OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety of daily oral administration of grapiprant to dogs. ANIMALS Thirty-six 9-month-old Beagles of both sexes. PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to groups that received grapiprant via oral gavage at 0, 1, 6, or 50 mg/kg (total volume, 5 mL/kg), q 24 h for 9 months. Each group contained 4 dogs of each sex (ie, 8 dogs/group), except for the 50 mg/kg group, which included 4 additional dogs that were monitored for an additional 30 days after treatment concluded (recovery period). All dogs received ophthalmologic, ECG, and laboratory evaluations before treatment began (baseline) and periodically afterward. All dogs were observed daily. Dogs were euthanized at the end of the study for necropsy and histologic evaluation. RESULTS All dogs remained clinically normal during treatment, with no apparent changes in appetite or demeanor. Emesis and soft or mucoid feces that occasionally contained blood were observed in all groups, although these findings were more common in dogs that received grapiprant. In general, clinicopathologic findings remained within baseline ranges. Drug-related changes in serum total protein and albumin concentrations were detected, but differences were small and resolved during recovery. No drug-related gross or microscopic pathological changes were detected in tissue samples except mild mucosal regeneration in the ileum of 1 dog in the 50 mg/kg group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested the safety of long-term oral administration of grapiprant to dogs. Efficacy of grapiprant in the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis needs to be evaluated in other studies.

OBJECTIVE To determine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the novel factor Xa inhibitor apixaban in clinically normal cats. ANIMALS 5 purpose-bred domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURES A single dose of apixaban (0.2 mg/kg, PO) was administered to each cat (time 0), and blood samples were obtained at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480, and 1,440 minutes. After a 1-week washout period, another dose of apixaban (0.2 mg/kg, IV) was administered to each cat, and blood samples were obtained at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480, and 1,440 minutes. Apixaban concentrations in plasma were measured via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacodynamic effects of apixaban were determined with a commercial assay for factor × activity, which measures endogenous factor Xa activity chromogenically. RESULTS Factor Xa was inhibited as a function of time after a single dose of apixaban administered orally or IV, and a direct inverse correlation with the plasma apixaban concentration was detected. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed moderate clearance, short half-life, and high bioavailability for apixaban. A 2-compartment model was fit to the IV pharmacokinetic data; compartmental modeling could not be used to adequately describe the oral data because of substantial interindividual variability. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results inticated that apixaban was an effective inhibitor of factor Xa in cats. Further studies will be needed to determine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics after multidose administration, effects of cardiac disease on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, dosing recommendations, and efficacy of apixaban for use in the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disease in cats.

Twenty samples of Laryngeal and Tracheal tissues from laying chickens of two flocks with suspicious infectious laryngeotracheitis were tested for the detection of the causative virus by using virus isolation in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF)cell culture and chicken embryos by chorioallantoic membrane inoculation and conventional polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The virus was isolated from three samples (larynx and trachea) out of ten samples at Al-Sawara city on (CEF)cell culture and produce pock lesions on chorioallantoic membrane of infected chicken embryos in which the virus was isolated. Positive PCR results were detected in the three clinical samples, isolated virus in CEF cell culture and isolated virus in chicken embryos (inoculated on chorioallantoic membrane).

The present study assigns the effect of neuroectomy to bone healing of experimentally induce bone fracture in 3rd metacarpal bone ,in donkeys by macroscopic, radiographic and evaluation of mineral levels(ca,p). Sixteen donkeys of male sex with the age 1.5- 2 years, weighting 125-150 kg. were used for this study. These animals were healthy clinically. The donkeys were divided randomly into two groups( non- neuroectomized and neuroectomized) eight donkeys each group. The animals anaesthetized with xylazine Hcl at dose 0.5 mg/kg. B.W., then injectable Ketamine Hcl at the dose 3 mg/kg B.W.which administered intravenously. The animals of non- neuroectomized group, induced one fracture at the mid of the shift of 3rd metacarpal bone. Evaluated with clinical signs macroscopical, estimation of level of mineral and radiographic examination. Gross examination swelling in the site of fracture and lameness. The callus formation shows in radiographic examination.The calcium concentration was highly significant increase after 30th and 60th days , which the phosphorus level increase after 30th days and then s decrease at 60th days

Sixteen utri of Awasi sheep at different stages of pregnancy were used in this study .The intercaruncular surface epithelium was pseudostratified at the early stage of pregnancy and then changed gradually to simple columnar after day 50 0f pregnancy. At day 118 it become low columnar or simple cuboidal and decreased in height . The glandular epithelium was mainly simple columnar and showed high secretory activity during the studied of pregnancy stages. The glandular diameter and their lumen was increased with the advancement of pregnancy . The gland showed saculation at late stages of pregnancy .

The present study was carried out to determine the presence of pathogenic bacteria in freshwater crab (Potamon mesopotamicum) in Tigris at North of Qurna, as well as their antibiotic resistance. A total of 21 bacterial isolates consisting three bacterial species were isolated from freshwater crab, P. aeroginosa, E. coli, A. hydrophila kanamycin was found to be effective against all the bacterial isolated whilst the highest percentage of antibiotic resistance was shown beyond to Lincomycin (76.4%) followed by ampicilin(66.14%), Erythromycin(57.3%).

Breed differences in the semen quality of Iraqi sheep were studied on 16 rams, 8 of each, Karradi and Arrabi. Rams were habituated on the method of electrical stimulation with a bi-polar rectal probe. Semen samples were collected within two weeks and their characters which included, volume of ejaculate, color, pH, mass motility percentage , individual motility percentage, concentration of sperm , viability percentage, abnormal sperm percentage and acrosomal abrasion percentage were tested for both Karradi and Arrabi breeds. The results revealed that the volume 0.61ml, o.59 ml, color degree 1.25, 1.5, pH 6.89, 6.9, mass motility 66.25% , 63.75%, individual motility 60%, 58.75%, sperm concentration 121.88 million/ml, 120.5 million/ml, viability 74%, 70.25%, abnormal sperm 17.13% , 18% and acrosomal abrasion 18.5% , 19.25 respectively . Karradi ram semen showed higher viability percentage 74 ± 1.3 than that in Arrabi 70.23± 0.56 , and it is highly significance (p< 0.01). Karradi sheep in general may have been adapted and acclimatized exceptional well in the middle part of Iraq compared to Arrabi sheep.

This study was carried out in Veterinary Medicine College / University of Basrah to investigate the effect of Bisphenol A on thyroid, liver and testicular functions. A total of 24 adult male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups, six animals in each group. Animal of group (1) served as control and received a daily oral administration of corn oil throughout the experimental protocol. Animals of group 2, 3 and 4 were administered orally 50,100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of BPA respectively dissolved in corn oil, the experiment extended for 30 days. The results of the present study showed a significant decrease in serum thyroxin (T4) concentration and a significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase ( AST) and alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) concentration in bisphenol A treated groups. A significant decrease in serum testosterone and LH concentrations in all BPA-treated groups compared with control. On other hand non significant decrease in serum concentrations of FSH were observed in BPA-treated groups compared with control. A significant decrease in epididymal sperm count and sperms motility in all BPA treated groups. However no significant differences were noted in sperms viability between all BPA treatment groups and control. Histopathological changes were found in thyroid glands of male rats with different doses of BPA, also central vein dilation, enlarged nuclei, vacuolation of hepatocytes were observed in the liver of BPA treated groups and different degrees of histological changes include depression of spermatogenesis, decrease of leydig cells in dose dependent manner were found in testicular tissues of BPA treated groups.

Twenty adult common quail male obtained from Soq-Al-Shiyookh local market .They were kept under light and feeding conditions adopted by it. The anatomical study was appeared that the reproductive system in common quail consist of paired testes ,efferent ducts, epididymis, vasdeference and recetaculum .The testes are lying within the abdominal cavity and are joined to the dorsal body wall by short connective tissue . They are paired oval-shaped structure .The average of the left testicular size is ( 2 ± 0.04 cm3) and the average of the right testicular size is (1.85 ± 0.01 cm3).The average of the left testicular weight is (1.9 ± 0.01 gm. ) and the average of the right testicular weight is (1.7 ± 0.01 gm.). The testes of quail are long axis is oblique and directed dorso caudally .The epididymis is relatively large and is firmly attached to the dorso lateral surface of the testes. The histological study was showed that the spermatogonia are identified adjacent to the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules either singly or in cluster but they do not form a complete basal layer. The primary spermatocyte are the largest cells of the spermotogenic population . Their nuclei are notable for both their size and appearance ,being big and vesicular is due to the presence of condensed chromatin. The secondary spermatocyte enter the second meiotic division ,the subsequent cells formed from this division are spermatids. Spermatocytogenesis ends when spermatids appears .The spermatids undergo a complex process of differentiation leading to the transformation of these spermatids into sperm . Based on changes in the acrosomes and nuclei during the development of spermatid will give rise mature spermatozoa

The present study was conducted at the Animal Farm/ College of Agriculture/ University of Basrah during the period from 2/12/2012 to 2/3/2013. The study included 24 milking ewes aged around 2-4 years, having single lamb, closely lambing date and weighted 42 kg. After giving the ewes preliminary period of 10 days, they were distributed randomly and equally to six feeding groups. The first group was fed 60% concentrate and 40% roughages; soya bean meal was treated by formaldehyde. The second group was fed 60% concentrate and 40% roughages with untreated soya bean meal. The third group was fed 50% concentrate and 50% roughages with treated soya bean meal. The fourth group was fed 50% concentrate and 50% roughages with untreated soya bean meal. The fifth group was fed 40% concentrate and 60% roughages with treated soya bean meal. The sixth group was fed 40% concentrate and 60% roughages with untreated soya bean meal (control). The ration was given as 4% of live body weight. The concentrate consisted of 40% barley, 20% corn, 30% wheat bran, 7% soya bean meal, 1% salt and 2% Calcium bicarbonate. Roughage was wheat straw treated with 4% urea and 3kg/ton yeast. Treated soya bean meal reduced degradable protein from 70% to 60%. There were no significant differences among feeding groups in pH, total bacteria and cellolytic bacteria before feeding. However, the differences reached significant level (P