OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of kernel and window settings on the assessment of small and complicated vasculature in CT angiographic (CTA) images of kidneys, jejunum with mesentery, and tumors in dogs. ANIMALS 20 healthy dogs and 20 dogs with tumors. PROCEDURES Images from CTA performed previously in dogs were reconstructed with 3 different combinations of kernel and window settings (soft kernel with soft tissue window, soft kernel with bone window, and sharp kernel with bone window), and reconstructed images of the left kidney and the jejunum with the mesentery in healthy dogs and tumors in affected dogs were evaluated by reviewers blinded to the settings. RESULTS For images of kidney and jejunum with mesentery, reviewers’ scores for the conspicuity of vascularity in the arterial phase and the differentiation of the organs from the adjacent structures were significantly higher when viewed in bone window (vs soft tissue window) regardless of kernel setting. For images of head and gastrointestinal tumors, reviewers’ scores for differentiation of intratumoral vasculature were higher when viewed in sharp kernel with bone window versus other setting combinations. However, the conspicuity of gastrointestinal, hepatic, or splenic tumoral vessels from the adjacent structures had higher reviewer scores for images in soft kernel with soft tissue window, compared with other setting combinations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that reconstruction of CTA images with sharp kernel combined with bone window settings might have clinical utility in evaluating and planning treatments for dogs with various tumors; however, additional research is warranted to further identify effects of various kernel and window setting combinations on assessments of small and complicated vasculature in larger and more diverse populations of dogs with and without tumors.

OBJECTIVE To characterize antimicrobial prescribing patterns of clinicians and clinical services at a large animal veterinary teaching hospital and identify factors associated with antimicrobial prescribing. ANIMALS All large animals (ie, equids, bovids, sheep, goats, camelids, swine, and cervids) evaluated at the New Bolton Center hospital at the University of Pennsylvania from 2013 through 2018. PROCEDURES In a cross-sectional study design, data on antimicrobial use by clinicians and clinical services were collected from administrative and billing records. Multivariable regression modeling was performed to identify factors associated with antimicrobial prescribing patterns. RESULTS Antimicrobials and critically important antimicrobials of the highest priority were dispensed in 42.1% (9,853/23,428) and 24.0% (2,360/9,853) of visits, respectively, and these proportions differed significantly among clinicians. Per visit, the median (interquartile [25th to 75th percentile] range) number of animal-defined daily doses dispensed was 3.6 (0.8 to 11.1) and the mean (SD) number of antimicrobial classes dispensed was 2.0 (1.3). Patient species, age, affected body system, and duration of hospitalization as well as submission of specimens for bacterial culture were significantly associated with prescribing patterns. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The frequency and quantity of antimicrobials prescribed differed significantly among clinicians within and across services, even for animals with clinical signs affecting the same body system. Patient- and visit-level factors explained some but not all of the heterogeneity in prescribing patterns, suggesting that other clinician-specific factors drove such practices. More research is needed to better understand antimicrobial prescribing patterns of clinicians, particularly in situations for which no antimicrobial use guidelines have been established.

OBJECTIVE To compare load-to-failure results for laparoscopic absorbable fixation straps (AFSs) deployed at various angles and for AFSs versus absorbable knotless (barbed) suture when used in simulated total laparoscopic gastropexy (TLG) in specimens from cadaveric dogs. SAMPLE 30 stomach and abdominal body wall specimens. PROCEDURES Specimens were assigned to 1 of 3 groups for use in simulated TLG constructs for comparisons of load-to-failure results for single AFSs deployed at 30°, 60°, or 90° (AFS-angle group; n = 10) or for a gastropexy span of 4 to 5 cm achieved with 3-0 absorbable knotless (barbed) monofilament suture applied in a simple continuous pattern (TLG-1; 10) versus 8 AFSs applied with a deployment angle > 30° (TLG-2; 10). A 1-way ANOVA was used to compare results among AFS deployment angles (30°, 60°, or 90°) and between TLG-1 and TLG-2. RESULTS Mean ± SD load to failure for the AFS-angle group was significantly higher for the AFS deployment angles of 60° (8.00 ± 3.90 N) and 90° (12.71 ± 8.00 N), compared with 30° (5.17 ± 1.90 N). However, no substantial difference was detected in the mean ± SD load to failure for TLG-1 (39.18 ± 7.1 N) versus TLG-2 (31.43 ± 10.86 N). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of the present study supported the potential use of AFSs in gastropexy in dogs; however, prospective clinical research with adequate long-term follow-up is warranted before recommendations can be made.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of presurgical storage conditions on leakage pressures of enterotomy sites closed with unidirectional barbed suture material in fresh, chilled, and frozen-thawed cadaveric canine jejunal specimens. SAMPLE 36 grossly normal jejunal segments obtained from 4 dog cadavers. PROCEDURES 9 jejunal segments were harvested immediately from each euthanized dog and randomly assigned to be tested within 4 hours after collection (fresh segments), stored at 4°C for 24 hours before testing (chilled segments), or stored at −20°C for 7 days and thawed at 21°C for 6 hours before testing (frozen-thawed segments). For leakage pressure testing, a 3-cm-long antimesenteric enterotomy was performed and repaired with 3-0 unidirectional barbed suture material in a simple continuous pattern in each segment. Time to complete the enterotomy, initial leakage pressure, maximum intraluminal pressure, and leakage location were recorded for each segment. RESULTS Mean ± SD initial leakage pressure for fresh, chilled, and frozen-thawed segments was 52.8 ± 14.9 mm Hg, 51.8 ± 11.9 mm Hg, and 33.3 ± 7.7 mm Hg, respectively. Frozen-thawed segments had significantly lower mean initial leakage pressure, compared with findings for fresh or chilled segments. Time to complete the enterotomy, maximum intraluminal pressure, and leakage location did not differ among groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Leak pressure testing of cadaveric jejunal segments that are fresh or chilled at 4°C for 24 hours is recommended for enterotomy studies involving barbed suture material in dogs. Freezing and thawing of cadaveric jejunal tissues prior to investigative use is not recommended because leak pressure data may be falsely low.

This study was planned to assess the possible relationships with pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) concentrations by the determination of the biomarkers of oxidative stress in the plasma of dairy cattle during the early period of gestation. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from coccygeal vessels in pregnant (n = 54) and nonpregnant (n = 45) cows. Measurement of biomarkers of oxidative stress (LPO, GSH and SOD) was carried out in females using spectrophotometric method.Plasma PAG concentrations increased and continuously over the both periods investigated. There were significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant groups (P < 0.001). The concentration of SOD were significantly lower (P< 0.05) in pregnant females from day 25 to 35 (7.08 ±0.31 U.ml-1) and day 36 to 50 after AI (6.6 ± 0.29 U.ml-1) compared with non-pregnant cows (7.59 ± 0.35 U.ml-1). Concerning the concentrations of LPO and GSH, the values obtained were also significant lower (P < 0.05) in pregnant females in the period 25-35 days post AI (122.7 ±10.27 μM and 6.46 ±1.24 μmol/min.ml-1, respectively) and 36-50 days post AI (108.05±6.17 μM and 6.2±0.77 μmol/min.ml-1, respectively) than in the non-pregnant females (124.8 ± 12.16 μM and 6.96 ± 0.92 μmol/min.ml-1, respectively).It was observed that the markers of oxidative stress tended to be higher in non-pregnant females compared with pregnant females during the early period of gestation in dairy cattle. Our results suggest the existence of a relationship among the concentration of oxidative stress markers and PAG during early pregnancy.

Newcastle and Influenza diseases are important viral diseases and its occurrence and virulence in Iran has increased in recent years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune responses of chickens vaccinated with inactivated dual oil emulsion Newcastle disease and avian influenza vaccine in two methods of intramuscular and subcutaneous injection as well as to assess the possible changes in serum biochemical factors. In this study, after subcutaneous and intramuscular inoculation of inactivated dual oil emulsion Newcastle-Influenza vaccine, the serum antibody level and hematobiochemical factors of these avian were analyzed on 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after vaccine injection.The results showed that the values of biochemical parameters such as albumin, glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, ALT, AST, and ALP enzymes, sodium and potassium minerals, and hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in vaccinated and non-vaccinated chickens were not significantly different. Also, in chickens injected with antigen, Newcastle disease and influenza antibody titers were significantly different with those groups containing adjuvant.The results of this study indicate that the intramuscular and subcutaneous injection of dual combination vaccine is similar in terms of changes in biochemical and hematological factors and Newcastle disease and influenza antibody titers. To ensure safety in inactivated vaccines, the presence of proper adjuvant is essential for immune response.

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in some biochemical and haematological parameters due to liver damage caused by parasites in sheep infected with Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The study was conducted on 10 healthy sheep and 60 sheep infected with D. dendriticum. After the blood was taken from the sheep brought to the slaughterhouse in Van Municipality, the liver and gall bladder were examined after the slaughter, and the blood of sheep infected with D. dendriticum was brought to the laboratory and examined for some haematological and biochemical parameters.As a result of the examination, some changes were observed in the biochemical and haematological parameters. In statistical analysis: Haematologically compared with the healthy group of sheep infected with D. dentriticum; WBC, Neu, Eo and Mon values were higher than the control group's values, while RBC, Hct, Hb and MCV values were lower and no significant change was found in the Lym level. Results of biochemical parameters of sheep infected with D. dentriticum according to statistical analysis; ALT, AST and GGT values were higher than of the health group sheep, while serum TP, Alb and glucose values were found than lower.As a result; WBC, Neu, Eo, Mon, ALT, AST and GGT levels in infected sheep due to dicrocoeliasis which cause important pathological disorders in liver that have functions such as synthesis, metabolism and detoxification in the organism were found to be significantly higher compared to the same values of the healthy group. It is predicted that these parameters may be useful in determining the degree and prognosis of liver damage and will shed light on the studies to be performed in this field.

Pyometra is an inflammation of the uterus which is characterized by purulent to sanguinopurulent intraluminal contents. Pyometra has been mostly observed in queens older than 6 years but it has no age predilection. The average age of cats with pyometra is between 5 - 7 years. Traditionally queens reach puberty at a bodyweight of 2.3-2.5 kg. Here in this case we have a 5-month-old cat which has not experienced oestrus but yet developed a pyometra. In this case ovariohysterectomy was performed on this queen. The treatment procedure continued with fluid therapy and antibiotics.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of lycopene administration as a protective agent against necrotic damage of NaF, a fluoride compound found to have high cytotoxic effects in the renal epithelial cell. Material- Method: The renal epithelial cell was cultured in DMEM high glucose medium, containing 10%FBS, 1%L-Glutamine (2mM) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. With the MTT viability test, the non-toxic dose of lycopene (1 µM) and the IC50 value of NaF at the 24th hour was determined to be 3200 µM. The study groups were divided into four as control, NaF, lycopene and NaF+lycopene (the combination of NaF and lycopene). After the total mRNA obtained from these groups were converted to cDNA, expression levels of the identified necrotic genes were determined by real-time PCR method.While the Ripk1 gene did not change in the group given lycopene at the 24th hour, it was found that it increased 2.6 times in the group that received only fluoride, while it increased 7 times in the group treated with NaF+lycopene. A significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of gene expression pattern. While the Ripk3 gene increased slightly in the 24th hour applied lycopene group, it was observed that only NaF applied group increased 8 times and NaF+lycopene applied group increased in the 9 times.Based on the results obtained from this study, it was seen that activation of necrotic genes is important in explaining the molecular basis of cell death from NaF, which is applied as fluoride source, in revealing the molecular basis of the necrotic pathway. It was found that the decrease in cell viability due to NaF increased with lycopene, but the use of lycopene with fluoride also increased necrotic gene expression.

Lack of information about brucellosis can affect patient’s health-seeking behaviors and thuscause constant infectation in semi-urban communities. This study aimed to determine the knowledge levelof brucellosis of dairy cattle breeders and evaluate the information about brucellosis in 83 people living in21 different villages and neighborhoods of Erdemli district. In the study, in this cross-sectional study, face to face interviews and data were collected using a 30 question questionnaire to investigate the level of knowledge about individuals aboutbrucellosis. Data were evulated by using SPSS 21.0 statistic program.While 72.3% the individuals do not know that brucellosis causes disease in humans, 56.6% do notknow that it causes disease in animals. Participants said that 56.6% had heard of the about brucellosis beforeand those who heard said that they had heard from 13.3% of their relatives or neighbors. A majority of theparticipants (56.6 %) had heard about Brucella, 72.3% of individuals do not know that brucellosis causesdisease in humans and 56.6% of the participants do not know that Brucella is an animal disease. It wasdetermined that 65 (73.8%) of the participants did not make cheese from raw milk, 66 (79.5%) did notconsume cheese fresh, and 74 (89.2%) did not make butter from raw milk cream. The individuals whoparticipated of in the study 32.5% had bovine animals and 67.5% had small ruminants; the rate of abortedanimals is 30.1% in the last year. The total proportion 20.5% was of stillbirths, the rate 51.8% was infertileanimals.In the present study infertility, stillbirth and abortion numbers of individuals who had notheard of brucellosis before were higher than those who had heard and who took the necessary precautions.It is a fact that the herd can threaten all other animals in rapidly spreading infectious diseases such asbrucellosis. Therefore, providing the necessary incentives for the establishment of modern business facilitiesin areas where animal husbandry is intensive, if this is not possible, raising the level of knowledge byproviding various trainings to individuals dealing with dairy cattle breeding will contribute to the nationaleconomy.