Cardiac thrombosis normally occurs in old Syrian hamsters and according to the research it has a higher incidence rate in females than males. The most frequent site of thrombus formation has been reported to be the left atrium and it usually occurs secondary to degenerative cardiomyopathy and amyloidosis. In this study during a period of 2 years, 22 pet Syrian hamsters aged between 1-3 years-old with signs of cardiovascular disease and referred to the small animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital of University of Tehran were examined in order to evaluate for cardiac diseases as well as atrial thrombosis. During the examinations and observations clinical signs such as lethargy, anorexia, hyperpnoea, reduced daily activity, tachycardia, cyanosis, and vaginal discharge were observed. Based on the clinical sings, the initial diagnosis of cardiac disease was made and for more accurate evaluation of cardiac disease, the cases were referred to the radiology department. For detection of specific signs of cardiac disease echocardiography was performed on all patients. in some cases, sampling of vaginal discharge was taken as well and transferred to the lab for bacterial culture. Cardiac thrombosis and especially atrial thrombosis in all cases were diagnosed by echocardiography so that 9 cases showed pyometra concurrently.

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals and metalloids are among the most stable and resistant to decomposition elements that, in the presence of high concentrations in aquatic tissues, threaten their own and human health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the composition and order of the elements accumulation in the edible muscle tissue of pike from Siah Darvishan River as one of the most valuable and economical fish and also to evaluate its health for human nutrition. METHODS: In the present study, concentration of eleven elements (As, Fe, Hg, Zn, Pb, Se, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni) in the muscle tissue of 25 pike (Esox lucius) collected with the Cast net in the summer of 2016 from Siah Darvishan River, Guilan province, Iran were surveyed by Varian Atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: The lowest and highest mean accumulation of elements were obtained as follows: Zinc 25.89 - 28.80, Iron 21.85 - 24.26, Copper 6.78 - 8.15, Manganese 1.77 - 2.12, Lead 0.68 - 0.73, Selenium 0.59 - 0.62, Arsenic 0.53 - 0.62, Cadmium 0.38 - 0.41, Nickel 0.24 - 0.28, Chromium 0.17 - 0.19 and Mercury 0.087 - 0.098 microgram per gram dry weight, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, mean concentrations of all elements in the muscle tissue of pike, except the four elements Manganese (1.956 ± 0.178), Lead (0.698 ± 0.028), Arsenic (0.572 ± 0.044) and Cadmium (0.393 ± 0.018) were observed to be lower than explained threshold limit value (TLV) of FAO/WHO international standard.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays due to the extensive use of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance is recognized as a global concern for the health of animals and humans. The consequences of antimicrobial resistance are resistance of zoonotic pathogenic factors and reductions in the effectiveness of treatment for many diseases. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are the monitoring and prevalence of antimicrobial residues of the poultry carcasses in Kerman poultry abattoirs. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted from June 2015 to October 2016. A total of 474 samples were collected from Kerman province poultry abattoirs and tested with four plate test (FPT) method. Data were analyzed  using Descriptive statistics for qualitative data with 95 % confidence interval. RESULTS: A total of 38 samples were positive (8/02 %), Antibiotics isolates included: Fluoroquinolone, Macrolide, Cephalosporin, β-lactam, Tetracycline, Sulfonamide and Amino glycoside. The highest rate of antibiotics isolated in positive samples was Fluoroquinolone (36/1 %) and the lowest rate was cephalosporin (4/1 %). Half of the samples were positive for one type of antibiotic (Fluoroquinolone), 28/9 % for two types of antibiotics, 13/1 % for three types of antibiotics, 5/2%  for five kinds of antibiotics and 2/6 % for six kinds of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that about 10 percent of the meat consumed in this province has antimicrobial residues. Therefore, it can be suggested that proper management strategies for controlling the veterinary drug usage in poultry farms be implemented.

BACKGROUND: Many herbs such as fenugreek and orange have compounds with antioxidant properties, which can increase the shelf life of foods. Considering that fish are a popular food among consumers, they are susceptible to rapid corruption. OBJECTIVES: In this study, to improve rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet shelf life at refrigerated condition, orange juice concentrate and chitosan coating enriched with Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) essential oil was used. METHODS: In the present study, 8 treatments were evaluated for 12 days at refrigerator temperature for Chemical indicators PH value, Total volatile nitrogen (TVN), Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA), Peroxide value (PV), Free Fatty Acid (FFA), and Sensory Properties. RESULTS: According to statistical results, fish fillets coated with chitosan enriched with 2% fenugreek essential oil and immersed in orange juice concentrate were lower than other groups for all chemical indicators and had a significant difference with the control group (P<0.05). In the DPPH test, the most inhibitory effect after BHT (butylated hydroxy toluene) was orange juice with 1.39 brix and then black pepper 2%, respectively. In the RP test, the absorbance of the coated sample with chitosan containing fenugreek essential oil and orange juice concentrate with BHT did not show any significant difference (P>0.05). Sensory evaluation also showed that the chitosan-coated sample containing fenugreek essential oil and orange juice concentrate improved the sensory index during storage compared to other groups, especially the control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, it can be stated that the use of orange juice concentrate, chitosan coating and fenugreek essential oil have a significant effect on reducing the oxidation process of rainbow trout fillet at refrigerator temperature.

BACKGROUND: Equine arteritis virus (EAV) causes respiratory disease, abortion and sometimes, neurological signs. Stallions which are permanently infected with the virus, are the constant carriers of the virus in their semen and transmit the virus to other horses through sexual contact. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate EAV infection in horses in four provinces of Iran and its relationship with age, sex, and race. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 149 horses with different sex, age and race with history or clinical signs associated with equine viral arteritis, including the manifestation of respiratory disease (fever, nasal secretion, coughing), nervous signs (ataxia, dysmetria, recumbency) and abortion. The commercial ELISA kit was used for viral antibody detection. RESULTS: From 149 sampled horses, 11 cases (7.4%) were found to be positive for EAV. Seropositive cases were recorded in Tehran (2.7%), Golestan (4.3%), Khuzestan (6.7%) and West Azerbaijan (23.8%) provinces. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirmed the presence of EVAV in horses from four provinces of Iran with the sensitive (98.3%) and special (98.9%) test. Therefore, consideration should be given to the control and prevention programs for the spread of this virus.

BACKGROUND: Many of the negative effects of heavy metals can be reduced by diets containing anti-oxidant compounds such as vitamins and herbs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is evaluation of the effect of Clove essential oil and Ascorbic acid on growth performance and intestinal villi morphology in Japanese quail following oral administration of Lead. METHODS: A total of 120 one-day old quails were divided into 4 groups with 30 quails in each group (3 replicates). The group 1 was fed with basal diet, the groups 2 and 3 were fed with basal diet + 150 and 450 mg/kg diet clove essential oil respectively, the group 4 was fed with basal diet + 500 ppm ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in diet. All groups received 100 ppm lead acetate in drinking water during the experimental period (7-35 days). At day 35, 3 segments of intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) were isolated. RESULTS: The group clove 450 ppm and ascorbic acid had significantly more body weight than control (P<0.05). Also, the group clove 150, 450 ppm and ascorbic acid had significantly less Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) than control (P<0.05). The group clove 450 ppm and ascorbic acid had significantly greater villi dimensions and absorptive surface in the different segments of the intestine in comparison to control (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that adding ascorbic acid and clove essential oil to Japanese quail diet, reduced the negative effects of lead on body weight, feed conversion ratio and intestinal villi absorptive surface.

BACKGROUND: Opioids and nitric oxide (NO) are functionally linked in the regulation of intestinal motility. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of NO in the opium induced bowel dysfunction in mice. METHODS: Sixty-six male mice received incrementally doses of the following treatments in six groups for 5 consecutive days: 1) Opium (0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6mg/30g/day), 2) N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 5,7.5,10,15 and 20mg/kg/day), 3) L-arginine (5-20mg/kg/day), 4) Opium+L-NAME, 5) Opium+L-arginine and 6) distilled water. At the end of the treatment, the abdomen was opened; some pieces of duodenal and proximal colon were taken to determine NO synthase (NOS) expression and nitrite levels, and some isolated rings from those parts of small and large intestine were prepared and transferred to the organ bath system to study intestinal motility. RT-PCR was used to determine the NOS gene expression. To determine the small intestinal transit, 30 mice in six groups, were used for oral administration of charcoal+gum in vivo. RESULTS: Opium decreased amplitude of the duodenum and ileum contractions, but increased frequency of duodenal and mid colon contractions (P<0.05). While the gene expression of inducible, neuronal and endothelial NOS was increased in colon (P<0.05), a reduced neuronal and endothelial NOS gene expression was shown in duodenum. The charcoal+gum transit was decreased in opium-treated animals compared to the control group (19.9%). However, L-arginine increased this transit while L-NAME decreased it. CONCLUSIONS: Opium induced intestinal smooth muscle spasms, which result in the decreased intestinal movements. The alterations in NOS gene expression may be a compensation mechanism against opium-induced intestinal dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Replenishing fish oil with vegetable oils and using dietary supplements plays an important role in the metabolism of fats in aquatic animals. Corn oil is one of the vegetable oils that can be a good alternative to fish oil. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing fish oil with corn oil and the use of dietary supplements L-carnitine and betaine on the metabolism of fats and blood indices of rainbow trout. METHODS: 450 rainbow trout (9.12±0.26 g) were divided into four treatments (three replicates) and were fed with manual diet containing fish oil (1st treatment), corn oil (2nd treatment), fish oil with 500 mg/kg of food containing L-carnitine and betaine (3rd treatment) and corn oil with 500 mg/kg of food containing L-carnitine and betaine (4th treatment) for eight weeks. At the end of study, fatty acid profiles of the treatments were determined by gas chromatography (GC) and blood indices and their weights were also examined. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, the weight index did not show a significant difference. In the replacement of fish oil with corn oil, the levels of PUFA n-3, C18:3n3, C20:3n3, C20:5n3 and C22:6n3 fatty acids significantly decreased in fish carcasses and the PUFA n-6, C18:2n6, C20:2n6 and C20:4n6 increased significantly, but no significant difference was observed in total SFA and MUFA fatty acids. L-carnitine and betaine increased the EPA accumulation in fish oil and corn oil significantly, and the number of white blood cells in corn oil, L-carnitine and betaine fed fish (fourth treatment) were increased compared to fish oil treatment (first treatment), significantly (p < /em><0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the effect of corn oil, L-carnitine and betaine supplements on increasing the n-6 PUFA fatty acids, essential EPA and white blood cell counts, the use of corn oil and L-carnitine and betaine supplements in rainbow trout diet is recommended.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin is one of the most widely used anticancer chemotherapeutic agents in small animal practice. The use of doxorubicin can cause cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of ascorbic acid on doxorubicin hepatotoxicity in mice. METHODS: Twenty-four Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups. Group one received normal saline, group two received 100 mg/kg ascorbic acid, group three received 8 mg/kg doxorubicin and group four received ascorbic acid and doxorubicin intraperitoneally, with the same doses of groups 2 and 3. Twenty-one days after injection, the mice were euthanized. The activities of ALP, ALT, AST enzymes and total bilirubin levels in the serum samples were measured. Liver samples were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: The activities of ALP, ALT, AST, and total bilirubin levels and histopathologic scores of hepatotoxicity were significantly lower in the group that received ascorbic acid + doxorubicin in comparison to those of the doxorubicin group. CONCLUSIONS: Ascorbic acid may be useful in the prevention of doxorubicin hepatotoxicity in mice. Further studies are recommended for evaluation of the use of ascorbic acid in small animals.

BACKGROUND: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a group of genes which codes for binding of antigenic peptides and presenting them to T cells. MHC molecules polymorphism is associated with presenting different antigens, immune and autoimmune responses. One of the most important dog MHC genes is DRB1. The association between this gene and its alleles with Atopic Dermatitis has been reported. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the association between canine Atopic Dermatitis and DLA-DRB1 alleles has been evaluated using HRM (High Resolution Melting) genotyping method. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 20 dogs with Atopic Dermatitis and 20 healthy dogs. Frequency of different DRB1 genotypes, as well as heterozygosity and homozygosity of alleles were analyzed using HRM. Their associations with Atopic Dermatitis were evaluated by statistical analysis. RESULTS: Based on the HRM analysis, genotypes were grouped in 9 types (A-I). Statistical analysis showed that the presence of type D allele in the exon II of DLA-DRB1 gene increases the risk of Atopic Dermatitis (Odd ratio=0.206 and p < /em>=0.064). A significantly increased risk of Atopic Dermatitis in heterozygous samples was also observed (Odd=0.158 and p < /em>=0.090). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that some alleles of DLA-DRB1 gene can play a role in the sensitivity or resistance to Atopic Dermatitis in dogs.