Increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Dogs: Frequency in Routine Clinical Practice and Association with Hematological Changes.

(1) Background: the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) has been reported to increase in some infectious or inflammatory diseases in dogs, but no information on the frequency of increases in a routine clinical setting exists. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of an increased ESR in dogs and to investigate its possible association with hematologic changes; (2) Methods: A total of 295 EDTA blood samples were randomly selected from the routine caseload of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Samples were grouped in controls and in pathologic groups based on the clinical presentation. A routine hemogram was performed, then the ESR was measured using the instrument MINI-PET; (3) Results: compared with controls, the ESR was significantly higher in all the pathologic groups, except for the hematological disorders group. The highest ESR was found in samples from dogs with chronic kidney disease or inflammation, followed by those from dogs with mild chronic disorders, severe/acute diseases, tumors and urinary disorders. The ESR negatively correlated with hematocrit and positively with neutrophil counts. (4) Conclusions: The ESR increases more frequently in dogs with clinically evident inflammation or CKD, but also in several other conditions, likely as a consequence of anemia and acute phase response.

Relationship between thyroid function and sex hormones in female German shepherd dogs.

BACKGROUND: Several variables influence the serum concentration of thyroid hormones in dogs, including breed, age, drugs, and concurrent diseases. However, data regarding the interaction between thyroid function and the estrous stage of female dogs are limited. HYPOTHESIS: Estrous stage may influence thyroid function in German Shepherd dogs. METHODS: Longitudinal, observational, non-randomized cohort study. The dogs were monitored during the complete estrous cycle, and different stages were determined by vaginal cytology. Two blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each stage to analyze the following: total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (fT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), canine thyrotropin (cTSH), progesterone, 17-ß-estradiol, triglycerides, and cholesterol concentrations. Hematological and biochemical evaluations were performed at the beginning and end of the study period. ANIMALS: Seventeen German Shepherds were included, of which 7 were bred during the study period. One dog was excluded for estrus interruption and another for suspected hypothyroidism. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of T4, fT4, and fT3 were negatively correlated with age. Total thyroxine demonstrated significant changes in serum concentrations between estrous stages, with higher concentrations in estrus and diestrus. Total thyroxine concentrations were positively correlated with progesterone concentrations and negatively correlated with 17-ß-estradiol concentrations. Free thyroxine did not show significant variations but was positively correlated with progesterone concentrations. Canine TSH concentrations were positively correlated with 17-ß-estradiol concentrations. No significant differences in thyroid hormones and cTSH concentrations were observed between diestrus during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Different stages of estrus can influence the measurement of TT4 in female dogs.

Detection and genetic characterization of domestic cat hepadnavirus in cats with cavitary effusions.

After the identification of the novel domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) in 2018, its potential pathogenetic role in feline hepatic diseases has been suggested. Following the detection of DCH in a cat's serum and peritoneal effusion, the aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the presence of DCH in cats with and without cavitary effusions along with DCH presence in effusions. Stored serum and effusion samples from cats with and without effusions admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Lodi (Italy) in 2020-2022 were included based on results of hematobiochemical parameters. Effusions were classified based on cytological and physicochemical findings. The likelihood of liver damage was estimated based on clinical and laboratory findings. Samples were tested for DCH presence by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Positive samples were subjected to whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. DCH was detected in both serum and peritoneal effusion samples of 2/72 (2.8%) enrolled cats, included in the group with effusions (2/33; 6.1%), with one cat showing inflammatory and the other non-inflammatory effusion. Both DCH-positive cats belonged to the group with a likelihood of liver damage (2/22, 9.1%). Phylogeny showed that the DCH sequences from this study clustered with the prototypic Australian strain but were not included in the clade with other Italian DCH sequences. Results suggest the circulation of different DCH variants in Italy and show the presence of DCH in effusion samples from DCH-positive cats, mirroring the presence of HBV in body fluids from HBV-infected humans. Further studies are still recommended to define the pathogenic role of DCH in cats.

Comparison of six microscopic methods and two operators for estimation of white and red blood cells in canine urine sediment.

BACKGROUND: Little information is currently available about the analytical variability of urinalysis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare results obtained by two operators using six microscopic methods in the quantification of urinary leukocytes (WBC) and erythrocytes (RBC). METHODS: Forty urine samples (10 mL) were centrifuged (450g, 5 minutes) and resuspended in 0.5 mL of supernatant. Two operators with different expertise in urinalysis interpreted sediment results using the six methods, obtained by combining the use of microscope slides (Slide) or counting chambers (Chamber) with three different techniques: bright-field (BF) microscopy, phase-contrast (PC) microscopy, and stained sediment (SS) evaluations. The mean WBC and RBC counts from 10 fields (Slide) or squares (Chamber) observed at 400× were used to calculate the difference and agreement between operators and methods. We also estimated the concordance between methods in classifying microhematuric or pyuric samples. RESULTS: Operator 2 counted significantly lower WBC counts using Slide+BF (P = 0.009) and Slide+PC (P = 0.001) than Operator 1, whereas no inter-operator differences were recorded for RBC counts. The concordance between the operators ranged from "good" to "very good." No differences or biases were found for WBC counts among the methods, and concordances were "good" to "very good"; proportional biases were found for RBC counts between Slide+BF vs Slide+SS and Slide+PC vs Slide+SS. Concordance measurements for RBC counts ranged from "good" to "very good." CONCLUSIONS: All methods yielded good reproducibility among operators, although stained SS evaluations allowed better identification of WBC by the inexperienced operator. However, we suspected that the SS preparations affected RBC counts. All other methods yielded reproducible WBC and RBC counts.

Analytical and Clinical Validation of a New Immunoenzymatic Method for the Measurement of Canine Parathyroid Hormone.

Renal hyperparathyroidism (RHPT) is one of the main complications in dogs affected with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The measurement of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) could be of clinical utility for the disease's treatment and follow-up; however, PTH is not routinely determined due to limited available methods, often not fully validated in dogs. The aims of this study were the analytical validation of an immunoenzymatic method for the measurement of PTH in canine serum and the analysis of preliminary association of the obtained results with renal function. Twenty-six samples obtained from dogs healthy or affected with CKD were analysed. PTH was measured using a two-site immunoenzymometric human assay (ST AIA-PACK® Intact PTH, Tosoh Bioscience). The analytical validation protocol evaluated the assay precision and accuracy. Also, the PTH's storage stability at 20 °C, 4 °C and -20 °C was assessed. Clinical validation was performed by comparing PTH values with creatinine, phosphorus and International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage. The method showed optimal precision and accuracy, whereas stability was adequate up to 4 h at 20 °C, 24 h at 4 °C and 6 months at -20 °C. PTH was positively associated with creatinine, phosphorus and IRIS stage. The investigated method was thus successfully validated in dogs, allowing its use for clinical purpose.