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Incidence and risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK
No full textCanine behaviour and the owner-dog relationship
No full textThe owner-dog relationship is a critical component of sustained dog ownership. Increased understanding of risk factors for weak owner-dog relationships can identify owner-dog dyads at higher risk of poor welfare outcomes, including dog relinquishment and euthanasia. The internationally documented boom in puppy acquisition during the COVID-19 pandemic led to welfare concerns for this cohort of dogs, including impulsive purchasing of puppies to unsuitable homes, increased supply of puppies from poor-welfare sources, and deficits in early-life experiences for puppies. Combined, these changes were feared to lead to problem behaviours, weak owner-dog relationships and increased future relinquishment in this uniquely vulnerable generation. The Pandemic Puppies project longitudinally studied dogs bought as puppies aged < 16-weeks old during the 2020 phase of the COVID-19 pandemic by collecting owner-completed data during puppyhood and as adults. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with the owner-dog relationship in early-adulthood via a cross-sectional analysis of a subset of Pandemic Puppies data (n = 794). When dogs were 21-months old owners completed the Monash Dog-Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS), from which the Perceived Emotional Closeness (Closeness) and Perceived Costs subscales were established as reliable in this sample and were used as outcome variables in multivariable analyses to explore risk factors such as health, behaviour, and acquisition-related variables. Problem behaviours, including those related to lack of control, fear, separation, and aggression were the predominant risk factors associated with increased Perceived Costs score. The presence of most problem behaviours was not associated with reduced Closeness, suggesting a potential source of emotional conflict for owners. However, owners of dogs showing aggressive behaviours had lower Closeness scores. Puppy acquisitions explicitly motivated by the pandemic were associated with increased Perceived Costs. Support interventions targeted at owners of dogs with problem behaviours are of high importance if positive owner-dog relationships are to be maintained
Impact of commercial gut health interventions on caecal metagenome and broiler performance
No full textBackgroundMaintaining gut health is a persistent and unresolved challenge in the poultry industry. Given the critical role of gut health in chicken performance and welfare, there is a pressing need to identify effective gut health intervention (GHI) strategies to ensure optimal outcomes in poultry farming. In this study, across three broiler production cycles, we compared the metagenomes and performance of broilers provided with ionophores (as the control group) against birds subjected to five different GHI combinations involving vaccination, probiotics, prebiotics, essential oils, and reduction of ionophore use.ResultsUsing a binning strategy, 84 (>= 75% completeness, <= 5% contamination) metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from 118 caecal samples were recovered and annotated for their metabolic potential. The majority of these (n = 52, 61%) had a differential response across all cohorts and are associated with the performance parameter - European poultry efficiency factor (EPEF). The control group exhibited the highest EPEF, followed closely by the cohort where probiotics are used in conjunction with vaccination. The use of probiotics B, a commercial Bacillus strain-based formulation, was determined to contribute to the superior performance of birds. GHI supplementation generally affected the abundance of microbial enzymes relating to carbohydrate and protein digestion and metabolic pathways relating to energy, nucleotide synthesis, short-chain fatty acid synthesis, and drug-transport systems. These shifts are hypothesised to differentiate performance among groups and cycles, highlighting the beneficial role of several bacteria, including Rikenella microfusus and UBA7160 species.ConclusionsAll GHIs are shown to be effective methods for gut microbial modulation, with varying influences on MAG diversity, composition, and microbial functions. These metagenomic insights greatly enhance our understanding of microbiota-related metabolic pathways, enabling us to devise strategies against enteric pathogens related to poultry products and presenting new opportunities to improve overall poultry performance and health.7L1xU6sKvy1sLntC7jPKebVideo AbstractConclusionsAll GHIs are shown to be effective methods for gut microbial modulation, with varying influences on MAG diversity, composition, and microbial functions. These metagenomic insights greatly enhance our understanding of microbiota-related metabolic pathways, enabling us to devise strategies against enteric pathogens related to poultry products and presenting new opportunities to improve overall poultry performance and health.7L1xU6sKvy1sLntC7jPKebVideo Abstrac
Response to Letter Regarding "An Artificial Neural Network-Based Model to Predict Chronic Kidney Disease in Aged Cats"
No full textInternational Consortium to Classify Ageing-related Pathologies (ICCARP) senescence definitions: achieving international consensus
No full text
Generalized Tremors in Dogs: 198 Cases (2003-2023)
No full textBackground: Diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs have not been extensively investigated in a large population of dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives: Describe semiology, tremor phenotype, and diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs, and identify clinical features that could be associated with the underlying disease. Animals: A total of 198 dogs. Methods: Retrospective, single-center study of dogs with generalized tremors and a final or presumptive diagnosis between January 2003 and December 2023. Results: The most common diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs were intoxication (91/198; 46%), idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome (IGTS; 49/198; 24.7%), hypocalcemia (13/198; 6.6%), meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO; 9/198; 4.5%), hypoglycemia (6/198; 3%), hypercalcemia (5/198; 2.5%) and degenerative encephalopathies (5/198; 2.5%). Dogs with IGTS were females (p = 0.002), younger (p = 0.002) with an acute progressive lateralizing presentation (p < 0.001 for all three), compared to dogs with intoxication that were males (p = 0.002), young and middle-aged (p = 0.002) with a hyperacute nonprogressive symmetric presentation (p < 0.001 for all three). Behavioral changes (p = 0.01), hypersalivation (p = 0.04), abnormal mentation (p = 0.01), bilateral mydriasis (p = 0.02) or generalized hyperesthesia (p = 0.002) were common in intoxication, whereas hyporexia and vestibulocerebellar signs (p < 0.001 both) were common in IGTS. Dogs manifested only tremors in intoxication (45%) compared with IGTS (22%; p = 0.01). Improvement within 48 h from the onset of signs without corticosteroid treatment occurred exclusively in dogs with intoxication (p < 0.001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Intoxication and IGTS were the most common diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs. Historical and clinical features may aid the clinician in adjusting their differential diagnoses and formulating a diagnostic and treatment plan
Effects of pasture consumption and obesity on insulin dysregulation and adiponectin concentrations in UK native-breed ponies
No full textBackground Insulin dysregulation (ID) and hypoadiponectinaemia (total [adiponectin] <7.9 mu g/mL) are risk factors for laminitis. They are sometimes, but not always, associated with obesity. Objectives To investigate the effects of pasture consumption and obesity on ID and circulating total [adiponectin] in ponies. Study Design Longitudinal. Methods Seven native-breed ponies with normal basal and post-oral sugar test (OST) [insulin] and body condition score (BCS) 4.3-5.5/9 were allowed to graze until they reached BCS 7/9. Ponies were then maintained at BCS 7/9 until completion of the study (week 22). Morphometric measures, OST, insulin tolerance test (ITT), plasma [adiponectin], whole-blood expression of receptors for adiponectin, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1, and pasture conditions (height and vigour) were determined fortnightly. Results Median (range) BCS increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 5.0 (4.3-5.5; week 0) to 7.2 (5.7-7.5; week 22). Basal [insulin] did not change significantly over the study, but median post-OST [insulin] was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at week 14 (95.2 [17.9-114.0] mu IU/mL), week 16 (103.0 [16.4-166.0] mu IU/mL), and week 20 (93.6 [10.0-153.0] mu IU/mL) than week 0 (25.0 [10.0-64.0] mu IU/mL). Compared with week 0, ITT results were significantly lower at weeks 2-6 and 12-20, and [adiponectin] was significantly lower at weeks 10-22 (p < 0.05). [Adiponectin] decreased in all ponies during the study. Both low (3/10) and high (8-9/10) pasture scores were significantly associated with low ITT results. Low pasture scores were associated with low [adiponectin]. BCS was significantly associated with basal [insulin], post-OST [insulin], ITT results, but not [adiponectin]. Main Limitations No control group with maintenance of ideal BCS; small sample size comprising native UK ponies. Conclusions Six ponies developed hypoadiponectinaemia, and all showed transient or consistent ID during the study. Both short, stressed grass and long, lush grass were associated with decreased tissue insulin sensitivity
Clinical Management of Euglycemic Ketoacidosis in a Cat With Congenital Diabetes Mellitus Treated With Insulin and Dapagliflozin
No full textObjectiveTo describe the medical management of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) after two administrations of dapagliflozin in a cat with congenital diabetes mellitus undergoing insulin therapy.Case SummaryA 2-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat with a prior presumptive diagnosis of congenital diabetes mellitus was followed for 20 months. After several adjustments to insulin therapy, the cat was relatively stable on high doses of insulin glargine (8.3 IU/kg, SC, q 12 h) with persistent hyperglycemia. Due to concerns regarding the impact of chronic hyperglycemia in a young cat, treatment was started with dapagliflozin (10 mg/cat, PO, q 24 h). A reduced dose of insulin glargine (1.3 IU/kg, SC, q 12 h) was administered concurrently to minimize the risk of ketoacidosis. Forty-eight hours after the second dapagliflozin administration, the cat was admitted for lethargy, hyporexia, and vomiting. Bloodwork was consistent with ketoacidosis and hypokalemia. During initial treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis, the cat developed hypophosphatemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and increased liver enzyme activities, with normal interstitial glucose values despite cessation of dapagliflozin. Management consisted of 7.5% glucose supplementation, a constant rate infusion of short-acting insulin, and correction of electrolyte and acid-base derangements. Improvement was seen within 12 h of starting this protocol. The cat was discharged after 9 days of hospitalization. Sixteen days after the discontinuation of dapagliflozin, the cat's interstitial glucose concentration, liver enzyme activities, and serum bilirubin concentration returned to pretreatment values.New or Unique Information ProvidedWith the introduction of sodium-glucose linked cotransporter 2 inhibitors, clinicians should be aware of EDKA and its management. This case report describes how the treatment of EDKA in cats, similar to treatment in people, may require proactive, aggressive glucose supplementation, treatment with short-acting soluble insulin, and vigilant electrolyte and acid-base monitoring. It also showcases the possibility of dapagliflozin having effect days beyond drug cessation
