IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF A-5021 ANTI-VIRAL ACTIVITY AGAINST TESTUDINID HERPESVIRUS 3 AND INITIAL PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY IN HERMANN'S TORTOISE (Testudo hermanni)

Conference (2013, April 23)

Testudinid herpesvirus infections in tortoises belonging to the Testudinidae family are well known for decades, but their pathogenesis remains poorly understood and treatments are often empirical. This ... [more ▼]

Testudinid herpesvirus infections in tortoises belonging to the Testudinidae family are well known for decades, but their pathogenesis remains poorly understood and treatments are often empirical. This study describes the in vitro evaluation of selected anti-herpesvirus compounds against Testudinid Herpesvirus 3 (THV-3). A-5021, a compound with known broad-spectrum anti-herpetic activity, showed to be 9 times more potent than acyclovir, with an EC50 of 13.2 µM and inducing a complete inhibition of viral replication at 37.7 µM. Initial pharmacokinetic parameters were determined after a single sub-cutaneous administration of 5 and 10 mg/kg in Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni, n=3). Blood samples were collected at different time points and plasma concentrations of A-5021 were determined. No adverse effects were clinically observed and plasma concentrations remained above the EC50 for 2.8 and 4.2 h after administration of 5 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. These preliminary data provide a basis for further proof-of-concept studies for a potential prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of THV-3 infection in tortoises [less ▲]

Vitamin D Status, calcium and protein metabolism in dogs fed bone and raw food (BARF) or commercial pet food

Poster (2012, October 19)

Effects of obesity on lung function and airway reactivity in healthy dogs.

in Veterinary Journal (2011)

The present study investigated the effects of bodyweight (BW) gain on respiratory function and airway responsiveness in healthy Beagles using barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP). Six adult dogs ... [more ▼]

The present study investigated the effects of bodyweight (BW) gain on respiratory function and airway responsiveness in healthy Beagles using barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP). Six adult dogs were examined before and after a fattening diet. The high-energy diet induced a mean increase in BW of 41 ± 6%. BWBP basal parameters were recorded prior to airway reactivity testing (using increasing concentrations of histamine nebulisations). An airway responsiveness index (H-Penh300) was calculated as the histamine concentration necessary to reach 300% of basal enhanced pause (Penh, bronchoconstriction index). The same dogs underwent a doxapram hydrochloride (Dxp) stimulation testing 2 weeks later. Basal measurements showed that obese dogs had tidal volume per kg (TV/BW) that was significantly decreased whilst respiratory rate (RR) increased significantly. H-Penh300 decreased significantly in obese Beagles, indicating increased bronchoreactivity. Dxp administration induced a significant increase in TV/BW, minute volume per kg (MV/BW), peak inspiratory and expiratory flows per kg (PIF/BW and PEF/BW) in both normal and obese dogs although the TV/BW increase was significantly less marked in the obese group. In conclusion, obesity induced changes in basal respiratory parameters, increased bronchoreactivity and a blunted response to Dxp-induced respiratory stimulation. This combination of basal respiratory parameters, bronchoreactivity testing and pharmacological stimulation testing using non-invasive BWBP can help characterize pulmonary function and airway responsiveness in obese dogs. [less ▲]

Effect of short-chain fructooligosaccharide-enriched energy-restricted diet on weight loss and serum haptoglobin concentration in Beagle dogs.

in British Journal of Nutrition (2011), 106

The effects of the dietary inclusion of two levels of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on weight loss, biochemical parameters and serum haptoglobin concentration were investigated in twelve ... [more ▼]

The effects of the dietary inclusion of two levels of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on weight loss, biochemical parameters and serum haptoglobin concentration were investigated in twelve experimental obese Beagle dogs. Dogs were randomised into two groups and submitted to a weight loss program (WLP): the control group (C) received a commercial energy-restricted high-protein diet containing 1 % DM sc-FOS, whereas the test group (T) received the same diet enriched with sc-FOS to attain a 3 % DM content. Body weight (BW) and body condition score were weekly assessed in each dog and blood was collected before and after WLP to measure total plasma cholesterol (CHOL), TAG, NEFA, glucose (GLUC), insulin, serum leptin and haptoglobin. Groups showed similar BW and blood parameters before treatment. When values before and after treatment of the dogs were compared, significant reductions were observed for all parameters, with the exception of NEFA and GLUC. However, when these reductions were compared between C and T groups, significant differences were detected only for haptoglobin (T before v. T after: 1545 v. 605 mg/l, P = 0.03; C before v. C after: 1635 v. 1400 mg/l, P = NS). Positive correlations between haptoglobin and CHOL and between haptoglobin and TAG were observed before but not after WLP. In conclusion, feeding obese dogs with the energy-restricted diet caused significant weight loss and reduction of blood parameters, irrespective of the sc-FOS content included. However, serum haptoglobin level, and the subclinical inflammatory condition associated with it, was significantly lowered in the T but not in the C group. [less ▲]

Total fat content and essential fatty acids profile in 46 dry dog foods

in Castrillo, Carlos (Ed.) Congress Proceedings 15th Congress ESVCN (2011, September)

How clinical nutrition helps pets suffering from acute and chronic diseases- practical examples and prospects

in TSAVA (Ed.) 17th FECAVA Eurocongress 6th TSAVA Congress Modern Veterinary Practices Congress Book (2011, September)

Relationship between dogs's signalement, biometric measurements and obesity

in Liesegang, Annette; Wanner, Marcel (Eds.) Proceedings of the 14th Congress of the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition. (2010, September)

Obesity

in Ettinger, Stephen J; Feldman, Edwards C (Eds.) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine 7th edition (2010)

L'alimentation du furet (Mustela furo) : bases théoriques et état des connaissances

in Pratique médicale & chirurgicale de l'animal de compagnie (2009), 44

Ferrets are carnivorous animals very close to the polecats. They are used in many <br />fields and are currently used widespread as pets. Their anatomy and physiology allow classifying them as carnivorous ... [more ▼]

Ferrets are carnivorous animals very close to the polecats. They are used in many <br />fields and are currently used widespread as pets. Their anatomy and physiology allow classifying them as carnivorous predators. Their diet consists of small prey. Studies on the nutritional requirements are very scarce and based mostly on comparisons with the cat or mink. The longevity factor is consistently absent from these studies although many diseases have a nutritional origin. Their digestive tract is not much differentiated and the transit is very quick, the digestion is inefficient. Their energy requirements are extremely high, much more than the cat. Ferrets require a high intake of animal protein —not from plant— of high nutritional quality and energyprotein ratio adjusted. Lipids are the main source of energy in the diet, and must be present in significant amounts. The minimum requirements are dependent on fatty acid composition, fat should be of animal origin and mostly of good quality. The ferret eating only animal products, there is no demonstrated requirements of carbohydrates. In addition carbohydrates are involved in different diseases. Micronutrient needs have been little studied and are often based on observation of deficiencies. Domestic ferrets are prone to diseases of nutritional origin; this leads many experts to rethink the diet of this animal. [less ▲]

Effects of different levels of energy allowances and of hibernation on growth in hatchling Testudo hermanni boettgeri (Mojsisovic, 1889)

in Clauss, M.; Fidgett, A.; Hatt, J. M. (Eds.) et al Zoo Animal Nutrition IV (2009)

Cet article présente des données de croissance de Testudo nouveaux nés dont les apports alimentaires et l'hibernation ont été contrôlés.