Ventricular rhythm disturbances are a common pathology in human and veterinary medicine. In humans, the algorithmic approach is used to differentiate wide QRS complex tachycardia. The most commonly used are the aVR and Brugada algorithms as well as the ventricular tachycardia (VT) score developed by Jastrzębski and coworkers. In veterinary medicine, no such algorithms are available and the only parameter used to describe VT abnormalities is the duration of the QRS complexes. The aim of this analysis was determining whether human medicine algorithms for VT are applicable in veterinary medicine to differentiate wide QRS complex tachycardia in dogs. A retrospective analysis was performed on 11 dogs of both sexes and various breeds and age diagnosed with VT. The diagnosis was based on ambulatory ECG, further established based on the reaction to lidocaine or adenosine or an invasive electrophysiological study. Of the 11 tracings passed through the aVR algorithm, 10 met the VT criteria. The most common criterion was the Vi/Vt ratio (8 out of 11 tracings). Based on the VT score, seven out of eight dogs had a high probability of VT. Retrospective analysis of ECGs by aVR and VT score indicates that the applied algorithms may be useful in differentiating wide QRS complex tachycardia as a quick, easy, and non-invasive alternative to cardiac electrophysiology.

Simvastatin is a substance which is commonly used as a medicine to reduce cholesterol level. Unfortunately, it shows numerous side effects. Simvastatin affects various internal organs, and among other detriments to health may cause persistent muscle weakness, osteolytic processes, headaches, and rashes. Until now knowledge of the influence of simvastatin on bone marrow cells has been rather scant and fragmentary. During this experiment the numbers of all types of cells in the leukocytic system of porcine bone marrow were evaluated after 28 and 56 days of oral administration of simvastatin at a dose of 40 mg/day/animal. Simvastatin caused an increase in the number of all types of cells in the leukocytic system, and the most visible fluctuations concerned promyelocytes. Observations obtained during the present study indicated that the results of the action of simvastatin on porcine bone marrow differ from those observed in other mammal species, including human. This may be due to various metabolic pathways within the bone marrow in the particular species, but the exact mechanisms of these actions are unknown at the present time.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive examination method for the assessment of functional central nervous system (CNS) disturbances. In human medicine it has a special importance as a diagnostic tool for epilepsy. Although many studies were done on the use of EEG for diagnostics of canine central nervous system disorders, the technique is still not applied routinely. The purpose of this paper was to review the use of the electroencephalography in canine neurological disorders of central nervous system diagnosis and assess the future perspectives of this technique in veterinary medicine.

A significant threat to public health is presented by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, selective pressure on which results from antibiotic use. Colistin is an antibiotic commonly used in veterinary medicine, but also one of last resort in human medicine. Since the 2015 discovery in China of the mcr-1 gene encoding colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, other countries have noted its presence. This study was to find the mcr-1 gene prevalence in E. coli isolated from poultry slaughtered in Poland. Cloacal swabs were taken from December 2017 to October 2018 from broiler chickens in three regions. The samples (n = 158) were grouped as flocks treated with colistin sulphate (n = 87) and those not treated (n = 71). Resistance to antimicrobials commonly used in poultry was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration. The presence of the mcr-1 gene was confirmed by PCR. Isolates containing the mcr-1 gene were yielded by 11.27% of the samples from not treated flocks and 19.54% of those from treated flocks, but no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the gene was seen between the groups. The results clearly preclude intensification of selective pressure for colistin resistance due to colistin sulphate treatment because they show that the avian gastrointestinal tract was already inhabited by colistin-resistant E. coli by the time the chickens came to the poultry house.

Photobiomodulation is an accepted regenerative medicine treatment modality used to stimulate tissue repair, mediate inflammation, and improve mobility in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of laser power and wavelength, coat length and color, and shaving on in-vivo photon delivery by therapeutic laser in dogs. Forty-seven dogs of various breeds and coat colors (17 black, 15 brown, and 15 white) and with varying coat lengths were assessed with 2 commercially available veterinary lasers. Photons were delivered to the lateral aspect of the inguinal fold and calcaneal tendon, with direct penetration through the dermis, as well as dermis and tendon, as measured with a thermopile laser sensor. Significant impacts on laser transmission were noted for laser power (P = 0.001), wavelength (P < 0.002), coat color (P < 0.001), and shaved coat (P < 0.001). Percent transmission was higher for a class IV 810/980 nm wavelength laser at 0.5 W than for a class IIIb 904 nm laser (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between transmission of photons among white, brown, and black coats, with less transmission noted with increasing coat pigment (P < 0.001). Transmission was greater at higher power levels (3 W, 5 W) Results showed significant differences in laser transmission for all variables assessed, with the exception of coat length, which was not a significant predictor of laser transmission. As transmission was significantly reduced in darker and unshaved areas, higher power lasers may be necessary for darker pigmented dogs and shaving of hair is recommended before laser therapy.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether an enrofloxacin–silver sulfadiazine emulsion (ESS) labeled for treatment of otitis externa in dogs has ototoxic effects in rabbits following myringotomy. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES Rabbits were anesthetized for brainstem auditory-evoked response (BAER) tests on day 0. Myringotomy was performed, and BAER testing was repeated. Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution and ESS were then instilled in the left and right middle ears, respectively, and BAER testing was repeated prior to recovery of rabbits from anesthesia. Application of assigned treatments was continued every 12 hours for 7 days, and rabbits were anesthetized for BAER testing on day 8. Rabbits were euthanized, and samples were collected for histologic (6 ears/treatment) and scanning electron microscopic (1 ear/treatment) examination. RESULTS Most hearing thresholds (11/12 ears) were subjectively increased after myringotomy, with BAER measurements ranging from 30 to 85 dB in both ears. All day 8 hearing thresholds exceeded baseline (premyringotomy) values; results ranged from 30 to 85 dB and 80 to > 95 dB (the upper test limit) in saline solution–treated and ESS-treated ears, respectively. All ESS-treated ears had heterophilic otitis externa, epithelial hyperplasia of the external ear canal, various degrees of mucoperiosteal edema, and periosteal new bone formation on histologic examination. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that most outer hair cells in the ESS-treated ear lacked stereocilia or were absent. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results supported that ESS has ototoxic effects in the middle ear of rabbits. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. Myringotomized laboratory rabbits may be useful to study ototoxicity of drugs used in human medicine.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the presence of parapoxvirus (PPV) in cattle without clinical signs of infection and in farm environments of PPV-infected cattle. ANIMALS 28 calves without clinical signs of PPV infection on 2 farms and 11 clinically affected calves on 6 farms. PROCEDURES 164 oral swab samples were collected at regular intervals from 28 calves without clinical signs of PPV infection, and 11 swab samples were collected from 11 clinically affected calves. Viral DNA load was quantified by use of a PPV-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. RESULTS Of 28 calves without clinical signs of PPV infection, 12 had positive results for PPV DNA by use of the qRT-PCR assay. Viral DNA was detected continuously over a period of 2 to 5 months from 9 of these 12 calves, particularly from calves with dermatomycosis or respiratory tract disease. The PPV DNA loads in 32 oral swab samples from these 12 calves were significantly lower (median, 3.2 copies/mg) than those in samples collected from the 11 clinically affected calves (median, 3.2 × 10(4) copies/mg). Moreover, PPV DNA was detected in the residual feed and drinking water on both farms that housed the calves without clinical signs of PPV infection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE PPV in cattle without clinical signs of infection and in the environments of these cattle may represent sources of PPV transmission to susceptible cattle. IMPACT FOR HUMAN MEDICINE Humans should wear gloves to prevent zoonotic disease transmission when handling cattle with or without clinical signs of PPV infection.

OBJECTIVE To compare the characteristics and multipotential and in vivo cartilage formation capabilities of porcine adipose-derived stem cells (pASCs) with those of porcine skin-derived stem cell–like cells (pSSCs). ANIMALS Three 6-month-old female pigs and four 6-week-old female athymic mice. PROCEDURES Adipose and skin tissue specimens were obtained from each pig following slaughter and digested to obtain pASCs and pSSCs. For each cell type, flow cytometry and reverse transcription PCR assays were performed to characterize the expression of cell surface and mesenchymal stem cell markers, and in vitro cell cultures were performed to determine the adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic capabilities. Each cell type was then implanted into athymic mice to determine the extent of in vivo cartilage formation after 6 weeks. RESULTS The cell surface and mesenchymal stem cell marker expression patterns, multipotential capability, and extent of in vivo cartilage formation did not differ significantly between pASCs and pSSCs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that pSSCs may be a viable alternative to pASCs as a source of progenitor cells for tissue engineering in regenerative medicine.

Epidermal tight junctions (TJ) have been well-described in human medicine and are involved in many skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). In dogs, there are no data regarding the implication of TJ in skin diseases including canine AD. The aim of this study was to compare the expression and the distribution of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 in the epidermis of healthy and atopic dogs. Skin biopsies from 6 high IgE-producing beagles sensitized to house dust mite (atopic group) were used. Skin specimens from nine healthy dogs without skin issues were sampled (healthy group). Immunoperoxydase staining was used to study the staining pattern of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1 in the epidermis of healthy and atopic dogs. Positive controls were healthy human skin samples. Labeling patterns were assessed by 2 examiners blinded to the identities of the specimens. Comparisons between groups were performed using an exact Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. The mean total expression score of claudin-1 was lower in atopic dogs as compared to healthy subjects. Occludin and ZO-1 expression remained unchanged within each group. These results suggest a defect in claudin-1 expression in the nonlesional epidermis of atopic dogs.

Objective—To determine the association between urine osmolality and specific gravity (USG) in dogs and to evaluate the effect of commonly measured urine solutes on that association. Animals—60 dogs evaluated by an internal medicine service. Procedures—From each dog, urine was obtained by cystocentesis and USG was determined with a refractometer. The sample was divided, and one aliquot was sent to a diagnostic laboratory for urinalysis and the other was frozen at −80°C until osmolality was determined. Urine samples were thawed and osmolality was measured in duplicate with a freezing-point depression osmometer. The correlation between mean urine osmolality and USG was determined; the effect of pH, proteinuria, glucosuria, ketonuria, bilirubinuria, and hemoglobinuria on this relationship was investigated with multiple regression analysis. Results—The Pearson correlation coefficient between urine osmolality and USG was 0.87. The final multivariable regression model for urine osmolality included USG and the presence of ketones; ketonuria had a small negative association with urine osmolality. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated a strong linear correlation between osmolality and USG in urine samples obtained from dogs with various pathological conditions, and ketonuria had a small negative effect on that correlation.