• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.535-542
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Ptecticus tenebrifer on the fecal microbiomes of bichon frise. A total of 16 bichon frise dogs (average weight, 2 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (4 dogs/group): general pet food, two types of domestic pet food containing Ptecticus tenebrifer, and one imported pet food containing Ptecticus tenebrifer. In the controls, Firmicutes accounted for the highest proportion (82%) at the phylum level in the fecal microbiomes. The Tax4Fun2's functional prediction program indicated that the control groups showed a relatively high amount of obesity-related microorganisms; the pathways included three types of carbohydrate metabolism. Among the treatments, Firmicutes abundances was the least in the treatments with the two types of domestic pet food containing Ptecticus tenebrifer; this did not affect the functional prediction of Tax4Fun2. In conclusion, the two types of domestic feed with Ptecticus tenebrifer were healthy and suitable for bichon frise; they could be beneficial in terms of obesity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.374-376
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• 2017

This report describes a case of postpartum uterine rupture associated with retained placenta and sequential acute metritis, not dystocia. A 14-month-old Bichon Frise bitch presented with continuous vaginal bleeding. She delivered five puppies 3 days ago and expelled four placentas on the next day. After then, anorexia, acute depression with continuous vaginal haemorrhage developed. Plain radiography showed decreased serosal detail, and ultrasonography showed irregularly thickened uterine wall and ascites. Blood-tinged peritoneal fluid was an exudate with bacteria. Ovariohysterectomy was curative for the patient, and four full-thickness perforated holes were identified on both sides of the uterine horns.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.88-90
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• 2020

A one year old spayed female Bichon Frise dog presented with gait abnormalities and seizure. Serum biochemical results showed elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and ammonia. Serum bile acid level was also increased to be over 30 μmol/L on preprandial. Urinalysis identified the presence of ammonium urate crystal. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT revealed aberrant, tortuous, and multiple small vessels connected to the caudal vena cava between left kidney and caudal vena cava. Macroscopic specific findings associated with extrahepatic congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) or other liver diseases were not identified. Liver biopsy was performed. Histopathologic evaluation revealed hepatic lobular hypoplasia with portal arterial duplication and vascular shunts. Based on these finding, this case was diagnosed as multiple acquired PSS secondary to hepatic microvascular dysplasia (HMD) and hepatic encephalopathy. A liver biopsy is recommended to differentiate HMD from other liver diseases and to confirm HMD when a young dog has multiple acquired PSS.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.30-33
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• 2018

A 7-month-old female Bichon Frise, displaying neck pain and ataxia, was diagnosed with craniocervical junction abonormality (CJA), along with atlantoaxial subluxation. Surgical fixation of the atlantoaxial subluxation was performed, using cortical screws and bone cement, along with an odontoidectomy. After surgery, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication was prescribed for pain control, and a loose bandage was applied to the neck. Mild ambulatory tetraparesis remained 1 week after surgery. Three weeks after surgery, the range of neck motion was near normal, and clinical signs had improved. CJA should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with cervical myelopathy. Surgical stabilization using cortical screws and bone cement through a ventral approach can be successful in dogs with CJA and atlantoaxial subluxation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2023

A two-year-old, spayed female, Bichon Frise, was referred for severe corneal edema and corneal ulcer in the left eye (OS). The cornea had gradually swelled over one week after phacoemulsification performed a month prior, and that was refractory to 5% sodium chloride eye drop instillation or temporary partial tarsorrhaphy. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed. Severe corneal edema with intrastromal bullae and moderate anterior chamber flare was found on slit-lamp biomicroscopy in the OS, which obstructed the fundus examination. Corneal thickness was measured using high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy. The thickness of the OS cornea was 2.74 mm. The "letter-box" conjunctival flap was planned. Dorsal and ventral superficial keratectomy followed by a hood conjunctival flap was performed. Topical and systemic antibiotics and 5% sodium chloride eye drops were prescribed. Decreased corneal thickness was observed at one week, two weeks, and two months postoperatively (1.53 mm, 1.32 mm, and 0.92 mm, respectively). There were no postoperative complications, such as ocular discomfort or recurrent corneal ulcers. The "letter-box" conjunctival flap, a type of superficial keratectomy and conjunctival advancement hood flap, effectively relieved the severe irreversible corneal edema. This could be a simple but effective surgical intervention for patients with endothelial cell damage especially after phacoemulsification.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2024

A 6-month-old intact female Bichon Frise dog weighing 0.9 kg presented with vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy persisting for 3 days. No remarkable abnormalities were detected on the history or physical examination. Laboratory findings were mostly normal, except for elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Abdominal radiography revealed a fluid-dilated stomach and gas-dilated intestinal loops in the regional areas. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to investigate the cause of gastrointestinal dilation, which revealed a rectangular, homogeneous, echogenic foreign material with no shadowing in the small intestine, causing mechanical obstruction. Upon further inquiry involving detailed re-take of history with the owner, a history of ingesting dog gum 4 days prior was identified. On surgical enterotomy, the hard pet food was identified and removed from the distal duodenum. Postoperatively, the patient's clinical signs showed complete improvement, with a return to normal appetite. The present case demonstrates that less-digestible, hard pet food, despite showing no shadowing on ultrasonography, can act as a foreign material, causing mechanical intestinal obstruction in a small-breed puppy. Furthermore, surgical removal of these materials is necessary in cases of intestinal obstruction.