Fluoroscopically measured bronchial collapse in healthy dogs during cough exceeds 25%, and a cutoff of 60% bronchial collapse can be used to distinguish healthy from chronically coughing dogs.

Bronchomalacia, the weakening of bronchial cartilage, is a common cause of cough in dogs. The gold standard for diagnosis of bronchomalacia is bronchoscopy; however, fluoroscopy is often used as a preliminary diagnostic test due to its noninvasiveness. The normal amount of bronchial collapse in healthy dogs using fluoroscopy has not been previously established, with some authors citing <25%. The aims of this prospective and retrospective analytical observational study were to determine the normal amount of airway collapse in healthy animals, the amount of airway collapse in dogs with chronic cough and presumed bronchomalacia, and cut-off values of airway collapse during expiration and cough to distinguish between the two groups. Thoracic fluoroscopy was performed in right and left lateral recumbency during inspiration, expiration, and cough to evaluate the percentage collapse of the trachea and lobar bronchi in 45 healthy and 76 chronically coughing dogs. The bronchi of chronically coughing dogs exhibited a significantly greater amount of collapse during both expiration and cough compared with healthy dogs. Chronically coughing dogs exhibited up to 31.7 ± 26.6% collapse in expiration and 87.5 ± 23.7% collapse during cough, whereas healthy dogs exhibited 14.9 ± 6.1% collapse in expiration and 35.0 ± 13.7% collapse during cough. Based on ROC curves, the authors suggest using cut-off values of 30% during expiration and 60% during cough to distinguish between healthy dogs and those with presumed bronchomalacia. Findings suggest that though healthy dogs can exhibit a greater degree of airway collapse than previously thought, fluoroscopy can be used to distinguish between healthy and presumed bronchomalacic dogs.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns and Clinical Parameters in 208 Dogs with Positive Urine Cultures (2012-2014).

Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur commonly in dogs, and gram-negative enteric bacteria are the most prevalent pathogens. Clinical parameters, urinalysis, and urine culture and sensitivity results were retrieved from the medical records of 208 dogs with positive urine cultures over a 3 yr period at the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Several groups were defined including dogs presented for primary care versus referred cases; simple UTI, complicated UTI, and pyelonephritis; dogs pretreated with antimicrobials; and dogs having an indwelling catheter in place prior to sampling. Nearly 80% of dogs had complicated UTI. Of all dogs, 70% had no documented clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD), with 68% of them showing hematuria and/or pyuria. Based on clinical signs or urinalysis, 19% of all dogs had no evidence of lower UTI. In dogs without LUTD signs the most common comorbidities were immunosuppressive treatment and severely restricted mobility (23%). Chronic recurring UTI were present in 19% of dogs with LUTD signs. Distribution of bacterial species was comparable with the existing literature and not significantly different between clinical subgroups. Isolates from dogs pretreated with antimicrobials showed decreased susceptibility to enrofloxacin. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. was moderate (29%).

Sepsis and multi-organ dysfunction associated with postgrooming furunculosis in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Postgrooming furunculosis, as previously described in the dog, is a type of pyoderma that typically responds to routine antimicrobial therapy. Systemic clinical signs are common but are usually mild. ANIMAL: A 3-year-old spayed female great dane was presented with marked dorsal furunculosis of 24 h duration. The clinical signs and blood analyses were consistent with sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Skin culture revealed multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The dog did not respond to aggressive medical therapy including intravenous antibiotic therapy, fresh frozen plasma and haemodynamic support, and was humanely euthanized. Postmortem findings were consistent with postgrooming furunculosis with associated sepsis and DIC affecting multiple organs including the lungs and brain. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Postgrooming furunculosis can progress to sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction in the dog and can lead to death.

CONTRAST-ENHANCED ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE PANCREAS IN HEALTHY DOGS AND IN DOGS WITH ACUTE PANCREATITIS.

Pancreatitis is the most frequent disease affecting the exocrine pancreas in dogs and reliable diagnostic techniques for predicting fatal complications are lacking. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) improves detection of tissue perfusion as well as organ lesion vascular pattern. Objectives of this prospective case control study were to compare perfusion characteristics and enhancement patterns of the pancreas in healthy dogs and dogs with pancreatitis using CEUS. Ten healthy dogs and eight dogs with pancreatitis were selected based on physical examination, abdominal ultrasound, and blood analysis findings. A CEUS study of the pancreas was performed for each dog and two observers who were aware of clinical status used advanced ultrasound quantification software to analyze time-intensity curves. Perfusion patterns were compared between healthy and affected dogs. In dogs with acute pancreatitis, mean pixel and peak intensity of the pancreatic parenchyma was significantly higher than that of normal dogs (P = 0.05) in between 6 and 60 s (P = <0.0001-0.046). This corresponds to a 311% increase in mean pixel intensity in dogs with acute pancreatitis compared to healthy dogs. Wash-in rates were greater and had a consistently steeper slope to peak in dogs with pancreatitis as opposed to healthy dogs. All dogs with pancreatitis showed a decrease in pixel intensity 10-15 days after the initial examination (P = 0.011) and their times to peak values were prolonged compared to the initial exam. Findings from the current study supported the use of CEUS for diagnosing pancreatitis, pancreatic necrosis, and disease monitoring following therapy in dogs.

THE EFFECTS OF FOOD INTAKE AND ITS FAT COMPOSITION ON INTESTINAL ECHOGENICITY IN HEALTHY DOGS.

Dogs presenting for ultrasonography due to suspected gastrointestinal disease might have residual ingesta and this could have an affect on the appearance of intestinal mucosa unrelated to pathology. The purpose of this prospective descriptive study was to determine effects of a recent meal consisting of the recommended daily fat content (meal 1) and a higher fat one (meal 2) on mucosal echogenicity in healthy dogs. Sixty client-owned and clinically healthy dogs were recruited. Two meals, one with 15% fat dry matter basis (meal 1) and a second with 1.5 ml/kg body weight corn oil added to result in a range of 41-63% fat dry matter basis (meal 2), were fed 1 week apart after a 12 h fast. Mucosal echogenicity scores were assigned at fasting, immediate postprandial and at 60 min after each meal. Duodenal scores were significantly greater for meal 1 at 60 min (P < 0.001) as opposed to fasting and immediate postprandial. With meal 2, the duodenal score was significantly different (P < 0.001) at the immediate and 60-min data point compared to meal 1. Jejunal scores were significantly greater for meal 1 at the 60-min data point (P < 0.001) as opposed to fasting and immediate postprandial. With meal 2, the jejunal score was significantly different (P < 0.001) only at the 60-min data point compared to meal 1. Intestinal mucosal echogenicity can be increased in healthy dogs after food intake, regardless of fat content. This effect should be taken into consideration when increased mucosal echogenicity is identified in clinical patients.

Correlation between Peptacetobacter hiranonis, the baiCD Gene, and Secondary Bile Acids in Dogs.

Bile acid metabolism is a key pathway modulated by intestinal microbiota. Peptacetobacter (Clostridium) hiranonis has been described as the main species responsible for the conversion of primary into secondary fecal unconjugated bile acids (fUBA) in dogs. This multi-step biochemical pathway is encoded by the bile acid-inducible (bai) operon. We aimed to assess the correlation between P. hiranonis abundance, the abundance of one specific gene of the bai operon (baiCD), and secondary fUBA concentrations. In this retrospective study, 133 fecal samples were analyzed from 24 dogs. The abundances of P. hiranonis and baiCD were determined using qPCR. The concentration of fUBA was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The baiCD abundance exhibited a strong positive correlation with secondary fUBA (ρ = 0.7377, 95% CI (0.6461, 0.8084), p < 0.0001). Similarly, there was a strong correlation between P. hiranonis and secondary fUBA (ρ = 0.6658, 95% CI (0.5555, 0.7532), p < 0.0001). Animals displaying conversion of fUBA and lacking P. hiranonis were not observed. These results suggest P. hiranonis is the main converter of primary to secondary bile acids in dogs.

Correlation between Targeted qPCR Assays and Untargeted DNA Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing for Assessing the Fecal Microbiota in Dogs.

DNA shotgun sequencing is an untargeted approach for identifying changes in relative abundances, while qPCR allows reproducible quantification of specific bacteria. The canine dysbiosis index (DI) assesses the canine fecal microbiota by using a mathematical algorithm based on qPCR results. We evaluated the correlation between qPCR and shotgun sequencing using fecal samples from 296 dogs with different clinical phenotypes. While significant correlations were found between qPCR and sequencing, certain taxa were only detectable by qPCR and not by sequencing. Based on sequencing, less than 2% of bacterial species (17/1190) were consistently present in all healthy dogs (n = 76). Dogs with an abnormal DI had lower alpha-diversity compared to dogs with normal DI. Increases in the DI correctly predicted the gradual shifts in microbiota observed by sequencing: minor changes (R = 0.19, DI < 0 with any targeted taxa outside the reference interval, RI), mild-moderate changes (R = 0.24, 0 < DI < 2), and significant dysbiosis (R = 0.54, 0.73, and 0.91 for DI > 2, DI > 5, and DI > 8, respectively), compared to dogs with a normal DI (DI < 0, all targets within the RI), as higher R-values indicated larger dissimilarities. In conclusion, the qPCR-based DI is an effective indicator of overall microbiota shifts observed by shotgun sequencing in dogs.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the effects of azithromycin on antral motility and gastric emptying in healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic with motilin agonist properties, shortens gastric emptying (GE) time in healthy cats. Azithromycin, another macrolide antibiotic, is effective for treatment of gastric paresis in people. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of azithromycin on GE and gastric motility in healthy cats in comparison with erythromycin (positive control) and placebo. ANIMALS: Eight healthy purpose-bred cats. METHODS: Prospective, blinded, crossover study. Cats received either azithromycin (3.5 mg/kg PO q24h), erythromycin (1 mg/kg PO q8h), or placebo for 24 hours before and during evaluation of GE. A validated method using ultrasound for sequential measurements of antral area as well as amplitude and frequency of contractions was used to assess GE and evaluate gastric antral motility postprandially over an 8-hour period. RESULTS: GE was significantly faster (P < .05) after administration of azithromycin and erythromycin when compared to placebo in the late phase of fractional emptying from 75% (mean ± SD: 327 ± 51 minutes, 327 ± 22 minutes, and 367 ± 29 minutes, respectively), to 95% fractional emptying (399 ± 52 minutes, 404 ± 11 minutes, and 444 ± 24 minutes, respectively). The drugs had no significant effect on antral motility variables at any time point. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Azithromycin and erythromycin shorten GE time in a comparable manner in healthy cats. Evaluation of their efficacy in cats with gastric dysmotility is warranted.

Recovery of Fecal Microbiome and Bile Acids in Healthy Dogs after Tylosin Administration with and without Fecal Microbiota Transplantation.

Antibiotics cause gut dysbiosis and bile acid dysmetabolism in dogs. The effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on microbiome and metabolome recovery is unknown. This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study included sixteen healthy purpose-bred dogs. All dogs received tylosin 20 mg/kg PO once daily (days 1-7) and were randomly assigned to either receive one FMT via enema (day 8), daily oral FMT capsules (days 8-21), or daily placebo capsules (days 8-21). Fecal samples were frozen at regular intervals until day 42. Quantitative PCR for 8 bacterial taxa was performed to calculate the fecal dysbiosis index (FDI) and fecal concentrations of unconjugated bile acids (UBA) were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Tylosin altered the abundance of most evaluated bacteria and induced a significant decrease in secondary bile acid concentrations at day 7 in all dogs. However, most parameters returned to their baseline by day 14 in all dogs. In conclusion, tylosin markedly impacted fecal microbiota and bile acid concentrations, although return to baseline values was quick after the antibiotic was discontinued. Overall, FMT did not accelerate recovery of measured parameters. Further studies are warranted to confirm the value of FMT in accelerating microbiota recovery in antibiotic-associated dysbiosis in dogs.

Gastric Motility Disorders in Dogs and Cats.

Gastric motility disorders present both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and likely are under-recognized in small animal practice. This review includes a comparative overview of etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation of gastric motility disorders, suggests a practical approach to the diagnosis of these conditions, and provides an update on methods to evaluate gastric motor function. Furthermore, management of gastric dysmotility is discussed, including a review of the documented effect of gastric prokinetics.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Dogs.

In people, fecal microbiota transplantation is recognized as the best treatment modality for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in people, and its value is currently investigated in the treatment of other diseases associated with an abnormal gut microbiome. In dogs, intestinal dysbiosis has been documented in many acute and chronic digestive diseases as well as in diseases of other organ systems. There are only few published studies evaluating the benefits of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in canine gastrointestinal disorders. They provide evidence that FMT may be beneficial in the treatment of acute intestinal diseases and hope that the technique might also be useful for the management of chronic enteropathies.

Assessment of the relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times measured by use of a wireless motility capsule system in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times measured by use of a wireless motility capsule (WMC) system in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 31 healthy adult dogs that weighed between 19.6 and 81.2 kg. PROCEDURES: Food was withheld overnight. The following morning, a WMC was orally administered to each dog, and each dog was then fed a test meal that provided a fourth of the daily energy requirements. A vest was fitted on each dog to hold a receiver that collected and stored data from the WMC. Measurements were obtained with each dog in its home environment. Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times. RESULTS: Gastric emptying time (GET) ranged from 405 to 897 minutes, small bowel transit time (SBTT) ranged from 96 to 224 minutes, large bowel transit time (LBTT) ranged from 427 to 2,573 minutes, and total transit time (TTT) ranged from 1,294 to 3,443 minutes. There was no positive relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times. A nonlinear inverse relationship between body weight and GET and between body weight and SBTT best fit the data. The LBTT could not be explained by this model and likely influenced the poor fit for the TTT. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A positive relationship did not exist between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times. Dogs with the lowest body weight of the cohort appeared to have longer gastric and small intestinal transit times than did large- and giant-breed dogs.

Variability associated with repeated measurements of gastrointestinal tract motility in dogs obtained by use of a wireless motility capsule system and scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare repeatability of measurements of gastrointestinal tract motility in healthy dogs obtained by use of a wireless motility capsule (WMC) and scintigraphy. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult dogs (mean +/- SD body weight, 21.5 +/- 1.8 kg). PROCEDURES: A radiolabeled test meal was offered immediately after oral administration of a WMC. Serial static scintigraphic abdominal images were acquired for 270 minutes. A dedicated remote receiver was used for data collection from the WMC until the WMC was expelled in the feces. Each dog was evaluated 3 times at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks. RESULTS: Mean gastric emptying half-time measured by use of scintigraphy (T(1/2)-GES) for each dog ranged from 99.9 to 181.2 minutes. Mean gastric emptying time (GET) measured by use of the WMC (GET-WMC) in each dog ranged from 385.3 to 669.7 minutes. Mean coefficient of variation was 11.8% for T(1/2)-GES and 7.8% for GET-WMC. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 69% for T(1/2)-GES and 71% for GET-WMC. Results for a nested analysis of covariance suggested that both methods were comparable for the evaluation of gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Scintigraphy and a WMC system had similar variation for assessment of gastric emptying. Moderate intraindividual variability was detected for both methods and must be considered when interpreting test results for individual dogs. Repeatability of measurements obtained by use of the WMC was equivalent to that obtained by use of scintigraphy. The WMC system offers a nonradioactive, user-friendly method for assessment of gastric emptying in dogs.

Ultrasonographic assessment of the effect of metoclopramide, erythromycin, and exenatide on solid-phase gastric emptying in healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Available data on the effect of gastrointestinal motility-modifying drugs in cats are limited. Most recommendations for drug usage and dosage are based on collective clinical experience. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of metoclopramide, erythromycin, and exenatide on gastric emptying (GE) and gastric motility in comparison to placebo. We hypothesized that metoclopramide and erythromycin would have prokinetic gastric effects, whereas exenatide would prolong GE times and decrease the motility index (MI) of antral contractions. ANIMALS: Eight healthy domestic shorthair cats. METHODS: Each cat had 4 separate ultrasonographic assessments. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, 4-way crossover design, cats received placebo, metoclopramide, erythromycin, or exenatide for 2 days followed by a minimum 5-day washout period. Ultrasonographic GE times and MI were compared to placebo. RESULTS: When compared to placebo, the rate of GE was significantly faster after administration of metoclopramide and erythromycin. Significant differences were found at all fractions of GE after administration of erythromycin and all but 1 fraction after metoclopramide when compared to placebo. The rate of GE in the first half of the GE curve was significantly slower after exenatide administration. The total area under the Ml curve was significantly larger after administration of metoclopramide and erythromycin than after placebo. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Metoclopramide and erythromycin shorten GE times and increase the MI of antral contractions, thus having a prokinetic effect in the stomach of healthy cats, whereas exenatide causes an initial delay in GE.

Colorectal basidiobolomycosis in a dog.

A 7-year-old castrated male French Bulldog was examined for chronic large intestinal enteropathy. A colonic mass and thickened rectal mucosa were identified, and histopathologic examination of endoscopic biopsy specimens disclosed eosinophilic proctitis with large (5-20 µm), irregularly shaped, pauciseptate hyphae that were Gomori methenamine silver and periodic acid-Schiff positive. Amplification and sequencing of ribosomal DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues yielded a sequence with 97% identity to GenBank sequences for Basidiobolus ranarum. After itraconazole, terbinafine, and prednisone administration, clinical signs resolved rapidly, and sonographic lesions were largely absent after 6 weeks. Treatment was discontinued by the owner 15 weeks after diagnosis. Three weeks later, the dog collapsed acutely and was euthanized. Necropsy identified metastatic islet cell carcinoma and grossly unremarkable colorectal tissues. However, histopathology of the rectum disclosed multifocal submucosal granulomas with intralesional hyphae morphologically similar to those previously observed. This report is the first to describe medical treatment of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis in a dog.

Effects of metronidazole on the fecal microbiome and metabolome in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Metronidazole has a substantial impact on the gut microbiome. However, the recovery of the microbiome after discontinuation of administration, and the metabolic consequences of such alterations have not been investigated to date. OBJECTIVES: To describe the impact of 14-day metronidazole administration, alone or in combination with a hydrolyzed protein diet, on fecal microbiome, metabolome, bile acids (BAs), and lactate production, and on serum metabolome in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Twenty-four healthy pet dogs. METHODS: Prospective, nonrandomized controlled study. Dogs fed various commercial diets were divided in 3 groups: control group (no intervention, G1); group receiving hydrolyzed protein diet, followed by metronidazole administration (G2); and group receiving metronidazole only (G3). Microbiome composition was evaluated with sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based dysbiosis index. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of fecal and serum samples was performed, followed by targeted assays for fecal BAs and lactate. RESULTS: No changes were observed in G1, or G2 during diet change. Metronidazole significantly changed microbiome composition in G2 and G3, including decreases in richness (P < .001) and in key bacteria such as Fusobacteria (q < 0.001) that did not fully resolve 4 weeks after metronidazole discontinuation. Fecal dysbiosis index was significantly increased (P < .001). Those changes were accompanied by increased fecal total lactate (P < .001), and decreased secondary BAs deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid (P < .001). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our results indicate a minimum 4-week effect of metronidazole on fecal microbiome and metabolome, supporting a cautious approach to prescription of metronidazole in dogs.

Evaluation of endosonography as a new diagnostic tool for feline pancreatitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate endosonography (EUS) as a potential diagnostic tool for feline pancreatitis. Eleven healthy cats and six cats diagnosed with pancreatitis based on an increased serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) concentration were included. Transabdominal ultrasound (AUS) and EUS were performed in all cats. The widths of both pancreatic limbs and echogenicity and homogenicity were assessed by AUS and EUS. Finally, findings from both modalities were subjectively compared. In the healthy cats, the right pancreatic limb was significantly smaller on EUS compared to AUS. Also, subjectively, general visualization of the normal pancreas was superior with EUS and, the pancreatic margins and parenchyma could be resolved better with EUS in all sick patients. In this study, EUS findings did not alter the diagnosis in six cats with pancreatitis when compared to AUS. However, EUS may be useful in cases where AUS fails due to obesity, hyperechoic mesentery, or excessive intestinal gas.

Administration of a Synbiotic Containing Enterococcus faecium Does Not Significantly Alter Fecal Microbiota Richness or Diversity in Dogs With and Without Food-Responsive Chronic Enteropathy.

Background: Canine chronic enteropathies (CE) are a group of intestinal diseases that can be categorized based on treatment response into diet- or food- responsive enteropathy (FRD), antibiotic-responsive enteropathy, steroid-responsive enteropathy, and non-responsive enteropathy. CE can often be associated with intestinal dysbiosis and thus administration of probiotic or synbiotic products may provide a useful tool for the management of some of these patients. Enterococcus faecium (EF) is a probiotic strain included in a commercially available synbiotic for small animals, however its impact on the microbial communities in dogs with FRD has not yet been evaluated. Hypothesis/Objectives: The administration of a synbiotic will lead to a significant difference of the fecal microbial composition and/or diversity in dogs with FRD, and these changes are not attributable to diet change alone. Animals/Samples: Twelve dogs with FRD fed a hydrolyzed protein diet received either a synbiotic (EF, fructooligosaccharides, gum Arabic) or placebo. Fecal samples were taken before and 6 weeks into treatment. Fecal samples were also acquired from 8 healthy dogs before and 6 weeks after being switched to the same hydrolyzed protein diet as their sole food. Methods: Bacterial DNA was extracted from fecal samples and next generation sequencing based on the 16S rRNA genes was performed. Microbial composition and diversity between groups were compared using QIIME. Results: There was a small increase in species diversity in the feces of dogs with FRD treated with synbiotics. However, there were no significant differences in microbial community composition before and after 6 weeks in either the synbiotic or placebo treated dogs with FRD or the healthy dogs. In all groups, large individual variations were observed. Conclusions: No changes in microbial composition were observed in diseased or healthy dogs with diet change alone. However, administration of a synbiotic increased bacterial richness in both groups.

Perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody and response to treatment in diarrheic dogs with food responsive disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA) and clinical scores before and after treatment in diarrheic dogs with food-responsive disease (FRD) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). pANCA serology was evaluated prospectively by indirect immunofluorescence in 65 dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease, and if positive, pANCA antibody titers were determined. Thirty-nine dogs with FRD responded to a novel diet, and 26 dogs with IBD were treated with corticosteroids. The severity of clinical signs was scored by means of a canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI). At initial examination, a significantly (P = .002) higher percentage of dogs were pANCA-positive in the FRD group (62%) compared with the IBD group (23%). pANCA titers were significantly higher (P = .003) before treatment in the FRD group (median titer 100) compared with the IBD group (median titer 1). However, there was no difference in pANCA titers between the groups after respective treatments because dogs in the IBD group had a significant increase in pANCA titer after treatment. The CIBDAI score decreased significantly (P < .001) after treatment in both groups (74% moderate to severe in FRD dogs before versus 8% after treatment; 85% moderate to severe in IBD dogs before versus 32% after treatment). There was no correlation between pANCA status in FRD or IBD dogs before treatment and scores for CIBDAI, endoscopy, or histopathology before or after treatment, except for the endoscopic duodenal score in dogs with FRD after treatment (P = .03). A positive pANCA test before therapy may aid in the diagnosis of FRD.

Tissue Doppler imaging for detection of radial and longitudinal myocardial dysfunction in a family of cats affected by dystrophin-deficient hypertrophic muscular dystrophy.

Diagnosis of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy currently is based on the presence of myocardial hypertrophy detected using conventional echocardiography. The accuracy of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for earlier detection of the disease has never been described. The objective of this sudy was to quantify left ventricular free wall (LVFW) velocities in cats with hypertrophic muscular dystrophy (HFMD) during preclinical cardiomyopathy using TDI. The study animals included 22 healthy controls and 7 cats belonging to a family of cats with HFMD (2 affected adult males, 2 heterozygous adult females, one 2.5-month-old affected male kitten, and 2 phenotypically normal female kittens from the same litter). All cats were examined via conventional echocardiography and 2-dimensional color TDI. No LVFW hypertrophy was detected in the 2 carriers or in the affected kitten when using conventional echocardiography and histologic examination, respectively. The LVFW also was normal for 1 affected male and at the upper limit of normal for the 2nd male. Conversely, LVFW dysfunction was detected in all affected and carrier cats with HFMD when using TDI. TDI consistently detects LVFW dysfunction in cats with HFMD despite the absence of myocardial hypertrophy. Therefore, TDI appears more sensitive than conventional echocardiography in detecting regional myocardial abnormalities.