Evaluation of coagulation profile in dogs with ACTH-dependent hyperadrenocorticism compared to healthy dogs by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).

Despite their low morbidity, thromboembolic events in hyperadrenocorticism are associated with high mortality. Identifying the main hemostatic abnormalities will improve the prophylactic approach of these canine patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemostatic alterations related with ACTH-dependent HAC and its association with hypercoagulable state. For this purpose, 25 dogs diagnosed with ACTH-dependent HAC were compared with 28 healthy dogs as a control group. The hemostatic variables included platelet count, antithrombin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, PT, aPTT, rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and platelet aggregation. Results showed a hypercoagulable state in 32% (8/25) dogs by ROTEM, which had at least 2 of the next features: decreased coagulation time (CT) or clot formation time (CFT) on INTEM (5/25) or EXTEM (4/25); increased maximum clot firmness (MCF) on INTEM (9/25), EXTEM (6/25) and FIBTEM (9/25). These same variables had a significant difference (P≤ 0.05) compared with the control group, as well as the parameters of α-angle and CT. Median fibrinogen levels (310 vs.178 mg/dL), mean platelet aggregation (11.1 vs. 7.9 Ohms), median platelet count (360 vs. 225 ×103/µL) and mean antithrombin activity (140 vs. 119%) were increased in ACTH-dependent HAC dogs compared to control group. PT (7.1 vs. 8.0 seconds) and aPTT (11.6 vs. 15.2 seconds) were also shortened in ACTH-dependent HAC dogs. Our findings confirm the presence of a hypercoagulable tendency in dogs with HAC. Although multifactorial, fibrinogen concentration and MCF FIBTEM showed the relevance of this protein for hypercoagulability in HAC.

Study of autonomic modulation by non-linear analysis of heart rate variability in different age groups and analysis of health status, disease and risk of death in dogs.

The symbolic analysis of heart rate variability (biomarker of cardiac autonomic homeostasis) is a nonlinear and effective tool for pattern extraction and classification in a series analysis, which implies the transformation of an original time series into symbols, represented by numbers. Autonomic heart rate control is influenced by different factors, and better indicators of heart rate variability are found in healthy young individuals than in older and sicker individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the indicators of heart rate variability among healthy dogs in different age groups and in health status using the nonlinear method of symbolic analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of this method for the risk of death in dogs. An increase in cardiac sympathetic modulation was observed in puppies and dogs at risk of death, which was evidenced by a marked increase of 0 V% (without variation - associated with sympathetic modulation) and a decrease in patterns of 2 V% (two variations - associated with parasympathetic modulation), while the opposite was observed in young adult dogs with increased parasympathetic modulation. Elderly dogs showed a gradual decrease in parasympathetic activity, which tended to worsen with loss of health. It is concluded that the variables of symbolic analysis may be useful to evaluate autonomic modulation in dogs and assist in the differentiation between health states, advanced disease and death throughout the life cycle and have been shown to be indices with high specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy to help identify dogs at risk of death.

Propofol at Single Bolus and Continuous Rate Infusion Significantly Increases Serum Triglycerides, but not Cholesterol, In Healthy Bitches Undergoing Elective Ovariohysterectomy.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a single bolus and continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 1% propofol on cholesterol and triglyceride levels of healthy bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. 10 healthy bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy had blood samples obtained at baseline (TB), 15 minutes following premedication with acepromazine and morphine (TPM), after an intravenous bolus of propofol (induction to anesthesia, TIND) and following 90 minutes of CRI of propofol started at 0.4 mg kg-1 min-1 and adjusted according to individual requirements (TCRI). Data were initially tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and comparisons were performed using Friedman followed by Dunn post-hoc test. Serum cholesterol levels significantly decreased at TIND and TCRI (median [min-max] 201 mg dL-1 [111-234 mg dL-1], and 215 mg dL-1 [111-239 mg dL-1]), respectively, compared with TB (232 [128-245 mg dL-1]) and TPM (206 [115-255 mg dL-1]). No differences were found between TIND and TCRI. Triglyceride levels increased significantly at TIND (120 [67-231 mg dL-1]) and TCRI (229 [73-549 mg dL-1]) compared with TPM (36 [51-29 mg dL-1]), and TCRI compared with TB. In conclusion, 1% propofol lipid emulsion significantly increases serum triglycerides and causes lipemia in healthy dogs at a single bolus or CRI.

Linfoma primário de células T no líquido cefalorraquidiano de cão: relato de caso / Characterization of primary t-cell lymphoma (CD3 +) in Csf of a dog: case report

Relata-se o diagnóstico de linfoma primário no sistema nervoso central em um cão Labrador Retrievier, de 10 anos de idade, que apresentava episódios convulsivos, incoordenação nos membros posteriores, head tilt, ataxia e sensibilidade diminuída no lado esquerdo. Constataram-se alterações laterais esquerdas, como ausências de propriocepção e de posicionamento tátil, alterações posteriores nas provas de carrinho de mão e de reação ao pulo e diminuição da extensão da postura e hemilocomoção. No líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR), houve predomínio de linfócitos atípicos, caracterizados pela presença de anisocitose e anisocariose, nucléolos evidentes e anisonucleose, basofilia e microvacuolização citoplasmáticas, mitoses atípicas e corpúsculos linfoglandulares, compatíveis com linfoma, confirmado pelo exame histológico e imunocitoquímico, o qual revelou origem T, com expressão CD3+ e CD79-. A tomografia computadorizada não foi conclusiva e evidenciou diversas áreas hipodensas e intensificação de contraste na região de sulcos e giros do parênquima encefálico. A coleta do LCR foi essencial na rapidez do diagnóstico definitivo, indicando a natureza rara desta lesão primária.

A primary lymphoma in the central nervous system in a 10 year-old Labrador Retriever presenting seizures, hind limb incoordination, head tilt, ataxia and decreased sensitivity on the left side was reported. Regarding postural reactions, there were changes in the left side such as proprioceptive and tactile positioning defects, and in the posterior reaction tests such as wheelbarrowing and limb hopping, along with a reduction in the extensor postural thrust reaction and hemi-walking response. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed a predominance of atypical lymphocytes characterized by pleocytosis, marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, evident nucleoli and anisonucleosis, cytoplasmic basophilia and microvacuolation, atypical mitotic figures and lymphoglandular bodies. These findings were compatible with lymphoma, which was confirmed by histopathology and immunocytochemistry that showed a T-cell origin, with CD3 + and CD79- expression. A computed tomography scan was inconclusive and showed several hypodense areas and a contrast enhancement in the sulci and gyri region of the brain parenchyma. The CSF analysis was essential for a quicker definitive diagnosis, indicating the nature of this rare primary injury.