Algor mortis pattern in dogs, a guide to estimation of time of death

Although differing methods of estimation of time of death in human forensics have been well documented, there exists paucity of information in the veterinary field. With little accuracy, veterinary pathologists rely on gross post-mortem changes which include autolysis, rigor mortis, livor mortis, and putrefaction in estimating time of death in animals. This study assessed the pattern of temperature drop in six mongrel dogs using commonly available thermometer. Rectal and hepatic temperatures were taken for eight to eleven hours after death at an average ambient temperature of 29 °C (24 °C to 34 °C). Both organs revealed strong regression models which were harnessed to provide a mathematical guide to estimating time of death in the early hours (six to seven hours). Linear model of temperature drop pattern change was considered less cumbersome for field use. The rates of drop were extremely irregular during the study period. This work substantiates the use of algor mortis as an adjunct in estimating time of death in dogs

Post-mortem interval estimation in dogs: hepatic ribonucleic acids purity and concentration profile

Introduction: Veterinary forensic pathology being a relatively new discipline requires a rapid development of basic techniques and resource information for field use. The age-old methods used in routine veterinary pathology involving gross post-mortem changes for post-mortem interval estimation need a revamp to provide non-biased forensic evidence/opinion in courts of law. Hence, there is a need for a standard scientific approach that is repeatable, easily validated, and transferrable for third party opinion. Ribonucleic acids assays and expression have become an integral part of molecular forensic medicine but is yet to be well appreciated in veterinary forensics. Objective: Ribonucleic acids are rapidly degraded by ubiquitous endonucleases immediately after organismal death; the product of such degradation may be suggestive of post-mortem interval. Assessing the basic post-mortem spectrophotometric characteristics of ribonucleic acids as it relates to post-mortem interval in dogs in natural environmental conditions in Malaysia was the objective of this research. Design: Ribonucleic acids are extracted from canine liver and subjected to spectrophotometric analysis for purity and concentration to correlate findings with post-mortem interval. Materials and methods: Four adult bitches were obtained from the city dog pound and humanely put to sleep using injectable anaesthetic. Ribonucleic acid from liver samples were extracted and eluted following Qiagen® RNA extraction kit. Purity and concentration of eluted RNA were obtained via spectrophotometer and data presented descriptively. Result: Hepatic RNA from four euthanized adult bitches was successfully extracted up to the fortieth hour post-mortem to spectrophotometry. Data for purity and concentration of the extracted RNA are presented descriptively and did not correlate with the progression of time lapse since death. Conclusion: Ribonucleic acids from the RNA can be extracted up to 40 hours post-mortem but the purity and concentration values do not provide reliable estimate of the post-mortem interval as we earlier hypothesized. Further research on expression analysis of these RNA molecules may provide more insight on the relationship between ribonucleic acid degradation and post-mortem interval in dogs

Prevalence of ectoparasitism on small ruminants in Kelantan, Malaysia

Kelantan is a chiefly agrarian state with abundant small-holder ruminant farms in the East Coast economic Region of Malaysia. Ectoparasitism affects small ruminant production in Malaysia. It often causes reduction in meat quality and milk production which affect the farmers’ income. To date, no report for the prevalence of ectoparasitism on small ruminant in Kelantan compared to other state in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factor of ruminant ectoparasitism in Kelantan. Ectoparasites were collected by manual picking and skin scrapping from 462 sheep and goats in Kelantan between April and September 2017 (during dry season). 60% of the sampled animals were infested with at least one species of the ectoparasites. In this study, lice and ticks were the most prevalent ectoparasites on small ruminant, which were 43.64% and 22.98%, respectively. The high biotic potential of lice population on host might be one of the factors they become the most prevalent species found on the animals. There was no significant relationship between ectoparasitism prevalence and species of small ruminants (χ2 = 1.12, p = 0.293). However, there was significant variations in prevalence between the regions where the animals were sampled from (χ2 = 30.25, p = 0.002) and farm management system for both species. This present study provides baseline epidemiological data on the prevalence of ectoparasitism in small ruminant. This information is useful for the formulation of prevention and control measures in order to enhance ruminant productivity in Kelantan

Feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis concurrent with bacterial cystitis in a domestic shorthair cat

Objective: The main aim of this case report is to present a case of feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis that occurred concurrently with bacterial cystitis following the bite. Material and methods: A 3-year-old intact male domestic shorthair cat weighing 3.7 kg was referred to the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Veterinary Clinic with clinical signs of hematuria and dysuria. History revealed that it was managed outdoor, fed with kibbles and wet food, but with no vaccination and deworming. Upon physical examination, the cat had a dull appearance, pale mucous membrane, normal respiratory rate, hypothermia, and bradycardia. Upon the examination of the urogenital system, there were urine burns at the anal region, necrotized penile tip, and presence of bite wound observed at the perineal region. Turgid and enlarged urinary bladder was identified upon palpation. Results: Diagnostic investigation revealed the hemotropic mycoplasmosis via microscopy, while urine culture was positive for Escherichia coli infection. The cat was successfully treated symptomatically. Conclusion: However, the prognosis of this cat was guarded given that the anemia was unresolved at the point of discharge. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(4.000): 490-495

Hepatic cytometry in postmortem interval estimation in dogs

Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is a prerequisite in forensic invesitgations of death in all species of interest to courts. Age-old methods of relying on gross postmortem changes including algor mortis, livor mortis, putrefaction and lividity are been replaced by rapid high end techniques such as gene expression changes, proteomics, electrical impulse alterations, histopathological and biochemical changes. Generally cell death – autolysis or necrosis begins as soon as nutrition and oxygen supply to cells are cut short. On this basis that techniques such as flow cytometry have the potential of becoming a handy tool in assessing the viability of cells and tissues at postmortem while correlating same with postmortem interval. This preliminary study aimed at correlating hepatic tissue necrosis with postmortem interval in dogs, sampled the hepatic tissue of three (n=3) bitches at 6 h intrevals to assess the rate of necrosis over an 18 h period. Propidium iodide stain was used to filter dead from living cells on flow cyometry. Results were analyzed by descriptive statistics in percentages and coefficents and summarily showed a strongly linear correlation (R2=0.98) between postmortem hepatic tissue autolysis and postmortem interval in dogs. Rate of hepatic tissue autolysis measured by flow cytometry is a good indicator of postmortem interval in dogs