Evaluation of the Idexx ProCyte Dx® for analysis of canine cerebrospinal fluid.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the utility of the Idexx ProCyte Dx® haematology analyser for assessing total nucleated cell count and differential cell counts in canine cerebrospinal fluid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three client-owned dogs undergoing investigations for pyrexia and/or neurological signs were prospectively included. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were assessed using an Idexx ProCyte Dx® analyser and the results were compared to those obtained with the external laboratory reference standard. RESULTS: The Idexx ProCyte Dx® performed with good sensitivity (92.6%) and moderate specificity (67.4%) for total nucleated cell count when compared to the reference standard. Qualitative assessment of the Idexx ProCyte Dx® scatter plots, and quantitative assessment of differential cell counts where available, appeared to correlate well with the external laboratory manual differential cell counts, with a good-to-high agreement in 25 of 26 samples (96.2%). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Idexx ProCyte Dx® analyser performed well in determining the total nucleated cell count and differential cell counts in canine cerebrospinal fluid when compared to a reference standard of external laboratory analysis, except for cell counts higher than ~1000/µL. As the Idexx ProCyte Dx® currently only provides a cell count in 10 cells/µL increments, software modification may improve agreement between the two methods. As in human medicine, automated methods may prove useful in the future for cerebrospinal fluid analysis in addition to manual assessment, particularly in an emergency setting.

Hepatotoxicosis in dogs consuming a diet of camel meat contaminated with indospicine.

BACKGROUND: Four dogs presented with clinical signs of severe hepatic disease after consuming a commercial camel meat diet. METHODS: Laboratory investigation revealed evidence of severe liver disease, including markedly increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and total bilirubin concentration, and prolonged clotting times. RESULTS: Two dogs deteriorated despite supportive therapy and were euthanased. Histologically, both livers appeared similar, with the main lesion being extensive periacinar necrosis and haemorrhage. Indospicine, a toxic amino acid of plant origin, was detected in the serum and/or plasma from all four dogs, as well as in tissues of a dog that was necropsied and in a sample of the camel meat fed to this animal. Serum biochemistry tests using blood samples collected from 15 additional dogs identified as having eaten the diet detected indospicine was in the serum of 14 and 3 had increased ALT activity. One of the latter dogs subsequently developed clinical signs of severe liver disease and was euthanased. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of the detection of indospicine residues in camel meat and the occurrence of severe, sometimes fatal, liver disease in dogs that consumed this contaminated meat.

Computed tomography diagnosis of eight dogs with brain infarction.

OBJECTIVE: Medical records of eight dogs presenting with acute onset of neurological signs and a diagnosis of brain infarction as determined by computed tomography (CT) imaging were reviewed. DESIGN: Retrospective single-centre case review. RESULTS: Ischaemic infarction in the territory of the rostral cerebellar artery was identified in three spaniel-breed dogs. All cerebellar infarcts were non-haemorrhagic. Telencephalic infarcts were identified in five dogs, in the territories of the middle cerebral artery (2/5) and rostral cerebral artery (3/5). One of these dogs had an ischaemic infarction, but all other infarctions appeared haemorrhagic. All dogs were geriatric (≥ 8 years old), with concurrent medical conditions identified in six dogs. One dog was euthanased after diagnosis because of the severity of its neurological signs and one dog was euthanased as a result of associated renal disease 2 months after diagnosis. Six dogs were alive at least 1 year after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: CT is useful in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident in dogs, which can present as a spectrum of images with early changes in attenuation and subtle mass effects detected after infarction. CT is particularly sensitive for detecting haemorrhagic infarction, but under-represent ischaemic and lacunar infarctions when compared with MRI.

Presumptive Nocardia spp. infection in a dog treated with cyclosporin and ketoconazole.

CASE HISTORY: A dog that had received 8 months of cyclosporin and ketoconazole therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis subsequently developed severe neurological disease, that failed to respond to treatment with trimethoprim-sulphadiazine and clindamycin. HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Histopathological examination of the pulmonary parenchyma and spinal cord revealed loose aggregates of Gram-positive, partially acid-fast, fine, beaded, filamentous bacteria, most consistent with Nocardia spp. DIAGNOSIS: A presumptive diagnosis was made of disseminated nocardiosis of the spinal cord and lungs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nocardia spp. is an opportunistic actinomycete that may cause disseminated disease, particularly in immunocompromised animals. Cyclosporin is used in veterinary medicine to control immune-mediated and allergic disorders, with few reported adverse side effects. This case gives further evidence that involvement of the spinal cord in nocardiosis of the central nervous system (CNS) carries a poor prognosis, and opportunistic infection by Nocardia spp. may be a potential complication of immunosuppressive cyclosporin therapy in the dog.