OBJECTIVE To determine whether a stainless steel implant sterilized with a novel cold atmospheric plasma sterilization (CAPS) device adversely affects local tissues in rabbits and whether CAPS was as effective as steam sterilization with an autoclave to inactivate Pasteurella multocida. ANIMALS 31 healthy New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES Steam-autoclaved stainless steel implants inoculated with P multocida underwent a second steam autoclave sterilization (AIA) or CAPS (AICAPS). One AIA implant and 3 AICAPS implants were randomly placed subcutaneously at 4 sites in 21 rabbits (84 implants). These rabbits were monitored daily for 5 days for evidence of systemic illness and local tissue reactions at the implantation sites and then euthanized. Samples were taken from each implant site for bacterial culture and histologic examination. RESULTS Cultures of samples obtained from all sites were negative for bacterial growth. No significant difference was observed in mean skin thickness or erythema between AIA and AICAPS implant sites on any observed day. Also, individual histologic grades for the epidermis, dermis, subcutis, and muscle and total histologic grade were not significantly different between AIA and AICAPS implant sites. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Cold atmospheric plasma sterilization was noninferior to steam sterilization of P multocida–contaminated stainless steel implants in the rabbits in the present study. However, studies of the efficacy of CAPS for inactivation of other important bacteria are needed.

This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers of canine pyometra and their correlations with clinical parameters. First, 90 dogs with pyometra and 26 healthy female dogs were compared. Then, paired samples (before and after ovariohysterectomy) from 22 dogs with pyometra and 9 healthy controls from the initial cohort were compared. Concentrations of acute inflammatory proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), and cell-free DNA (cfDNA), were significantly higher in dogs with pyometra than in clinically healthy dogs. Cell-free DNA was the most sensitive biomarker for systemic inflammation, based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve = 0.959). In addition, cfDNA and CRP were significantly associated with inflammation and organ injury-related clinical parameters. Following the surgical removal of the inflamed uterus, interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and procalcitonin (PCT) significantly decreased, whereas changes in CRP, SAA, and cfDNA were not significant. These findings indicate that cfDNA, CRP, and SAA are potential clinical biomarkers of systemic inflammation in dogs with pyometra and PCT, IL-6, and HMGB1 are potential biomarkers of clinical recovery.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the morpho-functional features of the ovaries and uterus of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor (ESR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta (FSHβ) genes associated with reproductive traits. Healthy Large White sows were studied. The genotypic status of the ESR, PRLR, and FSHβ genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The structure of the ovaries and uterus was studied using quantitative assessment of organs and histological research. Sows with the ESR BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the ESR AA genotype in milk yield (by 0.3 kg) and in the number of piglets at birth (by 0.9 animals) and at weaning (by 0.7 animals). Sows with the ESR AB genotype were midway between those with ESR BB and ESR AA genotypes in terms of these reproductive traits. Animals with the PRLR AA genotype significantly exceeded those with the PRLR BB genotype in the number of piglets born (P < 0.05); the differences in litter weight at birth were not significant. Compared to other genotypes, sows with genotypes ESR BB (P < 0.05) and PRLR AA (AB) (P < 0.05) had larger uteruses and more yellow bodies, tertiary follicles, and primordial follicles in their ovaries. Animals with the FSHβ BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the FSHβ AB genotype in the length of uterus by 21 cm (P < 0.05).

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of a novel technique involving a vessel and tissue–sealing device (VTSD) for ovariectomy in chickens to evaluate the potential application of the procedure to other avian species. ANIMALS 20 domestic laying hens (Gallus domesticus), of which 10 were immature (< 4 months old) and 10 were adults (> 18 months old). PROCEDURES Ovariectomy was performed with a VTSD through a left lateral celiotomy. Birds were allowed to recover for 14 days after the procedure and then were euthanized for necropsy. A board-certified veterinary pathologist performed complete necropsies, with particular attention to identifying any remaining ovarian tissue. RESULTS All birds survived the procedure. For the mature and juvenile birds, the mean ± SD durations of anesthesia (interval from intubation to extubation) were 67.2 ± 7.6 minutes and 50.5 ± 5.1 minutes, respectively, and mean durations of surgery were 45.3 ± 8.5 minutes and 31.6 ± 5.1 minutes, respectively. Three birds had severe hemorrhage during ovariectomy. At necropsy, ovarian tissue was present grossly in 2 mature birds and histologically in 6 additional birds (2 mature and 4 juvenile birds), indicating incomplete excision in 8 (40%) birds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that the evaluated VTSD can be used to successfully perform ovariectomies in both juvenile and mature chickens, although the procedure was associated with major hemorrhage and incomplete excision of ovarian tissue in some cases. Use of this VTSD for ovariectomy in birds of other species, particularly birds with reproductive tract disease, should be investigated.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of an excessive tibial plateau angle (TPA) and change in compressive load on tensile forces experienced by the cranial cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral ligaments (CCL, MCL, and LCL, respectively) of canine stifle joints. SAMPLE 16 cadaveric stifle joints from 16 orthopedically normal Beagles. PROCEDURES Stifle joints were categorized into unchanged (mean TPA, 30.4°) and excessive (mean TPA before and after modification, 31.2° and 41.1°, respectively) TPA groups. The excessive TPA group underwent a TPA-increasing procedure (curvilinear osteotomy of the proximal aspect of the tibia) to achieve the desired TPA. A robotic system was used to apply a 30- and 60-N compressive load to specimens. The craniomedial band of the CCL, caudolateral band of the CCL, MCL, and LCL were sequentially transected; load application was repeated after each transection. Orthogonal force components were measured in situ. Forces on ligaments were calculated after repeated output force measurements as the contribution of each component was eliminated. RESULTS Increasing the compressive load increased tensile forces on the craniomedial and caudolateral bands of the CCL, but not on the MCL or LCL, in specimens of both groups. At the 60-N load, tensile force on the craniomedial band, but not other ligaments, was greater for the excessive TPA group than for the unchanged TPA group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that stress on the CCL may increase when the compressive load increases. The TPA-increasing procedure resulted in increased tensile force on the CCL at a 60-N compressive load without affecting forces on the MCL or LCL.

From 50 to 60% of companion animals in the United States are overweight or obese and this obesity rate is rising. As obesity is associated with a number of health problems, an agent that can help weight loss in pets and assist in clinically managing obesity through veterinary prescription foods and medication would be beneficial. Many studies have shown that celastrol, a phytochemical compound found in Celastrus orbiculatus extract (COE), has anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects, although these effects have not yet been determined in canine or canine-derived cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of celastrol on the adipogenic differentiation and lipolysis of canine adipocytes. Primary preadipocytes were isolated from the gluteal region of a beagle dog and the primary adipocytes were differentiated into mature adipocytes by adipocyte differentiation media containing isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin. In a water-soluble tetrazolium (WST) assay, the cell viability of mature adipocytes was decreased after treatment with COE (0, 0.93, 2.32, and 4.64 nM celastrol) in a concentration-dependent manner, although preadipocytes were not affected. Oil Red O (ORO) staining revealed that COE inhibited the differentiation into mature adipocytes and lipid accumulation in adipocytes. In addition, treatment with COE significantly reduced triglyceride content and increased lipolytic activities by 1.5-fold in canine adipocytes. Overall, it was concluded that COE may enhance anti-obesity activity in canine adipocytes by inhibiting lipid accumulation and increasing lipolytic activity.

The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to determine if fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) could potentially be an accurate staging tool for detecting metastatic lymph nodes in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma based on the quantitative measurement of the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of lymph nodes. A total of 53 dogs were identified that presented for staging via 18F-FDG PET/CT for primary appendicular osteosarcoma. Patients were categorized according to lymph node status of having either metastatic or non-metastatic nodes based on cytological or histological analysis. Maximum standard uptake (SUVmax) values of the sampled lymph node(s) were recorded and 3/77 (3.9%) of sampled lymph nodes were confirmed metastatic. A Mann-Whitney test revealed a statistical difference in the SUVmax of the metastatic versus non-metastatic lymph nodes [median: 6.6 to 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.56 to 14.37 versus 2.18 95% CI: 2.32 to 3.17, respectively, P-value = 0.05]. This retrospective analysis revealed a significant difference in the SUVmax as measured on 18F-FDG PET/CT between metastatic lymph nodes and non-metastatic lymph nodes in canine patients afflicted with appendicular osteosarcoma, in spite of the small numbers analyzed. While these results are promising, they should be interpreted with caution and further studies are justified.

Aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the lactation number on milk production and to detect the most economical lactation period in Holstein dairy cows. Materials and The animal materials of the study were 392 Holstein dairy cows with a similar dry period and lactation length. The cows were divided into 6 groups according to the number of lactations. The groups were formed as 1st lactation (Group 1; n=67), 2nd lactation (Group 2; n=124), 3rd lactation (Group 3; n=51), 4th lactation (Group 4; n=62), 5th lactation (Group 5; n=41) and 6th lactation (Group 6; n=47).Average lactation milk yields for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th lactations of the cows used in the study were 7860.03 kg, 9010.02 kg, 10207.15 kg, 10165.89 kg, 8430.57 kg and 8069.78 kg, respectively. It was determined that the highest milk production and highest daily income were obtained during the 3rd and 4th lactation periods (p<0.05).In conclusion, milk production increased in the first three lactations, 3 and 4 lactation remained stable and decreased in 5th and 6th lactations. But, regardless of the number of lactations during the first 6 lactation periods, it is considered economical to use healthy cows for milk production in dairy farms.

It was aimed to investigate the effects of ketamine combination administered with xylazine used for general anesthesia in dogs on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Materials and Methods: In the study, a total of 20 dogs, 14 females and 6 males, from various breeds and ages 1 to 5, which undergone elective ovariohysterectomy or castration according to body weights. 1 mg/kg xylazine (xylazine hydrochloride, 23.3mg/ml, Xylazinbio 2% Bioveta®, Czechia) and 10 mg/kg ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride, 100 mg/ml, Ketasol 10% Richter® Pharma Ag, Austria) combination within a single injection with 21G needle were applied intramuscularly. The food and water access were ceased 12 hours before drug administration. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse measurements, and body temperatures were measured 3 times before and 5 times during anesthesia (at the 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th and 120th minutes of anesthesia) by using the AM6100 veterinary bedside monitor. Muff was placed to cover 1/3 of the proximal leg and for the artery to be recognizable by the microprocessor. Pulse rates were measured with electrodes connected to the device. Body temperature was measured by a rectal thermometer which was a part of the device. Measurements were taken before anesthesia was considered as control measurements.In systolic blood pressure, the recordings at 0, 15th, 30th mins have been found as statistically significant in relation to 45th, 60th, and 120th (p<0.05). In diastolic blood pressure, there were no significant differences recorded. The change between the preintervention and post-application has been found significant (p<0.001). Body temperature has shown a meaningful change in comparison to the starting point after the readings (p<0.001).Eventually, decreases in blood pressure, heartbeat, and body temperature were observed for the dogs that have been anesthetized with the combination of xylazine-ketamine.

Objective: Newborn calf diarrhea causes significant economic losses. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the effect of adding probiotics on Total Antioxidant (TAS) and Total Oxidant (TOS) levels in routine treatment of calf diarrhea. Material-Method: The material of the study consisted of 12 calves, routine treatment (Group 1, n=6 calves) and probiotic group. (Group 2; n=6 calves).Results: TAS values increased statistically after treatment (P <0.05) in group 2 compared to pretreatment. Comparison of the groups after treatment revealed that TAS significantly increased (P <0.05) in group 2. While there was no statistical difference in TOS values between the groups a statistically significant increase (P <0.05) was detected after treatment compared to pretreatment.Conclusion: It was concluded that adding probiotics may be useful in addition to routine treatment in newborn calf diarrhea.