• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

Vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) is an important indicator to predict myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) in dogs. When the caudal margin of cardiac silhouette and the dorsal margin of caudal vena cava (CdVC) could not be seen exactly, another way to evaluate VLAS is needed. The objective of this study was to assess whether a new modified VLAS (m-VLAS) could be used as an indicator to predict MMVD in 57 small breed dogs with MMVD. The m-VLAS was also used to classify American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine staging groups and left heart enlargement confirmed with echocardiograph (EchoLHE) groups. The m-VLAS was measured as the distance from the ventral aspect of the carina to the dorsal aspect of the intersection of the cardiac silhouette and the farthest LA caudal margin, not the CdVC, followed by drawing the same line beginning at the cranial edge of T4. Based on VLAS values and m-VLAS values measured for dogs with MMVD, correlations between these values and left heart enlargement groups were then evaluated. There were significant differences in both the VLAS and the m-VLAS between EchoLHE groups. The AUC of the ROC curve of the m-VLAS to detect EchoLHE was higher than that of the VLAS. The optimal cutoff value for the m-VLAS was >2.7, which had a higher specificity (86.84%) than the VLAS specificity (71.05%). This study reveals that a new m-VLAS is a more specific indicator than the VLAS for predicting left side heart enlargement in small breed dogs. Therefore, the m-VLAS can be used as a clinically useful radiographic measurement alternative to or better than the VLAS.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.65.1-65.9
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• 2023

Background: Bone subtraction computed tomography angiography (BSCTA) is a useful alternative technique for improving visualization of vessels surrounded by skull bone. However, no studies have compared computed tomography angiography (CTA) and BSCTA for improving the visibility of canine cerebral blood vessels. Objectives: To evaluate the potential benefit of BSCTA for better delineation of brain arteries of the circle of Willis (CoW) in dogs by comparing BSCTA with non-subtraction computed tomography angiography (NSCTA). Methods: Brain CTA was performed for nine healthy beagle dogs using a bolus tracking method with saline flushing. A total dose of 600 mgI/kg of contrast agent with an iodine content of 370 mgI/mL was injected at a rate of 4 ml/s. Bone removal was achieved automatically by subtracting non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) data from contrast CT data. Five main intracranial arteries of the CoW were analyzed and graded on a scale of five for qualitative evaluation. Results: Scores of basilar artery, middle cerebral artery, and rostral cerebral artery in the BSCTA group were significantly higher than those in the NSCTA group (p = 0.001, p = 0.020, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Scores of rostral cerebellar artery (RcA) and caudal cerebral artery (CCA) did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, scores of RcA and CCA in the BSCTA group were higher than those in the NSCTA group. Conclusions: BSCTA improved visualization of intracranial arteries of the CoW with close contact to bone. Thus, it should be recommended as a routine scan method in dogs suspected of having brain vessel disease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous endoscopic foraminotomy (PEF) for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation of the thoracolumbar spine in large-breed dogs by comparing it with open hemilaminectomy (OH). Six large-breed canine cadavers were used in the present study. A barium and agarose mixture (BA-gel) simulating intervertebral disc herniation was injected into the spinal canal at two intervertebral spaces (T12-T13, L2-L3) of the thoracolumbar spine in each cadaver. PEF and OH were randomly allocated to the sites in each cadaver. Computed tomography was performed pre- and postoperatively. The incision length, vertebral window size, procedure time, and amount of simulated disc material removed were recorded to compare PEF and OH. Both procedures clearly exposed the simulated disc material and spinal cord. The size of the incision and vertebral window created after PEF was much smaller than those after OH. The surgical duration of PEF was longer than that of OH. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the amount of BA-gel removed between PEF and OH. Thus, PEF could be used as an effective surgical option for intervertebral disc herniation of the thoracolumbar region in large-breed dogs in that it could lead to less tissue damage as well as sufficient removal of the simulated disc material.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.122-127
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• 2011

A 5-year old, intact male, Cocker spaniel dog was referred with paraplegia and loss of deep pain perception. Physical, neurological examinations, radiography, and computed tomography were evaluated. Based on the clinical examinations, the dog was diagnosed with severe disc herniation ($L_2$ to $L_3$ intervertebral disc space). On the next day of presentation (6 days after loss of deep pain perception), hemilaminectomy was performed. After decompression of spinal cord and removal of herniated disc materials, $1{\times}10^6$ canine allogenic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) diluted by $50{\mu}l$ saline were directly applied to the injured site of the spinal cord. Ten weeks of follow-up after surgery, full recovery of deep pain perception and motor function were evaluated in both hind limbs. Based on the result, we suggest that the transplantation of allogenic adipose tissue-derived MSCs to dogs with spinal cord injuries could be a considerable method to expect better clinical outcomes in veterinary practice.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.361-366
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine if vaccines containing CPV-2 or CPV-2b provided protection against challenge with a recent Korean CPV-2a isolate. Twenty mongrel pups aged 9 weeks old were used. The commercial CPV-2 or CPV-2b vaccines were administered to each of the 8 pups thrice every 3 weeks, respectively. Two weeks after the last vaccination, all pups were challenged with CPV-2a (VR00174 strain) $1{\times}10^6\;TCID_{50}$. Clinical signs, fecal excretion of challenged CPV, and serological response of pups were observed for 2 weeks after challenge. All vaccinated pups did not display any clinical signs of disease after challenge with Korean CPV-2a isolate, whereas all non-vaccinated pups exhibited mucoid or hemorrhagic diarrhea, vomiting and anorexia. In all non-vaccinated pups, the virus could be detected in feces from 4 days after challenge, whereas in vaccinated pups, no evidence of viral excretion could be detected. Two of 4 non-vaccinated pups died 6 days after the challenge. This study showed that the two commercial CPV-2 and CPV-2b vaccines were effective in preventing infection and/or disease caused by the Korean CPV-2a isolate.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.359-369
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• 2005

It has been suggested that morphologic characteristics of the periodontium are partly related to the shape and form of the teeth. Furthermore, the severity of symptoms of periodontal disease have been proposed to differ among these various morphologic entities or "biotypes". The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the form of the crowns in the maxillary anterior tooth segment and (1) a group of morphological characteristics and (2) the thickness of the gingiva. The thickness of gingiva was measured by ultrasonic device(SDM). 100 subjects devoid of symptoms of destructive periodontal disease were examined regarding, e.g., probing depth, gingival recession, width of keratinized gingiva, thickness of the keratinized gingiva. From maxillary study cast, the width(at the apical third-CW) and the length(CL) of the crowns of the 6 anterior teeth were determined. A CW/CL-ratio was calculated for each tooth and averaged for each tooth region. The individual mean CW/CL-ratio values for the central incisors were ranked. The 10 subjects ranked highest and the 10 ranked lowest were selected as having either a long-narrow(group N) or a short-wide(group W) form of the crown of the tooth. The data for each of the examined parameters were averaged for each tooth region in each subject and mean values for subjects in groups W and N were compared using the Student t-test. Stepwise multiple regression analysis, including data from the whole sample, was performed for each tooth region with the thickness of the free gingiva as the dependent variable. The results from the analyses demonstrated that individuals with a long-narrow form of the central incisors displayed, compared to individuals with a short-wide crown, form (l) a narrow zone of keratinized gingiva, (2) a pronounced "scalloped" contour of the gingival margin. There was no significant difference between groups N and W with respect to the thickness of the keratinized gingiva. The CW/CL-ratio data revealed that a certain form of the crowns in the central incisors was accompanied by a similar form in the lateral incisors and canine tooth region. The regression analyses demonstrated that the thickness of the keratinized gingiva in central, lateral incisors and canines was significantly related to the width of the keratinized gingiva.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2015

We evaluated outcomes of dogs surgically treated for grade 2 or 3 medial patellar luxation (MPL) with and without trochleoplasty. A retrospective study of 63 dogs with grade 2 or 3 MPL surgically treated with or without trochleoplasty was performed. Results of radiographic evaluation were expressed numerically as degenerative joint disease score and were compared between the groups with and without trochleoplasty. The study included 7 (7/68, 10.3%) cases of reluxation and 1 case of tibial tuberosity transposition implant failure. Reluxation and complications requiring additional surgery were confirmed in 3 cases (3/47, 6.4%) in trochleoplasty group and in 1 case (1/21, 4.8%) in nontrochleoplasty group. The nontrochleoplasty group showed a shorter recovery time than the trochleoplasty group (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in degenerative joint disease scores over time between the groups, with nontrochleoplasty group having lower scores (P < 0.05). This study suggests that surgical treatment without trochleoplasty results in favorable outcomes compared to treatment with trochleoplasty. It is not mandatory to exclude trochleoplasty when performing surgery for grade 2 or 3 MPL, but we propose that surgical treatment without trochleoplasty is one option when choosing a combination of surgical techniques.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.949-960
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• 1997

Background. Limited ischemic tolerance of the lung has remained one of the factors that limits the expansion of pulmonary transplantation as a treatment for end-stage pulmonary disease. Numerous studies on safe long term preservation for lung transplantation has been performed for the purpose of developing ideal preservation solution with extracellular type or intracellular type solutions. In this. study, we examined the efficacy of L DG solution in lung preservation longer than 20 hours by comparison with modified Euro-Collins solution. Iwethods. Thirty-(our adult mongrel dogs were divided into two groups. Donor lungs were flushed with LPDG solution(n=9) or modified Euro-Collins(MEC) solution(n=8) and stored for 24 hours at 1$0^{\circ}C$. All donor lungs were perfused through the pulmonary arteries with solutions containing prostaglandin El and verapamil. Left canine lung allotransplantations wereperformed. Assessment(hemodynamic indices and arterial blood gas analysis) of left implanted lung was made by occluding the right pulmonary artery for ten minutes using pulmonary artery Cuff. Assessment was repeated at the interval of 30 minutes, one hour, and two hours later after reperfusion and then chest X-ray, computed tomogram and lung perfusion scan were obtained. In survival dogs follow-up studies were done with assessment with chest X-ray, computed tomogram of the chest and lung perfusion scan on 7th day postoperatively. After preservation above 20 hours, pathological examinations for ultrastructural findings on right lung were performed in each group. Results. With respect to arterial oxygen tension, LPDG group was superior to MEC but there was no statistical significance for 2 hours after reperfusion. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was less increased(p < 0.05) and cardiac output higher(p <0.05) than MEC group until 2 hours after reperfusion. After 2 hours of reperfusion, both groups showed transplanted lung function deteriorated gradually. Perfusion scan of the transplanted lung in LPDG group showed better perfusion rate in immediate post-reperfusion, 3 days and 7 days later respectively but there was no statistical significance and corelation with PaO2 and computed tomoRravhic views. In scanning electron microscopy of pulmonary artery after preservation, LPDG group relatively shows less irregular protrusion of the inner surface of endothelial cell of poulmonary artery than MEC group. Conclusions, e concluded that LPDG solution can offer safe lung preservation above 20 hours with adequate immunosuppressive therapy and prevention of the infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.180-193
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• 2014

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an inflammatory skin disease and regarded as a prototype of T-cell mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Aroma Oil Complex (AOC) is composed of lavender true oil, chamomile roman oil and tea tree oil. This study was performed to assess the effects of AOC in a canine model of ACD. ACD was induced on the back of dogs induced by sensitization and repeated application by 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene (DNCB). Topical treatment of AOC was applied once a day for 8 days and skin biophysical parameters including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin thickness and erythema index, were measured every two days during experimental periods. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect. In skin biophysical parameters, TEWL, skin hydration, skin thickness and erythema index were significantly increased, with a maximum increase appeared on day 2 (p<0.05). After the completion of AOC treatment, skin biophysical parameters were significantly reached those of baseline in a time-dependent manner (p<0.05). In histopathology, marked increases of epidermal thicknesses were induced after DNCB challenge with numerous inflammatory cell infiltrations and edematous changes, decreases of connective tissue occupied regions in dermis. In addition, marked increases of cytokine - tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$)-immunoreactivities in the dermis and of apoptotic markers - caspase-3 and PARP-immunoreactivities in the epidermis were observed in DNCB control as compared with intact control, respectively (p<0.01). The decrease of infiltrated inflammatory cells and related decreases of pro-inflammatory cytokine immunoreactivities were observed in AOC treated skin (p<0.01). Based on these findings, AOC may have anti-inflammatory and alleviatory effects in the allergic contact dermatitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.679-685
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• 2010

Many animal models of osteoarthritis (OA) have been developed, aimed at understanding the long-term progression of OA and difficulty of identifying patients in the initial stage of the disease. In canines, coxofemoral luxation and hip dysplasia are common orthopedic ailments related to OA in the hip joint. Transecting the ligament of the head of the femur (LHF) aids in diagnosis of coxofemoral joint OA. Presently, mobility of this joint was increased by transected LHF in 10 mature, 2-3-year-old (average $2.57{\pm}0.20$ years), healthy male beagles. The animals were normally gaited 1-week post-operatively. During the experimental period, examinations including X-ray, complete blood count and serum chemistry were unremarkable. Proteomic examination revealed protein alterations in synovial fluid, with significant increases in Vitamin D-binding protein precursor (ANOVA, p < 0.004) and Kinogen-1 (ANOVA, p < 0.039). Both proteins correlated with arthritis.