Fifteen dry dentate and complete mandible samples from the White Rasquera goat breed were studied for symmetry. Thirty-one landmarks were digitally located on the images of the lateral and medial aspects of each hemimandible. Distances between these landmarks allowed the evaluation of the whole hemimandible and also the neural mandible. In the studied samples, the mandible was rather symmetrical, especially in the medial neural part, and in general, there was no side dominance. Only the diastema differed significantly between the sides, and this was related to the rostral part (incisive arch). The incisive region was the least symmetrical region of the caprine mandible, indicating a modular structure more conservative for the neural part. If unsigned asymmetry is interpreted as a measure of developmental stability, then the studied breed presented a marked ability to develop in good fitness despite the harsh environment. The measurements presented here can also be used as a reference for researchers designing experimental studies, especially on mandibular catch-up growth, and as an aid for zooarchaeologists comparing results from dead animals with those from living goat populations.

Transgenic plants have been tested as an alternative host for the production and delivery of experimental oral vaccines. Here, we developed transgenic potatoes that express the major antigenic sites A and D of the glycoprotein S from transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV-S0.7) under three expression vector systems. The DNA integration and mRNA expression level of the TGEV-S0.7 gene were confirmed in transgenic plants by PCR and northern blot analysis. Antigen protein expression in transgenic potato was determined by western blot analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that based on a dilution series of Escherichia coli-derived antigen, the transgenic line P-2 had TGEV-S0.7 protein at levels that were 0.015% of total soluble proteins. We then examined the immunogenicity of potato-derived TGEV-S0.7 antigen in mice. Compared with the wild-type potato treated group and synthetic antigen treated group, mice treated with the potato-derived antigen showed significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA responses.

An 8-year-old, castrated male, Schnauzer dog was presented for evaluation of gradually worsening erythematous papules. Physical examination revealed multiple erythematous papules having a firm, gritty texture located in bilateral ears, dorsal midline, perianal and inguinal area. Skin biopsy revealed aberrant structure, characterized by atrophic epidermal-dermal layer structure with granular materials which was presumed as calcinosis cutis secondary to iatrognic hyperadrenocotricism. By initiating minocycline for 14 days, there was reduction in size, number of calcium deposit with remarkably decreased erythema. This case report presents the clinical trial of minocycline as a potential agent in treating dogs with calcinosis cutis.

A 6 year-old, spayed female, Maltese dog was presented with precordial thrill and mild coughing. Thoracic auscultation revealed a grade V/VI systolic murmur with maximal intensity over the left apex characterized by musical murmur. Echocardiography revealed mild myxomatous degeneration of mitral valve and ruptured chordae tendineae. Musical murmur was produced due to the vibration of ruptured piece of chordae tendineae along with regurgitant flow. After treatment with furosemide and ramipril, clinical signs resolved and precordial thrill reduced. This case report describes typical clinical signs and phonocardiogram of musical murmur in a dog with acute chordae tendineae rupture.

A 3-month-old, intact male French bulldog was suspected of deafness. The dog was irresponsive to environmental noises generated out of sight, but normal responses were noted for visual stimuli. No abnormalities were observed on the neurological, otoscopic, radiographic, and blood examinations. To diagnose the apparent deafness, brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) was recorded in the presented dog together with a normal dog. While the BAEP from the control dog showed a normal wave consisting of 5 peaks, absence of all peaks was noted in the suspected deaf dog. Therefore the dog was definitively diagnosed as bilaterally congenital sensorineural deafness.

Here, we report the poisoning case of 10 cows. Several distinct clinical signs such as convulsion, excessive salivation, circling, lateral recumbency, and death were observed. Necropsy and histopathological examination did not reveal any significant abnormal findings. Moreover, no bacteria or viruses were detected in tissue, blood, and feeding food. However, endosulfan was detected from the stomach contents and microbials. Our results strongly suggest that death of cows may be closely associated with endosulfan poisoning.

Two Korean black goat (approx. 2 and 3 years old) showing diarrhea and chronic weight loss were submitted to Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. At necropsy, there were thickening of small intestine and enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes. Microscopically, they had granulomatous enteritis in the small and large intestine and granulomatous lymphadenitis. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and acid fast stain, strong positive reaction and acid-fast rod bacteria were detected. According to the result of histopathology and PCR, we confirmed

The objective of this study was to characterize the highly elevated levels of clotting factor VIII (FVIII) in camel plasma. Whole blood was collected from healthy camels and factor VIII clotting activity (FVIII:C) assays were conducted using both the clotting and the chromogenic techniques. The anticoagulant citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA) produced the highest harvest of FVIII:C, the level of plasma factor VIII, compared to heparin:saline and heparin: CPDA anticoagulants. Camel FVIII can be concentrated 2 to 3 times in cryoprecipitate. There was a significant loss of camel FVIII when comparing levels of FVIII in camel plasma after 1 h of incubation at 37°C (533%), 40°C (364%), and 50°C (223%). Thrombin generation of camel plasma is comparable to that of human plasma. It was concluded that camel plasma contains very elevated levels of FVIII:C, approaching 8 times the levels in human plasma, and that these elevated levels could not be attributed to excessive thrombin generation. Unlike human FVIII:C, camel FVIII:C is remarkably heat stable. Taken together, these unique features of camel FVIII could be part of the physiological adaptation of hemostasis of the Arabian camel in order to survive in the hot desert environment.

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a technique that could be considered one of the most useful diagnostic aids available to the clinician. The effect of storage time and temperature on the total proteins and electrophoretic fractions (albumin, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2-, and γ-globulins) was assessed in 24 healthy horses. All samples, collected by jugular vein puncture, were centrifuged and divided into 4 aliquots. The 1st aliquot was analyzed within 3 h from collection (time 0), the 2nd was refrigerated at +4°C for 24 h, the 3rd was refrigerated at +4°C for 48 h, and the last was frozen at -20°C for 48 h. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect (P < 0.05) of the different storage conditions on the concentrations of all the parameters studied and significant variations in the percentages of albumin, α1-globulins, α2-globulins, and γ-globulins. Compared with time 0 the total protein concentration increased significantly after 48 h at -20°C, the albumin percentage decreased after 48 h at -20°C, the α1-globulin percentage increased after 24 h at +4°C, the α2-globulin percentage increased after 48 h at +4°C and at -20°C, and the γ-globulin percentage increased after 48 h at -20°C. The results should help veterinary practitioners handle and store equine serum samples appropriately. Further investigations at different storage times and temperatures could be useful.

The present study investigated the effects of vaccinating sows and piglets or piglets alone against Haemophilus parasuis on the prevalence of H. parasuis in nasal swabs, on the humoral and cellular immune responses, and on the production parameters of piglets at 3 Korean farms with a clinical history of polyserositis caused by H. parasuis. Piglets born to vaccinated or non-vaccinated sows were subdivided into 3 groups: vaccinated sows and vaccinated pigs (VS-VP), non-vaccinated sows and vaccinated pigs (NVS-VP), and non-vaccinated sows and non-vaccinated pigs (NVS-NVP). The proportion of piglets with positive nasal swabs was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the vaccinated animals (VS-VP and NVS-VP groups) than in the non-vaccinated animals (NVS-NVP group) at 35 and 60 d of age at the 3 farms. The overall growth performance (from 7 to 60 d of age) of the vaccinated piglets was significantly better (P < 0.05) than that of the non-vaccinated piglets at the 3 farms. Piglets in the VS-VP group had significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of H. parasuis-specific IgG antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation, and interferon-γ-secreting cells than piglets in the NVS-VP and NVS-NVP groups on days 1, 7, 21, 35, and 60 after birth at the 3 farms.