Hematological and Hemostatic Alterations Associated With a Single Extracorporeal Renal Replacement Therapy in Dogs With Acute Kidney Injury Associated Leptospirosis: A Pilot Study.

Extracorporeal renal replacement therapy (ERRT) used in dogs with acute kidney injury (AKI) may be associated with hematological and hemostatic disorders. However, its characteristics are not fully described in dogs. The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize the impact of ERRT on hematological, hemostatic, and thromboelastometric parameters in dogs with AKI. We conducted a prospective observational single cohort study in 10 client-owned dogs with AKI associated leptospirosis undergoing ERRT. Results from the CBC, coagulation tests (prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times [aPTT]) and rotational thromboelastometry (TEM; intrinsic TEM [inTEM] and heparinase-based TEM [hepTEM]) were recorded before and after the first ERRT session. Blood abnormalities observed before the ERRT session included thrombocytopenia (10/10), anemia (8/10), leukocytosis (4/10), prolonged aPTT (4/10) and leukopenia (1/10). After ERRT, the platelet count decreased (-25%; P = .012) whereas leukocytes (+15%; P = .046) and aPTT (+24%; P = .006) increased. The clotting time (CT) on inTEM assay and the relative variation of CT based on inTEM and hepTEM profiles increased after the ERRT session (P = .037 and P = .048, respectively). Seven dogs, 2 dogs, and 1 dog were defined as having a normal, hypocoagulable, and hypercoagulable inTEM profile after ERRT, respectively. After ERRT, no hepTEM parameter was significantly different from before treatment. Platelet count, leukocytes, aPTT and CT were altered after the first ERRT session. Beyond the hemostatic abnormalities expected by the use of UFH, thrombocytopenia appears as the only hemostatic change after a single ERRT session in dogs with AKI.

Comparison of the reliability of snap foal Ig test, Gamma-Check E test, refractometry and electrophoresis for determining the immune status of newborn foals in the first hours of life.

Twenty-eight warmblood mares were monitored during their late pregnancy in the Teaching Hospital of Ghent University. The reliability of two commercial assays (enzyme immunoassay and glutaraldehyde coagulation test) used for determining the IgG concentrations of their newborn foals was tested. Mammary secretions were examined at the time of foaling (T0), and then 4 (T1) and 8 (T2) hours after foaling by refractometry and electrophoresis. The foals' blood IgG levels were measured at T1 and T2 as a routine clinical diagnostic examination using two different commercial test kits (SNAP Foal Ig and Gamma-Check E) and T0, T1 and T2 samples were stored (at -18 °C) for immunoglobulin (Ig) determination by electrophoresis. Differences between the results of refractometry and electrophoresis occurred in 27.8% of the colostrum analyses. Some serum IgG could be detected immediately post partum (T0) in 75% of the foals, and 42.82% of the newborn foals acquired a serum concentration of more than 800 mg/dl IgG within 8 h of birth. Compared to the electrophoresis, the glutaraldehyde test scored better (85%) than the enzyme immunoassay (74%), although both are accurate and safe to use since they clearly distinguish between safe and unsafe IgG concentrations.

Autologous blood transfusion in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage: 25 cases (2007-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use and outcome following autologous blood transfusion (ABT) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study (January 2007-July 2012). SETTING: Private veterinary referral center. ANIMALS: Twenty-five dogs that underwent ABT secondary to thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The hospital transaction database was searched using the keyword "autotransfusion" from January 2007 to July 2012. Data collected included signalment, body weight, etiology of hemorrhage, source and method of collection, volumes and method of ABT administration, use of anticoagulant, reported complications, and outcome. Twenty-five dogs were included for a total of 27 ABTs. Causes of hemorrhage included vascular trauma (14/25 dogs, 56%), ruptured tumor (8/25, 32%), and coagulopathy attributed to brodifacoum toxicosis (3/25, 12%). Autologous blood was collected from the abdominal (19/25, 76%), thoracic (5/25, 20%), or abdominal and thoracic cavities (1/25, 4%). Anticoagulant was added to the ABT blood in 13 of 25 (52%) cases. A median ABT volume of 29.3 mL/kg (range 2.9-406.9 mL/kg) was infused through either a 210 µm blood administration filter (21/27, 78%) or an 18 µm hemonate filter (6/27, 22%). Reported complications that may have been associated with ABT included hypocalcemia (4/17, 24%), hemolyzed serum (5/19, 26%), and prolonged coagulation times (4/5, 80%). These complications were considered of minimal clinical significance. Additional blood products were administered in 17 of 25 (68%) dogs. Seventeen (68%) dogs survived to discharge. Cause of death in the remaining cases was euthanasia or cardiac arrest secondary to uncontrollable hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: ABT is an adjunct to volume replacement in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage secondary to vascular trauma, ruptured tumor, or anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis. ABT may be used as bridge to definitive hemorrhage control, particularly when other blood products are not available or affordable. Complications may include hypocalcemia, prolonged coagulation times, and hemolysis.

[Reliability of the glutaraldehyde test to measure gamma-globulin levels in foals and the use of this test to check colostrum intake of foals]. / Een onderzoek naar de betrouwbaarheid van de glutaaraldehydetest voor de bepaling van het gammaglobulinegehalte in het serum van veulens en naar de bruikbaarheid van deze test in de praktijk bij het controleren van de colostrumopname bij veulens.

The glutaraldehyde coagulation test is a semi-quantitative test used to determine the gammaglobulin concentration in serum. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of the different modifications of this test by determining the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and the prevalence of hypogammaglobulinemia in foals. The results of the glutaraldehyde coagulation test were compared with the serum gammaglobulin concentration as a reference value, determined by measuring total serum protein and the serum protein spectrum. It was concluded that the glutaraldehyde coagulation test is a suitable test to use in the field for determining the serum gammaglobulin concentration in foals. The test has good sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value when using a 5% glutaraldehyde solution and when results are evaluated at 30 minutes for a serum concentration of 8 g/l and at 50 minutes for a serum concentration of 5.5 g/l, a concentration below which therapy is recommended.

[Determination of clotting factor VIII activity in mammals using the one-stage clotting and the chromogenic methods]. / Bestimmung der Aktivität des Gerinnungsfaktors VIII beim Säugetier mit der koagulometrischen und der chromogenen Methode.

Two different laboratory assays exist for the determination of clotting factor VIII activities in human plasma. One method is based on the one-stage clotting principle, the other one on the chromogenic principle. To evaluate the suitability for veterinary medicine human plasma and plasma of ten mammalian species (pig, cattle, dog, cat, zebra, llama, snow leopard, greater kudu, horse-like antelope, mink) were examined with each method. Factor VIII activities in human plasma determined using both assays were in a good agreement. Results of factor VIII activities in plasma of mammals obtained with both methods were similar, if a species-specific reference plasma was used. The practicability of the chromogenic method was reduced. However, the factor VIII activities differed nonsystematically up to 500% between both methods, if a human plasma was used as a reference plasma. Determination of factor VIII activities in plasma of mammals using the chromogenic assay cannot be recommended.

Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in calves.

Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins has long been accepted as imperative to optimal calf health. Many factors, including timing of colostrum ingestion, the method and volume of colostrum administration, the immunoglobulin concentration of the colostrum ingested, and the age of the dam have been implicated in affecting the optimization of absorption. The practice of colostrum pooling, the breed and presence of the dam, and the presence of respiratory acidosis in the calf also may affect passive transfer. Various tests have been reported to accurately measure passive transfer status in neonatal calves. The radial immunodiffusion and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the only tests that directly measure serum IgG concentration. All other available tests including serum total solids by refractometry, sodium sulfite turbidity test, zinc sulfate turbidity test, serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity, and whole blood glutaraldehyde gelation estimate serum IgG concentration based on concentration of total globulins or other proteins whose passive transfer is statistically associated with that of IgG. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature of passive transfer in calves including factors that affect passive transfer status, testing modalities, effects of failure of passive transfer on baseline mortality, consequences of failure of passive transfer, and some treatment options. Many previously accepted truisms regarding passive transfer in calves should be rejected based on the results of recent research.

The effects of varying dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratios on platelet reactivity, coagulation screening assays, and antithrombin III activity in dogs.

Thirty beagles were placed on diets containing ratios of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids ranging from 5:1 to 100:1 for 12 weeks to determine the effects of these diets on platelet reactivity, coagulation screening assays, and antithrombin III activity. Although small changes were observed in adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, collagen-, and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and 14C-serotonin release, fibrinogen concentrations, and antithrombin III activities during the 12-week study, these changes were not of clinical significance and did not correlate with the varying ratios of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids.

Comparison of methods for measuring serum immunoglobulin concentrations in neonatal llamas.

Blood samples were collected from 25 neonatal llamas before suckling and at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours of age. Nine tests for determining serum immunoglobulin concentrations were performed on each sample, to compare within-test variation and correlations among tests. The single radial immunodiffusion assay was the only quantitative test and therefore, was judged the most accurate test for determining the status of passive transfer of immunoglobulins in neonatal llamas. Measurement of globulin concentration and total serum protein, and the sodium sulfite precipitation test were accurate when compared with radial immunodiffusion assay results. Measurements of total serum solids by use of a hand-held refractometer and of albumin concentration, and the zinc sulfate turbidity and 10% glutaraldehyde coagulation tests were not reliable for detecting failure of passive transfer in neonatal llamas. Ten of 25 neonatal llamas were suspected of having partial to complete failure of passive transfer on the basis of results of the single radial immunodiffusion assay. The other tests used in this study identified between 4 and 7 of these 10 llamas at 24 hours of age. On follow-up communication 4 to 6 months after the last-blood sample collection, none of the 25 llamas were identified as having been clinically ill or had received any treatments for illness associated with low immunoglobulin concentrations.

Effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin on leukocyte and platelet counts, fibrinogen concentrations, and blood clotting in colostrum-fed and colostrum-deficient neonatal calves.

Effects of a single IV injection of Escherichia coli endotoxin on hemogram and clotting function were compared in colostrum-fed and colostrum-deficient neonatal calves. Before endotoxin administration, the 2 groups of calves only differed in their prothrombin times. After endotoxin administration, there were significant differences (P less than 0.005) between colostrum-fed and colostrum-deficient calves in total leukocyte, segmented neutrophil, nonsegmented neutrophil, and lymphocyte (P less than 0.05) counts and partial thromboplastin time. Significant time dependent changes were observed in the aforementioned parameters and in platelet count and fibrinogen concentration. Seemingly, colostrum feeding improved the calf's ability to respond to endotoxin challenge exposure probably because of improved granulopoietic activity.

Values of three coagulation screening tests of precolostral calves.

Prothrombin times, partial thromboplastin times and platelet counts were performed to determine normal values and to screen for coagulation defects of precolostral calves. The precolostral calves were in two groups: one group of a few calves was tested two years before the second larger group. The results for both groups were similar. The tests were performed on postcolostral calves and on mature cows to compare their values with those of precolostral calves. The mean values of prothrombin times and partial thromboplastin times of precolostral calves in the first group were 18.8 seconds and 54.8 seconds respectively. The mean values of prothrombin times and partial thromboplastin times of precolostral calves in the second group were 18.8 seconds and 50.8 seconds respectively. The mean platelet count was 422,400/cmm for the first group and 482,800/cmm for the second group.