Heart rate is a relatively simple and non-invasive method that is used as an important physiological indicator in many studies and has a close relationship with heart structure and function, cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac death. In general, appropriately low heart rate during resting means effective heart function and cardiovascular fitness; heart rate at recovery is an important indicator of health and disease condition. We found a beagle dog (Dog_1) with a high heart rate in the previous preliminary experiment. Therefore, purpose of this study was to compare the heart rate response of the Dog_1 with the control group during 12 weeks of interval exercise, to evaluate the structural and functional abnormalities of the heart and to verify the applicability of exercise program. Heart rate was checked during 12 weeks of interval exercise, and after the exercise was over, imaging examination and hematological and serum biochemistry were performed. As a result, Dog_1 (165.6 ± 1.5) showed significantly higher heart rate in low intensity session of interval exercise than control group (133.3 ± 0.5, p < 0.01). In addition, Dog_1 (181.2 ± 1.4) showed significantly higher heart rate than control group (155.1 ± 0.9) in high intensity session (p < 0.01). The heart rate (30 sec, 60 sec) during recovery state was higher in Dog_1 (30 sec: 156.8 ± 4.0, 60 sec: 166.8 ± 5.8) than in the control group (30 sec: 111.2 ± 2.5, 60 sec: 104.0 ± 5.1, p < 0.01). The results of the imaging examination of Dog_1 with high heart rate confirmed that the heart had no functional and structural abnormalities. All beagles with the interval exercise program did not show maladjustment, and in the hematological and serum biochemistry results, all the parameter were within the reference range. If the interval exercise program of this study is used in the future, it is expected to be used as an important basic data to achieve the purpose of health, welfare, and physical fitness improvement of dogs.

개(Canis lupus familiaris)는 인간의 소외 현상을 개선하고, 공동체 생활 의식 향상에 기여하는 반려동물이다. 반려견 품종을 명확히 관리하는 것은 유전병을 감소시키거나, 형질 개량, 종 다양성 유지 등을 위해 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 고밀도 SNP 칩 유전자형 데이터와 기계학습 기술을 이용하여, 유전자형 데이터에 기반한 품종 식별이 가능한지, 가능하다면 최소 몇 개의 유전마커로 품종 식별을 유의하게 수행할 수 있는지 확인하기 위하여, 반려견 11 품종 226두의 23K SNP 칩 데이터를 분석하였다. 9종의 기계학습 다중범주 분류 알고리즘과 2종의 특징 선택 방법의 성능을 비교하여, 선형 서포트 벡터 머신 분류기와 주성분 분석 특징 기여도를 이용한 특징 선택 방법을 이용했을 때, 11종의 반려견 품종을 90% 이상 정확도로 식별하였으며, 이 때 40개의 유전마커가 필요함을 확인하였다. 최종 선발 된 40개의 반려견 품종 식별 유전마커는 타 질병 예측 마커와 결합하여 유전자 검사 키트로 제작될 수 있으며, 반려견 품종 관리 및 질병 관리 기술로 유용하게 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

Mealworm(Tenebrio molitor) was added to the feed to improve the health of dogs. As the amount of mealworm powder added to dog feed increased from 2.5 to 7.5%, the contents of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and crude ash increased. In the old dogs, creatinine and BUN related to nephropathy, triglyceride related to hypertension, calcium related to osteoporosis, globulin related to immunity, and ALT related to hepatic function were in the normal range. Particularly, ALT showed a tendency to increase overall, but the numerical increase tended to decrease as the amount of mealworm powder added. In the young dogs, all investigative items such as BUN and creatine were in the normal range and ALT tended to decrease at 2.5～5.0% treatment of mealworm. As a result, it was shown that adding 2.5～5.0% of mealworm powder to feed effectively improved the hepatic function of old and young dogs.

A one-year-old, intact female, Maltese dog was presented with a history of anorexia and regurgitation. Thoracic radiographs and ultrasonography scans suggested an abnormal mass in the cranial mediastinal region, and computed tomography confirmed the origin of this mass. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology showed the presence of intermediate to large lymphoid cells showing mitotic figures. B-cell lymphoma was confirmed by the result of a polymerase chain reaction assay for antigen receptor rearrangement, therefore the patient was diagnosed with primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL). The patient underwent L-CHOP (L-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone)-based chemotherapy, and showed complete tumoral remission from the beginning of chemotherapy. Seventytwo weeks after the completion of chemotherapy, the patient is still alive without any evidence of metastasis or relapse. A standardized treatment protocol has yet to be established for primary mediastinal lymphoma in dogs. This case report describes the complete remission of PMBL by an L-CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol in a young Maltese. Clinicians should consider that L-CHOP based chemotherapy may be useful against PMBL in dogs.

본 논문은 부뉴엘이 이미지와 상상력을 극단적으로 활용하여 그려낸 <안달루시아의 개>와 <황금시대>에 나타난 회화적 이미지의 저항적 의미를 탐구하고자 한다. 말하자면, 이는 초현실주의의 환각을 통해 드러난 시선이 어떻게 영화 속에서 왜곡된 이질적인 이미지들로 나타나는가를 밝혀 내는 것이다. 그의 반이성주의 및 반부르주아적 태도는 영화 속에서 각종 억압 체제를 비판하는 힘과 욕망으로 나타난다. 이렇듯, 그의 영화는 초현실주의의 영향, 자신의 신념, 그리고 풍부한 상상력에 기인한 것으로 볼 수 있다. 특히 초현실주의의 기법인 카다브르 엑스키(cadavre exquis)가 영화에 접목된 이중인화의 장면들은 기존의 질서를 전복하는 기능을 한다. <안달루시아의 개>와 <황금시대>는 꿈과 몽상에 기초한 환각의 서사로 이루어진 초현실적인 영화이다. 부뉴엘의 초현실주의적 미학 원리는 작가의 고유한 시선, 사회제도에 대한 강한 저항의 시선, 그리고 종교적 우상 숭배에 저항하는 신성 모독적인 종교적 시선에서 잘 나타난다. 이 세 가지 시선은 초현실성을 바탕으로 기존의 억압체제를 비판하는 저항의 수단이다. 그의 두 작품은 사회와 종교의 억압성을 비판하고 초현실적 시선으로 자신이 욕망하는 세계를 몽환적으로 그려낸 일련의 저항적 회화이다.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of trisaccharides supplementation in glycerol-free tris (GFT) for the cryopreservation of dog spermatozoa. In the first experiment (E1), dog spermatozoa were resuspended with 50, 75, 100 or 125 mM of raffinose, melezitose or maltotriose and cooled at 4 ℃ for 10 min. To determine the effect of different cooling time, the spermatozoa resuspended with 100 mM of raffinose, melezitose or maltotriose were cooled during 10, 20, 30 or 40 min at 4 ℃ (second experiment; E2). The straws were then aligned horizontally for 10 min on the rack and then plunged into LN2. In the third experiment (E3), to determine the effect of different vapor freezing time, the spermatozoa resuspended with 100 mM raffinose were cooled at 4 ℃ for 20 min and frozen in LN2 for 5, 10, 15 or 20 min and then plunged into LN2. In the fourth experiment (E4), to compare different freezing methods [cooling plus vapor freezing (CV), cooling plus step-down freezing (CS) and direct step-down freezing (SD)], the spermatozoa resuspended with 100 mM raffinose were cooled for 20 min and frozen in LN2 vapor for 5 min in case of CV method. In case of CS method, spermatozoa were cooled for 20 min at 4℃ and then frozen by the step-down freezing method. The straws were then aligned horizontally at 18, 15, 5, and 2 cm respectively from the surface of LN2 for 1, 1, 1.4, and 5 min, respectively in an L shaped straw holder and then plunged into LN2. For SD method, the straws were directly aligned horizontally at the same levels as CS from the surface of LN2 for 1, 1, 1.9, and 5 min, respectively and then plunged into LN2. After thawing at 37℃ for 25 sec, the spermatozoa were then incubated for 30 min in the freezing extender (E1) or in the 50 mM sucrose supplemented GFT (E2, E3, and E4) at 24℃. Following post-thaw incubation, sperm progressive motility and viability were assessed in E1, E2, E3, and E4. In addition, acrosome integrity, and gene expression related to apoptosis (BAX, BCL2, and Caspase10) and sperm motility (SMCP) were evaluated in E4. The results demonstrated that, in E1, using 75 mM trisaccharides resulted in significantly (p<0.05) higher sperm motility in all sugar groups. Using 100 mM melezitose significantly (p<0.05) improved the post-thaw viability than the 100 mM raffinose. The viability in 100 mM maltotriose was similar with 100 mM raffinose and melezitose group. In E2, the different cooling time has no significant effect on post-thaw sperm progressive motility in all the sugar types. In addition, the viability was variable among the different groups. In E3, liquid nitrogen vapor freezing for 5 min resulted in improved motility and viability. The sperm progressive motility was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CV and SD group compared to CS group and the sperm viability was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CV group compared to the other groups in E4. However, the acrosomal integrity of spermatozoa in the group CV was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the group CS and SD. In addition, the expression of SMCP gene was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the CV group than the CS group. In contrast, the expression of Caspase10 significantly (p<0.05) lower in the group CV and SD than the group CS. Furthermore, the ratio of gene expression of BAX and BCL2 was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the group CV than the group CS. Therefore, cryopreservation of dog spermatozoa in 100 mM of raffinose supplemented GFT cooled for 20 min and vapor freezing for 5 min provides better progressive sperm motility, viability, and acrosome integrity with higher expression of SMCP gene and lower expression of caspase10 and BAX/BCL2 ratio following post-thaw incubation in 50 mM sucrose supplemented GFT for 30 min at 24℃.

The aim of this study was to develop a chemically defined extender for dog sperm cryopreservation by supplementation of essential and non-essential amino acids solution in EY-free PVA extender. Spermatozoa collected from mature dogs (1 ｘ 108 cell/ml) were frozen with EY-free extender supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2, 4 % essential amino acids (EAAs) or 1, 2, 4 % non-essential amino acids (NEAAs). Sperm progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity were evaluated immediately after thawing at 37 ℃ for 25 s and post-thaw incubation at room temperature for 20 min. In addition, to evaluate the synergistic effect of EAAs and NEAAs, spermatozoa were frozen with 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 % EAAs-NEAAs mixture (v:v). Sperm progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity were evaluated immediately after thawing and post-thaw incubation. Additionally, spermatozoa were frozen using EY-free PVA extender supplemented with 2 % EAAs, 2 % NEAAs or 0.5 % EAAs-NEAAs mixture. The ROS level and phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation (Annexin V-FITC assay) were assessed using flow cytometry. In addition, gene expression level for SMCP (motility-related), apoptosis-related BCL2 and BAX was measured after freezing-thawing. The progressive motility of spermatozoa cryopreserved in EAAs or NEAAs significantly increased (P < 0.05) in all groups compared to the control group regardless of thawing conditions. In addition, 1 % NEAAs significantly protected the acrosome membrane of spermatozoa after freezing-thawing (P < 0.05). However, EAAs has shown no significant effect on viability and acrosome membrane integrity of spermatozoa. On the other hand, addition of EAAs-NEAAs mixture to EY-free PVA extender significantly (P < 0.05) increased sperm progressive motility without any effect on viability. Supplementation of 0.5 % EAAs-NEAAs mixture significantly (P < 0.05) increased the expression level of SMCP, BCL2 and BAX compared to control without significant effect on PS translocation and ROS level. We conclude that essential and non-essential amino acids solution can be effectively used in EY-free extender to improve sperm motility, acrosome integrity and gene expression of SMCP and BCL2 in dog sperm cryopreservation.

To preserve the superior genetic resources and restore the endangered species, Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been used widely. In Korea, the research of dog cloning has made outstanding achievements including the production of the world`s first cloned dog. Sapsaree (Sapsalgae), the representative dog of Gyeongsan-si was designated as a Korea natural monument (No. 368). This male dog used in this study has azoospermia due to unknown cause. In this study, the aim was to confirm the cause of infertility in the cell donor dog and to evaluate the reproduction potential of dog cloning using infertile male dog by SCNT. First, to confirm the infertility of the cell donor dog, the reproductive history and the testis were evaluated. The breeding histology was not recorded in individual document. In histopathology, the Sertoli cell tumor was confirmed in biopsy of the cell donor dog after death. But, these tumors are predominantly in older dogs. Second, we produced the cloned dogs with the somatic cells of the infertile dog and the appearance was similar with the cell donor dog. Also, microsatellite analysis confirmed the genetic relationship between the cell donor and clone dogs. Third, the potential breeding capacity of the cloned dog was confirmed. In T4 assay, the normal dog (same age with cloned dogs), cell donor dog, and cloned dogs was investigated. The cell donor dog with azoospermia had very low T4 level, and cloned dogs showed higher level of T4 than normal dogs. In CASA, There was no significant difference in sperm motor ability between normal dogs and cloned dogs. As a result, cloned dogs produced by SCNT had no problem regarding the reproductive function of the testis. In AI experiment, the semen of clone dogs was used to fertilize a natural female bitch and was diagnosed pregnancy by ultrasonography. In total, 7 puppies were born by normal delivery (male: 3, female: 4). In conclusion, this study confirmed that the reproduction problem of non-genetic infertility can generate a normal descendant by SCNT. Also, the first successful research to restore infertile dogs was completed. Furthermore, SCNT would be useful for the restoration of endangered species and application of superior traits.

This research was conducted in order to examine the effect of brand status and brand crisis types on consumers’ forgiveness intention. In this research, we proposed and found that the favorable attitude toward the underdog referred as underdog effect (Paharia, Keinan, Avery, & Schor, 2011) would be diluted especially in relational-related failure. When relationship efforts and perceived warmth of the brand are particularly critical, service failure caused by highly identified underdog brand can be perceived to be more serious (Vandello, Goldschmied, & Richards, 2007). Four of the studies consistently demonstrated our assumption in that people expressed less forgiveness intention on underdog brands when the crisis is in a service failure (vs. product failure): study1 and 2, service process failure (vs. service outcome failure): study 3, and human service process failure (vs. non-human service process failure): 4. Further, the mechanism underlying this negative effect toward the underdog was revealed as perceived anger. These findings can give insights to marketers that the types of crisis and the way of brand positioning are very critical to influence customer’s forgiveness intention.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the understanding of immunization and antibody test by region and age. The questionnaire was conducted for those who raised their dogs for more than two years. The survey consisted of 500 people. SNS. The results showed that the perception of the reinforcement vaccination was more prevalent than Seoul / Gyeonggi province. However, in the Seoul / Gyeonggi area, the recognition and comprehension of the antibody test was higher and the participation rate by age was the highest in the 20s. In addition, the percentage of people who knew about vaccination was much higher, and the understanding of reinforcement vaccination showed a similar rate. The results of the questionnaire showed that the importance of antibody test is more important than antibody vaccination. In the case of a large number of antibodies, the reinforcement vaccination should be performed at the appropriate time after the antibody test.

A 2-year-old female Maltese dog was presented with a history of anemia and vaginal hemorrhagic discharge. Physical examination revealed severe vaginal hemorrhagic discharge, abdominal pain, pale mucous membranes, low blood pressure and dehydration. Results of serum biochemistry, hematology, venous blood gas, and electrolyte canine C-reactive protein (CRP) test revealed severe normocytic normochromic anemia, severe neutropenia, a high level of CRP, hypoglycemia, and imbalanced electrolytes. Abdominal ultrasound examination showed focal hypoechoic defect with loss of layering in uterine horn wall. A laparotomy revealed a clear reddish fluid in the abdomen, the fistula of left and right uterine horn, the purulent discharge from fistula, and symptoms of septic peritonitis near by the fistula site. The bitch underwent ovariohysterectomy and recovered without complication. Histopathological diagnosis of the uterine fistula site was adenocarcinoma.

A 2-year-old female Maltese dog was admitted with a history of pyometra and resulting peritonitis and septicemia. Uterine specimen sampled by ovariohysterectomy was processed routinely for histopathological observation. Grossly, the uterine mucosa was covered with necrotic debris and on the cut surface, lesion extended into the uterine wall. Microscopically, severe necrosis was observed throughout thickened mucosa, submucosa, and wall of uterus. Tumorous lesions composed of anaplastic cells with bizarre nuclei or tubular structures of cuboidal to short columnar cells were infrequently observed around the necrotic lesions and muscular layer far from necrotic areas. Immunohistochemically, central necrotic area with ambiguous cell and tissue structures, peri-necrotic tumor lesions, and muscular layer were strongly positive for cytokeratin. Since huge necrosis of adenocarcinoma lesions in this case made it difficult to diagnose, immunohistochemical results enable to diagnose as a severe necrotizing adenocarcinoma. Thus, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in this case may serve as an important knowledge to diagnose uterine adenocarcinoma with huge necrosis in the veterinary field.

This study was performed to investigate the understanding and recognition status on separation anxiety in dogs. Most breeders(95% of the survey respondents) knew about separation anxiety in dogs, but they often neglected their dogs with no treatment and no taking care of them. Symptoms of separation anxiety are mental anxiety conditions, such as severely barking, disturbing house littered, defecation mistake and self-injury. Breeders may suffer the hardships with their dogs having separation anxiety. So the efforts are needed to reduce the occurrence of separation anxiety, and it is desirable for patients to seek animal behavior counseling, behavioral correction training, and medication therapy.

As the population ages, the number of households raising companion animals is increasing. Companion animal industry has recently been diversified through a combination of various industries such as beauty, rest, and insurance, and the share of this industry in the economy is gradually increasing. Dandruid keratoses, ticks, and various pathogenic bacteria are parasitized on the skin and hair of a dog to damage the hair and cause skin diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of natural ingredients on the oil and moisture content of dog skin when using natural shampoos and using these shampoos. In this study, we measured the water content of four poodles of 1 year and 4 years old. The natural shampoo used in 4 rats was prepared and used directly. The results of this study showed that the water content in the forelimb of the experimental dog was almost unchanged when using the ordinary shampoo, but it increased with the use of the natural shampoo. Especially, when using natural shampoo for 3 weeks, it was confirmed that the water content of ordinary shampoo increased about 55.71% over 3 weeks. On the other hand, when using a general shampoo, the water content of the neck of the experimental dog was almost unchanged, and even when using the natural shampoo, the moisture content was almost unchanged. These results suggest that natural shampoos will have a better effect on maintaining the moisture content of companion animals compared to ordinary shampoos.

To obtain in vivo matured oocytes for dog cloning, serum progesterone (P4) level were employed for ovulate determination. Radioactive immunoassay (RIA) is a traditional serum hormone assay method with highly radioactivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of RIA and to compare its canine serum P4 concentration determination accuracy to that of the electric chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLI). To obtain in vivo matured oocytes for canine somatic cell nuclear transfer, serum P4 levels were accurately measured with both methods of RIA and ECLI. Although both methods detected similar P4 level before ovulation, the mean P4 concentration using ECLI was significantly higher than that using RIA from 3days before ovulation. Following ovulation, oocytes were collected by surgery, and a lower percentage of mature oocytes were observed using ECLI (39%) as compared to RIA (67%) if 4-8ng/ml of P4 were criteria for determination of ovulation. On other hand, high percentage of mature oocytes was observed using ECLI when 6–15 ng/mL of progesterone was criteria for ovulation determination. To determine whether in vivo oocytes obtained by ECLI method could be used for canine cloning, six canines were selected as oocyte donors and two puppies were produced after SCNT and embryo transfer. In conclusion, compared to the traditional RIA method, the ECLI method is a safe and reliable method for canine cloning.

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of glucose-fructose and sucrose supplementation in glycerol-free tris (GFT) on sperm motility, viability, ROS level, apoptosis (BAX and BCL2) and motility (SMCP) related gene expression of dog sperm according to different post-thaw incubation time. The spermatozoa collected from five dogs were resuspended (5×107 cell/ml) with GFT containing 86 mM glucose and 86 mM fructose (GF-GFT) or 100 mM sucrose (S-GFT). The sperm (500 μl) were loaded in straws, cooled for 50 min at 4℃, frozen using liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapor for 20 min and plunged in LN2. The progressive motility, viability, ROS (H2O2) level and mRNA expression of spermatozoa were evaluated according to post-thaw incubation time (0 h, 3 h and 6 h) at 24℃. ROS was assessed using H2DCFDA stain by flow cytometry. The relative abundances of BAX, BCL2 and SMCP were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The motility of spermatozoa cryopreserved in GF-GFT was increased throughout the post-thaw incubation time. The motility of spermatozoa cryopreserved in S-GFT was increased at 3 h of post-thaw incubation. Whereas, the sperm ROS level in GF-GFT group was decreased at 6 h of post-thaw incubation. However, the ROS level in the group S-GFT was gradually increased with the progress of post-thaw incubation period. The post-thaw incubation had no substantial effect on mRNA expression of BAX, BCL2 and SMCP genes of dog spermatozoa in both the GF-GFT and S-GFT groups. These results indicate that GF supplementation in GFT improves the progressive sperm motility during the 6 h of post-thaw incubation with maintaining similar sperm viability and is more efficient in reducing ROS after 3 h of post-thaw incubation. The addition of GF in GFT for the cryopreservation of dog spermatozoa and post-thaw incubation would open an option to achieve more functioning spermatozoa for future assisted reproduction practices.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of disaccharides supplementation in glycerol-free tris (GFT) on dog sperm cryopreservation with respect to pH adjustment of extender and post-thaw incubation. The spermatozoa collected from five dogs were resuspended (5×107 cell/ml) with GFT containing 100 mM of lactose (L), trehalose (T) or sucrose (S) or pH adjusted (6.85) 100 mM of lactose (LP), trehalose (TP) or sucrose (SP). The sperm (500 μl) were loaded in straws, cooled for 50 min at 4℃, frozen using liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapor for 20 min and plunged in LN2. After thawing at 37℃ for 25 s in a water bath, the spermatozoa were incubated at 24℃ for 30 min. The progressive motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mRNA expression of SMCP gene were then assessed. The MMP was evaluated by combined JC-1 plus PI staining. The relative abundance of SMCP was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adjustment of pH in GFT extender supplemented with disaccharides did not improve sperrm motility and viability. In general, post-thaw incubation increased the progressive motility of spermatozoa. The sperm motility in the group S was significantly (P<0.05) higher than other groups regardless of post-thaw incubation time. Similarly, the sperm viability in the group S was significantly (P<0.05) higher following post-thaw incubation. The higher sperm motility in the group S was also supported with the significantly (P<0.05) higher live sperm having high MMP. There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of SMCP gene among the experimental groups. These results indicate that cryopreservation of dog sperm in GFT supplemented with S and 30 min post-thaw incubation at 24℃ could provide better freezability of dog spermatozoa with improved motility and higher MMP.

Hematometra is defined as the accumulation of blood and blood clots in the uterus. An 8-month-old, intact female Poongsan dog presented with continuous severe hemorrhagic vulvar discharge and anemia. The initial diagnostic evaluation included abdominal ultrasonography, radiography, and physical and laboratory examinations. The electrolyte levels were low: Na ion levels were 128 mmol/L (reference range, 141 - 152 mmol/L), and Cl ion levels were 99 mmol/ L (reference range, 105 - 115 mmol/L). At presentation, the white blood cell count was 60.19 × 103/μL (reference range, 5.05 – 16.76 × 103/μL), packed cell volume was 11.8% (reference range, 37.3% - 61.7%), hemoglobin levels were 4.6 g/ dl (reference range, 13.1 - 20.5 g/dl), and platelet count was 48 × 103/μL (reference range, 148 - 484 × 103/μL). Based on the results of the complete blood count, the dog was given lactated Ringer’s solution and a whole blood transfusion. On abdominal ultrasonography, the left uterine horn was enlarged and filled with echogenic fluid. On laparotomy, the uterus was enlarged and showed an accumulation of blood and blood clots. The incised uterine horn revealed that the endometrium was filled with blood and blood clots and had a cystic appearance. Additionally, thick and yellowish pus had accumulated in the uterine cavity. Gross findings revealed a definitive diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia- pyometra complex with severe hemorrhage, termed hematometra. This case was the first report of severe hematometra in a young Poongsan dog.

Mitral valvular prolapse (MVP) in dogs is characterized by myxomatous valvular degeneration, which is caused by abnormal valvular thickening and incomplete coaptation of the mitral valve leading to mitral regurgitation. Mitral regurgitation causes left atrial and left ventricular enlargement. Pathogenesis of the disease is unknown, although some studies have suggested the involvement of endothelin and systemic connective tissue diseases. Mitral valvular prolapse in dogs commonly occurs in aged small dog breeds, including Malteses and Shih Zhus. This case study investigated the clinical features of an affected Maltese family and performed pedigree analysis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of putative familial mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation in Maltese dogs. All family members in this study showed degenerative valvular changes and echocardiographic features of mitral valvular prolapse. Although disease progression differed, all dogs progressed to advanced heart failure stage within 2-3 years after diagnosis. Therefore, this is the first study to identify putative familial mitral valve prolapse in Maltese dogs. This finding suggests strong genetic etiology involved in the development of degenerative mitral valve disease in Maltese dogs. Furthermore, this finding could be a valuable resource for the identification of gene mutations in dogs with familial mitral valvular prolapse.