Influence of age and vaccination interval on canine parvovirus, distemper virus, and adenovirus serum antibody titers.

Canine core vaccine titer screenings are becoming increasingly popular in veterinary practice as a tool to guide vaccination decisions, despite a lack of supportive, peer-reviewed evidence-based literature. Additionally, it has been suggested that the canine core vaccine duration of host protective immunity can persist past the currently recommended vaccination interval. Thus, this study evaluated serum antibody titers against three core antigens in dogs with known vaccination histories and lifestyles, analyzing the effect of life stage, exposure risk, and time since last vaccination (TSLV). Clinically healthy dogs (n = 188) presenting to the primary care services of three colleges of veterinary medicine were selected to represent a variety of ages, breeds, and vaccination history. Serum antibody titers for canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), and canine adenovirus-2 (CAV2) were measured via virus neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition. CAV2 and CPV titers decreased, while CDV titers had a decreasing trend with increasing time since last vaccination or vaccination interval. When assessing circulating antibody levels historially associated with protective immunity across various vaccination intervals, 62% (95%CI 36-82%; 8/13) of dogs had positive titers for CDV 5 years post last vaccination, while 92% (95%CI 67-99%; 12/13) of dogs were positive for CAV2 and CPV. Both advanced age and life stage were associated with lower titers and thus, identify a canine population cohort likely at higher disease risk. The results of this study revealed that patient duration of core vaccine-mediated immunity changes with a number of variables, with animal aging and time since vaccination influencing host humoral immunity. This provides further support for the performance of canine core antibody titers to assess whether a vaccine booster and/or specific type of booster is warranted.

Cross-sectional characterization of renal function in cats with caudal stomatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to compare renal functional biomarkers in cats and in caudal stomatitis (CS) and in age-matched control cats. METHODS: A cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted on 44 client-owned cats with CS that were prospectively enrolled and evaluated for a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment at one of four institutions. Renal function was assessed with measurement of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum symmetric dimethylarginine, urinalysis, urine protein:creatinine ratio and urine protein electrophoresis. Affected gingiva was biopsied to confirm the diagnosis of stomatitis. Renal biochemical analyses from the experimental group were compared with those of 44 age-matched controls without CS enrolled prospectively or retrospectively after presenting to the primary institution for routine healthcare. Control cats were included if they were clinically stable, their chronic illnesses were well managed and minimal dental disease was present on examination. Renal biomarkers were compared between groups using a t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test. Frequency of azotemia, proteinuria and the clinical diagnosis of renal disease were compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Relative to the control group, cats in the CS group had significantly lower serum creatinine (P <0.001) and albumin concentrations (P <0.001), urine specific gravity (P = 0.024) and hematocrit (P = 0.003), and higher serum phosphorus (P <0.001), potassium (P <0.001) and globulin concentrations (P <0.001), white blood cell count (P <0.001) and urine protein:creatinine ratio (P = 0.009). There were no significant differences in serum symmetric dimethylarginine or urea nitrogen concentrations. No clinically significant findings were noted on urine protein electrophoresis. There were no significant differences in the frequency of azotemia, proteinuria or renal disease categories between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The present study does not demonstrate a significant difference in the frequency of kidney disease between cats with and without CS. Longitudinal evaluation is warranted to investigate the relationship between renal disease and CS.

Renal Osteodystrophy due to Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in a Cat.

A 6 yr old neutered male mixed-breed cat presented for renal transplantation (RTx) for chronic kidney disease. Severe periodontal disease was identified, and before initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment procedure was performed to reduce the burden of existing oral infection. Dental radiography revealed diffuse, severe bone demineralization across the mandible and maxilla, with thinning of the cortices. Nasal turbinates were easily visualized owing to the decreased opacity of maxillary bone. Generalized bone resorption left teeth to appear minimally attached. A Vitamin D panel revealed a severely elevated parathyroid hormone level. Full mouth extractions were performed. Seven days following this procedure, RTx was performed. Serum creatinine concentration was within normal limits by 48 hr after surgery and remained normal until discharge 12 days after RTx. At 3.5 mo after RTx, the cat was mildly azotemic, and the parathyroid hormone level was elevated but significantly decreased from the original measurement. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a common abnormality in cats with chronic kidney disease. However, clinical manifestations of hyperparathyroidism are rare in this species. This is a novel presentation of a cat demonstrating bone loss in the oral cavity as a result of renal secondary hyperparathyroidism.