[Changes in buffalo serum and hepatic lipid parameters in response to food restriction]

Background: Negative energy balance in cow occurs in transitional period, highyielding dairy cows immediately after calving and feed restriction. In response to energy demand cow mobilizes fatty acids from adipose tissue causing an increase in the circulation of NEFA. Increased blood NEFA is associated with low glucose, high free fatty acids and ketone bodies as well as lipid and lipoprotein disturbances in the blood. Does buffalo follows the same as cow, is not yet cleared

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of starvation on some lipid parameters in serum and liver of buffalos in Ahwaz

Methods: Five two-year-old male buffalos with average body weight of 200 kg were fattened with a diet containing alpha, barely, wheat, and maze for 8 weeks and then they were fastened for 8 days. During fasting period the animals had free access to barely and water. After fasting period the buffalos were again fattened for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein during the first and second fattening period with 20 days intervals and every day in the fasting period. Plasma samples were obtained, stored, and analyzed for glucose, BHBA and NEFA using standard kits. The liver of each buffalo was sampled at the beginning and end of feed restriction period and sent to the laboratory for the measurement of the liver TG content. Analyses of variance were carried out to compare mean values in fed and fasted periods

Results: The results of present study revealed that there were no significant differences in plasma NEFA,BHBA and liver TG concentration before and after feed restriction [p>0.05], but there was significant difference in plasma glucose [p

Conclusions: It appears that in the period of food depravation, buffalos are essentially able to cope with these hard conditions probably through control of lipolysis and gluconeogenesis at the aim of preventing metabolic disorders particularly fatty liver. The results of the present research reveal probably for the first time, this inheritance phenomenon with the emphasis of further research

Vertebral heart scale of common large breeds of dogs in Iran

In order to assess the influence of breed on the vertebral heart scale [VHS] of dogs, the VHS was measured and compared in left to right [LL] and right to left lateral [RL] views. For all dogs [n=56], the mean VHS on the RL radiographs [9.7 vertebra [v]] was significantly larger than the mean VHS on the LL radiographs [9.6 v] [p=0.047]. Doberman dogs had higher mean values of the VHS in LL [9.9 v] and RL [10.1 v] views than all the other breeds, except in RL radiographs VHS of native dogs, although these differences were not significant. Native dogs had the lowest VHS in LL [9.4 v] and RL [9.4 v] radiographs than all of the other breeds. The mean VHS values for German shepherd dogs were 9.6 and 9.8 v and for mixed breeds of German shepherd and Doberman were 9.6 and 9.7 v in LL and RL radiographs, respectively. The mean VHS values in LL views were significantly smaller than in the RL view in Doberman and German shepherd dogs. No significant differences could be found between the VHS of LL and RL radiographs in mixed breed and native dogs

possible relationship of megaesophagus and canine distemper in two German shepherd dogs

Megaesophagus [esophageal dilatation] is a neuromuscular disease. In this disorder, the esophagus is abnormally stretched and air is collected with food in it. Two male dogs aged 4 and 6-year-old, German shepherd breeds and weighing 18.4 and 23.2 kg were presented to the Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Chamran University with complaints of regurgitation, dehydration, anorexia, depression, dysphagia, myoclonus, hypersalivation, gurgling sound during swallowing and fatigue in the past month. They were not vaccinated against distemper and other viral diseases. Physical examination revealed a relatively thin body condition. A plain radiograph of the chest revealed advanced megaesophagus with aspiration pneumonia. Rapid antigenic test [immunochromatography assay] was positive for canine distemper. CBC was abnormal [leucopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia]. Supportive treatments were administered for them. We advised the dogs be placed in a vertical position for 15 min after the meal. Only one dog was sent back home in good health four weeks later and the disease did not relapse for more than six months. The second dog had a symptom of megaesophagus and did not respond to supportive treatments completely. A possible relationship between megaesophagus and canine distemper infection has been reported in the present survey