OBJECTIVE To investigate water intake and urine measures in healthy cats provided free-choice access to a nutrient-enriched water with (NWP) or without (NW) added poultry flavoring offered at 3 different volumes in addition to tap water (TW). ANIMALS 36 domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURES Control group cats (n = 4) received dry food with TW ad libitum throughout the study. Cats of the NW and NWP groups (n = 16/group) received the same food with TW only (period 1; 7 days) followed by TW and the assigned treatment ad libitum at 1X, 1.5X, and 2X the volume of TW consumed in period 1 during periods 2 (17 days), 3 (10 days), and 4 (10 days), respectively. Liquid consumption, food intake, and total water intake (from all sources) were measured; urine collected over 48 hours in each period was measured, and urine specific gravity (USG) was determined. Data were analyzed with mixed-effects models. RESULTS TW and food calorie intake were similar among groups in period 1; TW consumption by control cats did not differ during the study. Liquid consumed by drinking increased 18%, 57%, and 96% for the NWP group in periods 2, 3, and 4, respectively, with increases of 25% and 44% for the NW group in periods 3 and 4, respectively, compared with period 1 values for the same groups. Increased urine output and decreased USG were significantly associated with period and treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Increasing the volumes of NW or NWP offered to healthy cats led to increased free liquid consumption and was associated with greater urine output and dilution as measured by USG. Studies are warranted to determine whether these treatments provide health benefits for cats in need of greater water consumption.

OBJECTIVE To describe qualitative blinking patterns and determine quantitative kinematic variables of eyelid motion in ophthalmologically normal horses. ANIMALS 10 adult mares. PROCEDURES High-resolution videography was used to film blinking behavior. Videotapes were analyzed for mean blink rate, number of complete versus incomplete blinks, number of unilateral versus bilateral blinks, and subjective descriptions of blinking patterns. One complete blink for each horse was analyzed with image-analysis software to determine the area of corneal coverage as a function of time during the blink and to calculate eyelid velocity and acceleration during the blink. RESULTS Mean ± SD blink rate was 18.9 ± 5.5 blinks/min. Blinks were categorized as minimal incomplete (29.7 ± 15.6%), moderate incomplete (33.5 ± 5.9%), complete (30.8 ± 13.1%), and complete squeeze (6.0 ± 2.8%); 22.6 ± 9.0% of the blinks were unilateral, and 77.3 ± 9.1% were bilateral. Mean area of exposed cornea at blink initiation was 5.89 ± 1.02 cm2. Mean blink duration was 0.478 seconds. Eyelid closure was approximately twice as rapid as eyelid opening (0.162 and 0.316 seconds, respectively). Deduced maximum velocity of eyelid closure and opening was −16.5 and 7.40 cm/s, respectively. Deduced maximum acceleration of eyelid closure and opening was −406.0 and −49.7 cm/s2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Kinematic variables of ophthalmologically normal horses were similar to values reported for humans. Horses had a greater percentage of complete squeeze blinks, which could increase tear film stability. Blinking kinematics can be assessed as potential causes of idiopathic keratopathies in horses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate in vitro phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of circulating blood neutrophils in horses with severe equine asthma and control horses and to determine whether circulating blood neutrophils in horses with severe equine asthma have an increase in expression of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and the chemokine interleukin (IL)-8 and a decrease in expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in response to bacteria. ANIMALS 6 horses with severe equine asthma and 6 control horses. PROCEDURES Circulating blood neutrophils were isolated from horses with severe equine asthma and control horses. Phagocytosis was evaluated by use of flow cytometry. Bactericidal activity of circulating blood neutrophils was assessed by use of Streptococcus equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus as targets, whereas the cytokine mRNA response was assessed by use of a quantitative PCR assay. RESULTS Circulating blood neutrophils from horses with severe equine asthma had significantly lower bactericidal activity toward S zooepidemicus but not toward S equi, compared with results for control horses. Phagocytosis and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-10 were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Impairment of bactericidal activity of circulating blood neutrophils in horses with severe equine asthma could contribute to an increased susceptibility to infections.

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 evaluate a fluorescence resonance energy transfer quantitative PCR (FRET-qPCR) assay for detection of gyrA mutations conferring fluoroquinolone resistance in canine urinary Escherichia coli isolates and canine urine specimens. SAMPLE 264 canine urinary E coli isolates and 283 clinical canine urine specimens. PROCEDURES The E coli isolates were used to validate the FRET-qPCR assay. Urine specimens were evaluated by bacterial culture and identification, isolate enrofloxacin susceptibility testing, and FRET-qPCR assay. Sensitivity and specificity of the FRET-qPCR assay for detection of gyrA mutations in urine specimens and in E coli isolated from urine specimens were computed, with results of enrofloxacin susceptibility testing used as the reference standard. RESULTS The validated FRET-qPCR assay discriminated between enrofloxacin-resistant and enrofloxacin-susceptible E coli isolates with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92. The assay accurately identified 25 of 40 urine specimens as containing enrofloxacin-resistant isolates (sensitivity, 62.5%) and 226 of 243 urine specimens as containing enrofloxacin-susceptible isolates (specificity, 93.0%). When the same assay was performed on E coli isolates recovered from these specimens, sensitivity (77.8%) and specificity (94.8%) increased. Moderate agreement was achieved between results of the FRET-qPCR assay and enrofloxacin susceptibility testing for E coli isolates recovered from urine specimens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The FRET-qPCR assay was able to rapidly distinguish between enrofloxacin-resistant and enrofloxacin-susceptible E coli in canine clinical urine specimens through detection of gyrA mutations. Therefore, the assay may be useful in clinical settings to screen such specimens for enrofloxacin-resistant E coli to avoid inappropriate use of enrofloxacin and contributing to antimicrobial resistance.

OBJECTIVE To identify signs of tissue-specific cortisol activity in samples of suspensory ligament (SL) and neck skin tissue from horses with and without pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). SAMPLE Suspensory ligament and neck skin tissue samples obtained from 26 euthanized horses with and without PPID. PROCEDURES Tissue samples were collected from 12 horses with and 14 horses without PPID (controls). Two control horses had received treatment with dexamethasone; data from those horses were not used in statistical analyses. The other 12 control horses were classified as old horses (≥ 14 years old) and young horses (≤ 9 years old). Standard histologic staining, staining for proteoglycan accumulation, and immunostaining of SL and neck skin tissue sections for glucocorticoid receptors, insulin, 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, and 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 were performed. Findings for horses with PPID were compared with findings for young and old horses without PPID. RESULTS Compared with findings for old and young control horses, there were significantly more cells stained for glucocorticoid receptors in SL samples and for 11 β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in SL and skin tissue samples from horses with PPID. Insulin could not be detected in any of the SL or skin tissue samples. Horses with PPID had evidence of SL degeneration with significantly increased proteoglycan accumulation. Neck skin tissue was found to be significantly thinner in PPID-affected horses than in young control horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that tissue-specific dysregulation of cortisol metabolism may contribute to the SL degeneration associated with PPID in horses.

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of prednisolone administration on gallbladder emptying rate and gallbladder bile composition in dogs. ANIMALS 6 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES Prednisolone was administered (2 mg/kg, SC, once daily for 2 weeks) to each dog and tapered over 2 weeks. Gallbladder emptying rate and bile composition were evaluated before and after administration of prednisolone for 2 weeks as well as 1 week after cessation of prednisolone administration. RESULTS Gallbladder emptying rate decreased significantly after prednisolone administration (median, 27%; range, 0% to 38%), compared with rate before administration (median, 59%; range, 29% to 68%), but then increased 1 week after cessation of administration (median, 45%; range, 23% to 48%). Gallbladder bile mucin concentration decreased significantly after prednisolone administration (median, 8.8 mg/dL; range, 6.2 to 11.3 mg/dL), compared with concentration before administration (median, 13.1 mg/dL; range, 10.7 to 21.7 mg/dL), but then increased 1 week after cessation of administration (median, 14.3 mg/dL; range, 9.6 to 26.7 mg/dL). Gallbladder taurochenodeoxycholic acid concentration decreased significantly after prednisolone administration (8.1 mmol/L; range, 6.8 to 15.2 mmol/L), compared with concentration before administration (median, 27.2 mmol/L; range, 22.0 to 31.9 mmol/L), but then increased 1 week after cessation of administration (median, 26.4 mmol/L; range, 15.1 to 31.5 mmol/L). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A lower gallbladder emptying rate caused by prednisolone administration may be involved in the pathogenesis of gallbladder disease in dogs. Further studies are required to determine the clinical importance of lower gallbladder bile mucin concentrations caused by glucocorticoid administration in the pathogenesis of gallbladder disease in dogs.

In this study, the effect of vitamin E plus selenium (Se) application on malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), vitamin E, C, A and -carotene were aimed to investigate in exercised horses. For this purpose, 50 healthy Anatolian type local horse breed aged between 3-5 from Altındere Study Farm were used. The animals were divided into two equal groups. While 1st group received nothing, horses in second group were received vitamin E+Se intramuscularly. Then animals in both groups were exercised for 1500 meters. Blood samples were taken handily from all animals before and after exercise. This samples were analyzed for MDA, GSH, vitamin E, C, A and β-caroten spectrophotometrically.MDA and GSH concentration in 1st group were found to increase significantly (p<0.001) after exercise. On the other hand, serum vitamin E, C, A and β-carotene levels did not changed significantly. In the second group, serum vitamin E levels increased significantly (p<0.001) after vitamin E+selenium application. Furthermore, MDA (p<0.05) and GSH (p<0.001) levels increased significantly after exercise in the second group. Vitamin E levels decreased significantly (p<0.01) after exercise. However, vitamin A and C levels did not change significantly. In addition, in the second group, β-carotene levels were also changed significantly (p<0.05) when the values obtained before vitamin E application compared with the values obtained after vitamin E application. When comparison made between groups, while MDA and vitamin E values were statistically important (p<0.05), GSH, vitamin C, A and β-carotene values were not important statisticallyAs a result, acute exercise can increase free-radical production which, the results shows that increase in both MDA and GSH can be shown as the indicator of it. Furthermore, decrease in MDA level in vitamin E applied group the indicator of the rise in antioxidant defense and protective effect of vitamin E.

This study was carried out to determine the prognostic importance of troponin enzyme levels in lambs with White Muscle Disease (WMD). Materials and Methods: This study consisted of 50 male and female lambs aged 0-3 months old, 30 of which had clinical white muscle disease (Group I) and 20 of which were healthy (Group II – Control Group). Group I was composed of lambs that showed clinical symptoms of the disease. The disease was also identified by laboratory analysis. The lambs in this group were treated and the course of the disease was followed for 15 days.Compared with the control group, the Group I before treatment results were as follows: AST, LDH, CK, CK-MB, Troponin I and T (P<0.001) were high, while GSH-Px (P<0.001), SOD (P<0.01), Se (P<0.01), Retinol and Tocopherol were low. Compared with the control group, the Group I After Treatment results were as follows: AST, CK, Troponin T (P<0.001) were high, LDH (P<0.01) was high and GSH-Px (P<0.01) was low. Comparing Group I Before Treatment and After Treatment results, AST, CK, CK-MB and Troponin I (P<0.001), as well as GSH-Px, SOD and Se (P<0.01) were high. It was determined that LDH decreased and Tocopherol increased. Whereas Vitamin D3 was determined to be insignificant in all three groups, the levels of CK-MB, Troponin I, Retinol, SOD and Se were insignificant in the After Treatment and control groups, and the Troponin T and retinol values were measured to be insignificant in the Before Treatment and After Treatment groups.To conclude, measuring the AST, CK, CK-MB, LDH values as well as Troponin can be an important parameter for the identification and prognosis of WMD.