Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica最新文献

Background: Nonpigmented malignant spindle cell tumours of the membrana nictitans are rare in dogs. In twenty-three years only three cases have been diagnosed in Scandinavia. This study describes the three cases of malignant tumours of the membrana nictitans recorded by the Eye Pathology Section, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, with reference to the clinical appearance and work-up, the treatment and prognosis, and the histopathological description including immunohistochemistry. The three cases are compared to previous publications on canine tumours of the nictitating membrane. We emphasize the importance of using protocols that are adapted to the specific species such as dogs. Opposite the human tissue responses, we even need more than one marker when diagnosing melanomas in dogs.

Results: The dogs presented were an 8-year-old Dachshund, a 12-year-old Akita and a 14-year-old Shetland Sheepdog. All three dogs were entire females. All three nictitating membrane tumours developed on the right nictitating membrane as firm or multilobulated hyperaemic masses. Two of the tumours were macroscopically nonpigmented, the third being partly pigmented on the surface and ulcerated. According to the histopathology and for two of the cases immunohistochemistry with dog-adapted protocols the diagnoses included one hemangiosarcoma and two amelanotic melanomas. Tumour regrowth developed in all three cases and repeated resections were completed 1, 2 and 3 times, respectively, with recurrence experienced within 1.5 months - 3 years.

Conclusions: Nonpigmented malignant spindle cell tumours of the canine membrana nictitans are rare. Treatment of choice should be complete excision with a minimal histologic tumour-free distance and in case of a recurrence a full resection of the nictitating membrane. We strongly recommend a dog-adapted protocol for immunohistochemistry.

Background: Boar sperm are highly susceptible to specific conditions during cryopreservation, leading to a significant decrease in their fertilizing potential due to damage to their membranes. Camellia oil, known for its fatty acids with antioxidant and biological properties, has not been previously explored for the cryopreservation of boar semen. This study aimed to examine the effects of camellia oil on post-thawed boar sperm quality. Boar semen ejaculates (n = 9) were collected and divided into six equal aliquots based on camellia oil concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5% v/v) in the freezing extender. Semen samples were processed and cryopreserved using the liquid nitrogen vapor method. Thereafter, frozen semen samples were thawed at 50 °C for 12 s and evaluated for sperm morphology by scanning electron microscope, sperm motility using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer, sperm viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function, MDA level and total antioxidant capacity.

Results: The results demonstrated that the supplementation of 1.5% (v/v) camellia oil showed superior post-thaw sperm qualities such as improved sperm morphology, motility, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial function by 14.3%, 14.3% and 11.7%, respectively, when compared to the control group. Camellia oil at a concentration of 1.5% (v/v) showed the lowest level of MDA (18.3 ± 2.1 µmol/L) compared to the other groups.

Conclusions: In conclusion, adding 1.5% (v/v) camellia oil in the freezing extender reduced the oxidative damage associated with cryopreservation and resulted in a higher post-thawed sperm quality.

Background: Syringomyelia (SM) is a prevalent inherited developmental condition in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) with Chiari-like malformation (CM), accompanied by a variety of clinical manifestations, including signs of neuropathic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard in SM diagnosis. However, it is desirable to establish clinical predictors that can identify CKCSs with a large clinical syrinx that needs treatment, as some owners cannot afford or lack access to MRI. The aims of the study were to investigate owner-reported clinical signs of SM and clinical predictors of a large clinical syrinx, using predictive values of significant signs, individually and in combinations. Eighty-nine CKCSs participated in this retrospective study. Based on MRI diagnosis, dogs were distributed into three groups: CM without syrinx or with a maximum transverse width < 2 mm (n = 13), CM with small syrinx 2.00-3.99 mm (n = 26) and CM with large syrinx ≥4 mm (n = 50). A structured investigator-owner interview using a standardized questionnaire was used to collect data regarding clinical signs of CM and SM. The statistical tests Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's Exact and Spearman's rank order were used to assess the difference in owner-reported signs between groups. For signs with significant differences, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated.

Results: Following clinical signs were reported significantly more frequent in dogs with a large syrinx: phantom scratching, bilateral scratching of the neck or shoulder, aversion when that area is touched, or exacerbation of clinical signs when the dog is emotionally aroused. Each individual sign had a high PPV, indicative of a large clinical syrinx. The PPV increased further when the signs phantom scratching, aversion to touch to the head, neck or shoulder, and a preferred head posture during sleep were present in combination.

Conclusions: Specific clinical signs can be used individually and in combination as clinical predictors of a large clinical syrinx in CKCSs with CM and SM. General practitioners can utilize this information to identify CKCSs with a large syrinx to initiate necessary treatment. This is particularly useful in cases where access to or affordability of an MRI diagnosis is limited.

Background: Diet and endogenous vitamin D synthesis are possible sources of vitamin D in wild rabbits. Higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations have been reported in rabbits after artificial UVB light exposure than in rabbits without this exposure, suggesting that endogenous vitamin D synthesis occurs in the former group. In Finnish pet rabbits, diet was reported as main source of vitamin D, while outdoor access was not. Finland's northern location only enables endogenous synthesis from mid-March to mid-October in people with light skin type. Living conditions during winter are challenging for Finnish wild rabbits. This study aimed to measure serum 25(OH)D concentrations and possible natural seasonal variation of vitamin D concentrations in Finnish wild rabbits.

Results: Post-mortem blood samples (n = 78) were collected between 2013 and 2021 from wild rabbits hunted for reduction of the wild rabbit population. Separated sera were stored at - 80 °C until 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Data regarding sex were available from 50 rabbits, 29 (58%) of which were females. Mean 25(OH)D concentration was 3.3 (range 0.3-7.1) ng/ml. 25(OH)D concentration was statistically similar between season (autumn, winter, summer), month or year of sample collection, and sex.

Conclusions: Wild rabbits living in Finland have very low serum 25(OH)D concentrations. This is far below the previously suggested threshold of vitamin D deficiency in rabbits (17 ng/mL) or the mean 25(OH)D concentration reported in Finnish pet rabbits (26.0 ng/mL). Seasonal variation was not observed in 25(OH)D concentrations between winter and summer months. Even though rabbits are crepuscular animals and may spend the mid-day in underground burrows, the very low observed 25(OH)D concentrations raise doubt about whether vitamin D synthesis occurs efficiently in the skin of rabbits and whether the diet of wild rabbits provides adequate amounts of vitamin D. Cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, possible long-term consequences of low 25(OH)D concentrations, and the association of low vitamin D status with other health disorders warrant further investigations in rabbits.

Background: Shih-Tzu dogs are frequently affected by ocular surface disorders such as corneal ulceration and dry eye disease (DED). The aim of this study was to evaluate ocular surface homeostasis in Shih-Tzu dogs that have adequate aqueous production. Twenty-eight dogs were subjected to eyelid blink counting, Schirmer tear test (STT-1), ophthalmic evaluation, tear film break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein test and Masmali tear ferning (TF) grading scale.

Results: Of the 28 animals evaluated, the median value of incomplete eyelid blinks/min (median = 15.0 blinks/min; Interquartil interval - IQR = 8.7 blinks/min - 19.5 blinks/min) was higher than the complete blinks/min (median = 2.5 blinks/min; IQR = 1.6 blinks/min - 4.3 blinks/min), with statistically significant difference. The Schirmer tear test had a median value of 25.0 mm/min (IQR = 22.7 mm/min - 27.5 mm/min), considered within the normal range for the species. On ophthalmic examination, all dogs had trichiasis of the caruncle and medial lower eyelid entropion. Lagophthalmos was the third most common alteration observed (71.4%; 20/28). The median of TBUT was 4.0 s; (IQR = 3.0 - 6.0 s). All the animals were negative to the fluorescein test and the TFT indicated that the majority of the eyes (51.8%; 29/56) were classified in abnormal grades 3 and 4 according to the Masmali tear ferning (TF) grading scale.

Conclusions: Although the Shith-Tzu dogs had STT-1 values within the normal range for the species there was high prevalence of abnormal TFT grades and low TBUT in all dogs, showing that despite adequate aqueous production, these dogs have poor precorneal tear film quality. In addition, the dogs showed few complete eyelid blinks and ophthalmic alterations, promoting poor tear film diffusion. All these findings, isolated or together, can result in DED.

Background: Tail biting (TB) is a welfare issue with economic consequences due to infections and ill-thrift. This study aimed to reduce tail injuries in a high-performing non-tail-docking pig herd.

Results: During eleven years preceding the trial, the annual incidence of tail injuries registered at slaughter in pigs from the herd increased from 3% (equivalent to the national mean) to 10%. It was positively correlated to a high weight gain and negatively correlated to daylight length. The overall incidence of tail injuries during the four years preceding the trial was 9.2% with significant differences between four identically structured buildings for fatteners (I < II < III < IV). The feed was enriched with amino acids, minerals and fibres. The buildings used different illumination strategies, I: standard fluorescent tubes with an invisible flickering light of 30-40% for 14 h daily, II: non-flickering led light for 14 h daily, III (control) and IV: standard fluorescent tubes for 2 h daily. IV had free access to manipulable material (hay-silage), while I-III was offered 100-200 g daily. During the adaptation period (6 months), the incidence of tail injuries decreased significantly in all buildings to a mean of 5.4%. The largest decrease (from 11.4 to 4.3%) was obtained in IV. During the trial period (12 months), the mean incidence of tail injuries decreased in all groups to a mean of 3.0%. There were no differences in treatment incidences of individual pigs due to TB between groups, but the use of enriched pellets due to TB in pens was lowest in II. The low incidence of tail injuries was retained during the post-trial period (6 months) when all buildings used artificial illumination for two hours per day.

Conclusions: The incidence of TB in fast growing non-tail-docked pigs in the herd was successfully reduced by supplementing the feed with amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fibres. Additional manipulable material accelerated that process and non-flickering illumination may have had an impact in preventing TB. The results obtained do not support the need for tail-docking of pigs, provided that the needs of the pigs in terms of feed ingredients, stocking density and access to manipulable materials are fulfilled.