Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Dogs.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence linking low blood vitamin D concentration to numerous diseases in people and in dogs. Vitamin D influences cellular function by signaling through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Little is known about which non-skeletal tissues express the VDR or how inflammation influences its expression in the dog. OBJECTIVES: To define which non-skeletal canine tissues express the VDR and to investigate expression in inflamed small intestine. ANIMALS: Thirteen non-skeletal tissues were collected prospectively from 6 control dogs. Thirty-five dogs diagnosed with a chronic enteropathy (CE) and 24 control dogs were prospectively enrolled and duodenal biopsies were evaluated for VDR expression. METHODS: Prospective; blinded assessment of canine intestinal VDR. Dogs with CE were included once other identifiable causes of intestinal disease were excluded. Age matched controls were included with no intestinal clinical signs. VDR expression was assessed immunohistochemically in all samples, using a Rat IgG VDR monoclonal antibody. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was also used for duodenal biopsies. RESULTS: VDR expression as assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) was highest in the kidney, duodenum, skin, ileum and spleen, and weak in the colon, heart, lymph node, liver, lung, and ovary. Gastric and testicular tissue did not express the VDR. There was no statistical difference in duodenal VDR expression between the 24 healthy dogs and 34 dogs with CE when quantified by either qPCR (P = 0.87) or IHC (P = 0.099). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The lack of down regulation of VDR expression in inflamed intestine contrasts with previous studies in humans. Our findings support future studies to investigate whether vitamin D and its analogues can be used to modulate intestinal inflammation in the dog.

Polyglandular endocrinopathy type II (Schmidt's syndrome) in a Dobermann pinscher.

A three-year-old, female neutered, Dobermann pinscher was presented for investigation of lethargy, episodic collapse, ataxia and myxoedema. Primary hypothyroidism and primary cortisol-deficient hypoadrenocorticism were diagnosed based on history, physical examination and compatible hormonal analysis. Increased serum concentrations of thyroglobulin autoantibodies and 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies indicated an immune-mediated aetiology. The case was complicated by lymphadenopathy with hand-mirror lymphocytes, classically identified in lymphoma. A polymerase chain reaction test for antigen receptor rearrangement indicated polyclonality and therefore reactive lymphadenopathy. The dog's clinical signs resolved following introduction of levothyroxine and prednisolone. Prioritising the problem-based approach in this case facilitated the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism in addition to hypothyroidism due to the persistence of clinical signs despite thyroxine replacement. Importantly, atypical adrenal gland dysfunction was not misinterpreted as inadequate therapeutic response to thyroxine supplementation. The observation that polyglandular endocrinopathy type II can occur in dogs suggests that in dogs with a suboptimal response to treatment for hypothyroidism or hypoadrenocorticism comorbid endocrinopathies should be investigated.

Evaluating Quality and Adequacy of Gastrointestinal Samples Collected using Reusable or Disposable Forceps.

BACKGROUND: Sample quality of gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies is of paramount importance for accurate histological diagnosis. Many veterinary practices use reusable forceps as a result of perceived decreased cost. With reusable forceps, it remains unknown whether sample quality declines with repeated use and becomes inferior to single-use forceps and is therefore more or less cost effective than single-use forceps. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The study hypothesis was that reusable forceps sample quality would deteriorate after repeated use as compared to single-use forceps. ANIMALS: Sixty-five dogs undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy for diagnostic investigations at the Hospital for Small Animals, Edinburgh University. METHOD: A prospective, pathologist-blinded study comparing single-use and reusable alligator standard cup biopsy forceps (Olympus 2.0 mm 1550 mm) with 5 randomized reusable forceps. Sample quality (stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon) was assessed by a single pathologist using the WSAVA guidelines. RESULTS: There was no difference in the adequacy, depth, villi number, or crush artifact in the 4 intestinal areas between forceps type with at least 10, and up to 15, repeated uses of the reusable forceps. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study demonstrates that reusable cup biopsy forceps provide equivalent biopsy quality after repeated uses to single-use forceps and are cost effective at 10-case use.

Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations decrease following treatment of primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia.

OBJECTIVES: The measurement of serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with a range of non-primary cardiac illnesses suggests that cardiac myocyte damage is commonplace. Dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia have increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations at the time of diagnosis. However, it is unclear whether biochemical evidence of cardiac myocyte damage improves following successful treatment of anaemia. METHODS: A haematology profile was performed and serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in 19 dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia before and after treatment. RESULTS: The haematocrit increased significantly (P = 0 · 0001) following treatment of primary IMHA (median pre: 0 · 13 L/L, median post: 0 · 33 L/L). The serum cardiac troponin I concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0 · 05) after treatment (median pre: 0 · 26 ng/mL, median post: 0 · 16 ng/mL). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Serum cardiac troponin I concentration decreases following successful treatment of primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. The clinical and prognostic significance of serum cardiac troponin I concentrations before and after treatment in dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia merits further investigation.

Factors associated with the resolution of postoperative ileus in newborn infants.

Reliable indicators of ileus resolution following laparotomy have not been identified in newborn infants. The purpose of this study was to correlate commonly available clinical parameters with the resolution of postoperative ileus in newborn infants after abdominal procedures. The presentation, treatment, and postoperative abdominal examination of 60 consecutive newborn infants who underwent a heterogeneous group of primary abdominal operations were evaluated. No significant association was observed between the time to first bowel movement (resolution of ileus) and age, postconceptual age, weight, degree of intraabdominal contamination, duration of surgery, type of operative procedure, presence or absence of abdominal distension, and time to first bowel sounds. Opioid use was associated with a delay in the time to first bowel movement that was not accounted for by the effects of any other variable. Easily obtainable clinical parameters are not universally useful for predicting the duration of ileus in newborn infants after abdominal surgery. The use of opioids is associated with delayed resolution of ileus. Measures to limit the use of opioids may be effective in shortening the duration of postoperative ileus in newborn infants.