International audience | OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and duration of orally administered prednisolone on renal function evaluated by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determination and creatinine (Cr) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations as well as on urinalysis, electrolytes, and hydric status in healthy dogs. ANIMALS 14 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES In this prospective double-masked placebo-controlled study, dogs were randomized after baseline evaluation to receive a 7-day course of either prednisolone (1.5 to 2.0 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) or a placebo. A repeated-measure design was performed, each dog participating in 4 successive sampling sessions. Clinical data, systolic blood pressure, CBC, and biochemical analyses including serum SDMA concentration, GFR determination, urine output quantification, and complete urinalysis were performed for all dogs the day before (D0) and at the end of steroid administration (D7) as well as 2 weeks (D21) and 4 weeks (D35) after the end of treatment. RESULTS At D7, when compared with baseline, GFR increased significantly in treated dogs, whereas creatinine and SDMA concentrations decreased significantly. GFR and Cr but not SDMA modifications persisted significantly at D21. None of the variables differed significantly from baseline at D35. The OR of presenting an albumin band on urine electrophoresis was 2.4 times as high in treated versus control dogs (OR, 36; 95% CI, 1.8 to 719.4; P = 0.02). CLINICAL RELEVANCE A short-term course of immune-suppressive prednisolone treatment in healthy dogs leads to a sustained but reversible renal hyperfiltration state. Modification in electrolytic variables can affect the clinical interpretation of blood work in such patients.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) added in the feed on growth performance, small intestine histomorphometry, oxidative stress, and carcass parameters in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) raised in two different stocking densities. In the experiment, a total of 280 10-day-old quails were divided into 4 groups with 4 repetitions. Group control was composed of the quails consuming maize-soy based basal diet as 150 cm2 for each quail; Z group was composed of the quails consuming the basal diet containing jujube of 1% as 150 cm2 for each quail; Group SD was composed of the quails consuming maize-soy based basal diet as 100 cm2 for each quail; and ZSD group was composed of the quails consuming the basal diet containing jujube of 1% as 100 cm2 for each quail. The best live weight and daily live weight increase were determined in Group Z and the best feed consumption was determined in Group C. It was determined that the jujube fruit added into feed significantly decreased the serum and breast muscle MDA levels. The lowest villus height and the highest crypt depth of duodenum and jejunum were determined in Group SD. As a result, it was observed that the jujube fruit added in the feed of the quails raised in two different stocking densities had a positive effect on the live weight, daily live weight increase feed consumption, villus height, villus width, crypt depth, hot carcass performance and serum, breast muscle MDA levels.

Adipokines are a group of proteins that are synthesized from adipose tissue. Omentin is a type of adipokine which is detected in human serum and it is evaluated as a secreted factor from adipose tissue, placenta and ovarium. The knowledge about the effect of omentin on reproduction is limited. In the presented study, investigation of omentin effect on in vitro uterine contractions was evaluated. The uteruses of the rats which were collected from 20 virgin female rats, were isolated and suspended in the isolated organ bath. The experimental protocols were carried out in 3 groups. The effect of omentin on spontaneous uterine contractions in protocol 1, induced by oxytocin (2.5 mIU/mL) in protocol 2, and induced uterine contractions with PGF2α (10-6 M) in protocol 3 was tested. The effect of omentin on isolated uterine tissues was tested with the administration of 10, 100 and 300 ng/mL omentin. 300 µL of distilled water was applied to the control of each group. In this study, 10, 100 and 300 ng/mL of omentin applied for 10 minutes did not have an effect on uterine contractility in all study groups (p>0.05). As a result, further studies with higher doses and longer incubation times are recommended.

This study was aimed at determining the effects of dietary supplementation with 0%, 3%, 6% and 8% of clinoptilolite on live weight gain, carcass/carcass part traits and some blood and bone parameters in quails. For this purpose, forty 17-day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly assigned to four groups, each of 10 animals. The study groups were established as follows: BC (+0% clinoptilolite), B3C (3% clinoptilolite), B6C (6% clinoptilolite) and B8C (8% clinoptilolite). Live weight measurements were performed until 35 days of age, and after the measurement of the slaughter weight at 38 days of age, all animals were slaughtered. The live weight values measured in Groups B3C and B6C were similar to those of group BC, the control group. Even if slightly different, higher mean initial live weights in the males resulted in final live weights higher than those of the females. It was observed that the feed conversion rate had improved in the groups that received dietary clinoptilolite. The weight of abdominal fat was determined to have decreased with increasing dietary clinoptilolite levels. The weights of the edible visceral organs and abdominal fat were higher in the female quails, compared to the males. The osteometric values of the femur and humerus were higher in the males, compared to the females, in Group B3C. While calcium (Ca-CAL) and magnesium (Mg) levels were lowest in Group B8C, phosphorus (P-FOS) levels were lowest in groups BC and B3C. In result, it is suggested that dietary supplementation with clinoptilolite, up to a level of 6%, would not show any adverse effect on the fattening performance of animals. Thus, clinoptilolite can be used as a feed additive. Furthermore, good quality clinoptilolite supplied at low costs may also aid in preventing feed losses due to wetting, depending on the environmental conditions.

The aim of this study was to present 6 dogs and 2 cats treated with handmade external fixator. The animals included in the study had 3 cases of non-union, 1 case of luxation, and 4 cases of fracture. All the cases were successfully treated with a handmade external fixator which was made from an endotracheal tube and epoxy. There were no complications developed except for light leakage in the pin site in one case. All of the animals had started to use their extremities in the early postoperative period, except for one case. As the fixator provided the opportunity for weight-bearing, increasing stability in the fracture line in the early postoperative period, this provided some beneficial effects on healing. The external fixator made using an endotracheal tube and epoxy can be selected as an inexpensive treatment method for cats and dogs.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) in dogs in the Ardahan region. The study material consisted of 100 Akbaş crossbred dogs (53 females and 47 males) between the ages of 3-7 in Ardahan region. An immunochromatographic analysis test kit was used to determine seroprevalence. The presence of antigen against D. immitis was determined as 12% (12/100). When the dogs with antigens against D. immitis were evaluated according to their age, it was determined that the highest positivity was in 4 years old (15%) (P˃0.05). Antigen presence against D. immitis was detected in 10.6% of male dogs and 13.2% of female dogs (P˃0.05). According to the data obtained from this study, it was concluded that D. immitis was seen in dogs in the Ardahan region and that protection and control measures should be taken for the eradication of this disease due to reasons such as global warming, wildlife and lack of education.

This study was aimed to determine whether the reference values affected by different times of the day and season in Saanen Goats. One hundred twenty-two goats were included to this study and, tear secretion (TS) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured in three different time periods as morning, noon and evening on the same day in each seasonal group. Temperature and humidity values were recorded during all measurements. There was no difference between the right and left eyes in terms of IOP and TS (p>0.05). While mean TS value was significantly increased in the winter group (12.23±0.28 mm/min) compared with the spring (9.9±0.18 mm/min) and summer (9.14±0.19 mm/min) groups (p<0.001), mean IOP was significantly decreased in the winter group (14.05±0.28 mmHg) compared with the spring (17.64±0.36 mmHg) and summer (17.32±0.43 mmHg) groups (p<0.001). While mean TS value was significantly increased at noon (10.08±0.28 mm/min) compared with morning (10.99±0.24 mm/min) (p<0.001), mean IOP was significantly decreased in the morning (14.95±0.31 mmHg) compared to the afternoon (17.63±0.35 mmHg) and evening (16.54±0.42 mmHg) (p<0.001). In conclusion, TS and IOP values in Saanen goats are affected by different times of the day and season, and it will contribute to the literature by determining the values that can be taken as reference for these different daytime and seasonal profile of the IOP and TS in Saanen Goat.

Artificial joint prostheses are preferred as a good treatment alternative for joints that are difficult or impossible to treat. With the advancement of technological possibilities, the joints that need to be locked or amputated are saved by total joint prostheses. Although there is relatively more information about total hip joint replacements, there is not enough information and experience about total knee replacements. Active use of total knee replacement in veterinary surgery will improve the standard of living of many animals. The aim of this review is to provide information about total knee replacement, which is not yet widely used, and to consider it among treatment alternatives.