Middle-aged Dogs Research Articles

Glial Cell Responses and Gene Expression Dynamics in Retinas of Treated and Untreated RPE65 Mutant Dogs.

The long-term evaluation of RPE65 gene augmentation initiated in middle-aged RPE65 mutant dogs previously uncovered notable inter-animal and intra-retinal variations in treatment efficacy. The study aims to gain deeper insights into the status of mutant retinas and assess the treatment impact. Immunohistochemistry utilizing cell-specific markers and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis were conducted on archival retinal sections from normal and RPE65 mutant dogs. Untreated middle-aged mutant retinas exhibited marked downregulation in the majority of 20 examined genes associated with key retinal pathways. These changes were accompanied by a moderate increase in microglia numbers, altered expression patterns of glial-neuronal transmitter recycling proteins, and gliotic responses in Müller glia. Analysis of advanced-aged mutant dogs revealed mild outer nuclear layer loss in the treated eye compared to moderate loss in the corresponding retinal regions of the untreated control eye. However, persistent Müller glial stress response along with photoreceptor synapse loss were evident in both treated and untreated eyes. Photoreceptor synaptic remodeling, infrequent in treated regions, was observed in all untreated advanced-aged retinas, accompanied by a progressive increase in microglial cells indicative of ongoing inflammation. Interestingly, about half of the examined genes showed similar expression levels between treated and untreated advanced-aged mutant retinas, with some reaching normal levels. Gene expression data suggest a shift from pro-degenerative mechanisms in middle-aged mutant retinas to more compensatory mechanisms in preserved retinal regions at advanced stages, despite ongoing degeneration. Such shift, potentially attributed to a number of surviving resilient cells, may influence disease patterns and treatment outcomes.

Middle-aged dogs with low and high Aβ CSF concentrations show differences in energy and stress related metabolic profiles in CSF

BackgroundAmyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation in the brain is one of the earliest findings in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The dog is a natural animal model for amyloid processing and early brain amyloid pathology. The goal of this study is to examine which differences in metabolomic profiles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could be detected in dogs with a difference in CSF Aβ concentrations before amyloid accumulation occurs. MethodMetabolic profiling was performed on CSF from 4 to 8 year old dogs with different CSF Aβ concentrations. ResultsMetabolomic profiling of CSF showed differences in brain energy metabolism. More specifically, increases in N-acetylation of amino acids and amino sugars, creatine and pentose metabolism, and a decrease in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were seen in dogs with a high CSF Aβ concentration. In addition, signs of elevated oxidative stress, higher methionine, lipid and nucleotide metabolism and increased levels of cysteine, myo-inositol and trimethylamine N-oxide were noted in these animals. ConclusionsDifferences in energy metabolism and stress mediated metabolic changes are seen in the brain of dogs with different CSF Aβ concentrations, before any amyloid deposition occurs. Similar metabolic changes, as in the high Aβ dogs, have been described in AD in humans and/or transgenic AD mice, some of them in very early phases. General significanceThe differences observed in metabolomic profiles could help in identifying potential biomarkers for an increased risk of developing amyloid pathology in the brain and open the door to the evaluation of preventive treatments for amyloid pathology in humans.

Prospective study of successful autologous dendritic cell therapy in dogs with splenic stage II hemangiosarcoma

Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive tumour that most frequently occurs in larger, middle-aged dogs of certain breeds. The spleen is the most commonly affected organ. The aim of this prospective therapy study was to evaluate the clinical effect of autologous, monocyte-derived dendritic cell (DC) therapy in canine hemangiosarcoma stage II after splenectomy. Dogs (n=452) diagnosed with splenic hemangiosarcoma that underwent splenectomy were enrolled. Of these, 42 dogs with stage II entered the DC therapy study. The median survival time for the total group of 42 dogs was 203 days. The median survival for the group (n=34) that received the full DC therapy (≥3 vaccines) was 256 days, with a 29 % one-year survival rate and a hazard ratio of 0.30, adjusted to age and bodyweight (P=0.010). We further observed a significant increase in DC yield after each application and demonstrated that DC yield at the beginning of treatment is significantly related to patient survival. While further evidence is needed, we conclude that autologous, monocyte-derived DC therapy is a viable alternative to standard treatment methods of canine splenic stage II hemangiosarcoma.

Sebaceous Adenoma Case in a Golden Retriever Dog

Background: Sebaceous adenoma is a benign tumour originating from the skin's sebaceous glands. These tumours can arise in older and middle-aged dogs, typically on various body parts, head, and extremities. The tumours can manifest as either lumps or ulcers. Ulcers may develop when the animal scratches the tumour mass. Purpose: Increase the insight and ability of veterinary practitioners in diagnosing and providing information regarding the treatment of sebaceous adenomas. Case: A nine-year-old Golden retriever dog was brought to the Bali Veterinary Clinic with a complaint of a lateral wound on the face skin of the right eye. Anamnesis revealed that the initial wound was a lump. Clinical examination showed a yellowish ulcer with a 2 cm diameter. Case Management: A hematology examination indicated mild anemia in the dog, while blood biochemistry revealed no abnormalities. Cytology confirmed that the ulcer was a sebaceous adenoma. The owner declined surgery for their pet, so treatment involved applying Bioplacenton® gel to the ulcer area to prevent further infection and accelerate wound healing. Conclusion: In this case, the ulcer wound can be concluded as a sebaceous adenoma. This tumour is benign and harmless, but it is advisable to remove the tumour mass if it impairs the animal's activity and prevents potential secondary infection.

Endocannabinoid System Receptors at the Hip and Stifle Joints of Middle-Aged Dogs: A Novel Target for the Therapeutic Use of Cannabis sativa Extract in Canine Arthropathies.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in veterinary medicine due to its involvement in a wide range of physiological processes including pain, inflammation, immune function, and neurological function. Modulation of the ECS receptors has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects in various animal models of disease, including dogs with osteoarthritis. The goal of this study was to identify and compare the cellular expression and distribution of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) and type 2 (CB2R) and the cannabinoid-related G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) on the synovial cells of hip and stifle joints of seven dogs of different breeds without overt signs of osteoarthritis (OA). The synovial membranes of seven hips and seven stifle joints were harvested post mortem. The expression of the CB1R, CB2R, and GPR55 present in the synovial tissues was investigated using qualitative and quantitative immunofluorescence and Western blot (Wb) analysis. Synoviocytes of the stifle and hip joints expressed CB1R, CB2R, and GPR55 immunoreactivity (IR); no significant differences were observed for each different joint. Cannabinoid receptor 2- and GPR55-IR were also expressed by macrophages, neutrophils, and vascular cells. The ECS receptors were widely expressed by the synovial elements of dogs without overt signs of OA. It suggests that the ECS could be a target for the therapeutic use of Cannabis sativa extract in canine arthropathies.

개에서 비장종괴

Tumors of the spleen often occur in middle-aged dogs and can range from benign to malignant. Maltese, a 13-year-old neutered dog, visited the hospital with several vomiting and loss of appetite that lasted intermittently for about 2 months. There was no problem with the dog's consciousness, walking was normal, and mandibular and popliteal lymph nodes were normal in size and no abnormality was observed. Ultrasonography revealed a mass in the spleen, and the spleen was removed through splenomegaly. Histological examination concluded that the spleen was a hematoma. The hematoma is 6 × 6 × 6 cm in size, and histologically, it is not encapsulated inside the spleen parenchyma, but a nodule with clear borders is formed. The inside of the nodule is mostly composed of red blood cells, dilated blood vessels, and macrophages containing hemoglobin. It is identified as a hematoma originating inside the spleen.

The Agreement between Radiography and Fluoroscopy as Diagnostic Tools for Tracheal Collapse in Dogs.

Tracheal collapse is a common disease in small, middle-aged dogs, and imaging tools are essential for its diagnosis. Radiography and fluoroscopy are the main diagnostic modalities used, but their agreement in different regions is not well documented. In this study, the agreement between thoracic radiography and fluoroscopy in tracheal collapse was investigated in 29 dogs. The results showed that radiography detected a lower degree of collapsing trachea compared to fluoroscopy at the carina region (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference observed between the degree of collapsing trachea detected by radiography and fluoroscopy at the cervical, thoracic inlet, and intra-thoracic regions (p = 0.780, 0.537, and 0.213, respectively). The kappa statistic indicated a slight agreement at the cervical region at a 16.4% cut-off (κ = 0.20), while the other regions showed a non-agreement. In conclusion, although radiography is useful for screening, fluoroscopy was able to detect the degree of the collapsing trachea greater than radiography in the carina region. Additionally, if a collapse in the cervical region is detected by radiography, it is prone to have a positive relationship with fluoroscopy as well.

Diabetes mellitus in dachshund dogs: A case report of three dogs

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrinopathy associated with insulin insufficiency or insulin resistance. Three female middle-aged Dachshund dogs presented with clinical signs of polyuria, polydipsia, cataract and emaciation were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus using portable blood glucose monitor. One of the dogs succumbed with diabetic ketoacidosis (ketone bodies of 7.4 mmol/L) with concomitant diabetic nephropathy and hypercalcemia. Leukocytosis, elevated liver enzymes, cholesterol and glycosuria were evident in all the dogs. Blood glucose level was effectively managed with human recombinant DNA protamine zinc insulin administration twice daily for a period of six months.

Sperm parameters in the Great Dane: Influence of age on semen quality

Not all sires have sperm suitable for chilled or frozen storage, and success in artificial insemination (AI) varies highly among individual dogs and breeds. Fertilizing potential is further complicated as sperm quality declines with the aging process. Due to the rapidity of aging and senescence in large breed dogs, associated health and fertility changes may be observed over a shorter period, though this period remains undefined for any breed. Working with a population of purebred Great Danes (GD), our aims were (1) to characterize the distribution of a series of sperm parameters, (2) to distinguish sources of variation in sperm quality within this rapidly aging breed, and (3) to identify changes in sperm quality that may accompany aging. Ejaculates collected from young, middle-aged, and senior Great Dane dogs (n = 50) were evaluated for semen volume, total sperm number and viability, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), in addition to sperm morphology and kinematic parameters. Total testicular volume was also determined using ultrasonography. Testicular volume was not a predictor of sperm production in the GD, however, significant differences between coat colors were identified. Age was negatively associated with total motility, progressive motility, and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) (p < .05). We identified significant relationships between GD male age and TM, PM, and immotility with −9.9%, −9.0%, and +8.3% change per year of age, respectively, which support the anecdotal reports of decline of the fertility with the advance of age in this breed. Sperm of younger GD dogs aged 12 ≤ x < 24 months had significantly higher TM, PM, ALH, and nonlinear motility (p < .05) than older dogs (x ≥ 48 months). High ROS levels were positively associated with TM and PM, average pathway distance (DAP) and straight line distance (DSL), average pathway velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), and the presence of hairpin tails (p < .05). While age and ROS have significant influences on sperm parameters in the GD, the influence of selection for breed specific phenotypes could help explain the functional significance of the diversity among GD males.

FIZJOTERAPIA JAKO WSPOMAGANIE POOPERACYJNEGO LECZENIA ZERWANIA WIE ̨ZADŁA ̇ KRZYZOWEGO PRZEDNIEGO U PSÓW: OPIS PRZYPADKU

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in the stifle is one of the most common causes of hind-limb lameness in middle-aged and old dogs. The treatment of choice involves surgical extra- or intra-capsular stabilization of the knee joint, or the increasingly preferred tibial osteotomy techniques. Postoperative rehabilitation of the affected limb is an equally important part of the treatment. The paper describes three cases of rupture of the cruciate ligament in dogs and the methods of physiotherapeutic treatment applied to them. The techniques of passive and active exercises were used along with massage and physical therapy, such as magnetotherapy, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and laser therapy. The development of the correct physiotherapeutic treatment plan, the selection of techniques, and the duration of therapy is crucial for its effectiveness. It has been shown that rehabilitation has a positive effect on the tissue healing process. It also shortens the time needed to restore full mobility of the affected limb, both during the non-complicated healing process and in the event of problematic cases.

Hair Sample Analysis as a Method of Monitoring Exposure to Bisphenol A in Dogs.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic substance widely used in the plastics industry. It penetrates food and environment and, as an endocrine disruptor, has detrimental effects on human organisms. Pet animals, which live in the immediate vicinity of humans, are also exposed to BPA; however, knowledge regarding the exposure of dogs to this substance is extremely scarce. This is the first study in which hair analysis has been used to biomonitor BPA in 30 dogs using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry techniques. The presence of BPA in concentration levels above the method detection limit (1.25 ng/g) was noted in 93.33% of samples. BPA concentration levels were found to range from 7.05 ng/g to 436 ng/g (mean 81.30 ng/g). Statistically significant differences in BPA concentration levels were found between animals with physiological weight and animals with abnormal weight (skinny and obese). In turn, differences between males and females, as well as between young, middle-aged and old dogs, were not statistically significant. The obtained results have clearly shown that hair analysis is a useful method to evaluate the exposure of dogs to BPA. This study also confirmed that dogs are exposed to BPA to a large extent, and this substance may play a role as a pathological factor in this animal species. However, many aspects connected to the influence of BPA on canine health status are unclear and need further study.

Achados ultrassonográficos em cães diagnosticados com hiperadrenocorticismo – estudo retrospectivo (2013 a 2020)

Hyperadrenocorticism is a relatively common endocrinopathy in middle-aged and older dogs, which has become increasingly frequent in the clinical routine. The diagnosis is made by information obtained by history, physical exam findings and results of screening and specific endocrine tests. In addition to laboratory tests, imaging diagnosis, such as ultrasound, can aid on evaluation of possible changes in these cases; also, they may reveal the possible involvement of other organs and systems. The aim of this study was to present the main ultrasonographic changes observed in 18 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, diagnosed from 2013 to 2020 by the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, among which hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, gallbladder sludge, renal changes, cystitis and changes in adrenal size, such as bilateral and/or unilateral adrenomegaly, can be cited. Ultrasound examination, therefore, is an examination that can help the clinician in confirming the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism, in addition to allowing differentiation between pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) and adrenal tumors, and the evaluation of possible secondary changes to the disease.

Aggression and Hypothyroidism in Dogs, an-Overview

One of the most often diagnosed endocrine disorder in middle-aged dogs is hypothyroidism. The clinicopathological aspects of the disease are well known and established by the scientific community. For over 20 years the relationship between aggression and hypothyroidism has been reported in the literature. Still the link remains speculative due to lack of overhaul scientific data. The aim of this study is to present data from the literature relating to the association of aggression with hypothyroidism in dogs.

Epidemiological Study on Hypothyroidism in Dogs in Egypt

Canine hypothyroidism is one of the common endocrinopathies in dogs. Clinical signs are variable as it’s a multi-systemic disease. This study was carried out to investigate epidemiology of hypothyroidism in dogs regarding to clinical signs under effect of age, sex, season and breed and confirmation with evaluation of TT4. A total number of 441 dogs admitted to a private clinic in Cairo Governorate during the period of 2018 till 2020 were subjected to comprehensive clinical examination of which 82 hypothyroid dogs were recorded and incidence of different hypothyroidism features was evaluated. Hypothyroidism showed higher incidence in middle aged dogs (1-5 years), in males compared to females, in autumn than other seasons, and in large dog breeds. TT4 levels in this study ranged between 0.5-1 μg/dl with mean 0.8 ± 0.017. TT4 should be put in consideration during diagnosis of suspected cases related to dermatological, gynecological, otitis, CNS, tumors, dwarfism, cardiac, GIT, low BCS, obesity, eye and mixed signs. Special care should be associated with sharp decrease in TT4 in cases of CNS. The obtained data should be put under consideration in diagnosing of canine hypothyroidism and evaluation of clinical signs associated with it and therapeutic regimen to be applied for correction of such dysfunctions.

Investigation of Prognostic Value of Claudin-5, PSMA, and Ki67 Expression in Canine Splenic Hemangiosarcoma.

Splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant tumor of endothelial cells that affects middle-aged and elderly dogs and is characterized by the formation of new blood vessels, commonly associated with necrotic and hemorrhagic areas. Despite its importance in veterinary medicine, few studies have identified markers with prognostic value for canine HSA. Thus, this study aimed to associate the clinicopathological findings (prostate-specific membrane antigen [PSMA], Claudin-5, and Ki67 gene and protein expression) with overall survival in HSA-affected patients. Fifty-three formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded canine splenic HSA samples, previously diagnosed by histopathological examination, were used in this study. Claudin-5, PSMA, and Ki67 protein expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and gene expression was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Claudin-5 protein overexpression was observed in patients with metastasis (p = 0.0078) and with stage III tumors compared to those with stage I and II tumors (p = 0.0451). In patients treated with surgery alone, low PSMA gene and protein expression (p = 0.05 and p = 0.0355, respectively) were associated with longer survival time. Longer survival time was observed in patients with a low Ki67 index (p = 0.0488). Our results indicate that Claudin-5 protein expression is associated with metastatic status, and PSMA gene and protein expression, and Ki67 index are associated with survival time.

ULTRA-DILUTED VISCUM ALBUM IN THE TREATMENT OF CUTANEOUS MELANOMA IN A DOG (CANIS FAMILIARIS) - CASE REPORT

Background: Cutaneous melanoma is one of the tumors with the highest incidence in middle-aged dogs. Effective systemic treatments for advanced malignant melanoma are lacking, and survival is about 1 to 3 months. Viscum album therapy is among the complementary therapies against cancer. A 7-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux female d Methods: og. The main complaint was an ulcerated lesion in the right anterior leg. The animal had already been diagnosed with malignant cutaneous melanoma 11 months before. Extensive ulcerated lesions in the fourth digit of the right anterior leg, mandibular region, and labial commissures were observed for more than nine months, with no resolution of the initial condition. Pulmonary metastasis in the left caudal lobe, two evolving breast tumors, and several blackish nodular lesions spread through the abdomen, lower eyelids, and auricular pavilions were already diagnosed. An injectable, -3 homeopathic treatment was prescribed and consisted of an intravenous application of Viscum album D3 (1x10 ) and -3 -6 auto-hemotherapy, once a week. At home, the tutor performed applications of Viscum album D3 (1x10 ), D6 (1x10 ), D12 -12 -30 (1x10 ), D30 (1x10 ), in combinations, SID, subcutaneously, three times a week. The protocol administ Conclusion: ered to the patient in this study was successful in its purpose. It healed the wounds and improved the patient's quality of life. Other studies must be conducted, under the same conditions, to better elucidate the results obtained in the present study.

STUDI KASUS : FIBROSARCOMA PADA ANJING POMERANIAN MIX

Fibrosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of fibroblast that commonly found in middle-aged or older dogs. Breed and sex do not influence the incidence of fibrosarcoma. A 10 years old grey female mix Pomeranian with a bodyweight of 9.2 kg showed a semi-solid mass, with meat-like consistency that felt integrated with the tissue underneath. A mass with a diameter of ± 5 cm had been found in the left thigh near the anus. The other two unusual masses with smaller size (diameter ±1 cm) were also found at lateral sinister near extremities cranial of the body. A serial of diagnostic check-ups, such as physical and clinical check-up, USG, haematology, cytology, and histopathology tests was run to examine the dog condition. The USG result showed hypoechoic masses with slightly anechoic appearances. The haematology analysis showed a decrease in lymphocyte, MCV and hematocrit, meanwhile the granulocyte, MCHC and MHC showed an increasing trend. The cytology test revealed a fat-like vacuolization. Furthermore, the histology examination indicating the presence of large hyperchromic oval cells. The histopathology examination also found fibroblast cells that suspected as tumour cells with mitotic and infiltrated oval cores. Thus, the dog was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma and the prognosis was dubious. The surgery was done to remove the tumour masses.

A rapid serial reversal learning assessment for age-related cognitive deficits in pet dogs

Assessments for behavioral inhibition in pet dogs that can rapidly detect age-related cognitive deficits (ARCD) using inexpensive and accessible materials may aid in diagnosing canine dementia and may facilitate translational research on Alzheimer’s disease in humans. In this study, we designed and deployed a spatial serial reversal learning test in which 80 pet dogs were required to learn which of two identical boxes contained a hidden food treat. Each time the dog chose the correct box in three consecutive trials the procedure was repeated using the other box. All dogs that completed shaping (n = 62) also completed the 30-minute assessment. Middle-aged dogs chose the correct box more often than younger and older dogs. This cognitive decline was detectable with a stand-alone score for perseveration that can be easily measured and interpreted by clinicians and dog owners. Age did not predict how frequently the dog learned the serially-reversing reward contingency but older and younger dogs displayed longer streaks of perseverative errors. Thus, ARCD in dogs may be better characterized by bouts of severe cognitive dysfunction rather than temporally-consistent cognitive deficits. We suggest that future ARCD assessments for pet dogs should include measurements for intra-individual variability.

A knockout mutation associated with juvenile paroxysmal dyskinesia in Markiesje dogs indicates SOD1 pleiotropy

A juvenile form of paroxysmal dyskinesia segregated in the Markiesje dog breed. Affected pups exhibited clinical signs of a severe tetraparesis, dystonia, cramping and falling over when trying to walk. In most cases, the presentation deteriorated within weeks and elective euthanasia was performed. Pedigree analysis indicated autosomal recessive inheritance. Genome-wide association and homozygosity mapping of 5 affected dogs from 3 litters identified the associated locus on chromosome 31 in the region of SOD1. The DNA sequence analysis of SOD1 showed that the patients were homozygous for a frameshift mutation in the fourth codon. None of the other analyzed dogs of the breed was homozygous for the mutation, indicating full penetrance of the genetic defect. Mutations in SOD1 are known to cause recessive degenerative myelopathy in middle-aged dogs with low penetrance and dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in humans with variable age of onset. Our findings are similar to recent observations in human patients that a loss of function mutation in SOD1 leads to a juvenile neurologic disease distinct from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Effect of Age, Breed, and Sex on the Health-Related Quality of Life of Owner Assessed Healthy Dogs.

Using an app, this exploratory study generated information on HRQL in a large cohort of dogs deemed healthy according to the owner. It forms the basis for further studies investigating the natural history of HRQL of dogs to inform the interpretation of interventional studies, but highlights the risks of relying on owner impression of health status. A previously published health-related quality of life (HRQL) instrument (VetMetrica™) that generates scores in four domains of quality of life in dogs - Energetic and Enthusiastic (E/E), Happy and Content (H/C), Active and Comfortable (A/C), and Calm and Relaxed (C/R), generated information on HRQL in 4,217 dogs (3 months−21 years). Dogs were categorized by age; young, 3–47 months, middle-aged, 48–95 months, and old, 96 months and older. Owners considered 2,959 dogs (3–95 months) to be “in perfect health” and these were used to explore the relationship between age, sex, breed and HRQL in apparently healthy dogs. Mean score was significantly greater (better) in young compared to middle-aged dogs in E/E, H/C and A/C and declined with advancing age. In H/C there was a small but significant difference in mean score between female and male dogs (mean greater in females), with a similar rate of decline in each gender with advancing age. In E/E there were very small but statistically significant differences in mean scores between certain breeds. In A/C there was a statistically significant interaction between breed and age and the rate of decline with advancing age differed with breed. Overall, age, breed, and sex predicted very little of the variation seen in HRQL scores. Data from a subset of 152 dogs, for whom clinical information was available, were used to examine the agreement between clinical evidence and owner opinion. According to the clinical records, 89 dogs were healthy and 63 had evidence of chronic disease. There was an approximately 40% disagreement between owner opinion on health status and clinical evidence of chronic disease (35% disagreement in all dogs and 43% in old dogs). HRQL scores were generally higher in dogs for whom there was no evidence of disease in the clinical record.