bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus in semen obtained after inoculation of seronegative postpubertal bulls
Authors: Givens M. Daniel , Heath Allen M. , Brock Kenny V. , Brodersen Bruce W. , Carson Robert L. , Stringfellow David A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate persistence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in semen after inoculation of postpubertal bulls.

Animals—Three 2-year-old bulls and five 6-month-old calves.

Procedure—3 seronegative 2-year-old bulls were inoculated intranasally with BVDV. Serum and semen samples were obtained at regular intervals until 7 months after inoculation. Serum samples were tested for BVDV by use of virus isolation (VI) and reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RTnPCR) tests. Semen samples were tested for virus by use of VI and RT-nPCR tests. Testicular biopsy specimens were obtained 7 months after inoculation and tested for BVDV by use of immunohistochemical analysis and VI and RT-nPCR tests. Semen samples collected from 1 bull immediately before and 5 and 7 months after inoculation were administered IV to seronegative calves, which were monitored for subsequent viremia and seroconversion.

Results—Use of VI and RT-nPCR tests detected transient virus in serum of all bulls. The VI test detected BVDV in semen of 2 bulls for < 21 days after inoculation, whereas RT-nPCR assay detected BVDV until 7 months after inoculation. Virus was detected in testicular biopsy specimens of these 2 bulls by use of immunohistochemical analysis and RT-nPCR assay but could only be isolated from the biopsy specimen of 1 bull. Of the calves administered semen IV to detect infectious virus, only the recipient of semen collected 5 months after inoculation of the adult bull was viremic and seroconverted.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Bovine viral diarrhea virus can persist in semen of acutely infected bulls for several months after exposure. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:428–434)
Quantitative renal scintigraphy in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) exposed to toxic doses of gentamicin
Authors: Marshall Kemba L. , Craig Linden E. , Jones Michael P. , Daniel Gregory B.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To standardize techniques for renal scintigraphy in birds, to use scintigraphy to assess gentamicin nephrotoxicosis in birds, to compare nuclear medicine assessments with histologic assessment of gentamicin nephrotoxicosis and serum uric acid concentrations, and to determine the radiopharmaceutical that best quantifies avian renal function.

Animals—12 domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica).

Procedure—Serum uric acid concentrations were determined for all birds. Renal scintigraphy techniques that used technetium-m99 (99mTc)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA; 4 hours after injection) and99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA; 15- minute dynamic study) were evaluated in all birds. Renal biopsy specimens were collected following baseline scans. Number and size of renal tubule granules positive for periodic acid-Schiff stain were scored for severity (scale of 0 to 4). Nephrotoxicosis was induced by administration of gentamicin. Serum uric acid concentrations were measured, and99mTc-DMSA and99mTc-DTPA scans were repeated after gentamicin administration. Birds were euthanatized, and complete necropsies were performed.

Results—Standard avian renal scintigraphy techniques were developed for99mTc-DMSA and99mTc- DTPA. Decreased renal radiopharmaceutical uptake for99mTc-DMSA and99mTc-DTPA indicated nephrotoxicosis. Cloacal accumulation of99mTc-DTPA was significantly decreased after administration of gentamicin. Histologic grading of renal tissue before and after gentamicin administration confirmed nephrotoxicosis. Inconsistent serum uric acid concentrations could not be used to assess nephrotoxicosis.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Renal nuclear scintigraphy is a useful, noninvasive means to determine renal function in birds. Although99mTc-DMSA may prove useful in the evaluation of renal morphology,99mTc-DTPA is the radiopharmaceutical agent of choice for the assessment of renal function in avian species. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:453–462)
Assessment of halothane and sevoflurane anesthesia in spontaneously breathing rats
Authors: Steffey Michele A. , Brosnan Robert J. , Steffey Eugene P.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To characterize halothane and sevoflurane anesthesia in spontaneously breathing rats.

Animals—16 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Procedure—8 rats were anesthetized with halothane and 8 with sevoflurane. Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined. Variables were recorded at anesthetic concentrations of 0.8, 1.0, 1.25, and 1.5 times the MAC of halothane and 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 times the MAC of sevoflurane.

Results—Mean (± SEM) MAC for halothane was 1.02 ± 0.02% and for sevoflurane was 2.99 ± 0.19%. As sevoflurane dose increased from 1.0 to 1.75 MAC, mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased from 103.1 ± 5.3 to 67.9 ± 4.6 mm Hg, and PaCO2increased from 58.8 ± 3.1 to 92.2 ± 9.2 mm Hg. As halothane dose increased from 0.8 to 1.5 MAC, MAP decreased from 99 ± 6.2 to 69.8 ± 4.5 mm Hg, and PaCO2increased from 59.1 ± 2.1 to 75.9 ± 5.2 mm Hg. Respiratory rate decreased in a dose-dependent fashion from 88.5 ± 4.5 to 58.5 ± 2.7 breaths/min during halothane anesthesia and from 42.3 ± 1.8 to 30.5 ± 4.5 breaths/min during sevoflurane anesthesia. Both groups of rats had an increase in eyelid and pupillary aperture with an increase in anesthetic dose.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—An increase in PaCO2and a decrease in MAP are clinical indicators of an increasing halothane and sevoflurane dose in unstimulated spontaneously breathing rats. Increases in eyelid aperture and pupil diameter are reliable signs of increasing depth of halothane and sevoflurane anesthesia. Decreasing respiratory rate is a clinical indicator of an increasing dose of halothane. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:470–474)
Longitudinal study to investigate variation in results of repeated ELISA and culture of fecal samples for Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis in commercial dairy herds
Authors: van Schaik Gerdien , Rossiter Christine R. , Stehman Susan M. , Shin Sang J. , Schukken Ynte H.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine sources and amounts of
variation in a kinetics ELISA (KELA) and results of culture
of fecal samples for Mycobacterium avium subsp
paratuberculosis (MAP) in repeated tests of individual
cows.

Animals—112 cows on 6 commercial dairy farms in
New York.

Procedure—A nonrandom longitudinal study was
conducted from January 2001 to March 2002. A KELA
was performed monthly, and MAP culture was performed
bimonthly. Cow- and herd-level data were collected.
The KELA and culture results were analyzed by
use of models that corrected for clustering within
herds and repeated measures on cows.

Results—Cows of second or higher lactation had
increased KELA values, compared with values for
first-lactation cows. Cows had lowest KELA values
during the first 15 days in milk; KELA values increased
until 60 days in milk and then stabilized. Moderate
and heavy shedders had significantly higher KELA values
than culture-negative cows, and KELA values of
shedders progressively increased over time. On average,
the KELA value was significantly increased 132
days after a cow was first detected to be a moderate
shedder and 236 days after a cow was first detected
to be a low shedder.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Analysis suggests
that KELA results vary on a cow-level on the
basis of lactation number and stage of lactation. High
KELA values indicate heavy fecal shedding, but the
KELA is not useful in identifying low and moderate
shedders that can require up to 236 days to have a
significant increase in KELA value. (Am J Vet Res
2003;64:479–484)
Effect of heterogeneity of rabies virus strain and challenge route on efficacy of inactivated rabies vaccines in mice
Authors: Wunderli Peter S. , Dreesen David W. , Miller Timothy J. , Baer George M.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine effect of route of challenge and strain of rabies virus on efficacy of inactivated rabies vaccines in mice.

Animals—3,056 mice.

Procedure—Challenge was performed with fixed and street rabies virus strains by use of footpad and intracerebral routes as well as IM injection into the hip, shoulder, neck, and masseter muscles. Intraperitoneal and IM vaccination was performed with 1 or 2 doses of 1 of 3 vaccine-strain inactivated rabies vaccines. For 2 of the vaccine strains, the vaccines were adjuvanted and nonadjuvanted.

Results—Incubation periods were dependent on route, dose, and virus strain used for challenge. Use of an intramasseter challenge route with challenge virus-strain rabies virus, which more accurately models natural exposure to rabies virus, resulted in reproducible mortality rates in mice. Use of this route revealed that differences among vaccines and challenge virus strains affected mortality rate less than that observed in the National Institutes of Health potency test, even when street isolates of widely variant origin were used for challenge.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—These results, combined with earlier data, support a proposal for a new rabies potency test that more closely models current vaccine administration practices and natural infection routes. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:499–505)
Evaluation of treatment of colostrum-deprived kittens with equine IgG
Authors: Crawford P. Cynda , Hanel Rita M. , Levy Julie K.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate equine IgG as a treatment for kittens with failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT).

Animals—13 specific pathogen-free queens and their 77 kittens.

Procedure—Kittens were randomized at birth into 9 treatment groups. One group contained colostrumfed (nursing) kittens; the other groups contained colostrum-deprived kittens that were administered supplemental feline or equine IgG PO or SC during the first 12 hours after birth. Blood samples were collected at serial time points from birth to 56 days of age for determination of serum IgG concentrations. The capacity of equine IgG to opsonize bacteria for phagocytosis by feline neutrophils was determined via flow cytometry.

Results—Kittens that received feline or equine IgG SC had significantly higher serum IgG concentrations than those of kittens that received the supplements PO. In kittens that were administered supplemental IgG SC, serum IgG concentrations were considered adequate for protection against infection. The half-life of IgG in kittens treated with equine IgG was shorter than that in kittens treated with feline IgG. Feline IgG significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of bacteria by feline neutrophils, but equine IgG did not.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Serum concentrations of equine IgG that are considered protective against infection are easily attained in kittens, but the failure of these antibodies to promote bacterial phagocytosis in vitro suggests that equine IgG may be an inappropriate treatment for FPT in kittens. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:969–975)
Quantitative in vivo measurement of central benzodiazepine receptors in the brain of cats by use of positron-emission tomography and [11C]flumazenil
Authors: Shimada Yuhei , Kiyosawa Motohiro , Nariai Tadashi , Oda Keiichi , Toyama Hinako , Ono Kenichirou , Senda Michio , Ishiwata Kiichi
Published: December 2005

Objective—To map central benzodiazepine receptors
(BZRs) in the brain of cats by use of positron-emission
tomography (PET) and [11C]flumazenil.

Animals—6 male cats that weighed between 2.0 and
3.6 kg.

Procedure—Brain images obtained by PET evaluation
of [11C]flumazenil were superimposed on T2-weighted
magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the
same cats. Detailed anatomic regions, such as the
cerebral cortex, striatum, thalamus, midbrain, and
cerebellum, on the PET images were evident by PETMRI
registration. Regional binding of [11C]flumazenil to
BZRs was quantitatively measured by use of a model
with 2 tissue compartments and 4 variables.

Results—The highest value for distribution volume
was observed in the cerebral cortex, and the lowest
value was found in the midbrain of cats.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Binding of
[11C]flumazenil to BZRs in the brain of cats can be
quantitatively measured by use of PET with the aid of
PET-MRI registration. It is difficult to diagnose
changes in these neuroreceptors within the field of
current veterinary science. In the future, PET should
prove useful for investigating and diagnosing brain
disorders in animals in clinical settings. (Am J Vet Res
2003;64:999–1002)
Assessment of the metabolic effects of hydrocortisone on llamas before and after feed restriction
Authors: Cebra Christopher K. , Tornquist Susan J. , Jester Rebecca M. , Stelletta Calogero
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the effects of administration of hydrocortisone on plasma concentration of insulin and serum concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in llamas before and after feed restriction.

Animals—9 adult female llamas.

Procedure—Feed was withheld from llamas for 8 hours. Blood samples were collected before (0 minutes) and 120, 180, 240, and 300 minutes after IV injection of hydrocortisone sodium succinate (1 mg/kg) for determination of plasma insulin concentration and serum concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, and NEFAs. The llamas were then fed a limited diet (grass hay, 0.25% of body weight daily) for 21 days, after which the experimental procedures were repeated.

Results—Compared with llamas that were not feedrestricted, llamas after feed restriction had significantly higher plasma insulin concentration and serum concentrations of triglycerides and NEFAs. Feed-restricted llamas after hydrocortisone injection had a significantly smaller increase in serum glucose concentration, a decrease (rather than an increase) in serum concentration of NEFAs, and no change in blood concentrations of insulin or triglycerides.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Short-acting glucocorticoid hormones did not appear to increase blood lipid concentrations in healthy llamas, regardless of ongoing fat mobilization. Thus, these hormones appear unlikely to be major direct contributors to diseases such as hepatic lipidosis or hyperlipemia. Although administration of hydrocortisone reduced serum concentration of fatty acids in feed-restricted llamas, its use has not been evaluated in sick camelids and cannot be considered therapeutically useful. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1002–1005)
Comparison of the effects of caudal pole hemi-meniscectomy and complete medial meniscectomy in the canine stifle joint
Authors: Johnson K. A. , Francis D. J. , Manley P. A. , Chu Q. , Caterson B.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To compare the effects of caudal pole hemi-meniscectomy (CPHM) and complete medial meniscectomy (MM), specifically with respect to development of secondary osteoarthritis, in the stifle joints of clinically normal dogs.

Animals—14 large-breed dogs.

Procedure—Unilateral CPHM (7 dogs) or MM (7) was performed, and the left stifle joints served as untreated control joints. Gait was assessed in all dogs before surgery and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks postoperatively. After euthanasia, joints were evaluated grossly; Mankin cartilage scores, subchondral bone density assessment, and articular cartilage proteoglycan extraction and western blot analyses of 3B3(–) and 7D4 epitopes were performed.

Results—Weight distribution on control limbs exceeded that of treated limbs at 4 and 16 weeks after surgery in the CPHM group and at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery in the MM group; weight distribution was not significantly different between the 2 groups. After 16 weeks, incomplete meniscal regeneration and cartilage fibrillation on the medial aspect of the tibial plateau and medial femoral condyle were detected in treated joints in both groups. Mankin cartilage scores, subchondral bone density, and immunoexpression of 3B3(–) or 7D4 in articular cartilage in CPHM- or MM-treated joints were similar; 7D4 epitope concentration in synovial fluid was significantly greater in the MM-treated joints than in CPHM-treated joints.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Overall severity of secondary osteoarthritis induced by CPHM and MM was similar. Investigation of 7D4 epitope concentration in synovial fluid suggested that CPHM was associated with less disruption of chondrocyte metabolism. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1053–1060)
Development of a questionnaire to measure the effects of chronic pain on health-related quality of life in dogs
Authors: Wiseman-Orr M. Lesley , Nolan Andrea M. , Reid Jacqueline , Scott E. Marian
Published: December 2005

Objective—To develop a reliable, validated questionnaire that can be used for the assessment of chronic pain and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in dogs.

Sample Population—17 owners of dogs that had chronic pain associated with chronic degenerative joint disease and 165 other dog owners.

Procedures—Psychometric methods were used to identify relevant domains, create an item pool, select and validate items, and construct and preliminarily test a structured questionnaire. Relevant domains were identified through semi structured interviews. Descriptor-generating exercises provided the terms owners used to describe these domains and formed an item pool. A selection from this pool was validated and used to construct a questionnaire that underwent preliminary testing.

Results—The structured questionnaire contained 109 simple, familiar, descriptive terms associated with good health or chronic pain (most describing subtle aspects of behavior that owners interpreted as expressions of subjective experiences of their dogs) for 13 possible HRQL domains. Each descriptor was associated with a 7-point numeric scale.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The questionnaire was intended to facilitate rapid, sensitive, and accurate rating of a comprehensive range of relevant domains by naïve raters with minimal burden on respondents. The principles underlying the development and design of this structured questionnaire offer a novel approach to the proxy measurement of HRQL and changes in HRQL associated with chronic pain for a range of animal species.

Impact for Human Medicine—This novel approach may be applicable to other nonverbal populations (eg, young children or elderly people with cognitive impairment). (Am J Vet Res2004;65;1077–1084)
Use of thermal threshold response to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of butorphanol in cats
Authors: Lascelles B. Duncan X. , Robertson Sheilah A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To characterize the antinociceptive actions of several doses of butorphanol by use of a thermal threshold testing device specifically designed for cats.

Animals—6 domestic shorthair cats.

Procedure—The study was a masked, randomized, crossover design. Thermal thresholds were measured by use of a thermal threshold-testing device specifically developed for cats. A small probe containing a heater element and temperature sensor was held with consistent contact against a shaved area of the cat's skin with an elasticized band. Skin temperature was recorded before each test, prior to activation of the heater. On detection of a response (eg, the cat flinched, turned, or jumped), the stimulus was terminated and the threshold temperature recorded. Three baseline measurements were recorded before IV injection of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 mg of butorphanol/kg. Each cat received all doses in a randomized order at least 1 week apart. The investigator was unaware of the treatment received. Thermal thresholds were measured every 15 minutes for 6 hours.

Results—Mean ± SD pretreatment threshold temperature for all cats was 40.8 ± 2.2°C. There were no dose-related differences among treatments. There was a significant increase in threshold values for all treatments from 15 to 90 minutes after injection. Mydriasis was detected in all cats after treatment with butorphanol and dysphoric behavior was frequently exhibited.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results obtained by use of a thermal stimulus indicated that the duration of antinociceptive action of butorphanol was 90 minutes and there was no dose-response relationship in cats. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1085–1089)
Clinical and pathologic comparison of acute leptospirosis in dogs caused by two strains of Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa
Authors: Greenlee Justin J. , Bolin Carole A. , Alt David P. , Cheville Norman F. , Andreasen Claire B.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To develop a method for inducing acute leptospirosis in dogs.

Animals—31 nine-week-old female Beagles.

Procedure—Beagles were randomly assigned to 2 inoculation groups or a control group. Dogs were inoculated on 3 successive days by conjunctival instillation of 5 X 107cells ofLeptospira kirschneriserovar grippotyphosa strain 82 (12 dogs) or strain RM 52 (14 dogs). Control dogs (n = 5) were similarly inoculated with sterile leptospiral culture media. Clinical signs, clinicopathologic variables, anti-leptospiral antibody titers, and evidence of leptospires in tissues and body fluids were evaluated. Dogs were euthanatized and necropsied on days 7, 14, 22, or 28 after inoculation or as required because of severe illness.

Results—Clinical signs in infected dogs included conjunctivitis, lethargy, diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and icterus. Consistent clinicopathologic alterations included azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased anion gap, hyperbilirubinemia, and an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. Leptospires were cultured from the kidneys (11/12), urine (6/9), aqueous humor (9/12), blood (12/12), and liver (12/12) of dogs inoculated with strain 82. Only 3 of 14 dogs became infected after inoculation with strain RM 52. Histopathologic lesions in infected dogs included interstitial nephritis, renal tubular degeneration and necrosis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and hepatic edema and perivasculitis.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Conjunctival exposure toL kirschneriserovar grippotyphosa strain 82 resulted in acute leptospirosis in all inoculated dogs, but only 3 of 14 dogs inoculated with strain RM 52 became infected. This method of infection by serovar grippotyphosa can be used to study the pathogenesis and prevention of leptospirosis in dogs. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1100–1107)
Correlation of helical and incremental high-resolution thin-section computed tomographic and histomorphometric quantitative evaluation of an acute inflammatory response of lungs in dogs
Authors: Morandi Federica , Mattoon John S. , Lakritz Jeffrey , Turk James R. , Jaeger Jordan Q. , Wisner Erik R.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To compare quantitative densitometric computed tomography (CT), morphometric, and histologic data of normal lungs in dogs with similar parameters obtained after induction of an acute inflammatory response and determine whether CT densitometry correlated with histopathologic changes.

Animals—6 healthy adult dogs.

Procedure—After initial CT, 1 mL of 0.1M hydrochloric acid (HCl) and 3 mL of autologous blood were instilled into the right middle (RM) and caudal segment of the left cranial (LCCd) lung lobes, respectively. Immediately and 24 hours after instillation, CT was repeated. At 24 hours, dogs were euthanatized and lungs were fixed and sampled for morphometric and histologic evaluation. The CT data were compared with lung morphology and morphometry by use of unpairedttests. Comparison with lungs from control dogs was performed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients.

Results—Mean Hounsfield units (HU) from control and baseline HU from experimental dogs were identical. Immediately after instillation of HCl or blood, there was increased attenuation in both lobes. Autologous blood initially induced severe changes that almost completely resolved at 24 hours; HCl induced severe changes at 24 hours. Significant increases in percentage of parenchymal airspace and alveolar diameter resulted in decreased surface area-to-volume ratio in lobes receiving HCl. Histologic scores were significantly higher in the RM lobe, compared with controls.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Computed tomography attenuation correlated well with histomorphometry and histologic findings in this model. Lung lesions after autologous blood were transient and of limited severity. Lesions induced by HCl were severe; alterations in morphometric and histologic parameters were reflected in CT attenuation measurements. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1114–1123)
Relationships between a proprietary index, bispectral index, and hemodynamic variables as a means for evaluating depth of anesthesia in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane
Authors: Carrasco-Jiménez María S. , Cancho María F. Martín , Lima Juan R. , Crisóstomo Verónica , Usón-Gargallo Jesús , Ezquerra Luis J.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate relationships among various
techniques for monitoring anesthetic depth in sevoflurane-anesthetized dogs undergoing orthopedic
surgery.

Animals—10 dogs.

Procedure—Dogs were medicated with acepromazine
(0.05 mg/kg, IM), buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg, IM), and
atropine (0.04 mg/kg, IM). Anesthesia was induced and
maintained with sevoflurane. Cardiovascular and respiratory
responses were monitored. Anesthetic depth
was monitored by use of the bispectral index (BIS), and
a proprietary index was used to monitor activity of the
autonomic nervous system.

Results—A significant decrease in BIS was seen
after induction but concurrent changes were not
observed for the other techniques. The proprietary
index increased significantly after intubation, but no
changes were seen for the other techniques. No significant
changes were detected during incision or
when higher nociceptive stimuli were applied. We did
not identify a correlation between BIS and the proprietary
index, the proprietary index and hemodynamic
variables, or the BIS and hemodynamic variables during
induction and maintenance. A significant increase
in the proprietary index and BIS was detected at the
time of resumption of reflexes. During anesthetic
recovery, a correlation was found between the proprietary
index and BIS but not between hemodynamic
variables and the other techniques.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A significant
increase in the proprietary index, but not the BIS or
hemodynamic variables, was detected during intubation.
Anesthetic induction with sevoflurane did not
prevent the sympathetic stimulus attributable to tracheal
intubation. Monitoring of hemodynamic variables
does not provide sufficient information to allow
clinicians to evaluate stress during anesthetic recovery.
(Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1128–1135)
Investigation of the composition, turnover, and thermal properties of ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments of dogs
Authors: Comerford Eithne J. , Innes John F. , Tarlton John F. , Bailey Allen J.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To assess different components of the extracellular matrix with regard to their thermal properties, composition, and turnover in ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments (CCLs) of dogs, compared with components of intact CCLs from a breed predisposed to CCL failure.

Sample Population—Ruptured CCLs obtained from 8 dogs of breeds predisposed to ruptured CCLs and intact CCLs from 12 cadaveric Labrador Retrievers.

Procedure—Ruptured and intact CCLs were analyzed for water content; collagen content and collagen cross-links were evaluated via hydroxyproline and amino-acid analyses, respectively. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was analyzed via dimethylmethylene blue and uronic acid assays. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1 and -2 were detected via gelatin SDS-PAGE zymography and reverse gelatin zymography. Thermal analysis of ligaments was performed by use of differential scanning calorimetry.

Results—Ruptured CCLs had significantly higher lamounts of immature cross-links, total and sulfated GAGs, and water content, compared with that of the intact ligaments. Compared with intact CCLs, concentration of pro–MMP-2 was significantly higher in ruptured CCLs; the maximum temperature of collagen denaturation was significantly lower in the ruptured CCLs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The extracellular matrix of ruptured CCLs had an increased matrix turnover indicated by increased collagen and GAG synthesis, compared with that of intact CCLs. Although the extracellular matrix changes may have occurred before ligament rupture, it is possible that these observed changes may be part of a reparative process after rupture. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1136–1141)
Response of induced bone defects in horses to collagen matrix containing the human parathyroid hormone gene
Authors: Backstrom Kristin C. , Bertone Alicia L. , Wisner Erik R. , Weisbrode Stephen E.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) gene in collagen matrix could safely promote bone formation in diaphyseal or subchondral bones of horses.

Animals—8 clinically normal adult horses.

Procedure—Amount, rate, and quality of bone healing for 13 weeks were determined by use of radiography, quantitative computed tomography, and histomorphometric analysis. Diaphyseal cortex and subchondral bone defects of metacarpi were filled with hPTH1-34gene-activated matrix (GAM) or remained untreated. Joints were assessed on the basis of circumference, synovial fluid analysis, pain on flexion, lameness, and gross and histologic examination.

Results—Bone volume index was greater for cortical defects treated with hPTH1-34GAM, compared with untreated defects. Bone production in cortical defects treated with hPTH1-34GAM positively correlated with native bone formation in untreated defects. In contrast, less bone was detected in hPTH1-34GAM-treated subchondral bone defects, compared with untreated defects, and histology confirmed poorer healing and residual collagen sponge.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Use of hPTH1-34GAM induced greater total bone, specifically periosteal bone, after 13 weeks of healing in cortical defects of horses. The hPTH1-34GAM impeded healing of subchondral bone but was biocompatible with joint tissues. Promotion of periosteal bone formation may be beneficial for healing of cortical fractures in horses, but the delay in onset of bone formation may negate benefits. The hPTH1-34GAM used in this study should not be placed in articular subchondral bone defects, but contact with articular surfaces is unlikely to cause short-term adverse effects. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1223–1232)
Methicillin resistance of staphylococci isolated from the skin of dogs with pyoderma
Authors: Kania Stephen A. , Williamson Nicola L. , Frank Linda A. , Wilkes Rebecca P. , Jones Rebekah D. , Bemis David A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine the methicillin-resistant profile of staphylococcal isolates from the skin of dogs with pyoderma.

Animals—90 dogs with pyoderma.

Procedure—Staphylococci isolated from dogs with pyoderma were tested for susceptibility to methicillin by use of a standard disk diffusion test with oxacillin disks. The DNA extracted from the isolates was tested for themecAgene that encodes the penicillinbinding protein 2a (PBP2a) by use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The expression of PBP2a was determined with a commercial latex agglutination assay. Species of staphylococcal isolates were identified by use of morphologic, biochemical, and enzymatic tests.

Results—Most of the isolated staphylococci were methicillin-susceptible, coagulase-positiveStaphylococcus intermediusisolates. Whereas only 2 of 57S intermediusisolates were resistant to methicillin, approximately half of the isolates had themecAgene and produced PBP2a. Staphylococcus schleiferiwas the second most common isolate. Widespread resistance to methicillin was found amongS schleiferiisolates. More coagulase-negativeS schleiferiisolates were identified withmecAgene-mediated resistance to methicillin, compared with coagulase-positiveS schleiferiisolates.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The latex agglutination assay for the detection of PBP2a expression coupled with the PCR assay for themecAgene may provide new information about emerging antimicrobial resistance among staphylococcal isolates. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1265–1268)
Evaluation of assays for perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies and antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Allenspach Karin , Luckschander Nicole , Styner Maya , Seibold Frank , Doherr Marcus , Aeschbach D. , Gaschen Frédéric
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the use of immunofluorescence asssays for perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCAs) and antibodies toSaccharomyces cerevisiae(ASCAs) in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and assess the clinical value of these serologic markers of the disease.

Animals—39 dogs with IBD, 18 dogs with acute diarrhea, 19 dogs with chronic non–IBD-associated diarrhea, 26 healthy dogs of various breeds and age, and 22 healthy young working dogs.

Procedure—Sera obtained from the dogs in each group were added to canine granulocyte- andSaccharomyces cerevisiae-mounted slides for detection of pANCAs and ASCAs via immunofluorescence techniques. Sensitivity and specificity (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were calculated for the group of dogs with IBD versus each of the 2 groups of healthy dogs, the group of dogs with acute diarrhea, and the group of dogs with chronic non–IBD-associated diarrhea.

Results—Among the 39 dogs with IBD, 20 yielded positive results via the pANCA assay (sensitivity, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.67]) and 17 yielded positive results via the ASCA assay (sensitivity, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.22 to 0.69]). The specificity of the pANCA assay in the 4 groups of non–IBD-affected dogs ranged from 0.83 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.96) to 0.95 (95% CI, 0.72 to 1.00).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Immunofluorescence assays for pANCA and ASCA appear to be useful for the detection of IBD in dogs. The pANCA immunofluorescence assay had high specificity for canine IBD, and pANCAs appear to be accurate markers of intestinal inflammation. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1279–1283)
Correlation between plasma α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone concentration and body mass index in healthy horses
Authors: Donaldson Mark T. , McFarlane Dianne , Jorgensen Alec J. R , Beech Jill
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the correlation between plasma α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) concentration and body mass index (BMI) in healthy horses.

Animals—82 healthy horses.

Procedure—Plasma α-MSH concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. At the time blood samples were collected, body condition scores (BCS) were determined and measurements of girth circumference, body length, and height were obtained. Weight was estimated by use of the following formula: estimated weight (kg) = [girth (cm)2× length (cm)]/11,877. Body mass index was calculated as estimated weight (kg)/height (m)2.

Results—A correlation was found between BMI and BCS (rs= 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44 to 0.73]). A weak correlation was found between plasma α-MSH concentration and BMI (rs= 0.25 [95% CI, 0.03 to 0.45]) and BCS (rs = 0.26 [95% CI, 0.04 to 0.46]). A correlation was found between plasma α-MSH concentration and BMI in horses ≥ 10 years old (rs= 0.49 [95% CI, 0.20 to 0.69]) but not in horses < 10 years old (rs= –0.04). Horses in the upper quartile of BMI had significantly greater plasma α-MSH concentration (median, 9.1 pmol/L; range, 2.0 to 95.3 pmol/L) than horses in the lowest quartile of BMI (median, 7.0 pmol/L; range, 3.6 to 15.7 pmol/L).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A correlation exists between plasma α-MSH concentration and BMI in horses. Further study is required to determine whether melanocortin receptor defects underlie this correlation or, alternately, whether plasma α-MSH concentration is simply a correlate of adiposity. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1469–1473)
Investigation of the transmission of Mycobacterium bovis from deer to cattle through indirect contact
Authors: Palmer Mitchell V. , Waters W. Ray , Whipple Diana L.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To investigate the infection of calves withMycobacterium bovisthrough oral exposure and transmission ofM bovis from experimentally infected white-tailed deer to uninfected cattle through indirect contact.

Animals—24 11-month-old, white-tailed deer and 28 6-month-old, crossbred calves.

Procedure—In the oral exposure experiment, doses of 4.3 × 106CFUs (high dose) or 5 × 103CFUs (low dose) of M bovis were each administered orally to 4 calves; as positive controls, 2 calves received M bovis (1.7 × 105CFUs) via tonsillar instillation. Calves were euthanatized and examined 133 days after exposure. Deer-to-cattle transmission was assessed in 2 phases (involving 9 uninfected calves and 12 deer each); deer were inoculated with 4 × 105CFUs (phase I) or 7 × 105CFUs (phase II) of M Bovis. Calves and deer exchanged pens (phase I; 90 days' duration) or calves received uneaten feed from deer pens (phase II; 140 days' duration) daily. At completion, animals were euthanatized and tissues were collected for bacteriologic culture and histologic examination.

Results—In the low- and high-dose groups, 3 of 4 calves and 1 of 4 calves developed tuberculosis, respectively. In phases I and II, 9 of 9 calves and 4 of 9 calves developed tuberculosis, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that experimentally infected deer can transmitM bovisto cattle through sharing of feed. In areas where tuberculosis is endemic in free-ranging white-tailed deer, management practices to prevent access of wildlife to feed intended for livestock should be implemented. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1483–1489)
Correlation of dominance as determined by agonistic interactions with feeding order in cats
Authors: Knowles Rebecca J. , Curtis Terry Marie , Crowell-Davis Sharon L.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether the direction of dominance as determined by agonistic interactions away from food was different from the direction of dominance as determined by access to a resource in cats.

Animals—28 cats.

Procedure—Dyadic relationships and hierarchy formed from observation of agonistic interactions away from food were compared with those formed from interactions at the food bowl. A cat was scored as subordinate to another cat if it lost 3 of 3 interactions or lost ≥ 75% of the interactions when > 3 interactions occurred.

Results—Cats were observed for 449.4 hours. Hierarchy rank determined by agonistic interactions away from food was significantly correlated with rank determined by interactions at the food bowl. In 27 of 31 dyads, the direction of dominance was the same for food bowl and agonistic relationships, which was significant. In post hoc analyses, when considering the relationship between 2 cats, the heavier cat most likely ranked higher in each hierarchy; however, age was not significantly correlated with either hierarchy. On the basis of dyadic information, the older cat in a dyad was more often dominant in agonistic interactions. Males had a higher mean dominance rank than females; however, sex had no effect on rank determined by interactions at the food bowl.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Factors influencing dominant-subordinate relationships are of interest for understanding and treating behavior problems such as aggression and resource control. The outcome of agonistic interactions away from food was related to, but not perfectly correlated with, the outcome of interactions at the food bowl, although winners of those agonistic interactions tended to have control of food. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1548–1556)
Effects of phenylbutazone, indomethacin, prostaglandin E2, butyrate, and glutamine on restitution of oxidant-injured right dorsal colon of horses in vitro
Authors: Rötting Anna K. , Freeman David E. , Constable Peter D. , Eurell Jo Ann C. , Wallig Matthew A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To study the effects of phenylbutazone, indomethacin, prostaglandin E2(PGE2), glutamine, and butyrate on restitution of oxidant-injured right dorsal colon of horses in vitro.

Sample Population—Right dorsal colon from 9 adult horses euthanatized for reasons other than gastrointestinal tract disease.

Procedure—Mucosal segments from the right dorsal colon were injured via exposure to HOCl and incubated in Ussing chambers in solutions containing phenylbutazone, indomethacin, indomethacin and PGE2, glutamine, and butyrate. Transepithelial resistance and mucosal permeability to mannitol were measured, and all mucosal segments were examined histologically.

Results—The HOCl-injured mucosa had lower resistance and higher permeability to mannitol, compared with control tissue. Histologic changes were also evident. Resistance of HOCl-injured mucosa recovered partially during the incubation period, and glutamine improved recovery. Phenylbutazone and indomethacin increased resistance, but these increases were not significant. Butyrate and PGE2had no effects, compared with nontreated HOCl-injured tissues. Mucosal permeability to mannitol was lower in glutamine-treated tissue, compared with nontreated tissue. Histologic changes reflected the resistance and permeability changes.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—According to our findings, phenylbutazone and indomethacin do not seem to interfere with restitution of oxidant-injured mucosa of equine colon in vitro, and glutamine could facilitate mucosal restitution. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1589–1595)
Assessing repeatability and validity of a visual analogue scale questionnaire for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs
Authors: Hudson Jonathan T. , Slater Margaret R. , Taylor Lathrop , Scott H. Morgan , Kerwin Sharon C.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To develop a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire that is repeatable and valid for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs.

Sample Population—48 client-owned dogs with mild to moderate lameness.

Procedure—The dogs were from 3 studies conducted during a 3-year period. Of the 48 dogs, 19 were used in repeatability assessment, 48 were used in principal component analysis, and 44 were used in model selection procedures and validity testing. A test-retest measure of repeatability was conducted on dogs with a change of < 10% in vertical peak force. A force platform was used as the criterion-referenced standard for detecting lameness. Principal component analysis was used to describe dimensionality of the data. Repeatable questions were used as explanatory variables in multiple regression models to predict force plate measurements. Peak vertical, craniocaudal, and associated impulses were the forces used to quantify lameness. The regression models were used to test the criterion validity of the questionnaire.

Results—19 of 39 questions were found to be repeatable on the basis of a Spearman rank-correlation cut point of > 0.6. Model selection procedures resulted in 3 overlapping subsets of questions that were considered valid representations of the forces measured (vertical peak, vertical impulse, and propulsion peak). Each reduced model fit the data as well as the full model.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The VAS questionnaire was repeatable and valid for use in assessing the degree of mild to moderate lameness in dogs. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1634–1643)
Evaluation of pituitary gland anatomy and histopathologic findings in clinically normal horses and horses and ponies with pituitary pars intermedia adenoma
Authors: Kolk Johannes H. van der , Heinrichs Martin , Amerongen Johan D. van , Stooker Rob C. J. , Jansen in de Wal Lisette , Ingh Ted S. G. A. M. van den
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine size and weight of the pituitary gland and associations between pituitary gland size and weight and sex and age in horses without clinical signs associated with pituitary pars intermedia adenoma (PPIA) and horses and ponies with PPIA.

Animals—Pituitary glands from 100 horses without clinical signs of PPIA and 19 horses and 17 ponies with PPIA.

Procedures—Pituitary glands were weighed, measured, and examined histologically by use of H&E stain. Masson trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff staining were used, when appropriate. Histologic lesions in the pars intermedia, pars distalis, or both were classified as no significant lesions, single or multiple cysts, focal or multifocal hyperplasia, single or multiple microadenomas, and adenoma. Relative pituitary weight (RPW) was calculated as pituitary weight (grams) divided by body weight (grams).

Results—There was an age-related increase in the presence of pituitary lesions in the pars distalis and pars intermedia in geldings, mares overall, and nonpregnant mares. Mean (± SD) RPW in horses with PPIA was not significantly different from ponies with PPIA (15 ± 5.9 X 10–6and 16 ± 7.2 × 10–6, respectively). Maximum pituitary weight in a horse with PPIA was 13.9 g (RPW, 2.9 × 10–5). Plasma glucose concentration was positively correlated with RPW in ponies with PPIA.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Pituitary lesions may be a factor in horses with insulin resistance and laminitis before development of clinical signs of PPIA. Ovarian steroids may be involved in the pathogenesis of lesions in the pars intermedia. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:1701–1707)
Diagnostic relevance of qualitative proteinuria evaluated by use of sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose gel electrophoresis and comparison with renal histologic findings in dogs
Authors: Zini Eric , Bonfanti Ugo , Zatelli Andrea
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate results of SDS-agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) of urinary proteins for use in defining glomerular and tubulointerstitial derangements, investigate patterns of high-molecular-weight (HMW) proteins for differentiating among glomerular disorders, and assess low-molecular-weight (LMW) proteins as markers of severity of tubulointerstitial disease in dogs.

Animals—49 dogs with increased serum creatinine concentrations or abnormal renal protein loss.

Procedure—Urinary proteins were examined by use of SDS-AGE and differentiated on the basis of molecular weight. The HMW proteins (≥ 69 kd) were considered indicative of glomerular origin, whereas LMW proteins (< 69 kd) were of tubular origin. Renal specimens were examined by use of light microscopy. Glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions were differentiated by use of the classification for the World Health Organization and semiquantitative grading, respectively.

Results—Sensitivity of SDS-AGE was 100% for detection of glomerular lesions and 92.6% for tubulointerstitial lesions; specificity was 40% and 62.5%, respectively. Although HMW urinary proteins were not significantly associated with the type of glomerular lesion, LMW urinary proteins were significantly associated with the grade of tubulointerstitial damage. Detection of 12- or 15-kd proteins or both was highly indicative of a severe tubulointerstitial lesion.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—SDS-AGE of urinary proteins in dogs represents a noninvasive test with high sensitivity for identifying glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage, but low specificity limits its validity as a stand-alone test to differentiate between glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions. The test is particularly useful for identifying dogs with advanced tubulointerstitial disease but cannot be used to characterize glomerular disorders. (Am J Vet Res2004;65:964–971)