ABSTRACT:The aim of this internet-based questionnaire was to determine risk factors for the development and survival of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) in dogs in central Europe. The questionnaire focused on general information, feeding and elimination behaviour, family history, personality and routine habits, was freely distributed on the internet. Respondents were recruited by e-mail, and announcement of the survey on websites focused on dogs or breeder clubs and flyers in veterinary clinics and at dog shows. Responses from the owners of 785 dogs were analysed. Data underwent descriptive statistical and logistic regression analysis. Factors associated with an increased risk of GDV are intact male, specific breed, pet food and first-degree relative with gastric-dilatation and volvulus. In contrast, low risk was observed in spayed females, dogs eating meals with large particles, dogs with frequent defecation or in dogs kept at home. Non-survivors had a significantly longer time between food consumption and the development of clinical signs than survivors. We conclude that the risk of GDV development is associated with several factors. Some of these can be influenced by the owner or veterinarian.

Thromboelastography is an accurate alternative to routine coagulation testing for the monitoring of haemostasis. However, its use in equine medicine is limited not only by the lack of reference interval values for kaolin-activated citrated samples, but also by the limited accessibility of the test for field practitioners within the 2-hour storage time recommended by the manufacturer. To address this issue, we here evaluated kaolin-activated thromboelastography using a TEG^® 5000 Thrombelastograph^® Hemostasis System in 36 healthy horses, and sample stability was evaluated at four timepoints post collection in seven horses. Reference values were established as follows: reaction-time 5.0–16.0 min, K-time (period in which the clot strength reaches 20 mm of amplitude) 1.1–5.2 min, α-angle (speed of fibrin cross-linking) 36.5–79.0°, maximal amplitude 44.5–69.7 mm, fibrinolysis 30 minutes after maximal amplitude was reached 0.0–2.8%. During storage, the trends in the changes of values were similar for most parameters, and values remained mostly within the reference intervals. Thromboelastography is thus useful in defining thrombohaemorrhagic complications in horses but can be sensitive to preanalytical factors and storage.

Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome is associated with changes in haemostatic profiles. The aims of this study were to compare selected haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters between healthy dogs and dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome, estimate the incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and determine the most sensitive test for detection of DIC in these patients. Blood was collected from 22 dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome, and nine healthy control dogs. Platelet counts, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen concentrations and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products were measured in all control dogs and patients with gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome, before and after surgery. Significant differences between control dogs and patients were seen in activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products before surgery and all measured parameters after surgery. The incidence of DIC was 59%. The most sensitive tests for detection of DIC before surgery were those for activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products.Keywords: bleeding disorders; canine; coagulopathy; fibrin degradation products; haemostasis List of abbreviations aPTT = activated partial tromboplastin time, AT =antithrombin, DIC = disseminated intravascular coagulation, FBG = fibrinogen, FDP = fibrin degradation products, GDV = gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome, PT = prothrombin time, SIRS = systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Right-ventricle pacing seems to have no influence on hemostasis in rabbits.

The paper presents the results of primary quantitative research aimed at determining the degree of use of various PR tools and evaluating their perceived effectiveness with the public. The respondents were managers of chemical industrial companies in the Czech Republic. It compares the use and perceived effectiveness of the monitored PR tools and identifies those that should be maintained, those that need to be developed and also those that should be restrained. This provides managers with a suitable guide for effective management of PR communication. The findings are supplemented by an analysis of differences in the use of monitored PR tools by the size of companies and differences in the perception of the effectiveness of the monitored PR tools according to different characteristics of respondents. It was confirmed that PR tools aimed at the public are used to a greater extent by larger companies (more than 250 employees) and respondents' views differ the most in the perceived effectiveness of press releases.

The article presents the results of primary quantitative research aiming to determine the extent to which PR tools are used by chemical companies towards the public (wide and local) in the Czech Republic. It was found that, in the opinion of the respondents, the natural publicity of the company through word of mouth and media information has the greatest influence on public opinion, while the influence of social networks has not been appreciated yet. An important contribution of the paper may be the identification of the extent of use of a complex set of PR tools in the areas of information publicity, events and corporate social responsibility initiatives (CSR) recommended by literature to support business reputation among the public. Thus, it was possible to identify PR tools often used by companies, albeit not very effective, and vice versa, those PR tools that are perceived to be effective, but not yet widely used in practice. The application of research results will facilitate a better allocation of company resources among PR tools in order to more effectively meet the company’s PR objectives towards the public. The research was conducted through the electronic questioning method and involved 53 marketing and PR managers of chemical companies in the Czech Republic.