Pathological characterizations of the central nervous system (CNS) of dogs with acute canine distemper were the demyelination in white matter and the formation of inclusion body in astrocytes. In order to further observe the features of primary brain lesions and inclusion body induced by Canine distemper virus (CDV) and investigate the reliant clinical neurological signs on brain lesions 10 dogs with acute canine distemper were detected in detail. To detect the lesions carefully the brain tissue was divided into three portions and eleven slices, that is cerebrum (five slices), cerebral stem (four slices) and cerebellum (two slices) according to anatomical location; stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), luxol fast blue (LFB) and Immunohistochemical assay. The results revealed that the specific demyelination and mild lesions was widespread in cerebra tissue and severe demyelination was encircling or near the third ventricle in the brain stem. Base on mild or moderate diffuse demyelination the severe multifoci lesions occurred in cerebella. In the demyelinating areas vacuolation and spongy appearance were obvious, glial cells were a few and no inflammatory reactions were displayed. The demyelinating lesions were non-symmetric appearance and no special affinity for particular traces. The more eosinophilic intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in ependymal cells of lateral and the third ventricle and astrocytes that were often near the ventricles. With anti-CDV antigen assay, the ependymal cells with inclusion bodies showed an intensive positive reaction. Some of pyramidal cells, nervous nucleus cells and Purkinje cells were degeneration and cytolysis, or shrunken with pyknotic nucleus,especially in small pyramidal cells. According to this experiment it was considered that the primary brain lesions induced by CDV were a demyelinating encephalopathy, but not encephalitis. The inclusion bodies located in ependymal cells were a important evidence for determination of canine distemper in brain tissues. The brain lesions induced by CDV were non-specific injury about neuron and nervous nuclei, so that manifested the different neutrological signs.

The purpose of this study was to determine if salivary chromogranin a secretion in dogs exhibits a circadian rhythm. Saliva sampling was performed during three different sessions occurring in three nonconsecutive 24-h periods. Sixteen healthy adult beagle dogs (8 males and 8 females) were moved to a sampling room and housed individually in cages. Saliva samples were obtained every 4 h from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. the following day. In the interest of habituation, saliva was obtained hourly from each dog 3 h before the experiment was started. Salivary chromogranin A concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No circadian rhythm was detected for salivary chromogranin A secretion, and no differences in salivary chromogranin A concentrations measured every 4 h were demonstrated during the 24-h cycle in dogs.
Animals ; Chromogranin A/*analysis/*metabolism ; *Circadian Rhythm ; Dogs/*physiology ; Saliva/*chemistry

Background: In Japan, neonates have typically been bathed in a bathtub immediately after birth because bathing is a custom for cleansing impurities. However, dry technique has been introduced into many institutions since 2000. There is little scientific evidence on the benefit or harmfulness of either method to neonatal skin, and consequently, opinion remains split on which method is superior. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether bathing or the dry technique of cleaning is better in maintaining skin health in the early neonatal period. Methods: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin pH, considered an index of skin barrier function, were measured in each group. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6, which are inflammatory cytokines released by keratinocytes, were measured by skin blotting. Results: TEWL and skin pH of neonates were lower with the dry technique than with bathing. The expression level of IL-6 and TNF-α in chest skin of neonates was higher with bathing than with the dry technique. Conclusion These results suggest that the dry technique may maintain skin health better than bathing in the early neonatal period.

An epidemiological study on canine intestinal parasites was undertaken to evaluate changes in the prevalence among private household dogs from the Hachinohe region of Aomori prefecture, Japan, in 1997, 2002 and 2007, using the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique. The risk of zoonotic transmission from household dogs to humans was also discussed. All intestinal parasites detected in the present study (Giardia intestinalis, Isospora spp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Trichuris vulpis and Strongyloides stercoralis) showed no changes in prevalence over the past 10 years based on analysis considering canine epidemiological profiles. In particular, prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in dogs under 1 year old, derived from pet shops/breeding kennels and kept indoors was unchanged, remaining at a high level of >15.0% at each time point. Toxocara canis also showed no changes in the group of dogs under 1 year old, bred by private owners and kept outdoors, and the prevalence was >10.0% every year. The present results indicate that the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and other intestinal parasites in private household dogs has not always decreased, and the potential for direct parasitic zoonotic transmission from dogs to humans may be relatively high level, than from the environment (indoors and outdoors). We recommend careful surveillance of intestinal parasites and aggressive use of anthelminthic in private household dogs under considering the epidemiological factors.
Animal Husbandry ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/*therapeutic use ; Dog Diseases/drug therapy/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Dogs ; Giardia lamblia/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Japan/epidemiology ; Parasitic Diseases, Animal/drug therapy/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Prevalence ; Time Factors ; Zoonoses