As little information is available on the reproductive system of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), a study was conducted on 49 male guinea fowl to document the histological structure and developmental changes in the luminal diameter of the ducts within the excurrent duct system and associated changes in concentrations of testosterone. Age-related changes were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and medians separated by the Mann-Whitney U-test. Tubuli recti were clearly visible in the guinea fowl and the rete testes were both intracapsular and extracapsular. Regardless of age, the luminal diameter of the proximal ductuli efferentes was the largest, while that of the connecting duct was the smallest. The luminal diameter of all ducts within the epididymal region increased (P < 0.001) monthly until 20 wk of age, and then increased marginally every month thereafter. Peripheral testosterone concentrations also peaked at 20 wk of age and declined thereafter. In adult birds, the ductus deferens enlarged posteriorly, from an average of about 279 μm cranially to 678 μm caudally. Peripheral testosterone concentrations strongly and positively correlated with the luminal diameter of ducts within the excurrent duct system. The pattern of increase in the luminal diameter of all ducts followed the pattern of testosterone secretion in these birds, which indicates that testosterone concentrations may be closely related to the development of the excurrent duct system in male guinea fowl.

Separation anxiety and noise aversion are common behavioral problems in dogs. They elicit fear responses such as cowering, seeking out the owner, and attempting to escape. This can result in property damage, injury to the dog, and disruption of the owner-pet bond, possibly leading to pet abandonment or euthanasia. A novel botanical anxiolytic product was evaluated for safety in dogs as the target animal species. Its intended use is for the treatment and prevention of anxiety and noise aversion in dogs. It contains a defined mixture of Souroubea spp. vine and Platanus spp. bark, delivering the active principle, betulinic acid, at a recommended dose of 1 mg/kg body weight (BW). In the current target animal safety study, 16 healthy male beagle dogs were administered either a placebo or the newly formulated botanical tablets at 0.5×, 2.5×, or 5× the recommended dose (1 mg/kg BW) over 28 d. The dogs were monitored for occurrence of any systemic or local adverse events. In the investigation presented here, there were no clinically significant adverse effects following treatment, as determined by clinical observations, physical examinations, BW, hematology, clinical biochemistry, and urinalysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that the concentration of betulinic acid in serum was below 0.020 μg/mL in treated animals. Under the conditions of these studies, the formulated blend of S. sympetala and P. occidentalis, when administered up to 5× the intended dose for 28 consecutive d, showed no adverse effects on the health of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To investigate epilepsy-related neuropathologic changes in cats of a familial spontaneous epileptic strain (ie, familial spontaneous epileptic cats [FSECs]). ANIMALS 6 FSECs, 9 age-matched unrelated healthy control cats, and 2 nonaffected (without clinical seizures)dams and 1 nonaffected sire of FSECs. PROCEDURES Immunohistochemical analyses were used to evaluate hippocampal sclerosis, amygdaloid sclerosis, mossy fiber sprouting, and granule cell pathological changes. Values were compared between FSECs and control cats. RESULTS Significantly fewer neurons without gliosis were detected in the third subregion of the cornu ammonis (CA) of the dorsal and ventral aspects of the hippocampus as well as the central nucleus of the amygdala in FSECs versus control cats. Gliosis without neuronal loss was also observed in the CA4 subregion of the ventral aspect of the hippocampus. No changes in mossy fiber sprouting and granule cell pathological changes were detected. Moreover, similar changes were observed in the dams and sire without clinical seizures, although to a lesser extent. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that the lower numbers of neurons in the CA3 subregion of the hippocampus and the central nucleus of the amygdala were endophenotypes of familial spontaneous epilepsy in cats. In contrast to results of other veterinary medicine reports, severe epilepsy-related neuropathologic changes (eg, hippocampal sclerosis, amygdaloid sclerosis, mossy fiber sprouting, and granule cell pathological changes) were not detected in FSECs. Despite the use of a small number of cats with infrequent seizures, these findings contributed new insights on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of genetic-related epilepsy in cats.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of subchronic oral exposure to zearalenone (ZEA) at a daily dose of 50 μg of ZEA/kg of body weight (an environmentally relevant concentration) on the reproductive system of rabbit bucks. ANIMALS 8 healthy sexually mature New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES During the experimental period (March to June), each rabbit underwent a 7-week control protocol and then a 7-week treatment protocol. Water (0.5 mL) or ZEA solution (50 μg/kg [0.5 mL]) was administered orally once daily during the control and treatment period, respectively; ejaculates were collected weekly. Studied end points included semen quality variables (spermatozoa kinetics, morphology, viability, and DNA fragmentation), serum testosterone concentration, and results of histologic examination of the testes and epididymides following euthanasia at the end of the experimental period. RESULTS Treatment with ZEA solution resulted in significant increases in spermatozoa beat-cross frequency, in the percentages of spermatozoa with head and midpiece abnormalities, and in the percentages of DNA-fragmented spermatozoa, compared with effects of the control treatment. Serum testosterone concentration, other spermatozoa velocity variables, and percentages of progressive and total motility, rapidly or slowly moving spermatozoa, and live spermatozoa did not differ significantly between the 2 periods. Histologic examination revealed no patterns of abnormal findings in the testes and epididymides. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral treatment with ZEA solution at an environmentally relevant concentration caused minor interference with rabbit bucks' sperm quality. Although mostly considered mild, the sperm quality changes warrant further investigation in terms of fertilizing capacity impairment.

Squamous cell carcinomas are malign tumors composed of squamous epithelium of skin and mucous membranes and showing squamous differentiation. A male, 11-year-old Chinchilla race cat was brought to Ankara University, Veterinary Faculty, Veterinary Hospital, Department of Internal Diseases with complaints of anorexia, weakness, dysphagia, fatigue and difficulty in swallowing solid food. Metronidazole (15 mg/kg, iv), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (25 mg/kg, sc) and fluid treatment were administered to the patient, respectively. As a predisposing factor in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats, exposure to cigarette smoke, the use of flea collar, and especially nutrition with tuna fish- containing ingredients are mentioned.

In this study, normal values of important blood parameters in the clinical direction of blood samples of Van cats living in Van and around Van were investigated.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of glucose, total cholesterol, total lipid, total protein, total bilirubine, urea, creatinine quantities, α-Amylase, GOT, GPT, γGT, CK, ALP, LDH, α-HBDH, Che, SDH enzyme activities, GOT/GPT, γGT/GOT, CK/GOT, LDH/GOT, HBDH/LDH ratios and serum protein fractions in 10 Van cats; albumin, α-1globulin, α-2 globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin and albumin / globulin ratio were determined.In order for Van cats that are an important cultural asset and protected rather not to become extinct but to provide them with healthy conditions for living and breeding, we believe that the values we identify will contribute to practice associated with Van cats and generate collective reference values in scientific studies and will help veterinary clinicians.

The present study was designed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Randia dumetorum, Tinospora cordifolia and commercial herbal medicine (Prajana HS, Indian Herbs Overseas) for induction of cyclicity in anoestrus buffalo heifers.Fourty eight anoestrus buffalo heifers were examined and redistributed into six groups(G0, G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5) and each comprising of eight (n=8) animals. Untreated anoestrus animals (G0) andcyclic animals (G6) were kept as an anoestrus control and cyclic control, respectively. Group G1 wassupplemented with the mineral mixture, while G2, G3, G4, and G5 groups were treated with Prajana HS, Randiadumetorum,Tinospora cordifolia,and the combination of Randia dumetorum andTinospora cordifolia,respectively along with supplementation of mineral mixture. Overall estrus induction and conception rate were recorded as 50 % and 75 % in mineral mixture (G1),75 and 83.33 % in Prajana HS (G2), 87.50 % and 85.71 % in Randia dumetorum (G3), 62.5% and 80% inTinospora cordifolia (G4), and 87.5% and 85.71% in Randia dumetorum and Tinospora cordifolia combination(G5) whereas none of heifers were exhibited estrus symptom in untreated anoestrus control group.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease which has worldwide importance and is hard to control and treat. Researchers have not yet developed a protective vaccine for humans in the light of current studies. Various experimental animal models are being used since; i) Leishmania has different species and vectors, ii) there are still many clinical, pathological and immunological issues that have to be investigated, iii) new non-toxic medical recipes to have maximum yield in a short time have to be investigated, iv) protective vaccination have to be developed. Mouse, hamster, dog, rodent, and non-human primates are among these animal models. None of them has the same clinical features, pathogenesis and immunology with the disease in human. However, rodents, dogs, and monkeys, which are the last host of the parasite, are among the most preferred models in recent days. Considering the different clinical forms of the disease, it is best to decide which Leishmania species to work with which animal. This review is intended to guide the researchers in choosing an appropriate animal model for leishmaniasis studies.

A two-year old lioness (Panthero leo) was referred to our clinic with nasal and oral bleeding, vomiting and anemia. As being informed by the owner; we learned that the lion had a history of anorexia, nasal discharge, fatigue, dehydration and apathy just one month prior to admitting the clinic. At the laboratory examination Urea, Creatinine and RBC (red blood cell) were higher than normal. Coronavirus, Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Rapid FIV/Ab FeLV Ag Test Kit, Bionote®) agents were checked with commercial immunochromatographic rapid test kit and found as negative. Heamobartonella sp was found by blood smear. Enrofloxacin (Baytril-K % 5, Bayer®) 10 mg/kg dose for 10 days once a day and vitamin K and supportive fluid were given for treatment. All clinical signs and abnormal blood values returned to normal levels after 17 days. This report indicated that Heamobartonella sp is important agent also for wild cats and all cats should be controlled for this to infection even if suffered from renal failure.

The helicase genes and hypervariable regions (HVRs) of three avian hepatitis E viruses (HEVs) detected at three different farms were sequenced and characterized. Two isolates (DW-L and GI-B2) were classified as genotype 2 and one isolate (GR-B) was classified as genotype 1. A phylogenetic tree, based on the helicase gene and HVR nucleotide sequences, revealed the newly detected viruses and other avian HEVs were classified similarly. Unlike previously reported avian HEVs, the DW-L isolate detected in broiler breeders with characteristic lesions of avian HEV had no prolinerich motif in its HVR, suggesting that the proline-rich motif is non-essential for viral replication and infection.