Measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) in dogs has high diagnostic value because of the possibility of detecting ocular and systemic diseases. Various types of tonometers are available for this measurement in small animal practice. The aim of the study was to compare the IOP values measured with Schiotz and Tono-Pen Vet tonometers in healthy dogs. Clinical diagnostic usefulness of both models was also evaluated. The examination was performed in 62 eyes in 31 clinically healthy dogs of different races, gender, and ages. The values for intraocular pressure obtained with Schiotz tonometer were in the range of 12 to 24 mmHg, with the mean of 16.3 ± 2.1 mmHg. The intraocular pressure measured with Tono-Pen Vet tonometer was in the range of 11–25 mmHg, with a mean of 18.1 ± 3.8 mmHg. The mean results of measurements taken using the two tonometers differed statistically significantly, the difference being 1.79 mmHg and the higher values being read from the Tono-Pen Vet tonometer. Correlation coefficients calculated for the results obtained in the right and left eyes using two tonometers indicated highly correlative relationships between the results. The study shows that both tonometers can be advantageously used in clinical practice to measure intraocular pressure in dogs.

Introduction: The prevalence of arrhythmias in dogs and the influence of sex, breed, age, and body weight were analysed over a seven-year span. Material and Methods: In total, 1189 referrals for cardiological examination by electrocardiography were received at one academic centre in Poland between 2008 and 2014. The largest proportion of the examined dogs were cross-breeds with body weight below 25 kg (n = 153, 12.87%), followed by German Shepherds (n = 122, 10.26%), Labrador Retrievers (n = 68, 5.72%), Yorkshire Terriers (n = 63, 5.3%), and Boxers (n = 60, 5.05%). Retrospective analysis was made of 1201 standing or right recumbent electrocardiograms without pharmacological sedation. The prevalence of arrhythmias was examined in terms of sex, age, body weight, and breed of the dogs. Results: A total of 630 (52.46%) electrocardiograms showed no signs of arrhythmia, but 96 (7.99%) and 475 (39.55%) pointed to physiological and pathological arrhythmias respectively. The most commonly diagnosed type was atrial fibrillation with 33.68% incidence, followed by ventricular arrhythmias (28%), sinus pauses (27.58%), supraventricular arrhythmias (24%), and atrioventricular blocks (22.95%). Pathological arrhythmias were most commonly found in male dogs and in German Shepherds. Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation predominated, followed by premature ventricular complexes. Male dogs were generally more prone to heart rhythm disturbances.

Introduction: Dogs harbour zoonotic parasites that cause serious infections in humans, such as visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans, cystic echinococcosis, and alveolar echinococcosis. Studies on dogs’ gastrointestinal parasites in different geographical locations are required to increase knowledge of the risk of canine zoonoses in human populations.Material and Methods: The presence of parasites was examined in 450 faecal samples collected from eight zones of Zanjan province, northwest Iran from June to November 2015. The samples were examined using the sedimentation concentration method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining.Results: Gastrointestinal parasites were found in 86 (19.1%) faecal samples. Sarcocystis spp. (7.3%), Taenia/Echinococcus spp. (5.6%), Toxocara spp. (1.8%), and Cystoisospora spp. (1.6%) were the most common parasites observed. The other detected parasites consisted of Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.7%), Eimeria spp. (0.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (0.4%), Physaloptera spp. (0.4%), Giardia spp. (1.3%), and Spirocerca lupi (1.3%). The lowest parasite infection rates belonged to Trichuris vulpis and Acanthocephalans (0.2% each).Conclusion: This study provides current information on the infection rates in dog populations in Zanjan Province. Furthermore, the study shows a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections, including zoonotic ones and particularly Taenia/Echinococcus spp., potentially transmissible to humans and thus relevant to public health.

Introduction: Intentional and accidental poisoning of animals is often caused by readily available commercial pesticides, such as the molluscicide metaldehyde. A retrospective analysis of suspected metaldehyde poisonings between 2014 and 2016 in Italy was conducted. Material and Methods: Biological matrices were collected for toxicological analyses in the course of routine Institute activity. A total of 183 organs from dogs and cats and 49 pieces of bait, here specificall y poisoned food used to lure animals, were analysed and the presence of metaldehyde was confirmed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results: A high content of metaldehyde was demonstrated in the analysed samples from dogs and cats: 50 (27.3%) animals were found positive for metaldehyde intoxication together with 17 pieces of bait. Conclusion: The study emphasised the need for the control of metaldehyde use by the veterinary service.

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.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to examine the percentage volume of epithelium, acini, and interstitial collagen in the nonhyperplastic canine prostate and in cases of epithelial and epithelial cystic hyperplasia. Material and Methods: A histomorphometric study of 39 prostates was performed using computer image analysis. Results: The highest percentage volume of epithelium was found in cases of epithelial hyperplasia (47.8 %) and epithelial cystic hyperplasia was the correlate for acini (48.97 %). Epithelium decreased with dogs’ age (P < 0.01), whereas acini increased (P < 0.01). Interstitial collagen varied only insignificantly across age groups, but collagen was higher (12.1 %) in the nonhyperplastic prostates. With age cystic formation progressed in the canine prostate, the percentage volume of epithelium decreased and that of acini increased, but this same parameter in prostatic collagen did not change distinctly. The epithelium percentage volume increased in cases of epithelial hyperplasia but the cystic variant caused an increase in acinar volume. Conclusion: As dogs age, cystic formation progresses in the prostate, therefore the volume of epithelium decreases and that of acini increases. The volume of prostatic collagen did not change distinctly with age, and was higher in normal prostates than in both epithelial and epithelial cystic hyperplastic glands.

OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of 5 synthetic peptide–based ELISAs with that of 3 commercially available immunofluorescent assays (IFAs) for serologic diagnosis of anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in dogs. SAMPLE A convenience set of 109 serum samples obtained before and at various times after inoculation for 23 dogs that were experimentally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, or Ehrlichia ewingii and 1 uninfected control dog in previous studies. PROCEDURES All serum samples were assessed with 5 synthetic peptide–based ELISAs designed to detect antibodies against A phagocytophilum, A platys, E canis, E chaffeensis, and E ewingii and 3 whole organism–based IFAs designed to detect antibodies against A phagocytophilum, E canis, and E chaffeensis. The species-specific seroreactivity, cross-reactivity with the other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each assay and compared among assays. RESULTS All serum samples obtained from dogs experimentally infected with a TBP yielded positive results on a serologic assay specific for that pathogen. In general, sensitivity was comparable between ELISAs and IFAs and tended to increase with duration after inoculation. Compared with the IFAs, the corresponding ELISAs were highly specific and rarely cross-reacted with antibodies against other TBPs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that peptide-based ELISAs had enhanced specificity relative to whole organism–based IFAs for detection of antibodies against Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp, which should facilitate accurate diagnosis and may help detect dogs coinfected with multiple TBPs.

Some immortalized lens epithelial cell lines have been established and are useful for molecular analysis. The establishment of additional cell lines must, however, enable a variety of in-vitro examinations. The objective of this study was to establish a new canine lens epithelial cell line by isolating CLC-1 cells from the lens tissue of a dog with cataracts. In CLC-1 cells, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) treatment significantly decreased gene expression of an epithelial marker and elevated that of mesenchymal markers; these characteristics are similar to those of a human lens epithelial cell line. Interestingly, CLC-1 cells exhibited lower expression of an epithelial marker and higher expression of mesenchymal markers than an anterior lens capsule. These results suggest that CLC-1 cells were derived from a cell population that was committed to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cataract lens tissue. In conclusion, CLC-1 cells could be useful for analyzing molecular pathogenesis in canine cataracts.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of epitendinous suture (ES) caliber on the tensile strength of flexor tendon repairs in cadaveric specimens from dogs. SAMPLE 60 cadaveric superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) from 30 skeletally mature dogs. PROCEDURES Specimens were randomly assigned to 5 suture caliber groups (n = 12 SDFTs/group). After sharp transection, SDFTs were repaired by placement of a simple continuous circumferential ES created with size-0, 2–0, 3–0, 4–0, or 5–0 polypropylene suture. Constructs were preloaded to 2 N and load tested to failure. Loads at yield, peak, and failure and mode of failure were compared among groups by statistical methods. RESULTS Yield, peak, and failure loads for SDFT repair constructs were positively correlated with ES caliber and did not differ between the size-0 and 2–0 groups on pairwise comparisons. Yield load was significantly greater for size-0, 2–0, and 3–0 groups than for the 4–0 and 5–0 groups. Peak and failure loads were significantly greater for the size-0 and 2–0 groups than for the remaining groups. Most size-0 (12/12), 2–0 (12/12), and 3–0 (10/12) group constructs failed because of ES pull-through; several constructs in the 4–0 group (5/12) and most in the 5–0 group (11/12) failed because of ES breakage. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested size-0 and 2–0 sutures should be considered when placing an ES for flexor tendon repairs in dogs. However, in vivo studies are needed determine the effects of increasing ES caliber on clinical outcomes for dogs undergoing these procedures.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of microwave ablation (MWA) with cooling urethral perfusion and with no perfusion (MWA-UP and MWA-NP, respectively) for prostate gland ablation in canine cadavers. ANIMALS Cadavers of 18 sexually intact male dogs. PROCEDURES After technique refinement in 2 cadavers, laparotomy with ultrasound-guided MWA-UP (n = 8) or MWA-NP (8) of the prostate gland was performed in 16 cadavers. Normograde cystourethroscopy was performed before and after treatment; recorded images were reviewed in a blinded manner for scoring of urethral mucosal discoloration and loss of integrity. Difficulty with cystoscope insertion was recorded if present. Excised prostate glands were fixed for serial sectioning, gross measurements, and calculation of percentage ablation. Percentages of prostate tissue necrosis from MWA, denuded urethral mucosa, and depth of epithelial surface loss in an adjacent section of the colon were estimated histologically. Variables of interest were statistically analyzed. RESULTS Difficulty with cystoscope insertion after treatment was significantly more common and scores for urethral mucosal discoloration and loss of integrity were significantly higher (indicating more severe lesions) for the MWA-NP group than for the MWA-UP group. The histologically assessed percentage of denuded urethral mucosa was also greater for the MWA-NP group. Overall median percentage prostate gland ablation was 73%; this result was not associated with prostate gland volume or chronological order of treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE MWA-UP induced subtotal thermal necrosis of prostate glands in canine cadavers while limiting urethral mucosal injury. Further study is required to optimize the technique and evaluate its safety and efficacy in vivo as a future curative-intent treatment for prostatic tumors in dogs.