OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of 3 walkway cover types on temporospatial and ground reaction force measurements of dogs during gait analysis with a pressure-sensitive walkway (PSW). ANIMALS 35 client- and staff-owned dogs (25 nonlame and 10 lame). PROCEDURES In a crossover study design, all dogs were evaluated at a comfortable walk on a PSW to which 3 cover types (a 0.32-cm-thick corrugated vinyl mat or a 0.32- or 0.64-cm-thick polyvinyl chloride yoga mat) were applied in random order. Temporospatial and ground reaction force measurements were obtained and compared among cover types within the nonlame and lame dog groups. RESULTS Several variables, including maximum peak pressure, maximum force (absolute and normalized as a percentage of body weight), and vertical impulse (absolute and normalized) differed significantly in most comparisons among cover types for both nonlame and lame dogs. There was no significant difference in maximum force values between the 0.32-cm-thick corrugated vinyl and 0.64-cm-thick polyvinyl chloride cover types for both nonlame and lame dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE To the authors’ knowledge, the cover type used during data collection with a PSW is rarely provided in published reports on this topic. The findings in this study suggested that to ensure that PSW data for dogs are collected in a standardized manner, the same cover type should be used during follow-up visits to evaluate clinical outcomes, for the duration of research studies, and at all locations for multi-institutional studies. The cover type should be specified in future PSW studies to allow direct comparisons of findings between studies.

OBJECTIVE To assess feasibility of the use of a dynamic viscoelastic coagulometer on chicken blood and compare coagulation variables for fresh whole blood and sodium citrate–preserved whole blood as well as effects of 3 coagulation activators on blood from chickens. SAMPLE Blood samples from 30 hens. PROCEDURES Chickens were allowed to rest undisturbed for 1 hour. A blood sample was collected from an ulnar vein; 1.4 mL was analyzed immediately, and 1.8 mL was mixed with sodium citrate and subsequently recalcified and analyzed. A separate coagulation activator (glass beads, kaolin clay, or tissue factor) was in each of the 2 channels of the analyzer. Chickens were allowed a 1-hour rest period, and another blood sample was collected from the contralateral ulnar vein; it was processed in the same manner as for the first sample, except both channels of the analyzer contained the same coagulation activator. RESULTS Compared with fresh samples, citrated samples had higher values for activated clotting time and platelet function and lower clotting rates. Intra-assay coefficients of variation of coagulation profiles for citrated samples were markedly greater than the limit of 10%, whereas values for fresh samples were close to or < 10%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that use of a dynamic viscoelastic coagulometer on chicken blood was feasible and that analysis of fresh whole blood from healthy chickens provided results with less variability than did analysis of citrated blood. Samples preserved with sodium citrate were associated with significant relative hypocoagulability, compared with results for fresh blood.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of orally administered melatonin on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of ophthalmologically normal dogs. ANIMALS 20 ophthalmologically normal dogs (40 eyes). PROCEDURES In a randomized crossover study, each dog received a 7-day regimen of melatonin (0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) and a placebo (150 mg of lactose powder in a capsule, PO, q 12 h), with a 7-day washout period between treatment regimens. Rebound tonometry was used to measure the IOP in both eyes of each dog 5 times at 2-hour intervals on days 0 (before administration of the first dose), 2, 4, and 7 (after administration of the last dose) of each treatment period. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of treatment, day, and IOP measurement time within day on IOP. RESULTS Intraocular pressure was not significantly associated with treatment but was associated with day and the interaction between day and IOP measurement time within day. The mean ± SD IOP was 14.26 ± 2.95 and 14.34 ± 2.69 mm Hg for the melatonin and placebo regimens, respectively. Within each treatment period, the mean IOP tended to decrease from day 0 to 7 as well as within each day, which was attributed to the dogs becoming acclimated to the study protocol and natural diurnal variations in IOP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that oral administration of melatonin (0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, q 12 h for 7 d) did not significantly affect the IOP of ophthalmologically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE To provide an objective, quantitative morphometric description of the caudal cervical intervertebral disk (IVD) spaces of dogs. SAMPLE Vertebral specimens consisting of C4 through C7 from 5 medium-sized dogs. PROCEDURES CT images were obtained with the specimens positioned in neutral, flexion, extension, and lateral bending positions. Size and shape of the cranial and caudal end plates, angle between the end plates (IVD wedge angle), and craniocaudal distance (IVD width) between end plates for the 4 loading positions were measured and compared for the 3 segments (C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7). RESULTS End plate size and shape, IVD wedge angle, and IVD width were not significantly different among the 3 segments. Caudal cervical end plates were consistently larger than cranial cervical end plates. The IVD wedge angle ranged from −4.8° to 15.2°. Flexion induced a reduction in IVD width in the ventral portion of the IVD, whereas extension induced a decrease in width in the dorsal portion of the IVD. Central IVD width remained unchanged among the loading positions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Unique morphometric and dynamic characteristics of the caudal cervical IVD space of dogs were detected. These findings may help investigators when designing IVD prostheses for dogs with cervical spondylomyelopathy.

In Zimbabwe, there have been no chlamydiosis and limited brucellosis studies in goats. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of the two diseases in goats at three different livestock-wildlife interface areas: porous, non-porous and non-interface in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Collected sera (n = 563) were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and the complement fixation test (CFT); and for Chlamydia abortus antibodies using the CFT. All tested goats were negative for Brucella antibodies. Overall, chlamydial seroprevalence was 22%. The porous &#91;c² = 9.6, odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, p = 0.002&#93; and non-porous (c² = 37.5, OR = 5.8, p < 0.00001) interfaces were approximately three and six times more likely to be chlamydial seropositive than the non-interface area, respectively. Chlamydial seroprevalence was not associated with sex (c² = 0.5, OR = 1.2, p = 0.5), abortion history in female goats (c² = 0.7, OR = 1.3, p = 0.4), keeping goats with cattle (c² = 0.2, OR = 1.5, p = 0.7) or flock size (c² = 0.03, OR = 1.4, p = 0.9). Our study provides the first serological evidence of chlamydiosis in goats in Zimbabwe and the results suggest that proximity to wildlife is associated with increased chlamydial seropositivity. Further studies are required to determine the role of chlamydial infection on goat reproductive failure and that of wildlife on C. abortus transmission to domestic ruminants.

This study was planned to evaluate the extracts of Aloe vera (AV) at three different pH as a growth promoter, immunostimulant and coccidiostat agent in broiler production. This experiment was undertaken for a period of 35 days in the Institute of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 150 dayold broiler birds (Cobb) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 3 replicates of 10 chicks each. Birds were offered commercial broiler starter and finisher diets supplemented with 100 mg/kg enramycin (ANT), 50 ml/liter AV of pH 3 (AV1), 50 ml/liter AV of pH 7 (AV2), 50 ml/liter AV of pH 12 (AV3) and only fresh clean water (CON).

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease that is common in the world. Because of the difficulties in the treatment and control of the disease, the disease has gained popularity among researchers. Today, however, no vaccine has been developed for human protection. Considering the fact that the vector can survive in a wide ecosystem and the disease can be detected in many mammals such as humans, dogs, rodents, prevention from leishmaniasis and treatment of the disease require a combined intervention. The toxic effects of the drugs used in the treatment of leishmaniasis, the expensive treatment and the resistance of the parasite to the drug have led to the research of alternative treatment methods. This review is intended to provide an overview of leishmaniasis alternative treatment practices and to guide new researchs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of the addition of glucose to dog and cat urine on urine specific gravity (USG) and determine whether glucosuria affects assessment of renal concentrating ability. SAMPLE Urine samples from 102 dogs and 59 cats. PROCEDURES Urine for each species was pooled to create samples with various USGs. Glucose was added to an aliquot of each USG pool (final concentration, 2,400 mg/dL), and serial dilutions of the glucose-containing aliquot were created for each pool. The USG then was measured in all samples. The difference in USG attributable to addition of glucose was calculated by subtracting the USG of the unaltered sample from the USG of the sample after the addition of glucose. The relationship between the difference in USG and the USG of the unaltered, undiluted sample was evaluated by the use of linear regression analysis. RESULTS Addition of glucose to urine samples increased the USG. There was a significant relationship between USG of the undiluted sample and the difference in USG when glucose was added to obtain concentrations of 300, 600, 1,200, and 2,400 mg/dL in canine urine and concentrations of 600, 1,200, and 2,400 mg/dL in feline urine. The more concentrated the urine before the addition of glucose, the less change there was in the USG. Changes in USG attributable to addition of glucose were not clinically important. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Substantial glucosuria resulted in minimal alterations in specific gravity of canine and feline urine samples. Thus, USG can be used to assess renal concentrating ability even in samples with glucosuria.

OBJECTIVE To comprehensively characterize cardiac structure and function, from infancy to adulthood, in male and female wild-born captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) living in sanctuaries. ANIMALS 290 wild-born captive chimpanzees. PROCEDURES Physical and echocardiographic examinations were performed on anesthetized chimpanzees in 3 sanctuaries in Africa between October 2013 and May 2017. Results were evaluated across age groups and between sexes, and potential differences were assessed with multiple 1-way independent Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS Results indicated that left ventricular diastolic and systolic function declined at a younger age in males than in females. Although differences in right ventricular diastolic function were not identified among age groups, right ventricular systolic function was lower in adult chimpanzees (> 12 years old), compared with subadult (8 to 12 years old) and juvenile (5 to 7 years old) chimpanzees. In addition, male subadult and adult chimpanzees had larger cardiac wall dimensions and chamber volumes than did their female counterparts. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of the present study provided useful reference intervals for cardiac structure and function in captive chimpanzees categorized on the basis of age and sex; however, further research is warranted to examine isolated and combined impacts of blood pressure, age, body weight, and anesthetic agents on cardiac structure and function in chimpanzees.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether Mycobacterium bovis remains viable in ensiled forages. SAMPLE Alfalfa, mixed mostly grass, and corn silages. PROCEDURES For each of 10 sampling days, six 250-g replicate samples of each feedstuff were created and placed in a film pouch that could be vacuum sealed to simulate the ensiling process. Within each set of replicate samples, 4 were inoculated with 10 mL of mycobacterial liquid culture medium containing viable M bovis and 2 were inoculated with 10 mL of sterile mycobacterial liquid culture medium (controls) on day 0. Pouches were vacuum sealed and stored in the dark at room temperature. On the designated sampling day, 1 control pouch was submitted for forage analysis, and the other pouches were opened, and forage samples were obtained for M bovis culture and analysis with a PCR assay immediately and 24 hours later. RESULTS None of the control samples had positive M bovis culture or PCR assay results. Among M bovis-inoculated samples, the organism was not cultured from alfalfa and corn silage for > 2 days but was cultured from mixed mostly grass silage for 28 days after inoculation and ensiling initiation. Mycobacterium bovis DNA was detected by PCR assay in samples of all 3 feedstuffs throughout the 112-day observation period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that properly ensiled forages would be an unlikely source for M bovis transmission to cattle. Further research is necessary to determine whether ensiling kills M bovis or forces it to become dormant and, if the latter, elucidate the conditions that cause it to revert to an infectious state.