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Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences / Department of Clinical Sciences / Mary Lynn Higginbotham / This study evaluated sixteen canine nasal carcinoma and five normal nasal epithelium samples for expression and phosphorylation of known targets of toceranib [vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGR2), platelet derived growth factor alpha (PDGFR-[alpha]), platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-[beta]), and stem cell factor receptor (c-KIT)] and epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR1) using immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) phosphorylation panel. Protein for VEGFR2 was expressed in neoplastic cells of all carcinomas, PDGFR-[alpha] was noted in 15/16, whereas PDGFR-[beta] was detected in 3/16 samples, but showed primarily stromal staining. Protein expression for c-KIT was present in 4/16 and EGFR1 was noted in 14/16 samples. Normal tissue showed variable protein expression of the RTKs. Messenger RNA for VEGFR2, PDGFR-[beta], and c-KIT were noted in all samples. Messenger RNA for PDGFR-[alpha] and EGFR1 were detected in 15/16 samples. All normal nasal tissue detected messenger RNA for all RTKs of interest. Constitutive phosphorylation of VEGFR2, PDGFR-[alpha], PDGFR-[beta] and c-KIT was not observed in any carcinoma or normal nasal sample, but phosphorylation of EGFR1 was noted in 10/16 carcinoma and 3/5 normal samples. The absence of major phosphorylated RTK targets of toceranib suggests the clinical effect of toceranib may occur through inhibition of alternative and currently unidentified RTK pathways in canine nasal carcinomas. The observed protein and message expression and phosphorylation of EGFR1 in the nasal carcinoma samples merits further inquiry into EGFR1 as a therapeutic target for this cancer.

An epidemiological survey of Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) was conducted in dogs in Tucson and Phoenix. Dogs were tested for delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) using coccidioidin, a reagent that is not commercially available and results of the skin tests were compared with corresponding serologic test results.

Dogs in the Tucson area with a known history of clinical Valley Fever were tested with two skin test reagents to determine their ability to detect delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to the Coccidioides spp. The reagents used were Spherusol, from Nielsen Biologicals, and coccidioidin, which is no longer commercially available. Skin tests were read 48 hours after placement and evaluated for erythema and/or induration.

Objective: To compare the effects of thiopental, propofol and alfaxalone on arytenoid cartilage motion and establish dose rates to achieve a consistent oral laryngoscopy examination. Study design: Prospective, randomised, blinded crossover study. Animals: Six healthy adult beagle dogs. Methods: Each dog was administered three induction agents in a random order with a one week washout period between treatments. No premedication was used prior to induction of anaesthesia. Thiopental, propofol or alfaxalone were administered at 7.5 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, over 1 minute to effect, for induction of anaesthesia, respectively. If the dog was deemed inadequately anaesthetised then top-up boluses of 1.8 mg/kg, 0.75 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg, respectively, were administered over 10 seconds, repeated every 20 seconds, until an adequate anaesthetic plane had been reached. Continual examination of the larynx, using a laryngoscope, commenced once an adequate anaesthetic depth had been reached until recovery from anaesthesia. The number of arytenoid motions and deep inspiratory efforts (vital breaths) were counted within three time periods and compared over time among treatments. Data were analysed using Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's rho, linear mixed model with post-hoc pairwise comparison with Tukey correction. Results interpreted at a 5% level of significance. Results: The median (range) induction time was 2.8 (2.0, 3.0), 2.7 (2.0, 3.3) and 2.5 (1.7, 3.3) minutes for thiopental, propofol and alfaxalone, respectively (p = 0.727). The median (range) dose rate required to achieve an adequate depth of anaesthesia was 6.3 (6.0, 6.6), 2.4 (2.4, 2.4) and 1.2 (1.2, 1.2) mg/kg/minute for thiopental, propofol and alfaxalone, respectively. Therefore, the median (range) total dose administered over the induction time was 17.8 (13.2, 18.8), 6.8 (5.3, 8.3) and 3.2 (2.3, 4.1) mg/kg for thiopental, propofol and alfaxalone, respectively. There was no significant difference for the total number of arytenoid motions (p =0.662) or vital breaths (p = 0.789) among induction agents. The median (range) examination times were 14.1 (8.0, 41.8), 5.4 (3.3, 14.8) and 8.5 (3.8, 31.6) minutes for thiopental, propofol and alfaxalone, respectively (p=0.016). Conclusion and clinical relevance: There was no significant difference in the total number of arytenoid motions among the induction agents. However, at the dose rates used in this study, propofol provided adequate conditions for evaluation of the larynx within a shorter examination time which may be advantageous during laryngoscopy in dogs. / Mini Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / MMedVet / Unrestricted

Bilateral mandibular ostectomies were performed between premolars 3 and 4 in 10 adult canine specimens. A type I external fixator incorporating a full interdental pin was placed stabilizing a 0.5 cm fracture gap. Four different pin configurations were tested in dorsoventral bending five separate times on each of the ten mandibles: 1) intact mandibular bodies with fixator; 2) ostectomized mandibular bodies and complete fixator; 3) ostectomized mandibular bodies with the caudal pins of the rostral fragment cut; 4) ostectomized mandibular bodies with all pins of the rostral fragment cut. The full interdental pin remained intact in all configurations. Total stiffness and gap stiffness were then determined for each fixation geometry on a materials testing machine. The mean total stiffness(Nm/rads) for the four configurations was 1) 1543.6, 2) 301.6, 3) 290.5, 4) 267.0. The mean gap stiffness(Nm/rads) for the right hemimandible was: 2) 2041.1, 3) 1763.5, 4) 1679.9. The mean gap stiffness of the left hemimandible was: 2) 2110.8, 3)1880.1, 4)1861.1. There was no gap stiffness for the first configuration since a fracture gap was not present. Two-way ANOVA was performed on the gap stiffness and the total stiffness. There was a significant decrease in total stiffness between intact mandibles and ostectomized mandibles regardless of external fixator configuration. However, there was not a significant difference in total stiffness or gap stiffness among the different external fixator configurations applied to ostectomized mandible. External fixator configurations with only the full interdental pin engaging the rostral fragment were as stiff as configurations which had two or four additional pins in the rostral fragment for the applied loads. External fixators for rostral mandibular fractures may be rigidly secured with rostral fragment implants applied extracortically avoiding iatrogenic trauma to teeth and tooth roots. / Master of Science

Working canines provide a key service to society. During their work, they may be exposed to various environmental contaminants. Unfortunately, previous work has shown that current working canine decontamination protocols are lacking in efficacy (Venable et al., 2017). Furthermore, little work has been done to explore cleanser options and serial decontamination. Therefore, we designed two studies to investigate the impact of cleanser on contaminant removal, and the impact of serial cleanser application on canine dermal health and skin barrier function when applied daily for 14 days. Both studies were approved by the Southern Illinois University Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee (#15-032, #19-031) prior to initiation of the work. Treatments for analysis of cleansers for canine decontamination included Dawn, povidone surgical scrub, chlorohexidine surgical Scrub, or water. Each treatment was balanced by coat type (long; short). A fluorescent marker was used to determine efficacy in contaminant reduction. Significant decreases associated with coat type (P < 0.0082) and cleanser (P < 0.0001) were measured for dermal pH. Additionally, treatment impacted TEWL (P = 0.0049). Yet, TEWL was unaffected by coat type (P = 0.4881). Visual scoring of images revealed that all cleansers were more successful at reduction when compared to control (P < 0.0001). However, software analysis software, yielded no differences in treatment (P = 0.5567). Interestingly, we found a significant correlation between the visual scores and the Image J (P = 0.0006). Repeated decontamination on 8 (n= 8) Labrador retrievers significantly increased TEWL (P< 0.0001) through day 21 and then decreasing the remainder of the study. Similarly, sebum data was also impacted by repeated daily decontamination efforts, decreasing during bathing and then increasing (P =0.0387). Higher sebum values are seen later in the study and may be associated with recovery. In contrast, moisture content (P = 0.3842) and pH (P = 0.7462), were unaffected by repeated decontamination. Interestingly, dander scores assessed on the back were worsened by repeated decontamination (P = 0.0222) but dander scores assessed across the whole body were unaffected (P = 0.1804). Coat shine was unaffected by decontamination (P = 0.1156) similar to coat softness (P = 0.3418). Overall coat condition remained unchanged as a result of repeated decontamination efforts (P= 0.9466). These data reveal that daily decontamination impacts dermal function, potentially increasing the animal’s health risk.

No abstract / Dissertation (DVSc)--University of Pretoria, 1953. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / DVSc / Unrestricted

Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique that uses x-ray and computers to create cross-sectional images of structures. Stereotactic CT-guided biopsy is defined as the use of a stable apparatus to direct and perform tissue biopsies under CT guidance. For the brain, the principal advantage of stereotactic CT guidance over other biopsy techniques is its high accuracy in getting a sample from deep-seated lesions. The objectives of this study were to create an inexpensive CT-guided stereotactic device adaptable to different canine head sizes and to test the accuracy of the device for needle placement in deep-seated brain targets. A biopsy device was created that consists of four main components: a CT table fixation device, a head fixture, a needle fixture , and motion control system. Accuracy was tested using 16 head and neck specimens obtained from dogs euthanitized for reasons unrelated to the brain. Deep-seated (caudate nucleus and pituitary gland) targets were identified on CT. After a 5 mm craniotomy, the biopsy needle, with CT monitoring, was progressively introduced into the target. The final needle track distance was measured on CT. The brain was removed and sliced to verify placement of the needle tip within the target and to measure the actual needle track distance. The total cost of materials and construction for the stereotactic CT-guided biopsy device was $785.00. No difference in needle placement accuracy was identified for caudate and pituitary targets. Based on assessments by 2 independent observers, the caudate target was successfully hit 75% of the time. Pituitary targets were successfully hit 96.8 % of the time. Actual needle track lengths were an average of 3.2 mm less that the track length measured on CT. This difference was most likely due to incomplete staining of the bevel part of the needle track on gross specimens. / Master of Science