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Abstract: Objectives: To determine the spontaneous variability of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and evaluate anti-arrhythmic efficacy of mexiletine, sotalol, and a mexiletine–sotalol combination in German shepherd dogs (GSD) with inherited arrhythmias. Animals, materials and methods: 12 affected GSD, median age 20 weeks, received mexiletine (8 mg/kg PO q8 h), sotalol (2.5 mg/kg PO q12 h), and combination therapy for 6 days in random order. Pre- and post-treatment 24 h Holter recordings were acquired, allowing determination of VA variability and reduction in 24 h VA for each treatment. Drug concentrations during each arm were measured. Results: An anti-arrhythmic effect could be inferred if ventricular premature complexes (VPC), ventricular couplets (Vcpl), ventricular tachycardia runs (VTruns) and total ventricular ectopy (VEtot) frequency were reduced by 61%, 97%, 98%, and 63% (1 control Holter model), by 53%, 94%, 95%, and 54% (4 control Holter model) and by 54%, 95%, 96% and 56% (3 control Holter model). Combination therapy reduced VPC and VEtot in more dogs (5/12 and 6/12) than mexiletine (1/11 and 2/11) or sotalol (2/9 and 1/9) (p < 0.05). The combination therapy reduced the mean number of VPC, Vcpl, and VEtot. Sotalol monotherapy produced an increase in VTruns. Plasma mexiletine concentration was higher during combination therapy than with monotherapy. Conclusions: Combination therapy reduced VPC in affected GSD. Sotalol monotherapy increased VTruns. Combination therapy increased plasma mexiletine concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We introduce parallel collaborative programming-by-demonstration (PBD) as a principled approach to capturing knowledge on how to perform computer-based procedures by independently recording multiple experts executing these tasks and combining the recordings via a learning algorithm. Traditional PBD has focused on end-user programming for a single user, and does not support parallel collaborative procedure model construction from examples provided by multiple experts. In this paper we discuss how to extend the main aspects of PBD (instrumentation, abstraction, learning, and execution), and we describe the implementation of these extensions in a system called Sheepdog. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A case study is presented of a 12-year-old castrated male Old English Sheepdog, who was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Padua for evaluation of a cardiac murmur. It mentions that electrocardiography has revealed atrial fibrillation (AF) with a ventricular rate. It states about the loss of ventricular cardiomyocytes and fatty or fibro-fatty replacement.

A literary criticism of the novel "Far From the Madding Crowd," by Thomas Hardy, is presented. It outlines the protagonists which are mainly sheep and sheepdogs. It also discusses the literary symbolisms of the creatures and human characters in the story. It also offers an analysis of various chapters, as well as an overview of the plot.

Background: Dog breeds lose genetic diversity because of high selection pressure. Breeding policies aim to minimize kinship and therefore maintain genetic diversity. However, policies like mean kinship and optimal contributions, might be impractical. Cluster analysis of kinship can elucidate the population structure, since this method divides the population in clusters of related individuals. Kinship-based analyses have been carried out on the entire Icelandic Sheepdog population, a sheep-herding breed. Results: Analyses showed that despite increasing population size and deliberately transferring dogs, considerable genetic diversity has been lost. When cluster analysis was based on kinships calculated seven generation backwards, as performed in previous studies, results differ markedly from those based on calculations going back to the founder-population, and thus invalidate recommendations based on previous research. When calculated back to the founder-population, kinship-based clustering reveals the distribution of genetic diversity, similarly to strategies using mean kinship. Conclusion: Although the base population consisted of 36 Icelandic Sheepdog founders, the current diversity is equivalent to that of only 2.2 equally contributing founders with no loss of founder alleles in descendants. The maximum attainable diversity is 4.7, unlikely achievable in a nonsupervised breeding population like the Icelandic Sheepdog. Cluster analysis of kinship coefficients can provide a supporting tool to assess the distribution of available genetic diversity for captive population management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the case of an 11-year-old male Australian Shepherd dog that was diagnosed with focal atrial tachycardia (FAT). Particular focus is given to the dog's physical examination and laboratory tests. Also discussed are the dog's first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, possible reasons behind AV block, and mechanisms underlying FAT.

During the first half of the twentieth century, the Shepherd Dog came to be strongly identified with Imperial and Nazi Germany, as well as with many other masters in the colonial world. Through its transnational diffusion after World War I, the breed became a pervasive symbol of imperial aggression and racist exploitation. The 1930s Japanese empire subtly Japanized the dogs who became an icon of the Imperial Army. How could a cultural construct so closely associated with Germany come to represent many different colonial regimes? Using Imperial Japan as a case study, this paper argues that this symbolic pliability is a derivative of the high functionality, wide adaptation, and conspicuous nature of the Shepherd Dog as protector, deterrent, and enforcer of social control. As a visible intermediary in hierarchal relationships between different human groups, the Shepherd Dog became a powerful metaphor of Nazi and colonial memories throughout much of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case reports of three dogs diagnosed with Bartonella-associated meningoradiculoneuritis and dermatitis. An 11-year-old male mixed breed was presented with a history of progressive paraparesis. His physical examination revealed abnormalities in the subdermal nodule on the caudolateral aspect of the thorax. Another patient, an 8-year-old female Shetland sheep dog with progressive paraparesis, had been observed to have infestations with fleas and ticks. The dog's abdominal ultrasonography revealed a hyperechoic hepatic parenchyma.

Case Description—A 6-year-old male castrated Shetland Sheepdog was evaluated because of severe hypokalemia and progressive paresis. Clinical Findings—Physical examination revealed fever, tachypnea, mydriasis, hyperemic mucous membranes, severe forelimb paresis, and hind limb paraplegia. The dog had superficial and deep pain sensation in all 4 limbs. Forelimb spinal reflexes were considered normal, but hind limb reflexes were normal to slightly hyperreflexive. The panniculus reflex was considered to be normal, and cranial nerve reflexes were intact. A CBC revealed mild leukocytosis and erythrocytosis, and serum biochemical analysis revealed severe hypokalemia. Thoracic and abdominal imaging did not reveal relevant findings. Blood pressure and ECG findings were within reference limits. Questioning of the owner revealed possible exposure to albuterol via ingestion of medication intended for the owner's horse. Results of serum testing via immunoassay were suggestive of albuterol toxicosis. Treatment and Outcome—Treatment included IV administration of an electrolyte solution and supplemental potassium chloride. The rate of potassium chloride supplementation was slowly decreased as serum potassium concentration increased. No other medical intervention was required, and the dog made a rapid and complete recovery. Clinical Relevance—Ingestion of albuterol can lead to profound physical and serum biochemical abnormalities. Appropriate historical information should be obtained to identify possible sources and routes of exposure to intoxicants. Albuterol-induced hypokalemia can be successfully managed medically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight clinically healthy male sheepdogs were selected and subjected to experimental radius transaction. Blood samples were taken before and weekly after surgery, and radiographs were taken immediately and weekly after surgery to trace new bone formation. Total protein, total ALP, and bone-specific ALP were measured in serum samples. There was no significant difference in total proteins, but total ALP and bone ALP activity were significantly increased ( P < 0.05) after surgery (during bone formation).We found a weak correlation between total ALP activity and BALP activity during the study. The bridging callus was completed in the fourth week of the experiment, and the gap was fully filled with new bone. However, increased levels of total ALP and bone-specific ALP activity were maintained throughout the study and did not reduce at 4 weeks. We concluded that serum activity of bone-specific ALP is a good indicator of bone formation in sheepdogs, and when radiographs inform the completion of bone fracture healing, cellular activity in the healing region is likely to be continuing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents two cases of White Swiss Shepherd dogs, which showed signs of toxicity after being treated with doramectin. The authors investigate the allele frequency of the nt230(del4) multidrug-resistance gene MDR1 mutation in these dogs and the origin of this mutation through microsatellite analysis. Findings reveal that doramectin, though commonly used to treat parasitic diseases, inevitably results to severe neurotoxicosis in dogs which have homozygous nt230(del4) MDR1 mutation.

Contents A 4-year-old Basque Shepherd male dog was presented for breeding soundness evaluation after the dog failed to impregnate the three bitches he had mated. Clinical examination showed no anomaly of the reproductive system. Semen evaluation showed normal sperm count (640 × 106), 80% had progressively motile spermatozoa, and 96% had morphologically abnormal sperm of which 84% had proximal cytoplasmic droplet and 12% had proximal droplet plus other anomaly. A zona pellucida-binding assay, using canine oocytes derived from frozen-thawed ovaries, was performed in order to investigate the zona-binding ability of dog spermatozoa with proximal cytoplasmic droplets. For the zona pellucida-binding assay, ovaries were thawed and minced in phosphate-buffered saline + 0.4% bovine serum albumin, the oocytes recovered were divided into two groups of 35–40 oocytes to be, respectively, used with the infertile dog and with a control fertile dog. Spermatozoa were capacitated in Canine Capacitating Medium (CCM) at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air for 2 h before oocyte insemination. Groups of five to six oocytes placed in 45 μl droplets of CCM were incubated for 1 h. Afterwards, 5 μl of CCM containing 25 000 spermatozoa were added to each droplet and co-incubated for 2 h before fixation and evaluation of the complexes. After oocyte insemination, sperm motility and viability were evaluated: the sample from the infertile dog had 85% sperm motility with fast and linear progressive movement, and sperm viability of 92%. The sample from the control dog showed 40% sperm motility with fast and highly curvilinear and erratic movement, high degree of sperm agglutination and sperm viability of 32%. For the infertile dog the mean number of bound spermatozoa/oocyte was 0.33 whereas for the control dog it was 1.80. It was concluded that dog sperm with proximal cytoplasmic droplets seem to lack normal capacitating ability in vitro, and consequently, they may have reduced capacity to bind to the zona pellucida of canine oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective A retrospective survey of ocular defects in Australian Shepherd dogs was conducted following concerns raised by breeders and owners in Australia. This is the first known such study conducted for this breed. Results Data from this survey indicate that persistent hyaloid remnants (PHR) were the most common eye defect noted in the Australian Shepherd. Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is the second most common defect noted by veterinary ophthalmologists in the breed in Australia, and extra eyelashes (ectopic cilia/distichia) the third most common. Conclusions The data also support the hypothesis that PHR may be inherited in this breed. Further investigation is needed to reveal the status of PHR in this breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypervariable region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region has been studied in several guardian dog breeds. The genetic diversity is high in the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Northern Caucasian Volkodav (an native group of breeds) and low in the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Haplotypes of groups A, B, C, and E/W have been found in Central Asian Shepherd Dogs; haplotypes of groups A and B, in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The data indicates a gene flow from Scandinavian dog populations to the Northern Caucasus. The results of the analysis allow the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Northern Caucasian Volkodav, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, and the Turkish breeds akbash and kangal to be combined into a single group with an extremely low degree of differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Swiss German Shepherd Club (SC) has applied a standardised behaviour test for over 50 years. A successful test is a prerequisite for breeding approval. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of external factors like socialisation, husbandry, training and others on the results of the behaviour test, and to verify if these results were still consistent after a year. The tested traits were self-confidence, nerve stability, hardness, sharpness, defence drive, reaction to gunfire, and temperament. Information about husbandry, training, socialisation, and the dog''s behaviour in certain situations, etc. was collected by a questionnaire. From a total of 185 owners, 149 handlers with their dogs were willing to take part in this study. After 1 year, 38 dogs were tested a second time and their owners filled out another questionnaire very similar to the first one. Logistic regression analyses were used to measure the association between the results of the behaviour traits and the different external factors. Training of the young dog and contact with school aged children were significantly associated with one or more of the behaviour traits. Significant odds ratios were found for the associations between the puppy training and nerve stability and self-confidence, as well as between young dog training and the same character traits (nerve stability and self-confidence). A further positive association was found between defence drive and the contact of the dogs with school age children. Reproducibilities of the results of the behaviour test varied between traits, so the average scores for sharpness and defence drive significantly increased from the first to the second test, for temperament however, the scores decreased. Lower scores meant a more desired behaviour as rated by the club. The results of the other traits were similar in the two tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In veterinary medicine determination of heart size is important in evaluating patients with heart disease. In this study heart sizes were compared with thoracic vertebrae in 120 clinically normal Turkish shepherd dogs (42 female) without thoracic radiographic abnormalities. It was aimed to determine the heart sizes of Turkish shepherd dogs according the vertebral heart size (VHS). Lateral radiographs were obtained. Lengths of the long and short axis were determined with a ruler in millimeters. The dimensions were scaled against the length of the vertebrae beginning with the fourth thoracic vertebra. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) vertebral heart sizes were 9.7 ± 0.67 vertebrae, mean ± SD long axis dimensions were 5.24 ± 0.39 vertebrae and mean ± SD short axis dimensions 4.46 ± 0.38 vertebrae. The vertebral heart size method is easy to use and objective for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, normal fundoscopic variations and genetic retinal diseases of Turkish sheepdogs (Akbash and Kangal) have been assessed. According to comparative results obtained from 35 Akbash and 35 Kangal dogs, it was determined that blue tapetal regions were present at a rate of 65% in the Akbash breed and yellow-green tapetal regions were present at a rate of 60% in the Kangal breed. No fundoscopic or clinical sign suggesting albunism, subalbunism or progressive retinal atrophy was observed in either group. However, multifocal retina dysplasia was seen at a rate of 17.1% in the Akbash breed and 5.4% in the Kangal breed. The fact that all of these lesions, which presented typical fundoscopic appearance, were seen in females was interpreted as coincidental. It was of particular interest that these retinal dysplasias, which did not disrupt sight, occurred 3 times more in the Akbash breed compared to the Kangal breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to study genetic (co)variation of broader behavioural traits in German shepherd dogs and to test whether there is maternal and litter influence on these traits. Data were extracted from the Swedish Dog Mentality Assessment (DMA) from 1989 to 2001 on 5959 German shepherd dogs. Based on previous results, personality traits were created from the 15 behavioural variables extracted from the test. These personality traits were (1) Playfulness, (2) Chase-proneness, (3) Curiosity/Fearlessness, and (4) Aggressiveness. A trait Boldness was constructed from all behaviour variables except those included in Aggressiveness. Mixed linear models with fixed effects of sex, test type, test year, test month, age, and judge were used. Models with all combinations of random effects of animal (direct genetic), genetic and non-genetic maternal, and litter were tested. The best model included effects of animal and litter. Direct heritability estimates were between 0.09 and 0.23, highest for Playfulness and Curiosity/Fearlessness. Maternal heritabilities were all low (0.01–0.08), lowest and not significant if litter or non-genetic maternal effects were included in the model. Additive genetic correlations among Playfulness, Chase-proneness, and Curiosity/Fearlessness were higher (0.54–0.74) than genetic correlations with Aggressiveness (0.29–0.40). Litter variance ratios (c 2) were larger than the maternal heritabilities (0.03–0.10). Boldness had a direct heritability estimate of 0.27 and a direct genetic correlation with Aggressiveness of 0.37. We conclude that there is substantial additive genetic variation, that the mother has rather little influence (both genetically and environmentally) and that the litter seems to have a larger influence than the mother for these personality traits. Genetic improvement in these behaviour traits is thus possible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Clinical and histological features of an erosive disease in the rough collie and Shetland sheepdog are most consistent with a vesicular variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE). This paper reports the immunopathological findings of canine VCLE using samples from 17 affected dogs. Lesional skin sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD3 (11 dogs) or a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for leukocyte antigens (two dogs). Apoptotic cells were detected using the TUNEL method in 12 cases. Direct (14 dogs) and indirect immunofluorescence tests (five dogs) were also performed. Circulating antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) were surveyed in 11 dogs by immunoblotting and ELISA. The predominant cells at the dermal–epidermal interface were identified as CD3+ T lymphocytes expressing CD4 or CD8 and CD1+ dendritic antigen presenting cells. In 7/12 dogs (58%), apoptosis of basal keratinocyte nuclei was present. Up-regulation of MHCII and ICAM-1 was observed on basal keratinocytes from the two dogs examined. Direct immunofluorescence revealed deposition of immunoglobulins bound to the cytoplasm of keratinocytes (6/14 dogs; 43%), to the dermal–epidermal junction (7/14 dogs; 50%), or to superficial dermal venules (13/14 dogs; 93%). Circulating IgG auto-antibodies targeting one or more ENA were detected in nine (82%) and eight (73%) of 11 dogs by immunoblotting and ELISA, respectively. These auto-antibodies recognized Ro/SSA and/or La/SSB in four (36%) and six (55%) of 11 dogs respectively by these two methods. Altogether, results of these studies provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that canine VCLE is an immunological homologue of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of hemangiosarcoma of the third eyelid in a 7-year-old Caucasian Sheepdog is reported. A voluminous red mass protruding from the free edge of the third eyelid in the right eye was present. The mass and the free edge of the third eyelid were surgically excised. On histopathologic examination the tumor was seen to infiltrate the propria of the third eyelid and was composed of neoplastic mesenchymal cells forming irregular channels containing blood. These plump cells showed moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis with a low mitotic index. The surgical wound healed successfully and after 9 months there had been no recurrence. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first hemangiosarcoma of the third eyelid reported in the dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explains the heritability and mode of inheritance of epilepsy in the Belgian tervuren and sheepdog breeds. Significance to dog breeders; Utilization of the emerging canine genome map; Chromosomal linkages.

"Instinctive" behavior may be modified using operant techniques. We report here on a field study of training herding dogs in which reinforcers and punishers were used by owners, who were themselves being trained to control their dogs. Access to sheep was assumed to be a primary reinforcer for herding dogs. while blocking their access was aversive to them. Over several months, the number of blocking and access actions by the human were scored during the training of seven naïve herding dogs. We found that rates of punishment by blocking the dog's access to sheep or by stopping the dog occurred at higher levels than positive reinforcement from access or verbal praise. While positive reinforcement can be used exclusively for the training of certain behaviors, it is suggested that in the context of instinctive motor patterns, negative reinforcement and punishment may be desirable and necessary additions to positive reinforcement techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies a herding dog and sheep problem where the dog is considered the control action for moving the sheep to a fixed location using the dynamics of their interaction. Dynamic programming solution to the dog-sheep problem; Equilibrium state of the sheep; Properties of the digraph associated with the dog-sheep problem; Simulation software.

The Echinococcus granulosus is the agent that causes the classical hydatidosis or cystic echinococcosis. The most enlarged cycle in South America is the sheep-dog cycle, it offers excellent conditions for the development of the parasite. The province of La Pampa shows an endemic presence with notification of human cases and infected dogs. The distribution and prevalence of the disease in the Department of Maracó, La Pampa, Argentina was evaluated during the years 1996 and 1997. Dogs of 36 farms that had ovines, were dosed with arecoline hydrobromide at doses of 3.5 mg/kg, the result obtained was that 75% were positive to Tennia spp. and 8% to Echinococcus granulosus. In total 137 dogs were evaluated, being from 3 to 4 per farm, from wich 58% were positive to Tennia spp. and 2,6% to Echinococcus granulosus. Information from 187.790 slaughtered cattle was obtained between the years 1996 and 1997 in two slaughterhouses in the province of La Pampa. Analysis from the clinical records indicated 11 human cases that appeared during the period 96/97 (annual incidence rate of 6.79 x 100.000 inhabitants). As a consequence, it is of sanitary interest to enlarge the investigations in other districts of the province of La Pampa with the aim of delimiting the endemic distribution area within the province, and also organising epidemiologic watchfulness systems of the illnes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case study of a male German shepherd dog that chased and bit its tail various times during the day. It mentions that the behavior likely to be started as an attention-seeking behavior or a frustration or conflict behavior It also mentions that skin conditions such as pyoderma or allergies may cause irritation leading to biting an area. It adds the treatment plan prepared by the dog that included behavior management program and drug treatment.

An Anatolian Akbash shepherd dog died suddenly, without any clinical signs in Konya, Turkey. Performing necropsy, pathological examination, a culture test, laboratory tests and a multiplex-PCR of bacteria isolated from the dog revealed an anthrax and identified the bacteria as Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis). The chromosomal gene sequence of bacteria was 99% identical in the GenBank under accession numbers CP002091 (B. anthracis str. H9401), CP001598 (B. anthracis str. A0248) and CP001215 (B. anthracis str. CDC684). Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed and cefuroxime, cefquinome, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and rifampicin resistance were seen in isolate. In this case, how the dog was infected with B. anthracis could not be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog was selected from a natural population breed in Carpathian Mountains. The aim of this paper was to estimate the correlation coefficients between 6 characteristics, using 26 males from Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog breed. The animals were registered with the Romanian Mioritic Association Club from Romania. Following the analysis of the phenotypic correlation, we identified some strong positive correlations between the length of the head and the length of the scull, and between the length of the head and the length of the snout. The correlations between the others characters were weak positive and weak negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 5-year-old spayed female Belgian Sheepdog reported with intermittent right hand limb lameness. The radiographic results indicating a clear geographic lysis expansive zone is noted. The patient's thoracic radiography result not showing pulmonary metastases is pointed out. The significance of noting the differential diagnoses for her radiographic findings is also mentioned.