Energy Requirements for Growth in the Norfolk Terrier

An appropriate energy intake for healthy growth can reduce the risk of obesity and co-morbidities, such as orthopaedic diseases. The 2006 National Research Council (NRC) universal equation calculates the energy requirement of growing dogs based on predicted adult body weight, but evidence suggests a revision may be required. This study investigates the energy requirements of seventeen Norfolk terrier puppies over their first year (10 to 52 weeks). Puppies were individually fed complete and balanced diets in amounts to maintain an optimal body condition score (BCS), recording intake daily and body weight and BCS weekly. To monitor health a veterinary examination, haematology and plasma biochemistry and serum measures of bone turnover were undertaken every 12 weeks. Skeletal development was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (26 and 52 weeks). Puppies were clinically healthy with normal skeletal development and healthy growth throughout. The energy intake to achieve this was significantly lower than that predicted by the NRC (2006) equation at all time points, with largest mean difference of 285 kJ/kg0·75 per day at 10 weeks. If fed according to the NRC 2006 equation, dogs would have been in positive energy balance, possibly leading to obesity. These data support a revision to the NRC (2006) equation.

Battle of the Sexes in Best of Breed: Sex Influences Dogs’ Success in the Show Ring

Much of the research on pedigree dog breeding has been directed towards understanding the implications of reduced genetic diversity and the prevalence of inherited disorders. An example is the potential role of the popular sire effect in perpetuating genetic defects. If male dogs are more likely than bitches to be identified as examples of members of a breed that align with breed standard, they may be selected for breeding earlier. This may contribute to the influence of individual males and contribute to popular sire effect. Conversely, if breed standards are written in a sex-neutral fashion, and if dogs are entered, exhibited, and judged in a sex-neutral fashion, then we would expect the success of female dogs in the show ring to be equal to that of their male counterparts. With a focus on toy and giant breeds, the current pilot study collated samples of dog show results to explore relationships between sex and the likelihood of success in the show ring. It focused on toy and giant breeds to explore any differences in equity, if it existed, at either end of the size and concomitant age-at-maturation spectrum. For the purpose of this study, toy breeds were those that weigh < 10 kg at maturity while giant breed dogs were those that exceed 45 kg. Within these two clusters, the least (n = 3) and most popular (n = 3) breeds were then selected to explore any potential role of sex on success in the show ring. The popularity of breeds was determined using the numbers of dogs registered with the Australian National Kennel Council. Using results from dog shows (n = 18) from 2015 to 2016, data on 1,080 dogs were obtained. Within these 12 breeds for the 18 shows, there were 137 Best of Breed (BOB) titles awarded: Pug (n = 18), Toy Poodle (n = 18), Bullmastiff (n = 14), Rottweiler (n = 17), Fox Terrier (Smooth) (n = 18), Bloodhound (n = 3), Schnauzer (miniature) (n = 15), Great Dane (n = 17), Norfolk Terrier (n = 10), Norwich Terrier (n = 5), Central Asian Shepherd Dog (n = 2). Despite the near parity of male and female dogs being exhibited, of these 137 titles, 86 (62.8%) were awarded to male dogs (at least 41 individuals) and 51 (37.2%) to female dogs (at least 32 individuals) showing that male dogs are more likely to win BOB titles (χ2 = 9.4455, df = 1, p-value = 0.002117). Among the toy subset of breeds, this effect was higher (χ2 = 6.798, df = 1, p-value = 0.009126) than among the giant breed subset, for whom the advantage to male dogs did not reach statistical significance versus χ2 = 3.0967, df = 1, p-value = 0.07845). This suggests that judges find the male dogs more appealing, presumably because they are more aligned with breed standards.

Fixation of a proximal femoral physeal fracture in a dog using a ventral approach and two Kirschner wires

SummaryA Salter-Harris type I proximal femoral physeal fracture was diagnosed in a six-month-old Norfolk Terrier. The fracture was reduced using a ventromedial approach to the hip joint and fixation with two small Kirschner wires applied from the joint surface and countersunk below the cartilage. The ventromedial approach minimizes soft-tissue and vascular damage and affords direct visualization of the fracture, facilitating reduction and fixation. The two-year postoperative outcome was considered satisfactory in this case.

Infiltrativ wachsendes, solitäres Hämangiosarkom im Bereich der Lendenwirbelsäule bei einer Hündin

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel: Darstellung eines infiltrativ wachsenden, solitären Hämangiosarkoms im Bereich der Lendenwirbelsäule mit modernen bildgebenden Verfahren, Diskussion der klinischen und pathologischen Befunde. Material und Methode: Fallbericht einer neun Jahre alten Norfolk-Terrier-Hündin. Ergebnisse: Klinisch-neurologische, sonographische, labordiagnostische und röntgenologische Untersuchungen ergaben den Verdacht einer abdominalen Umfangsvermehrung sowie einer Rückenmarksläsion im Bereich des thorakolumbalen Übergangs. Über weitere bildgebende Verfahren (Myelographie, Computertomographie, Magnetresonanztomographie) konnte die Umfangsvermehrung kranial der linken Niere lokalisiert und eine Osteolyse des ersten Lendenwirbels mit Strukturveränderung der angrenzenden Lendenmuskulatur festgestellt werden. Die pathologisch-anatomische Untersuchung des Tierkörpers ergab den Befund eines solitären Hämangiosarkoms und bestätigte die Lokalisation und Ausmaße der Läsion. Schlussfolgerung: In diesem Fall konnte durch die Kombination bildgebender Verfahren die Ausdehnung eines Tumors auf nichtinvasive Weise präzise beurteilt werden. Klinische Relevanz: Moderne bildgebende Verfahren ermöglichen eine genaue Darstellung des Ausmaßes einer Tumorerkrankung und eine verbesserte Prognosestellung. Nur die histologische Untersuchung erlaubt eine ätiologische Diagnose.