Evaluation of heart fatty acid-binding protein as a biomarker for canine leishmaniosis.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis frequently occurs in canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Heart fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) is a biomarker of myocardial damage. METHODS: This study aimed to compare HFABP concentration (HFABPc) in healthy dogs and dogs at different stages of CanL and evaluate the correlation of this biomarker with several clinicopathological and echocardiographic variables. Thirty-one dogs diagnosed with CanL and 10 healthy dogs were included. RESULTS: HFABPc was not statistically different (p > 0.05) between groups of dogs at different LeishVet stages of CanL or between groups with high versus low to intermediate serology titres. In 70% of CanL dogs, HFABPc was within the 95% confidence interval limits of the mean of healthy dogs. A moderate negative correlation with globulin (r = -0.519; p = 0.03) and haematocrit (HCT) (r = -0.538; p = 0.02) was observed. No other significant correlation (p > 0.05) was observed with any other variable. LIMITATIONS: Many statistical tests were performed, and therefore, type I error cannot be ruled out. CONCLUSION: HFABPc is not consistently elevated in dogs with CanL and is not associated with the severity of the disease, or most echocardiographic or clinicopathological variables studied. The correlation with globulin and HCT was not strong and not considered clinically significant. HFABPc lacks sufficient predictive capacity in dogs with CanL, discouraging further research or clinical use of this biomarker in this disease.

The perioperative management of small animals with previously implanted pacemakers undergoing anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: There is little information in the veterinary literature about the perioperative management of small animal patients with previously implanted pacemakers undergoing elective or emergency non-cardiac procedures. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature with regard to human patients, with previously implanted pacemakers, undergoing general anaesthesia. Using this and the current information on pacemakers and anaesthesia in dogs and cats, we provide recommendations for small animal patients in this situation. DATABASES USED: Google Scholar, PubMed and CAB Abstracts using and interlinking and narrowing the search terms: "dog", "cat", "small animals", "anaesthesia", "pacemaker", "perioperative", "transvenous pacing", "temporary pacing". Scientific reports and human and small animal studies from the reference lists of the retrieved papers were reviewed. In addition, related human and veterinary cardiology and anaesthesia textbooks were also included to create a narrative review of the subject. CONCLUSIONS: The best perioperative care for these animals comes from a multidisciplinary approach involving the anaesthetist, cardiologist, surgeon and intensive care unit team. When such an approach is not feasible, the anaesthetist should be familiar with pacemaker technology and how to avoid perioperative complications such as electromagnetic interference, lead damage and reprogramming of the device. The preanaesthetic assessment should be thorough. Information regarding the indication for pacemaker placement, complications during the procedure, location, type and programming of the pacemaker should be readily available. The anaesthetic management of these veterinary patients aims to preserve cardiovascular function while avoiding hypotension, and backup pacing should be available during the perioperative period. Further prospective studies are needed to describe the best perioperative care in small animals with a previously implanted pacemaker.

Association of myocardial parasitic load with cardiac biomarkers and other selected variables in 10 dogs with advanced Canine Leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: The association between myocardial parasitic load (MPL) and cardiac biomarkers in Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) has not been studied. METHODS: Dogs with advanced CanL were prospectively recruited and were included if they were euthanised. Prior to euthanasia these variables were assessed: hematocrit, globulin, creatinine, N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), blood pressure, urine protein/creatinine ratio and echocardiographic parameters. A left ventricular (LV) sample was taken for histopathology and MPL evaluation by quantitative PCR. Correlation of MPL with all variables was analysed. Dogs with lower and higher histopathology scores were compared. RESULTS: Ten dogs were included. NT-proBNP was 6946 pmol/ (interquartile range [IQR] 3751-9268 pmol/L) and cTnI 4.56 ng/mL (IQR 0.46-13.1 ng/mL). In all dogs, echocardiography showed an increase in LV thickening, and histopathology revealed moderate to severe lympho-plasmocytic myocarditis and/or myocardial cell degeneration. MPL was 215.53 parasites/gram (IQR 21.2-1372.63 parasites/gram). A strong correlation (p < 0.001; R = 0.90; R2 0.81) with cTnI was observed but correlation with any of the other variables or differences between the two histopathological scores, were not detected. CONCLUSIONS: MPL in dogs with advanced CanL shows variable but generally high levels. A strong association between MPL and cTnI was observed, which encourages the exploration of cTnI as a marker in CanL.

Clinical features and long-term follow-up of 70 cases of canine idiopathic eosinophilic lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Canine idiopathic eosinophilic lung disease (ELD) is sparsely documented in the literature. METHODS: Clinical presentation and outcome of dogs diagnosed with ELD (eosinophilic bronchitis or eosinophilic bronchopneumonia) were reviewed. Subgroups were made based on chronicity of clinical signs and findings of thoracic imaging: NCI (no changes in thoracic imaging), BRON (bronchial/peribronchial pattern), INT (bronchointerstitial/interstitial/alveolar). RESULTS: Seventy cases were included. There were more young to adult, crossbreed and female dogs. Compared with the other two groups NCI dogs showed lower bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilic pleocytosis and absence of circulating eosinophilia, bronchiectasis or death due to respiratory disease. All dogs responded clinically to corticosteroids. Median treatment duration was four months. Remission (no clinical signs after treatment discontinuation for >one month) and long-term remission (>six months) was achieved in 60 per cent, and 51 per cent of patients, respectively. Relapse occurred in 26 per cent of cases after remission but was rare (3 per cent) after long-term remission. The one-year, two-year and four-year survival to death due to respiratory disease was 98 per cent, 97 per cent and 91 per cent, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prognosis and initial clinical response for ELD was generally good although achievement of long-term remission was only seen in 51 per cent of dogs. Different outcomes based on chronicity of signs, corticosteroid dose, thoracic imaging abnormalities and other clinical variables were not appreciated.

Comparison of N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide levels at different stages of visceral leishmaniosis and in patients with chronic kidney disease.

N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may be a useful marker in canine leishmaniosis (CanL). The aim was to compare NT-proBNP in dogs at different LeishVet stages of CanL and with idiopathic chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dogs diagnosed with CanL or CKD and a group of healthy dogs were included (group A, five normal dogs; group B, six dogs LeishVet 1-2; group C, 13 dogs LeishVet 3-4; group D, six dogs with CKD). NT-proBNP was higher (P<0.001) in group C (7.616 pmol/l, interquartile range (IQR) 3537-10,000 pmol/l) than in group A (293 pmol/l, IQR 257-373), group B (388.5 pmol/l, IQR 324-793) and group D (740 pmol/l, IQR 557-962 pmol/l). International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) kidney stage was not different between groups C and D or between groups A and B, but was different within all the rest of the group comparisons (P<0.001). In group C all dogs had echocardiographic increase in left ventricular mass index. NT-proBNP had negative correlation with haematocrit (P<0.001, r=0.749) and positive correlation with systemic blood pressure (P<0.001, r=0.728). NT-proBNP is consistently elevated in dogs with advanced CanL and is strongly correlated with the degree of systemic hypertension and anaemia. Moreover, dogs with advanced CanL exhibit increase in left ventricular mass. NT-proBNP may however be a less desirable cardiac marker as unlike cardiac troponin I it is often not elevated at earlier stages of CanL.

Usefulness of serum cardiac troponin I concentration as a marker of survival of harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pups during rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE To measure serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in orphaned harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pups at various points during rehabilitation in a seal rescue center and determine whether cTnI concentration was associated with survival during rehabilitation and duration of rehabilitation. DESIGN Serial cross-sectional study. ANIMALS Fifty-five 2- to 9-day-old harbor seal pups. PROCEDURES Blood samples for serum cTnI concentration measurement, CBC, and serum biochemical analysis were obtained from seal pups at admission into a seal rescue center, after 2 weeks of rehabilitation at the center, and prior to release. Serum cTnI concentrations were compared between seals that did or did not survive rehabilitation. RESULTS Median serum cTnI concentration was highest at admission (0.03 ng/mL). After 2 weeks, the median value was 0.01 ng/mL; prior to release, it was 0.01 ng/mL. Seal pups that were found to have died during or after rehabilitation (n = 7) had a significantly higher median serum cTnI concentration at admission (0.06 ng/mL) than did seal pups that survived rehabilitation (and for which the postrelease fate was unknown; 48; 0.03 ng/mL). No correlation was identified between serum cTnI concentration and duration of rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The results of this study suggested some degree of myocardial injury was present in most of the orphaned seal pups admitted for rehabilitation. Measurement of serum cTnI concentration in seal pups at admission might provide prognostic information about their likelihood of survival during or after rehabilitation.

Left ventricular radial colour and longitudinal pulsed-wave tissue Doppler echocardiography in 39 healthy domestic pet rabbits.

This paper reports radial colour and longitudinal mitral annulus pulsed-wave tissue Doppler findings in a large cohort of healthy, adult pet rabbits. Thirty-nine rabbits (22 Dwarf Lops, 14 French Lops and three Alaskans) underwent conscious echocardiography. The median age of the rabbits was 22 months and the median weight was 2.8 kg (Dwarf Lop 2.4 kg/French Lop 6.0 kg). Adequate radial colour and longitudinal pulsed-wave tissue Doppler traces were obtained in 100% and 85% of cases, respectively. Most systolic tissue Doppler parameters were significantly higher in French Lops than in Dwarf Lops. Separation of mitral inflow diastolic waves was present in 40% of cases using conventional spectral Doppler and in >60% of cases using pulsed-wave tissue Doppler which could be beneficial when evaluating diastolic function in rabbits. This study can be used as a reference for normal echocardiographic tissue Doppler values for adult rabbits undergoing conscious echocardiography in clinical practice.

Association of the myosin binding protein C3 mutation (MYBPC3 R820W) with cardiac death in a survey of 236 Ragdoll cats.

OBJECTIVES: A mutation identified in the myosin binding protein C3 gene (MYBPC3 R820W) has been associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Ragdoll cats. Ragdolls with HCM are reported to have a poor prognosis and homozygous cats seem particularly likely to develop severe HCM, although the outcome in Ragdolls tested for the MYBPC3 mutation has not been reported. We aimed to determine the influence of genotype on survival in Ragdoll cats using a questionnaire, and hypothesized that homozygous Ragdolls had shorter lifespans and were more likely to suffer cardiac death than heterozygous or wild-type (WT) cats. ANIMALS: 251 client owned Ragdoll cats. METHODS: A questionnaire for breeders/owners of MYBPC3 genotyped Ragdolls included items related to genotype, age, sex, current status (alive/dead), and date and circumstances of death. Death was categorized as cardiac or non-cardiac. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank tests. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received for 236 cats (156 WT, 68 heterozygous, 12 homozygous). Median survival time for homozygous cats was 5.65 years (95%CI 0.4-10.9 years) compared to heterozygous (>16.7 years) or WT (>15.2 years). Homozygous cats were more likely to die from cardiac death (p = 0.004 vs. WT; p = 0.003 vs. heterozygous) and had significantly shorter time to cardiac death (vs. WT p < 0.001; vs. heterozygous p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ragdoll cats homozygous for the MYBPC3 R820W mutation have a shorter survival time than WT or heterozygous cats. This suggests a mode of inheritance that follows an incomplete dominance pattern.

M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings in 40 healthy domestic pet rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to report normal two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiographic findings from a large cohort of healthy, manually restrained, adult pet rabbits. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy pet rabbits [22 Dwarf Lops (DL), 14 French Lops (FL) and 4 Alaskan (AL)] underwent a full physical examination and conscious two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The median age of the rabbits was 21.5 months, the median weight was 2.9 kg (DL: 2.4 kg, AL: 4.35 kg, FL: 6.0 kg). Echocardiography with ECG monitoring was feasible in all rabbits. Left atrial and ventricular dimensions were significantly larger in FL as compared to DL; overall, a positive correlation with weight was present. No significant differences between breeds were identified for flow velocities. Trace regurgitation was detected at the aortic valve in 7/40 (17.5%) rabbits, at the tricuspid valve in 5/40 (12.5%) and at the pulmonic valve in 1/40 (2.5%) rabbits. Mitral inflow E and A waves were summated in 60% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be used as echocardiographic values in FL and DL for comparison with clinical cases, and may also be applicable for other breeds of similar sizes. Breed specific values should be used when measuring left atrial and ventricular sizes. However, no breed or size differences were found for the rest of the echocardiographic parameters, which may therefore be applicable for the general pet rabbit population.

Imaging diagnosis-transcranial color-coded duplex sonography in a dog with hepatic encephalopathy.

We report the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in a dog with hepatic encephalopathy secondary to a congenital portosystemic shunt. A severe increase in the pulsatility index was measured in the right middle cerebral artery, left middle cerebral artery, and basilar artery. These values returned to normal following medical stabilization of the patient and resolution of the neurologic signs. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography appears to have value for monitoring the status of intracranial hypertension in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Serum protein electrophoresis in 155 cats.

All serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) results obtained between 2002 and 2009 from clinical cases presented to the University of Bristol Feline Centre were examined retrospectively. One hundred and fifty-five results met the inclusion criteria. Signalment and final diagnoses were obtained from the case records. Clinical cases were classified as having normal or abnormal SPE results by comparison to reference intervals for SPE created using 77 clinically normal cats. Abnormal results were then further divided according to the specific SPE abnormality. Cases were also categorised, according to the final diagnosis, using the DAMNITV classification system. Of the 155 cases, 136 (87.7%) had abnormal SPE results, most commonly due to a polyclonal increase in gamma globulins. A monoclonal gammopathy occurred in four cats; one with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), one with lymphoma and two cases of splenic plasmacytoma (one suspected, one confirmed). The most common DAMNITV classification associated with SPE abnormalities was infectious/inflammatory disease (80/136; 58.8%), including 39 cats diagnosed with FIP.