VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY (VETERINARY JOURNAL TABRIZ)
Year:2018 | Volume:12 | Issue:2 (46) |Papers Count:8

Intestinal protozoa in dogs have a fairly large variety, and infection is often subclinical and sometimes clinical. Different species such as Entamoeba spp., Isospora oocysts and Cryptosporidium spp can be seen in the dog’ s intestine. Due to the importance of pathogenic protozoan parasites in the intestines of dogs and their zoonotic importance, this study was conducted on stray dogs in Tabriz city. This study was carried out from August 2015 to 2016, for a period of 12 months. During this study, one hundred fecal samples of dogs were obtained from different regions of Tabriz city and then microscopic parasitological examination was performed. Samples were condensed with formal ether, and also, to observe different protozoan parasites and Cryptosporidium spp. trichrome and modified Ziehl– Neelsen staining was used respectively. From one hundred examined stool samples, 54% were infected with various types of protozoa including Entamoeba hystolica, Entamoeba coli, Isospora, Sarcocystis and Cryptosporidium spp. In all age groups, Entamoeba hystolica and Cryptosporidium spp. had the highest and lowest infection prevalence respectively. Given the high prevalence rate of protozoan infection, providing necessary awareness and training to dog owners by veterinarians can greatly prevent the spread of disease in humans and animals.

Parasitic diseases are considered as a major obstacle in the growth and development of animal health all over the world. Horses, in comparison to other domestic animals are reported to be more susceptible to a large number of parasites and may harbor different species at any time. The present study was carried out to establish the Gastrointestinal Parasites (GIP) profile of club and rural horses in Ardabil city. A total of 50 horses made up of 34 males and 16 females were examined in spring and summer, 2015. Fecal samples were processed by flotation techniques. GIP encountered were Strongyles (34%), Parascaris equorum (20%), Strongyloides westrii (12%), Anoplocephalidae (6%), Trichostrongylus spp. (4%), Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum (4%) and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (2%). According to the results, no significant differences in infection rate were found between male and female horses. But infection rates were significantly higher in horses without a history of anti-parasitic treatment in comparison with those with a history of anti-parasitic treatment (p<0. 05). There was no significant difference between infected and uninfected horses regarding age despite more infection being observed in horses aged 6– 10 yrs. Also, significant difference in infection rate between club and rural horses was not observed. Meanwhile in 4% of samples (2 rural horses), infection with Ornithobilharzia was found which is the first report of this parasite in horses in the region.

The positive effect of probiotics on performance and health status of suckling calves has long been demonstrated. Probiotics are a group of living microorganisms used in livestock feeding, These additives not only have no harmful effects to living organisms, but secrete various enzymes which break down organic carbon chains and produce substances such as sugars, alcohols, vitamins and other nutrients. In order to carry out the present study, 24 male and female calves with an average weight of 50± 3 kg and age of 40± 3 days were selected for an experimental period of 45 days. The treatments included consisted of, 1-control group, 2-the group receiving Lactobacillus casei and 3-the group receiving Lactobacillus acidophilus. The probiotics were given to calves along withphysiological saline solution. The use oflactobacilli had no significant effect on feed intake although their supplementation increased the weight of the calves during the entire period (p<0. 05). Also, the results demonstrated that treatments containing probiotics improved feed efficiency in the period of weaning as well as in the entire period of the experiment (p<0. 05). Moreover, supplementation of probiotics in the diet of calves significantly increased blood glucose content and reduced blood urea nitrogen (p<0. 05). Inversely, no significant effect on the amount of total protein, albumin, triglycerides and blood cholesterol was shown. Furthermore, the results showed that probiotic supplements improved health indicators numerically but not statistically. According to the results, it can be concluded that supplementation of probiotics in the diet of calves improves performance and has a beneficial effect on some blood parameters.

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a biennial plant, belonging to family Apiaceae. Various parts of celery are used in hepatic and spleen disorders, brain disorders, body pain, and sleep disturbances. The present study was planned to investigate the effect of celery ethanolic extract on ethylene glycol induced kidney injury in male Wistar rats. Urolithiasis was induced in hyperoxaluric rat model by giving 0. 75% ethylene glycol for 28 days. Animals were divided into 8 groups (n=6) including normal control, urolithiatic control (0. 75% ethylene glycol in their drinking water), normal rats receiving celery extract at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg and urolithiatic rats receiving celery extract at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg intragastrically. At the end of the experiment (28 days), blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and serum calcium and oxalate was analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey post hoc test (p<0. 05). Significant elevation of serum oxalate and reduction of serum calcium was observed in urolithiatic control rats compared with the normal control rats. Administration of celery extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg produced significant elevation in serum calcium and reduction in serum oxalate in urolithiatic rats. Thus, celery extract could ameliorate urolithiasis induced by ethylene glycol.

Evaluation of parameters like serum biochemical changes following intense physical activity can provide data which may help in predicting the athletic capacity of horses in racing conditions. In the present study, serum concentration of some biochemical factors was determined before and after intense physical activity in nine, 4-10 years old Arabian horses. The blood samples were collected at 1 h before (T0), just after (T1(, 3 hours (T2) and 24 hours (T3) after running with maximum speed in a 1250-meter course. Measurement of serum values of total protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine and glucose and also serum activity of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase enzymes were done by routine laboratory methods. Data were analyzed statistically with one-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test. The results showed that all of the measured parameters, except BUN were significantly increased after running. It seems that hemoconcentration caused by severe sweating and stress induced by racing conditions, are the reasons for these changes.

Paratuberculosis (Johne’ s disease) is achronic bacterial infection of ruminants causing body wasting due to severe and protracted diarrhea. The aim of the present study was to investigate the rate of infection to Johne’ s disease in cattle of Moghan agro-business and animal husbandry complex by detecting antibody titers against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) using the absorptive ELISA method. For this purpose, blood samples were collected from 738 randomly selected milking cattle of Moghan agro-business and animal husbandry complex and their sera were assessed by ELISA method. The results indicated that 58 cattle had antibody titers against MAP with S/P percentage over 60% (infection rate of 7. 86%) of which 25 cattle were positive (with S/P percentage over 70%) and 33 were suspicious (with S/P percentage between 60-70%). Because Johne’ s disease is manifested as a subclinical disease and infected cattle seem to be apparently healthy, bacteria are shed through faeces and body secretions causing infection of the rest of the herd. Thus performing periodic herd screening tests and testing recently introduced animals alongside other preventive measures is strictly advised.

Methotrexate as an anticancer drug is hepatotoxic at high doses. It has been proven that oxidative stress is involved in methotrexate induced toxicity. Because of antioxidant potential of Brassica rapa. L root, this study was undertaken to examine the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Brasscia rapa L. (BR) root on methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in the rat. For this purpose, forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group 1 was used as control; groups 2 and 4 were orally treated with BR root extract (200 mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days. Groups 3 and 4 received a single intraperitoneal dose of methotrexate (20 mg/kg) on the 10th day of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, serumic levels of AST and ALT, ALP and total bilirubin, albumin and total proteins were assessed. Malondialdehyde and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were assayed in liver homogenates. Tissue sections were prepared from the liver and finally, the biochemical findings were compared with histopathological results. In group 4, BR root extract significantly (p<0. 05) decreased the levels of serum biomarkers of hepatic injury and total bilirubin, and significantly increased the levels of serum albumin and total proteins (p<0. 05). Also BR root extract significantly (p<0. 05) decreased the lipid peroxidation and elevated the decreased values of hepatic antioxidants in this group. Histopathologic changes including degeneration, inflammation and necrosis were in agreement with biochemical findings. The results indicated that BR root extract, because of its antioxidant potential, exerts a protective effect against methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

A 4-month-old domestic short hair (DSH) kitten with malformed, non weight bearing and painful left pelvic limb without any history of trauma was referred to small animal hospital. Hemimelia is a congenital complete or partial absence of one or more than one bone in limbs. All appendicular bones can be affected and many variations have been shown. Radial, tibial and ulnar hemimielia are usually common. In the present clinical report we found terminal hemimelia in the left hind limb along with agenesis of tibia, metatarsal bones and phalanges and agenesis of metatarsal bones and phalanges in the contralateral hindlimb. In treatment of tibial hemimelia, it may be possible to prevent permanent muscle contraction, bone deformation and varus but in this case, amputation of affected limb was recommended to the owner because of severe limb deformities, limb rotation and impossibility of arthrodesis. Castration/neutering to prevent congenital spread and radiography of other body parts to detect concurrent disorders is recommended in these cases.