Epidemiological aspects, haematological and biochemical alterations in some gastrointestinal parasitic diseases of carnivores

Gastrointestinal parasites are widespread pathogenic agents and one of the main causes for mortality in young dogs and cats. Many of these zoonotic parasites are relevant in terms of public health. The presence of parasites in the animal organism causes local and general modifications in the various organs they parasitize or transit throughout their life cycle. The present study aimed to identify the most frequent gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and cats and to monitor the alterations that occur in terms of haematological and biochemical parameters. The studied animals, 25 dogs and three cats from Timiș and Caraș Severin counties, were brought to the On-call room of the University Clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Timișoara. The laboratory methods that were used were the Willis flotation method, the Baerman larvoscopic method and the Lugol method. The haematological methods, namely flow cytometry, cytochemistry and spectrophotometry, were performed at Bioclinica Laboratories, on whole blood samples that were collected in EDTA or simple tubes. The studied animals were positive for Giardia, Cystoisospora, Dipylidium, Ancylostoma, Toxocara and Trichocephalus. The positivity rate was 57.14%, with prevalence rates according to the parasitic species ranging from 3.57% to 21.42%, with multiparasitism in 32.14%, and monoparasitism in 17.85%. The values recorded for red blood cells, haemoglobin and hematocrit followed the same trendmost of the animals being situated within physiological values, except for three dogs, that recorded values below the minimal level. In the case of MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) and MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) the values recorded for most dogs were within physiological limits, except for three dogs which overpassed the maximum level. Eosinophils were high in all dogs, which is a characteristic feature of parasitism. The serum urea concentrations revealed the fact that all for dogs that were taken into study had values above the maximum limit.

Evaluation of blood electrolyte alterations in cats during elec-tive laparoscopic ovariectomy

In a clinical setting, we tested the hypothesis of whether hypercapnia developed during carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum is associated with changes in blood electrolytes. This prospective study involved ten female cats that underwent elective laparoscopic ovariectomy. Venous blood samples for assessment of electrolytes were collected in the following sequence: T1- before anaesthesia induction, T2 - 10 minutes after anaesthesia induction, T3 - 30 minutes of pneumoperitoneum and T4 - at the end of pneumoperitoneum. Statistical analysis revealed AB disturbances associated with general anaesthesia and pneumoperitoneum, manifested with decreased blood pH, whereas blood PvCO2, PO2 and BE were increased. A constant increase of K+ concentration was recorded in all animals during pneumoperitoneum (P<0.05), whereas iMg registered a significant increase only at T3 (P<0.05). Correlations were recorded between blood pH and Na+, iCa, iMg, as well as between Na+ and Cl¯ at different time points during anaesthesia. No correlations were noted between pH and K+ or PvCO2 and K+. In conclusion, electrolyte imbalance represents a possible complication associated with laparoscopic surgery in healthy cats. However, further studies should investigate the causes involved in K+ concentration elevation.

Brain auditory evoked response test, the standard method for the diagnosis of the hereditary deafness in dogs

Hearing deficiency is one of the most common hearing impairments that affect humans and other mammalian alike. Hearing loss is not painful or a life-threatening change but can endanger the patient by taking into account a large number of breeds predisposed to hereditary deafness, this short communication aims to synthesize the steps and the method for BAER test. For the affected breeds, the BAER test is recommended starting at the age of two months

The influence of Electroacupuncture on a dog diagnosed with osteoarthritis: A case report

Electroacupuncture is a specific branch of acupuncture that uses electrical stimulation through the selected acupoints. Osteoarthritis is considered a complex condition associated with painful joints and locomotor dysfunction. The aim of this case report was to bring scientific support regarding the effect of electroacupuncture in a dog with chronic joint degeneration. An 11-year-old male German shepherd referred to the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj with severe pain in his hind limbs and around his back. Diagnosis based on a western examination, neurological assessment and radiographs indicated chronic osteoarthritis with hip dysplasia. From Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine based diagnosis was Kidney Qi Deficiency leading to Bony Bi Syndrome. For the last two years, the treated dog with Mavacoxib (single dose every month) did not show any significant improvement. A combination of a fine needle with dry acupuncture, electroacupuncture (30-40Hz alternated with 80-100 Hz) and aqua-acupuncture using Zeel (AP) was performed. During the winter, weekly treatment was planned, after that, every two weeks treatment with electroacupuncture and dry needle, for five months until the present. Since we started the acupuncture treatment, the dog is more active and enjoys playing again. We have managed to stop the administration of NSAID’s and improve his life quality. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of complementary medicine on a dog with chronic pain and joint degeneration. Electroacupuncture is a complex technique that requires special training; if used wisely, it can be an excellent complementary therapy for veterinary patients’ pain control.

Doxazosin Effect on Neurogenic Bladder with Urine Retention in Female Dogs

This short communication describes the effect of Doxazosin in case of urinary retention in female dogs due to motor neuron lesions produced by spinal trauma or spinal compression consecutively to intervertebral disk degeneration and extrusion. The study aims to determine whether the treatment of urinary retention in case of neurogenic bladder in female dogs, using 1 adrenergic blocker is effective in spontaneous recovery of the examined patients. Ten female dogs presenting with urinary retention were examined in the laboratory of Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca. The patients were examined using CT, radiography and ultrasonography in order to identify the spinal cord injury that is responsible for neurogenic bladder. The dose of Doxazosin used in treatment of voiding problem in neurogenic bladder was 1mg/kg, single dose per day. Depending on the spinal cord compression cause, the urine retention symptom was resolved.

Production of viable bovine embryos by intracytoplasmic sperm injection of oocytes harvested from slaughtered old cows

(1) Background: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is currently used to increase fertilization success by avoiding several oocyte or sperm deficiencies that would normally prevent conception after in vivo fertilization or classical in vitro fertilization. This paper aimed at improving the in vitro fertilization protocol of bovine oocytes, harvested from old cows after slaughtering, using intracytoplasmic sperm injection; (2) Methods: Oocytes were harvested by puncture of follicles from ovaries obtained from slaughtered old cows, followed by aspiration. Out of the 127 cumulus-oocyte complexes that were harvested, 84 (66.14%) were declared suitable for cultivation, after morphological evaluation. Following oocyte maturation for 22 hours, 77 cumulus-oocyte complexes were morphologically intact and could undergo the steps required for intracytoplasmic injection of spermatozoa. Frozen-thawed bull semen was used for ICSI and the 77 fertilized oocytes were kept for 24 hours in an atmosphere enriched with 5% CO2.; (3) Results: Fertilized oocytes transformed into 46 zygotes (fertilization rate of 59.74%), while after 168 h of cultivation 38 transferable compact morulae or early blastocysts were obtained; (4) Conclusions: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection can represent a viable alternative to classical IVF, when oocytes or sperm with lower fertility are used.

Dinamics of Group B Streptococcus and Enterococcus faecalis associated with genital tract infections of dairy cows from two farms of county Iași

The involution of the postpartum bovine uterus is accompanied by bacterial invasion. Studies show that most, if not all, bovine uteri are bacterially contaminated in the immediate postpartum period. The culture at this time will usually produce a wide range of bacteria, including Actinomyces pyogenes, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Clostridium spp., Coliforms and Gram-negative anaerobes. The research is part of a larger study that aimed to isolate and identify potentially pathogenic bacteria from uterine secretions and their role in postpartum infections. To isolate and identify the uterine flora, swabs (n=160) were collected from the lumen of 32 dairy cattle, between 3 to >21 DIM. Bacterial microflora has been monitored for 5 weeks. The samples were passed through all stages of the microbiological examination and the results revealed the presence of the species Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis. At the first examination Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated in 8 (25%) of 32 samples, and Streptococcus agalactiae in monoculture was isolated in 4 (12,5%) of 32 samples. At the second and third examination the number of Streptococcus agalactiae in monoculture decreased. At 21 days after parturition Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated in 11 (34,38%) of 32 samples and Streptococcus agalactiae in monoculture was found in 9 (28,12%) of cows. The presence of these bacterial species with pathogenic potential for cattle and humans, highlights a possible zoonotic risk. Keywords: Dairy cows; Group B Streptococcus; Enterococcus faecalis, Uterine infection

RESEARCHES REGARDING ESTRUS INDUCTION AND SYNCHRONIZATION IN SOWS AFTER WEANING

The purpose of this paper was to improve the reproductive performances of sows after weaning in a private swine farm. The main objective was to implement modern reproductive biotechnologies (estrus synchronization, artificial insemination and early pregnancy diagnosis) in order to increase the economic efficiency of the reproductive sector of this farm. The biologic material used for the research was represented by 300 sows whose estrus was synchronized using three hormonal procedures (Regu-Mate administered collectively, Regu-Mate administered individually and PG600) as well as naturally, using stimulating boars. The results showed that the best methods of estrus induction and synchronization in sows use either Regu-Mate administered individually in fodder or PG600.

THE PHILOGENY OF CLARIDES AND THE ECOMORPHOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH

The African catfish was introduced into romanian fish breeding starting with the year 2002. It is artificially breed, intensively, in a monoculture in a private ranch near Oradea.

IN UTERO TRANSPLANTATION OF HUMAN STEM CELLS USING AN ANIMAL MODEL: A COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO TECHNIQUES

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of in utero stem cell transplantation of human umbilical cord blood stem cells in fetal sheep and to compare two different techniques of in utero transplantation, namely ultrasound-guided in utero transplantation and in utero transplantation after midline celiotomy. Study design: Umbilical cord blood units were collected from term deliveries, after obtaining written informed consent. Human cord blood–derived, CD34+ stem cells were injected into the peritoneal cavity of 60- to 65-day-old ovine fetuses by using 2 different techniques: ultrasound-guided transabdominal percutaneous needle puncture and midline celiotomy with the exposure of the pregnant uterus. Engraftment was determined after birth by flow cytometry with use of human-specific anti-CD 34/45 antibodies. Results: We obtained a total of 3 chimeric lambs. Using the midline celiotomy technique the fetal loss rate was 75% and only 33,3% when using ultrasound-guided transabdominal percutaneous needle puncture technique. Engraftment of donor cells was found in all fetuses, with a mean level of 1.4% in fetal peripheral blood and 3.3% in fetal bone marrow. Conclusion: This preliminary study indicates that in utero stem cell transplantation of human hematopoietic cord blood stem cells in fetal lambs is feasible and effective in terms of hematopoietic engraftment. We also concluded that the ultrasound-guided transabdominal percutaneous needle puncture technique is more effective than performing a midline celiotomy in terms of fetal loss rate.