Prognostic indicators in dogs with intra-hepatic portal hypertension.

Objectives: The primary goals of this retrospective study were to describe a population of dogs with portal hypertension secondary to liver disease, and to assess whether prognosis could be inferred from historical, clinical, and clinicopathological data. Animals and procedures: Dogs (N = 76) diagnosed with intrahepatic portal hypertension between 2011 and 2020 were included; dogs with known congenital hepatic anomalies were excluded. Effect on survival was assessed using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models for historical, clinical, and clinicopathological variables. Results: Dogs survived for a median of 14 d (range: 0 to 2028 d), with 31.6% being euthanized within 2 d of diagnosis and 23.7% surviving longer than 2 mo. Presence of jaundice and duration of clinical signs, expressed in days, were significantly associated with outcome in the univariable analysis (HR = 1.846, 95% CI: 1.094 to 3.117, P = 0.02; HR = 0.995, 95% CI: 0.990 to 1.000, P = 0.033, respectively). However, only presence of jaundice was significantly associated with increased hazard of death in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion: Results of this study show that portal hypertension is associated with a poor prognosis; however, some dogs can show prolonged survival. Clinical relevance: Clinical data can guide decision-making for clinicians and owners.

Indicateurs pronostiques chez les chiens atteints d'hypertension portale intra-hépatique. Objectifs: Les principaux objectifs de cette étude rétrospective étaient de décrire une population de chiens souffrant d'hypertension portale secondaire à une maladie hépatique et d'évaluer si le pronostic pouvait être déduit à partir de données historiques, cliniques et clinicopathologiques. Animaux et procédures: Les chiens (N = 76) diagnostiqués avec une hypertension portale intrahépatique entre 2011 et 2020 ont été inclus; les chiens présentant des anomalies hépatiques congénitales connues ont été exclus. L'effet sur la survie a été évalué à l'aide de modèles de risques proportionnels de Cox univariés et multivariés pour les variables historiques, cliniques et clinicopathologiques. Résultats: Les chiens ont survécu pendant une durée médiane de 14 jours (intervalle : 0 à 2028 jours), 31,6 % ayant été euthanasiés dans les 2 jours suivant le diagnostic et 23,7 % ayant survécu plus de 2 mois. La présence d'ictère et la durée des signes cliniques, exprimées en jours, étaient significativement associées au résultat de l'analyse univariée (HR = 1,846, IC à 95 % : 1,094 à 3,117, P = 0,02; HR = 0,995, IC à 95 % : 0,990 à 1,000, P = 0,033, respectivement). Cependant, seule la présence d'ictère était significativement associée à un risque accru de décès dans l'analyse multivariée. Conclusion: Les résultats de cette étude montrent que l'hypertension portale est associée à un mauvais pronostic; cependant, certains chiens peuvent montrer une survie prolongée. Pertinence clinique: Les données cliniques peuvent guider la prise de décision des cliniciens et des propriétaires.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Polyneuropathy in Young Siberian Huskies Caused by Degenerative and Inflammatory Diseases.

Polyneuropathy is defined as the simultaneous dysfunction of several peripheral nerves. In dogs, a number of breeds are predisposed to a variety of immune-mediated and/or degenerative inherited forms of polyneuropathy, with laryngeal paralysis and/or megaesophagus as important clinical features of many of these conditions. This case series describes degenerative and inflammatory polyneuropathies in 7 young Siberian huskies that were categorized based on clinicopathological characteristics as follows: (1) slowly progressive laryngeal paralysis and megaesophagus caused by primary axonal degeneration with large fiber loss (n = 2); (2) slowly progressive polyneuropathy without megaesophagus or laryngeal paralysis caused by primary axonal degeneration with large fiber loss (n = 2); (3) acute inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy causing sensory, motor and autonomic nerve deficits (n = 2); and (4) ganglioradiculitis (sensory neuronopathy; n = 1). Based on the predominantly young age at onset, slow progression, relatedness of affected dogs, and clinical and pathological similarities with inherited neuropathies reported in other dog breeds, a hereditary basis for the degenerative polyneuropathies in Siberian huskies is suspected. However, 5 different mutations in 3 genes known to cause polyneuropathy in other dog breeds (NDRG1, ARHGEF10, or RAB3GAP1) were not detected in the affected Siberian huskies suggesting that more genetic variants remain to be identified. This study highlights the varied underlying lesions of polyneuropathies in young Siberian huskies.

Non-functional thyroid cystadenoma in three boxer dogs.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid neoplasia is a common endocrine neoplasm in dogs. The boxer is one of the reported breeds predisposed to malignant thyroid neoplasia. However, the association between thyroid neoplasia, malignancy and breed should be considered with caution. CASES PRESENTATION: This article describes the presentation, clinical pathological findings, computed tomographic (CT) imaging findings and histopathological features of benign cystic thyroid tumour (cystadenoma) diagnosed in three boxers. These three dogs were presented for investigation of unilateral (n = 2) or bilateral (n = 1) cervical masses with no associated clinical signs of thyroid dysfunction. In each case, post-contrast CT scan identified a large, lateralised, non-invasive, well-defined homogeneous cystic structure with a hyperattenuating contrast-enhancing capsule of suspected thyroid origin displacing the surrounding cervical tissues. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of the cysts yielded fluid with a high thyroxine concentration in each case. Histopathology was consistent with thyroid cystadenoma in all cases. One dog was concurrently diagnosed with oral melanoma and euthanased. Two dogs underwent surgical excision with one lost to follow-up after 36 months and the other euthanased after 16 months following diagnosis of mast cell tumour. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first detailed report of non-functional benign thyroid cystadenoma in dogs and provides relevant information about case management for this type of tumour. The presence of a large cystic structure associated with benign non-functional thyroid neoplasia may be a condition to which boxer dogs are predisposed.

Evaluation of red blood cell distribution width in dogs with various illnesses.

In humans, increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values are associated with higher morbidity and mortality in a variety of pathological processes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate RDW in dogs with a diverse range of pathologies. Clinical data from 276 dogs were retrospectively evaluated. Significantly higher RDW values were found in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (P < 0.0001), immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (P < 0.0004), hyperadrenocorticism (P < 0.0001), hypothyroidism (P = 0.0220), hepatic vascular anomaly (P < 0.0001), pneumonia (P < 0.0001), chronic kidney disease (P = 0.0005), multi-centric lymphoma (P = 0.0002), and myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (P = 0.0032). However, there was extensive overlap with the values from healthy dogs, limiting the diagnostic value of RDW in this setting. Although RDW may have a role as a potential prognostic indicator, further studies would be necessary to address this.

Évaluation de l'indice de distribution des globules rouges chez des chiens avec différentes maladies. Chez les humains, une augmentation des valeurs de l'indice de distribution des globules rouges (RDW) est associée avec une plus grande morbidité et mortalité dans une variété de processus pathologiques. L'objectif principal de la présente étude était d'évaluer la RDW chez des chiens avec une variété de pathologies. Les données cliniques de 276 chiens ont été rétrospectivement évaluées. Des valeurs significativement plus élevées de RDW ont été trouvées chez des chiens avec une anémie hémolytique primaire à médiation immunitaire (P < 0,0001), une thrombocytopénie à médiation immunitaire (P < 0,0004), de l'hyperadrénocorticisme (P < 0,0001), de l'hypothyroïdisme (P < 0,0220), une anomalie vasculaire hépatique (P < 0,0001), une pneumonie (P < 0,0001), une maladie rénale chronique (P = 0,0005), un lymphome multicentrique (P = 0,0002), et une dégénérescence myxomateuse de la valvule mitrale (P = 0,0032). Toutefois, il y avait un chevauchement important avec les valeurs provenant de chiens en santé, limitant ainsi la valeur diagnostique de RDW dans ce contexte. Bien que le RDW peut avoir un rôle d'indicateur potentiel de pronostic, des études supplémentaires seraient nécessaires pour y répondre.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Prevalence and risk factors for hyperthyroidism in Irish cats from the greater Dublin area.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats. Prevalence varies geographically, but is anecdotally considered low in Ireland. The aim of this study was to document prevalence of hyperthyroidism in older cats in the greater Dublin area of Ireland and to assess environmental and clinical associations for development and identification of the disease. METHODS: Primary-care veterinary practices were requested to select cats aged 10 years or older where blood sampling was being performed for health screening or clinical investigations. Surplus serum/plasma samples were submitted to University College Dublin Diagnostic Endocrine Laboratory for total thyroxine (T4) measurement. Cats were classified as hyperthyroid, equivocal or euthyroid based on a total T4 concentration (reference interval, 15-60 nmol/L), of >60 nmol/L, 30-60 nmol/L or <30 nmol/L, respectively. Simultaneous free T4 or repeat (after 4-6 weeks) total T4 measurement was recommended in all equivocal cases. Animals receiving treatment for hyperthyroidism were excluded. A questionnaire completed by the client and veterinarian detailing historical and physical information was also required. Associations between categorical variables were analysed by Chi-square or Fisher's exact test and odds ratio (OR) calculated. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Samples were submitted from 507 cats including 107 (21.1%) hyperthyroid, 54 (10.6%) equivocal and 346 (68.2%) euthyroid. The presence of goitre (P < 0.0001), tachypnoea (P = 0.0378), tachycardia (P = 0.002), polyphagia (P = 0.0003) and weight loss (P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with hyperthyroidism. Cats with goitre were more likely to be diagnosed as hyperthyroid [OR 2.85, (95% CI 1.75-4.62] compared to those without. However, goitre was only palpated in 40 of 102 (39.2%) hyperthyroid cats. Increasing age was the only significant (P < 0.002) risk factor for development of hyperthyroidism. A relationship between hyperthyroidism and sex, breed, lifestyle, parasite control, vaccination status or feeding habits was not identified. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthyroidism is not uncommon in Irish cats. Age was the only significant risk factor for its development. The high proportion of hyperthyroid cats without palpable goitre (> 60%) may reflect failure to detect goitre and account for the perceived low prevalence of this condition in Ireland.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN A CASE OF METASTATIC OVARIAN ADENOCARCINOMA IN A DOG.

A 5-year-old female entire German Shepherd presented for otitis and lethargy. An incidental abdominal mass was identified on examination. Ultrasound examination (US) identified a heterogeneous left ovarian mass. Computed tomography (CT) was performed for surgical planning and staging. The reproductive tract was removed en bloc and submitted for histopathology. Multiple small (1-5 mm) nodules identified at coeliotomy on the surface of the liver, spleen and peritoneum were biopsied. The lesions were not visible on CT nor US on review. This is the first case report of the CT findings of ovarian papillary adenocarcinoma with carcinomatosis.

Legacy effects of grassland management on soil carbon to depth.

The importance of managing land to optimize carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation is widely recognized, with grasslands being identified as having the potential to sequester additional carbon. However, most soil carbon inventories only consider surface soils, and most large-scale surveys group ecosystems into broad habitats without considering management intensity. Consequently, little is known about the quantity of deep soil carbon and its sensitivity to management. From a nationwide survey of grassland soils to 1 m depth, we show that carbon in grassland soils is vulnerable to management and that these management effects can be detected to considerable depth down the soil profile, albeit at decreasing significance with depth. Carbon concentrations in soil decreased as management intensity increased, but greatest soil carbon stocks (accounting for bulk density differences), were at intermediate levels of management. Our study also highlights the considerable amounts of carbon in subsurface soil below 30 cm, which is missed by standard carbon inventories. We estimate grassland soil carbon in Great Britain to be 2097 Tg C to a depth of 1 m, with ~60% of this carbon being below 30 cm. Total stocks of soil carbon (t ha(-1) ) to 1 m depth were 10.7% greater at intermediate relative to intensive management, which equates to 10.1 t ha(-1) in surface soils (0-30 cm), and 13.7 t ha(-1) in soils from 30 to 100 cm depth. Our findings highlight the existence of substantial carbon stocks at depth in grassland soils that are sensitive to management. This is of high relevance globally, given the extent of land cover and large stocks of carbon held in temperate managed grasslands. Our findings have implications for the future management of grasslands for carbon storage and climate mitigation, and for global carbon models which do not currently account for changes in soil carbon to depth with management.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentration changes after acute haemorrhage and colloid-mediated reperfusion in anaesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentration (uNGAL) in anaesthetized Greyhound dogs that developed acute tubular damage following haemorrhage and resuscitation with colloid-based fluids. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. ANIMALS: Seven healthy adult entire male Greyhound dogs. METHODS: During isoflurane anaesthesia, approximately 50 mL kg(-1) of blood was removed to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≤40 mmHg for 1 hour followed by gelatin-based colloid administration to maintain MAP ≥60 mmHg for 3 hours. Data, including oxygen extraction ratio and uNGAL, were collected before (T0) and immediately following (T1) haemorrhage, and hourly during reperfusion (T2-T4). After T4, dogs were euthanized and renal tissue was collected for histology. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures one-way anova. Data are presented as means (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Histology identified renal tubular epithelial damage in all dogs. Urine NGAL concentration increased from 12.1 (0-30.6) ng mL(-1) at T0 to 122.0 (64.1-180.0) ng mL(-1) by T3. Compared with T0, uNGAL was significantly higher at T3 (p = 0.016) and was increased 24-fold. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite wide individual variation in baseline uNGAL, increases in uNGAL were observed in all dogs, suggesting that this biomarker has the potential to detect renal tubular injury following haemorrhage-induced hypotension and colloid-mediated reperfusion.

Productivity of Premodern Agriculture in the Cucuteni-Trypillia Area.

We present paleoeconomy reconstructions for premodern agriculture, selecting, wherever required, features and parameter values specific for the Cucuteni-Trypillia cultural unity (CTU; 5,400-2,700 BC, mostly the territory of modern Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania). We verify the self-consistency and viability of the archaeological evidence related to all major elements of the agricultural production cycle within the constraints provided by environmental and technological considerations. The starting point of our analysis is the paleodiet structure suggested by archaeological data, stable isotope analyses of human remains, and palynology studies in the CTU area. We allow for the archeologically attested contributions of domesticated and wild animal products to the diet, develop plausible estimates of the yield of ancient cereal varieties cultivated with ancient techniques, and quantify the yield dependence on the time after initial planting and on rainfall (as a climate proxy). Our conclusions involve analysis of the labor costs of various seasonal parts of the agricultural cycle of both an individual and a family with a majority of members that do not engage in productive activities that require physical fitness, such as tillage. Finally, we put our results into the context of the exploitation territory and catchment analysis, to project various subsistence strategies into the exploitation territory of a farming settlement. The simplest economic complex based on cereals and domestic and wild animal products, with fallow cropping, appears to be capable of supporting an isolated, relatively small farming settlement of 50-300 people (2-10 ha in area) even without recourse to technological improvements such as the use of manure fertilizer. Our results strongly suggest that dairy products played a significant role in the dietary and labor balance. The smaller settlements are typical of the earliest Trypillia A stage but remain predominant at the later stages. A larger settlement of several hundred people could function in isolation, perhaps with a larger fraction of cereals in the diet, only with technological innovations, such as manure fertilizer and, most important, ard tillage. The ard radically relieves the extreme time pressure associated with soil preparation for sowing. It appears that very large settlements of a few hundred hectares in area, found in the CTU region, could function only if supported by satellite farming villages and stable exchange networks. In turn, this implies social division of labor and occupation, sufficiently complex social relations, stable exchange channels, and so on: altogether, a proto-urban character of such settlements. A model is proposed for the lifetime of a farming settlement, assuming that it is limited by the soil fertility (the depleted resources model), that provides a lifetime estimate consistent with the archaeological evidence available (100-150 years). The model shows that the lifetime strongly depends on the fraction of the arable land area kept fallow. We also discuss, quantify, and assess some strategies to mitigate the risks of arable agriculture associated with strong temporal fluctuations in the cereal yield, such as manure fertilization, and increased fraction of cereals in the diet combined with producing grain surplus for emergency storage.

Muscular dystrophy in the Japanese Spitz: an inversion disrupts the DMD and RPGR genes.

An X-linked muscular dystrophy, with deficiency of full-length dystrophin and expression of a low molecular weight dystrophin-related protein, has been described in Japanese Spitz dogs. The aim of this study was to identify the causative mutation and develop a specific test to identify affected cases and carrier animals. Gene expression studies in skeletal muscle of an affected animal indicated aberrant expression of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (dystrophin) gene and an anomaly in intron 19 of the gene. Genome-walking experiments revealed an inversion that interrupts two genes on the X chromosome, the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene and the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene. All clinically affected dogs and obligate carriers that were tested had the mutant chromosome, and it is concluded that the inversion is the causative mutation for X-linked muscular dystrophy in the Japanese Spitz breed. A PCR assay that amplifies mutant and wild-type alleles was developed and proved capable of identifying affected and carrier individuals. Unexpectedly, a 7-year-old male animal, which had not previously come to clinical attention, was shown to possess the mutant allele and to have a relatively mild form of the disease. This observation indicates phenotypic heterogeneity in Japanese Spitz muscular dystrophy, a feature described previously in humans and Golden Retrievers. With the availability of a simple, fast and accurate test for Japanese Spitz muscular dystrophy, detection of carrier animals and selected breeding should help eliminate the mutation from the breed.

Nitrogen Application Can Be Reduced without Affecting Carotenoid Content, Maturation, Shelf Life and Yield of Greenhouse Tomatoes.

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) of the variety Elpida were grown under standard Mediterranean greenhouse conditions during the spring season at three different nitrogen levels (low 6.4, standard 12.8, high 25.9 mM/plant), which were replicated during two consecutive years. Application of high nitrogen significantly increased the colour index a* (p < 0.001) but did not significantly affect yield or quality. The variety exhibited prolonged postharvest storage at room temperature (median survival time of 93 days). The maturation process was delayed by harvest at the breaker stage (2.5 days, p ≤ 0.001) or by super-optimal temperatures in the second year of experimentation (10 days, p ≤ 0.001). The colour indices L* and a* and the hue angle (a/b*) were positively correlated with the sum of total carotenoids, while differences in b* depended on the year of cultivation. The sustainability of this type of tomato production can be improved by reducing the nitrogen supply to less than the current standard practice, with minimal risk or negative effects on yield and quality of tomatoes.

Ultrasonographic measurement of gallbladder wall thickness in fasted dogs without signs of hepatobiliary disease.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-determined gallbladder wall thickness is widely used to aid in the diagnosis of gallbladder disease, but no reference values supported by published measurement data are available in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: Establish normal thickness of the gallbladder wall in dogs. ANIMALS: Fifty-three dogs presented to a referral hospital and required abdominal ultrasound examination for reasons unrelated to primary hepatobiliary disease. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study recruiting dogs requiring abdominal ultrasound examination. A standard sequence of gallbladder wall images was recorded for later review. Inclusion criteria were normal ultrasonographic hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and small intestinal findings. Exclusion was determined by 2 European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM)-certified veterinary internists blinded to gallbladder wall thickness data. Dogs were excluded if they had inadequate medical records, a previous history of hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, or pancreatic disease likely to impact the biliary system (eg, chronic vomiting, nausea, jaundice, diarrhea), unexplained increases in liver enzyme activities, hypoalbuminemia, or ascites. Gallbladder wall thickness was determined by 2 European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI)-certified veterinary radiologists working together to generate a consensus for each dog. The final output was the maximum normal wall thickness for this population of dogs. RESULTS: The upper limit for gallbladder wall thickness in 53 fasted (8 hours) dogs <40 kg was 1.30 mm (90% confidence interval, 1.19-1.41). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Normal gallbladder wall thickness in dogs is lower than previously reported. Additional studies are required to determine potential effects of body weight and the optimal cut-off to distinguish between healthy and diseased gallbladders.

The comparative performance of a custom Canine NanoString® panel on FFPE and snap frozen liver biopsies.

Formalin-Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) biopsies would provide a critical mass of cases to allow investigation of canine liver disease, however their use is often limited by challenges typically associated with transcriptomic analysis. This study evaluates the capability of NanoString® to measure the expression of a broad panel of genes in FFPE liver samples. RNA was isolated from matched histopathologically normal liver samples using FFPE (n = 6) and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen (n = 6) and measured using a custom NanoString® panel. Out of the 40 targets on the panel, 27 and 23 targets were above threshold for non-diseased snap frozen and FFPE tissue respectively. The binding density and total counts were significantly reduced in the FFPE samples relative to the snap frozen samples (p = 0.005, p = 0.01, respectively), confirming a reduction in sensitivity. The concordance between the snap frozen and FFPE samples was high, with correlations (R) ranging between 0.88 and 0.99 between the paired samples. An additional 14 immune-related targets, undetectable the non-diseased FFPE liver, were above threshold when the technique was applied to a series of diseased samples, further supporting their inclusion on this panel. This use of NanoString® based analysis opens up huge opportunity for retrospective evaluation of gene signatures in larger caseloads through harnessing the capacity of archived FFPE samples This information used alongside clinical and histological data will not only afford a way to explore disease etiopathogenesis, it may also offer insight into sub-types of liver disease in dogs, which cannot be discerned using more traditional diagnostic methods.

Parasitic plants indirectly regulate below-ground properties in grassland ecosystems.

Parasitic plants are one of the most ubiquitous groups of generalist parasites in both natural and managed ecosystems, with over 3,000 known species worldwide. Although much is known about how parasitic plants influence host performance, their role as drivers of community- and ecosystem-level properties remains largely unexplored. Parasitic plants have the potential to influence directly the productivity and structure of plant communities because they cause harm to particular host plants, indirectly increasing the competitive status of non-host species. Such parasite-driven above-ground effects might also have important indirect consequences through altering the quantity and quality of resources that enter soil, thereby affecting the activity of decomposer organisms. Here we show in model grassland communities that the parasitic plant Rhinanthus minor, which occurs widely throughout Europe and North America, has strong direct effects on above-ground community properties, increasing plant diversity and reducing productivity. We also show that these direct effects of R. minor on the plant community have marked indirect effects on below-ground properties, ultimately increasing rates of nitrogen cycling. Our study provides evidence that parasitic plants act as a major driver of both above-ground and below-ground properties of grassland ecosystems.

Insulins for the long term management of diabetes mellitus in dogs: a review.

The year 2021 marked the centenary of the isolation of a therapeutic form of insulin and its successful use in dogs. This was a landmark moment that subsequently and rapidly led to the commercial manufacture of insulin for use in humans. The impact of insulin was almost miraculous as those destined to die from their diabetes mellitus returned to life. Over the past 100 years, insulin formulations have been modified to attempt to provide a predictable and prolonged duration of action while avoiding the development of hypoglycaemia. This has led to an ever-growing variety of insulin types in human medicine, many of which have subsequently been used in dogs. The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview of available insulin types and their application to the chronic management of canine diabetes mellitus.

Free thyroxine measurement by analogue immunoassay and equilibrium dialysis in dogs with non-thyroidal illness.

OBJECTIVES: Measurement of free T4 by analogue immunoassay (fT4a) is popular but its ability to differentiate hypothyroidism from non-thyroidal illness (NTI) is unclear. The aims were to assess fT4a concentrations in dogs with NTI and to explore diagnostic agreement with total T4 and free T4 measured by equilibrium dialysis (fT4d). METHODS: fT4a was measured in dogs classified with mild, moderate and severe NTI. Total T4 and fT4d were measured in a subgroup of these dogs. RESULTS: 146 dogs were included of which 84, 35 and 27 had mild, moderate and severe NTI, respectively. Median (range) fT4a concentrations (pmol/L) were significantly lower (P = 0.023 and P < 0.001) in dogs with severe (3.86 (3.86-23.60)) compared with moderate (11.10 (3.86-34.70)) and mild (15.25 (3.86-48.60)) NTI. Overall, 49 (33.6% [95% CI, 26.4-41.6]) dogs had low fT4a concentration. All thyroid hormones were measured in 74 dogs. Agreement was substantial between total T4 and fT4a (κ=0.79 [95% CI, 0.65-0.92]) and fT4a and fT4d (κ =0.63 [95% CI, 0.47-0.79]) but moderate between total T4 and fT4d (κ=0.49 [95% CI, 0.32-0.66]). Of 42 dogs with low total T4 concentration, five (11.9% [95% CI, 5.19-24.99]) and 18 (42.9% [95% CI, 29.12-57.80]) had fT4a and fT4d within reference interval, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: fT4a and fT4d cannot be used interchangeably. Measurement of fT4a provides limited further diagnostic information over measurement of total T4 in dogs with NTI. This study raises concerns regarding the ability of fT4a to differentiate NTI from hypothyroidism in dogs with low total T4 concentrations.

Diagnosis of canine spontaneous hypoadrenocorticism.

Hypoadrenocorticism is characterized by a reduction in mineralocorticoid and/or glucocorticoid production by the adrenal glands. Several subtypes have been described with different clinical and clinicopathological consequences. Most affected dogs have vague and non-specific signs that precede an eventual life-threatening crisis. This review aims to appraise classification, the available data on epidemiology and the clinical and laboratory features of naturally occurring canine hypoadrenocorticism.

Canine hypoadrenocorticism is a relatively uncommon endocrine disease that can present with a wide variety of clinical signs resulting from cortisol or aldosterone deficiency or both. Hypoadrenocorticism should be considered in all dogs with severe illness and typical electrolyte abnormalities but also in those with waxing and waning clinical signs. Multiple clinical and laboratory features are suggestive of the disease and should prompt evaluation of adrenal function. The ACTH stimulation test is the best test for diagnosing hypoadrenocorticism but, in those cases without the typical presentation, evaluation of aldosterone secretory capacity and endogenous ACTH concentrations should be performed to distinguish primary from secondary disease. In this review we discuss the pathophysiology of the disease, the clinical signs and laboratory features that should raise suspicion of hypoadrenocorticism and the performance of the different diagnostic tests.

Assessment of criteria used by veterinary practitioners to diagnose hypothyroidism in sighthounds and investigation of serum thyroid hormone concentrations in healthy Salukis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess use of serum thyroid hormone concentrations by veterinarians to diagnose hypothyroidism in sighthounds and to evaluate serum thyroid hormone concentrations in healthy Salukis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series and cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 398 sighthounds of various breeds with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and 283 healthy Salukis. PROCEDURES: Pretreatment thyroid hormone assay results from sighthounds subsequently classified as hypothyroid by practitioners were retrieved from a laboratory database. In healthy Salukis, serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T(4)), free T(4), total triiodothyronine (T(3)), free T(3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and antibodies against thyroglobulin and thyroid hormones were assayed. RESULTS: Records indicated hypothyroidism had been diagnosed in 303 (76.1%) sight-hounds on the basis of low serum thyroid hormone concentrations alone and in 30 (7.5%) others despite all thyroid hormone indices being within reference limits. Only 65 (16.3%) dogs had a high TSH concentration or positive thyroglobulin autoantibody result to support the diagnosis. In healthy Salukis, median (reference limits) serum concentrations of total T(4), free T(4), total T(3), free T(3), and TSH were 13.0 nmol/L (2.8 to 40.0 nmol/L), 12.0 pmol/L (2.0 to 30.3 pmol/L), 1.0 nmol/L (0.4 to 2.1 nmol/L), 4.0 pmol/L (1.6 to 7.7 pmol/L), and 0.18 ng/mL (0 to 0.86 ng/mL), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diagnosis of hypothyroidism by practitioners was most often made without adequate supportive laboratory evidence. Thyroid hormone values in healthy Salukis differed markedly from standard reference limits for some, but not all, thyroid hormone indices. Breed-specific reference limits should be used when interpreting thyroid hormone profiles of sighthounds.

A Preliminary Study of the Effect of Hyperadrenocorticism on Calcium and Phosphate Concentrations, Parathyroid Hormone and Markers of Bone Turnover in Dogs.

Reports on the effects of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) on bone turnover in dogs are largely confined to radiographic studies. The aim of this study was to more accurately assess bone turnover in dogs with HAC by measuring circulating total and ionized calcium and phosphate concentrations, both intact and whole parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and markers of both osteoblastic (osteocalcin) and osteoclastic [carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (ICTP) and urine aminoterminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX) activity]. Dogs with HAC and a control group were prospectively enrolled for comparison. Results from 49 dogs with HAC were compared with 39 dogs from a hospital control population. Plasma intact and whole PTH concentrations were determined using a human immunoradiometric assay. Serum osteocalcin and NTX concentrations were measured using human enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. Serum ICTP concentration was measured using a human radioimmunoassay. Total calcium concentrations in dogs with HAC (2.67 ± 0.25 mmol/L) were not significantly different than in the control group (2.67 ± 0.14 mmol/L). By contrast, phosphate concentrations were significantly (P = 0.0143) higher in dogs with HAC (1.46 ± 0.30 mmol/L) compared to the control group (1.28 ± 0.33 mmol/L). The median intact PTH concentration in HAC dogs was 9.25 (range, 1.34-95.45) pmol/L, which was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than in the control group [median, 3.88 (range, 2.01-10.31) pmol/L]. Whole PTH concentrations were also significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the HAC group [median, 4.61 (range, 0.56-125.16) pmol/L] compared to the control group [median, 1.83 (range, 0.88-6.81) pmol/L]. Serum osteocalcin and urine NTX concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups of dogs. The median ICTP concentration in dogs with HAC was 2.98 (range, 1.15-6.62) ng/mL which was significantly (P < 0.0001) lower than in the control dogs [median, 7.30 (range, 3.68-21.25) ng/mL]. Both whole and intact PTH concentrations are increased in dogs with HAC compared to a hospital control population. This does not however appear to be associated with a decrease in bone formation (as assessed by osteocalcin) or an increase in bone resorption (as assessed by ICTP and urine NTX).

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion associated with congenital hydrocephalus in a dog.

A 13-month-old, male bichon frise was examined for the investigation of intermittent seizures, ataxia, abnormal behavior, polyuria, and polydipsia. At presentation, clinical and neurological examinations were unremarkable with the exception of mild truncal ataxia and a domed skull. Severe hyponatremia and hypoosmolality were identified, and following diagnostic testing a diagnosis of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) was made. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed changes consistent with severe hydrocephalus. Water restriction resulted in increased serum osmolality and a reduction in severity of clinical signs. The current case report documents SIADH associated with hydrocephalus in a dog. Structural brain disease should be excluded before a diagnosis of idiopathic SIADH is made.