over the age of 8, are more infected with Babesia. Most cases of dog lesions by babesiosis occur in Zheleznodorozhny, Central and Industrial Districts of Barnaul. The disease is diagnosed from early April to late June, and from early August to late October. Significant indicators for identifying the pathology of individual systems and organs of the animal affected by babesiosis are aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, total and conjugated bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. The level of total protein under the age of two years is lowered, while calcium and phosphorus are within physiological values.

Study of Correlations between Clinical Signs and Morphological Features Identified in Dogs Affected with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract This paper evaluates possible relations between the clinical activity and the histopathological findings of the entire intestine in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To perform this study, hospital records of 64 dogs of different sex and breed diagnosed with IBD were evaluated. The results of this study did not show a statistically significant correlation between clinical activity and the histopathological assessment of dogs with IBD. Certain connections were found between diarrhea and lacteal dilation in duodenum, and hematochezia and villous epithelial injury in colon but no other associations were found between the rest of the lesions and symptoms.

Metabolic markers of myocardium insulin resistance in dogs with heart failure.

Background:Heart failure syndrome is an aspect of primary or secondary heart disease and is associated with decompensation, formation, and activation of pathological interactions between regulation systems. This results in myocardial energy metabolism alteration. This study was carried out to defy some metabolic aspects of myocardial tissue insulin resistance (IRM) development in canine heart failure.Aim:To investigate the myocardial tissue concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glucose transporters 1 and 4, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), hexokinase 2, insulin receptor (InsR), and adropin (ADR) protein and to screen metabolic changes and IRM in canine myocardium with heart failure.Methods:We studied 28 dogs of different sexes, ages, and breeds. Groups were formed according to primary pathology: apparently healthy dogs (HD, n = 6); dogs with CDVD (CDVDD, n = 8); dogs with DCM (DCMD, n = 6); and dogs with doxorubicin chemotherapy and doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DoxCMD, n = 8). Animals in the study were diagnosed for primary disease by standard methods and algorithms. Animals were euthanized due to incurable neurological disease, refractory heart failure, or by owners will. The material was obtained immediately after death, fixed in liquid nitrogen, and stored in −80°C refrigerator. Studied proteins concentrations were analyzed in a specialized research laboratory, using ELISA kits, provided by Cloud-Clone Corp.Results:ATP, GLUT1, and GLUT4 concentrations in myocardial tissue from the valvular disease group did not differ from the HD group. In CDVD, we found depression of PDH, hexokinase II (HX2), and ADR concentrations in comparison to HD. InsR was significantly lower in the CDVD and DoxCMD groups in comparison to the HD group, but in the DCM group, it was twofold higher than in the HD group. In the DCMD and DoxCMD groups, all parameters were lower than in the HD group. ATP, HX2, ADR, GLUT1, and GLUT4 were higher in the CDVD group, than in the DCM and DoxCM groups. PDH in the CDVD and DoxCM groups did not differ. PDH was depleted in the DCM to CDVD and DoxCM groups. InsR did not differ between the CDVD and DoxCM groups, but was upregulated in the DCM to CDVD and DoxCM groups.Conclusion:Development of myocardial tissue IRM is a part of the structural, functional and metabolic remodeling in dogs with heart failure of different etiology. At the late stages, we found significant changes in energy supply availability and production in the myocardium.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and reference values for the fasting blood glucose levels of locally available breeds of dogs in Warri, Nigeria

There are no reports in available literature on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs in Nigeria and reference values for fasting blood glucose levels (FBGL) of locally available dog breeds. This study evaluated the FBGL of dogs presented for veterinary care in Warri, Nigeria, determined the prevalence of DM in the dog population, and also established reference values for the FBGL of dog breeds. A cross-sectional survey of FBGL of dogs presented for veterinary care in Warri, Nigeria, from January to December 2015 was done in five veterinary hospitals/clinics. The FBGL was measured using a glucometer, and diagnosis of DM was based on the WHO criteria as modified for dogs. A total of 2750 dogs were evaluated, and 6 (0.22%) of them were diabetic. The prevalence of DM in the dogs was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with age and breed category, but not with sex. There were significant variations (p < 0.05) in the mean FBGL reference values of dogs of different sexes, age groups, and breed categories. The 0.22% prevalence of DM recorded in the dog population studied lies within the estimated worldwide prevalence of canine DM, and there were significant differences in the FBGL reference values of dogs of different breeds, ages, and sex.

Parasites gastro-intestinaux chez les chiens à Lubumbashi

Une étude parasitologique a été menée en 2015 sur des chiens de sexe, âge et race différents, vivant en liberté dans la ville de Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo. Des échantillons de fèces ont été prélevés et analysés par coproscopie selon une méthode de flottation. Sur les 120 chiens examinés, 78 (65 %) étaient infestés, parmi lesquels 74 (61,7 %) avaient des helminthes gastro-intestinaux et 4 (3,3 %) avaient des coccidies. Les coproscopies ont révélé la présence de cinq espèces de parasites : Ankylostoma spp. (41 chiens), Toxocara canis (22), Toxascaris leonina (8), Isospora canis (4) et Dipylidium caninum (3). I. canis n’a été retrouvé que chez les chiots. Le dépistage fréquent d’ankylostomes et de T. canis suggère qu’il existe à Lubumbashi un risque de contamination de l’homme par ces parasites zoonotiques.

Sex, skull length, breed, and age predict how dogs look at faces of humans and conspecifics.

The gaze of other dogs and humans is informative for dogs, but it has not been explored which factors predict face-directed attention. We used image presentations of unfamiliar human and dog heads, facing the observer (portrait) or facing away (profile), and measured looking time responses. We expected dog portraits to be aversive, human portraits to attract interest, and tested dogs of different sex, skull length and breed function, which in previous work had predicted human-directed attention. Dog portraits attracted longer looking times than human profiles. Mesocephalic dogs looked at portraits longer than at profiles, independent of the species in the image.Overall, brachycephalic dogs and dogs of unspecified breed function (such as mixed breeds) displayed the longest looking times. Among the latter, females observed the images for longer than males, which is in line with human findings on sex differences in processing faces. In a subsequent experiment, we tested whether dog portraits functioned as threatening stimuli. We hypothesized that dogs will avoid food rewards or approach them more slowly in the presence of a dog portrait, but found no effect of image type. In general, older dogs took longer to approach food placed in front of the images and mesocephalic dogs were faster than dogs of other skull length types. The results suggest that short-headed dogs are more attentive to faces, while sex and breed function predict looking times through complex interactions.

Success of a weight loss plan for overweight dogs: The results of an international weight loss study.

IntroductionObesity is a global concern in dogs with an increasing prevalence, and effective weight loss solutions are required that work in different geographical regions. The main objective was to conduct an international, multi-centre, weight loss trial to determine the efficacy of a dietary weight loss intervention in obese pet dogs.MethodsA 3-month prospective observational cohort study of weight loss in 926 overweight dogs was conducted at 340 veterinary practices in 27 countries. Commercially available dry or wet weight loss diets were used, with the initial energy allocation being 250–335 kJ/kg target body weight0.75/day (60–80 kcal/kg target body weight0.75/day) depending on sex and neuter status. The primary outcome measure was percentage weight loss; the main secondary outcomes were changes in activity, quality of life, and food-seeking behaviour, which were subjectively determined from owner descriptions.ResultsAt baseline, median (range) age was 74 (12 to 193) months and median body condition score was 8 (range 7–9). 896 of the 926 dogs (97%) lost weight, with mean weight loss being 11.4 ±5.84%. Sexually intact dogs lost more weight than neutered dogs (P = 0.001), whilst female dogs lost more weight than male dogs (P = 0.007), with the difference being more pronounced in North and South American dogs (median [Q1, Q3]: female: 11.5% [8.5%, 14.5%]; male: 9.1% [6.3%, 12.1%], P = 0.053) compared with those from Europe (female: 12.3% [8.9%, 14.9%]; male: 10.9% [8.6%, 15.4%]). Finally, subjective scores for activity (P<0.001) and quality of life (P<0.001) increased sequentially, whilst scores for food-seeking behaviour decreased sequentially (P<0.001) during the study.ConclusionThis is the largest international multi-centre weight loss study conducted to date in obese dogs. Most dogs lost a clinically significant amount of weight, although there were notable differences between dogs of different sex, neuter status and in different geographical locations.