• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.318-324
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to establish kinematic reference ranges for the femorotibial (FT) joint and the patellofemoral (PF) joint in healthy small-breed dogs by measuring 3D kinematics at the walk. Single-plane fluoroscopy was used to image the stifle joints of five healthy beagle dogs while the dogs were walking. 3D bone models of the femur, patella, and tibia were reconstructed by computed tomography scanning of the beagle dogs' hind limbs. The shape-matching technique was used to measure kinematic data from the fluoroscopic images and the 3D bone models. The cranial translation of the tibia during walking was inversely proportional to the FT joint flexion. There were significant correlations between the patellar motion and the tibial motion. The FT joint flexion had a strong correlation with the patellar proximodistal translation and flexion. Additionally, the tibial mediolateral translation had a strong correlation with the patellar shift and tilt. In this study, normal in vivo 3D FT joint and PF joint kinematics were demonstrated, and the average kinematic parameters were determined in walking beagle dogs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2017

Strains of Toxoplasma gondii in Brazil are highly genetically diverse compared to strains from North America and Europe. Dogs are epidemiologically important because they act as sentinels for T. gondii infections in humans and are good indicators of environmental contamination. The aim of this study was to isolate and genetically characterize T. gondii strains from tissues of naturally infected Brazilian dogs. For this study, 21 blood samples were collected from dogs at the Zoonosis Control Centers of $Ilh{\acute{e}}us$ and Itabuna cities, Bahia, Brazil. The sera were examined for T. gondii antibodies using the indirect hemagglutination test. Brains and hearts of seropositive dogs were bioassayed in mice to isolate and characterize T. gondii parasites by PCR-RFLP using 10 genetic markers (SAG1, newSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, c22-8, c29-2, GRA6, PK1, APICO, and L358). However, T. gondii was isolated from only 4 (57.1%) dogs, designated TgDgBr6, 13, 17, and 21. All strains were virulent, causing clinical changes (rough hair coat, lethargy, and abdominal distention) and the death of all mice within 8-20 days after inoculation. Genetic analysis of these 4 T. gondii isolates revealed 4 distinct genotypes with different clonal lineage combinations (types I, II, and III) and 2 atypical alleles. Using PCR-RFLP with several markers, this study contributes to evaluations of the genetic diversity of strains circulating in Brazil.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.125-128
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• 2015

The prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs in Henan Province, Central China was investigated. A total of 125 blood samples were collected from pet dogs during April to June 2013, and all samples were examined by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA) and nested PCR. The overall T. gondii prevalence in pet dogs was 24.0% (30/125), with 20.8% (26/125) in IHA and 10.4% (13/125) in PCR, respectively. No statistical associations were found between animal gender and age and the prevalence of T. gondii infection. Thirteen positive DNA samples were genotyped using 11 PCR-RFLP markers, including SAG1, (3'+5') SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. Of these, only 2 samples were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and a novel genotype (type III at SAG3 and GRA6 loci, and type I at other loci) was identified. This is the first report of genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in dogs in China.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.203-206
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• 2012

Treatment for heart failure is directed to reduce atrial volume overload by diuretic agents, to lessen ventricular pressure overload by vasodilatory agents and to increase myocardial performance through inotropic agents. Of those cardiac therapeutics, diuretic agents are the most important to control heart failure in dogs, although long-term use often causes detrimental side-effects such as acute renal failure and electrolyte abnormalities. Thus, this study was designed to find a new diuretic agent from medicinal herbs which has better diuretic effect and less unfavorable complications in dogs. In a preliminary study performed with 5 normal healthy dogs, the extract from Akebia quinata Decaisne showed mild to moderate diuretic effect (0.3-0.5 potency of furosemide 2 mg/kg) and minimal changes in serum chemistry and electrolyte. Although the study population was not large enough and study period was not sufficient enough, this study found a good alternative diuretic agent which can replace or reduce the use of furosemide in dogs with heart failure.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.288-291
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• 2013

The purpose of the retrospectivestudy was to describe the clinical findings and treatment of intracorneal hemorrhage (ICH) in canine small breeds. The medical records of 6 dogs with ICH (January 2007 to November 2011) were examined to obtain the breed, age, gender, affected eye, cornea area, treatment, and follow-up. A total of 12 corneal areas in 8 eyes were identified in 6 dogs (4 Yorkshire terriers, 1 Poodle, and 1 Maltese). The mean age ${\pm}SD$ at the first presentation was $12.3{\pm}2.8$years, and 5 of 6 dogs were over 12 years old. ICH caused by corneal neovascularization was the most common in the nasal area of cornea (nasal 6/12, superior 4/12, and inferior 2/12) and recurred in different area of same or other cornea in 3 dogs. There were no concomitant corneal diseases at the initial presentation. All dogs affected were treated with combination of topical antibiotics and steroids and subconjuctival injection of steroids. The results showed that ICH can be treated with long-term medical therapies. In addition, further study would be needed to identify specific causes for the intracorneal hemorrhage.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.362-367
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• 2016

The aim of the study was to evaluate ultrasonographic findings, affected age, hematology, blood chemistry and clinical signs according to open or closed cervix in 102 bitches presented for treatment of pyometra. The prevalence of pyometra according to breed was observed in Maltese 22.5%, Yorkshire Terrier 13.7% and Shih Tzu 12.7%. The mean age of dogs was $9.6{\pm}0.3years$, and open cervix pyometra was more prevalent than closed cervix pyometra. Clinical signs included anorexia, vaginal discharge, depression, polyuria/polydipsia, vomiting, and abdominal distension. The concentration of BUN and the activity of ALP in dogs with closed cervix pyometra were significantly higher than those in dogs with open cervix pyometra (p < 0.05). The white blood cell and neutrophils in dogs with closed cervix pyometra were significant higher than those in dogs with open cervix pyometra (p < 0.05). Ultrasonographic findings of the uterus with open or closed cervix pyometra showed variable patterns. The uterine wall was variable in appearance, from thick and irregular to smooth and thin. The uterine wall was thicker in open cervix pyometra than in closed cervix pyometra. The luminal cavity included smaller amount of anechoic fluid in open cervix pyometra than in closed cervix pyometra.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2005

This study was performed to validate the procedure of transarterial embolization of the renal artery (TAE-RA) and sclerotherapy of renal pelvis using iohexol-ethanol solution in dogs with unilateral experimental hydronephrosis. Experimental hydronephrosis was induced by unilateral ureter ligation for 20 days in five Beagle dogs. Renal artery embolization with iohexol-ethanol solution was performed using selective catheterization technique in the hydronephrotic kidney and sclerotherapy was done by injection of the iohexol-ethanol solution through percutaneously placed pig-tail catheter. EKG, $SpO_2$ body temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate were within normal ranges during procedures. Average pure ethanol dose for renal artery embolization was $1.1\pm0.3ml/kg$. Renal artery embolization was confirmed by the detection of no blood flow signal at the interlobar and arcuate artery using color Doppler ultrasonography. There were no dogs expired after TAE-RA and sclerotherapy and no side effects associated with regurgitation of iohexol-ethanol solution. The value of BUN, creatinine, ALT, AST, Ca, P in five dogs were within normal range during the experiment period. Ultrasonographically, the mean longitudinal and transverse length and the depth of the embolized kidney significantly decreased at 28 days after TAE-RA. We may conclude that TAE-RA and sclerotherapy with iohexol-ethanol solution is an effective methods for the treatment of unilateral hydronephrosis in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2006

This study investigated the prevalence of Malassezia pachydermatis (M. pachydermatis) in dogs which were presented with otitis externa at the Chonbuk area from January 2002 to December 2003. A total of 589 dogs were diagnosed with otitis externa among which 243 (37.6%) dogs were affected with M pachydermatis. In addition, the prevalence of mutual relationship between the M. pachydermatis infection and ages, seasonality, breeds and ear types in otitis externa was investigated. The highest prevalence of M. pachydermatis was observed in 1 to 2 years age group, this was not statistically significant in comparison to other age groups. In summer, the prevalence of M. pachydermatis was significantly (p<0.01) higher ($57.06{\pm}2.01$) as compared with than in the winter ($21.03{\pm}3.56$), spring ($36.4{\pm}6.95$) and fall ($35.9{\pm}6.24$). A significantly (p<0.01) higher prevalence of M. pachydermatis was observed in pendulous ear dogs (49.1%) as compared to that in the erect ear dogs (23.6%). These results suggest that M. pachydermatis, the dominant causative organism of ear canal disease, strongly depends upon the seasonality and ear types.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.403-410
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• 2000

The Ultrasonographic method alas been widely applied to evaluating gastric motility with safety and reproducibility ill human medicine but few reference to its use in veterinary medicine is appeared. Therefore, in this study, the gastric motility was evaluated with ultrasonography by the cri-terion of mean cycle lime, short and lony axis and the area of pyloric antrum in dogs, fed with liquid of semisolid meals. Furthermore, the animals were evaluated for the effect of metoclopramide on the motility of pyloric antrum. Healthy 5 mongrel male dogs were fed with either 400 ml of milk a: a liquid meal or a mixed meal of 200 ml of milk with two pieces of bread as a semisolid meal. Mean cycle time of pyloric antrum of dogs was significantly delayed after feeding either of liquid and , semi- solid meals(P<0.05), alls it was returned to the fasting state at 60 min. after feeding of liquid meal and 160 min. after feeding of semisolid meal. Mean area of pyloric antrum of dogs was gradually decreased and was returned to the lasting state at 80 min. in doss fed liquid meal. but 1600 min. in dog\ulcorner fed semisolid meal. The administration of metoclopramide (1.0 mg/kg of of B.W.) accelerated the mean cycle time of pyloric antrum from 20 mill. to 60 min. after feeding of liquid meal and from 40 min. to 120 min. after feeding of semisolid meal. From this study, the ultrasonography was confirmed as a valuable diagnostic method leer evaluating the gastric motility and gastric area in dogs. It is non-invasive, safe and reproducible, and provides a method for the study of the effect of drugs and diseases states on gastric motility.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2005

A retrospective study was performed with 9 cases of spontaneous canine hypoadrenocorticism presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University. The disease occurred mostly in young to middle­aged dogs. Most dogs had chronic nonspecific signs such as episodic anorexia, lethargy and vomiting, but 3 dogs were brought to the hospital with an acute adrenal crisis. Serum biochemical analysis revealed azotemia, abnormal concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride in almost all the patients. Diagnoses were made based on lack of adrenocortical response to exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH). Most dogs have been responded well with mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid replacement except for a dog which died during treatment for adrenal crisis. Three dogs treated with fludrocortisone acetate(final median dosage, $31.0{\mu}g/kg/day$) for mineralocorticoid supplementation showed some adverse effects, such as excessive appetite and polyuria/polydipsia. In this study, it was suggested that clinicians should also consider hypoadrenocorticism when they diagnose a patient showing nonspecific gastrointestinal signs with unknown cause or laboratory findings which mimic primary renal diseases.