BACKGROUND: The bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a relatively newly recognized gram-negative, facultative, slow-growing bacillus that forms part of the normal oral flora of dogs and cats. Considering the pathogenicity of this bacterium in humans, determining its prevalence is very important for public health as well as the health of dog owners.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus in the normal oral flora of healthy dogs.METHODS: After taking samples from the saliva of 32 healthy dogs without oral, dental or digestive diseases at different ages, breeds, and sexes, they were placed in a test tube containing 10 mL of sterile peptone water with sterile plastic brushes, and immediately sent to the bacteriology laboratory under sterile conditions. The samples were cultured on a chocolate agar medium containing 5 % defibrinated sheep blood. Then, all the samples were kept in a greenhouse for 48 hours at a temperature of 37 °C and under anaerobic conditions. Using a loop, the grown pink colonies were isolated and to confirm the identification of the isolates, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was used in three main steps: Gene extraction, PCR reaction, and electrophoresis.RESULTS: Out of 32 saliva samples, four positive cases of Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteria were identified by PCR diagnostic method.CONCLUSIONS: Given that Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacterium is present in the oral flora of healthy ​​dogs, dog owners should have sufficient and favorable knowledge about this bacterium and related diseases. The PCR method can be used to detect this bacterium.

Free, autogenous, full-thickness skin grafts were applied to 10 dogs; 5 dogs were given an iron chelator, deferoxamine-10% hydroxyethyl pentafraction starch (DEF-HES; 50 mg/kg of body weight, IV), and 5 dogs were given an equal volume of 10% hydroxyethyl pentafraction starch (HES) in 0.9% saline solution (5 ml/kg, IV). All dogs (DEF-HES/HBO- and HES/HBO-treated) were exposed to 60 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) at 2 atmospheres absolute pressure twice daily for 10 days, beginning the day of surgery. The percentage of viable graft on day 10 was lower in HES/HBO-treated-dogs (mean +/- SD, 13.3 +/- 21.3%; median, 3.0%) than in DEF-HES/HBO-treated dogs (64.7 +/- 39.2%; 88.3%; P = 0.095, Mann-Whitney two-tailed test). There was a positive correlation between percentage of viable graft (on day 10) and percentage of haired skin on the graft site (on day 28) for all dogs (r = 0.91) and for HES/HBO-treated dogs (r = 0.97). The DEF-HES/HBO-treated dogs had less consistent correlation (r = 0.67). Perivascular aggregates of foamy cells were observed in the superficial and reticular portions of the dermis and in the subcutaneous tissue on both surfaces of the panniculus muscle in the graft sites of DEF-HES/HBO-treated dogs. These cells were also observed in the dermis, but not subcutaneous tissue of the control skin sections, and in some viscera of DEF-HES/HBO-treated dogs. Deferoxamine appears to attenuate the detrimental effect of HBO and HES on survival of free skin grafts. However, clinical use of HBO is not recommended as adjunct treatment for free skin grafts in dogs in the first 10 days after grafting. Administration of DEF-HES is not recommended because it has failed to improve the survival of free skin grafts, and the consequence of the cellular response seen in this study is undetermined.

The effect that topical administration of cyclosporine would have on the number and type of microorganisms isolated from the corneal surface of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca was studied. Schirmer tear tests were performed on and corneal swab specimens were collected from 61 eyes of 31 dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca prior to and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment with cyclosporine. In eyes that responded to cyclosporine treatment (Schirmer tear test value increased by greater than or equal to 5 mm/min, compared with pretreatment value), the percentage of eyes from which bacteria were isolated after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment was significantly (P < 0.001) less than the percentage from which bacteria were isolated prior to treatment. However, among eyes that did not respond to treatment, we did not detect a significant change over time in prevalence of bacteria or type of bacteria isolated. The percentage of eyes from which fungi were isolated decreased during treatment; however, the small number of eyes in which fungal culture results were initially positive precluded demonstration of a significant change. For all eyes, we did not detect any significant differences over time in the frequency with which specific bacterial genera were isolated, with the exception of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. Opportunistic corneal infections were not detected even though none of the dogs received antibiotics. An increase in production of tears, which contain anti-infection proteins, was believed to be the primary factor responsible for the decrease in the percentage of eyes from which microorganisms could be isolated.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by use of Mackay-Marg applanation tonometry in 8 normal, manometrically controlled, enucleated, canine eyes with and without 1 of 2 piano therapeutic soft contact lenses (1 and 2) covering the cornea. Differences were not significant between measurements made without a contact lens and those made through either lens at manometer IOP < 30 mm of Hg. At manometer IOP greater than or equal to 30 mm of Hg, use of a contact lens tended to result in a statistically greater (P < 0.05) estimate of IOP than when a lens was not used. This difference, however, achieved only a maximum of 2.6 mm of Hg at the 80 mm of Hg value, and was not regarded as clinically important. Measurements obtained through lens 1 were not significantly different from those obtained through lens 2. The IOP can be accurately estimated in dogs; using the Mackay-Marg tonometer, without removing either type of bandage soft contact lens, thereby avoiding potential disruption of an already compromised cornea.

The size and shape of the foramen magnum were studied in skulls from 75 adult and 5 juvenile Pekingese dogs. After maceration of the skulls, the height, width, and area of each foramen magnum were measured, and various skull indices were determined. The shape of the foramen varied from ovoid to rectangular and had a dorsal notch in aU but 2 skulls. Prolapse of cerebellum or brain stem through the enlarged opening was prevented by a fibrous membrane covering he dorsal notch. Mean +/- SD area of the foramen was 138.1 +/- 26.1 mm(2); its mean total height was 15.0 +/- 2.9 mm, and its mean maximal width was 13.3 +/- 1.1 mm. Statistically, variability in the area of the foramen was mainly correlated with total height of the foramen, including the dorsal notch. Total height of the foramen was not correlated with age or gender. The degree of dysplasia, notch index, and occipital index of each foramen magnum were determined. To allow a more accurate evaluation of the morphology of the foramen, the foramen magnum index, defined as the ratio between the maximal width and the total height of the foramen, was also computed. Mean +/- SD foramen magnum index was 91.8 +/- 17.1 in the adult Pekingese dogs. Foramen magnum index was not significantly correlated with age, but was significantly larger in male than in female dogs. The large variability in the shape and size of the foramen magnum and the absence of any neurologic problems in dogs of this study indicate that the dorsal notch of the foramen magnum in brachycephalic dogs is a normal morphologic variation, rather than a pathologic condition.