OBJECTIVE To determine effects of fentanyl, lidocaine, and a fentanyl-lidocaine combination on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane preventing motor movement (MACNM) in dogs. ANIMALS 6 adult Beagles. PROCEDURES Dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane in oxygen 3 times (1-week intervals). Baseline MACNM (MAC(NM-B)) was determined starting 45 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Dogs then received 1 of 3 treatments IV: fentanyl (loading dose, 15 μg/kg; constant rate infusion [CRI], 6 μg/kg/h), lidocaine (loading dose, 2 mg/kg; CRI, 6 mg/kg/h), and the fentanyl-lidocaine combination at the same doses. Determination of treatment MAC(NM) (MAC(NM-T)) was initiated 90 minutes after start of the CRI. Venous blood samples were collected at the time of each treatment MACNM measurement for determination of plasma concentrations of fentanyl and lidocaine. RESULTS Mean ± SEM overall MAC(NM-B) for the 3 treatments was 2.70 ± 0.27 vol%. The MACNM decreased from MACNM-B to MAC(NM-T) by 39%, 21%, and 55% for fentanyl, lidocaine, and the fentanyl-lidocaine combination, respectively. This decrease differed significantly among treatments. Plasma fentanyl concentration was 3.25 and 2.94 ng/mL for fentanyl and the fentanyl-lidocaine combination, respectively. Plasma lidocaine concentration was 2,570 and 2,417 ng/mL for lidocaine and the fentanyl-lidocaine combination, respectively. Plasma fentanyl and lidocaine concentrations did not differ significantly between fentanyl and the fentanyl-lidocaine combination or between lidocaine and the fentanyl-lidocaine combination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE CRIs of fentanyl, lidocaine, and the fentanyl-lidocaine combination at the doses used were associated with clinically important and significant decreases in the MAC(NM) of sevoflurane in dogs.

This study investigated the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine on pig growth, carcass quality, and sensory perceptions of pork meat by Thai consumers. Male crossbred pigs (n = 30) were separated into three groups of 10 pigs each: boars, immunocastrated pigs, and surgically castrated pigs. The immunocastrated group was immunized at 13 and 19 weeks of age with GnRH vaccine (400 킽/dose). All pigs were slaughtered at 24 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected and testes size determined. Testes weight and back fat thickness were recorded at the time of slaughter, and meat samples were collected for sensory assessment by Thai consumers. Testosterone and progesterone concentration levels decreased significantly two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p less than 0.05), and the GnRH antibody titer of the immunocastrated pigs was significantly high two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p less than 0.05). GnRH vaccine significantly reduced the weight and size of testes. Thai consumers reported no significant differences in odor or flavor among meat samples from the three groups. In conclusion, immunocastration improved growth performance, removed the need for castration surgery, and avoided "boar taint" in the meat. It has also no distinct trace of the boar taint same as pork that is currently produced from physically castrated pig which is making it acceptable to consumers.

The aim of this study was to examine normal bronchi in dogs by using virtual bronchoscopy (VB) and to evaluate the utility of VB in clinical practice. The bronchi of six dogs without tracheobronchial disease were visualized by VB. Airways from the tracheal bifurcation to the lobar bronchi were well visualized in all dogs. Segmental and subsegmental bronchi were also well identified, but the degree and number of those varied with dog size. The mean numbers of segmental and subsegmental bronchi identified in the six dogs were 41.83 and 50.17, respectively, whereas, the mean numbers in medium- and large-sized dogs were 55.00 and 82.67, respectively, and in small-sized dogs, the means were 28.67 and 17.67, respectively. Although there were size-dependent differences in VB visualization of the bronchi, it was possible to identify peripheral airways to the subsegmental bronchi level, which can rarely be accomplished via conventional bronchoscopy. VB is the noninvasive method that can be used to examine bronchial anatomy, and our results suggest that VB can be useful for evaluating bronchi, including segmental and subsegmental ones that cannot be examined routinely by conventional bronchoscopy. Thus, VB has potential as an alternative to conventional bronchoscopy in the examination of bronchi in dogs.

Bovine mastitis is an important microbial disease in the dairy industry. We investigated the frequencies of bacterial pathogens in 62 farms and pathogen antibiotic resistance from mastitis samples (n = 748). We tested the antimicrobial activity of chicken and duck egg white and lysozyme purified from chicken egg white. Moreover, we compared the microbiomes of normal and mastitic raw milk obtained by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and culture methods. The results showed that the frequencies of Gram-positive pathogens (Enterococcus faecalis 37% and Staphylococcus aureus 36%) were higher than that of a Gram-negative pathogen (Escherichia coli 15%). Resistance frequencies to ampicillin and norfloxacin were lowest in Staphylococcus aureus (21%), Enterococcus faecalis (23%), and Escherichia coli (33%), and the antimicrobial activity of chicken egg white was higher than those of lysozyme and duck egg white. Pyrosequencing results revealed clear differences between the microbiomes of mastitic and normal raw milk samples and revealed a slightly similar, but clearly different, composition of pathogens compared to that from the culture method. Thus, pyrosequencing may be useful for elucidating changes in microbiomes during mastitis progression and treatment. A chicken egg white and antibiotic combination may help with mastitis treatment; however, further studies are needed.

A 5-year-old castrated male Chinchilla Persian cat weighing 4.84 kg was referred for hematuria. The cat had a history of urethrostomy and bacterial cystitis. In urine culture, Candida glabrata was cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Based on these results, the cat was diagnosed with Candida cystitis. Subsequently, oral administration of fluconazole was initiated. Urine culture was negative at 31 days after administration. This case describes the diagnosis and treatment of Candida glabrata infection of urinary bladder in a cat with a history of urethrostomy.

This study was performed to investigate the distribution of ticks and the rate of infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus in ticks collected at Mt. Gwanak and the Seoul National University campus, Korea. Ticks (n = 273) were collected from May to October and included 76 Haemaphysalis longicornis (4 adult females, 72 nymphs), 49 Haemaphysalis flava (9 adult females, 3 adult males, 37 nymphs), and 148 Haemaphysalis spp. larvae. SFTS virus detection was performed by using one-step RT PCR and nested PCR. The SFTS virus was detected in 7 samples (1 Haemaphysalis longicornis nymph, 3 Haemaphysalis flava nymphs, and 3 Haemaphysalis spp. larva). The overall minimum field infection rate was 2.6%, whereas the minimum field infection rates of adult, nymphal, and larval ticks were 0%, 3.2%, and 2.0%, respectively. For a more accurate indication of the prevalence of SFTS virus in Korea, further in-depth investigations of tick species and SFTS virus occurrence over a larger area and longer period are needed.

Porcine parvovirus, Erysipelothrix (E.) rhusiopathiae, and Leptospira (L.) interrogans are considered major etiologic agents of reproductive failure in pigs, causing economic loss in the swine industry. In this study, the safety and immunogenicity of a new octavalent inactivated vaccine were evaluated. The vaccine contained inactivated porcine parvovirus, E. rhusiopathiae, and six L. interrogans serovars (Bratislava, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona). Safety test results showed no notable side effects or clinical signs after vaccination in mice, guinea pigs, and sows. In addition, we assessed immunogenicity of the vaccine in 25 sows under field conditions. The vaccinated group (n = 20) had a significantly higher antibody level than the non-vaccinated group (n = 5). Moreover, the stillbirth rate decreased in piglets born from vaccinated sows, resulting in an increased fertility rate. The results of this study demonstrate that the new octavalent inactivated vaccine can be applied safely and effectively to improve reproductive performance in sows.

A Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, coccus-shaped bacterium was isolated from a rabbit with keratoconjunctivitis. Colonies of the isolate were round, smooth, and exhibited hemolytic activity on 5% sheep blood agar. Scanning electron microscopy revealed 0.4 to 0.5 μm diameter oval cocci. Partial 16S rRNA gene (1446 bp) sequence analysis demonstrated the isolate had significant homology with the Moraxella cuniculi CCUG2154 strain isolated from a rabbit in Germany in 1973. Our isolate was designated as APQAB1701. Antibiotic susceptibility tests demonstrated that APQAB1701 was sensitive to 24 antibiotics; 3 of the antibiotics (nalidixic acid, spectinomycin, and colistin) had minimal inhibitory concentrations greater than or equal to 32μg/mL against the isolate.

Wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) may play a role transmitting several pathogens to humans and pet animals. Information concerning the incidence of rabies, canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2), canine parainfluenza virus type 5 (CPIV-5), and canine herpesvirus (CHV) is needed in wild raccoon dogs. In total, 62 brain samples of raccoon dogs were examined for rabies virus (RABV) and CDV, and 49 lung samples were screened for CDV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, and CHV. No RABV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, or CHV was identified, but nine CDV antigens (8.1%, 9/111) were detected. Moreover, 174 serum samples from wild raccoon dogs were screened for antibodies against the five major viral pathogens. The overall serosurveillance against CDV, CPV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, and CHV in wild raccoon dogs was 60.3%, 52.9%, 59.8%, 23.6%, and 10.3%, respectively. Comparisons of the sero-surveillance of the five pathogens showed that raccoon dogs of Gyeonggi province have slightly higher sero-positive rates against CDV, CPV, and CHV than those of Gangwon province. These results indicate high incidences of CDV, CPV, and CAdV-2 in wild raccoon dogs of two Korean provinces and a latent risk of pathogen transmission to companion and domestic animals.

A 2-year-old, female Pomeranian dog was referred for dyspnea. Thoracic radiographs revealed left-sided mediastinal shift, increased soft tissue opacity in the caudal aspect of left thorax with loss of the left diaphragmatic silhouette, and dorsal elevation of mediastinal structures and heart from the sternum by lung tissue. The left main bronchus was visualized as an air-bronchogram and observed to abruptly discontinue at the level of the 10th rib. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed absence of the left lung parenchyma and left pulmonary vessels with a rudimentary left main bronchus. The case was congenital pulmonary aplasia diagnosed via radiography and CT.