Laparotomy-assisted endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies: Evaluation of this technique and postoperative recovery in dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of the laparotomy-assisted endoscopic removal (LAER) of gastrointestinal foreign bodies (FBs) with traditional enterotomy, and to determine which factors affected the ability to remove FBs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Dogs and cats (n = 81) with gastrointestinal FBs. METHODS: Dogs and cats were divided into Group 1 (LAER, n = 40) and Group 2 (Enterotomy, n = 41). The localization and characteristics of the FBs (sharp or blunt; discrete or linear; single or multiple) were evaluated statistically to identify the factors that affected the ability of LAER to remove, partially or completely, the FBs (χ2 test). The length of the postoperative stay, postoperative analgesia, and resumption of spontaneous feeding were compared between groups (Mann-Whitney U-test). Short-term follow up (14 days) was recorded. RESULTS: Laparotomy-assisted endoscopic removal allowed complete or partial removal of FBs in 35/40 dogs and cats, regardless of the characteristics or the localization of the FBs. The presence of intestinal wall damage (p = .043) was associated with the conversion to an enterotomy. Group 1 required a shorter postoperative hospital stay (p = .006), less need for analgesia (p < .001), and experienced a faster resumption of spontaneous feeding (p = .012), and similar complication rate to Group 2. CONCLUSION: Laparotomy-assisted endoscopic removal resulted in a faster postoperative recovery when compared with an enterotomy. The FBs' characteristics or localization did not affect the efficacy of the technique to remove FBs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Laparotomy-assisted endoscopic removal allows the removal of a variety of FBs, avoiding intestinal incision and resulting in a fast postoperative recovery.

Factors related to longevity and mortality of dogs in Italy.

Besides its translational value, an improved understanding of dog longevity and mortality is necessary to guide health management decisions, breed selection, and improve dog welfare. In order to analyse the lifespan of dogs in Italy, identify the most common causes of death, and evaluate possible risk factors, anonymised medical records were collected from 9 veterinary teaching hospitals and 2 public health institutions. Data regarding breed, sex, neuter status, age, diagnosis, and mechanism of death were retrieved. Cause of death (COD) was classified by pathophysiologic process (PP) and organ system (OS). Of the 4957 dogs that died between 2004 and 2020 included in the study, 2920 (59.0%) were purebred, 2293 (46.2%) were female, 3005 (60.6%) were intact, 2883 (58.2%) were euthanised. Overall median longevity was 10.0 years. Median longevity was significantly longer for crossbreds, females, neutered dogs, and small-sized breeds. The breeds with the highest median age at death were the Yorkshire terrier, English cocker spaniel, West Highland white terrier, Italian volpino, and Shih Tzu, whilst the American bulldog, English bulldog, American pit bull terrier, Bernese mountain dog and the Maremma and the Abruzzes sheepdog had the lowest median age at death. The most frequent COD by PP was neoplasia (34.0%), which occurred more frequently in large breeds, namely German shepherd, Labrador retriever and Boxer. Degenerative diseases mostly affected small-sized dogs like Miniature pinscher and Dachshund. Regarding the OS involved, diseases of the renal/urinary system were most frequently responsible for COD (15.0%), prevalently degenerative and inflammatory/infectious. Substantial variation in median longevity according to causes of death by PP and OS was observed. These data are relevant for breeders, veterinary practitioners, and owners, to assist breed selection, facilitate early diagnosis, guide choice when purchasing a purebred dog and making health management decisions, and ultimately improve dog welfare.

Endoparasites in dogs diagnosed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH)-University of Bologna, combined with clinicopathological results. A long-term retrospective secondary data study.

Humans and dogs commonly share the same domestic environment. Europe, and Italy specifically, have a substantial and growing dog population. Potentially zoonotic parasites may be harbored even by dogs receiving regular veterinary care. Thus, transmission of zoonotic or potentially zoonotic parasites to owners and their families should not be underestimated. Frequently, endoparasite infections occur as a subclinical infection and clinicopathological alterations have been documented including anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and eosinophilia. The aim of this large retrospective secondary data study was to analyze coprological endoparasite results and putative risk factors obtained from owned dogs, through a 9-year-period (2011-2019). Possible associations between diagnosed endoparasites and sex, age, seasonality, and year of examination were evaluated. Additionally, parasitological diagnoses were combined to complete blood count parameters and biochemical profiles, when available, to check for any possible hematological alteration from parasitism. A total of 1,972 dogs were evaluated for endoparasites using common fecal diagnostic tests over a 9-year period. The overall proportion of endoparasite-positive animals was 10%. The most common endoparasites detected were Cystoisospora spp. (3%), Toxocara canis (2.8%), Giardia duodenalis (1.6%), and Trichuris vulpis (1.2%). Of these parasites detected, Toxocara poses the greatest zoonotic risk, while Giardia species are considered to have a low potential to be zoonotic. There was no significant diagnostic trend across the years through the study period. Dogs were more frequently diagnosed endoparasite-positive when young and during cold seasons compared to the baselines of mature dogs and warm seasons. The clinicopathological profiles indicated that parasitized dogs had mild hematological alterations. The frequency of detected potentially zoonotic endoparasites in this study highlights that the risk should not be underestimated. Parasitic infection was found to be mostly dependent on age and season. Having this information may help clinicians to develop anthelmintic protocols to reduce the risk of transmission.

Perforated duodenal ulcer in a dog with gallbladder agenesis.

Background: Duodenal ulceration (DU) in dogs derives from different causes but has never previously been related to gallbladder agenesis (GA). GA is a rare congenital disorder in dogs and is considered a predisposing factor for DU in humans. Case Description: A 5-month-old intact female Maltese was presented for acute vomiting and diarrhea. Abdominal ultrasound suggested duodenal perforation and absence of the gallbladder. Exploratory laparotomy was performed to treat the perforation and confirmed GA. Hepatic ductal plate malformation (DPM) was histologically diagnosed in liver biopsy, but no signs of liver dysfunction were detected by blood work at first admission. Two months later, the dog developed signs of portal hypertension and medical treatment was started. However, the clinical condition gradually worsened until liver failure and the dog was euthanized 8 months after surgery. Necropsy confirmed hepatic abnormalities. Conclusion: This report describes a case of DU associated with GA and DPM in a dog. As in humans, GA may represent a hepatobiliary disease predisposing to gastroduodenal ulcerations.

Fecal Microbiota, Bile Acids, Sterols, and Fatty Acids in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy Fed a Home-Cooked Diet Supplemented with Coconut Oil.

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are considered to be interesting energy sources for dogs affected by chronic enteropathies (CE). This study analyzed the clinical scores, fecal microbiota, and metabolomes of 18 CE dogs fed a home-cooked diet (HCD) supplemented with virgin coconut oil (VCO), a source of MCFA, at 10% of metabolizable energy (HCD + VCO). The dogs were clinically evaluated with the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index (CCECAI) before and at the end of study. Fecal samples were collected at baseline, after 7 days of HCD, and after 30 days of HCD + VCO, for fecal score (FS) assessment, microbial analysis, and determination of bile acids (BA), sterols, and fatty acids (FA). The dogs responded positively to diet change, as shown by the CCECAI improvement (p = 0.001); HCD reduced fecal fat excretion and HCD + VCO improved FS (p < 0.001), even though an increase in fecal moisture occurred due to HCD (p = 0.001). HCD modified fecal FA (C6:0: +79%, C14:0: +74%, C20:0: +43%, C22:0: +58%, C24:0: +47%, C18:3n-3: +106%, C20:4n-6: +56%, and monounsaturated FA (MUFA): -23%, p < 0.05) and sterol profile (coprostanol: -27%, sitostanol: -86%, p < 0.01). VCO increased (p < 0.05) fecal total saturated FA (SFA: +28%, C14:0: +142%, C16:0 +21%, C22:0 +33%) and selected MCFAs (+162%; C10:0 +183%, C12:0 +600%), while reducing (p < 0.05) total MUFA (-29%), polyunsaturated FA (-26%), campesterol (-56%) and phyto-/zoosterols ratio (0.93:1 vs. 0.36:1). The median dysbiosis index was <0 and, together with fecal BA, was not significantly affected by HCD nor by VCO. The HCD diet increased total fecal bacteria (p = 0.005) and the abundance of Fusobacterium spp. (p = 0.028). This study confirmed that clinical signs, and to a lesser extent fecal microbiota and metabolome, are positively influenced by HCD in CE dogs. Moreover, it has been shown that fecal proportions of MCFA increased when MCFAs were supplemented in those dogs. The present results emphasize the need for future studies to better understand the intestinal absorptive mechanism of MCFA in dogs.

A Novel UHPLC-MS/MS Method for the Measurement of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 in Canine Serum and Its Application to Healthy Dogs.

Several studies have shown the importance of vitamin D3 supplementation in small animals. In dogs, a low vitamin D3 status is associated not only with bone metabolism but also with different kinds of disorders, such as congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal diseases, chronic kidney diseases, and some types of cancer. However, it is crucial to maintain balance and monitor the introduction of this essential nutrient through the diet because over-supplementation can result in toxicity. Due to the clinical importance of assessing the vitamin D3 status in small animal patients, a quick, simple, and highly performing analytical method for its measurement is needed. In this study, we describe the development of a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 quantification in canine serum. The approach was successfully validated following current European guidelines, proving excellent linearity (R2 always ≥0.996), accuracy (always within ±13%) and precision (always <10%). The application of the validated approach to samples collected from 40 healthy dogs made possible the definition of a reliable reference interval for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, the main biomarker of vitamin D3. In addition, variations below 5% in the results obtained quantifying the same samples using a water-based calibration curve demonstrated that a surrogate matrix may be used without affecting data accuracy. Thanks to its simplicity, the proposed technique represents a useful tool for supporting clinical routine and investigating correlations between serum concentrations of this metabolite and multiple diseases. Additionally, it could enable the monitoring of supplementation in small animal patients in veterinary clinical practice.

Evaluation of Prognostic Factors, including Duodenal P-Glycoprotein Expression, in Canine Chronic Enteropathy.

The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to evaluate which factors, including expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a membrane-bound protein involved in multiple drug resistance, could predict the response to treatment in canine immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy (IRE). Dogs with IRE or non-responsive enteropathy (NRE) that were examined from 2005 to 2014 were included and were divided into two groups (IRE vs. NRE). Signalment, history, and clinical and laboratory findings were collected. P-glycoprotein immunohistochemistry was carried out on duodenal biopsies of both groups stored in our biobank, and immunophenotyping and molecular clonality were performed on the NRE samples. Ninety-two dogs were enrolled, 73 IRE (79.3%) and 19 NRE (20.7%), with a prevalence of pure breed (78.3% vs. 21.7%) and male dogs (p < 0.001). Factors associated with a worse prognosis were previous treatment with steroids (p = 0.033) and lower serum total protein concentration (p = 0.005). Clonality testing on the NRE duodenal biopsies showed 5/16 clonal responses, assuming a latent undiagnosed lymphoma as a possible cause of the NRE.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is used to evaluate vascularity of the gastrointestinal wall in neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of CEUS for the evaluation of duodenal perfusion in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ANIMALS: Forty-two dogs with IBD and 20 clinically healthy dogs. METHODS: All CEUS studies of the duodenum were analyzed to obtain time-intensity curves and perfusion parameters. The procedure was repeated in 12 IBD dogs 2 months after a standardized treatment. RESULTS: On CEUS, the duodenal wall showed a typical perfusion pattern characterized by a radial and simultaneous enhancement of the wall in all dogs. On qualitative assessment, no differences were observed in contrast medium distribution between healthy and affected dogs, or between dogs with IBD before and after treatment. Peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC) significantly differed between healthy (PI = 3.58 arbitrary units [au; 1.86-4.93 au] and AUC = 47.63 au seconds [aus, 22.68-62.15]) and affected dogs (PI = 5.10 au [0.63-15.16 au] and AUC = 63.62 aus [5.31-212.20 aus]; P = .03 and .03, respectively). No significant differences were found for the perfusion parameters before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We showed that CEUS allows discrimination between IBD affected dogs and healthy dogs by evaluation of time-intensity curves, but did not provide useful information for monitoring therapeutic response. The qualitative assessment identified no significant differences between healthy and affected dogs, or between dogs before and after treatment.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Neurokinin-A and Interleukin-8 in the Bronchial Epithelium of Horses with Severe Equine Asthma Syndrome during Asymptomatic, Exacerbation, and Remission Phase.

Severe equine asthma (EA) syndrome is a chronic obstructive disease characterized by exaggerated contraction, inflammation, and structural alteration of the airways in adult horses, when exposed to airborne molds and particulate material. However, little is known about the relationship between the degree and type of inflammation on one hand, and the severity of the disease and the response to treatment on the other. Furthermore, to date, very few studies evaluate the diagnostic value of histology and immunohistochemical features of endoscopic biopsies on subjects with severe equine asthma. To investigate the expression of two inflammatory markers (NKA and IL-8) before, during, and after the exacerbation of severe EA, a histological and immunohistochemical study was carried out on a series of biopsy samples collected by bronchoscopy from six EA-affected horses subjected to process exacerbation through environmental stimuli and then to pharmacological treatment. The application of a histological biopsy scoring system revealed a significant difference between control cases and the EA-affected horses in all experimental phases (asymptomatic, early exacerbation phase, late exacerbation phase, and remission phase). For immunohistochemistry (IHC), only the intensity of NKA positivity increases significantly between control horses and the EA horses at late exacerbation and remission phases. In EA-affected horses, a difference was detected by comparing histology between asymptomatic and remission phase, meanwhile, NKA and IL-8 showed no differences between the experimental phases. Based on these results we can assert that: (1) The endoscopic biopsies generate reliable and homogeneous samples in the entire bronchial tree; (2) the clinical improvement associated with treatment is characterized by a significant worsening of the histological findings; and (3) the NKA immunopositivity seems to increase significantly rather than decrease, as one would have expected, after pharmacological treatment. Further studies are necessary both to implement the number of samples and to use other markers of inflammation to characterize the potential role of cytokines in the diagnosis and therapeutic approach of severe equine asthma.

Evaluation of duodenal endoscopic and histologic findings, including counts of forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T cells, in dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the clinical and prognostic importance of duodenal endoscopic and histologic findings, including duodenal mucosal counts of forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T cells (Foxp3+ Tregs), in dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy (IRE). ANIMALS: 57 client-owned dogs with IRE. PROCEDURES: The canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) was used to assess each dog when IRE was diagnosed (T0) and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months later. Dogs were grouped on the basis of clinical response (responder group vs nonresponder group) and 12-month long-term outcome (responded to treatment and did not relapse [good outcome group] vs did not respond to treatment or had relapsed [bad outcome group]). At T0, dogs underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy, with results for variables of duodenal endoscopic and histologic evaluations scored and compared across groups. RESULTS: At T0, the overall median CCECAI score was 7; CCECAI score was not associated with clinical response or relapse. Dogs had significantly greater odds of being in the bad outcome group (vs the good outcome group) if they had a histologic score of 3 (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.09 to 11.3). No differences in the counts of Foxp3+ Tregs were detected between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs with IRE, results indicated that evaluation of Foxp3+ Tregs did not have prognostic value, whereas a duodenal histologic score of 3 could be a negative prognostic factor for response and relapse, and higher severity scores for intraepithelial lymphocytes and lamina propria lymphocytes and plasma cells in duodenal biopsy samples may be negatively associated with response.

Incidence of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Dogs Undergoing Orthopaedic Surgery or Endoscopic Evaluation of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common event during general anaesthesia but is often underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. The oesophageal pH in anaesthetised dogs undergoing endoscopic evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract (END group; n = 12) or orthopaedic surgery (ORT group; n = 12) was measured using an oesophageal probe. The dogs were sedated with acepromazine or with methadone or butorphanol, and anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Of the 24 dogs in this study, 21 (87.5%) had an episode of GER during anaesthesia. The incidence of GER, as well as the first, the minimum, and the maximum pH values, did not differ significantly between the groups. The mean maximum difference versus the first pH value was higher for dogs in the END group (-2.6 ± 3.5) as compared with those in the ORT group (-0.7 ± 2.5), although they were not statistically significant (p = 0.25). The administration of methadone or butorphanol had no significant effect on the development of acidic reflux or biliary reflux. In the acepromazine-sedated dogs, the incidence of GER did not differ significantly between patients undergoing an endoscopic procedure and those undergoing orthopaedic surgery; however, during endoscopy, fluctuations in the oesophageal pH can be expected, even without any clinical signs of GER.

Non-invasive Assessment of Fecal Stress Biomarkers in Hunting Dogs During Exercise and at Rest.

Intense exercise causes to organisms to have oxidative stress and inflammation at the gastrointestinal (GI) level. The reduction in intestinal blood flow and the exercise-linked thermal damage to the intestinal mucosa can cause intestinal barrier disruption, followed by an inflammatory response. Furthermore, the adaptation to exercise may affect the gut microbiota and the metabolome of the biofluids. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the presence of a GI derangement in hunting dogs through a non-invasive sampling as a consequence of a period of intense exercise in comparison with samples collected at rest. The study included nine dogs that underwent the same training regime for hunting wild boar. In order to counterbalance physiological variations, multiple-day replicates were collected and pooled at each experimental point for each dog. The samples were collected immediately at rest before the training (T0), after 60 days of training (T1), after 60 days of hunting wild boar (T2), and finally, at 60 days of rest after hunting (T3). A number of potential stress markers were evaluated: fecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) as a major indicator of altered physiological states, immunoglobulin A (IgA) as an indicator of intestinal immune protection, and total antioxidant activity [total antioxidant capacity (TAC)]. Since stool samples contain exfoliated cells, we investigated also the presence of some transcripts involved in GI permeability [occludin (OCLN), protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2)] and in the inflammatory mechanism [interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1b, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), calprotectin (CALP), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)]. Finally, the metabolome and the microbiota profiles were analyzed. No variation in FCM and IgA content and no differences in OCLN and CALP gene expression between rest and training were observed. On the contrary, an increase in PAR-2 and HO-1 transcripts, a reduction in total antioxidant activity, and a different profile of microbiota and metabolomics data were observed. Collectively, the data in the present study indicated that physical exercise in our model could be considered a mild stressor stimulus.

Evaluation of metabolic profile and C-reactive protein concentrations in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstructive syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Brachycephalic dogs have abnormal breathing patterns similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Despite the fact that anatomic and functional alterations are well described in brachycephalic dogs, little is known about the consequences of upper airway obstruction on systemic inflammatory response and metabolic profile. OBJECTIVES: To describe history, clinical presentation, and anatomic abnormalities; to evaluate systemic inflammatory response and metabolic profile; and to identify possible associations among clinical signs, anatomic abnormalities, inflammatory response, and metabolic profile in brachycephalic dogs with airway obstruction. ANIMALS: Thirty purebred brachycephalic dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS). METHODS: Prospective study. The following information was recorded and studied: respiratory and digestive signs, airway and digestive endoscopic anomalies, presence or absence of tracheal hypoplasia, histologic evaluation of gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens, serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), fructosamine, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and plasma concentrations of lipoprotein classes. RESULTS: A high proportion of dogs (76.7%) had gastrointestinal signs. Esophageal deviation, atony of the cardia of the stomach, and distal esophagitis were the most common endoscopic anomalies detected. Twenty-six (86.6%) dogs had different degrees of laryngeal collapse. Gastrointestinal histologic evaluation identified mostly chronic inflammation. Glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, cholesterol, CRP, pre-beta, beta lipoproteins, and chylomicrons were increased to a variable extent. Significant associations among clinical signs, anatomic abnormalities, CRP, and metabolic profile were not found. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Despite the presence of inflammation and some mild metabolic derangements, the clinicopathological variables evaluated did not offer valuable information in dogs with BAOS.

64-multidetector CT anatomical assessment of the feline bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to provide a detailed anatomical study of the feline bronchial and vascular structures by using CT angiography (CTA). METHODS: Adult cats with no respiratory clinical signs were enrolled in a CTA protocol to provide an anatomical study of the thorax. The dimensions, number of branches and branching pattern (monopodial vs dichotomic) of both bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures were evaluated under positive inspiration apnoea. A linear generalised estimating equations analysis (Spearman's rho) was used to identify statistical correlation between tracheal diameter, age and body weight of the cats. RESULTS: Fourteen cats met the inclusion criteria. The pulmonary arteries had larger diameters than the pulmonary veins, and the pulmonary veins had larger diameters than the bronchial structures. A higher number of segmental bronchial and pulmonary vascular branches was observed in the left caudal lung lobe than in the other lobes. The monopodial branching pattern of both bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures was predominant in all cats of our study (100%) in cranial, caudal and right middle lung lobes, while a dichotomic branching pattern of the bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures of the accessory lung lobe was seen in 13 cats (93%). Thirteen cats (93%) had three pulmonary vein ostia, and one cat (7%) also presented with an additional left intermediate pulmonary vein ostium. Variation in the number of segmental pulmonary vein branches was noted in the right caudal lung lobe. There was no statistical correlation between tracheal diameter, age and weight. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Architecture of the feline bronchovascularr structures belongs to a mixed type of monopodial and dichotomic branching pattern. In cats, the pulmonary venous drainage system predominately presents three pulmonary vein ostia. Variations in the type of formation and the number of branches of the pulmonary venous drainage system were noted.

Polychlorobiphenyl levels in the serum of cats from residential flats in Italy: Role of the indoor environment.

The domestic cat (Felis catus) was used as a sentinel of exposure to polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in indoor urban environments y. Sera from 120 cats were pooled to form 30 different groups selected by age (<2 years; > 2 ≤ 8 years; > 8 years), sex, municipality (Bologna and Turin) and environment (indoor vs. outdoor). Test portions of 1 mL were analyzed by means of gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) for six selected indicators non-dioxin-like PCBs (∑6 PCBs: congeners #28, #52, #101, #132, #153 and #180) and the results were computed in the upper-bound mode. The internal dose of PCBs attributable to the cats' alimentary lipid intake ranged from 32.4 to 1,446 ng/g (P50 165; mean 258). The Wilcoxon test revealed significantly lower PCB burden in "outdoor" groups than in "indoor" groups. Age correlated well with the heptachlorinated and most bio-accumulative congener, PCB #180, and slightly with hexachlorinated PCBs #138 and #153. Contamination attributable to house dust collected in 15 living-rooms ranged from 10.0 to 279 ng/g dry weight (P50 97.4; mean 94.4). Exposure estimates indicated a 0.6-16 ng/kg bw range of daily ∑6 PCB intake from a default value of 200 mg/cat of dust ingestion. The intake of PCBs due to dust ingestion fell within the same order of magnitude as that computed from a 60 g daily intake of commercial dry pet foods, while inhalation accounted for 0.21-8.2 ng/kg bw/day, on setting the nominal ∑6 PCB contamination in outdoor and indoor air at 0.37 and 15 ng/m3, respectively. Italian indoor cats could be exposed to higher levels of ∑6 PCBs than the Reference Dose (RfD) of 10 ng/kg/bw/day; this supports the World Health Organization's statement that the quality of the indoor environment is a major determinant of health.

An LC-MS/MS method for the determination of budesonide and 16α-hydroxyprednisolone in dog plasma.

Although budesonide is frequently used in veterinary medicine for the treatment of canine respiratory and bowel inflammatory diseases, knowledge is lacking regarding its kinetics in this species. We developed and validated a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of budesonide and its metabolite 16α-hydroxyprednisolone in dog plasma. The analytes were extracted by solid phase extraction and analysis was performed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, with positive electrospray ionization.•This method allows budesonide and one of its main metabolites to be simultaneously quantified in dog plasma at fairly low concentrations.•The proposed protocol is very easy and fast to execute, without compromising analytical performances.•A small amount (0.5 mL) of plasma is required, making this approach suitable for pharmacokinetic studies also in small sized dogs.

Gastric inflammatory pseudotumour secondary to Actinomyces hordeovulneris infection in a cat.

BACKGROUND: The authors report the first case of feline gastric actinomycosis associated with infection by Actinomyces hordeovulneris. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-year-old, neutered male, semi-feral European cat, with a 1 year history of chronic vomiting, was referred to the clinic. Abdominal ultrasound examination identified a hypoechoic focal transmural thickening with loss of normal wall layering and hyperechoic speckles at the gastric body. Initial gastroscopic examination showed a tumour-like gastric mass with an ulcerated depression at the level of the greater curvature. Histologic examination of endoscopic biopsy specimens was consistent with a severe lymphoplasmacytic gastritis. After 2 months, due to persistence of abdominal discomfort, surgical exploration and intraoperative sampling of gross abnormalities was recommended. Full thickness gastric wall biopsies, and fine needle aspiration of the gastric thickening and gastric lymph node, were performed. Histopathological examination identified a transmural pyogranulomatous gastritis. Aspirate samples of the gastric wall cultured positive, with colony morphology, biochemical testing and PCR of the 16 s rRNA gene compatible with Actinomyces hordeovulneris. After 4 months of treatment with cefovecin (8 mg/kg subcutaneously every 14 days), the vomiting completely resolved, as well as the ultrasonographic gastric alteration. CONCLUSION: This case report of feline gastric actinomycosis, caused by Actinomyces hordeovulneris, suggests that gastric bacterial infection should be considered in cases of focal gastric wall thickening associated with chronic vomiting in the cat, which may otherwise closely resemble neoplastic disease. Once a diagnosis of actinomycosis was obtained, a correct treatment with antibiotic therapy can resolve it.

Ultrasonographic measurement of the relative thickness of intestinal wall layers in clinically healthy cats.

The normal sonographic thickness of the individual layers (ie, mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and subserosa-serosa) of the intestinal wall was evaluated in 20 clinically healthy cats. The mean thickness of the wall was 2.20, 2.22, 3.00 and 2.04 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively. The mean thickness of the mucosal layer was 1.27, 1.20, 0.46 and 0.49 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, and its contribution to wall thickness was significantly greater than that of the other layers in the duodenum (57.7%) and jejunum (55.2%). The mean thickness of the submucosal layer was 0.36, 0.36, 1.49 and 0.53 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, and its contribution to wall thickness was greater than that of the muscularis in the duodenum (16.3%), jejunum (16%) and ileum (fold) (49.8 %). The mean thickness of muscularis was 0.28, 0.35, 0.66 and 0.65 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, with a corresponding contribution to wall thickness of 12.7 %, 14.4%, 22% and 31.6%. Finally, the mean thickness of serosa was 0.29, 0.31, 0.38 and 0.38 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, with a corresponding contribution to wall thickness of 13.3%, 14.4%, 12.7 % and 18.7%. These values can provide baseline information that might be useful in evaluating intestinal disorders affecting preferentially some of the intestinal layers.

A case report of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy left-side gastropexy to resolve a recurrent gastric dilatation in a dog previously treated with right-side gastropexy for gastric dilatation volvulus.

A 6-year-old, large-breed, female dog was evaluated for gastric dilatation (GD). The dog was affected by GD volvulus, which had been surgically treated with gastric derotation and right incisional gastropexy. Recurrence of GD appeared 36 hours after surgery. The dilatation was immediately treated with an orogastric probe but still recurred 4 times. Therefore, a left-side gastropexy by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was performed to prevent intermittent GD. After PEG tube placement, the patient recovered rapidly without side effects. Several techniques of gastropexy have been described as a prophylactic method for gastric dilatation volvulus, but to the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of left-sided PEG gastropexy performed in a case of canine GD recurrence after an incisional right gastropexy.

Clinical findings, rhinoscopy and histological evaluation of 54 dogs with chronic nasal disease.

Nasal diseases are very common in dogs and rhinoscopy is often required for a definitive diagnosis. Rhinoscopy, while superficial in nature, can guide the clinician to the final diagnosis. In this study, rhinoscopy was performed on 54 dogs with symptoms of chronic nasopharyngeal disease. The endoscopic diagnosis of neoplasia or chronic nasal inflammation was validated with histological examination of pathological samples, in order to evaluate the degree of concordance between endoscopic findings and histological diagnosis. The agreement between endoscopy and histology was tested by application of Cohen's kappa coefficient. We conclude that correlation between endoscopic results and histological diagnosis, expressed by a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.73, is only possible with a constant cooperation between the clinician and the pathologist.