Objective: To examine whether a zinc l-carnosine compound used for treatment of suspected gastric ulcers in dogs ameliorates acid-induced injury in canine gastric mucosa. Sample: Gastric mucosa from 6 healthy dogs. Procedures: Mucosa from the gastric antrum was harvested from 6 unadoptable shelter dogs immediately after euthanasia and mounted on Ussing chambers. The tissues were equilibrated for 30 minutes in neutral Ringer's solution prior to incubation with acidic Ringer's solution (HCl plus Ringer's solution [final pH, 1.5 to 2.5]), acidic Ringer's solution plus zinc l-carnosine compound, or zinc l-carnosine compound alone. Tissues were maintained for 180 minutes in Ussing chambers, during which permeability was assessed by measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance. After the 180-minute treatment period, tissues were removed from Ussing chambers and labeled with immunofluorescent anti–active caspase-3 antibody as an indicator of apoptosis. Results: Permeability of the gastric mucosa was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner by addition of HCl, whereas control tissues maintained viability for the study period. Change in permeability was detected within the first 15 minutes after acid application and progressed over the subsequent 150 minutes. The zinc l-carnosine compound had no significant effect on this increase in permeability. Apoptosis was evident in acid-treated tissues but not in control tissues. The zinc l-carnosine compound did not protect against development of apoptosis. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Addition of HCl caused a dose-dependent increase in gastric permeability over time and apparent induction of apoptosis as determined on the basis of immunofluorescence. However, there was no significant protective effect of a zinc l-carnosine compound. Nonetheless, results suggested the utility of this method for further studies of canine gastric injury.

This retrospective study was done to characterize the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) in dog brains with neo-vascularization in the cerebral cortex of frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. In neo-vascularized (NV) brains, we analyzed the number and area of blood vessels and the expression of VEGF and HIF-1α. The IHC results showed that the number and area of blood vessels, as assessed by immunolabeling for von Willebrand factor, was higher in the NV brain than in the control brain. The Western blot results showed that the level of VEGF was increased, predominantly in NV brain of the cerebral cortex relative to the clinically normal cerebral cortex, whereas the expression of HIF-1α in NV brains was not different from the control brains. Our study showed that dilatation of vessels and development of new vessels in the cerebral cortex were observed in cases of canine CNS disease and found increased expression of VEGF in canine brains with neo-vascularization.

The objective of this study was to compare bone marrow (BM) aspirates from the sternum and the tuber coxae of middle-aged horses. Bone marrow was obtained from the sternum and both tubera coxae of 12 healthy, 13-year-old geldings. Two different puncture techniques were used for the tuber coxae. The 2 syringes used for sternal sampling were evaluated separately. The mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction of the BM was isolated and the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were culture-expanded. At the sternum, BM aspiration was always possible. Bone marrow aspiration at the tuber coxae required straight and deep needle penetration combined with high negative pressure. With this technique a median sample amount of 11.0 mL with large individual variation was obtained. A median of 3.06 × 10(6) MNC/mL BM (1st syringe) and 2.46 × 10(6) MNC/mL BM (2nd syringe) was isolated from sternal samples. In contrast, the tuber coxae yielded a median of 0.27 × 10(6) MNC/mL BM. The first passage yielded a median of 2.19 × 10(6) MSC (1st syringe) and 1.13 × 10(6) MSC (2nd syringe) from sternal samples, compared to a significantly lower median number of MSC from tuber coxae BM (0.06 × 10(6) MSC). The number of MNC and MSC obtainable from the BM aspirates taken from the tuber coxae is significantly lower than that obtained from the sternal BM aspirates. Autologous BM for the equine athlete is particularly clinically relevant at an advanced age. Based on our findings, the tuber coxae cannot be recommended for BM aspiration in middle-aged horses.

Blue eye disease, caused by a porcine rubulavirus (PoRV), is an emergent viral swine disease that has been endemic in Mexico since 1980. Atypical outbreaks were detected in 1990 and 2003. Growing and adult pigs presented neurological signs, mild neurological signs were observed in piglets, and severe reproductive problems were observed in adults. Amino acid sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein revealed genetically different lineages. We used cross-neutralization assays, with homologous and heterologous antisera, to determine the antigenic relatedness values for the PoRV isolates. We found antigenic changes among several strains and identified a highly divergent one, making up a new serogroup. It seems that genetically and antigenically different PoRV strains are circulating simultaneously in the swine population in the geographical region studied. The cross neutralization studies suggest that the HN is not the only antigenic determinant participating in the antigenic changes among the different PoRV strains.

Objective: To determine the effect of various UVB radiation sources on plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). Animals: 18 healthy Hermann's tortoises. Procedures: Tortoises were exposed to sunlight in an outdoor enclosure located in the natural geographic range of Hermann's tortoises (n = 6 tortoises) or a self-ballasted mercury-vapor lamp (6) or fluorescent UVB-emitting lamp (6) in an indoor enclosure for 35 days. Plasma samples were obtained from each tortoise on the first (day 0) and last (day 35) days of the study, and concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were determined. Amount of UVB radiation in enclosures was measured. Results: Mean ± SD plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations for tortoises exposed to the mercury-vapor and fluorescent lamps were significantly lower on day 35 (155.69 ± 80.71 nmol/L and 134.42 ± 51.42 nmol/L, respectively) than they were on day 0 (368.02 ± 119.34 nmol/L and 313.69 ± 109.54 nmol/L, respectively). Mean ± SD plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration for tortoises exposed to sunlight did not differ significantly between days 0 (387.74 ± 114.56 nmol/L) and 35 (411.51 ± 189.75 nmol/L). Mean day 35 plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration was significantly higher for tortoises exposed to sunlight versus those exposed to mercury-vapor or fluorescent lamps. Sunlight provided significantly more UVB radiation than did the mercury-vapor or fluorescent lamps. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations differed between tortoises exposed to sunlight and those exposed to artificial UVB sources. Exposure to sunlight at a latitude similar to that of the natural geographic range is recommended for healthy and calcium-deficient tortoises.

Objective: To determine morphological and mechanical properties of trabecular bone of horses with a bone fragility syndrome (BFS; including silicate-associated osteoporosis). Sample: Cylindrical trabecular bone samples from the distal aspects of cadaveric third metacarpal bones of 39 horses (19 horses with a BFS [BFS bone samples] and 20 horses without a BFS [control bone samples]). Procedures: Bone samples were imaged via micro-CT for determination of bone volume fraction; apparent and mean mineralized bone densities; and trabecular number, thickness, and separation. Bone samples were compressed to failure for determination of apparent elastic modulus and stresses, strains, and strain energy densities for yield, ultimate, and failure loads. Effects of BFS and age of horses on variables were determined. Results: BFS bone samples had 25% lower bone volume fraction, 28% lower apparent density, 18% lower trabecular number and thickness, and 16% greater trabecular separation versus control bone samples. The BFS bone samples had 22% lower apparent modulus and 32% to 33% lower stresses, 10% to 18% lower strains, and 41 % to 52% lower strain energy densities at yield, ultimate, and failure loads, compared with control bone samples. Differences between groups of bone samples were not detected for mean mineral density and trabecular anisotropy. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Results suggested that horses with a BFS had osteopenia and compromised trabecular bone function, consistent with bone deformation and pathological fractures that develop in affected horses. Effects of this BFS may be systemic, and bones other than those that are clinically affected had changes in morphological and mechanical properties.

Objective: To optimize the use of CT-guided modeling for the calculation of body surface area (BSA) in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Animals: 12 domestic rabbits. Procedures: Adult rabbits (body weight, 1 to > 4 kg) that were client-owned animals undergoing CT for disease diagnosis or deceased laboratory animals donated from other research projects were scanned with a CT scanner. Images were transferred to a radiation therapy planning software program. Image slices were captured as contiguous slices at 100 kVp and 100 mA and processed to 0.1-cm-thick sections. The length of each contoured slice was summed to calculate a final BSA measurement. Nonlinear regression analysis was then used to derive an equation for the calculation of BSA in rabbits. Results: The constant calculated by use of this method was 9.9 (range, 9.59 to 10). The R2 for the goodness of fit was 0.9332. The equation that best described BSA as a function of body weight for domestic rabbits with this method was as follows: BSA = (9.9 × [body weight {in grams}]2/3)/10,000. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The BSA calculated via the CT-guided method yielded results similar to those obtained with equations for other similarly sized mammals and verified the use of such equations for rabbits. Additionally, this technique can be used for species that lack equations for the accurate calculation of BSA.

Objective: To evaluate 4 methods used to measure plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 concentrations in healthy cats and cats with diabetes mellitus or other diseases. Animals: 39 healthy cats, 7 cats with diabetes mellitus, and 33 cats with other diseases. Procedures: 4 assays preceded by different sample preparation methods were evaluated, including acid chromatography followed by radioimmunoassay (AC-RIA), acid-ethanol extraction followed by immunoradiometry assay (AEE-IRMA), acidification followed by immunochemiluminescence assay (A-ICMA), and IGF-2 excess followed by RIA (IE-RIA). Validation of the methods included determination of precision, accuracy, and recovery. The concentration of IGF-1 was measured with all methods, and results were compared among cat groups. Results: The intra-assay coefficient of variation was < 10% for AC-RIA, A-ICMA, and AEE-IRMA and 14% to 22% for IE-RIA. The linearity of dilution was close to 1 for each method. Recovery rates ranged from 69% to 119%. Five healthy cats had IGF-1 concentrations > 1,000 ng/mLwith the AEE-IRMA, but < 1,000 ng/mL with the other methods. Compared with healthy cats, hyperthyroid cats had significantly higher concentrations of IGF-1 with the A-ICMA method, but lower concentrations with the IE-RIA method. Cats with lymphoma had lower IGF-1 concentrations than did healthy cats regardless of the method used. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Differences in the methodologies of assays for IGF-1 may explain, at least in part, the conflicting results previously reported in diabetic cats. Disorders such as hyperthyroidism and lymphoma affected IGF-1 concentrations, making interpretation of results more difficult if these conditions are present in cats with diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To evaluate aqueous humor flow rate in the eyes of clinically normal cats by use of a noninvasive technique successfully used in other species. Animals: 20 domestic shorthair cats. Procedures: 1 drop of 10% fluorescein sodium was instilled into both eyes of 5 cats every 5 minutes until 3 drops had been administered. Fluorophotometry was performed at 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 hours after fluorescein application to monitor fluorescein removal and determine aqueous humor flow rate. The 3-drop protocol was used for the remaining 15 cats, and fluorophotometry was performed at 5, 6, 7, and 8 hours after fluorescein application. Aqueous humor flow rates were calculated manually by use of established equations with minor adjustments to constant values to reflect feline anatomic features. Correlation coefficients and slope ratios were calculated to assess the legitimacy of the flow rate data. Paired t tests were calculated to assess for differences between the right and left eyes. Results: Mean ± SD calculated aqueous humor flow rate in the right, left, and both eyes of the 20 cats was 5.94 ± 2.30 μL/min, 5.05 ± 2.06 μL/min, and 5.51 ± 2.21 μL/min, respectively. Correlation coefficients and slope ratios revealed that the aqueous humor flow rates were accurate. No significant differences in values for the right and left eyes were detected. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Accurate aqueous humor flow values for cats can be determined by use of the fluorophotometric technique evaluated in this study.

Objective: To compare results of single-point kinetic gait analysis (peak and impulse) with those of complete gait waveform analysis. Animals: 15 healthy adult mixed-breed dogs. Procedures: Dogs were trotted across 2 force platforms (velocity, 1.7 to 2.1 m/s; acceleration and deceleration, 0.5 m/s2). Five valid trials were recorded on each testing day. Testing days 1 and 2 were separated by 1 week, as were days 3 and 4. Testing days 1 and 2 were separated from days 3 and 4 by 1 year. A paired t test was performed to evaluate interday and interyear differences for vertical and craniocaudal propulsion peak forces and impulses. Vertical and craniocaudal propulsion force-time waveforms were similarly compared by use of generalized indicator function analysis (GIFA). Results: Vertical and craniocaudal propulsion peak forces and impulses did not differ significantly between days 1 and 2 or days 3 and 4. When data were compared between years, no significant differences were found for vertical impulse and craniocaudal propulsion peak force and impulse, but differences were detected for vertical peak force. The GIFA of the vertical and craniocaudal force-time waveforms identified significant interday and interyear differences. These results were identical for both hind limbs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Findings indicated that when comparing kinetic data overtime, additional insight may be gleaned from GIFA of the complete waveform, particularly when subtle waveform differences are present.