Introduction: A model of fatty liver in postpartum sheep was established to measure blood paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and other biochemical indicators, which were used to predict fatty liver in sheep. Material and Methods: Sheep were assigned into two experimental groups: a fatty liver group (T, n = 10) and a healthy control group (C, n = 5). PON1 enzyme activity towards paraoxon as a substrate was quantified spectrophotometrically. The results were analysed by t-test and pearson correlation coefficient. Disease was predicted by binary logistic analysis, and diagnostic thresholds were determined by receiver operatingcharacteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The activity of serum PON1 in group T was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) when compared with C group, and liver lipid content and the levels of serum BHBA, NEFA, and TG were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Thresholds were lower than 74.0 U/mL for PON1, higher than 0.97 mmol/L for β-hydroxybutyrate, higher than 1.29 mmol/L for non-esterified fatty acids, higher than 0.24 mmol/L for triglycerides, and lower than 71.35 g/L for total protein. Conclusion: This study verified that PON1, BHBA, NEFA, TG, and TP could be used to predict the risk of fatty liver in sheep.

This report describes atypical chronic trypanosomosis in a three year male Spitz dog. Fever, lethargy and anorexia were the early presenting signs without any hemato-biochemical abnormality. Peripheral blood smear examination was non-diagnostic on three consecutive times. Trypanosma evansi was confirmed in the Leishman stained thin blood smears (moderate parasetemia) on fourth parasitological examination. Biochemical profile showed a remarkable elevation in total serum bilirubin (6.7 mg%) and activities of alanine amino transferase (ALT) (950 IU/L) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) (1050 IU/L) after a month. Anemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia suggestive of bone marrow depression appeared by about 73 days of presentation of case. A rapid complete clinical recovery occurred within a week after treatment with quinapiramine sulphate and chloride combination @ 3.5mg/kg bwt. Hemoglobin, leucocyte and thrombocyte count improved within six days, however, liver enzyme activity normalized slowly over three months.

Sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is an important disease affecting cattle in certain geographical regions. However, the pathogenesis of brain damage is not completely understood. We previously observed that excess dietary sulfur may influence thiamine status and altered thiamine metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of sulfur-induced PEM in cattle. In this study, we evaluated the activities of thiamine-dependent enzymes [α-ketogluterate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)] and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in the cerebral cortex of sulfur-induced PEM-affected cattle (n = 9) and clinically normal cattle (n = 8, each group) exposed to low or high dietary sulfur [LS = 0.30% versus HS = 0.67% sulfur on a dry matter (DM) basis]. Enzyme activities in PEM brains were measured from the brain tissue regions and examined using ultraviolent (UV) light illumination to show fluorescence or non-fluorescence regions. No gross changes under regular or UV light, or histopathological changes indicative of PEM were detected in the brains of cattle exposed to LS or HS diets. The PDH, α-KGDH, and COX activities did not differ between LS and HS brains, but all enzymes showed significantly lower (P < 0.05) activities in UV-positive region of PEM brains compared with LS and HS brains. The UV-negative regions of PEM brain had similar PDH activities to LS and HS brains, but the activities of α-KGDH and COX were significantly lower than in LS and HS brains. The results of this study suggest that reduced enzyme activities of brain PHD, α-KGDH, and COX are associated with the pathogenesis of sulfur-induced PEM.

OBJECTIVE To assess the discriminatory value for corticosteroid-induced alkaline phosphatase (CiALP) activity and other variables that can be measured routinely on a CBC and biochemical analysis for the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. SAMPLE Medical records of 57 dogs with confirmed hypoadrenocorticism and 57 control dogs in which hypoadrenocorticism was suspected but ruled out. PROCEDURES A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Dogs were included if a CBC and complete biochemical analysis had been performed. Dogs with iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism and dogs treated previously with glucocorticoids were excluded. Cortisol concentration for dogs with hypoadrenocorticism was ≤ 2 μg/dL both before and after ACTH administration. Cortisol concentration for control dogs was > 4 μg/dL before or after ACTH administration. RESULTS Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for CiALP activity was low (0.646; 95% confidence interval, 0.494 to 0.798). Area under the ROC curve for a model that combined the CiALP activity, Na-to-K ratio, eosinophil count, activity of creatine kinase, and concentrations of SUN and albumin was high (0.994; 95% confidence interval, 0.982 to 1.000). Results for this model could be used to correctly classify all dogs, except for 1 dog with hypoadrenocorticism and no electrolyte abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE CiALP activity alone cannot be used as a reliable diagnostic test for hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. Combined results for CiALP activity, Na-to-K ratio, eosinophil count, creatine kinase activity, and concentrations of SUN and albumin provided an excellent means to discriminate between hypoadrenocorticism and diseases that mimic hypoadrenocorticism.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation between the density of native gastric Helicobacter spp and the presence of gastric lesions in dogs. ANIMALS 80 dogs of various breeds, sexes, and ages. PROCEDURES Gastroscopic and histologic examinations were performed for all dogs. Helicobacter spp were detected by combining evaluation of urease activity and results of bacteriologic culture, microscopic observation, and a 16S rRNA PCR assay. The density of Helicobacter-like organisms was evaluated with light microscopy by use of Warthin-Starry modified stain. Correlations were evaluated by use of the Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS Gastritis was found in 55 of 80 dogs and classified as mild (n = 31), moderate (16), or severe (8). Of these 55 dogs, only 8 had clinical signs. Histologic examination revealed some degree of lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltrate, mild eosinophilia, and neutrophilic inflammation in the lamina propria. Seventy-six dogs had positive results for Helicobacter spp. Helicobacter pylori DNA was not detected. Low density and homogeneous distribution of Helicobacter spp were observed in all gastric zones. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A significant correlation between density of Helicobacter spp and gastroscopic or histologic lesions was not detected. These findings supported the contention that there is no correlation between general Helicobacter spp density or numbers and gastritis in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To investigate systemic changes following low-dosage prednisolone administration in dogs. ANIMALS 4 healthy purpose-bred adult male Beagles. PROCEDURES Dogs were administered prednisolone PO at a dosage of 2 mg/kg/d for 2 weeks, 1 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks, and 0.5 mg/kg/d for 3 weeks. Body weight, blood pressure, hepatic size and echogenicity, percentage of vacuolated hepatocytes, serum hepatic enzyme activities and glucose concentration, adrenal gland size, and pancreatic echogenicity were evaluated weekly for 9 weeks. RESULTS The only significant change identified was an increase in hepatic echogenicity, assessed by measuring liver-kidney contrast on ultrasonographic images. Increases in hepatic size and percentage of vacuolated hepatocytes were identified, but values did not differ from baseline values. Similarly, serum hepatic enzyme activities increased, but changes were mild and not significantly different from baseline values. Body weight, pancreatic echogenicity, and serum glucose concentration did not show noticeable changes. Mild systemic hypertension was seen, but blood pressure was not significantly different from the baseline value. Similarly, adrenal gland size steadily decreased during the first 6 weeks and increased again after the prednisolone dosage was decreased to 0.5 mg/kg/d. However, mean adrenal gland size was not significantly different from the baseline value at any time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that in dogs, administration of prednisolone at a low dosage was associated with minimal systemic effects.