Objective - To assess donor site morbidity and survival of the rectus abdominis muscle with an overlying skin graft after free tissue transfer to a medial femorotibial defect in dogs. Study Design - Experimental study Sample Population: Phase one - six canine cadavers / Phase two - seven adult mixed breed dogs Methods: Phase one - The rectus abdominis muscle was removed from cadavers, muscular and vascular dimensions were recorded and angiography was performed. Phase two - Muscular transfer was performed through anastomosis of the caudal epigastric vasculature to the saphenous vasculature. Transferred tissues were evaluated on postoperative days three, six, 10, and 13. Animals were examined daily until euthanasia between postoperative days 31 and 42. Postmortem angiograms were performed and tissues collected for histopathologic evaluation. Results: Phase one - Appropriate vascular dimensions for microvascular anastomosis were confirmed and surgical technique perfected. Phase two – Muscular excision produced minimal donor site morbidity. All muscles survived after microvascular transfer and angiography confirmed vascular patency. All skin grafts survived with one graft undergoing partial necrosis. Conclusions: The rectus abdominis muscle can be successfully transferred to a medial femorotibial defect and serve as a bed for acute skin grafting. No significant donor site morbidity is associated with its removal. Clinical Relevance: Microvascular free tissue transfer of the canine rectus abdominis muscle has not been previously described. This technique provides an alternative for repair of appropriate wounds. Additional studies are needed to define its utility in clinical patients. / Master of Science

No description available.

The chronically ill participants in this study are vulnerable experts in life’s uncertainties, and have become aware over time of multiple medical and social needs and practices. But, unlike the hypo-aware respondents documented in some studies of diabetes mellitus Type 1, these research participants are also conscious of their inability to recognise when their own fluctuating blood glucose levels are rising or falling to extremes, a loss of hyper- or hypo-awareness that puts their lives constantly at risk. Particular sources of better life management, increased self-esteem and means of social (re-)integration are trained medical alert assistance dogs who share the human home, and through keen olfactory sensitivity, are able to give advance warning when their partners’ blood sugar levels enter ‘danger’ zones. Research studies in anthrozoology and anthropology provide extensive literature on historic and contemporary human bonds with domestic and/or wild nonhuman animals. Equally, the sociology of health and illness continues to extend research into care practices performed to assist people with chronic illness. This study draws from these disciplines in order to add to multispecies ethnographic literature by exploring human-canine engagement, contribution and narrative, detailing the impact each member of the dyad has on the other, and by observing the 'doing' of the partnerships' daily routines to ward off hypo-glycaemia and hospitalisation. In addition, the project investigates the place, role and 'otherness' of a medical alert dog in a chronically ill person's understanding of 'the-body-they-do'. The perspective of symbolic interactionism assists in disentangling individual and shared meanings inherent in the interspecies collaboration by examining the mutualistic practices of care performed. The often-flexible moral boundaries that humans construct to differentiate between acceptable use and unacceptable exploitation of nonhuman animals are questioned within ethics-of-care theory, based on the concept of dogs as animate instruments and biomedical resources.

Úlceras indolentes são úlceras corneais superficiais, espontâneas, que apresentam curso prolongado e que tendem a recidivar. Comumente observadas em cães de meia idade, da raça Boxer, provoca dor de início agudo e necessita de tratamento específico, já que este, quando não realizado de forma correta, pode prolongar o curso da lesão por semanas a meses. A doença é explicada por diversas alterações da superfície ocular. Com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia dos tratamentos ambulatoriais preconizados no Serviço de Oftalmologia do Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo (HOVET-FMVZ-USP), e as principais considerações observadas no levantamento dos prontuários, realizou-se estudo retrospectivo dos casos atendidos entre os anos de 1997 e 2008. Segundo os resultados, observou-se que a maioria dos cães da raça Boxer apresentaram úlcera indolente, distrofia corneal e catarata; que as úlceras indolentes foram mais frequentemente observadas em fêmeas de meia idade e que a maioria dos proprietários demoraram mais de 15 dias para levar seus animais ao HOVET-FMVZ-USP; que as alterações oculares mais frequentemente referidas pelos proprietários foram o blefarospasmo, olho vermelho e a secreção; que as principais características das lesões observadas após o exame oftalmológico foram que a maioria das úlceras eram transparentes, apresentando epitélio não aderido ou com algum grau de vascularização; unilaterais, mais frequentemente observadas no olho direito; de aparecimento espontâneo e localizadas no centro da córnea. Quanto ao tratamento, observou-se que os inibidores das proteinases foram as medicações mais frequentemente prescritas e que sua administração não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização corneal ou na formação de granuloma. Vitamina C, apesar de ter prolongado de maneira significante o tempo de cicatrização corneal, reduziu a inflamação, consideração observada pela diminuição da presença de granuloma. Debridamento/cauterização corneal, além de não interferir na formação de granuloma, acelerou, significativamente, o processo de cicatrização. A antibioticoterapia e a administração de Atropina 1 % não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização, mas se relacionaram diretamente, de forma estatisticamente significante, à presença de granuloma. O uso de anti-inflamatórios tópicos e sistêmicos também não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização, mas diminuíram, de maneira significante, a presença de granuloma nos cães em que foram administrados. Observou-se também que a não administração de atropina 1 %, antibióticos e anti-inflamatórios não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização, nem na formação de granuloma; que o tempo de alteração ocular, antes da primeira consulta e as características das lesões não interferiram, de maneira relevante, no tempo de cicatrização corneal. Portanto, conhecer os diversos tipos de tratamento se mostra fundamental para o sucesso da resolução da doença, já que este deve ser específico, realizado de forma cautelosa e por tempo indeterminado, cuidando para que a lesão não progrida e promovendo o retorno da transparência corneal. / Indolent ulcers are superficial corneal ulcers that occurs spontaneously, presents prolonged course and tend to relapse. Commonly observed in middle-aged Boxer dogs, causes pain of acute onset and requires appropriate treatment. The disease is explained by several changes on the corneal surface. Aiming to assess the effectiveness of clinical treatments, recommended by the Ophthalmology Service of the Veterinary Hospital, of the Veterinary College, of the University of São Paulo (HOVET-FMVZ-USP) and to evaluate major considerations registered on its medical records, a retrospective study was conducted (1997 2008). Results demonstrated that, during studied period: most Boxer dogs presented indolent ulcers, corneal dystrophy and cataracts; indolent ulcers were frequently observed in middle-aged female Boxers and most owners took more than 15 days to bring their animals to the hospital; blepharospasm, red eye and ocular discharge were the most owner´s referred ocular alterations at the primary consultation; main features of examined lesions were transparent ulcers presenting non adherent epithelium and/or some degree of vascularization; unilateral, often observed at the right eye, of spontaneous onset and located at the center of the cornea. Regarding treatment, proteinase inhibitors were the most often prescribed medications; its administration did not affect corneal healing or granuloma formation. Vitamin C prolonged, significantly, the corneal healing time, although, its administration reduced its inflammation, observed by the decrement on the granuloma frequency. Corneal debridement / cauterization, did not interfere on granuloma formation and was capable to accelerate, significantly, the healing process. Antibiotics and 1 % atropine did not affect the healing time, but were statistically related to the presence of granuloma. Topical and systemic antiinflammatories did not interfere at the healing time, but decreased, significantly, the presence of granuloma. Not to administer atropine 1%, antibiotics and antiinflammatories, did not interfere at the corneal healing time nor the formation of granuloma. Duration period of ocular alterations before the first consultation and characteristics of the lesions did not interfere at the corneal healing time. Therefore, to know the various types of treatments seems to be fundamental to the resolution of the indolent ulcer, as treatment must be specific, performed cautiously and for indefinitely period, preventing the progression of the lesion, and promoting the return of corneal transparency.

Dogs are one of the most widespread carnivore and the third most invasive mammal, after cats and rodents. Stray dogs affect wildlife negatively by predation, disturbance, disease spreading, competition and hybridization with other wild canids. Even in urban environments stray dogs cause problems such as disturbance, pollution, traffic accidents, bites and risk of disease spreading. Serbia is one of many countries in the Balkan region that has a problem with overpopulation of stray dogs. The aim of this study is to investigate the population dynamics of stray dogs in Bor, Serbia and discuss different dog population management strategies. A total of 361 stray dogs were registered, 111 male dogs, 85 female dogs and 165 dogs with undetermined sex. 55 dogs (15.23%) were estimated to be older than 7 years old, 262 dogs (72.57%) were estimated to be between 3-7 years old, 30 dogs (8.31%) were estimated to be between 6-24 months old and 14 dogs (3.87) were estimated to be between 0-6 months old. No dogs showed any signs of rabies or CDV (canine distemper virus) and 241 stray dogs (66.75%) seemed healthy. 120 stray dogs (33.25%) did however have some kind of impaired health. To achieve a stop in the population increase,70% sterilisation rate is required and to teach responsible dog ownership. The stray dogs showed different reactions towards people, 164 dogs (45.42%) were neutral and 100 dogs (27.70%) showed no fear or aggression towards humans and gladly interacted. Since the dogs are highly accessible, they would be acceptable for a TNR (trap-neuter-release) program and male dogs need to be prioritised considering their dispersal patterns. / Hundar är en av de mest spridda karnivorerna och det tredje mest invasiva däggdjuret, efter katter och gnagare. Gatuhundar påverkar vilda djur negativt genom predation, störning, spridning av sjukdomar, konkurrens och hybridisering med andra vilda hunddjur. Även i urbana miljöer har gatuhundar en negativ påverkan, genom störning, förorening, trafikolyckor, bett och sjukdomsrisk. Serbien är ett av många länder i Balkanregionen som har för stora populationer av gatuhundar. I detta arbete undersöks populationsdynamiken hos gatuhundar i Bor, Serbien och diskuterar olika metoder för att hantera gatuhundpopulationen. Totalt inventerades 361 gatuhundar, 111 hanar, 85 honor och 165 med obestämt kön. 55 hundar (15.23%) uppskattades vara äldre än 7 år, 262 hundar (72.57%) uppskattades vara mellan 3-7 år, 30 hundar (8.31%) uppskattades vara mellan 6-24 månader gamla och 14 hundar (3.87) uppskattades vara mellan 0-6 månader gamla. Inga hundar visade tecken på rabies eller CDV (canine distemper virus) och 241 gatuhundar (66.75%) föreföll friska. Däremot visade 120 hundar (33.25%) någon typ av nedsatt hälsa. För att uppnå ett stopp i populationsökningen krävs minst 70% steriliseringstakt samt att man lär ut ansvarsfullt hundägande. Gatuhundarna visade olika reaktioner mot människor, 164 hundar (45.42%) var neutrala och 100 hundar (27.70%) visade ingen rädsla eller aggression för människor och interagerade gärna. Eftersom gatuhundarna är lättillgängliga, skulle de kunna ingå i populationshanteringar som TNR (trap-neuter-release) och hanhundar bör prioriteras med tanke på deras spridningsmönster.

In this thesis I share stories of my journey to make meaning in my life, and explore how my relationship with dogs has helped me to overcome personal challenges. I break these experiences down into what I call my five Fs: family, faith, food, fear, and fido. After giving a history of the human-dog relationship, I extrapolate from my experiences ways in which I believe students and teachers could benefit from interactions with therapy dogs and other comfort animals within the public school day. Specifically, I examine the role dogs can play in helping students and teachers reduce stress and increase self-efficacy. I include the sample animal procedure I drafted for the school at which I teach. I also include some data from my time working with students and my dog. Written in Scholarly Personal Narrative format, I look to weave together my own realizations about anxiety, choice, and identity, with a call for others to find what self-efficacy strategies work for them to make meaning and purpose in their own lives.

The theses is focused on diabetic alert dogs, which create impact on compensation of diabetes mellitus. Differences in topic's between Czech republic and USA is compared based on questionnaire. Part of diploma thesis is also short questionnaire dedicated for members of Czech republic parliament. The aim of thesis is to extend public knowledge about diabetic alert dogs in Czech republic. To compare knowledges about this topic between Czech republic and USA and to compare number of owners of diabetic alert dogs in Czech republic and USA. Analysis was done by using selected method of questionnaire targeting this topic. Questions were related to people suffering from diabetes mellitus in Czech republic and USA. Second anonymous questionnaire was prepare for members of Czech parliament and their knowledges about this topic. Structualized interwievs with people suffering from diabetes were conducted only for additional information. Key words signal alert dogs, diabetes mellitus, assistance dogs, assistive device

This research investigated gene expression in the canine placenta during the peripartum period. Previous studies have recognized molecular changes that occur in the placenta around the time of placental release in other species, but no study has looked at gene expression in the late gestation canine placenta. Of particular significance for this thesis work is the groundwork laid for future studies modeling placental abnormalities in dogs (e.g. subinvolution of placental sites) and humans (e.g. preeclampsia, placenta accreta). Despite years of research in multiple species, the exact mechanisms and processes regulating trophoblast invasion and placental release remain unclear. Therefore, the specific objective of this research was to characterize gene expression changes that occur during the peripartum period in the dog using microarray and real-time RT-PCR. Following total RNA isolation, the microarray analysis was performed by hybridizing total RNA to the Canine 2.0 Array (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Microarray analysis was carried out using the limma and affy packages through the Bioconductor software in the R statistical environment. Differential expression was defined as p ��� 0.05, FDR p ��� 0.10 and a log fold change of ��� 1.2. Following cDNA synthesis, real-time RT-PCR was performed using TaqMan primer and probes that were pre-made and pre-optimized for canine tissues (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA). Microarray analysis showed differential expression in 18 genes between pre-term and pre-labor sample groups, 38 genes that were differentially expressed between pre-term and parturient samples and no genes that were differentially expressed between pre-labor and parturient samples. Microarray analysis led to the identification of several candidate genes for closer investigation using real-time RT-PCR. These genes included MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, VEGF-A, Flt-1, CD44, DAG-1, IL-6 and CXCL10. All of these genes have been linked to trophoblast invasion or regression or placental release in a number of species including humans, cattle and rodents. Using real-time RT-PCR, there was a significant difference in MMP-9 mRNA expression in pre-term samples compared to pre- labor and parturient samples (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mRNA expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2, VEGF-A, Flt-1 CD44, DAG-1, IL-6 or CXCL10. Future studies may focus on additional candidate genes identified by microarray that play a role in tissue remodeling at the end of canine gestation such as IL-8, EPHX2, PI3 and SERPINE1. / Graduation date: 2013

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 244-258).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on December 22, 2006). "May 2006" The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Includes bibliographical references.