Histopathological Observation of Canine Distemper in Raccoon Dogs

In this study, histopathological changes in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and other organs of raccoon dogs died of canine distemper were observed. According to the results, the lung of infected raccoon dogs exhibited severe hemor- rhage and emphysema; the liver was congested and degenerated; the spleen was enlarged; the exhibited severe hemorrhage and hyaline degeneration. Multiple organs of infected raccoon dogs were congested and hemorrhaged with tissue damage, in- flammatory cell infiltration and a series of pathological changes. This study laid a solid foundation for clinical diagnosis and treatment of canine distemper in raccoon dogs.

Comparison on Chromosome Number among Ussuri Raccoon Dogs with Three Different Coat Colors

[ Objective] This study aimed to lay theoretical foundation for establishing the database of biological characteristics of raccoon dogs with different coat colors. [Method] Reddish-brown ussuri raccoon dogs, wild ussuri raccoon dogs and Jilln white raccoon dogs were used as experimental materials in this study. Chromosome specimens were prepared by peripheral blood lymphocyte culture, to analyze chromosome number of ussuri raccoon dogs with different coat colors. [ Result] Frequencies of cells with diploid chromosome number of 56 in reddish-brown ussuri raccoon dogs and wild ussuri raccoon dogs were 86% and 83% re- spectively, indicating that the chromosome number of reddish-brown ussuri raccoon dogs and wild ussuri raccoon dogs was 56. The frequency of cells with diploid chromosome number of 56 in Jilin white raccoom dogs was 70%, which was lower than that of other two varieties, while the frequency of cells with 2n = 57 was high- er than that of other two varieties. [Conclusion] The chromosome number was 56 for reddish-brown ussuri raccoon dogs and wild ussuri raccoon dogs, and it was 56 or 57 for Jllin white raccoon dogs, which represented pelymorphism.

Comparison on Several Methods for Extracting DNA from Raccoon Dog Hair Follicle

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate a reliable method for DNA ex- traction from Wusuli raccoon dog＇s hair. [Method] Several DNA extraction methods were used to extract DNA from Wusuli raccoon dog hair, including Chelex-100 method, PCR buffer method, organic phenol-chloroform method and centrifugal col- umn type kit method. The extracted DNA was analyzed by using PCR amplification and electrophoresis to compare these four DNA extraction methods. [Result] Accord- ing to the results of spectrophotometer detection and gel electrophoresis, nucleic acid extracted by Chetex-100 method had proteins and other impurities; nucleic acid ex- tracted by PCR buffer method was low in concentration; however, DNA extracted by organic phenol-chloroform method and centrifugal column type kit was high in con- centration with no impurity band. [Conclusion] This study had laid the strong founda- tion of scientific theory to further explore the efficient and simple method for extracting DNA from Wusuli raccoon dog hair follicle.

The Genetic Diversity Study of Wild Wusuli Raccoon Dog From Nenjiang District

The ISSR method was developed to analyze the genetic diversity of 20 wild Wusuli raccoon dog from Nenjiang district. The results showed that there were significant genetic diversity and high polymorphism among individuals of the wild Wusuli raccoon dog. A total of 41 DNA bands were amplified by 9 primers, and 37 of them were polymorphism, the proportion of polymorphism was 90.24%, 2-8 polymorphism bands could be amplified by each primer, and 4.56 on average, the length of the product was 200-2 000 bp.

EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS MELATONIN ON WINTER FUR GROWTH IN USSURIANSIS RACCOON DOG(NYCTEREUTESPROCYONOIDES USSURANSIS)

The effect of exogenous melatonin on winter fur growth in raccoon dog were investigated during 1993-1995. In the field trials, a total of 496 raccoon dogs were embedded subscutaneously melatonin implants that were made in laboratory for Endocrinology and Reproduction, College of Wildlife Resources The trial results showed that melatonin was involved in regulation of seasonal molting in ussuriansis raccoon dogs, and promoted efecctively the winter fur growth, when raccoon dogs received melatonin treatment at the time near solstice. The date of winter fur maturity were advanced to middle or end of October, about four or five weeks earlier than controls, When male or female pup raccoon dogs were treated with silastic implants containing 8.6mg,12mg or 15mg melatonin on July6 and July 11 respectively. The date of winter fur maturity were advanced tolate September and early October, about six to eight weeks earlier than controls. When female adult raccoon dogs were treated withsilastic implant containing 10.6mg, 12mg or 15mg melatonin on June 4 and June 15 and June 22 respectively.

Estimated prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in rac-coon dogs Nyctereutes procyonoides in northern Branden- burg, Germany

Human alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the larval stage of the small fox tapeworm, is a lethal zoonotic infection if left untreated. E. multilocularis is distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and lives in the small intestines of carnivores, mainly canids. The main definitive host of E. multilocularis in European countries is the red fox Vulpes vulpes and in the last ten years new endemic areas for the parasite in Central Europe have been identified. In some areas, for instance in Germany, the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides - a spreading neozoon - must be regarded as an additional definitive host for E. multilocularis. In 2001 this parasite was found for the first time in raccoon dogs in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany. Between 2000 and 2008, 1,252 raccoon dogs from Brandenburg were examined by the Intestinal Scraping Technique. The majority of samples were obtained in five northern counties and all 60 animals that tested positive for E. multilocularis were located there. The estimated true prevalence calculated by a beta-binomial- model ranged from 6%-12% [Current Zoology 57 （5）： 655-661, 2011].