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A three year old nulliparous Boerboel bitch presented with complaints of fever and inappetence six weeks after an elective caesarean section was diagnosed with an extrauterine foetus. A per-cutaneous abdominal ultrasound revealed a foetal sac showing a well-developed skeletal structure and the absence of foetal movement or heartbeat. During laparotomy, a foetal sac containing a dead foetus was located between the spleen and the stomach. The foetal sac was excised following ligation of its mesenteric attachment to the spleen. The previously operated uterus was observed to have involuted but revealed a small bud observed on the middle portion of the left uterine horn. The histological findings of the foetal sac revealed fibro-adipose tissue with numerous congested vessels. It was concluded that the Boerboel bitch had a secondary abdominal ectopic pregnancy and recommended that owing to the difficulty of diagnosing the condition before or during routine elective caesarean surgery, post-operative abdominal ultrasound would have been instructive.

Dirofilariasis is a disease of clinical importance in dogs. It is to this end that a case of a seven-year-old mongrel with dirofilariasis was presented to examine the unique features and presentation in the canine patient in question. The dog had clinical signs consistent with the disease. Further diagnostic tests were performed to establish the presence and severity of the disease and make an appropriate treatment plan. The Knott’s test revealed Dirofilaria species in the circulating blood and radiography showed right ventricular hypertrophy with pulmonary arterial enlargement and increased bronchial opacification. The treatment instituted was ivermectin therapy by subcutaneous injection every two weeks for six months, cardiac glycoside and antibiotics for 14 days. The clinical signs resolved after completion of the treatment. A general overview of heartworm infection in dogs was also done to update current knowledge of the disease. Though the risk of significant propagation of Dirofilaria immitis is considered low, with the climate change and international pet travel regulations, this emerging zoonosis remains a threat.

Our previous research suggests that supplementation of monoglycerides may reduce diarrhea severity and intestinal and systemic inflammation in weaned pigs infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli) F18. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of monoglycerides on serum metabolomic profiles of weaned pigs experimentally infected with E. coli F18. Sixty weaned pigs [body weight (BW) = 6.49 ± 0.74 kg; around 21 d old] were individually housed and fed with one of four diets (15 replicates/diet): 1) control diet (CON); 2) CON+0.3% monoglycerides; 3) CON+3,000 mg/kg ZnO and 4) CON+50 mg/kg antibiotics (carbadox). The experiment lasted 28 days with 7 days before and 21 days after the first inoculation [d 0 post-inoculation (PI)]. All piglets were orally challenged with F18 E. coli (1010 CFU/3 mL) for 3 consecutive days. Serum samples were collected on d 5 and 14 PI to analyze untargeted metabolomics by gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometer (GC-TOF-MS). The metabolomics data were analyzed using different modules of a web-based platform, MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Statistical significance was declared at a false discovery rate q < 0.2 and fold change > 2.0. Pathway and metabolite set enrichment analysis were performed on identified metabolites that had a Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) score > 1. On d 5 PI, supplementation of high dose ZnO up-regulated (q < 0.2) pantothenic acid and fructose, compared with control. Supplementation of monoglycerides altered (q < 0.2) the relative abundances of 14 metabolites (7 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated) compared with high dose ZnO, and upregulated (q < 0.2) lactose and cellobiose compared with antibiotics. On d 14 PI, supplementation of high dose ZnO changed (q < 0.2) abundances of 10 metabolites (7 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated) compared with control. Supplementation of monoglycerides up-regulated (q < 0.2) hippuric acid and indole-3-propionic acid, and down-regulated (q < 0.2) 8 metabolites (including glutaric acid, serotonin, mannose, etc.) compared with the high dose ZnO. Citrate cycle, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and beta-alanine metabolism were the most (VIP > 1) affected pathways when monoglycerides were compared with high dose ZnO on d 5 PI. TCA cycle, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism were the most (VIP > 1) affected metabolic pathways when monoglycerides were compared with high dose ZnO on d 14 PI. Limited differential metabolites were identified when comparing control vs. monoglycerides on d 5 and 14 PI. In conclusion, consistent with performance, diarrhea, and systemic inflammation data, serum metabolomics results indicate that high dose of ZnO supplementation had stronger impacts on the host metabolism of E. coli infected pigs, compared with monoglycerides and antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A five-month-old female Boerboel puppy presented with a rapidly expanding fibrous growth around the canine tooth of the right maxilla was diagnosed as having acanthomatous ameloblastoma based on findings from skull radiography, cytology of fine needle aspiration, biopsy and histopathology of resected growth. Lateral radiograph of the skull revealed moderate osteolysis of the maxilla with presence of un-erupted maxillary canine teeth. Cytology of fine needle aspirate from the growth showed clusters of epithelial cells that were hyperchromatic and showing palisade arrangement. The mass was surgically resected using diathermy instrument following general anaesthesia using combination of intramuscular injection of xylazine (0.5mg/kg), and intravenous injection of propofol (4mg/kg). Post-operative management included Ibuprofen suspension (100mg) administered for 3-days, intravenous vincristine (0.5mg/m2) once weekly and oral cyclophosphamide (50mg) was administered twice weekly for six weeks. Histopathology of the growth showed odontogenic epithelium embedded in pulp ectomesenchyme. Features of odontogenic epithelium include palisading epithelium with anti-basilar nuclei and centrally located cells having features of stellate reticulum. This is probably the first reported case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in a Boerboel puppy that was successfully managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three year old Boerboel bitch was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, FUNAAB with complaint of lethargy and inappetence. Clinical signs observed included abdominal tenderness, watery bloody stool and palpable intestinal mass. Blood sample was obtained for complete blood counts, while transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound and lateral abdominal radiograph were also performed. Result of complete blood count showed severe neutrophilic leukocytosis. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound revealed dilated bowel loop containing a hyperechoic structure in the lumen, while radiographic contrast examination of the intestine revealed distended bowel loop and a radiopaque foreign body in the jejunum. Based on the findings, a tentative diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was made and an exploratory laparotomy was scheduled. After pre-anaesthetic medications with 3mg/kg intramuscular injection of 5% tramadol, 0.04mg/kg intramuscular injection of 0.1% atropine and 0.5mg/kg intramuscular injection of 2% Xylazine, anaesthesia was induced with a loading dose of 4mg/kg intravenous injection of 1% propofol and maintained with constant infusion of propofol at the rate of 0.12mg/kg/min. During laparotomy, the obstructed region was identified and enterotomy revealed the foreign body to be an ingested plastic bottle cap. Following removal of the foreign body, moderate inflammation of the segment of the intestine around the obstruction site was observed, necessitating the need for resection of the intestine to be performed and anastomosis using an end to end technique. The dog recovered without any complications after one week of postoperative antibiotic therapy and fluid administration. Prompt diagnosis of intestinal foreign body in dogs followed by appropriate selection of anaesthetic protocol and surgical technique with adequate intensive post-operative follow-up is essential for successful management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of monoglycerides and zinc glycinate with porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) and their impacts on epithelial barrier function using the IPEC-J2 cell line. MTT assays were performed for each compound to determine cell viability and appropriate treatment doses. PAMs were isolated from 6 piglets at 7 weeks of age, and then seeded into 24-well plates with 106 cells/mL. After 24 h incubation, cells were treated with each compound or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The experimental design was 2 × 6 factorial arrangement with 2 doses of LPS (0 or 1 μg/mL) and 6 doses of each compound (monoglycerides: 0, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL; zinc glycinate: 0, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μg/mL). The supernatants were collected after another 24 h incubation to analyze concentration of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) by ELISA. IPEC-J2 cells (5 × 105 cells/mL) were seeded into 12-well plates on transwell cell culture inserts and cultured until confluence, and then were treated with each compound (monoglycerides: 0, 25, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL; zinc glycinate: 0, 2, 5, 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL). Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured in Ocm2 using a Millicell ERS-2 voltohmmeter at 0 h (before treatment) and at 24, 48, and 72 h posttreatment. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using PROC MIXED of SAS with a randomized complete block design. LPS challenge increased (P < 0.05) the production of TNF-a and IL-1ß from PAMs. In the non-challenge group, supplementing 50 or 100 μg/mL of monoglycerides stimulated (P < 0.05) TNF-a and IL-1ß production from PAMs. Treatment with 25 or 100 μg/mL of zinc glycinate also enhanced (P < 0.05) TNF-a production from PAMs. In LPS-treated PAMs, 1,000 μg/mL of monoglycerides increased (P < 0.05) IL-1ß production, while zinc glycinate suppressed (P < 0.0001) the secretion of TNF-a and IL-1ß at the doses of 100, 250, and 500 μg/mL. IPEC-J2 cells treated with 250 or 1,000 μg/mL of monoglycerides, or 5 μg/mL of zinc glycinate had increased (P < 0.0001) TEER values at 48 and 72 h post-treatment, compared with control. However, cells treated with 50 μg/mL of zinc glycinate reduced (P < 0.0001) TEER values at 24, 48, and 72 h post-treatment compared with other treatments. In conclusion, results of this in vitro study indicate that monoglycerides have a positive effect on the barrier function of epithelium, while zinc glycinate may have strong immune regulatory benefits. Future in vivo animal studies will be needed to verify their impacts on animal gut health, immune responses, and growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case records of dogs that underwent ovariohysterectomy at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) between January, 2010 and December, 2016 were reviewed to determine the prevalence, indication and prognosis of this surgical condition. Data recorded include breed and age of the dogs at presentation and reason for ovariohysterectomy. Information on type of anaesthetic techniques, outcome of the surgery and occurrence and severity of complications were also noted. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in nine out of two thousand, two hundred and eighty five dogs that were presented during this period. The nine dogs included seven breed types which were Rottweiler (2), Samoyed (2), Alsatian (1), Doberman (1), Boerboel (1), Lhasa apso (1) and Pug (1). Mean age of the dogs presented for ovariohysterectomy was 5.7 ± 2.9 years with the age ranging between 18 months and 10 years. Indications for ovariohysterectomy in the dogs were pyometra (4), ovarian adenocarcinoma (2), transmissible venereal tumour (1), intrauterine foreign body (1) and elective request (1). Surgical outcome was good in seven of the dogs, while one dog died secondary to hypovolemia after surgery and another dog was euthanized a week after surgery due to poor renal function. Five of the dogs had moderate obesity about six months after surgery, while a dog had mammary adenocarcinoma two years after ovariohysterectomy. It was therefore concluded that elective ovariohysterectomy is not routinely performed in dogs at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, FUNAAB, while most cases are performed for management of reproductive tract diseases. Further data are required to authenticate or disprove the findings in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytogenic origin of canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) still remains unknown. Resulting from paucity of information on the histiocytic phenotypic features and behaviours of CTVT, this study was undertaken to show some uncommon cytomorphological features of CTVT and its immunoreactivity with S-100 protein. Nine cases of CTVT were investigated (6 females and 3 males) using nine fine needle aspirates for cytology and four biopsy samples for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Cytology revealed CTVT cells with pale basophilic, fine granular cytoplasm and distinct intra-nuclear (3/9) and intra-cytoplasmic (9/9) vacuolations. Erythrophagocytosis by a giant binucleated CTVT cell in one dog and nuclear budding in 2 dogs were observed. Histopathology showed loose sheets and cords of uniformly round to ovoid cells with slight indistinct eosinophilic cytoplasm and a tendency towards glandular as well as syncytial formation. Nuclei were large and round with a single centrally placed nucleolus. The mitotic index was high. Immunohistochemistry of the four biopsy samples revealed negative immunoreactivity to pan-cytokeratin, actin and desmin but positive immunoreactivity with vimetin and S-100 proteins. This is the first report in which CTVT showed erythrophagocytosis, nuclear budding and positive immunoreactivity to S-100 protein. Based on these cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features, we conclude that CTVT is of histiocytic/dendritic origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Animal models recapitulating post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) suggest that subchondral bone (SCB) properties and remodeling may play major roles in disease initiation and progression. Thus, we investigated the role of SCB properties and its effects on load-induced OA progression by applying a tibial loading model on two distinct mouse strains treated with alendronate (ALN)., Design: Cyclic compression was applied to the left tibia of 26-week-old male C57Bl/6 (B6, low bone mass) and FVB (high bone mass) mice. Mice were treated with ALN (26 μg/kg/day) or vehicle (VEH) for loading durations of 1, 2, or 6 weeks. Changes in articular cartilage and subchondral and epiphyseal cancellous bone were analyzed using histology and microcomputed tomography., Results: FVB mice exhibited thicker cartilage, a thicker SCB plate, and higher epiphyseal cancellous bone mass and tissue mineral density than B6 mice. Loading induced cartilage pathology, osteophyte formation, and SCB changes; however, lower initial SCB mass and stiffness in B6 mice did not attenuate load-induced OA severity compared to FVB mice. By contrast, FVB mice exhibited less cartilage damage, and slower-growing and less mature osteophytes. In B6 mice, inhibiting bone remodeling via ALN treatment exacerbated cartilage pathology after 6 weeks of loading, while in FVB mice, inhibiting bone remodeling protected limbs from load-induced cartilage loss., Conclusions: Intrinsically lower SCB properties were not associated with attenuated load-induced cartilage loss. However, inhibiting bone remodeling produced differential patterns of OA pathology in animals with low compared to high SCB properties, indicating that these factors do influence load-induced OA progression., (Copyright © 2017 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)