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.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a stainless steel implant sterilized with a novel cold atmospheric plasma sterilization (CAPS) device adversely affects local tissues in rabbits and whether CAPS was as effective as steam sterilization with an autoclave to inactivate Pasteurella multocida. ANIMALS 31 healthy New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES Steam-autoclaved stainless steel implants inoculated with P multocida underwent a second steam autoclave sterilization (AIA) or CAPS (AICAPS). One AIA implant and 3 AICAPS implants were randomly placed subcutaneously at 4 sites in 21 rabbits (84 implants). These rabbits were monitored daily for 5 days for evidence of systemic illness and local tissue reactions at the implantation sites and then euthanized. Samples were taken from each implant site for bacterial culture and histologic examination. RESULTS Cultures of samples obtained from all sites were negative for bacterial growth. No significant difference was observed in mean skin thickness or erythema between AIA and AICAPS implant sites on any observed day. Also, individual histologic grades for the epidermis, dermis, subcutis, and muscle and total histologic grade were not significantly different between AIA and AICAPS implant sites. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Cold atmospheric plasma sterilization was noninferior to steam sterilization of P multocida–contaminated stainless steel implants in the rabbits in the present study. However, studies of the efficacy of CAPS for inactivation of other important bacteria are needed.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate surfactant protein D (SP-D) concentrations in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from young healthy horses on pasture or housed in a typical barn. ANIMALS 20 young healthy horses. PROCEDURES Horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (pasture, n = 10; barn, 10), and serum and BALF samples were collected for SP-D determination at baseline (all horses on pasture) and 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the barn group of horses was relocated from the pasture to the barn. Other evaluations included physical and tracheoscopic examinations. Findings were compared within and between groups. RESULTS Physical and tracheoscopic examinations, CBC, and serum biochemical analysis did not reveal evidence of respiratory disease, and no significant differences were present within and between groups. Serum SP-D concentrations did not significantly differ within and between groups, but BALF SP-D concentrations were significantly lower for the barn group at 2 weeks but not at 4 weeks, compared with baseline. The BALF SP-D concentration-to-BALF total protein concentration ratio was < 1.5 and did not significantly differ within and between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A mild decrease was evident in the concentration of SP-D in the BALF collected from young healthy horses after 2 weeks of exposure to a barn environment. The clinical importance of this finding remains to be determined.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of Curcuma longa on some physiological and biochemical parameters, as well as some egg productive and quality characters and the intestinal microflora of local quail. 240 one-day-old quail were distributed randomly into 4 groups (60 birds/group) with 3 replicates. The groups were as follows: 1st group (control) birds were reared on standard ration, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups birds were reared on standard ration supplemented with 3, 6 and 9 gm turmeric/kg ration respectively. The results revealed that the turmeric improve blood picture as represented by the significant increase of RBCs, Hb and PCV% specially in 3rd and 4th treatments. Also, the turmeric reduced significantly triglycerides and cholesterol compared with the control. Curcuma longa treatment improved the intestinal microflora represented by the significant decrease in the number of pathogenic flora (Salmonella and E. coli), and significant increase in the benefit flora (Lactobacillus). On the other hands treatments reduced significantly the age of 1st egg production and enhance the age of 50% egg production. In conclusion, Curcuma longa treatment induced ameliorative effects on some of physiological and productive performance of quail.

Abortion causes substantial economic losses in sheep flocks. In addition to financial compensation, abortion is a sharp aspect of public health.&nbsp;Brucella, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Chlamydia are the most examples of diseases associated with the abortion of ewes. Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection produced by a variety of species of Brucella. It has a significant economic impact on domestic animals, primarily ewes. The current study investigated Brucella ovis from aborted fetuses and vaginal swab samples collected from sheep flocks in the Sulaimani governorate by the polymerase chain reaction. Thirty-eight aborted fetuses and 70 vaginal swabs were collected from sheep flocks in three districts of Sulaimani governorate (Kalar, Chamchamal and Said Sadiq) from March 2018 to June 2019. The pathogen was identified in clinical specimens using conventional PCR. Brucella ovis was isolated from 26 of 38 aborted fetuses (68.4%) and 21 of 70 vaginal swabs (30&nbsp;%) of aborted ewes. The Brucella ovis gene ompA was sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis of the ompA gene sequences revealed that Brucella ovis isolated established a distinct branch and a lower relationship of Brucella ovis to the Brucella melitensis species. It has been concluded that Brucella ovis is the most pathogenic Brucella species and a major cause of ewe's abortion in the Sulaimani governorate.

&nbsp; This study was conducted to detect the blaCMY-2 gene and qnr genes (qnrA, qnrB and qnrS)in Salmonella isolates from 278 different samples (50 direct milk samples, 50 indirect milksamples, 50 feces samples, 50 teat swab samples, 28 manual milk swabs and 50 stoolsamples) in Basrah province. The results showed that the percentage of Salmonella isolatesin the samples was 6.1% by using API system and by PCR technique for identification. Thehighest resistance to Salmonella isolates were found against chloramphenicol and rifampin(100%). While all isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin . The use of plasmid treatment(Plasmid curing) by temperature method showed that 41.1% of total Salmonella isolateswere associated with antimicrobial resistance of the plasmid. Plasmid analysis by moleculardetection revealed that 11 isolates (64.7%) was positivity for blaCMY-2 while the qnrquinolone gene (A, B and S) was not detected in the isolates

The study's objective is to evaluate the enhanced effect of the ghrelin on the body weight and thyroid hormones in male rats after inducing hyperthyroidism by L&ndash;thyroxin. The rats (95 males) were split into two groups. The first group consisted of 25 male rats that were given normal saline for 30 days S.C and set as a control group. While the remainder of the animals were given levothyroxine 500g/kg subcutaneously for 30 days to induce hyperthyroidism. after induction the divided into 4 groups as followe ,the first one was the control group that mentioned previously, the second group was male rats were given normal saline for 30 days S.C, the third group was male rats were given ghrelin at a dose of (0.5nmol/100&mu;l saline) for 30 days S.C, and the fourth group was male rats (1nmol/100&mu;l saline) for 30 days S.C.&nbsp;&nbsp; The fifth group consisted of hyperthyroidism male rats that was given ghrelin at a dosage of (2nmol/100&mu;l saline) for 30 days S.C. The results of final weight and weight gain are presented showed no significant difference in initial weight within all groups that were observed, while a significant decrease in final body weight in hyperthyroidism group compared with control group. On the other hand, the results revealed a significant decrease in body weight gain in male rats have hyperthyroidism compared with the control group. While the results observed a significant increase final body weight and body weight gain in all treated rats with ghrelin as compared with hyperthyroidism group. On other hand, the effect of hyperthyroidism on serum TSH, T3, and T4 concentrations revealed that the hyperthyroidism group had a significant rise in serum T3 and T4 concentrations when compared to the control group. While no significant drop in serum TSH concentration was observed in all hyperthyroidism groups handled with ghrelin (0.5, 1 and 2 nmol) as compared to the hyperthyroidism group, a significant decrease in serum T3 and T4 level was observed in all hyperthyroidism groups treated with ghrelin in comparison to the group of hyperthyroidism. Ghrelin peptide hormone and it has been shown to have potential effects on the body weight and thyroid hormone.

No abstract available

OBJECTIVE To compare intraoperative and short-term postoperative variables pertaining to laparoscopic ovariectomy (LapOVE) and open ovariectomy (OVE) in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). ANIMALS Twelve 4− to 5-month-old female New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES Rabbits were randomly assigned to undergo LapOVE (n = 6) or OVE (6), with a vessel-sealing device used to seal and transect the ovarian pedicles. Laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed with a 3-port approach. Variables were measured during surgery (surgery and anesthesia times and incision lengths) and for up to 7 days after surgery (food consumption, feces production, body weight, vital parameters, blood glucose and cortisol concentrations, abdominal palpation findings, facial grimace scale scores, and ethograms). RESULTS Mean surgery (43.2 vs 21.7 minutes) and anesthesia (76.2 vs 48.8 minutes) times were longer and mean incision length was shorter (24.0 vs 41.5 mm) for LapOVE versus OVE. No significant differences in postoperative variables were identified between groups. During LapOVE, small intestinal perforation occurred in 1 rabbit, which was then euthanized. Postoperative complications for the remaining rabbits included superficial incisional dehiscence (LapOVE, 1/5; OVE, 2/6), subcutaneous emphysema (LapOVE, 1/5; OVE, 0/6), and seroma formation (LapOVE, 1/5; OVE, 0/6). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Surgery time for LapOVE was twice that of OVE, and LapOVE resulted in unique complications in rabbits. No evidence of a reduction in pain or faster return to baseline physiologic status was found for LapOVE. Further evaluation of LapOVE in rabbits is warranted, with modification to techniques used in this study or a larger sample size.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin against a Korean M. hyopneumoniae challenge under experimental conditions. Fifteen pigs were allocated randomly into 3 groups (5 pigs per group) that were designated in 1 of 3 ways: vaccinated-challenged, unvaccinated-challenged, or unvaccinated-unchallenged. The pigs in the vaccinated-challenged group were immunized with an M. hyopneumoniae whole-cell bacterin at a 1.0 mL dose-level at 21 d old. At 42 d old (0 d post-challenge), the pigs in the vaccinated-challenged and unvaccinated-challenged groups were inoculated intranasally with a strain of Korean M. hyopneumoniae. Vaccinated-challenged pigs elicited a strong cell-mediated immunity as measured by M. hyopneumoniae-specific interferon-γ secreting cells when compared with unvaccinated-challenged pigs. Vaccination of pigs with this new M. hyopneumoniae bacterin reduced nasal shedding and lung lesions. The evaluated vaccine was therefore considered effective in controlling M. hyopneumoniae infection.