Seminal fluid was collected by manual ejaculation from 95 dogs. Quantitative aerobic bacterial, qualitative anaerobic bacterial and mycoplasma cultures were performed on the seminal fluid, and their association with presence of inflammatory cells present in the pellet formed after centrifugation of the fluid was investigated. There was a clinically meaningful aerobic bacterial growth in 28.4%, anaerobic bacterial growth in 13.7%, and mycoplasma growth in 57.9% of the seminal fluid samples. Presence of inflammatory cytology was statistically associated with clinically meaningful aerobic bacterial growth. However, of the 78 dogs (82.1%) with clinically meaningful growth of at least one aerobic, anaerobic or mycoplasma organism, 43 (55.1%) had non-inflammatory seminal fluid cytology.

The entire canine genome is scheduled to be sequenced by researchers at the Whitehead Institute/MIH Center for Genome Research by the end of 2004. Thus, new genetic technologies are likely to be developed that can soon predict certain aspects of health and temperament in dogs. The C. familiaris is similar in size to that of humans and other mammals, with an estimated 2.8 billion base pairs. Although, the boxer was chosen as the first breed to sequence, it will have application for all dog breeds. Once the entire genome is sequenced, genetic markers for specific diseases and temperaments may be developed, which can guide breeders to make informed decisions concerning breeding management. Such a technology may be useful for guide and service dog organizations that have breeding colonies. It is important that the human-animal bond be preserved for as long as possible, both for pet owners and also for those disabled individuals who depend upon a dog for independence and mobility. Because genetic diseases may not manifest in carriers, and some genetic diseases do not manifest until after a dog is older and has already produced other animals with the same defect, genetic markers to identify some of the over 400 genetic diseases could be very useful in promoting canine health.

Prepubertal gonadectomy, often referred to as early-age neutering, has increased in popularity in the United States. The procedure is often used at animal care and control facilities, where puppies and kittens are neutered as early as 7 weeks of age or before adoption. Although the anaesthetic and surgical procedures appear to be safe, studies continue to evaluate the long-term effects on health and behaviour. Early-age neutering is one technique that is used to combat pet overpopulation, a problem whereby millions of unwanted healthy dogs and cats are euthanased each year. Although neutering animals is helpful in controlling pet overpopulation, other factors must be considered. In addition, many animals are relinquished to shelters when they show inappropriate behaviours, because owners and veterinarians are unable to modify animal behaviour. This review discusses early-age neutering in the United States, and includes the review of scientific studies that have evaluated this procedure in puppies and kittens. Early-age neutering does not stunt growth in dogs or cats (a once-held belief), but may alter metabolic rates in cats. The anaesthetic and surgical procedures are apparently safe for young puppies and kittens; morbidity is lower and recovery is faster than in adult animals. To date, adverse side effects are apparently no greater in animals neutered at early ages (7 weeks) than in those neutered at the conventional age (7 months).

Percentage and types of morphological abnormalities found in canine spermatozoa were evaluated by three investigators using three stains (Giemsa-Wright stain [Diff-Quik], eosin Y/nigrosin [Hancock], and eosin B/nigrosin [Society for Theriogenology morphology stain] with conventional light microscopy, compared to phase contrast microscopy on unstained samples. The percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal heads, midpieces, and tails varied by technique and by investigator. Average percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa were significantly higher in samples stained with Diff-Quik and samples examined by phase contrast microscopy than in samples stained with Hancock or Society for Theriogenology morphology stains. No effect of investigator on the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa was assessed. Results suggest that staining or preparation technique may alter the morphology of canine spermatozoa artifactually.

Male (n=6/group) and female (n=6/group) kittens were gonadectomized at 7 weeks (prepuberally) or 7 months of age (postpuberally), or left intact. Lateral radiographic projections of the right forelimb were made from 4 months of age until the distal radial physis was closed, or 24 months of age. In males, distal radial physeal closure was delayed in both groups of gonadectomized animals, compared to intact males (p<0.01). In females, proximal radial physeal closure was significantly delayed in prepuberally gonadectomized animals (p=0.02), and distal radial physeal closure was significantly delayed in both groups of gonadectomized animals, compared to intact animals (p<0.01). Final radial length (females p<0.01, males p=0.01), and age and radial length at time of the growth plateau (p<0.01) were significantly increased in all gonadectomized animals. Age at gonadectomy had no effect on age and radial length at time of the growth plateau. No puberal growth spurt was observed in any of the cats.

We reviewed the clinical, surgical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 80 patients who underwent resection of primary benign or malignant bone or soft tissue tumors. There were 18 benign and 62 malignant tumors. Although 31 patients were originally thought to have recurrence, on review only 20 patients were considered to have recurred. Of these, three were found only to have postoperative changes at surgery. Seventeen patients actually had recurrence of tumor. We believe that the presence of an actual mass lesion on MRI is the cornerstone for the correct diagnosis of recurrent tumor.

Male (n = 6/group) and female (n = 6/group) kittens were gonadectomized at 7 weeks or 7 months of age, or left intact. At 22 months of age, complete penile extrusion was possible in all of the intact males, in 3/5 (60%) males castrated at 7 months of age, and in none of the males castrated at 7 weeks of age. Antegrade (voiding) cystourethrograms were performed at 22 months of age. Diameter of the preprostatic (p = 0.13) and penile (p>0.25) urethra of male cats did not vary by group. Diameter of the pre‐pelvic urethra of female cats gonadectomized at 7 weeks of age was significantly smaller than that of intact females (p = 0.02).

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacies of mammography, sonography, CT, and MR imaging in the detection of breast implant rupture and to analyze the imaging findings.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:Thirty-two women with 63 silicone breast implants participated in the study. All but one had signs and symptoms suggestive of rupture, and all had requested that their implants be removed before they were enrolled in this imaging study. All patients had film-screen mammography, sonography, CT, and MR imaging. Twenty-two ruptures were found at surgery; 21 were intracapsular and one was extracapsular. The relative efficacies of the imaging studies were determined, and the imaging findings were compared with the surgical results.RESULTS:Of the 32 women with 63 implants, mammographic sensitivity for detecting implant rupture was only 23% but the specificity was 98%. Sonography had a higher sensitivity (59%), but its specificity was significantly lower (79%). CT had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 88%. MR was the only imaging technique that consistently provided evidence that enabled the evaluation of intracapsular and extracapsular ruptures. The sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging were 95% and 93%, respectively.CONCLUSION:Our results show that MR imaging is more sensitive and specific for the detection of breast implant rupture than is mammography, CT, or sonography.

OBJECTIVE:To use indirect calorimetry to compare heat production between gonadectomized and sexually intact male and female cats.DESIGN:Male (n = 6) and female (n = 6) kittens were gonadectomized at 7 weeks or 7 months of age, or left sexually intact. Body heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry in all cats at 12, 18, and 24 months of age.ANIMALS:18 male and 18 female clinically normal domestic shorthair cats.PROCEDURE:Heat production was measured, using an open-circuit, respiratory, indirect calorimeter. All cats underwent calorimetry at 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The heat coefficient, a measure of resting metabolic rate, was calculated for each cat at each test; heat coefficient is defined as logarithm of heat (kcal/h) divided by logarithm of body weight (kg).RESULTS:Heat production did not vary with age in male or female cats. Heat coefficient was higher in sexually intact male and female cats than in gonadectomized male and female cats at 12, 18, and 24 months of age (12 months, females, P < 0.01, males, P = 0.04; 18 months, females, P < 0.01, males, P = 0.02; and 24 months, females and males, P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that resting metabolic rate in cats decreases after gonadectomy.CLINICAL RELEVANCE:A decrease in metabolic rate is synonymous with a decrease in caloric requirements. Gonadectomized animals fed in a manner similar to sexually intact animals may be predisposed to obesity and its sequelae.

Background.The purpose of this study was to evaluate three findings in cardiac transplant patients: the appearance, etiology, and incidence of "incisura" (a characteristic indentation) of the ascending aorta; the vascular pedicle width, which usually appears enlarged on standard chest radiographs; and clearing of the retrosternal clear space. Material. Two hundred sixty-one cardiactransplantations were performed at the University of Minnesota before December 31, 1992.The appearance, etiology, and incidence of an incisura were studied; the vascular pedicle width was measured; and the rate of clearing of the retrosternal clear space was determined.Results.Forty-six percent of the patients whose ascending aorta could be visualized on the lateral chest radiogram showed an incisura.Approximately one third of the patients showed continued opacification of the retrosternal space postoperatively.The width of the vascular pedicle in this series of cardiac transplant patients measured 60.9 + 22.8 mm (standard deviation, 11.4 mm), in comparison to a normal of 48 + 5.0 mm.Conclusions.An incisura of the ascending aorta and the widened vascular pedicle are normal postoperative chest radiographic findings in cardiac transplant patients and should not be misconstrued as abnormalities.

Postoperative impingement of the knee following ACL reconstruction does occur. MRI can be useful in the diagnosis of the patient who is not recovering as quickly as expected following surgical reconstruction. MRI allows the assessment of 1) tunnel position and alignment, 2) graft integrity, 3) the menisci for possible re-tear or extension of previous tears, and 4) joint for scar tissue and cartilaginous bodies either loose or fixed.

Reproductive performance in a feline research colony of 14 queens is reported. Average estrous length in 38 cycles was 5.8 +/- 3.3 days, with a range of two to 19 days. Estrous length in 23 bred cycles was not shorter (p greater than 0.05) than in 15 nonbred cycles, suggesting that induction of ovulation does not decrease estrous length. Pregnancy rate in 23 bred cycles was 73.9%. Gestation length averaged 66.9 +/- 2.9 days with a range of 62 to 71 days (n=15). Average parturition length was 16.1 +/- 14.3 hours (n=7), with a range of four to 42 hours. Litter size ranged from one to five kittens, with an average of 3.7 kittens per litter (n=15). Percent mortality by eight weeks of age was 29.1%, with 4.7% stillbirths.