This study was undertaken to assess the lateral ventricle, which was some portion of brain and related to congenital anomalies, from 1, 2, 4, and 8 months of age in healthy micropigs. They were induced general anesthesia and performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 0.3 Tesla magnet. Each age group was evaluated by three subjects such as lateral ventricular volume, ventricular volume ratio and asymmetry. T1 weighted transverse images were acquired for calculation of lateral ventricular and corresponding brain parenchyma areas. The ratio of bilateral ventricle areas used to analyze the asymmetry. The mean ventricular volumes of each month were 676.74 ± 25.58 ㎣ (1 month-old), 630.64 ± 143.84 ㎣ (2 month-old), 992.12 ± 106.03 ㎣ (4 month-old) and 1172.62 ± 237.57 ㎣ (8 month-old), respectively. The ventricular volume ratio was the smallest at 2 month-old and re-increased from that age. The ratio was significantly different between 2 month-old and other age groups (p less than 0.05). The value of bilateral area ratio showed within 1.5 in all experimental animals. Consequently the lateral ventricle showed a positive correlation with aging and symmetric shapes in both sides. The developmental pattern of the lateral ventricle provides basic data in micropigs as an experimental animal model for physiological and neurosurgical approach.

In this study, we investigated the kinetics of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) concentrations in a 48-h model of canine endotoxemia by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Four healthy beagles were slowly administered 1 mg/kg of LPS diluted in normal saline, while two others were administered normal saline as controls. Blood collection was performed at 0 h (baseline), 1 h and 3 h (for TNF-α), 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h of the experiment, and cytokine levels were determined using the sandwich ELISA method. Early increments of TNF-α and IL-6 were observed (less than 3 h), but HMGB1 levels increased the most at 12 h of the experiment and gradually decreased until 48 h. During the whole experiment, IL-6 and HMGB1 were sustained over 12 h of LPS injection, whereas TNF-α decreased within 6 h of LPS injection. Taken together, canine HMGB1 levels increase relatively late (less than 12 h) and sustained longer than TNF-α and IL-6 in response to endotoxin. This is the first study to evaluate canine HMGB1 cytokine from endotoxemia in dogs.

Lactobacillus salivarius JWS 58 (JWS 58) and Lactobacillus plantarum JWS 1354 (JWS 1354) are isolated from duck intestine and have ability to produce bacteriocin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of JWS 58 and JWS 1354. The nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) were measured in C57BL/6 mouse peritoneal macrophages to determine immune enhancing effects of JWS 58 and JWS 1354. A Listeria (L.) monocytogenes challenge mice model was used to evaluate immune enhancement ability of JWS 58 and JWS 1354 in vivo. The results showed that JWS 58 and JWS 1354 increased the production of NO or cytokines by peritoneal macrophages and that oral administration of viable probiotic strains in mice elicited the immuno-modulatory effect upon L. monocytogenes challenge. JWS 1354 showed stronger immune enhancing effects than JWS 58. Collectively, this study demonstrated that Lactobacillus strain JWS 58 and JWS 1354 possess immune enhancing effect. Furthermore, two stains are expected to use feed supplement to prevent diseases by pathogenic bacteria through releasing bacteriocin and enhancing host immune responses in animal.

A dog (5.6 kg, 4-year-old, castrated male, Miniature pinscher) with diffuse symmetric alopecia on the chest and excessive scales was referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Chungnam National University, Korea. On physical examination, diffuse alopecia on ventral aspect of the neck and caudomedial thighs, and severe scales were presented. Dermatologic tests of lesions revealed bacterial infections. Histopathologically, atrophy of hair bulb was observed in the severely alopecic lesion of caudomedial thighs. ACTH stimulation test was performed to differentiate the endocrine disorder related to generalized alopecia. The pre-ACTH serum testosterone and progesterone concentrations were above normal ranges and the post-ACTH serum testosterone concentration was high. The pre- and post-ACTH serum estradiol and cortisol concentrations were within normal ranges. Canine pattern alopecia was diagnosed based on history, physical examination, hormonal assay and dermatohistopathologic examination. After 3 months of melatonin administration, multifocal alopecia on the trunk was improved and general hair regrowth was identified.

Objective: To compare computed tomography (CT) images of equine tarsi with cross-sectional anatomic slices and evaluate the potential of CT for imaging pathological tarsal changes in horses. Sample: 6 anatomically normal equine cadaveric hind limbs and 4 tarsi with pathological changes. Procedures: Precontrast CT was performed on 3 equine tarsi; sagittal and dorsal reconstructions were made. In all limbs, postcontrast CT was performed after intra-articular contrast medium injection of the tarsocrural, centrodistal, and tarsometatarsal joints. Images were matched with corresponding anatomic slices. Four tarsi with pathological changes underwent CT examination. Results: The tibia, talus, calcaneus, and central, fused first and second, third, and fourth tarsal bones were clearly visualized as well as the long digital extensor, superficial digital flexor, lateral digital flexor (with tarsal flexor retinaculum), gastrocnemius, peroneus tertius, and tibialis cranialis tendons and the long plantar ligament. The lateral digital extensor, medial digital flexor, split peroneus tertius, and tibialis cranialis tendons and collateral ligaments could be located but not always clearly identified. Some small tarsal ligaments were identifiable, including plantar, medial, interosseus, and lateral talocalcaneal ligaments; interosseus talocentral, centrodistal, and tarsometatarsal ligaments; proximal and distal plantar ligaments; and talometatarsal ligament. Parts of the articular cartilage could be assessed on postcontrast images. Lesions were detected in the 4 tarsi with pathological changes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: CT of the tarsus is recommended when radiography and ultrasonography are inconclusive and during preoperative planning for treatment of complex fractures. Images from this study can serve as a CT reference, and CT of pathological changes was useful.

Objective: To obtain quantitative variables of the abdominal aorta and both kidneys on the basis of time-attenuation curves (TACs) and to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for each kidney and the global GFR in clinically normal cats by use of dynamic computed tomography (CT) and Patlak analysis. Animals: 9 healthy cats. Procedures: All the cats were anesthetized with propofol. Anesthesia was maintained by administration of isoflurane, and CT examination was performed in the anesthetized cats. The TACs and renal volume were measured by use of the baseline precontrast and single-slice dynamic scans. The CT-GFR of each kidney and the global CT-GFRs were calculated via Patlak plot analysis. Results: CT-GFR results from 7 cats were valid. Peak aortic enhancement was detected between 9.0 and 14.0 seconds after iohexol injection, and the initial peak time of renal parenchymal enhancement was 15 to 24 seconds after iohexol injection. Mean ± SD global GFR was 2.06 ± 0.62 mL/min/kg. Mean ± SD CT-GFR of the right and left kidneys was 0.97 ± 0.32 mL/min/kg and 1.05 ± 0.31 mL/min/kg, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The CT-GFR method can be rapidly and conveniently performed in clinically normal cats. This combined structural-functional approach provided physiologic and morphological information on the kidneys of cats.

Objective-To compare efficacy of 2 commercial ovine Campylobacter vaccines and an experimental bacterin in guinea pigs following IP inoculation with Campylobacter jejuni IA3902. Animals-51 female guinea pigs. Procedures-Pregnant and nonpregnant animals were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups and administered a commercial Campylobacter vaccine labeled for prevention of campylobacteriosis in sheep via two 5-mL doses 14 days apart (vaccine A; n = 13), another labeled for prevention of campylobacteriosis via two 2-mL doses (vaccine B; 12), an experimental bacterin prepared from the challenge strain (12), or a sham vaccine (14). Ten days later, animals were challenged IP with C jejuni IA3902; 48 hours later, animals were euthanized, complete necropsy was performed, and blood and tissue samples were obtained for bacteriologic culture. Results-Administration of vaccine B or the experimental bacterin, but not vaccine A, significantly reduced 48-hour infection rates versus administration of the sham vaccine. A significantly reduced 48-hour infection rate was associated with administration of vaccine B independent of pregnancy status. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Administration of vaccine B significantly reduced infection in guinea pigs challenged with C jejuni IA3902, similar to a homologous bacterin. Results suggested that vaccine B or an autogenous product may be effective in controlling ovine campylobacteriosis caused by this emergent abortifacient strain. Bacteriologic culture of blood, liver, bile, and uterus in nonpregnant guinea pigs 48 hours after inoculation may be a useful screening tool for comparing efficacy of C jejuni vaccines.

Objective—To evaluate the specificity of a canine pancreas-specific lipase (cPSL) assay for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs without clinical or histologic evidence of the disease. Animals—20 dogs from another study with macroscopic evidence of pancreatitis and 44 dogs surrendered for euthanasia or expected to die. Procedures—Prior to death, physical examination of each dog was performed and blood samples were collected for serum biochemical, serum cPSL, and hematologic analyses. After death, the pancreas was removed, sectioned in 1- to 2-cm slices, and evaluated by a pathologist. Dogs were classified by whether they had clinical or macroscopic pancreatitis. Each pancreatic section was histologically examined, and mean cumulative scores (MCSs) were assigned for 8 histologic characteristics. For each characteristic, comparisons were made between dogs with and without pancreatitis to establish histologic criteria for lack of evidence of pancreatitis. Results—For all histologic characteristics except lymphocytic infiltration, the median MCS differed significantly between dogs with and without pancreatitis. Dogs were categorized as having no histologic evidence of pancreatitis when the MCSs for neutrophilic infiltration, pancreatic necrosis, peripancreatic fat necrosis, and edema were 0.0. On the basis of these criteria, 40 dogs were classified as having no evidence of pancreatitis. The cPSL concentration was within reference limits in 38 of these 40 dogs and was less than the cutoff value for diagnosing pancreatitis (400 μg/L) in 39 of the 40 dogs, resulting in a specificity of 97.5% (95% confidence interval, 86.8% to 99.9%). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The cutoff cPSL value used in this study may be useful for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs with a lack of histologic lesions consistent with pancreatitis and for which pancreatitis is not considered a major differential diagnosis.

Objective—To estimate the risk of subclinical Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in cows that ingested MAP DNA–positive raw colostrum as calves, compared with risk in cows that ingested MAP DNA–negative raw colostrum as calves. Animals—205 calves born in 12 commercial dairy herds. Procedures—Each calf was separated from its dam within 30 to 60 minutes after birth and fed raw colostrum. For each calf, samples of the colostrum fed were collected and tested for the presence of MAP DNA by use of a nested PCR assay for the target gene ISMAP02. Calves fed colostrum positive or negative for MAP DNA were classified into exposed (n = 69) and unexposed (136) groups, respectively. Each calf was tested for MAP infection at 30, 42, and 54 months of age by use of a serum ELISA and bacterial culture of feces. Weibull hazard regression models were used to evaluate the association between exposure to MAP DNA–positive colostrum and time to testing positive for MAP infection. Results—Hazard of MAP infection was not different between groups (exposed vs unexposed) when serum ELISA, bacterial culture of feces, or both diagnostic tests (parallel interpretation) were positive. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Heifer calves fed MAP DNA–positive colostrum were at no greater risk of MAP infection, compared with heifer calves fed MAP DNA–negative colostrum. This result contradicts findings from other studies and should be interpreted with caution.

Objective—To identify and characterize cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) responsible for the metabolism of racemic ketamine in 3 mammalian species in vitro by use of chemical inhibitors and antibodies. Sample—Human, canine, and equine liver microsomes and human single CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 and their canine orthologs. Procedures—Chemical inhibitors selective for human CYP enzymes and anti-CYP antibodies were incubated with racemic ketamine and liver microsomes or specific CYPs. Ketamine N-demethylation to norketamine was determined via enantioselective capillary electrophoresis. Results—The general CYP inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole almost completely blocked ketamine metabolism in human and canine liver microsomes but not in equine microsomes. Chemical inhibition of norketamine formation was dependent on inhibitor concentration in most circumstances. For all 3 species, inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2A6, CYP2C19, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 diminished N-demethylation of ketamine. Anti-CYP3A4, anti-CYP2C9, and anti-CYP2B6 antibodies also inhibited ketamine N-demethylation. Chemical inhibition was strongest with inhibitors of CYP2A6 and CYP2C19 in canine and equine microsomes and with the CYP3A4 inhibitor in human microsomes. No significant contribution of CYP2D6 to ketamine biotransformation was observed. Although the human CYP2C9 inhibitor blocked ketamine N-demethylation completely in the canine ortholog CYP2C21, a strong inhibition was also obtained by the chemical inhibitors of CYP2C19 and CYP2B6. Ketamine N-demethylation was stereoselective in single human CYP3A4 and canine CYP2C21 enzymes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Human-specific inhibitors of CYP2A6, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 diminished ketamine N-demethylation in dogs and horses. To address drug-drug interactions in these animal species, investigations with single CYPs are needed.