Retrospective evaluation of anemia and erythrocyte morphological anomalies in dogs with lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalences of anemia and various RBC anomalies in dogs with lymphoma versus inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to evaluate potential relationships between these variables and the severity of lymphoma. DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 82 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records and blood smears were reviewed for dogs in which IBD or lymphoma had been diagnosed between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2014, and for healthy dogs evaluated during that time frame. Hematologic data were analyzed, and results were compared among groups of healthy dogs, dogs with IBD, and dogs with lymphoma. Results were also compared within the lymphoma group between dogs further grouped on the basis of lymphoma clinical stage, substage, and cell size. RESULTS Prevalence of anemia was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma (17/32 [53%]) than in dogs with IBD (5/23 [22%]). The total number of different RBC anomalies was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma than in dogs that were healthy or had IBD. A cutoff of 3 different RBC anomalies/dog enabled differentiation between lymphoma and IBD, with a sensitivity and specificity of 71% and 70%, respectively (area under the fitted curve, 0.7239 ± 0.0727). The presence of eccentrocytes was the only individual RBC anomaly significantly more common in dogs with lymphoma (8/28 [29%]) versus dogs with IBD (1/23 [4%]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that detection of anemia combined with ≥ 3 RBC morphological anomalies, particularly eccentrocytes, on blood smears should increase the clinical suspicion of lymphoma, compared with IBD, in dogs.

Metastatic malignant pilomatrixoma, acanthomatous ameloblastoma, and liver tumor in a dog with polyphagia, polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss.

A 12-year-old, spayed female, Labrador dog was presented for evaluation of polyphagia, polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss of 2 months duration, and multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous masses. The dog was diagnosed with malignant pilomatrixoma with renal, lung, and lumbar metastases. This report describes an atypical presentation of malignant pilomatrixoma.

Pilomatrixoma malin avec métastases, améloblastome acanthomateux et tumeur hépatique chez une chienne avec polyphagie, polyurie, polydipsie et amaigrissement. Une chienne Labrador, âgée de 12 ans, était présentée pour l'évaluation d'une polyphagie, polyurie, polydipsie et d'un amaigrissement durant depuis 2 mois, ainsi que de multiples masses cutanées et sous-cutanées. Elle présentait un pilomatrixoma avec métastases aux reins, aux poumons et à une vertèbre lombaire. Ce rapport de cas décrit une présentation atypique de pilomatrixoma malin.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Rivaroxaban demonstrates in vitro anticoagulant effects in canine plasma.

Rivaroxaban is an oral direct factor X inhibitor used in human thrombotic disorders and its oral administration makes it an attractive potential anticoagulant for dogs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anticoagulant effect of rivaroxaban on canine pooled platelet-poor plasma (PPP). Pooled PPP was collected from 20 healthy adult Beagle dogs. Aliquots of pooled citrated PPP were treated in vitro with DMSO solutions of rivaroxaban (98% purity) to obtain 19 final concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 mg/L of drug. Samples were immediately submitted for the following coagulation assays: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), tissue factor-induced thrombin generation and anti-factor Xa activity. Concentration-effect data were analyzed with various nonlinear regression models for stimulatory or inhibitory effects. Rivaroxaban caused a concentration-dependent prolongation of all coagulation parameters. Rivaroxaban concentration for 50% baseline inhibition of the propagation phase of thrombin (rate index) was 0.024 mg/L, and for 50% baseline inhibition of the optical density in the anti-factor Xa activity assay was 0.053 mg/L. At these concentrations, PT and aPTT remained within the reference range. Two-fold prolongation from baseline of PT and aPTT was achieved with higher concentrations, i.e. 1.24 and 1.69 mg/L, respectively. Thrombin generation was completely suppressed by concentrations ≥0.8 mg/L. In conclusion, rivaroxaban showed an in vitro concentration-dependent anticoagulant effect on canine plasma. Thrombin generation and anti-factor Xa activity were more sensitive and accurate than PT and aPTT in detecting the anticoagulant effect of rivaroxaban.

Comparison of gravity collection versus suction collection for transfusion purposes in dogs.

Blood donation is an essential step in transfusion medicine that must take into account the donor's welfare, collection effectiveness, and blood product quality. This prospective study enrolled 13 canine blood donors, each subjected to both gravity and suction collection methods, in a randomized order. Clinical parameters, including heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rectal temperature (RT), were evaluated at four time points, including when the donor was on the floor and on the collection table, and before and after blood donation. The number of times the donor and needle required repositioning, the duration of the donation, the noise created by the apparatus, and the presence of a hematoma were evaluated. The weight, index of hemolysis, and hematocrit of each unit of blood were recorded. There was no significant difference between collection methods for either the clinical parameters at each time point or the prevalence of hematoma formation, the frequency of needle repositioning, the hemolysis index, or hematocrit. Collection by suction was noisier (P < 0.0001), faster (P = 0.004), and associated with significantly less donor repositioning (P = 0.007). Suction appears to be a safe and cost-effective method that should be considered to optimize blood donation.

Clinical leptospirosis in three cats (2001-2009).

Based on previous research, cats were thought to have been resistant to the development of clinical signs following infection with Leptospira spp. This case report presents three confirmed, naturally infected clinical cases of feline leptospirosis. The cases presented were all indoor/outdoor cats that were known to hunt. They were also all presented at different stages of renal insufficiency; however, they did not show any liver involvement. The authors suggest that there may be a longer incubation period in cats than dogs and recommend further research in the form of a large, clinical study.

Clinical and computed tomography features of secondary renal hyperparathyroidism.

An atypical case of secondary renal hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in a 9-year-old miniature schnauzer after a skull computed tomography (CT) showed the presence of 2 bilateral and symmetrical soft tissue maxillary masses, and osteopenia of the skull.

Feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in Canada: recommendations for testing and management.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are common and important infectious disease agents of cats in Canada. Seroprevalence data for FeLV and FIV in various populations of Canadian cats are reviewed and recommendations for testing and management of infections by these viruses in cats in Canada are presented. Retrovirus testing in Canada is infrequent in comparison with the United States, and efforts should be focused on reducing physical and other barriers to testing, and on education of veterinarians, veterinary team members, and cat owners regarding the importance of testing. New test methodologies for FeLV and FIV are emerging, and should be independently evaluated in order to provide practitioners with information on test reliability. Finally, more information is needed on FIV subtypes in Canada to improve diagnostics and vaccines, and to provide information on disease outcomes.

[Feline asthma...a disease that cuts your breath]. / L'asthme félin... une maladie à vous couper le souffle!

Feline asthma is characterized by the presence of inflammation and bronchoconstriction. The diagnosis is based on history-taking, clinical and radiographic signs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and response to therapy. Treatment focuses primarily on eliminating the inflammation and reversing bronchoconstriction. This article contains an analysis of new therapeutic avenues, including inhalers.