Serum pepsinogen-A, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, and C-reactive protein as prognostic markers in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Pepsinogens are proenzymes secreted by gastric chief cells. In humans, their serum concentrations reflect gastric mucosal morphological and functional status. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate serum canine pepsinogen-A (cPG-A), C-reactive protein (CRP), and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentrations in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). ANIMALS: Sixty-six dogs presented with GDV and 79 healthy controls. METHODS: Blood was collected prospectively, and records retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Median cPG-A concentration was higher in GDV dogs (median, 397 µg/L; range, 37-5,410) compared to controls (median, cPG-A 304 µg/L; range, 18-848; P = .07). Mortality rate in GDV dogs was 22.7%. In nonsurvivors of GDV, median cPG-A was higher compared to survivors (median, 746 µg/L; range, 128-5,409 versus median, 346; range, 36-1,575, respectively; P = .003). The proportion of dogs with increased cPG-A increased with gastric wall damage score (P = .007). An ROC analysis of cPG-A as a predictor of death showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.75, higher than lactate (AUC 0.66), and corresponded to a sensitivity and specificity of 53% and 88%, respectively. CRP was increased in 48 dogs (75%), cPLI was >200 µg/L in 26 dogs (39.4%) and >400 µg/L in 12 dogs (18.2%) but both analytes had no association with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Presurgical cPG-A concentration was positively and significantly associated with gastric wall lesion severity, but, based on ROC analysis, it was only a moderate outcome predictor. CRP and cPLI were commonly increased in dogs with GDV.

Adhesions of small intestine and urinary bladder to fracture callus within the pelvic canal in two dogs.

In this case report, we report on two cases of pelvic fractures with uncommon complications that resulted from adhesions of the small intestine to the fracture callus in dogs. The most likely cause of the clinical signs in the first case was adhesions between a segment of the jejunum and a coccygeal callus which resulted in luminal narrowing. This was further complicated by small obstructing trichobezoars. In case 2, which was admitted with incontinence, adhesions were found between fractured pubic bone callus and both the urinary bladder and a segment of the jejunum.

Bacterial infective arthritis of the coxofemoral joint in dogs with hip dysplasia.

The objective of this study was to describe seven cases of unilateral bacterial infective coxarthritis from a total of 19 cases of bacterial infective arthritis (BIA), presenting over a two year period. We recorded the history, clinical signs, diagnostic process, treatment and clinical outcome in these cases. The data were obtained from medical records, review of the radiographs, and telephone follow-up with the owners. All of the dogs in this study had severe chronic osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia, which caused periodic hind limb lameness. They were all admitted with severe acute hind-limb lameness. Pelvic radiographs were performed under general anaesthesia shortly after presentation, followed immediately by arthrocentesis of the affected joint. The synovial fluid was evaluated microscopically by direct smear and a sample was sent for culture and sensitivity. An attempt was not made to drain or lavage the affected joint during the course of treatment. The initial choice of antibiotics was empiric and subsequently modified, as required, based on the sensitivity results. Four of the dogs showed a rapid return to weight-bearing after the initiation of antibiotic treatment, and all of the patients returned to their pre-BIA level of function. Neither recurrent infections nor any adverse sequela requiring further intervention were reported by the owners on telephone follow-up.