Reticulocytosis in non-anaemic cats and dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proportion of blood samples diagnosed with reticulocytosis without anaemia in cats and dogs and report the aetiology and mortality rate of affected animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective multicentre study including haematological examination of 3956 cats and 11,087 dogs admitted to seven German veterinary clinics (2012 to 2014). The proportion of blood samples with reticulocytosis without anaemia was calculated, and after exclusion of multiple measurements of the same animal, clinical data were evaluated. Animals with reticulocytosis without anaemia were classified as healthy or diseased, and diseased patients were assigned to 12 disease groups. Pretreatment (i.e. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, dipyrone) was recorded. RESULTS: The proportion of blood samples with reticulocytosis without anaemia was 3·1% (124/3956) in cats and 4·4% (492/11,087) in dogs. Overall, 1·8% (2/111) of cats and 1·5% (7/458) of dogs with reticulocytosis without anaemia were healthy. Blood loss/anaemia, cardiac/respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and inflammatory disorders as well as cancer were the most frequent underlying diseases. Pretreatment was noted in 39·5% (43/111) of cats and 42·4% (194/458) of dogs. The mortality rate was 37·8% (42/111) in cats and 29·7% (136/458) in dogs with reticulocytosis without anaemia; the median survival time in non-survivors was 1 day (range: 0 to 376 days in cats, 0 to 444 days in dogs). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In both species, reticulocytosis without anaemia was observed in a low proportion of blood samples (dogs>cat). Though a bias towards sick animals is possible in our sample, reticulocytosis without anaemia was mainly seen in diseased animals and associated with a mortality rate of approximately one-third of patients.

Pseudolymphoma in a cat on phenobarbital treatment.

A two-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was presented with apathy, inappetence and generalised lymphadenomegaly. Anamnestic data included a generalised seizure disorder and phenobarbital treatment started one month before presentation. Routine blood analysis revealed only mild abnormalities and FeLV and FIV tests were negative. Both popliteal lymph nodes were aspirated and cytology was consistent with reactive lymph node hyperplasia. PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement testing diagnosed a polyclonal cell population. In the absence of another cause, lymphadenomegaly was attributed to an adverse drug reaction and phenobarbital was discontinued. The cat's condition improved and lymph node size normalised over the next 10 days. The retrospective diagnosis was phenobarbital-induced pseudolymphoma.

Successful treatment of permethrin toxicosis in two cats with an intravenous lipid administration.

The present work describes successful treatment of permethrin toxicosis in two cats with a novel therapy of intravenous lipid administration. Two cats presented in lateral recumbency and with generalized tremor after they had been incidentally treated with permethrin for flea control by their owners. Initial therapy consisted of diazepam, propofol, bathing, and intravenous fluids. After an initial bolus of 2mg/kg BW pentobarbital a pentobarbital continuous rate infusion (CRI) was started. Both cats received an emulsion of 20% soybean oil and 80% olive oil, commonly used as fat component of total parenteral nutrition in humans, later in the course of therapy. A bolus of 2 ml/kg BW of the emulsion followed by a CRI of 4 ml/kg BW/h for 4 hours was administered via a jugular catheter as reported previously. One cat received two cycles of therapy with intravenous lipid whereas the other cat needed just one application. Both cats recovered completely without requiring any further treatment. In conclusion, administration of intravenous lipids for permethrin toxicosis in cats is a novel treatment approach which seems to be highly effective in shortening the recovery time for permethrin toxicosis and possibly other fat-soluble toxins.

Hemiurothorax following diaphragmatic hernia and kidney prolapse in a cat.

A 3-year-old cat was presented with increasing dyspnoea over the past four days. Unilateral pleural effusion was diagnosed and a modified transudate was drained several times. Surgical exploration revealed intra-thoracic prolapse of the left kidney and partial herniation of the spleen through a dorsal, circumferential diaphragmatic tear. Biochemical analysis of the pleural fluid confirmed urothorax. Due to excessive fibrin deposit on the well-vascularised kidney it was impossible to re-establish left urinary pathways. Left-sided nephrectomy and diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy were performed. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and complete. This is the first report of an urothorax in veterinary medical literature.

Absolute frequency measurement of the In+ clock transition with a mode-locked laser.

The absolute frequency of the In(+) 5s(2) (1)S(0)5s5p (3)P(0) clock transition at 237 nm was measured with an accuracy of 1.8 parts in 10(13). Using a phase-coherent frequency chain, we compared the (1)S(0)(3)P(0) transition with a methane-stabilized HeNe laser at 3.39 microm, which was calibrated against an atomic cesium fountain clock. A frequency gap of 37 THz at the fourth harmonic of the HeNe standard was bridged by a frequency comb generated by a mode-locked femtosecond laser. The frequency of the In(+) clock transition was found to be 1,267,402,452,899.92 (0.23) kHz, the accuracy being limited by the uncertainty of the HeNe laser reference. This result represents an improvement in accuracy of more than 2 orders of magnitude over previous measurements of the line and now stands as what is to our knowledge the most accurate measurement of an optical transition in a single ion.s.

Transient diabetes insipidus in a dog with acromegaly.

A nine-year-old female beagle with acromegaly and extreme polyuria and polydipsia during dioestrus is described. It was demonstrated that polyuria was related to an inadequate rise of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) levels after water deprivation and stimulation with hypertonic saline. Administration of AVP did not lead to a significant increase in urine osmolality or reduction of urine volume. Clinical signs, except for bony changes, completely disappeared following ovariohysterectomy.

Mitotane (o,p'-DDD) treatment in a cat with hyperadrenocorticism.

An 11-year-old male castrated Persian cat with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism was presented. Both adrenals were grossly enlarged and calcified. A diagnosis of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism was made. Signs of hyperadrenocorticism resolved with long-term mitotane treatment. Concurrent diabetes mellitus resolved after 220 days of therapy. No severe adverse drug reactions were noted.