Liver enhancement in healthy dogs after gadoxetic acid administration during dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consists of acquisition of native baseline images, followed by a series of acquisitions performed during and after administration of a contrast medium. DCE-MRI, in conjunction with hepatobiliary-specific contrast media, such as gadoxetic acid (GD-EOB-DTPA), allows for precise characterisation of the enhancement pattern of the hepatic parenchyma following administration of the contrast agent. The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of temporal resolution contrast enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma following administration of GD-EOB-DTPA and to determine the optimal time window for post-contrast assessment of the liver. The study was carried out on eight healthy beagle dogs. MRI was performed using a 1.5T scanner. The imaging protocol included T1 weighted (T1-W) gradient echo (GRE), T2 weighted (T2-W) turbo spin echo (TSE) and dynamic T1-W GRE sequences. The dynamic T1-W sequence was performed using single 10mm thick slices. Regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen and the signal intensity curves were calculated for quantitative image analysis. The mean time to peak for all dogs was 26min. The plateau phase lasted on average 21min. A gradual decrease in the signal intensity of the hepatic parenchyma was observed in all dogs. A DCE-MRI enhancement pattern of the hepatic parenchyma was evident in dogs following the administration of a GD-EOB-DTPA, establishing baseline data for an optimal time window between 26 and 41min after administration of the contrast agent.

Effect of zearalenone on circulating testosterone concentration, testicular and epididymal morphology and epididymal sperm characteristics in wild boars.

This study investigated the effect of exposure to zearalenone (ZEN) and its metabolites on the characteristics of epididymal spermatozoa, testicular and epididymal biometry and histology, and the concentration of testosterone in blood plasma in male wild boars. The study was performed during more than one year on 18 clinically healthy male wild boars with initial and final body weight, of 39 ± 4 kg and 59 ± 3 kg, respectively. The animals were divided into two experimental groups (group I and group II) and one control group (group C) comprising 6 boars per group. Group I animals were administered per os pure zearalenone (ZEN) at 150 µg/kg BW for 7 consecutive days every two months, while group II animals received a dose of 50 µg/kg BW/day via feed that was naturally contaminated with ZEN. These male wild boars were exposed to ZEN over a period of 1 year. Control animals were fed a placebo. Testicles with epididymides of the boars were collected on the last day of the experiment within 3 min after slaughter. Blood samples were collected from each of the male wild boars. Testes and epididymides were measured and sampled for histological examination. Epididymides were dissected and epididymal spermatozoa were harvested. The spermatozoa were diluted with swine-specific BTS extender and stored at 17°C for 144 h. Sperm motility was analyzed with CASA, and other parameters including viability, acrosome integrity, DNA fragmentation index, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis were assessed with flow cytometry. In these wild boars, per os exposure to natural sources of ZEN or a combination of ZEN and its metabolites changed the testicular interstitium and led to modification of some epididymal sperm parameters. The interstitial glands in testes of experimental group I were markedly reduced and hyperemic with evident blood stasis in small capillaries. Also in group I were single degenerating seminiferous tubules. In both groups I and II, immediately after dilution of spermatozoa with BTS remarkable decreases in motility rate as well as in progressive motility and the subpopulation of cells with rapid movement were noted compared with the control group (P < 0.05). But unexpectedly, after 24 h incubation of boar semen in the BTS diluent, these sperm properties improved and were not significantly different from the control group. Thus, exposure to ZEN has no lasting but only a temporary, reversible effect on wild boar sperm motility. There was no influence of exposure to ZEN and its metabolites on the integrity of membranes, intensity of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis or on sperm chromatin structure. This study is the first using these direct measures of sperm motility and integrity to show a redundant adverse effect of ZEN exposure on wild boar sperm characteristics. There were no effects of exposure to ZEN and its metabolites on body weight, testicular and epididymal biometry, gonadosomatic index and the concentration of testosterone in blood plasma in the male wild boars.

A comparison of the brainstem auditory evoked response in healthy ears of unilaterally deaf dogs and bilaterally hearing dogs.

AIMS: Auditory plasticity in response to unilateral deafness has been reported in various animal species. Subcortical changes occurring in unilaterally deaf young dogs using the brainstem auditory evoked response have not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to assess the brainstem auditory evoked response findings in dogs with unilateral hearing loss, and compare them with recordings obtained from healthy dogs. METHODS: Brainstem auditory evoked responses (amplitudes and latencies of waves I, II, III, V, the V/I wave amplitude ratio, wave I-V, I-III and III-V interpeak intervals) were studied retrospectively in forty-six privately owned dogs, which were either unilaterally deaf or had bilateral hearing. The data obtained from the hearing ears in unilaterally deaf dogs were compared to values obtained from their healthy littermates. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the amplitude of wave III and the V/I wave amplitude ratio at 75 dB nHL were found between the group of unilaterally deaf puppies and the control group. The recordings of dogs with single-sided deafness were compared, and the results showed no statistically significant differences in the latencies and amplitudes of the waves between left- (AL) and right-sided (AR) deafness. CONCLUSIONS: The recordings of the brainstem auditory evoked response in canines with unilateral inborn deafness in this study varied compared to recordings from healthy dogs. Future studies looking into electrophysiological assessment of hearing in conjunction with imaging modalities to determine subcortical auditory plasticity and auditory lateralization in unilaterally deaf dogs are warranted.

Evaluation of serum cytokine levels in recurrent airway obstruction.

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) represents a serious health problem and is traditionally classified as an allergic disease, where contact with an antigen can induce clinical airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of the Th2 response in the lungs of human patients with asthma and horses with heaves. These cells are involved in the production of cytokines which regulate the synthesis of immunoglobulins. 40 horses were evaluated: 30 horses with RAO and 10 healthy animals. The expression levels of interferon-alpha 1 (IFN-α1), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-1ß, (IL-1ß), IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured in the serum obtained from control and RAO-susceptible horses during crisis. In all the patients, serum cytokine levels were detected. Serum median IL-13 and IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in RAO-affected horses than in the healthy group (p < 0.001). The serum median IFN-α1, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, and TNF-α levels were similar in both groups. These results indicate a low variability of the levels of cytokines and a high frequency of their detection in serum samples from horses with RAO. Immune mechanisms involved in equine RAO are more complex than those defined by a simple Th1/Th2 dichotomy.

The effect of metamizole and tolfenamic acid on canine and equine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) an in vitro research.

The influences of NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs)--non-selective metamizole and selectively-acting tolfenamic acid were estimated on morphology, ultrastructure, and cytophysiological activity of canine (Ca) and equine (Eq) adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The lowest concentration of metamizole (0.01 mg/mL) stimulated the viability and cytophysiological activity of Ca ASCs and did not affect cell morphology. Stimulated cells possessed a proper, fibroblastic shape, with large, eccentrically located nuclei. Similar effects to those observed in Ca ASCs were found in Eq cells treated with both drugs. Cells cultivated with the intermediate (0.1 mg/mL) doses of NSAIDs displayed proper cell morphology, whereas cells cultivated in intermediate dose (0.1 mg/mL) became more flattened. The highest concentrations (1 mg/mL) of both drugs resulted in a cytotoxic effect in Ca and Eq ASCs. Based on these results, we conclude that stimulation of Ca and Eq ASCs with metamizole as well as Eq ASCs with tolfenamic acid can lead to positive effects only when the lowest drug concentrations are applied. This study indicates a different cellular response of canine and equine ASCs treated with metamizole and tolfenamic acid. The obtained data might be potentially useful in the study of functionalized veterinary biomaterials.

Effect of short-term rapid ventricular pacing followed by pacing interruption on arterial blood pressure in healthy pigs and pigs with tachycardiomyopathy.

Ventricular tachycardia may lead to haemodynamic deterioration and, in the case of long term persistence, is associated with the development of tachycardiomyopathy. The effect of ventricular tachycardia on haemodynamics in individuals with tachycardiomyopathy, but being in sinus rhythm has not been studied. Rapid ventricular pacing is a model of ventricular tachycardia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rapid ventricular pacing on blood pressure in healthy animals and those with tachycardiomyopathy. A total of 66 animals were studied: 32 in the control group and 34 in the study group. The results of two groups of examinations were compared: the first performed in healthy animals (133 examinations) and the second performed in animals paced for at least one month (77 examinations). Blood pressure measurements were taken during chronic pacing--20 min after onset of general anaesthesia, in baseline conditions (20 min after pacing cessation or 20 min after onset of general anaesthesia in healthy animals) and immediately after short-term rapid pacing. In baseline conditions significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found in healthy animals than in those with tachycardiomyopathy. During an event of rapid ventricular pacing, a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found in both groups of animals. In the group of chronically paced animals the blood pressure was lower just after restarting ventricular pacing than during chronic pacing. Cardiovascular adaptation to ventricular tachycardia develops with the length of its duration. Relapse of ventricular tachycardia leads to a blood pressure decrease more pronounced than during chronic ventricular pacing.

Application of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of mammary gland neoplasm in dogs.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of elastography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumours of the mammary gland in dogs. The study was performed to 12 female dogs of different breeds aged 5-12 years in which tumoral lesions of the mammary gland were found in the clinical examination. In all the animals elastographic examination of the lesions was carried out and then the fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed to determine the nature and degree of malignancy of the lesions. The examinations proved that benign neoplasms of the mammary gland showed low stiffness (average 22.42 kPa, range 19 to 42.4 kPa), whereas malignant neoplasms were characterized by high stiffness (average 235.44 kPa, range 171 to 300 kPa). On the basis of the results obtained we conclude that the elastography of proliferative lesions of the mammary gland is a useful diagnostic method for distinguishing benign neoplastic lesions from malignant neoplasms.

Oesophageal foreign bodies in dogs.

The aim of the paper is to present own experience in diagnosis and endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the oesophagus in dogs. The study was performed on 22 dogs of different breed and sex, aged 7 months to 17 years, with suspicion of a foreign body in the oesophagus. All the dogs were subjected to a radiography of the oesophagus and oesophagoscopy. The most commonly observed clinical signs were regurgitation and swallowing disorders. The best diagnostic method allowing detection of foreign bodies in the oesophagus was esophagoscopy.

Prevalence study in horses infected by Gasterophilus sp. in an eastern region of Poland.

A survey to determine current prevalence of Gasterophilus spp. (bot flies) in equids (n=400) at necropsy in slaughtered horses was conducted at the abattoir in Rawicz. The evaluation was performed according to sex, age, larval stages, severity of infestation and localization, respectively. Only Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis were detected. The prevalence determined in the eastern part of Poland was of 47%. The high prevalence of this parasite infection in the Polish horse population confirms that Gasterophilosis spp. has to be taken into serious consideration and prophylactic measures might be indicated.

Therapeutic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell injection in horses suffering from bone spavin.

In this article we demonstrate the efficiency of autologous transplantations of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for equine bone spavin treatment. Horses qualified to the study were divided into three groups: (i) research - treated with intra-articular injections of autologous stem cells, (ii) comparison treated with steroid drugs and (iii) control - untreated. All animals underwent comprehensive clinical examination before and after treatment. Our research confirms the long-term beneficial influence resulting from stem cell therapy in horse bone spavin treatment, in contrast to routine steroid usage.

Endoscopic examination of the urethra and the urinary bladder in dogs -- indications, contraindications and performance technique.

This paper discusses indications, contraindications, and likely complications following the endoscopic examination of the urethra and the urinary bladder in dogs. In addition, the procedure performance techniques and evaluation of the particular sections of the lower urinary tract are presented as well as the equipment used for the urethrocystoscopy.

Fine needle biopsy of abdominal organs in dogs -- indications, contraindications and performance technique.

Recent years have seen in both human and veterinary medicine the development of numerous techniques allowing for evaluation and classification of changes in individual organs and tissues. Despite introduction of such techniques into diagnostics as among others, CT, MRI, CEUS or elastography, biopsy is still considered a "golden standard" and it is a procedure performed in order to obtain a final diagnosis. There are many biopsy techniques, such as fine needle aspiration biopsy, core biopsy as well as methods of performing a procedure, e.g. blind biopsy, biopsy under USG control and biopsy during laparotomy. In the article usefulness of biopsy techniques in relation to diagnostics of individual abdominal organ, as well as the procedure technique, contraindication and complications are discussed.

Influence of the wing-of-the-nostrils correction procedure on the change of the acid-base balance parameters and oxygen concentration in the arterial blood in French bulldogs.

Brachycephalic syndrome develops as a result of a specific build of splanchnocranium. In dogs of brachycephalic breeds, an impairment of correct gas exchange occurs. 5 French bulldogs at the age of 11-14 months, which suffered from continuous mixed-type dispnoea and lowered effort tolerance, were examined. Apart from the above-mentioned symptoms, the occurrence of strong external nostril stenosis was noted in the clinical examination. The symptoms observed together with the nostril stenosis indicated a possibility of an occurrence of the brachycephalic syndrome. 1 ml of full blood was drawn from the femoral artery. Acid-base balance parameters were determined in the arterial blood: pH, pCO2, HCO3-, and pO2. The wing-of-the-nostrils correction procedure were carried out in general anaesthesia. In premedication, the patients received medetomidine and after 15 minutes, fentanyl together with atropine. The induction of propofol was carried out. After four weeks from the procedure, blood was collected and the acid-base balance and pO2 parameters were again determined. The obtained values of the acid-base balance and pO2 parameters showed a noticeable influence of the wing-of-the-nostrils correction procedure on the values of the parameters determined. The results of the blood gasometry obtained prior to the procedure clearly indicate the occurrence of respiratory acidosis. The correction of wings of the nostrils significantly influenced saturation of the arterial blood with oxygen and the symptoms of dispnoea observed by the owners and episodes of apnoea and the loss of consciousness entirely subsided.

Contemporary approach to acid-base balance and its disorders in dogs and cats.

The issue of the acid-base balance (ABB) parameters and their disorders in pets is rarely raised and analysed, though it affects almost 30% of veterinary clinics patients. Traditionally, ABB is described by the Henderson-Hasselbach equation, where blood pH is the resultant of HCO3- and pCO2 concentrations. Changes in blood pH caused by an original increase or decrease in pCO2 are called respiratory acidosis or alkalosis, respectively. Metabolic acidosis or alkalosis are characterized by an original increase or decrease in HCO3- concentration in the blood. When comparing concentration of main cations with this of main anions in the blood serum, the apparent absence of anions, i.e., anion gap (AG), is observed. The AG value is used in the diagnostics of metabolic acidosis. In 1980s Stewart noted, that the analysis of: pCO2, difference between concentrations of strong cations and anions in serum (SID) and total concentration of nonvolatile weak acids (Atot), provides a reliable insight into the body ABB. The Stewart model analyses relationships between pH change and movement of ions across membranes. Six basic types of ABB disorders are distinguished. Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis, strong ion acidosis, strong ion alkalosis, nonvolatile buffer ion acidosis and nonvolatile buffer ion alkalosis. The Stewart model provides the concept of strong ions gap (SIG), which is an apparent difference between concentrations of all strong cations and all strong anions. Its diagnostic value is greater than AG, because it includes concentration of albumin and phosphate. The therapy of ABB disorders consists, first of all, of diagnosis and treatment of the main disease. However, it is sometimes necessary to administer sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or tromethamine (THAM).

Thyroid hormones concentrations and ECG picture in the dog.

Disorders of the thyroid gland activity are the most commonly encountered disturbances of endocrine origin in the dog. Hypo- or hyperthyroidism may disturb the function of the cardiovascular system and cause arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of thyroid gland activity on electrocardiogram (ECG) picture in the dog by comparing ECG curves of healthy dogs, dogs with hypothyroidism and dogs with cardiac insufficiency caused by endocardiosis of the mitral valve. The study was performed on 38 dogs, patients of the Department of Internal and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats in Wroclaw. The animals were assigned to 3 groups: Group I--control group, 13 clinically healthy dogs; Group II--14 dogs with diagnosed cardiac insufficiency caused by endocardiosis of the mitral valve; Group III--11 dogs with hypothyroidism. Clinical examination of the animals was conducted according to the following pattern: anamnesis, general clinical examination, cardiological examination (ECG, USG of the heart) and laboratory analysis (triacylglycerydes, cholesterol, T3, T4, FT4). In this study, the significant influence of thyroid gland activity on ECG picture of the evaluated dogs was found. In the dogs with hypothyroidism a decrease in the sino-atrial node activity was observed, which led to decreased heart rate. In dogs with hypothyroidism, the innerheart conduction was reduced, which was demonstrated by prolongation of the P wave, QRS complex and the QT interval.

Effect of the dry feed contaminated with moulds on the prevalence of alimentary tract disorders in cats.

The experiment was performed on the group of 8 kittens aged from 7 to 9 weeks. The aim of the studies was to establish the reasons for alimentary tract disorders and lower gains of body weight occurring in these animals. The cats were fed with commercial dry diet. Morphological and biochemical blood tests were carried out in the animals at the onset of the experiment. The tests were re-performed at the end of the studies, together with bacteriological and mycological cultures of faeces, hygienic litter and internal organs of dead cats. The feed samples underwent microbiological and toxicological analyses. An increase in leukocyte count was recorded on morphological blood inspection while the biochemical tests revealed the rise of AIAT and amylase activities and urea concentration. The moulds of Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus were isolated on quality feed assessment. Toxicological analyses of feed performed by means of thin layer chromatography revealed zearalenone within the samples. Technology of dry diet production may not be efficient enough to protect the feed against contamination and subsequent growth of moulds. Consumption of Aspergillus-contaminated feed may result in growth inhibition and alimentary tract disorders, including the fatal ones.

[Salinomycin poisoning in a Polish stud horse]. / Salinomycinvergiftung in einem polnischen Pferdebestand.

24 cases of salinomycin poisoning in horses occurring recently in Silesia are discussed. All of these horses, used for riding-purposes, were fed with concentrate containing 61 mg/kg salinomycin as faulty prepared by the manufacturer. Each horse received approximately two to three kilograms of this forage. All horses developed severe clinical signs of intoxication. Despite therapy eight horses died within three to six days. Ten others became recumbent and had to be euthanased. Only six horses survived. Clinical and laboratory examinations were performed and are discussed. Laboratory examination of blood included red blood cell count, haematocrit, concentration of haemoglobin, enzyme activities of ASAT, ALAT and AP, also levels of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and inorganic phosphor. Blood gas was also analysed. The dominating laboratory results were very high enzyme levels and alkalosis. The most characteristic clinical change appeared as paralysis of the hindlimbs.

The role of sweat in maintaining the stimulation of effort homeostasis in horses.

Sweat secretion was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively in 20 horses after a 5 min. gallop at 450 m/min. The analysis revealed concentration of proteins 63.3 +/- 6.47 g/l, mainly albumins, a high level of sodium 254.43 +/- 62.84 mM/,l chloride 268.68 +/- 98.46 mM/l, potassium 98.95 +/- 49.62 mM/l and calcium 4.14 +/- 0.8 mM/l. A dependence was found between the protein concentration in serum and its quantity in sweat and between the level of potassium in sweat and its loss from the cells within a range 8.6 to 25.8 mM/l. The hypertonic horse sweat protects organism for excessive water loss, the loss taking place by imperceptible evaporation. The loss of body weight amounted to 5.64 +/- 2.36 kg and the loss with the sweat was only 1.56 kg. Besides its thermoregulation function, the sweat ensures a proper effort homeostasis-isoosmic and isoionic status.

[The effect of energy-rich feed supplements for cows on the health of their calves]. / Zum Einfluss energiereicher Futterzusätze an Kühen auf die Gesundheit ihrer Kälber.

Experiments were carried out with 24 pregnant cows and their calves. The cows were divided in 2 equal groups. One of these received a supplement of animal fat additional to the feed from 4 weeks a. p. to 6 weeks p. p. Apart from clinical examinations following laboratory investigations in the blood were performed: hematological parameters, cholesterol, lipids, free fatty acids, ketone bodies, protein, glucose, bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, Cl. The addition of fat to the feed of cows influenced the energy metabolism of the cows, the body weight of the newborn ones and some hematological parameters (incl. protein) of the calves positively.

[The effect of metabolic alkalosis on colostrum and milk quality of cows and on the health status of their newborns]. / Zum Einfluss der metabolischen Alkalose auf Kolostrum- und Milchqualität von Kühen sowie auf den Gesundheitszustand ihrer Neugeborenen.

The investigation was carried out on 12 cows and their calves. At the time of 3 months before parturition and 7 days after parturition metabolic alkalosis one provoked with the high protein feed. The laboratory investigations dependent of determinations on the rumen content the pH, NH3, volatile fatty, acids, the protozoa, bacteria, total gas CO2 and CH4. On the arterial and venous blood on determination the pH, BE, sO2, pO2, HCO3 and coefficient of consumption of the oxygen, and on the venous blood the levels of Na, K, Mg, Ca, P, total proteins, albumins and globulins, cholesterol, glucose, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and urea. In the colostrum and in milk one determined the pH, potential acidosis--degree SH, proper weight, proteins, dried mas of milk, time of coagulation in the presence of rennin, Na, K, Ca, Cl, total fats and their composition with different fatty acids. No existed truly changes of clinical signs, only feces was sickly. The metabolic alkalosis of cows decreased the consumption of oxygen across the tissue, deficient of the energy, disorders of water-electrolyte and acid-base balances. The calves form cows with metabolic alkalosis delivered also with metabolic alkalosis, with the symptoms of achondroplasia and degeneration of the liver and other organs. Metabolic alkalosis of cows influenced on the quality of colostrum and milk. The colostrum gained from cows with alkalosis caused of disturbance of gastrointestinal tract and diarrhea presence.