Hematological and blood biochemistry parameters as prognostic indicators of survival in canine multicentric lymphoma treated with COP and L-COP protocols.

Background and Aim: Hematological and blood chemistry parameters are crucial for evaluating and monitoring canine multicentric lymphoma during chemotherapy. Pre-treatment hematological and blood chemistry parameters can be used as prognostic survival outcomes for this disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of hematological and blood chemistry parameters pre-treatment and 4 weeks post-treatment on the survival outcomes of dogs treated with either a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone (COP) or a combination of COP with L-asparaginase (L-COP) protocols. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study. Medical records and hematological and blood chemistry parameters of 41 dogs with multicentric lymphoma treated with L-COP (n = 26) and the COP protocols (n = 15) were obtained from the hospital information system. Most cases were classified as high-grade lymphoma based on the Kiel cytological classification. The effects of hematological and blood chemistry parameters on survival outcomes were investigated using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. The median survival time (MST) for each hematological and blood chemistry parameter affecting survival outcome was established and compared using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method with the log-rank test. Results: Dogs with high-grade multicentric lymphoma that were treated with the COP protocol and had monocytosis at pre-treatment had a significantly shorter MST than dogs with normal monocyte counts (p = 0.033). In addition, dogs with azotemia, both pre-treatment and 4 weeks post-treatment, had a significantly shorter MST than dogs with normal serum creatinine levels (p = 0.012). Dogs with high-grade multicentric lymphoma treated with the L-COP protocol who had hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration <2.5 mg/dL) at both pre-treatment and 4 weeks post-treatment had a significantly shorter MST than dogs with normal serum albumin levels (p < 0.001). Furthermore, dogs with leukocytosis at 4 weeks post-treatment had a significantly shorter MST than those with a normal total white blood cell count (p = 0.024). Conclusion: Serum albumin level can serve as a simple negative prognostic indicator of survival outcomes in dogs with high-grade multicentric lymphoma treated with the L-COP protocol. Dogs with hypoalbuminemia pre-treatment and 4 weeks post-treatment tended to have a shorter MST than those with normal serum albumin concentrations.

Thoracic Vertebral Length-to-Height Ratio, a Promising Parameter to Predict the Vertebral Heart Score in Normal Welsh Corgi Pembroke Dogs.

The vertebral heart score (VHS) is the sum of the ratio of the cardiac dimensions to the number of thoracic vertebrae, starting from the fourth thoracic vertebra (T4) to the intervertebral disk space (IVS). Breed-specific VHSs, in most cases, were different from the original reference value. Characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae and IVS may influence this variation. This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of the T4 and IVS on the thoracic radiographs of Corgis in comparison with other small-to-medium breed dogs to evaluate the Corgi-specific VHSs in healthy dogs. The ratio of the T4's length/height (T4L/H) was significantly different among dog breeds but not the IVS between the T4 and T5. The T4L/H was highest in the Shih Tzu and lowest in Beagle dogs. The Corgi-specific VHS obtained from the ventrodorsal radiograph was significantly higher than that from the dorsoventral radiograph, but a significant difference was not observed between the right and left lateral radiographs. In contrast, the Corgi-specific VHS derived from the right lateral thoracic radiograph was significantly lower than the reference value. This may be correlated with the characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae of Corgis, which were slightly higher than those of the other breeds.

Computed tomographic diaphragmatic thickness: a promising method for the evaluation of diaphragmatic muscle in cardiopulmonary diseased cats.

Diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) is defined as a weakening of the diaphragmatic muscle and can be an undetected cause of dyspnea. The objectives of this study were to explore the appropriate diaphragmatic location, measure diaphragmatic thickness (DT), evaluate the effect of intrinsic factors on DT, and compare DT between healthy and diseased cats, using 33 healthy cats and 15 diseased cats. A retrospective, analytical, case-control study using thoraco-abdominal feline computed tomography (CT) was performed. Two radiologists independently reviewed all images to verify inter- and intra-observer reliabilities and the best position for measuring DT. The effects of sex, age, and body weight were also studied, and cutoff values for detecting DT abnormalities were established. The results showed that the appropriate location for DT measurement was at the ventral border of the cranial endplate of the first lumbar vertebral body (L1) due to its highest intra- and inter-observer reliabilities. At this location, a significant difference in DT between the right and left hemidiaphragms (p = 0.01) was observed. Only sex had an impact on DT values. Interestingly, the DTs of cardiorespiratory-affected cats, both on the right and left sides, were significantly thinner than those of healthy cats. In conclusion, CT imaging is a reliable imaging method for determining diaphragmatic muscular atrophy. The ventral border of the cranial endplate of L1 is recommended for measuring the DT, and sex was the only factor affecting the DT measurement.

Use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography to detect kidney infarction in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Kidney infarction is a renovascular disease diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in humans. OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency of kidney infarction and to determine the detection of kidney infarction with CECT in dogs. ANIMALS: Eight hundred and twenty-six abdominal CECT studies of 826 dogs. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study. Dogs with abdominal CT scans including CECT were retrospectively retrieved. Kidney infarction was classified into 3 grades based on the extent of infarction relative to total kidney area. The location and number of kidney infarctions in each kidney were expressed as number and percentage. The ability of visualization of kidney infarction in each multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) image plane was evaluated by agreement of 2 observers. RESULTS: The frequency of kidney infarction in dogs was 3.15% (26/826 dogs; 95% CI = 2.05-4.61). Most kidney infarctions were classified as grade 1, or the lesions were less than 25% of the kidney (47/56, 83.93%) and most were detected at the caudal pole of the kidney (31/56, 55.35%) on the sagittal plane. On MPR image planes, the sagittal plane had the highest proportion (34/56, 60.71%) of excellent visual category to detect kidney infarction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The CECT, especially the sagittal plane, is a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of kidney infarction in dogs.

The Feasibility of Ultrasonographic Diaphragmatic Excursion in Healthy Dogs: Effect of Positioning, Diaphragmatic Location, and Body Weight of Dogs.

Diaphragmatic excursion (DE) has been utilized for detecting respiratory related problems in humans. However, several factors should be considered such as the ultrasound technique and factors intrinsic to patients. Nevertheless, knowledge of the effect of these factors on DE in dogs is still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proper ultrasound technique by varying postures and diaphragmatic locations for DE measurement and to explore intrinsic factors such as diaphragmatic sides, sex, and body weight of dogs on DE. The prospective, analytic, cross-sectional study included 44 healthy dogs; 12 beagles and 32 dogs of other breeds. The experiment was divided into (i) an exploration of the proper ultrasound technique by varying postures (supine, standing, and recumbent in each of the right and left lateral positions), diaphragmatic locations (middle crus and proximal to the last rib), and diaphragmatic sublocations (xiphoid, mid, and proximal rib) for detection of DE and (ii) the evaluation of canine intrinsic factors affecting DE. The results show that the mid-diaphragmatic sublocation in the middle crus area in almost all positions revealed the highest percentage DE detection. However, DEs were revealed to be more accessible in the supine position. There was no significant difference in DE between the right and the left diaphragms or between the sexes of beagle dogs. However, body weight was significantly correlated with the DE among dogs of various sizes. In conclusion, the posture of the dogs and the diaphragmatic location can affect DE evaluation. Neither sex nor diaphragmatic side had an influence, but body weight was revealed as a major factor in DE in dogs.