We examined the diversity of Body Condition Scores (BCS) by age/species/sex/living environment in a total of more than 9000 dogs. We also investigated the difference of BCS in a total of about 2000 diseased dogs. Very thin, thin, ideal, obese, and very obese were scored as BCS 1 to 5 respectively. Dogs with pyometra, skin disease, or lameness had a high percentage of BCS 5, compared with the distribution pattern in healthy control dogs. Dogs with urinary or digestive disease had a higher percentage of BCS 2 than the controls. Dogs with circulatory disease, liver disease, or tumor had high percentages of BCS 5 and BCS l. We also classified 264 dead dogs according to the causes of death. The dogs which had died of cardiac insufficiency had high percentages of BCS 4 and 2. Especially, those with cardiac insufficiency under longterm control were classified mostly as BCS 2. Dogs with renal failure, liver disease, or diabetes had high percentage (s) of BCS 2 BCS 5, and BCS 5 and l, respectively. It is important to pay attention to the changes in BCS, as they could suggest possible hidden diseases.

View full abstract

Blood concentrations of the vitamin B complex (B₁, B₂, B₆ and B₁₂) were measured in healthy cows both during the lactation period and during the non-lactation period, and in calves from 1 to 20 days after birth to determine the appropriate does of B complex supplement for dairy cattle. In the lactating group (n=5), the concentrations of the 4 vitamins measured were (Mean±SE) 51.2±1.2 ng/ml, 92.1±3.9 ng/ml, 37.8±1.7 ng/ml, and 220.2±16.3 pg/ml, respectively. In the non-lactating group (n=4), the 4 concentrations were 39.5±3.3 ng/ml, 75.2±4.6 ng/ml, 42.6±2.2 ng/ml, and 406.8±48.1 ng/ml, respectively. The levels of B₁ and B₂ were lower and the level of B₁₂ higher than in the lactating group (p<0.05). In the newborn calf group (n=9), the 4 concentrations were 47.0±3.6 ng/ml, 169.9±6.7 ng/ml, 4.1±0.2 ng/ml, and 357.4±44.2 ng/ml, respectivery. At 20 days after birth, they were 30.0±1.4 ng/ml, 130.9±6.4 ng/ml, 16.5±0.6 ng/ml, and 230.4±13.9 ng/ml, respectivery. With the exception of vitamin B₆, the level of the vitamin B complex decreased gradually in the postnatal period, On the basis of these data alone, it is difficult to determine supplemental doses of the vitamin B complex, but the data can be used as a reference in determining individual cases.

View full abstract

We report here a FeLV-positive cat with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) treated by chemotherapy, by which its hypocytosis was alleviated. Mediastinal lymphoma, found 100 days later, was also successfully controlled by chemotherapy. The five-year-old, 5.6 kg, spayed mixed bleed was brought in a weakened condition. Blood tests showed positive reaction for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), anemia, and thrombocytopenia. On blood smears, blast cells were observed. The examinations of bone marrow showed the presence of morphologically abnormal cells in two hematinic systems, and increasing ratio of blasts. From these findings, the disease was diagnosed as MDS, and chemotherapy was initiated with two alkylating agents, busulfan and cyclophsphamide (CY). This therapy was effective in alleviating the thrombocytopenia and in keeping the cat in good general condition for about 100 days. On day 123, however, Iymphoma was found at the anterior mediastinum and treated with combination chemotherapy using. CY, vincristine (O), and prednisolone (P) (COP therapy). As a result, the cat has been in good heath up to now, day 195.

View full abstract

We report here a case of successful surgical management of an 11-year-old spayed Maltese with a chief complaint of coughing associated with mitral regurgitation. The dog had been confirmed as having mitral insufficiency one month before, and received medical treatment. The presence of pericardiai effusion was indicated by thoracic radiography and two-dimensional echocardiography. The pericardial effusion was similar to peripheral blood. An emergency operation with thoracotomy revealed left atrial ruptures associated with mitral regurgitaion, since two ruptured sites were found on the left auricle. The ruptured sites were closed by purse string suturing with 6-0 polypropylene. The dog has been in good condition without further bleeding from the sutured sites for over a year after the surgical intervention.

View full abstract