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Objective: The aim of this study was to test a new observer-rated instrument, the Alliance and Rupture Observation Scale (AROS). It was designed for repeated measurements of the alliance within sessions and to detect alliance ruptures., Method: Videotaped therapy sessions with depressed adults were analyzed. Reliability was mainly assessed as inter-rater reliability. Convergent, predictive, and discriminant validity of the AROS was assessed by comparing the instrument with both observer-rated and patient-rated measures., Results: The AROS exhibited excellent inter-rater reliability. Alliance levels measured with the AROS predicted patients' ratings of the alliance in the same session and were highly correlated with another observer-rated alliance measure. Alliance patterns (rupture; repair; and no-rupture) based on AROS scores were significantly correlated with patients' ratings of the alliance., Conclusions: Preliminary support for convergent and predictive validity was found. It is yet to be determined whether AROS scores are related to psychotherapy outcomes., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: The association between alliance level and outcome in psychotherapy has been extensively studied. One way to expand this knowledge is to study alliance patterns. The main aims of this study were to examine how frequent alliance patterns with ruptures or rupture-repair episodes were in a naturalistic sample of psychotherapies in primary care, and if three alliance patterns (a Rupture pattern, a Repair pattern, and a No Rupture pattern) were differentially associated with treatment outcome., Method: The psychotherapies (N = 605) included a wide range of different treatment orientations and patient diagnoses. Alliance patterns were studied at session-to-session level, using patient-rated alliance scores. Outcome data were analyzed using longitudinal multilevel modeling with a slopes-as-outcomes model., Results: The Repair pattern accounted for 14.7% (n = 89) of the treatments, 10.7% (n = 65) exhibited a Rupture pattern, and 74.5% (n = 451) contained no ruptures. The Rupture pattern was associated with inferior treatment outcomes. The Repair pattern was, in longer treatments, associated with better outcomes than the No Rupture pattern., Conclusions: The results support theory about the importance of ruptures in the therapeutic alliance and suggest that identification of alliance ruptures is important in alliance-outcome research, for feedback purposes in clinical practice, and in training of therapists.

Myocardial dysfunction occurs in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but little is known about the early stages of the disease. Strain imaging echocardiography is a method that enables the quantitative assessment of myocardial function and deformity, allowing the characterization of systolic dysfunction. The objective of this study was to assess systolic function using strain imaging echocardiography in Maine coon cats genetically tested for the A31P mutation in the MYBPC3 gene, with and without ventricular hypertrophy. For this purpose, 57 Maine coon cats of both genders, with an unknown status regarding the mutation at inclusion, were included prospectively and evaluated by conventional and strain imaging echocardiography. Comparisons were made among cats without hypertrophy ( n = 45), suspect cats ( n = 7), and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( n = 5), and also between the heterozygous for the mutation group ( n = 26) and the negative for the mutation group ( n = 28). Finally, in the group of phenotypically normal cats, heterozygous cats carrying the mutation were compared to cats without the mutation. Strain values were compared among the groups (blinded prospective study). While echocardiography demonstrated normal contractility, strain values (middle of the septum) were lower in HCM cats. Strain values (base of anterior wall of the left ventricle) were lower in heterozygous than in negative cats, even before hypertrophy. Negative correlation was observed between some values of myocardial strain and thickness. While strain imaging echocardiography was able to detect systolic abnormalities, despite apparent normality on conventional echocardiography, it was not able to identify cats that carry the A31P mutation in the MYBPC3 gene. Strain imaging echocardiography could be a useful tool, however, for detecting systolic alterations in HCM cats with an apparently normal systolic function or for detecting alterations in normal carriers of the MYBPC3 gene mutation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no financial or non-financial conflicts of interest involved in the preparation of this article.

The calcium activated cation channel transient receptor potential channel type M5 (TRPM5) is part of the downstream machinery of the taste receptors and have been shown to play a central role in taste signalling. In addition it is also found in other types of chemosensory cells in various parts of the body as well as in pancreatic β-cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TRPM5 gene ablation on body weight, insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters in long-term high caloric diet induced obesity. Trpm5-/- mice gained significantly less body weight and fat mass on both palatable carbohydrate and fat rich cafeteria diet and 60% high fat diet (HFD) and developed less insulin resistance compared to wild type mice. A main finding was the clearly improved glucose tolerance in Trpm5-/- mice compared to wild type mice on cafeteria diet, which was independent of body weight. In addition, it was shown that Trpm5-/- mice consumed the same amount of calories when fed a HFD only or a HFD in combination with a palatable chocolate ball, which is in contrast to wild type mice that increased their caloric intake when fed the combination, mainly due to excessive consumption of the chocolate ball. Thus the palatable sugar containing diet induced overeating was prevented in Trpm5-/- mice. This indicates that sweet taste induced overeating may be a cause for the increased energy intake and glucose intolerance development seen for wild type mice on a sugar and high fat rich cafeteria diet compared to when on a high fat diet. This study point to an important role for the taste signalling system and TRPM5 in diet induced glucose intolerance.

Recently, researchers have started to measure the working alliance repeatedly across sessions of psychotherapy, relating the working alliance to symptom change session by session. Responding to questionnaires after each session can become tedious, leading to careless responses and/or increasing levels of missing data. Therefore, assessment with the briefest possible instrument is desirable. Because previous research on the Working Alliance Inventory has found the separation of the Goal and Task factors problematic, the present study examined the psychometric properties of a 2-factor, 6-item working alliance measure, adapted from the Working Alliance Inventory, in 3 patient samples (ns = 1,095, 235, and 234). Results showed that a bifactor model fit the data well across the 3 samples, and the factor structure was stable across 10 sessions of primary care counseling/psychotherapy. Although the bifactor model with 1 general and 2 specific factors outperformed the 1-factor model in terms of model fit, dimensionality analyses based on the bifactor model results indicated that in practice the instrument is best treated as unidimensional. Results support the use of composite scores of all 6 items. The instrument was validated by replicating previous findings of session-by-session prediction of symptom reduction using the Autoregressive Latent Trajectory model. The 6-item working alliance scale, called the Session Alliance Inventory, is a promising alternative for researchers in search for a brief alliance measure to administer after every session., (2015 APA, all rights reserved)

Objectives: To compare dimensions and shortening fraction (SF) of the left ventricle (LV) obtained from two-dimensional (2D) and M-mode imaging of short and long-axis views., Animals: 40 healthy, adult German Shepherd dogs., Methods: Left ventricular measurements were obtained using 4 echocardiographic methods: M-mode in short and long-axis and 2D imaging in short and long-axis. The methods were compared by studying the effects of imaging mode and axis on LV parameters, taking into account the influence of weight and gender., Results: Mean LV end-diastolic diameter was greater in short-axis views. However, this difference was not considered clinically relevant. Mean SF was higher when derived from 2D measurements with poor agreement among methods. A combined influence of axis, gender, and weight was observed on interventricular septal thickness in end diastole with poor agreement among methods., Conclusions: Some LV parameters were significantly affected by mode and axis, either in isolation or in combination with weight and gender, although the differences observed were not always clinically relevant. These findings show that using the different echocardiographic methods interchangeably to assess LV dimensions should be done with caution., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to assess whether a modified version of the Emotional Availability Scales (EAS), created to assess interaction quality between parents and children, could be applied to psychotherapy sessions and whether emotional availability (EA), as assessed by the modified EAS-T, was associated with client- and therapist-rated working alliance. EAS-T was used to assess 42 sessions from 16 therapies. The therapies came from the LURIPP project, comparing IPT with BRT for depressed clients. The results showed that sessions could be reliably rated with EAS-T. Most rating scales had acceptable variance. The client's perception of task alliance was associated with several of the EA subscales (sensitivity, nonhostility, responsiveness) assessed over therapies, whereas the perception of bond was associated with Structure on EAS.

This study presents the electrocardiogram findings from 97 captive tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) at the São Paulo Zoo (São Paulo, Brazil) while under ketamine anesthesia. The results did not differ greatly from data of domestic carnivores or other studied primate species. The most common rhythm recorded was normal sinus rhythm, followed by normal sinus rhythm with wandering pacemaker. Electrical axis varied from 0 degrees to -150 degrees but was most commonly between +60 degrees and +90 degrees. QRS complexes were predominantly positive in leads DI, DII, DIII, and AVF. These findings allow for the recognition of abnormal rhythms in these primate species and can contribute to future investigations into the cardiovascular diseases routinely diagnosed in primates and humans.

Background and Aims: Psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), but not all clients with MDD can receive psychotherapy. Using the Internet to provide psychodynamic treatments is one way of improving access to psychological treatments for MDD. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to investigate the efficacy of an Internet-based psychodynamic guided self-help treatment for MDD., Methods: Ninety-two participants who were diagnosed with MDD according to the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview were randomised to treatment or an active control. The treatment consisted of nine treatment modules based on psychodynamic principles with online therapist contact. The active control condition was a structured support intervention and contained psychoeducation and scheduled weekly contacts online. Both interventions lasted for 10 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)., Results: Mixed-effects model analyses of all randomised participants showed that participants receiving Internet-based PDT made large and superior improvements compared with the active control group on the BDI-II (between-group Cohen's d = 1.11). Treatment effects were maintained at a 10-month follow-up., Conclusions: Internet-based psychodynamic guided self-help is an efficacious treatment for MDD that has the potential to increase accessibility and availability of PDT for MDD., Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01324050.

Inflammation and stress have been associated to colorectal hypersensitivity in functional gastrointestinal disorders. We explored if colonic inflammation and stress, alone or combined, participate in the development of visceral hypersensitivity in a mouse model. First, female mice were exposed to 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS, 5 days) to induce chronic colitis, followed by repeated psychological stress (water avoidance stress, WAS; 1 h daily/10 days). In a separate experiment, female mice were subjected to WAS and thereafter received 3% DSS. Colitis was evaluated at necropsy. Faecal pellet output served as a marker of stress effect on colonic motility. Visceral pain was assessed at fixed time-points monitoring abdominal contractions during colorectal distension (CRD). DSS provoked a mild chronic colitis that was not affected by previous WAS or aggravated by subsequent stress. WAS induced a significant increase in pellet output, although the response was attenuated in animals with colitis. Responses to CRD were similar in all experimental groups, with transient hyperalgesia observed only during acute colitis. Under the present conditions, neither colitis nor stress, alone or in combination, significantly affected the responses to CRD in mice, suggesting that there is not a direct relationship between inflammation and stress and the development of visceral hypersensitivity.

Thirty-three captive leopard cats, Leopardus tigrinus, were anesthetized with xylazine (1-2 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg), and electrocardiograph (ECG) tests were recorded in all leads with 1 cm = 1 mV sensibility and 25 mm/sec speed repeating DII lead at 50 mm/sec speed with the same sensibility. Results expressed by mean and standard deviation were: heart rate (HR) = 107 +/- 17 (bpm); P-wave = 0.048 +/- 0.072 (s) x 0.128 +/- 0.048 (mV); PR interval = 0.101 +/- 0.081 (s); QRS compound = 0.053 +/- 0.012 (s) x 1.446 +/- 0.602 (mV); QT interval = 0.231 +/- 0.028 (s); R-wave (CV6LL) = 1.574 +/- 0.527 (mV); R-wave (CV6LU) = 1.583 +/- 0.818 (mV); heart rhythm: normal sinus rhythm (15.2%), sinus rhythm with wandering pacemaker (WPM) (60.6%), sinus arrhythmia with WPM (24.2%); electric axis: between +30 degrees and +60 degrees (6.1%), +60 (6.1%), between +60 degrees and +90 degrees (57.6%), +90 degrees (9%), between +90 degrees and +120 degrees (21.2%); ST segment: normal (75.7%), elevation (18.2%), depression (6.1%); T-wave polarity (DII): positive (100%); T-wave (V10): absent (6.1%), negative (63.6%), positive (18.2%), and with interference (12.1%). Through ECG data comparison with other species, unique features of Leopardus tigrinus' (leopard cat) ECG parameters were detected. Some of the study animals presented with an R-wave amplitude that was indicative of left ventricle overload according to patterns for normal domestic cats (Felis cati). Echocardiographic exams revealed normal heart cavities' function and morphology. The aim of this study was to establish some electrocardiographic parameters of captive L. tigrinus.

It has been shown that the behavioural responses to chemically evoked visceral nociception are increased in transgenic mice lacking the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of KOR in mechanically evoked visceral pain by performing colorectal distension (CRD) and monitoring the subsequent visceromotor response (VMR) in control mice (KOR(+/+)) and in mice lacking KOR (KOR(-/-)). Pseudo-affective visceral pain responses were evoked in conscious mice using increasing (10-80 mmHg) and repeated (12 x 55 mmHg) phasic CRD paradigms. The resulting VMR was determined by monitoring the electromyographic activity of the abdominal muscle. The increasing and repeated CRD paradigms, respectively, evoked similar responses in both KOR(+/+) and KOR(-/-) mice. The selective KOR-agonists U-69593 (5 and 25 mg kg(-1), s.c.) and asimadoline (25 mg kg(-1), s.c.) significantly decreased the VMR in KOR(+/+) mice, while having no effect in KOR(-/-) mice. In contrast, the selective mu-opioid receptor agonist fentanyl significantly reduced the VMR in both types of mice and appeared more efficacious in KOR(-/-) mice. The opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (0.3-30 mg kg(-1) s.c.) did not affect the response to CRD in C57BL/6 mice at any dose tested. In conclusion, the data confirm that the KOR agonists used in this study inhibit the VMR to CRD in mice by acting via KOR receptors. In addition, the data suggest that the endogenous opioid system is not likely to modulate the VMR to mechanically evoked visceral pain in mice.

Twenty-seven healthy captive lions (Panthera leo) and 13 healthy captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from São Paulo Zoo (Fundação Parque Zoológico de Sã Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil) collection were selected for this study. They were anesthetized with ketamine (10 mg/kg) combined with xylazine (1-2 mg/kg) for physical examinations, hematologic and serum chemical analysis and electrocardiogram recording. The main aim of this research was to gather initial information about normal electrocardiographic parameters of large felids. Standard P-QRS-T deflections on leads described for domestic carnivores were analyzed, and they did not greatly differ from those of large felids, taking into account the greater weight and corporal mass of large felids. Heart rate of lions ranged from 42 to 76 beats per minute (bpm). Heart rate of tigers ranged from 56 to 97 bpm. In both species, the most common rhythm detected was normal sinus rhythm followed by sinus arrhythmia; wandering pacemaker was also observed with normal sinus rhythm or sinus arrhythmia. Mean electrical axis lay between +60 degrees and +120 degrees. QRS complexes were predominantly positive in leads DI, DII, DIII, and AVF, and negative in AVR and AVL. This study provides insights into normal electrocardiograms of large felids. Wider investigations on the same subject are necessary to establish criteria for the recognition of abnormalities in these species and should include other anesthetic drug(s) combinations and reports of electrocardiographic features of animals with cardiac disease and electrolytes disturbances.

The reflex response to distension of the small intestine in vivo is complex and not well understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the neural mechanisms contributing to the complex time course of the intestinal secretory response to distension. Transmucosal potential difference (PD) was used as a marker for mucosal chloride secretion, which reflects the activity of the secretomotor neurons. Graded distensions (5, 10, and 20 mmHg) of distal rat duodenum with saline for 5 min induced a biphasic PD response with an initial peak (rapid response) followed by a plateau (sustained response). The rapid response was significantly reduced by the neural blockers tetrodotoxin and lidocaine (given serosally) and by intravenous (iv) administration of the ganglionic blocker hexamethonium and the NK(1) receptor antagonist SR-140333. Serosal TTX and iv SR-140333 significantly reduced the sustained response, which was also reduced by the NK(3) receptor antagonist talnetant and by the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VPAC) receptor antagonist [4Cl-d-Phe(6), Leu(17)]-VIP. Serosal lidocaine and iv hexamethonium had no significant effect on this component. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase had no effect on any of the components of the PD response to distension. The PD response to distension thus seems to consist of two components, a rapidly activating and adapting component operating via nicotinic transmission and NK(1) receptors, and a slow component operating via VIP-ergic transmission and involving both NK(1) and NK(3) receptors.

The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is complex and incompletely known. Very little has been studied regarding the role of submucous neuronal activity. We therefore measured small intestinal transmural potential difference (PD, reflecting mainly electrogenic chloride secretion), and its linkage with fasting motor activity [migrating motor complex (MMC)] in controls (n = 16) and patients with IBS [n = 23, 14 diarrhoea predominant (d-IBS) and nine constipation predominant (c-IBS)]. Transmural-PD and its relation to MMC phase III was measured by modified multilumen manometry for 3 h in the fasting state using one jejunal and one duodenal infusion line as flowing electrodes. The amplitude and duration of motor phase III was similar in controls and IBS patients, but the propagation speed of phase III was higher in IBS patients. In IBS patients, maximal PD during MMC phase III was significantly elevated in both the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05) and the PD decline after phase III was significantly prolonged in the jejunum (P < 0.01). The PD elevation was seen in both duodenum and jejunum in d-IBS patients, but only in the jejunum in the c-IBS patients. On the basis of previous modelling studies, we propose that the enhanced secretion may reflect disturbed enteric network behaviour in some patients with IBS.

Objective: To evaluate correlations between plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and Doppler echocardiographic variables for dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) or dilatative cardiomyopathy (DCM) to better understand the time course and magnitude of sympathetic activation in dogs with heart failure (HF)., Animals: 15 healthy dogs, 15 dogs with DMVD, and 15 dogs with DCM., Procedures: Dogs were positioned in lateral recumbency with minimal restraint for at least 20 minutes. Plasma samples were obtained and assayed by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. Concentrations were correlated with HF classification and with the main Doppler echocardiographic variables for each group., Results: Mean +/- SD norepinephrine concentration was significantly higher in dogs with DMVD (494.4 +/- 204.8 pg/mL) or DCM (655.7 +/- 652.5 pg/mL) than in healthy dogs (205.8 +/- 78.9 pg/mL), but concentrations did not differ significantly between the 2 groups with HF. Correlations were not detected between norepinephrine and heart rate or any M-mode echocardiographic variables evaluated, except for fractional shortening (FS) in DCM dogs. In that group, norepinephrine was inversely correlated with FS values. In DMVD dogs, no significant correlation was found between norepinephrine and the left atrium-to-aortic root ratio or mitral regurgitation., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: A proportional inverse correlation exists between norepinephrine and FS values in dogs with DCM. However, norepinephrine concentration was not correlated with the evaluated echocardiographic variables in dogs with DMVD. Sympathetic antagonists should be evaluated as a treatment option because of the increased plasma concentrations of norepinephrine detected in dogs with HF.

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis on visceral sensitivity, measured as the visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distension (CRD) in BALB/c and C57Bl/6 male mice. Inflammation was induced by the addition of 4% DSS to the drinking water for 5 (C57Bl/6) or 6-7 days (BALB/c). Parallel groups were used to monitor histopathological changes and visceral sensitivity. Pseudo-affective visceral pain responses were evoked using an increasing phasic CRD paradigm (10-60 mmHg) in conscious mice on predetermined days (pretreatment controls, 12, 16, 20, 30, 40 and 51). In both mouse strains, significant histopathological changes developed between days 2 and 5 of DSS treatment, and persisted until day 12 (P < 0.05). On day 15, inflammatory scores were reduced by about 50%. Despite evidence of inflammation in DSS-treated mice, no differences could be shown in the VMR to CRD between DSS-treated mice and controls at any time point tested. In addition, no differences were seen before and after DSS treatment in the same group of mice. In conclusion, these data suggest that DSS-induced colonic inflammation does not affect the visceral sensitivity to CRD, neither at short or long term, in BALB/c or C57Bl/6 male mice.

The EU Water Framework Directive will require river-basin management plans in order to achieve good ecological status and find the most cost-efficient nitrogen (N) leaching abatement measures. Detailed scenario calculations based on modeling methods will be valuable in this regard. This paper describes the approach and an application with a coefficient method based on the simulation model SOILNDB for quantification of N leaching from arable land and for prediction of the effect of abatement scenarios for the Rönneå catchment (1900 km2) in southern Sweden. Cost calculations for the different measures were also performed. The results indicate that the individual measures-cover crop and spring plowing, late termination of ley and fallow, and spring application of manure-would only reduce N leaching by between 5% and 8%. If all measures were combined and winter crops replaced by their corresponding spring variants, a 21% reduction in N leaching would be possible. However, this would require total fulfillment of the suggested measures.

Objective: To obtain and analyze the electrocardiogram and systolic blood pressure of cats before, during, and after a continuous infusion of propofol., Study Design: Prospective, uncontrolled experimental trial., Animals: Twenty healthy adult crossbred male and female cats aged between 3 and 5 years, weighing 2.8-5.0 kg (mean 3.9 kg)., Methods: Cats were pre-medicated with acepromazine 0.1 mg kg(-1) subcutaneously and anesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) propofol 6 mg kg(-1) and maintained with a continuous infusion of propofol at 0.5 mg kg(-1) minute(-1) for 60 minutes. Electrocardiographic parameters and systolic blood pressure obtained by Doppler ultrasound were recorded before pre-medication (T0), 30 (T30), and 60 (T60) minutes after beginning the continuous infusion, and 30 minutes after its cessation (T90). Repeated measures anova was used to perform statistical analysis., Results: A significant decrease in heart rate was observed at all time points when compared with T0 values. The PR interval increased significantly at T60 and T90. Systolic blood pressures during anesthesia were significantly lower than at T0 and T90., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: The changes seen were not clinically important in normal cats but given the reduction in heart rate and systolic blood pressure, careful consideration should be given before using this technique in patients in which hypotension or a reduction in heart rate would be poorly tolerated.

The aim of this study was to investigate the hematological, hemostatic and biochemical disturbances induced by the injection of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom in dogs under controlled conditions. For this purpose three groups of animals were used: an experimental group (E), which was injected i.m. with C. durissus terrificus venom (1 mg/kg); and two control groups--antivenom (AV) and control (C)--which were injected i.m. with 150 mM NaCl. Groups E and AV were treated i.v. with Crotalus antivenom 2 hours after the first injection. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase were increased in groups E and AV at 24 and 48 hours after serumtherapy, respectively. The increased serum levels of myoglobin, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase demonstrated that animals developed rhabdomyolysis. A persistent neutrophilic leukocytosis was already noticeable at 2 hours after envenomation and lasted even after serumtherapy. The animals of groups E and AV presented eosinopenia 24 hours after serumtherapy, and collagen-induced platelet hypoaggregation was observed without thrombocytopenia. Increased levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FnDP/FgDP), hypofibrinogenemia, and alpha2-antiplasmin consumption were observed at 2 hours after envenomation, indicating secondary activation of fibrinolysis. Our data suggest that the biochemical and hemostatic disturbances induced by C. durissus terrificus venom in dogs are related to its myotoxic and thrombin-like activities.

Endocardial fibroelastosis is an uncommon congenital heart disease in dogs that may be manifested by signs of left-sided congestive heart failure. A three-month-old, male, Fila Brasileiro dog developed signs of generalised heart failure. Physical examination revealed normal temperature, ascites, and pale and cyanotic mucous membranes. The pup died just after radiography which revealed ascites, hepatomegaly, severe cardiac enlargement and pulmonary oedema. At necropsy, serosanguineous fluid in the thorax and abdomen, pulmonary oedema, right ventricular dilatation, hypertrophy and dilatation of the left ventricle, and mitral valve incompetence were observed. The histopathological examination demonstrated that the thickening of the endocardium of the left atrium and left ventricle was due to the presence of elastic and collagen fibres, although there were no signs of an inflammatory process.

The mechanism of consumption coagulopathy observed in cases of human envenomation by Bothrops jararaca is well established. However, this mechanism may vary according to the animal species studied. In order to study both the clinical and laboratory aspects of bothropic envenomation in dogs, a sublethal defibrinating dose of venom (100 micrograms/kg) was given intravenously. A coagulopathy similar to that observed in humans - including fibrinogen depletion, consumption of factors II, X, V and antithrombin III, and moderate thrombocytopenia - was observed. The presence of circulating activated platelets was also noted. Neutrophilic leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and monocytosis occurred at different times. Erythrocytic values remained normal in dogs treated with B. jararaca venom compared with those treated with saline alone. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate fell rapidly after venom administration and this fall was correlated logarithmically with fibrinogen concentration. Since the effects of envenomation in dogs is similar to that in humans, it was concluded that the dog can be used as a good animal model for studying human venom-induced coagulopathy.

These strains of Brucella canis were isolated from seropositive dogs: The strains ES 11/78, from a kennel dog, and the strains 215/79 and Pr/79, from stray dogs. The isolates were identified through the morphological, staining and biochemical characteristics (of the agent) as well as serologically, by the use of the isolated strains as antigen against the hyperimmune serum.

In order to assess the clinical, laboratorial and epidemiological aspects of feline leptospirosis, ten female and male adult cats were experimentally inoculated with pathogenic and autochthonous field isolate of Leptospira interrogans. Five of them were inoculated subcutaneously with serovar icterohaemorrhagiae (R-192) and the others five with serovar canicola. No clinical and laboratorial alterations were found in these animals. Antileptospiral agglutinins were detected in 90% of the infected cats, shortly after the 1st week after inoculation. The leptospiral agglutinins were detected for 8 to 12 weeks and the elimination of leptospires through urine was observed only in animals infected with serovar canicola, beginning 2 to 4 weeks after inoculation and lasting for 2 to 8 weeks. Isolations of leptospires from blood and kidneys were unsuccessful.