The aim of this study is to identify physiological reference values for Schirmer tear test (STT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) results, in healthy sheep and goats. The study included 56 adult Sakiz sheep and 38 Saanen goats with no ocular disease. Tear volume was measured by a sterile STT strip. IOP was measured with Tono-Vet. IOP and STT readings were carried out in July, at 12.30-14.30 hrs. Measurements were write down in similar conditions in sheep and goats (at 41.8°C-30% humidity and 40.5°C and 32% humidity, respectively). No statistically significant difference was determined between the mean IOP and STT values of the left eye and the right eye in the statistical analysis of goats and sheep (P>0.05). The mean STT values were 10.6±3.03 mm/min in Saanen goats and 11.8±3.35 mm/min in Sakiz sheep. The mean IOP values were 16.5±5.46 mmHg and 17.7±4.57 mmHg for Saanen goats and Sakiz sheep, respectively. A statistically significant difference was determined in the STT (P<0.05) and IOP (P<0.01) values between goats and sheep. In the literature review for reference IOP and STT levels, there is no report for Sakız sheep. Reference values of STT and IOP in summer conditions in Saanen goats and Sakiz sheep were revealed and provide more information for experimental and clinical studies.

Gastrointestinal diseases are caused by many of the apicomplexan protozoan parasites and cause significant clinical diseases. Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important diseases of young ruminant livestock, particularly neonatal calves. This study investigates the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in Karbala farm cattle. Totally, 1360 fecal samples were collected from cows and calves between (1 week to  5years old) from both genders, from different regions of Karbala. Different fecal examination methods (direct fecal smear, fecal flotation with saturated salt solution and faecal smear stained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen were performed to determine Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and other mixed parasites in the fecal samples. The results showed that 29.4% of the fecal samples were detected positive for cryptosporidiosis (400/1360). The highest infection rate appeared (41.9%) in the age group from 3-6 months old, and less rate was (15.1%) in 2 years (P≤0.05). Additionally, there was no significant variation found in infection rates between males (33.8%) and females (25.6%). Mixed infections have been reported with Eimeria spp. oocysts (7.3%), Giardia lamblia cysts (1.4%) and Trichostrongylus spp. eggs (5.1%) (P≤0.05). The results indicated the requirement for the eradication of the gastrointestinal parasites by deworming and a good management system in the sampled region.

Animal health and production are impaired with heat stress inducing dysfunction of intestinal barrier. In this study, it was aimed to determine that the effect of heat stress on gut health via circulating zonulin concentrations. Holstein dairy cows (n=7, age of 2-5 years) were housed in Aydin municipality with higher temperatures in summer. Blood sample for serum zonulin levels were collected at 12 pm and 00 am with temperature records of 44°C and 31°C respectively. Serum zonulin levels were found to be statistically significant (p=0,012) at night in contrast to daylight analytes. With this study it was appeared that heat stress had a negatively impact on intestinal integrity among cows.

Bu çalışmada, klinik yöneticisi kadın veteriner hekimlerin cinsiyete dayalı olarak karşılaştıkları zorluk ve avantajların ortaya çıkarılması ve deontolojik / etik yaklaşımlarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yapılan anket sonuçlarında, kadın veteriner hekimlerin% 90,8'inin işini tatmin ederek yaptığı; Katılımcıların% 33,8'i kadın veteriner olmanın avantajlı yönleri olduğunu düşünürken, dezavantajlarının daha fazla olduğunu düşünenlerin oranı% 66,2 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Kadın veteriner hekimlerle yapılan görüşmelerde katılımcıların% 58,2'sinin veteriner istihdamında seçimin tamamen erkekler lehine yapıldığını düşündüğü,% 18,2'sinin ise kısmi olduğu belirtilmiştir. Ayrıca meslektaşların uygulama sırasında etik ve deontolojik ilkelere uygun davrandıkları tespit edilmiştir. tamamen katılımcıların% 47,3'üne ve kısmen katılımcıların% 28,2'sine göre. Sonuç olarak, çeşitli mesleklerden kadın işçilerin karşılaştıkları sorunlar arasında benzerliklerin tespit edilmesine katkı sağlamayı amaçlayan bu araştırma, yönetici sahibi kadın veteriner hekimlerin cinsiyete dayalı bir yaklaşımla farklı oranlarda karşı karşıya olduğunu tespit etmektedir.

This study was conducted to compare the sedative and cardiovascular effects of alfaxalone and medetomidine in cats. In the study, 18 owned cats brought for X-ray, ultrasound, dental examination, ear diseases examination, and bandage change were used. The cats were randomly divided into two groups; 4 mg/kg alfaxalone was intravenously administered to one group and 0.08 mg/kg medetomidine to the other group. After the application, movement changes and sedation conditions were recorded. Sedation score, analgesia score, heart rate, respiratory rate, and side effects were also recorded. The sedation score was higher and the duration of sedation was longer in the medetomidine group, and the differences were statistically significant. As a result, it was concluded that alfaxalone and medetomidine have clinically similar sedative and analgesic efficacy, medetomidine should be preferred in applications requiring prolonged sedation in cats, and alfaxalone is more reliable in animals with cardiovascular problems.

This retrospective study was conducted to elucidate reproductive parameters oh heifers. The age of insemination resulted with pregnancy (AIRP), the number of inseminations per pregnancy (NIPP), length of the gestation period (LGP), age at first calving (AFC), maternal body weight at the first calving (BWFC), and bodyweight of calves at parturition (BWCP) data were compiled from 179 heifers (Holstein, n = 32; Simmental, n = 147), which were born between June 22, 2013 and October 31, 2019 and raised under the same managerial program in a private farm. The data were subjected to 2-way ANOVA and regression analysis. The AIRP was longer in Simmental heifers than Holstein heifers (515 ± 5 d vs. 482 ± 7 d; P<0.01) while NIPP values were similar (1.99 ± 0.10 vs. 2.06 ± 0.10, P>0.05). Likewise, the AFC was 39 d shorter for Holstein heifers than that for Simmental heifers (753 ± 7 d vs. 796 ± 5 d, P<0.001). The LGP was shorter in Holstein heifers than Simmental heifers (271 ± 1 d vs. 280 ± 1 d; P<0.0001). However, the BWFC (576 ± 10 kg vs. 585 ± 5 kg) and BWCP (39.0 ± 0.8 kg vs. 40.7 ± 0.5) were not different. The sire, calf sex, and maternal weight accounted for 83.1% (P<0.01), 9.3% (P<0.05), and 7.6% (P>0.05) of variations in the BWCP. The linear models describing relationships were 1) LPG (d) = 0.46∙BWCP (kg) + 260.4, R² = 0.12 (P<0.0001), 2) AFC (d) = 28.05∙NIPP + 731.36, R² = 0.35, (P<0.0001), and 3) BWFC (kg) = 0.32∙AFC (d) + 328.47, R² = 0.11 (P<0.0001). In conclusion, reproductive management covering accurate observation for estrus sign, inseminated by experienced inseminator, checked for pregnancy status as early as possible is crucial to improve life-time productivity. Sire selection should be considered for minimizing dystocia incidence.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of using ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine for sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in dogs. ANIMALS 7 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES In phase 1, dogs received each of the following 3 treatments in random order: perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine (0.4 mL/kg) mixed with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.04 mL/kg; DEX0PN), 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1PN), and 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg; DEX2PN). In phase 2, dogs received perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine and an IV injection of diluted dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1IV). For perineural injections, the dose was divided equally between the 2 sites. Duration of sensory blockade was evaluated, and plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were measured. RESULTS Duration of sensory blockade was significantly longer with DEX1PN and DEX2PN, compared with DEX0PN; DEX1IV did not prolong duration of sensory blockade, compared with DEX0PN. Peak plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were reached after 15 minutes with DEX1PN (mean ± SD, 348 ± 200 pg/mL) and after 30 minutes DEX2PN (816 ± 607 pg/mL), and bioavailability was 54 ± 40% and 73 ± 43%, respectively. The highest plasma dexmedetomidine concentration was measured with DEX1IV (1,032 ± 415 pg/mL) 5 minutes after injection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that perineural injection of 0.5% ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) for locoregional anesthesia in dogs seemed to balance the benefit of prolonging sensory nerve blockade while minimizing adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE To determine repeatability, reproducibility, and reference intervals of indices of right atrial longitudinal strain (RALS) derived from speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in dogs without heart disease. ANIMALS 110 client-owned dogs and 10 laboratory Beagles. PROCEDURES To determine intraobserver within-day (repeatability) and interobserver (reproducibility) coefficients of variation, RALS during ventricular systole (ϵS), ventricular early diastole (ϵE), and atrial systole (ϵA), as derived with STE, were obtained by 2 investigators for 5 randomly selected client-owned dogs and analyzed by linear regression. Reference intervals were estimated from the results of all dogs. Correlations between RALS indices (ϵS, ϵE, and ϵA) and sex, age, body weight, heart rate, and blood pressure were determined. RESULTS RALS derived from STE showed good intraobserver within-day repeatability and interobserver reproducibility, with coefficients of variation of < 20%. Both ϵS and ϵE were significantly negatively correlated with age, but ϵA was not correlated with age. Indices were not correlated with sex, body weight, or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE RALS indices derived from STE were repeatable and reproducible and were affected by the age of dogs without heart disease. Age should be considered in the interpretation of RALS indices in clinical settings. Further studies are needed to apply RALS indices for assessing dogs with heart disease.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) following single-dose IV or PO administration, characterize the pharmacokinetics of MMF following long-term PO administration, and describe the clinicopathologic effects of long-term MMF administration in horses. ANIMALS 12 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES In phase 1, 6 horses received a single IV (2.5 mg/kg) or PO (5 mg/kg) dose of MMF in a randomized balanced crossover assessment (≥ 2-week interval between administrations). In phase 2, 6 other horses received MMF for 60 days (5 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 30 days and then 5 mg/kg, PO, q 48 h for an additional 30 days). RESULTS Following IV (single-dose) or PO (single- or multiple-dose) administration, MMF was rapidly converted to mycophenolic acid. For single-dose PO administration, mean ± SD maximum plasma mycophenolic acid concentration was 1,778.3 ± 441.5 ng/mL at 0.71 ± 0.29 hours. For single-dose IV administration, mean systemic clearance and volume of distribution at steady state were 0.689 ± 0.194 L/h/kg and 1.57 ± 0.626 L/kg, respectively. Following single doses, mean terminal half-life was 3.99 ± 0.865 hours for IV administration and 4.02 ± 1.01 hours for PO administration. The accumulation index following long-term PO administration was 1.0 ± 0.002, and the terminal half-life was 4.59 ± 1.25 hours following the final dose on day 60. None of the horses developed abnormal clinical signs or had any consistently abnormal clinicopathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Further investigation of the clinical efficacy of long-term MMF treatment of horses with autoimmune diseases is warranted.

OBJECTIVE To determine the dose of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) needed to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). ANIMALS 18 dogs with CHF due to MMVD and 12 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES In a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, dogs with MMVD were given 50 or 100 mg of water-soluble CoQ10 (ubiquinone; total daily dose, 100 mg [n = 5] or 200 mg [6]) or a placebo (7), PO, twice a day for 2 weeks in addition to regular cardiac treatment. Plasma CoQ10 concentration was measured in dogs with MMVD before (baseline) and at various time points after supplementation began and in healthy dogs once. Concentrations were compared among and within groups. RESULTS No significant difference in median baseline plasma CoQ10 concentration was detected between healthy dogs and dogs with MMVD. Fold increases in plasma CoQ10 concentrations ranged from 1.7 to 4.7 and 3.2 to 6.8 for individual dogs in the 100-mg and 200-mg groups, respectively. The change in plasma CoQ10 concentration after supplementation began was significantly higher than in the placebo group at 4 hours and 1 and 2 weeks for dogs in the 200-mg group and at 1 and 2 weeks for dogs in the 100-mg group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A daily CoQ10 dose of 200 mg was sufficient to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration and may be used in CoQ10 supplementation studies involving dogs with CHF due to MMVD.