Evaluating pair versus solitary housing in kennelled domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) using behaviour and hair cortisol: a pilot study.

Numerous studies conducted to assess welfare of domestic dogs housed in kennel facilities have reported that these dogs experience suboptimal living conditions. One important goal of improving welfare of kennelled dogs is to reduce their stress levels, and one recommended approach for improving welfare of kennelled dogs is group or social housing. The beneficial effects of management changes designed to achieve this goal should be measurable in individual animals. Stress is evident through behaviours exhibited, as well as via the concentration of cortisol, a key hormone reflecting stress. Using behavioural and hair cortisol measures, we conducted a pilot study to measure the impact of switching dogs housed in a long-term kennels facility from solitary to pair housing, using both within-subjects and between-groups comparisons. Considerable individual variation in dog responses was noted, with only two of eight pair-housed dogs showing significant declines in multiple stress-related behaviours once in pair housing. The most sensitive behaviours were active vigilance and repetitive movements (such as jumping and pacing). Barking was reduced overall in the facility following the housing change, even among dogs still in solitary housing. The long-term stress as reflected in hormone deposition in hair also provided encouraging indications that the dogs experienced lower stress levels when in paired housing; dogs showed a significant decline in hair cortisol levels from the first (prehousing change) to second (postintervention) samples. Domestic dogs are social animals, and numerous indications of potential benefit were recorded with no negative impacts seen. Based on our findings, we recommend pair or group housing of compatible dogs as a promising addition to the strategies available to those seeking to improve welfare of kennelled dogs. Future studies using higher numbers of animals and that include tracking of hair cortisol, vigilance behaviour, repetitive movements and barking would be desirable.

Design and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Printed Flexible Canine Otoscopy Teaching Model.

INTRODUCTION: A teaching model was sought to improve canine otoscopy skill and reduce use of teaching dogs. METHODS: An otoscopy teaching model was printed in a flexible medium on a desktop three-dimensional printer from a magnetic resonance image of a canine external ear canal. The model was mounted in a polyvinyl dog mannequin. Validation of the teaching model was sought from student, faculty, and dog perspective. Student perception of prelaboratory training was assessed using a survey regarding their experience. Otoscopy skill was assessed by faculty grading the ear anatomy visualized as well as the time required to prepare for and perform otoscopy and the time to the dog's first sign of aversion. The time data were used to assess whether there was a reduction in use of teaching dogs. Data from students exposed to the otoscopy model as part of their prelaboratory training (n = 20) were compared with those that were not exposed to the model (n = 19). RESULTS: The students found prelaboratory training with the model significantly more helpful than prelaboratory training without the model in all aspects of otoscopy (P < 0.05). Use of the model did not alter otoscopy skill (structures seen or time taken) or decrease dog use. CONCLUSIONS: The students found the model helpful, but the best that can be said is the model did not negatively impact their otoscopy skill acquisition. Although the outcome of the study did not indicate a reduction in teaching dog use, the model has replaced live dog otoscopy in the institute's teaching program for initial canine otoscopy exposure.

Validation of a Model for Teaching Canine Fundoscopy.

A validated teaching model for canine fundoscopic examination was developed to improve Day One fundoscopy skills while at the same time reducing use of teaching dogs. This novel eye model was created from a hollow plastic ball with a cutout for the pupil, a suspended 20-diopter lens, and paint and paper simulation of relevant eye structures. This eye model was mounted on a wooden stand with canine head landmarks useful in performing fundoscopy. Veterinary educators performed fundoscopy using this model and completed a survey to establish face and content validity. Subsequently, veterinary students were randomly assigned to pre-laboratory training with or without the use of this teaching model. After completion of an ophthalmology laboratory on teaching dogs, student outcome was assessed by measuring students' ability to see a symbol inserted on the simulated retina in the model. Students also completed a survey regarding their experience with the model and the laboratory. Overall, veterinary educators agreed that this eye model was well constructed and useful in teaching good fundoscopic technique. Student performance of fundoscopy was not negatively impacted by the use of the model. This novel canine model shows promise as a teaching and assessment tool for fundoscopy.

Hemotropic mycoplasma prevalence in shelter and client-owned cats in Saskatchewan and a comparison of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - Results from two independent laboratories.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical hemotropic mycoplasma (HM) infections in 2 distinct feline populations: cats from a local shelter and client-owned cats presented for elective procedures (vaccination, ovariohysterectomy, orchiectomy) at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Teaching Hospital (WCVM-VTH). The second objective of this study was to evaluate the inter-test agreement of 2 independent conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays used for the diagnosis of feline HM-infections.Fifty-eight clinically healthy shelter cats and 57 clinically healthy client-owned cats were screened for subclinical HM-infection using a conventional PCR assay to detect the 16S rRNA of Mycoplasma haemofelis and "Candidatus M. haemominutum." All cats in both groups had normal physical examinations. Sex, age (estimated for shelter cats), breed, reproductive status and the presence or absence of ectoparasites were determined. Packed cell volume (PCV), total protein, retroviral status, and blood smear evidence of HM-infection were evaluated. Subclinical HM-infection was identified by PCR assay in 12% (7/58) of the shelter cats and 4% (2/57) of the client-owned cats. M. haemofelis was found in 3/7 HM-infected shelter cats and 2/2 of the HM-infected client-owned cats; "Candidatus M. haemominutum" was found in 4/7 of the HM-infected shelter cats. There was no significant difference in prevalence of HM-infection between the populations (OR 3.8, 95% CI 0.75 to 19, P = 0.16), and no risk factors for infection were identified in either population.Blood samples from 44 cats with known PCR results (26 cats sampled in the prevalence study and 18 clinical cases) were submitted to a second independent laboratory for HM PCR assay to assess inter-laboratory agreement. There was substantial, but not complete agreement between the 2 independent laboratories for PCR detection of M. haemofelis (kappa = 0.66) and "Candidatus M. haemominutum" (kappa = 0.70).

Chronic mesenteric volvulus in a dog.

A chronic, partial mesenteric volvulus was found on laparotomy of an adult Bernese mountain dog with a 4-month history of intermittent vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. The dog had elevated cholestatic and hepatocellular leakage enzymes, increased bile acids, azotemia, isosthenuria, and a hypokalemic, hypochloremic, metabolic alkalosis. The dog recovered fully following reduction of the volvulus.

What is your diagnosis? Intracranial mass in a dog.

A 9-year-old, spayed female Chihuahua was presented for evaluation of acute, progressive neurologic disease. On physical examination the dog was depressed and laterally recumbent. The dog had marked neutrophilia with a toxic left shift and monocytosis. Using computed tomography with contrast enhancement a large intracranial mass lesion was identified in the rostral portion of the brain. The mass extended from the central thalamic region rostral to the cribiform plate and obliterated the lateral ventricles. A fine needle aspirate of the mass contained moderately pleomorphic polygonal cells with many intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusions (ICPs). The primary differential diagnosis was meningioma, based on cell morphology and the presence of ICPs. At necropsy, the mass was well-demarcated, unencapsulated, and densely cellular. Cells were arranged in papillary projections on fibrovascular stalks, and eosinophilic ICPs and nuclear folding were frequently seen. Cavitated areas of necrosis throughout the tumor mass were filled with intact and degenerated neutrophils. The histopathologic diagnosis was malignant papillary meningioma. ICPs are not frequently observed in Wright-stained cytologic preparations but may be found in many types of neoplasms, including meningiomas.

Anemia in cats with hemotropic mycoplasma infection: retrospective evaluation of 23 cases (1996-2005).

This study summarizes the diagnostic findings from all anemic cats diagnosed with hemotropic mycoplasma (HM) infections at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine-Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1996 and 2005. The objectives were to determine the frequency of HM-induced anemia among all cats presented with anemia during this period, the clinical findings and risk factors associated with clinical HM infection, and factors affecting or predicting survival. Medical records were examined from 23 cats with HM-induced anemia from the total of 170 cats diagnosed with anemia during this period. The frequency of HM-induced anemia was 14% (23/170) among all anemic cats. Cats with HM-induced anemia were less likely to be purebred (P = 0.04) than other cats with anemia. Of the cats with HM-induced anemia, those with positive retroviral status (P = 0.01), concurrent illness (P < 0.01), or lack of erythroid regeneration (P = 0.01) were most likely to die. The 1-year survival of HM-infected cats was 65% (13/20).