Search

Meningoencephalocele is an uncommon disorder in dogs, that has detrimental effects on both the duration and quality of life. Dogs afflicted by this condition may exhibit neurological deficits, epileptic seizures, and behavioral disorders. A 4-month-old female Anatolian Shepherd dog, weighing 13 kg presented for further investigation of a 3-week history of cluster, grand mal seizures. No abnormalities were evident on physical examination. A full neurological examination, including cranial nerve assessment was unremarkable, except a slight right proprioceptive deficit on the right front leg. MRI of the brain was performed. Protrusion of the right rostral rhinencephalon through the defect of the right cribriform plate and a right basal ethmoidal meningoencephalocele was detected. Due to the dog's age, aggressive temperament, and current clinical status, medical management was preferred, and the dog was managed on phenobarbital and levetiracetam. Seizures have remained well controlled 12 months post-diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nictitating membrane is a conjunctival fold, located at the medial canthus of the eyes, it serves to maintain healthy eyes in domestic animals. This study was conducted on 40 nictitans glands and cartilages, obtained from 20 clinically healthy local Anatolian Shepherd dogs and 20 Feral cats. The nictitans membranes were dissected, and macerated using Potassium hydroxide (KOH), and then the cartilage tissue was stained with Alcian blue stain. The samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffer formalin for histological purposes and then prepared for H&E, Verhoeff's- Van Gieson, and Masson trichrome stains. ImageJ analyzer and AmScopeTM were used for anatomical and histological morphometrics respectively. The morphometric analysis revealed a significant difference in the cartilage morphometric dimensions between dogs and cats in correlation to their ages and weights. Both species showed a medium to strong positive correlation, but in the dogs, the cartilage body width had a low positive correlation with age and weight. The histomorphometric study of both species for the acini, interlobular septa, intralobular septa, intralobular duct, chondrocyte number, and the capsule was a significant (P>0.05) variable between species and among different groups also. We conclude that the nictitans cartilage in dogs was longer and narrower vs. to the cats, and their nictitans gland was horizontally oval-shaped while vertically oval-shaped in the cat. The nictitans gland in the dogs was composed of compound tubuloacinar serous cells that were supported by hyaline cartilage, whereas the nictitans gland in the cats was made up entirely of compound acinar units with elastic cartilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to evaluate the end-systolic wall stress/end-systolic volume index ratio (ESWS/ESV-I) for LV systolic function in Anatolian shepherd dogs (ASHs) with stage B2 degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). Thirty-eight adult ASHs with DMVD (experimental group; 20 B1 dogs and 18 B2 dogs) and 30 weight-matched adult healthy ASHs (control group) were used as subjects. There was no overlap for the ESWS/ESV-I ratio (0.83±0.03, range: 0.61-1.09 for B2 dogs, 1.34±0.05, range: 1.11-1.89 for B1 dogs, 2.17±0.0 range: 1.91-3.02 for the control dogs) among the groups. ESWS/ESV-I ratio (≤1.09) in ASHs with stage B2 DMVD may play a developmental role in left ventricular remodelling and risk factor for development of systolic dysfunction.

Copyright of Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine / Harran Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Harran University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) has been widely advocated as a responsible tool for reducing livestock predation and conserving wildlife. However, their hidden ecological costs have rarely been investigated. We analysed scats (n = 183) from six LGDs and visited Global Positioning System (GPS) location clusters (n = 352) from nine GPS-collared LGDs to reconstruct their diet and assess impacts on wildlife and livestock in Namaqualand, South Africa. Wild mammals, including 10 native species, and small-livestock were the main secondary foods (i.e. besides dog food pellets). A total of 90% of scats and one third of GPS clusters investigated had associated animal remains. When accompanied by a human attendant, fewer LGD scats contained animal matter (39.9%; of which 32.3% wild mammals and 4.6% livestock), in contrast to scats of LGDs on their own (93.2%; 14.4% wild mammals, 75.4% livestock). Similarly, few clusters of accompanied LGDs included animal remains (5.7%; of which 43.8% wild mammals and 31.3% livestock), whereas unaccompanied dogs clustered frequently at carcasses (92.4%; 16% wild mammals, 74% livestock). While sample sizes were relatively small and some dogs might have scavenged, we emphasize the importance of rigorous training and intensive monitoring of LGDs to correct unwanted predation behaviour and to maximize their ecological and protective benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of University of Kafkas, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Degenerative mitral valvular disease (DMVD) is the most frequent cardiac disease, causing mitral regurgitation (MR) in dogs. The purpose of this study was to compare the ratio of the regurgitant jet area (RJA) to the left atrial area (LAA) (RJA/LAA) with subtracting method to quantify regurgitant volume (RegV) and regurgitant fraction (RF) in asymptomatic Anatolian Shepherd Dogs (ASHs) with DMVD. Thirty-eight ASHs with DMVD were used as experimental group. The control group consisted of 35 healthy ASHs. In 38 ASHs with DMVD (20 B1 dogs and 18 B2 dogs), the severity of MR was assessed by RJA/LAA and subtraction method. No differences were noted between the assays measuring the severity of MR by χ2 analysis. The observed agreement between the assays was 81% for RJA/LAA vs RegV and was 73% for RJA/LAA vs RF, and the kappa statistic values for RJA/LAA vs RegV and for RJA/LAA vs RF were 0.63 (substantial agreement) and 0.50 (moderate agreement), respectively. Our results indicate that each quantification method was valuable to estimate the acuteness of the disease in ASHs with MR and all were in good accordance with the echocardiographic heart size and N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements. Therefore, the each of these non-invasive methods may be functional to serially estimate the acuteness of MR in DMVD in order to monitor the progression of disease. Future studies have to evaluate, if these will be useful to anticipate the risk or time of decompensation in asymptomatic dogs.

QT interval is one of the important reasons of severe and life threatening ventricular arrhythmias in humans and animals. Many formulas have been developed for correcting the QT interval however the best formula did not define yet by the researchers. For this reason, forty-nine clinically healthy Kangal dogs without cardiac problems other than sinus arrhythmia were included to the study. In this study corrected QT interval was determined by Bazet (QTcB = QT/√RR), Fridericia (QTcF = QT/3√RR), Famingham (QT+0.154(1-RR)), Van der Water (QTcVdW = QT–0.087((60/HR)-1)), Hodges (QT+0.00175(HR-60)), Matsunaga (QTcM = log600 QT/logRR) formulas. As a result, Bazett's formula showed the best consistency because the slope curve of the regression line was closest to zero (-0.00743) in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report describes the diagnosis, the treatment options available in the absence of dantrolene and outcome of anaesthesia-related hyperthermia seen for the first time in an Anatolian shepherd dog. The case consisted of a nine-month-old male Anatolian shepherd dog with bilateral antebrachium fractures. For surgical treatment, the patient was pre-medicated with xylazine; anaesthesia was induced using ketamine and maintained with isoflurane. Approximately 40 minutes after isoflurane administration, tachypnoea, tachycardia, increase in body temperature and rigidity in the forelegs and masseter muscles was noticed. Inhalation anaesthesia was discontinued and hyperventilation was performed with 100% O2. Due to its vasodilatory properties, diazepam was administered both to achieve muscle relaxation and to decrease body temperature. Alfentanil was used in an attempt to lower respiratory and heart rates. Intravenous administration of cold crystalloid solutions and external ice packs was used to lower body temperature. All these interventions kept the patient alive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve Hawshar bitches were (3-5 years in aged) examined clinically and vulvovaginal tumor masses were diagnosed histopathologically revealed the three types of tumor which include; (three cases of vulvovaginal diffuse small cell lymphoma, six cases of vaginal transmissible venereal tumor, and three cases of leiomyoma), these masses were removed surgically with local excision with or without episiotomy and recurrence of the tumor showed in some cases after following up for different duration. In conclusion, this study revealed that the age with physical condition of the dog were played an important role in cancer occurrence, and the surgical excision was not regarded as the ideal treatment especially in malignant tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Kangal dogs, known as guard dogs in many countries of the world, have been found to eat their own puppies during their first 24 h following birth, which is called as maternal cannibalism. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) are important enzymes for purine metabolism. In this study, the aim is to evaluate ADA and XO activities in Kangal dogs with maternal cannibalism. Materials and Methods: The material of the study consists of the blood sera of Kangal dog breed with and without maternal cannibalism in the breeders around Sivas city and its districts. ADA and XO activities in blood serum of these animals were investigated by spectrophotometric method. Results: ADA activities in Kangal dogs with maternal cannibalism were increased to the control group without maternal cannibalism (p<0.01). Conclusion: Postnatal measurement of ADA activity in dogs may be useful in assessing maternal cannibalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectrodactyly is an exceptional congenital disorder which is seen at the distal part of the limbs and characterized with longitudinal bony and soft tissue clefts. These clefts can include digits, metacarpal bones, carpal joint or radius-ulna. A male, 18 week-old, Turkish Kangal dog was presented with the right forelimb lameness and inspectional abnormality with a long and wide cleft starting from the distal manus to the carpo-metacarpal joint. The long cleft between metacarpal bones was fixed with two lag screws after filling the gap with corticocancellous bone block and fusion podoplasty. Short term clinical results were favourable following the surgery, but long term clinical outcome was less favourable because the dog revealed mild lameness due to the erosion of skin surrounding the digital pads. Finally, this problem was solved by using pad protectors when walking on rough grounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degenerative mitral valvular disease (DMVD) is the most frequent cardiac disease, causing mitral regurgitation (MR) in dogs. The purpose of this study was to compare the ratio of the regurgitant jet area (RJA) to the left atrial area (LAA) (RJA/LAA) with subtracting method to quantify regurgitant volume (RegV) and regurgitant fraction (RF) in asymptomatic Anatolian Shepherd Dogs (ASHs) with DMVD. Thirty-eight ASHs with DMVD were used as experimental group. The control group consisted of 35 healthy ASHs. In 38 ASHs with DMVD (20 B1 dogs and 18 B2 dogs), the severity of MR was assessed by RJA/LAA and subtraction method. No differences were noted between the assays measuring the severity of MR by א2 analysis. The observed agreement between the assays was 81% for RJA/LAA vs RegV and was 73% for RJA/LAA vs RF, and the kappa statistic values for RJA/LAA vs RegV and for RJA/LAA vs RF were 0.63 (substantial agreement) and 0.50 (moderate agreement), respectively. Our results indicate that each quantification method was valuable to estimate the acuteness of the disease in ASHs with MR and all were in good accordance with the echocardiographic heart size and N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements. Therefore, the each of these non-invasive methods may be functional to serially estimate the acuteness of MR in DMVD in order to monitor the progression of disease. Future studies have to evaluate, if these will be useful to anticipate the risk or time of decompensation in asymptomatic dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conflict between predators and livestock farmers is a threat to carnivore conservation. Livestock guarding dogs are promoted as a non-lethal, environmentally friendly method to mitigate this conflict. As part of a farmer–carnivore conflict mitigation programme, the Cheetah Conservation Fund breeds Anatolian shepherd (also known as Kangal) dogs to protect livestock from predators. During 2009–2010 we interviewed 53 commercial and 20 subsistence Namibian farmers that are using 83 such dogs. Fewer commercial and subsistence farmers reported livestock losses to predators during the most recent year of guarding-dog use compared to the year before dogs were introduced. All subsistence farmers, but not all commercial farmers, ceased killing predators during the most recent year of guarding-dog use. All farmers ceased killing cheetah Acinonyx jubatus and leopard Panthera pardus during this year, and one dog killed a single cheetah. Conversely, dogs and farmers killed more black-backed jackals Canis mesomelas between them in the survey year than the farmers reported killing in the year before acquiring dogs. Two of the dogs reportedly killed non-target carnivore species, and 15 killed prey species. Thus our results challenge the categorization of livestock guarding dogs as a non-lethal conflict mitigation method. We suggest that the conservation status and body size of wild carnivores relative to the size of the guarding dogs be considered before introducing dogs to protect livestock. Additionally, corrective training for dogs that chase or kill non-target species should be implemented, especially where farmers value these species or where non-target species are threatened. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study aimed to investigate behavioral developments and breed specific characteristics of Kangal puppies. To this aim, Kangal puppies (23 male, 17 female) were weekly exposed to the repeated open field test (OFT) and barrier test between 3 to 8 weeks after birth. It was detected that 3 weeks old Kangal puppies were able to display explorative behaviors. True thigmotactic behaviors and unsteady walking were only observed when the puppies were 3-weeks-old. When the puppies were 4 weeks old, time spent for standing and walking increased (p?0.05) and running behavior was first displayed. Sum of durations of passive behaviors increased in general (p?0.05) and durations of escape behaviors decreased in the 2nd part of the OFT (p?0.05) in 5-weeks-old puppies. Five weeks old Kangal puppies also started to show success in the barrier test. Common body postures of the puppies were recorded as self confident and attendant along test weeks. These findings suggest that Kangal puppies achieved fine motor abilities such as steady walking and running at 4 weeks of age. Five weeks of age, on the other hand, seemed to be important for development of emotional memory, habituation and problem solving in Kangal puppies. Considering activity levels and body postures of the puppies in repeated OFT exposures, Kangal puppies might be classified as bold puppies according to "Shyness-Boldness" axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine morphological structures of Anatolian Shepherd dog eye to compare with other animals. This important sensory organ from five adult male dogs were investigated by light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic analyses. Anatolian Shepherd dog cornea is about 435 (center) to 501 (periphery) pm thick. The dense pigmentation observed in the anterior and posterior iridal epithelium. The ciliary cleft of the iridocorneal angle was not large and well-developed. The ciliary processes, another component of the ciliary body, formed the conspicuous bundles. In conclusion, it is considered that the description of the morphological properties of both the iridocorneal region and the ciliary body would contribute to the interpretation of the functional correlation, thus to future experimental studies to be conducted in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) is one of the idiopathic immune-mediated small-vessel vasculitides described in humans which are characterised by the presence of circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. It most commonly involves capillaries, venules and arterioles of the ear, nose and throat, lungs and glomeruli. A case of destructive haemopurulent rhinitis associated with relapsing periods of pyrexia, lethargy and stiffness as well as generalised pulmonary infiltrates in a young Anatolian shepherd dog is presented that closely resembles granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) as reported in humans. Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) were detected in the dog's serum. Signs resolved promptly and completely once immunosuppressive doses of prednisone were administered, and have not recurred. This is the first report on the use of pANCA to investigate rhinitis in dogs. It is also, to the authors' knowledge, the first description of a relapsing haemopurulent lytic rhinitis in this species. The concurrent manifestations of erosive haemopurulent rhinitis, ground-glass opacities on pulmonary computed tomography, pyrexia and listlessness resemble GPA as described in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at determining the morphological and genetic traits of Malaklı Karabash dogs in Turkey. Body weight, head and body measurements were taken from eighteen months of age and older, of total 277 dogs (77 female and 200 male). The statistically values (X±SE) on sex groups (female and male, respectively) for body weight (kg), and for head meaures enclosed head length, face length, ear length, ear width, ears interval, eyes interval, muzzle circumference measures (cm) were detected 53.20±1.01, 62.29±0.68; 30.92±0.24, 32.98±0.18; 11.80±0.15, 12.55±0.09; 16.73±0.26, 17.67±0.17; 13.96±0.26, 14.78±0.18; 17.95±0.35, 18.77±0.19; 5.63±0.12, 5.99±0.10; 29.67±0.28, 32.17±0.22 respectively. The statistic values (X±SE) for Malaklı female and male dogs for body measurements enclosed height at withers, rump height, body length, chest width, chest depth, heart girth, front and hind cannon bone circumference, tail length measures (cm) were found 72.98±0.49, 78.36±0.31; 72.87±0.53, 78.65±0.34; 79.02±0.62, 82.68±0.60; 24.76±0.35, 26.68±0.20; 30.86±0.26, 33.73±0.44; 84.47±0.71, 89.89±0.76; 14.71±0.12, 15.76±0.08; 13.90±0.16, 14.76±0.08; 51.36±0.83, 54.76±0.45, respectively. For genetic analysis a blood samples were taken from 212 non-relative dogs from a total 277 dogs used in this study. The results of the analysis for FIS, FIT, FST values, heterozygosity (He) and Tajima Neutrality Test were found to be 0.0184, 0.0209, 0.0025; 0.797 and 1.808, respectively. A020 (18.9%) and B001 (35.2%) haplotypes in Malaklı Karabash population were found to be the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As one of animals to which are approached with great sympathy by Turkish people, Kangal dogs are among the animals accepted sacred in Turkish folklore. Kangals as shepherd dogs were brought into Anatolia along with herds owned by Oghuz clans the traditional livelihood of which depends on sheep herds. Being the oldest and most common race of natural shepherd dog, Turkish shepherd dog, Kangal, has survived with all characteristics of it mostly thanks to the matchless protection of local people of the town Kangal. Throughout the study, the main objective is to determine the folkloric knowledge related with Kangal raising within folklore of Sivas and to make some contribution to Turkish world of culture. The research material has consisted of folkloric knowledge obtained between 9th April-10th July, 2012 with "information review forms" applied to people associated with folkloric veterinary medicine and animal husbandry in Sivas (e.g. medicine practitioners, animal owners, other resource persons, etc.) In the study, it has been determined that raisers in Sivas folklore classify the Kangals according to general racial characteristics, color of their pelt and tails of them. They are grouped as "kurtçul", "saf", "kirma"; and "alasi-boz", "karayaka", "sari yaka", "boz yaka", "killi", "kirçil"; and "kiliç kuyruk", "kuyrugu egri", "kivrak kuyruk", based on racial characteristics, color of pelt and tails respectively. Also, it has been gathered significant data on diseases and treatments on Kangals, general racial standards (structure of the body, head and skull, etc.), care and nutrition, estrus, delivery information, wolf choking incident, ear cut, stories, beliefs and idioms. Consequently, it can be suggested that one of reasons why Kangals have managed to keep its generation must be original stories and beliefs in Sivas, which cover the Kangal's wolf choke, intelligence, courage and loyalty; that lack of knowledge and mistakes in folkloric veterinary medicine and breeding applications be eliminated in animal rights and welfare terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 24 healthy Kangal dogs, whose fundamental duty is flock guard, were used in three different regions (1950 m altitude of Karasar, 1225 m altitude of Divriği and 918 m altitude of Çiğdemli) of Sivas province (homeland for Kangal dogs). Mean pulse, respiration and body temperature values of the Kangal dogs at rest and 10 minutes post-exercise were respectively; 93.00 and 113.96/m; 22.58 and 35.38/m; 37.60 and 37.77°C. Male Kangals had higher body temperature than did females only after exercise (P<0.05). According to the evaluation made in three different altitudes of the study fields, the differences between the groups were statistically significant for all variables (P<0.001). This study shows that the physiology of Kangal dogs, which drew international attention and were taken to many different regions of the world, may be affected by the new living areas. Although it is not known how physiological changes alter Kangals in future this should be investigated with further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 4-year old, primiparous, female Anatolian Shepherd dog was presented for evaluation of type II vaginal prolapse with alopecia of the left perineal skin. Hematological analyses demonstrated leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels were 156 pg/mL and 2.3 ng/mL, respectively. Th e vaginal smear was predominantly (at least 80%) made up of anuclear superfi cial cells. An abdominal ultrasonography revealed a heterogeneous multicystic mass with anechoic areas adjacent to the caudal pole of the left kidney. An ovariohysterectomy was performed. Ten days aft er the surgery, the prolapsed vagina was completely regressed. A histopathological examination of the ovarian mass demonstrated that it was a granulosa cell tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined angular values of the joints of Kangal dogs for the fore- and hindlimbs using the technique of goniometry for comparison between the sexes. Fourteen female and 14 male dogs were used to document the angular range of motion (ROM) of the joints, and 10 female and 8 male dogs were used to measure zero positions. The mean angular values of zero position in the female dogs were 59.2º ± 4.16º, 32º ± 2.66º, 20.3º ± 1.06º, 69.8º ± 5.20º, 42.6º ± 2.56º, and 26.1º ± 3.05º in the shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stiffle, and tarsal joints, respectively. Likewise, the data in the male dogs were 45.87º ± 4.22º, 34.12º ± 3.28º, 18º ± 0.92º, 62.12º ± 3.37º, 39.12º ± 3.76º, and 26.75º ± 2.7º, respectively. There were no statistical differences between the sexes for the angular values at zero position of all the joints except the shoulder. Similarly, the mean ROM values were 105.69º ± 3.83º, 123.28º ± 2.63º, 141.28º ± 3.95º, 103.28º ± 3.69º, 118.57º ± 3.26º, and 108.21º ± 6.18º in the female, and were 106.07º ± 4.80º, 121.27º ± 2.35º, 133º ± 3.76º, 98.1º ± 2.47º, 118.23º ± 3.29º, and 110.92º ± 4.77º respectively in the male dogs. As far as the gender was concerned, the mean ROM values between the sexes were found to be statistically insignificant. The findings have revealed that the angular values of the joints at natural anatomical posture and their passive ranges of motion are lower than those of the dog breeds examined by the literature, suggesting that Kangal dog does not seem to be in the range for the race dog category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3 year-old, male Kangal dog utilized in anatomy practices was used in this study. A three-piece abnormal lobation was observed in the cranial lobe of right lung. Moreover, the cranial and caudal interlobar fissures showed an angled structure different from normal. In addition, accessory fissures in the left lung were detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kangal and Akbash dogs are the two well-known shepherd dog breeds in Turkey. In order to contribute to the understanding of the genetic relationship between Kangal dogs, Akbash dogs and the dogs from different regions of Eurasia, 585 base pair (bp) segment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region was sequenced from Kangals and Akbashes. Sequences of the Kangal and Akbash dogs examined in the present study were comparatively examined with those of previous studies on dogs. Consensus neighbour-joining tree with bootstrapping, which is constructed based on pairwise values between populations, indicated that Kangal dogs and Akbash dogs are on different branches of the tree. Furthermore, the nodes of these branches were supported with high bootstrap values. In conclusion, the present study indicated that Kangal and Akbash dogs might have descended maternally from different origins along the evolutionary history of domestic dogs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly of the tongue that is usually characterized by a short and thick lingual frenulum. The genetic mutations such as in TBox genes and other foetal mechanism have still been under investigation as possible causes of ankyloglossia. This study describes morphology of anklyoglossia phenotype found in members of two closely bred Kangal dog families. Morphology of ankyloglossia and immunohistochemical localization of αB-crystallin, an anti-apoptotic protein, in the frenulum tissue collected during frenectomy was described. Grossly, the lingual frenulum was observed as it extended up to the tip or near the tip of the tongue. The tip of the tongue was often notched and appeared in ‘W’ shape. No other craniofacial anomalies were associated with ankyloglossia. Histologically, the frenulum tissue was covered by stratified squamous epithelia of variable thickness. Skeletal muscle fibres were often scattered in the vicinity of collagen fibres of the lamina propria. αB-crystallin was immunolocalized exclusively in skeletal muscle fibres. In conclusion, ankyloglossia in the dog generally occurs as a sole anomaly. The presence of αB-crystallin immunoreactivity exclusively in skeletal muscle fibres suggests that there may be a connection between occurrences of ankyloglossia in the dog and a delay or interference with apoptosis of the skeletal fibres in the frenulum tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and leishmaniosis among Kangal dogs on breeding farms in Sivas, Turkey. Serum samples from 50 Kangal dogs without clinical symptoms of disease were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies with the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT) and for anti-Leishmania antibodies with the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). Forty-six out of the 50 dogs were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii, with titers ranging from 1:16 to 1:1024. Only 1 of the 50 dogs was seropositive for leishmaniosis (titer: 1:128) and 5 had anti-Leishmania antibodies with a titer of 1:64, which was considered uncertain. There were no statistically significant differences in the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and leishmaniosis based the gender and age of the dogs (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the study revealed that Toxoplasma gondii is widely distributed in Kangal dogs. Although the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniosis among Kangal dogs was low and no clinical signs were observed, asymptomatic animals can be significant reservoirs for the spread of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, a geometric and experimental work of the urinary bladder of a dog is presented. Experimentally, the diameters on the neck (collum vesicae region), the body (corpus vesicae region), the bottom (apex region) and the longitudinal length of the urinary bladder were measured. Geometrically it was shown that the urinary bladder is comparable with a surface of revolution of a planar (profile) curve. On the same regions of the modelled surface the diameters of the horizontal sections have been measured. It was found that the geometric and the experimental values were closely related. Further the Gaussian curvature K at certain points on the same regions of the modelled surface was calculated. The quadratic approximations of the urinary bladder surface was described with the sign of K at those points. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

This study was performed to compare the growth characteristics of Kangal and Akbas Turkish shepherd dogs. Live weight records of 141 puppies at birth, 86 puppies at weaning, 68 puppies at 6 and 12 months of age and four different body measurements of 68 dogs at different ages were used for determining growth characteristics. The least squares method was used for statistical analysis. Least squares mean weights of Kangal and Akbas puppies at birth, weaning, and 6 and 12 months of age were 557.21 and 506.95 g, 5657.35 and 4457.70 g, 21.58 and 19.38 kg, 40.89 and 37.66 kg, respectively. At age 1 year, in Kangal and Akbas dogs, the average shoulder height was 70.54 and 65.91 cm, rump height was 71.27 and 66.66 cm, body length was 64.05 and 59.43 cm, and body circumference was 78.10 and 71.86 cm, respectively. In conclusion, it was determined that Kangal dogs were superior to Akbas dogs with respect to all growth characteristics (P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In this study, it was evaluated the accumulation of free and two types of liposome-encapsulated enrofloxacin (LEE) at the doses of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 μ g/ml, which were clinically relevant concentrations into monocytes of healthy Anatolian shepherd dogs. Enrofloxacin was encapsulated with two different types of liposome in multilamellar large vesicles (MLV). Type A MLV composed of 15 mg egg phosphatidylcholine and 35 mg cholesterol, Type B MLV composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol and enrofloxacin, in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 : 1. The mean sizes of Type A and Type B liposome were found to be 7.65 and 4.27 μ m, respectively. However, the mean encapsulation rate determined of Type A (13 ± 2%) was found lower than Type B liposome (44 ± 3%). The amounts of intracellular enrofloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Type B LEE accumulated significantly higher level into monocytes when compared to free drug or Type A liposome. This study showed that Type B LEE markedly concentrated within monocytes and may improve the antibacterial efficacy of the antibiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a total of 16 skulls of the adult male Kangal dog were used. Craniometric measurements for 44 different parts of the skull were made. All investigated features were expressed as mean ± SD. Cephalic indices and ratios were calculated. These indices and ratios have been compared with the average values of indices calculated for other breeds. A skull index of 50.29 ± 1.033, a cranial index of 46.05 ± 2.213, a facial index of 99.62 ± 3.891, a facial index-1 of 81.67 ± 3.667, a basal index of 28.71 ± 1.425, a basal index-1 of 57.91 ± 1.365, a length-length index-2 of 1.08 ± 0.045, a length-width index-2 of 1.99 ± 0.041, a length-width index-4 of 2.18 ± 0.108, a palatal index-1 of 62.24 ± 2.528, a palatal index-2 of 65.37 ± 2.208, a palato-basal ratio of 55.44 ± 1.975, a palato-basal ratio-1 of 54.47 ± 1.716, a palato-palatine ratio of 33.71 ± 0.860, a palato-palatine ratio-1 of 34.30 ± 0.733, a cranio-facial ratio of 107.87 ± 4.819 and a cranio-facial ratio-1 of 144.17 ± 8.099 were obtained. When the skull, cranial and facial indices were considered together with the other calculated indices and ratios, it was clear that the skulls of the Kangal dogs have to be regarded as of dolichocephalic type. Kangal dogs, with their mastiff-like appearance and massive head, are shown in this study to be typical of a dolichocephalic breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to compare rectal, eye and ear temperature of 30 healthy Kangal dogs. Rectal temperature was measured by use of standard rectal digital thermometer. Right and left eye temperatures were detected by infrared thermal camera from the carancuia lacrimalis region. Tympanic thermometer was used to determine right and left ear temperatures. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test. The comparative analysis showed no significant differences between the measurement methods. Measuring of ear and eye temperature could be an alternative method to obtain body temperature in Kangal dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that investigates canine adenovirus types 1 and 2 among dogs in Turkey. It states that canine adenovirus types 1 and 2 cause infectious canine hepatitis and canine laryngotracheitis in both Canidae and Ursidae families of dogs. The study was undertaken through collecting serum samples from native pure-bred Kangal and Akbash dogs as well as Turkish Greyhounds from Eskisehir and Konya provinces. Results of the study are also presented.

A secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) was diagnosed in a 1-year-old Turkish Kangal dog after dissection for student education. The defect was 21.99 mm in maximum length and 8.37 mm in maximum width and was elliptical. The dog had no clinical disorders. This is the first case of a secundum ASD reported in an adult Kangal dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]