Hereditary xanthinuria and urolithiasis in a domestic shorthair cat.

A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented with a history of hematuria, stranguria and intermittent urethral obstruction. Urine sediment showed hematuria, pyuria, and yellow-brown, amorphous and spherical crystals. Upon surgical correction of the obstructed urethra by perineal urethrostomy, many dark yellow to grey, irregular, gravel-like to millet grain-sized uroliths, consisting of 100% xanthine by crystallography were found. The urinary xanthine concentration was high. The cat subsequently developed bilateral nephroliths, recurrent urinary tract infection, and chronic kidney failure. Dietary management with a low-purine diet failed in part due to poor compliance, and the cat was euthanized at 6 years of age. Xanthinuria is rare inborn error of metabolism in cats and other species but should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of feline urolithiasis. No associated molecular genetic defect has been elucidated, and management of these cases is difficult. In the absence of calculi for analysis, measuring urinary xanthine concentration can help in diagnosing this metabolic defect.

Transient renal Fanconi syndrome in a Chihuahua exposed to Chinese chicken jerky treats.

Transient Fanconi syndrome without azotemia was diagnosed in a dog and was associated with ingestion of Chinese chicken jerky treats. Fanconi syndrome is a proximal renal tubular defect and a diagnosis was made based upon severe glucosuria with normoglycemia, and severe generalized aminoaciduria. The clinical signs of polyuria and polydipsia as well as the massive urinary metabolic abnormalities resolved after jerky treat withdrawal. While frequently seen in North America and Australia, this is the first report of jerky treat induced Fanconi syndrome in continental Europe. Clinicians should be aware of this potential intoxication and be vigilant for a history of jerky treat consumption in a dog with glucosuria.

In-clinic diagnosis of canine anaplasmosis based on haematological abnormalities and evaluation of a stained blood smear.

OBJECTIVE: Haematological changes, evaluation of a blood smear and seasonal variations may assist in an in-clinic diagnosis of acute anaplasmosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples from 57 dogs were evaluated. The diagnosis of canine anaplasmosis was confirmed by detection of the microorganism by microscopic examination of a stained blood smear. RESULTS: Thrombocytopenia was present in 56 dogs (98.2%). Red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin values were below the reference interval in 38.6%, 24.5% and 26.3% of affected dogs respectively. Based on reticulocyte counts, a non-regenerative anaemia was present in 78.6% of A. phagocytophilum-positive dogs. Leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, monocytosis and eosinophilia were present in 35.1%, 66.7%, 10.9%, 5.7% and 15.4% of the dogs respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that together with clinical signs, a tentative diagnosis of canine anaplasmosis can be made based on typical haematological changes. The most common haematological abnormalities in dogs affected by canine anaplasmosis were a thrombocytopenia and a lymphopenia; most cases of anaemia were non-regenerative.

Breed related odds ratio and anatomic distribution of canine mast cell tumours in Austria. Retrospective study of cases in the years 2000-2010.

OBJECTIVE: An increased risk of mast cell tumours (MCT) in certain breeds has been described repeatedly in the literature. The incidence of MCTs for registered breeds in Austria, an estimate of the risk by means of the odds ratios based on breed as well as the anatomic localisation of MCTs were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the first part of the study, the ranking of breeds in Austria based on 147,802 dogs with known breed (including mixed breed) was determined, based on those dogs included in the laboratory data base from 2000 to 2010. In the second part of the study, 476 dogs were identified with MCTs and analysed by age, sex, Patnaik grade of MCT and breed distribution. The odds ratios with confidence intervals were calculated for all breeds with skin tumours. RESULTS: The age distribution showed a peak in the age group from 6.1 to 8.0 years; 70% of MCTs were localised to the head and trunk. No significant difference was found based on gender. The evaluation of the odds ratios showed that only four of the 20 of the most popular in Austria breeds (Boxer, Bernese Mountain Dog, Golden Retriever, Spaniel) had an increased risk; on the other hand, some breeds which have not been previously identified in the literature were indicated to have a significantly increased risk for MCT (e.g., Dogo Argentino, Tibetan Spaniel, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Beauceron, and Austrian Smooth-haired Hound). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because disease risk may influence the popularity of some currently rare breeds, consultation with breeders and owners regarding the identification of the breeds newly identified in this study as an increased risk for development of mast cell tumours is indicated.

A retrospective study of 1,098 blood samples with anemia from adult cats: frequency, classification, and association with serum creatinine concentration.

BACKGROUND: Frequency and classification of anemia in terms of regeneration status and erythrocyte indices are not well described in cats. OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency and regenerative status of anemia in samples from adult cats, to assess the sensitivity and specificity of macrocytosis and hypochromasia for detecting regenerative anemia (RA), and to evaluate the association of anemia with increased serum creatinine concentration (SC). STUDY POPULATION: Laboratory records from 30,503 blood samples from cats (2003-2011). METHODS: Clinicopathologic data reviewed retrospectively. Anemia defined as hematocrit (Ht) ≤27%, red blood cell count (RBC) ≤5.5 × 10(6)/µL and hemoglobin (Hb) ≤9.0 g/dL. RA defined by manual absolute reticulocyte count >50 × 10(3)/µL. Macrocytosis was defined as mean corpuscular volume (MCV) >55 fL and hypochromasia as mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) <31 g/dL. Cutoff for increased serum creatinine concentration was 1.6 mg/dL. RESULTS: Overall, 1,098 of 30,503 blood samples (3.6%) from cats fulfilled criteria for anemia, 633 of 1,098 (57.7%) classified as nonregenerative (NRA) and 465 of 1,098 (42.3%) as regenerative. RBC, Ht, and Hb were significantly lower in the RA compared to NRA group (P < .05). Sensitivity and specificity of the combined high MCV and low MCHC to detect samples with RA were 19.5 and 90.7%. SC was increased in 572 of the 1,098 anemic samples (52.1%) and in 11,121 of 29,405 of nonanemic samples (37.8%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Majority of anemic samples were classified as NRA. Anemia was more severe in cats with RA. Erythrocyte indices were not sensitive indicators of RA.

In-clinic laboratory diagnosis of canine babesiosis (Babesia canis canis) for veterinary practitioners in Central Europe.

OBJECTIVE: Haematological changes in dogs and climatic conditions favourable for the vector may assist in the quick in-house diagnosis of canine babesiosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples from 358 dogs suspected to have canine babesiosis were evaluated. The diagnosis was confirmed in 113 dogs by detection of Babesia canis by microscopic examination of a stained blood smear using the concentration line technique. RESULTS: Thrombocytopenia was present in all 113 dogs. Red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin values were below the reference range in 62.8%, 61.1% and 46.0% of affected dogs, respectively. An increased reticulocyte count was apparent in five Babesia canis -positive dogs. Leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia and monocytosis were present in 54.9%, 47.8%, 30.4% and 6.5% of the dogs, respectively. Evaluating haematological parameters by CART-analysis revealed a predictive model (accuracy= 93.5%) for canine babesiosis, when using the leucocyte, thrombocyte, and reticulocyte count. Climatic conditions present at the most probable time of Babesia canis- infection accounted for biseasonal occurrence. Changes of climatic factors during the year influence the vector activity and in conclusion should highlight babesiosis in the ranking of differentials for veterinarians. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that a tentative diagnosis of canine babesiosis can be made based on typical haematological changes. The results recorded match well with the seasonality of the tick vector and were confirmed here by the month of sample submission.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a dog: identifying the causative agent using PCR.

A diagnosis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection was confirmed in a two-year-old male golden retriever displaying few clinical and haematological abnormalities. This was achieved by demonstrating ehrlichial organisms in circulating neutrophils, by indirect immunofluorescence assay using A phagocytophilum as an antigen, and by detecting DNA specific for the 16S rRNA gene of granulocytic Anaplasma by PCR. After treatment with doxycycline for 10 days the dog showed improvement and the laboratory values returned to normal.

Frequencies of feline blood types in Hungary.

Feline blood group determination is done as a routine diagnostic method in numerous countries. Blood transfusion reactions and feline neonatal isoerythrolysis (FNI) can be avoided with the identification of different feline blood groups. The present study is the first investigation in Hungary during which 100 cats have been examined from all over the country. These cats were out of six breeds: European domestic shorthair, Persian mix, Persian, Abyssinian, Siamese and British shorthair. In the Hungarian feline population European domestic shorthair are most common but other breeds also occur. European domestic shorthair, Persian mix, Abyssianian, Siamese and British shorthair individuals all belonged to blood type A (100%). Blood type B was found very rarely and only in Persian cats. One-third of the Persian cats were categorised into blood type B, whilst type AB was not found during the study.

Optimization of culture conditions for feline x murine heterohybridomas.

Feline splenocytes were fused to the murine myeloma lines NSO or Ag8. Autologous serum and taurine were used as media supplements for the cat x mouse heterohybridomas. The best results were obtained by the use of NSO as fusion line with taurine-supported media.

Immunomodulating activity of 1,2-difattyacyl-3-mercaptoglycerol adducts.

Adducts of 1,2-diacyl-(2RS)-3-mercaptoglycerol to 3-maleimidopropionic acid and to 3-maleimidopropionyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine as well as a new lipophilic MTP derivative have been analysed for their immunomodulating activity in comparison to the well known adjuvants CFA and IFA using a suboptimal concentration of BSA as antigen. A concentration-dependent immunostimulating activity was established for these lipophilic molecules when applied in water/oil (IFA) emulsions. The results clearly indicate that the new series of compounds behave as competent adjuvants, a fact which is further supported by the immunoadjuvant effect triggered by two of these diacylthioglyceryl adducts as examples, even when applied in aqueous systems. In the light of these findings it seems promising to use these thiol-functionalized molecules to build in immunoadjuvancy via the maleimide-thiol reaction principle. Attachment of such "sticky fingers" to peptides might enhance interaction of haptens and immunogens with cell membranes and thus, may represent a useful tool for inducing or increasing immunological responses to synthetic antigen presenting systems.

[Toxic effects in rabbits after immunization against the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine]. / Toxische Effekte beim Kaninchen durch Immunisierung gegen das Pyrrolizidinalkaloid Retrorsin.

Six rabbits were immunized against the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsin, conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Seven i.v. inoculations were distributed over a period of half a year. The total antigen dose differed between animals. Towards the end of the experiment all animals (except 2 receiving the lowest antigen dose) suffered from apathy, anorexia and loss of body weight. Pathologically these symptoms correlated well with liver cirrhosis, gradually dependent on the total antigen dose. Blood-chemical parameters were disparate and contradictory.

Muramyl-peptide/gastrin conjugates as potential immunogens.

For a selective covalent linkage of muramyl-peptides with human-little-gastrin the maleimide-thiol reaction principle was adopted. For this purpose thiol-functionalized muramyl-peptide derivatives, i.e. N-acetyl-muramyl-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-cysteamine and N-acetyl-muramyl-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-N epsilon-palmitoyl-lysyl-cysteamine, were reacted with N alpha-maleoyl-beta-alanyl-[15-methoxinine]-human-little-g ast rin-I-[2-17]. The resulting gastrin conjugates were used in immunization experiments on rabbits and mice. Unexpectedly, these gastrin derivatives proved to be poorly immunogenic despite the built-in immunoadjuvanticity. The titers of the antipeptide antibodies as well as of the unspecific immunoglobulins were in the range of those of the control group.