peer reviewed | Objective-To evaluate effects of a blend of fructo-oligosaccharides and sugar beet fiber (4:1) at 3 incorporation rates on nutrient digestibility and plasma glucose, insulin, alpha-aminonitrogen, urea, cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations measured weekly in nonfed dogs and during a 360-minute period after a meal. Animals-8 castrated 1 to 1.4-year-old young adult male Beagles weighing 10.0 to 13.5 kg. Procedure-Diets containing 2 incorporation rates of a blend of fructo-oligosaccharides and sugar beet fiber (5 and 10% on a dry matter basis [diets B and C, respectively]) were compared with a control diet without additional fiber (diet A). The 3 diets were evaluated for ability to modify digestibility of dry and organic matter, protein, fat, and ash and for effects on plasma glucose, insulin, alpha-aminonitrogen, urea, cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations. Each diet was fed for 6 weeks; plasma samples were collected weekly before feeding and after feeding on the last day of the period, During 1 week at the end of the 6-week period, dogs were kept in metabolic cages. Each period of the block was followed by a 4-week washout period. Results-Incorporating the blend of fructo-oiigosaccharides and sugar beet fiber in the diet was associated with greater passage of wet feces (diets B and C) and lower protein digestibility (diet C). Postprandial glucose (diet C), urea (diets B and C) and triglyceride (diets B and C) concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased. Weekly preprandial measurements were characterized by decreased urea (diets B and C), cholesterol (diet C), and triglycerides (diets B and C) concentrations (P < 0.001). Conclusion-Chronic consumption of fermentable fiber is associated with mildly decreased protein digestibility and with metabolic effects in nonfed or fed dogs. Clinical Relevance-A blend of fructo-oligosaccharides and sugar beet fiber should he tested as a dietary aid for treatment of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidemia, in dogs.

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peer reviewed | Objective-To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of medial coronoid process and humeral condyle lesions in dysplastic cubital joints and to compare survey radiography and MRI for evaluation of fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP) and lesions of the medial aspect of the humeral condyle (MAHC). Animals-18 dogs with elbow dysplasia. Procedure-Radiography of 22 cubital joints was performed. The 22 joints then underwent MRI. The scans were evaluated with regard to the shape and signal of the coronoid process; articular cartilage change, subchondral bone disruption of the MAHC. Surgical findings were used as the standard to calculate accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive-and negative-predictive values for specific diagnosis of FMCP (free fragment) and lesions of the MAHC. Results-At surgery, 31.8% of the joints had FMCP (free), 36.4% had nondisplaced unmineralized coronoid process, and 27.2% had nondisplaced mineralized coronoid process, Eleven joints had lesions of the MAHC, and wear lesions were observed in 41% of the joints. On radiography, FMCP (free) was visualized in 9% of the joints and lesions of the MAHC were observed in 23%. MRI had the highest accuracy (95.5%), sensitivity (100%), and negative-predictive value (100%) for detection of FMCP (free), and had accuracy (91%), sensitivity (87.5%), specificity (92.5%), and positive (87.5%)- and negative (92.5%)- predictive values for detection of nondisplaced unmineralized coronoid process. Conclusions and Clinical relevance-Compared with radiography, MRI was useful for detection of nondisplaced unmineralized coronoid process; images consistently correlated with surgical findings. The technique is accurate and especially useful when radiographic findings are inconclusive.

peer reviewed | OBJECTIVE: To assess the peripheral chemoreceptor-induced ventilatory response to single tidal-breath CO2 (SB CO2) tests, compared with eructations, in 2 breeds of calves. ANIMALS: 13 conscious unsedated Holstein-Friesian and 8 Belgian White and Blue hypermuscled calves. PROCEDURE: An SB of +/- 50% CO2 in equal parts of O2 and N2 was inhaled. Ventilatory response was determined from the increase in ventilation (delta Ve) during the first 20 seconds after the test breath or eructation and from the difference in end-tidal PCO2 between the stimulus and preceding control breaths. RESULTS: Because no difference was found between the 2 breeds of calves, all data were pooled. The increase in Ve peaked during the fifth breath after the SB CO2 test on average, corresponding to a delay of 12.4 seconds. The SB CO2 responses ranged from 0.037 to 0.151 L/min.mm of Hg.m2, with a mean +/- SD of 0.082 +/- 0.032 L/min.mm of Hg.m2 for all calves. The SB CO2 tests, similar to eructations, modified the breathing pattern significantly and in the same direction, by principally shortening expiratory time and increasing mean inspiratory flow. After eructations, Ve peak increase was more important for lower difference in end-tidal PCO2 between the stimulus and preceding control breaths and took place more rapidly than after SB CO2 tests. Accordingly, eructation responses were more marked than SB CO2 responses and averaged 0.925 +/- 0.276 L/min.mm of Hg.m2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In cattle, the pattern of breathing and ventilation under basal conditions is characterized by a cyclic variability coupled to eructation.

This paper concerns somato-autonomic reflex responses in various visceral organs following somatic sensory stimulation in animals anesthetized to eliminate emotional factors. Various forms of somatic sensory stimulation can produce different autonomic reflex responses, depending on the visceral organs and which somatic afferents are stimulated. Some responses have a dominant sympathetic efferent involvement, whereas others have predominantly parasympathetic efferent involvement. Some responses have propriospinal and segmental characteristics, while others have supraspinal and systemic characteristics in their reflex nature. These somato-autonomic reflex responses may be functioning during physical therapy including acupuncture

The distribution of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) in the organs of experimentally infected cows was investigated by use of nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two cows (Nos. 1 and 2) experimentally infected with BIV were alive without any clinical symptoms of BIV infection for 28 months. Viral and proviral genomes of BIV were continuously detected from peripheral blood leukocytes in those cows by nested PCR. Proviral genome of BIV were also detected in liver, lung, and spleen cells in the two cows, and in the brain in cow No.1. Viral genomes were detected in liver, lung and spleen cells in cow No.1, and detected only in spleen cells in cow No.2. These results suggest that BIV tended to the persistent in some organs, especially in the spleen