Association between decreased blood pressure and azotaemia in canine babesiosis.

Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was described in canine babesiosis. Hypotension is considered as one of the factors which influence the development of hypoxic renal damage. In this study hypotension defined as mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 80 mmHg was detected in 7 out of 48 dogs (14.6%) infected with Babesia canis. Lower systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) and MAP were detected in azotaemic dogs infected with B. canis. Statistically significant negative correlations between blood pressures (SAP, DAP and MAP) and serum creatinine and urea concentrations showed the influence of decreased blood pressure on the development of azotaemia and is probably also associated with ATN in canine babesiosis.

Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome in a cat with thymoma.

Feline cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome is a rare disorder associated mainly with pancreatic carcinoma and thymoma. In this report the authors describe the case of a 12-year-old cat with paraneoplastic exfoliative dermatitis associated with thymoma. Lateral radiographic examination of the chest showed a small subtle soft tissue density in the ventral part of the first and second intercostal space, which together with skin changes suggested thymoma. Because of pain associated with the skin condition, costs of treatment and the risk associated with surgical treatment, the owner chose euthanasia of the cat. Post-mortem examination revealed a tumour which was diagnosed as thymoma by histopathological examination.

Increased AST/ALT ratio in azotaemic dogs infected with Babesia canis.

The AST/ALT ratio was estimated in 182 dogs infected with Babesia canis. Among these dogs 65 had anaemia and 68 were azotaemic. Student's t test was used to compare means of the AST/ALT ratio in anaemic and non-anaemic dogs, and in azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs (p < 0.05). The differences in AST/ALT ratio between anaemic (1.52 +/- 1.15) and non-anaemic (1.76 +/- 1.34) dogs were statistically insignificant (p = 0.23), however, the comparison of AST/ALT ratio between azotaemic (2.68 +/- 1.52) and non-azotaemic (1.08 +/- 0.53) dogs revealed a significantly higher value of this index in azotaemic dogs (p = 0.00). The present results suggest that kidney injury contributed to increased AST activity in these dogs.

Changes in the SUSPPUP ratio and fractional excretion of strong monovalent electrolytes in hospitalized dogs with canine babesiosis.

In this study an increased SUSPPUP ratio and fractional excretion of potassium in dogs infected with Babesia canis suggested mineralocorticoid excess in canine babesiosis. A significant increase in strong monovalent electrolyte fractional excretions in azotaemic dogs infected with B. canis probably resulted from acute tubular necrosis.

Azithromycin in the treatment of a dog infected with Giardia intestinalis.

Giardia intestinalis infection is a common cause of diarrhoea in humans and other mammalian species throughout the world. This report describes a case of a dog suffering from diarrhoea, infected with G. intestinalis, effectively treated with azithromycin. Azithromycin is an azalide, semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic having a large spectrum of activity against bacterial pathogens and some protozoa. In this case, Giardia infection in a dog was confirmed by microscopic examination and PCR. Sequencing of the detected Giardia amplicon confirmed infection with assemblage A-I. The dog received azithromycin administered at dose of 10 mg/kg per os, once a day for 5 days. After the therapy, the diarrhoea stopped. Effectiveness of the treatment was also confirmed by PCR and microscopic examination. This is the first report on the therapy of canine giardiosis with azithromycin. It seems that azithromycin can be considered as promising antibiotic for the control of Giardia infection in dogs.

Biochemical abnormalities observed in serum of dogs infected with large Babesia in Warsaw (Poland).

Biochemical abnormalities observed in canine babesiosis are related to the severity of the disease. The primary biochemical abnormalities found in affected dogs are: increase of the serum activity of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, azotemia, and hypoglycemia. The purposes of this study were: 1) to estimate biochemical abnormalities in dogs infected with large Babesia in Warsaw and 2) to evaluate statistically changes observed during canine babesiosis in dogs from Warsaw. Samples of serum were collected from dogs naturally infected with large Babesia. Among 2023 positive samples, 202 were randomly selected. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total serum protein (TSP), albumin and blood glucose concentration were determined with a clinical chemistry analyser. Elevated activity of ALT, AST and ALP was detected accordingly in: 64.9, 92.6 and 31.7% of dogs. Elevated creatinine concentration and BUN were detected accordingly in 30.7 and 62.4% of dogs. Decrease of TSP, albumin, BUN, and hypoglycemia was detected accordingly in: 19.8, 32.7, 1.5 and 18.3% of dogs. The most common biochemical abnormalities found in affected dogs were: increase of activity of transaminases and ALP, elevated creatinine concentration, hypoalbuminemia and hypoglycemia. These abnormalities resulted from hepatopathy, renal failure and fasting.