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PubMed1995

Detection of platelet-bound and serum platelet-bindable antibodies for diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in dogs.

The sensitivity and specificity of 2 antibody tests for diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in dogs were investigated prospectively. An ELISA to detect antibodies bound to the surface of platelets from affected dogs (direct test) was performed in 34 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of ITP and in 21 dogs with thrombocytopenia attributable to other causes. An ELISA to detect platelet-bindable antibodies in serum from affected dogs (indirect test) was performed in 32 dogs with ITP and in 15 dogs with other causes of thrombocytopenia. The direct test was positive in 32 of 34 dogs with ITP (sensitivity, 94%) and negative in 13 of 21 dogs with other causes of thrombocytopenia (specificity, 62%). Positive direct test results were obtained in 2 dogs with systemic lupus erythematosus, and in 1 dog each with concurrent Ehrlichia canis and Babesia canis infections, dirofilariasis, myelodysplasia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (of unknown cause), and thrombocytopenia subsequent to administration of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine, as well as in 1 dog with thrombocytopenia 14 days after a whole blood transfusion. The indirect test had positive results in 11 of 32 dogs with ITP (sensitivity, 34%) and negative results in 12 of 15 dogs with other causes of thrombocytopenia (specificity, 80%). Positive indirect test results were obtained in 1 dog each with systemic lupus erythematosus, concurrent E canis and B canis infections, and thrombocytopenia subsequent to administration of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine. Detection of platelet-bound antibodies was more sensitive than detection of serum-platelet bindable antibodies in confirming a diagnosis of ITP in dogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Evaluation of results of preoperative urodynamic measurements in nine dogs with ectopic ureters.

Cytometrographic studies and urethral pressure profiles were performed to objectively assess the functional status of the urinary bladder and urethra in 9 dogs with congenital ectopic ureters. Functional abnormalities of the urinary bladder or urethra were detected in 8 of 9 (89%) dogs. Cystometrographic evidence of reduced bladder capacity was detected in 4 (44%) dogs, and abnormalities in urethral pressure profiles were consistent with urethral incompetence in 6 (67%) dogs. Dogs with urethral pressure profile abnormalities were treated with phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, and the urethral pressure profile was reevaluated. Urethral pressure measurements obtained before surgery (3 dogs) and after phenylpropanolamine (6 dogs) were used to predict the likelihood of continence after surgery. Predicted outcomes included continence maintained without medication (3 dogs), continence maintained with phenylpropanolamine (2 dogs), and persistent incontinence despite phenylpropanolamine administration (4 dogs). After surgical repair of ectopic ureters, 2 of 9 (22%) dogs were continent without medication, and 2 (22%) maintained continence with phenylpropanolamine treatment. Various degrees of incontinence persisted in 5 of 9 (56%) dogs, 4 of which had urethral incompetence that had been documented as poorly responsive to phenylpropanolamine administration prior to surgery. Predicted outcomes were consistent with actual outcomes in 8 of 9 (89%) dogs, with predictions of incontinence proving accurate in 4 of 4 (100%) dogs and predictions of continence proving accurate in 4 of 5 (80%) dogs. Urodynamic assessment of dogs with ectopic ureters appears to be valuable for identifying concurrent functional abnormalities of the urinary bladder and urethra and for predicting postoperative outcome.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Resting energy expenditure in dogs with nonhematopoietic malignancies before and after excision of tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether apparently resting dogs with nonhematopoietic malignancies have increased resting energy expenditure (REE), compared with clinically normal dogs. ANIMALS: 46 client-owned dogs with nonhematopoietic malignancies and 30 client-owned dogs that were clinically normal. PROCEDURE: Apparently resting, client-owned dogs with nonhematopoietic malignancies before (n = 46) and 4 to 6 weeks after (n = 30) surgical removal of tumors were compared with apparently resting, clinically normal, client owned dogs (n = 30). An open flow indirect calorimetry system was used to determine the following: rate of oxygen consumption (ml/min/kg of body weight); rate of carbon dioxide production (mls/min/kg), REE (kcal/kg/d) and respiratory quotient. Because of the wide range of body weight, REE and oxygen consumption were also expressed per kg of body weight 0.75. RESULTS: Surgical removal of the tumor did not significantly alter any of the variables measured when all dogs with tumors were assessed as a single group, or when the dogs were divided on the basis of having the following types of tumors: carcinomas and sarcomas, osteosarcomas, and mammary adenocarcinomas. None of the data obtained prior to surgical treatment from any of the dogs grouped by tumor type were significantly different from clinically normal dogs. CONCLUSIONS: REE (54.4 +/- 16 kcal/kg/d or 125 +/- 19 kcal/kg0.75/d) and, presumably, caloric requirements of dogs with nonhematopoietic malignancies are not significantly different from those obtained from clinically normal dogs (53.9 +/- 16 kcal/kg/d or 116 +/- 32 kcal/kg0.75/d). Furthermore, these variables do not change significantly when the tumor is excised and the dog is reassessed after 4 to 6 weeks. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Knowledge that REE in dogs with solid tumors is not significantly different from REE of clinically normal dogs may be of value when planning nutritional treatment for dogs with nonhematopoietic malignancies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of a canine rabies vaccination campaign and characterization of owned-dog populations in the Philippines.

A mass canine rabies vaccination campaign in Sorsogon Province, the Republic of the Philippines, was conducted in April and May 1993. From 1 to 14 days following visits by vaccination teams to 30 selected villages (barangays), survey teams revisited the barangays to assess vaccine coverage. Modified cluster survey methods were used to gather information about vaccine coverage in the owned-dog population (210 households) and about characteristics of owned-dogs and factors influencing owner willingness to participate in the campaign. Vaccinated dogs were identified by asking owners about receipt of certificates given by the vaccinating teams and examining each animal for a special collar or paint mark placed on the animal at the time of vaccination. Survey results indicated that 73% (178/243) of eligible dogs were vaccinated and 82% of vaccinated dogs were marked with a collar or paint. Dogs were owned by 69% of households and ranged in age from 3 days to 13 years (median = 1 year), and the ratio of male to females dogs was 1:1. The dog-to-human ratio was 1:3.8, with an average of 1.4 dogs per household or 2.1 dogs per dog-owning household. Most dogs were kept as guards (83%) and most were free-ranging (85%). The most common reasons dogs were not vaccinated included they could not be restrained (11/64), the owner was not home (10/64), and fear of injury resulting from vaccination (10/64). The owners of 20% of vaccinated dogs reported some adverse reaction in their pet. Improved vaccine coverage was significantly associated with restrained dogs kept primarily for guard functions by owners who received information about the vaccination campaign from multiple sources. Vaccine coverage was sufficiently high to potentially control rabies transmission among dogs through herd immunity and indicated a successful vaccine campaign.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Use of partial prostatectomy for treatment of prostatic abscesses and cysts in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dogs had prostatic disease, urinary incontinence, or urinary tract infection 1 year after partial prostatectomy to treat prostatic abscesses and cysts. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 20 male dogs with prostatic abscesses or cysts. Fifteen dogs had evidence of urinary tract infection. Only 8 dogs urinated normally; the remainder dribbled, had obstructions, or required medical treatment. PROCEDURE: Partial prostatectomy was performed on each dog. Sexually intact dogs (n = 12) also were castrated. RESULTS: None of the dogs had return of prostatic cystic enlargement or clinical signs of prostatic disease during the first year after surgery. Two dogs were euthanatized within 1 year after surgery, with 1 dog having prostatic enlargement and adenocarcinoma and 1 dog having unrelated lymphosarcoma. Fifteen dogs were continent. The remaining 5 dogs urinated normally but had intermittent and minor incontinence. Eleven dogs had no signs of infection 1 year after surgery, 5 had pyuria or positive urine bacteriologic culture results, 2 did not have urinalysis performed, and 2 were euthanatized. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dogs with severe prostatic abscesses or cysts and infections can be successfully treated by partial prostatectomy with an ultrasonic surgical aspirator and castration, resulting in long-term disease resolution. Although most dogs with severe prostatic disease do not urinate normally before surgery, nearly all dogs resume normal micturition after partial prostatectomy. Postoperative results of partial prostatectomy appear to be better than those of previous drainage techniques for treatment of prostatic cavitary disease.

Abscess↗

PubMed1997

Risk factors for acquired megaesophagus in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with acquired megaesophagus in dogs. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 136 dogs with acquired megaesophagus (case dogs); 272 dogs from the general hospital population and 151 dogs that underwent thyroid-stimulating hormone response tests (control dogs). All dogs were more than 6 months old. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs in which megaesophagus was diagnosed during a 10-year period were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included regurgitation or vomiting, onset of clinical signs at more than 6 months of age, and radiographic evidence of generalized esophageal dilatation. Dogs with intra- or extraesophageal obstructive disease, brain stem disease, or neck trauma were excluded from analyses. Statistical analyses included odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and two-tailed t-tests. Control dogs were frequency matched to case dogs on the basis of year of diagnosis. RESULTS: Dogs with megaesophagus ranged from 0.75 to 18 years old (mean, 8.1 years) and were significantly older and heavier than control dogs. More males than females were affected, but sex and reproductive status were not associated with megaesophagus. German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and Irish Setters were at increased risk for developing megaesophagus. Peripheral neuropathies, laryngeal paralysis, acquired myasthenia gravis, esophagitis, and chronic or recurrent gastric dilatation with or without volvulus were associated with an increased risk of developing megaesophagus. Hypothyroidism was not associated with megaesophagus. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dogs with acquired megaesophagus should be evaluated for peripheral neuropathies, laryngeal paralysis, acquired myasthenia gravis, esophagitis, and chronic or recurrent gastric dilatation with or without volvulus. These dogs may be evaluated for hypothyroidism; however, this study did not reveal a clear association between hypothyroidism and acquired megaesophagus.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Familial renal disease in Norwegian Elkhound dogs: physiologic and biochemical examinations.

Renal disease was detected in 21 of 56 progeny from a specific line of inbred Norwegian Elkhound (NE) dogs. Results of hematologic and clinical chemistry examinations revealed that minor differences existed between affected and nonaffected NE dogs. Of 21 NE dogs with renal disease, 3 had persistent glucosuria without hyperglycemia. The 21 affected dogs had impaired ability to concentrate urine. According to renal function tests, glomerular filtration rate of normal NE dogs was less than that of normal mixed breed dogs. Although a few affected NE dogs excreted large amounts of amino acids in urine, statistically significant differences did not exist between normal and affected NE dogs with regard to alpha-amino acid nitrogen content of their plasma or urine. By paper chromatographic separation techniques, free amino acids of plasma, urine, and extracts of liver and kidney were not qualitatively different for mixed breed dogs, normal NE, and NE with renal disease. Statistically significant differences were not detected between serum calcium concentrations of normal and affected NE dogs. In NE dogs with renal disease, there was significant hypercalciuria, but a few normal dogs excreted more than did some dogs with disease. Blood pressure values of normal mixed breed dogs and affected NE dogs were similar. It was concluded that hematologic and blood chemical abnormalities, derangement of amino acid or calcium metabolism, and hypertension were not associated with renal disease in these NE dogs.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Presence of a pet dog and human cardiovascular responses to mild mental stress.

The mechanisms underlying the possible cardiovascular benefits of pet ownership have not been established. Using a randomized design, the effect of a friendly dog on cardiovascular and autonomic responses to acute, mild mental stress was investigated. Seventy-two subjects (aged 40 +/- 14 y; mean +/- SD) participated. Rest was alternated with mental stress during four 10-minute periods. An unknown dog was randomly selected to be present during the first or the second half of the study. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously and cardiac autonomic function assessed using spectral analysis of heart period. Heart period variability data were expressed as the ratio of 0.1 Hz to respiratory or high frequency variation (LF/HF). Whereas mental stress significantly increased BP and HR in the absence of the dog (from 125/71 +/- 3/2 to 133/75 +/- 3/2 mm Hg; p <0.001), the presence of the dog had no effect on these variables. Heart period LF/HF ratio was lowest in dog owners in the presence of the dog (dog present 2.8 +/- 0.3 versus dog absent 3.4 +/- 0.4; p <0.001) and in non-dog owners in the absence of the dog (dog present 3.4 +/- 0.4 versus dog absent 2.8 +/- 0.3; p <0.001). In conclusion, a friendly but unfamiliar dog does not influence BP or HR either at rest or during mild mental stress. Cardiac autonomic profile was most favorable in the presence of the dog for dog owners and in the absence of the dog for non-owners.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microemulsified cyclosporine-based immunosuppression for the prevention of acute renal allograft rejection in unrelated dogs: preliminary experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the microemulsified formulation of cyclosporine (MCsA; Neoral; Novartis A.G.), combined with azathioprine (Imuran; Glaxo Wellcome), and prednisolone (Delta-Cortef; Upjohn), would be effective in preventing acute renal allograft rejection in unrelated mongrel dogs. To document any toxic effects associated with this drug combination. STUDY DESIGN: rospective, pilot study. ANIMALS: Four healthy, adult, mongrel, canine renal allograft recipients. METHODS: Heterotopic renal transplantation, with bilateral nephrectomy, was performed in 4 dogs. Allografts were harvested from 2 unrelated dogs that were to be euthanatized for reasons unrelated to this study. The dogs were treated for 100 days or until signs of illness or allograft rejection required euthanasia. Microemulsified cyclosporine (20 mg/kg/day), azathioprine (5 mg/kg every other day), and prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) were administered for the prevention of acute rejection. Body weight, serum biochemistry profiles, complete blood counts, and trough whole-blood cyclosporine concentrations were measured throughout the study. Cyclosporine dose was adjusted to maintain a trough concentration of 400-500 ng/mL. Azathioprine dose was decreased if evidence of hepatotoxicity developed or if the total blood white cell count was <4,000 cells/micro L. The prednisolone was tapered by 0.25 mg/kg increments every 3 weeks and discontinued 14 days before the end of the study in the surviving dogs. Complications were recorded. A complete necropsy and histopathologic examination were performed in each recipient. RESULTS: Two of the 4 dogs survived the 100-day period. One dog was euthanatized at 8 days because of an intestinal intussusception. One dog was euthanatized at 64 days because of a severe upper respiratory infection. At the time of death, these 2 dogs had plasma creatinine concentrations of 1.5 and 2.6 mg/dL, respectively, with no histopathologic evidence of allograft rejection. All dogs had transient weight loss (range, 4.6%-17.7% of preoperative body weight) between days 7 and 14. Two dogs had evidence of hepatotoxicity. The 2 dogs surviving to 100 days had normal serum creatinine concentrations and no clinical signs of rejection. One of these dogs had evidence of a grade IIa acute/active rejection based on the modified BANFF 97 histopathologic classification. The second dog had no evidence of rejection or inflammation within the allograft. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary experimental study shows that immunosuppression using MCsA, combined with azathioprine and prednisolone, may be effective in preventing acute renal allograft rejection in unrelated mongrel dogs for 100 days. Complications included ileocolic intussusception, upper respiratory infection, weight loss, and transient hepatotoxicity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Immunosuppression using MCsA, azathioprine, and prednisolone may be effective in preventing acute renal allograft rejection in unrelated, mongrel dogs. This triple drug protocol is cost-effective and was easy to administer. Further investigation is warranted to minimize toxic effects and to determine the efficacy of prophylactic renal biopsies to detect and treat subclinical acute/active rejection.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1957

The pathogenesis of hemophilia; an experimental analysis of the anticephalin hypothesis in hemophilic dogs.

It has been possible to duplicate in the hemophilic dog four of the major experiments which have suggested in humans an "anticephalin" hypothesis for the pathogenesis of hemophilia. The experiments in the dog have been considerably extended, as compared with the human experiments, by a variety of techniques. I. Asbestos was placed in contact with hemophilic dog plasma, and the clotting time became shorter. When transfused, this plasma had no effect on the defective prothrombin utilization of hemophilic dogs, in contrast to untreated normal plasma. II. The ionic strength of native dog plasma and dog plasma citrated (38 per cent sodium citrate) then recalcified (0.2 M CaCl(2)) were calculated. The ionic strength of the native plasma was approximately 0.15 while that of the citrated plasma was approximately 0.21. Conductivity and freezing point determinations on the plasmas described above were consistent with the idea that the ionic strength of the citrated plasma was significantly higher. The biphasic dilution curve, to which much significance has been attached in arriving at the "anticephalin" hypothesis, can be produced readily in the dog. Diluting dog plasma with "iso-ionic" or "hyper-ionic" NaCl solution abolished the biphasic phenomenon. Dilution with distilled water exaggerated the biphasic curve. These experiments suggest that the biphasic curve is an artifact of uncontrolled ionic strength. III. The prothrombin utilization rates of undiluted whole hemophilic dog blood and hemophilic dog blood diluted 1:2 with 0.85 per cent NaCl were found to be the same. IV. Ether extraction of both normal and hemophilic dog plasma removed fibrinogen and reduced somewhat the concentration of prothrombin. In treated normal plasma AHF was reduced to the level of untreated hemophilic plasma, thus producing a quasi-hemophilic plasma. Defibrination and ether extraction of both normal and hemophilic dog plasma "generated" clotting activity which shortened the clotting time of hemophilic plasma and was active in the thromboplastin generation test. The activity "generated" by defibrination and ether extraction of dog plasma was adsorbed by a BaSO(4) suspension and shown, therefore, not to be the anti-hemophilic factor (AHF). Transfusion of ether-extracted normal or hemophilic dog plasma into hemophilic dogs had no effect on the prothrombin utilization rate, unlike untreated normal plasma which had a marked effect. Thus, four of the main lines of evidence supporting the "anticephalin" hypothesis were duplicated in the dog. However, by extending the experiments it was found that all were explainable on bases other than the presence of "anticephalin." Such an hypothesis is not necessary, therefore, to explain the pathogenesis of canine hemophilia. The apparent identity of hemophilia in the two species suggests that the hypothesis is also not applicable to humans.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Difference in form of sialic acid in red blood cell glycolipids of different breeds of dogs.

Hematoside from dog erythrocyte membrane was previously considered to contain a mixture of N-acetyl- and N-glycolyl- neuraminic acids. However, the hematoside preparation used in the previous study was obtained from pooled blood of several dogs, and individual variation in hematoside was not examined. In this work, hematosides of erythrocytes from 31 mongrel dogs and 108 dogs of 23 breeds were examined individually by thin-layer chromatography, and the component sialic acids were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography. Individual dogs had either NAN-hematoside or NGN-hematoside: dogs with N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid also had a trace of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid, but dogs with N-acetyl-neuraminic acid had no detectable N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid. A few mongrel dogs, some Kai dogs, Kishu dogs, Japanese spaniels and most Shiba dogs had NGN-hematoside, whereas all European dogs had NAN-hematoside and no NGN-hematoside. From pedigrees of some families, inheritance of NGN-hematoside was found to be autosomal dominant. NGN-hematoside is possibly one of dog blood group substances. The sialic acid of delipidized ghost protein of dogs with NGN-hematoside was N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid, and that of dogs with NAN-hematoside was N-acetyl-neuraminic acid. The sialic acid of plasma protein was mainly N-acetyl-neuraminic acid in all dogs.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Association of drug-serum protein adducts and anti-drug antibodies in dogs with sulphonamide hypersensitivity: a naturally occurring model of idiosyncratic drug toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Sulphonamide antimicrobials, such as sulphamethoxazole (SMX), provide effective infection prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients, but can lead to drug hypersensitivity (HS) reactions. These reactions also occur in dogs, with a similar time course and clinical presentation as seen in humans. OBJECTIVES: Drug-serum adducts and anti-drug antibodies have been identified in sulphonamide HS humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether similar markers were present in dogs with sulphonamide HS. METHODS: Thirty-four privately owned sulphonamide HS dogs, 10 sulphonamide-'tolerant' dogs, 18 sulphonamide-naïve dogs, and four dogs experimentally dosed with SMX and the oxidative metabolite SMX-nitroso, were tested for drug-serum adducts by immunoblotting, and anti-drug antibodies by ELISA. RESULTS: Sulphonamide-serum adducts were found in 10/20 HS dogs tested (50%), but in no tolerant dogs. Anti-sulphonamide IgG antibodies were detected in 17/34 HS dogs (50%), but in only one tolerant dog; antibody absorbance values were significantly higher in HS dogs. There was a significant association between the presence of sulphonamide-serum adducts and anti-sulphonamide antibodies (P = 0.009). Anti-drug antibodies were also found in dogs experimentally dosed with SMX-nitroso followed by SMX, but not in a dog dosed with drug vehicle, followed by SMX. CONCLUSION: Similar humoral markers are present in dogs and humans with sulphonamide HS, supporting the use of dogs as a naturally occurring model for this syndrome in humans. These data suggest the potential use of drug-serum adducts and anti-drug antibodies as markers for sulphonamide HS. Preliminary data indicate that anti-sulphonamide antibodies may be triggered by the SMX-nitroso metabolite, not by the parent drug, in dogs.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cisplatin therapy in 41 dogs with malignant tumors.

Forty-one dogs with a variety of histopathologically diagnosed, measurable tumors were treated with cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, Platinol, Bristol Laboratories, Syracuse, NY 13221-4755) as a single agent at a dosage of 60 mg/m2 given intravenously at 3-week intervals. In an attempt to avoid renal toxicity of cisplatin, saline diuresis was induced and maintained for 4 hours before and 2 hours following cisplatin administration. The dogs received one to ten doses of cisplatin. To determine response to therapy and to monitor toxicity of the drug, the dogs were evaluated with physical examinations including tumor measurements, radiography, complete blood counts, platelet counts, urinalyses, serum urea nitrogen concentrations, and serum creatinine concentrations. An overall response rate of 19% was observed. Complete remission occurred in one of 11 dogs with squamous cell carcinomas and one of one dog with a mediastinal undifferentiated carcinoma. Partial remissions were documented in one of 11 dogs with squamous cell carcinomas, two of three dogs with metastatic osteosarcomas, one of three dogs with nasal adenocarcinomas, and one of one dog with a thyroid adenocarcinoma. Toxic side effects were primarily gastrointestinal in nature, with vomiting occurring 1-6 hours after cisplatin administration in 27 of 41 dogs. Severe anorexia occurred in three dogs, and hemorrhagic diarrhea was observed in one dog. One dog developed grand mal seizures and died 3 hours following therapy. Granulocytopenia was documented in six dogs, and thrombocytopenia was observed in four dogs. One dog showed an increase in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, but this patient had known pre-existing renal disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

Use of pedometers to measure physical activity in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pedometers can be used to measure physical activity in dogs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 26 dogs. PROCEDURE: To determine pedometer accuracy, number of steps recorded with the pedometer as dogs walked, trotted, and ran for a distance of approximately 30 m (100 ft) at each gait was compared with actual number of steps. Dogs and owners then wore pedometers for 7 to 14 days, and dog pedometer output was compared with body condition score, owner-reported activity of the dog, and owner pedometer output. RESULTS: Most owners classified their dogs as active or quite active and indicated that their dogs exercised 3 to 7 days/wk. For all dogs, body condition score was 5, 6, or 7 on a scale from 1 to 9. At a walk, pedometers overestimated actual number of steps by approximately 17% in large and medium dogs and underestimated actual number of steps by approximately 7% in small dogs. No significant differences between pedometer-recorded and actual number of steps were detected when dogs trotted or ran. Number of steps per day for the dogs was significantly correlated with owner-reported activity of the dog (r = 0.305) and number of steps per day for the owners (r = 0.469) and was inversely correlated with body condition score (r = -0.554). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that pedometers can measure physical activity in dogs with reasonable accuracy. A lower number of steps per day was associated with a higher body condition score, and less active owners generally had less active dogs.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The role of police dogs as companions and working partners.

Written responses to a questionnaire by 255 officers who used canines in police work were assessed. Almost all officers frequently played with, talked to, petted, and brushed their dogs and believed the dogs benefitted their health and well-being. Officers whose dogs slept indoors, often in the same bedroom, generally said they loved their dogs and they described their dogs as calm rather than active, as indicated by a multiple correspondence analysis. These 96 officers more than the 154 officers whose dogs slept outdoors or in kennels also planned to remain in canine work. Although departments often assumed responsibility for purchasing the dogs, the more experienced officers usually were involved in the final selection of dogs (logistic regression: p < .0001). Compared with 94 officers not involved in selecting their dogs, 106 officers with a specific role in selecting their dogs planned to stay in canine work, as shown by a multiple correspondence analysis. They believed the dogs had saved their lives (p < .01). Over-all, officers reported spending 4.1 hr. on-duty and 2.9 hr. off-duty per week training their dogs, and also played with them for 6.5 hr. per week, assuring a regular pattern of exercise for the officers. Virtually all officers valued canine service and believed the dogs enhanced the department's effectiveness. This study showed that both close companionship with the dog and involvement in selecting the dog were associated both with satisfaction with the dog and with working as a canine officer.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The epidemiology of dog walking: an unmet need for human and canine health.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of dog walking in New South Wales, and to identify potential health gains if more dogs were walked. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 894 adults in NSW in 1998 (among the owners of approximately two million domestic dogs in NSW who were potential participants in dog-walking behaviours). INTERVENTIONS: None yet. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dog walking hours per week; other DogEpi concepts to illustrate the public health gains include the DAF (dog attributable fraction), and the BBR (benefits to bites ratio). RESULTS: The response rate to the survey was 74%. 46% of households in NSW had a dog and, overall, dog owners walked 18 minutes per week more than non-dog owners. However, more than half of dog owners did not walk their dogs, and were less likely than non-owners to meet recommended levels of physical activity sufficient for health benefits. If all dog owners walked their dogs, substantial disease prevention and healthcare cost savings of $175 million per year might accrue. CONCLUSIONS: There are potential benefits of dog walking for human health; currently, among dog owners, much of this benefit remains to be realised. There are also likely benefits for canine health. Dog walking should be promoted through national strategies recommending "Walkies for all by the year 2010".

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Keeping dogs indoor aggravates infantile atopic dermatitis].

We had a two-month-old girl with severe dermatitis since birth. Her serum RAST to HD, Df and Dp were 1.06, 0.03 and 0.01 Ua/ml respectively. A Yorkshire terrier were kept at her mother's parents' home where the patient had lived for a month since birth. Her eczema, which became markedly aggravated whenever she visited there, improved after the elimination of the dog. We investigated the relationship between keeping dogs and infantile atopic dermatitis. We studied 368 patients under the age of two years (211 boys and 157 girls). Skin symptoms were graded globally mild, moderate or severe. Total serum IgE and specific antibody titer to dog dander were measured. We asked them whether they kept dogs and specifically, where they kept dogs, outdoor, indoor, in their own house, or in their grandparents' house. 197 patients had no contact with dogs, 90 patients kept dogs outdoor and 81 patients did indoor. The positive rate of RAST (> or = 0.7 Ua/ml) to dog dander was 6.1%, 17.8% and 46.9% respectively in these three groups. There were strong statistical differences between three groups. On the other hand, among the 81 patients who kept indoor, the RAST positive rates were almost same regarding where the dogs were kept, in their own house or their grandparents' house. Interestingly this difference happens only with patients under the age of 3 months. Patients older than 4 months showed no significant differences in the positive RAST rates, whether they kept dogs indoor or outdoor. This suggests the sensitization occurs before the age of 3 months. Speaking of symptoms, patients who kept dogs indoor showed significantly more severe symptoms than patients who had no contact with dogs and patients who kept dogs outdoor. There was no significant difference between the symptoms of patients who had no contact with dogs and those of patients who kept dogs outdoor. This implies the patient's symptom will improve only by moving the dog out of the house.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1975

[Antibody formation and resistance in dogs vaccinated intravenously and subcutaneously against distemper and Rubarth's disease].

The results of the vaccination of dogs with Canivac F (distemper vaccine) and Canivac FH (distemper) hepatitis vaccine, are presented. The Canivac F vaccine was injected intravenously (i.v.) to 8 dogs, intramuscularly (i.m.) to 1 dog and subcutaneously (s.c.) to 1 dog. The Canivac FH was administered i.v. to 19 dogs, i.m. to 1 dog and s.c. to 18 dogs. All the dogs displayed no-postvaccination signs. Distemper antibodies were observed in blood sera of all dogs vaccinated with Canivac F after 9-10 and 20-21 days. In sera of dogs vaccinated with Canivac FH, distemper, antibodies were present in 14 of 18 serum samples after 9-10 days and in 26 of 27 samples after 20-21 days. The antibody titre did not depend on the vaccination route. The peak of antibody titre was observed after 37 to 51 days after vaccination. The hepatitis antibodies in dogs vaccinated with Canivac FH were found in 15 of 17 animals after 9-10 days, and in all 27 dogs examined after 20-21 days. On the basis of an intracerebral challenge with virulent distemper virus and by intraperitoneal challenge with virulent dog's hepatitis virus (Rubarth's disease), it was demonstrated that all the vaccinated dogs acquired the full immunity. In addition, it was found that vaccinated dogs kept in the environment contaminated naturally with Rubarth's disease virus were also resistant to the disease. All the non-vaccinated dogs were still susceptible to distemper or hepatitis infections. On the strength of the analysis of the obtained results and our previous studies, it can be assumed that Canivac F and FH vaccines produced in Poland are harmless and show a high immunogenic activity.

Adenoviridae↗