Anti-oxidant effect of N-acetyl cysteine in dogs with chronic kidney disease

The present study was carried out with the objectives of assessing oxidative stress in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and evaluating response to treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Dogs diagnosed with stage III CKD as per the guidelines of the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) were included in the study. The animals were divided into two groups. Animals of one group were given standard therapy for CKD and the animals of the second group were administered NAC along with standard therapy. Oxidative stress parameters such as total antioxidant status (TAS), serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were studied. On the day of presentation, a significant increase in the mean values of serum MDA and TAS were observed in diseased animals compared to healthy animals, whereas a significant decline was noted in plasma GSH-Px activity. After treatment, a significant decline in serum MDA and TAS were recorded in animals of group II receiving NAC therapy. A significant increase in plasma glutathione GSH-Px activity was recorded in this group. N-acetyl cysteine therapy was found to be effective in the management of oxidative stress in dogs with chronic kidney disease

Evaluation of response to combination therapy with enalapril and torasemide in dogs with mitral valve disease

The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the response to a combination therapy of enalapril and torasemide in dogs with mitral valve disease (MVD). Dogs diagnosed with stage C of MVD as per the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines were included in the study. Treatment was initiated with enalapril at 0.5 mg/kg BID and torasemide at 0.2 mg/kg OD orally on 0th day. Detailed clinical examination with special reference to the cardiovascular system including measurement of blood pressure, radiographic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters of the animals were performed on 0th and 30th day of treatment. The treatment was well tolerated by all the animals. Amelioration of clinical signs with a noticeable reduction in cough was noticed in all the animals. On 30th day of treatment, a significant decrease was noticed in the vertebral heart score and left ventricular internal diameter during diastole and a non-significant decrease was noticed in left atrium to aortic root ratio, left ventricular internal diameter during systole, with a considerable reduction in severity of mitral regurgitation. Post- treatment clearing of lung fields was noticed in dogs with radiographic evidence of pulmonary oedema on 0th day. In addition to this, ventricular premature complexes noticed in three animals pre- treatment was not noticed post treatment

Haemato-biochemical and trichographic studies on mucocutaneous lesions in dogs

The present study was carried out with the objective of assessment of haematobiochemical and trichographic features of mucocutaneous lesions in dogs. Dogs presented with mucocutaneous lesions associated with various dermatological conditions were included in the study. Mange, atopic dermatitis, dermatophytosis, juvenile cellulitis, pyoderma and hypothyroidism with secondary Malassezia dermatitis were presented with mucocutaneous lesions in the perioral, periorbital and in the nostrils with least involvement of anogenital region. Haemato-biochemical analysis revealed anaemia, non-significant increase in total leucocyte count, neutrophilia, eosinophilia, elevated platelet count, hyperproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. Elevated serum C-reactive protein was evident in all cases. Trichographic features revealed that highest number of hairs were included in the telogen phase of hair cycle with greater number of primary hairs. Hair fractures were evident in 20.8 per cent of hairs and trichoptilosis of hair tip was observed in 50.8 per cent of hairs studied. Demodex mites could be detected by hair pluck examination in all cases of demodicosis

Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in cattle infected with Theileria orientalis

Oriental theileriosis is a major haemoprotozoan disease of cattle and causes huge economic losses to the farmers. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of anaemia and subsequent complications associated with theileriosis. The present study was conducted to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant status of cattle infected with Theileria orientalis. In the present study, 16 animals which were positive for theileriosis by blood smear examination were selected. Confirmation of oriental theileriosis was done with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant status were done by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced glutathione activity respectively. Both MDA levels and reduced glutathione activity did not indicate any significant difference in animals infected with T. orientalis from control animals

Comparative evaluation of darbepoetin therapy in non-regenerative anaemia associated with Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs

The present study describes a comparative evaluation of haemato-therapeutic response to darbepoetin therapy in non-regenerative anaemia associated with Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs. A total of 68 dogs, presented at Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Mannuthy with signs of anaemia, weakness, anorexia and pallor of mucous membranes were screened for nonregenerative anaemia. Twenty dogs with a reticulocyte count of < 60,000/μL, haematocrit of < 30 per cent and positive for B. gibsoni were selected for detailed study. The twenty dogs were divided into two groups of ten animals and were subjected to estimation of complete blood count and analysis of serum protein and iron status. Ten dogs brought to the hospital for vaccination or health check-up served as healthy control. Haematological examination revealed significant anaemia and thrombocytopenia in both the groups. Serum total protein, albumin and total iron binding capacity revealed no difference between diseased groups with the healthy control. Serum iron and percentage transferrin saturation were similar in Group I and II, but significantly higher than healthy control. To compare darbepoetin efficacy, Group I dogs were administered with clindamycin and doxycycline for three weeks, whereas Group II was given with darbepoetin at the dose rate of 0.5 μg/kg body weight at weekly intervals for three weeks in addition to clindamycin-doxycycline as in Group I. Dogs of both groups showed complete remission of clinical signs within 10 days of therapy. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in haematological parameters between the treatment groups. It can be concluded from this study that there is no added advantage of darbepoetin therapy over conventional therapies against non-regenerative anaemia associated with B. gibsoni infection in dogs

Evaluation of oxidative stress and efficacy of antioxidant therapy in dogs with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the alterations in oxidative stress parameters in dogs suffering from haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE). Dogs presented with vomiting and diarrhoea were screened and fifteen animals with signs suggestive of HGE were included in the study. The oxidative stress parameters, serummalondialdehyde (MDA) level, total antioxidant status (TAS) and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were studied. The values were compared with the values from six apparently healthy dogs. A significant increase was noticed in the mean values of serum MDA and TAS of diseased animals at the time of presentation when compared to healthy animals whereas the activity of plasma GSH-Px was found to be lower than in healthy dogs. Supplementation with N-acetyl cysteine @ 70 mg/kg or five days was found effective in managing the oxidative injury in the affected animals

Subclinical ketosis: Prevalence and risk factor analysis in early lactation dairy cattle of Thrissur district

Present study was conducted in Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University farms, various organized and unorganised farms and individual households in Thrissur district during the period of May 2021 to April 2022 with the objectives of estimation of prevalence of subclinical ketosis (SCK) by screening dairy cows on 14th and 28th day post-partum. Multiparous cows with a blood beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB) value ≥ 1.2 mmol/L without any overt clinical signs were considered as positive for SCK. One hundred and fourteen animals from second to seventh lactation were screened for SCK. Prevalence of SCK was 23.7 per cent on 14th day and 14.04 per cent on 28th day with a total prevalence of 27.2 per cent. Occurrence of SCK was highest in animals in second lactation (54.8 per cent) with more occurrence in crossbred Holstein Friesian cows. Maximum number of positive cases were observed in dairy cows of age between four to six years (54.8 per cent). Body condition score of diseased animals were higher than normal animals. Prevalence was highest in animals calved between months of July to September and 58.1 per cent of affected animals had male calf. Concurrent abnormalities during transition period were also assessed based on clinical examination and farm records

Evaluation of electrocardiographic and serum biochemical changes in arrhythmias associated with renal diseases of dogs

The present study was conducted to investigate electrocardiographical (ECG) and haemato-biochemical changes in arrhythmia associated with renal diseases in dogs. The dogs with renal affections confirmed through appropriate diagnostic methods were selected and screened for arrhythmia. The ECG and haemato-biochemical parameters of twenty dogs with arrhythmia were compared with that of the control group and ECG parameters were statistically correlated with the haemato-biochemical parameters for correlation studies. It was found that the occurrence of arrhythmia was 51.2 per cent in renal diseases. Arrhythmia was more predominant in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) followed by acute kidney injury (AKI). Sinus arrhythmia followed by first-degree AV block and wandering pacemaker were the common types of arrhythmias observed. A significant increase in R-R interval and a decrease in heart rate was noticed in comparison. The haemato-biochemical analysis revealed anaemia, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and magnesium level. A significant positive correlation was noticed between haemoglobin, volume of packed red cells (VPRC) and red blood cell count (RBC) with T amplitude and, creatinine and BUN levels with corrected Q-T interval. A significant negative correlation was noticed between VPRC, RBC and haemoglobin with the corrected QT interval. The present study revealed ECG and haemato-biochemical parameters had a significant role in renal diseases in dogs which might help in the early diagnosis and proper management of arrhythmia associated with renal diseases