Intradermal testing and serum allergen-specific IgE-testing in cats with naturally occurring feline bronchial disease.

OBJECTIVES: While feline asthma (FA) is considered to be of allergic origin, the etiology of feline chronic bronchitis (CB) to date is unknown. Aim of the study was to compare the results of intradermal testing (IDT) and serum testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (SAT) in cats diagnosed with FA and CB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven client-owned cats with clinical signs, suggestive of feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned to 3 groups based on results of bronchoalveolar-lavage-fluid (BALF)-cytology: FA (n=8), CB (n=10), or cats with a physiological BALF cytology (PB; n=9). A standardized IDT for 27 allergens was performed in all cats. In addition, allergen-specific IgE was measured in serum samples using an FcεRIα-ELISA. The number of positive reactions in both tests was compared between groups, and agreement between test results of both tests was evaluated. RESULTS: Regarding the number of positive reactions, no statistically significant difference was detected between groups in IDT (p=0.65) and SAT (p=0.51). When comparing the 2 test systems, a weak correlation was found for the allergens Tyrophagus putrescentiae (k=0.256), Dermatophagoides farinae (k=0.276), and rye (k=0.273). The most commonly observed reactions were to house dust mites, storage mites, rye and nettle in IDT and to sheep sorrel, storage mites, and house dust mites in SAT. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: IDT and SAT in cats with feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) cannot be used interchangeably for allergen detection. Sensitization to environmental allergens can occur in cats with and without airway inflammation. Therefore, a positive test result should always be assessed in context with clinical signs and allergen exposure.

Intravenous lipid emulsion for the treatment of poisonings in 313 dogs and 100 cats (2016-2020).

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the effect and potential adverse effects of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) in poisoned dogs and cats over a 5 years period. Methods: Medical records of 313 dogs and 100 cats receiving ILE between 2016-2020 were analyzed for suspected toxicant, clinical signs, ILE dosages and frequency, the effect and adverse effects of ILE, and patient outcome. Results: Dogs and cats were poisoned with mostly unidentified toxicants (48%), rodenticides (8%), recreational drugs and nuts (7% each) and other toxicants. Clinical signs included neurologic deficits (63%), cardiovascular signs (29%), thermoregulation (21%) or gastrointestinal abnormalities (17%). Treatment with ILE was initiated within a median of 6.0 h (1.0-91.0 h) after poisoning. Dogs and cats received a total amount of median 8.0 mL/kg (1.5-66.6 mL/kg) and 15.8 mL/kg (1.8-69.4 mL/kg) ILE, respectively. A positive effect was observed in 74% of the patients, whereas clinical signs worsened in 4% of the patients after ILE administration. No subjective effect was detected in 22% of the patients. Suspected or possible adverse effects of ILE occurred in 6% of the patients, including neurological signs (temporarily reduced consciousness and ataxia), bradycardia, hyperthermia, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, worsening of the general behavior, facial swelling, and thrombophlebitis. The overall survival rate was 96%. One dog who potentially experienced adverse events was euthanized. Conclusion: ILE treatment was successful in most patients but can be associated with adverse effects. Administration of ILE should be carefully selected on an individual basis after weighing the possible benefits against potential adverse effects.

Retrospective evaluation of the use of hemodialysis in dogs with suspected metaldehyde poisoning (2012-2017): 11 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dogs treated with hemodialysis for severe metaldehyde intoxication and to compare them with conventionally-managed patients. DESIGN: Retrospective study (2012-2017). SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Data from 18 dogs with severe metaldehyde intoxication were analyzed. Eleven dogs were treated with intermittent hemodialysis and 7 managed conventionally. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Metaldehyde poisoning was diagnosed based on clinical signs and toxicological analysis or presence of turquoise material in the gastrointestinal content. Clinical signs, additional treatments, dialysis prescription, duration of anesthesia and hospitalization, complications, and outcome were documented. Results were analyzed by t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Dialysis was performed for median (range) 180 min (150-420 min) with median of 2.28 L/kg (1.66-4.48 L/kg) blood volume processed. In the hemodialysis group, anesthesia was discontinued at a median of 3.0 hours (1.5-6.7 h) after starting dialysis. The conventional-group received general anesthesia for a median of 17.5 hours (7.0-30.5 h). No further anticonvulsive treatment was necessary for the hemodialysis group. Time to hospital discharge was shorter in dialyzed dogs (median 18 h; 15-41 h) compared to conventionally treated dogs (median 89 h; 61-168 h; P = 0.0014). Aspiration pneumonia was reported in 5 conventionally treated dogs and none of the dialyzed dogs (P = 0.001). Five dialyzed dogs developed hematoma at the dialysis catheter site. One dog in each group was euthanized. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis significantly decreases the requirement for anesthesia and length of hospitalization in dogs with metaldehyde intoxication. Aspiration pneumonia occurred less often in dialyzed patients. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm the clinical utility of hemodialysis in dogs with metaldehyde poisoning.

Evaluation of the in vitro efficacy of hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, and the combined approach on the removal of metaldehyde from canine plasma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, and a combined approach on the removal of metaldehyde from canine plasma. DESIGN: In vitro study. SETTING: University veterinary teaching hospital laboratory. ANIMALS: None. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Metaldehyde-fortified canine plasma was prepared. Hemodialysis (HD), charcoal hemoperfusion (HP), and in-series hemodialysis and charcoal hemoperfusion (HD/HP) were applied in triplicate to eliminate metaldehyde from plasma. Plasma samples were obtained before starting the procedure and subsequently after every processed total plasma volume until plasma had been processed 10 times. Plasma metaldehyde concentration was quantitatively assayed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test, and by calculating the coefficient of variation from duplicate measurements, binomial distribution, and by Bland-Altman analysis. Statistically significant reduction in metaldehyde concentration was reached by all 3 techniques. Reduction of metaldehyde concentration of more than 95% was achieved after processing the plasma volume 4 times applying HD, 8 times applying HP, and 2 times applying HD/HP. Efficacy in reduction of metaldehyde concentration differed significantly between the 3 procedures (P < 0.001). In-series hemodialysis and charcoal hemoperfusion was more effective in metaldehyde removal than HD (P = 0.003) and HP (P < 0.001), and HD was more effective than HP (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Metaldehyde was effectively removed by all applied extracorporeal blood purification techniques in vitro. However, the combination of both techniques was more effective than HD or HP alone. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm therapeutic benefits in patients.