Effect of three resuscitative fluid therapy strategies on NT-proBNP concentration in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if 3 resuscitative fluid therapy strategies increase N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP) levels in healthy dogs. DESIGN: Randomized crossover trial. SETTING: Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Plasma NT proBNP concentrations were measured in 6 healthy purpose-bred dogs that received 3 resuscitative fluid therapy protocols. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Crystalloid, synthetic colloid, or hypertonic saline fluids were administered at resuscitative doses. Blood samples were collected via an indwelling catheter before, and at set time points between 0.5 and 36 h after fluid therapy and analyzed for NT-proBNP. A general linear mixed model was used to estimate the differences in NT-proBNP over time and among treatments. None of the resuscitative fluid therapy protocols caused increases of serum NT-proBNP beyond the previously reported cutoff concentration used to differentiate cardiac versus noncardiac causes of respiratory signs. Dogs receiving crystalloid fluid therapy had the most significant and prolonged increase in serum NT-proBNP concentration above baseline compared to dogs receiving either resuscitative doses of colloids or hypertonic saline. CONCLUSIONS: Serum NT-proBNP concentration in normal dogs was not increased beyond concentrations previously established to equate to cardiac disease after receiving resuscitative fluid therapy with either a balanced crystalloid solution, hypertonic saline, or a synthetic colloid solution in this study.

Serological survey of canine vector-borne diseases in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Whole blood samples were collected from 515 dogs in the practice region surrounding Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada between 2008 and 2010 and evaluated for seroprevalence of vector-borne diseases. Of 515 samples, 12 (2.3%) were positive, with 7 (1.4%) positive for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. These prevalences are higher than those previously reported for this region.

Enquête sérologique des maladies canines à transmission vectorielle en Saskatchewan, au Canada. Des échantillons de sang total ont été prélevés auprès de 515 chiens dans des établissements vétérinaires des environs de Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan, au Canada, entre 2008 et 2010, et ont été évalués pour la séroprévalence des maladies à transmission vectorielle. Parmi les 515 échantillons, 12 (2,3 %) étaient positifs et 7 (1,4 %) étaient positifs pour les anticorps contre Borrelia burgdorferi. Ces prévalences sont supérieures à celles précédemment signalées pour cette région.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Effects of alfaxalone, thiopental, or propofol and diazepam on laryngeal motion in healthy dogs.

Laryngeal function is assessed by direct visualization of the larynx under a light plane of anesthesia. This study compared the effects of 3 anesthetic protocols on arytenoid motion in healthy dogs. Eight dogs were randomly assigned to receive alfaxalone, propofol and diazepam, or thiopental. Videolaryngoscopy was performed and still images at maximum inspiration and expiration were used to measure the area and height of the glottal gap. The normalized glottal gap area (NGGA = area in pixels/height2) was calculated. The NGAA change was defined as the difference between NGAA during inspiration and exhalation. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. No significant difference among induction protocols was found when comparing NGGA change after induction or before recovery. Alfaxalone and propofol/diazepam are useful for evaluation of laryngeal function when administered to effect and a light plane of anesthesia is maintained.

Effets de l'alfaxalone, du thiopental ou du propofol et du diazépam sur le mouvement du larynx chez des chiens en santé. La fonction du larynx est évaluée par visualisation directe du larynx sous une légère anesthésie. Cette étude a comparé les effets de trois protocoles anesthésiques sur le mouvement aryténoïde chez des chiens en santé. Huit chiens ont été assignés au hasard pour recevoir de l'alfaxalone, du propofol et du diazépam ou du thiopental. Une vidéo-laryngoscopie a été réalisée et des images fixes à l'inspiration et à l'expiration maximales ont été utilisées pour mesurer la région et la hauteur de l'écart glottal. La région normalisée de l'écart glottal (RNEG = région en pixels/hauteur2) a été calculée. Le changement RNEG a été défini comme la différence entre le RNEG durant l'inspiration et l'expiration. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant les tests de Mann-Whitney et Kruskal-Wallis, les valeurs-P < 0,05 étaient considérées comme étant significatives sur le plan statistique. Aucune différence significative n'a été trouvée parmi les protocoles d'induction lors de la comparaison du changement RNEG après l'induction ou le réveil. L'alfaxalone et le propofol/diazépam sont utiles pour l'évaluation de la fonction du larynx lorsqu'ils sont administrés jusqu'à l'effet et qu'une légère anesthésie est maintenue.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of metformin hydrochloride in healthy mixed-breed dogs.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacokinetics of metformin hydrochloride in healthy dogs after IV and oral bolus administrations and determine the oral dose of metformin that yields serum concentrations equivalent to those thought to be effective in humans. ANIMALS 7 healthy adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES Each dog was given a single dose of metformin IV (mean ± SD dose, 24.77 ± 0.60 mg/kg) or PO (mean dose, 19.14 ± 2.78 mg/kg) with a 1-week washout period between treatments. For each treatment, blood samples were collected before and at intervals up to 72 hours after metformin administration. Seventy-two hours after the crossover study, each dog was administered metformin (mean dose, 13.57 ± 0.55 mg/kg), PO, twice daily for 7 days. Blood samples were taken before treatment initiation on day 0 and immediately before the morning drug administration on days 2, 4, 6, and 7. Serum metformin concentrations were determined by means of a validated flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS After IV or oral administration to the 7 dogs, there was high interindividual variability in mean serum metformin concentrations over time. Mean ± SD half-life of metformin following IV administration was 20.4 ± 4.1 hours. The mean time to maximum serum concentration was 2.5 ± 0.4 hours. Mean systemic clearance and volume of distribution were 24.1 ± 7.8 mL/min/kg and 44.8 ± 23.5 L/kg, respectively. The mean oral bioavailability was 31%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The study data indicated that the general disposition pattern and bioavailability of metformin in dogs are similar to those reported for cats and humans.

Quantification and characterization of pleural fluid in healthy dogs with thoracostomy tubes.

OBJECTIVE To quantify and characterize pleural fluid collected from healthy dogs after placement of a thoracostomy tube (TT). ANIMALS 8 healthy Coonhound-cross dogs (mean ± SD weight, 27.2 ± 1.6 kg). PROCEDURES Thoracic CT of each dog was performed before placement of a TT and daily thereafter for 7 days. Thoracic fluid volume was calculated from CT images. Effusion was aspirated when detected; volume was recorded, and cytologic analysis and bacterial culture were performed. RESULTS Mean ± SD volume of pleural effusion detected by CT was 1.43 ± 0.59 mL/kg (range, 0.12 to 3.32 mL/kg). Mean volume collected via aspiration was 0.48 ± 0.84 mL/kg (range, 0 to 2.16 mL/kg). Cytologic analysis yielded results consistent with an exudate, characterized by septic suppurative inflammation in 6 dogs and mixed inflammation in 1 dog; there was insufficient volume for analysis in 1 dog. Sufficient volume was obtained for bacterial culture for 6 dogs, which yielded pure growths of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (n = 3) and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (2) and mixed growth of both of these species (1). The TT was removed before day 7 in 4 dogs because of pyothorax (n = 3) and irreversible damage to the TT (1). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Presence of a TT induced a minimal volume of pleural effusion in healthy dogs. Pyothorax developed in most dogs between 4 and 6 days after TT placement. On the basis of these findings, a TT should be removed by the fourth day after placement, unless complications are detected sooner.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infection in association with acute gastroenteritis in 7 dogs from Saskatchewan.

Seven dogs diagnosed with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infection in association with acute gastroenteritis are described. Disease severity ranged from mild in adults to fatal disease in young dogs. Enteropathogenic E. coli infection should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in dogs with diarrhea.

Infection parEscherichia colientéropathogène (ECEP) en association avec une gastroentérite aiguë chez 7 chiens de la Saskatchewan. On décrit sept chiens diagnostiqués avec une infection par Escherichia coli entéropathogène (ECEP) en association avec une gastroentérite aigüe. La gravité de la maladie allait de légère chez les adultes à une maladie mortelle chez les jeunes chiens. E. coli entéropathogène devrait être considéré comme un diagnostic différentiel chez les chiens souffrant de la diarrhée.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Serological Survey of West Nile Virus in Pet Dogs from Saskatchewan, Canada.

Serum samples collected from 143 dogs from Saskatchewan, Canada, between 2008 and 2010 were evaluated for seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV). WNV antibodies were identified in 40/143 dogs (28%). Dogs that were primarily housed in the yard were 6.2 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-14.5) more likely to have antibodies than dogs housed in the house or garage. Dogs were more likely to be positive with increasing time spent outside. The results of this study document WNV seroprevalence in dogs from Saskatchewan and suggest that pet dogs might be useful as a sentinel species for WNV surveillance.

Development and validation of fast and simple flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) for the determination of metformin in dog serum.

A simple, fast and sensitive quantification method for the drug metformin in dog serum was developed using flow injection analysis (FIA)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The method was fully validated according to industry standards. It is the first time that FIA-MS/MS for metformin was developed surpassing all existing methods in terms of time of analysis. The quantification method was dependent on the formation of [M+H](+) using electrospray ionization (ESI) and employing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using quadrupole-linear ion trap (4000 QTRAP(®)) instrument. A deuterated internal standard (IS) of metformin bearing six deuterium atoms was used to compensate for matrix effects and for variation in ion current within the ESI source. The ion transitions that were monitored were m/z 130.1→m/z 71.0 and m/z 130.1→m/z 60.1 for metformin and m/z 136.0→m/z 77.0 for the internal standard. A linear response (r=0.9966) was established for a range of concentrations of 5-2340 ng/mL. The inter- and intra-day variations were within the acceptable criteria for all quality control samples. The method was successfully applied for measurement of serum metformin concentration in dogs after intravenous injection.

Constant rate infusion of glucagon as an emergency treatment for hypoglycemia in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3-year-old female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with an insulinoma was treated because of a hypoglycemic crisis prior to scheduled pancreatectomy with concurrent nodulectomy. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Previously, the ferret had clinical signs of lethargy and hind limb weakness; at that time, blood glucose concentration was low, and a tentative diagnosis (subsequently confirmed) of insulinoma was made. Prednisolone treatment (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) did not improve clinical signs; the dosage was gradually increased over a 1-month course (1.8 mg/kg [0.82 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) and maintained for 10 days. Overall, the treatment was ineffective, and the ferret remained lethargic and developed inappetence. At a reevaluation, the ferret had severe weakness and nonresponsiveness nearing a comatose state. Standard treatment with dextrose (1 mL of 50% solution, IV), and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb], SC) was administered with resultant improvement in mentation. The ferret was discharged from the hospital and then returned 3 days later for stabilization prior to pancreatectomy with concurrent nodulectomy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The day before surgery, the ferret was administered a glucagon constant rate infusion at a rate of 15 ng/kg/min (6.8 ng/lb/min), which resulted in an increase in blood glucose concentration to a euglycemic state and resolution of clinical signs of hypoglycemia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As illustrated by the case described in this report, a glucagon constant rate infusion can be used successfully for the emergency treatment of hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic crisis in insulinomic ferrets.

A survey of intestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Fresh fecal samples from 124 apparently healthy dogs and 333 random source canine fecal samples from dog walking areas were analyzed by centrifuged flotation in Sheather's solution to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Fecal flotation was positive in 4.4% of samples. Roundworm species were found in 1.5% of samples, hookworm species were found in 0.4% of samples, whipworm species were found in 0.7%, Strongyloides spp. were found in 0.6%, Giardia spp., Cystoisospora spp., and Alaria spp. were found in 0.4% of samples.

Central nervous system blastomycosis in a dog.

An adult golden retriever was presented for progressive neurologic dysfunction. Clinical examination suggested brainstem disease. Blastomycosis was diagnosed based on fine-needle aspiration cytology of a normal sized lymph node and a positive blastomycosis urine antigen test. Systemic blastomycosis with neurologic involvement was confirmed at necropsy.