Ultrasonographic measurement of caudal vena cava to aorta ratio during fluid resuscitation of dogs with spontaneous circulatory shock.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the change in the caudal vena cava to aorta ratio (CVC:Ao) ratio during fluid resuscitation of circulatory shock in dogs and compare these results with those of the physical examination and blood lactate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perfusion parameters and blood lactate were recorded at admission. An abdominal point-of-care ultrasound protocol was performed, during which the caudal vena cava to aorta ratio was measured on the spleno-renal view. Measurements were performed within 5 minutes before and after a 10 mL/kg crystalloid fluid bolus. Investigators were not blinded to therapeutic interventions. RESULTS: Twenty-nine dogs with physical signs of circulatory shock were enrolled. Caudal vena cava to aorta ratios were below reference interval in 28 of 29 dogs. After bolus administration, median caudal vena cava diameter increased by 0.14 cm (0.69 to 0.83 cm) and median aorta diameter increased by 0.03 cm (0.87 to 0.90 cm) and caudal vena cava to aorta ratio returned to within reference range in 65% of dogs (13/29). Bolus administration was associated with an increase in median caudal vena cava to aorta ratio of 0.10 (95% CI:0.05 to 0.16, P=0.0005). Blood lactate did not change significantly. Heart rate and capillary refill time decreased significantly after fluid bolus (heart rate: estimate=-19 bpm, 95% CI:-30 to -8, P=0.002; capillary refill time: estimate=-1.0 s, 95% CI:-1.3 to -0.7, P < 0.0001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this population of dogs with circulatory shock, the caudal vena cava to aorta ratio significantly increased after a fluid bolus. Future studies that implement blinding of the outcome assessors are warranted to confirm these findings.

Impact of flow and temperature on non-dyspnoeic dogs' tolerance undergoing high-flow oxygen therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively describe the impact of gas flow rate and temperature on dog's tolerance of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy during recovery from anaesthesia, hypothesizing that higher flow rates and temperatures will decrease tolerance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve non-dyspnoeic client-owned dogs recovering from general anaesthesia were included in this study. After extubation, a nasal cannula was positioned and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy was initiated. Two flow rates (two or four time the theoretical minute ventilation: HF2 and HF4), each of them combined with two temperatures (31 and 37°C: T31 and T37), were randomly applied (four conditions per dog). For each condition, cardiovascular and respiratory parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic arterial blood pressure and pulse oximeter oxygen saturation), sedation score and tolerance score were recorded at initiation (T0 ) and after 10 minutes of accommodation (T10 ). RESULTS: Sedation scores were not significantly different between the four conditions. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were not significantly different between any condition at both T0 and T10 . Tolerance scores were good and not significantly different between any flow rate or temperature (HF2-T31: 4 (2-4), HF4-T31: 4 (2-4), HF2-T37: 4 (2-4), HF4-T37: 4 (1-4)). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The gas flow rates and temperatures studied have no impact on tolerance during the recovery period of non-dyspnoeic dogs, and high-flow nasal cannula is well tolerated. Further studies are required to confirm these results in dyspnoeic dogs.

Hemorrhagic, Hemostatic, and Thromboelastometric Disorders in 35 Dogs with a Clinical Diagnosis of Leptospirosis: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis in dogs is occasionally associated with a hemorrhagic syndrome, the pathophysiology of which is not fully understood. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To characterize hematologic, hemostatic, and thromboelastometric abnormalities in dogs with leptospirosis and to study their association with hemorrhagic diatheses and outcomes. ANIMALS: Thirty-five client-owned dogs. METHODS: A prospective observational single cohort study was conducted. Results from the CBC, coagulation tests (prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin and thrombin times, fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products, and D-dimer concentrations), rotational thromboelastometry (TEM), signalment, hemorrhagic diatheses, occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) at admission, and survival to discharge were recorded. RESULTS: The most common hematologic and hemostatic abnormalities were anemia (30/35), thrombocytopenia (21/35), and hyperfibrinogenemia (15/35). Eight dogs were diagnosed with DIC. A normal TEM profile was found in 14 dogs, a hypercoagulable profile in 14 dogs, and a hypocoagulable profile in 7 dogs. The 8 dogs with hemorrhagic diatheses at admission had significantly decreased platelet counts (P = .037) and increased D-dimer concentrations (P = .015) compared with other dogs. Dogs with a hypocoagulable profile exhibited more hemorrhagic diatheses compared with the dogs that had normal and hypercoagulable profiles (P = .049). The mortality rate was lower in dogs with a hypercoagulable profile than in those with a hypocoagulable profile (21% vs 57%; P = .043). Disseminated intravascular coagulation was not a significant prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Thromboelastometric parameters were altered in dogs with both hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable profiles. A hypocoagulable profile was significantly correlated with hemorrhagic diathesis and higher mortality rate.

Differences between coagulation and cytokine profiles in dogs of different ages.

In human medicine, age is a risk factor for thromboembolic diseases associated with hypercoagulable and antifibrinolytic states, but information in veterinary medicine is limited. This study compared the thromboelastometric (TEM) profiles of two groups of dogs of distinct ages. Ten healthy old (>10 years) Beagles and 10 healthy young (<3 years) Beagles were recruited. White blood cell counts and haematocrit were significantly lower in the old group compared to the young group, and fibrinogen, total proteins, globulins and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 plasma concentrations were significantly higher in the old group. Comparisons of the TEM profiles indicated a hypercoagulable profile and a decrease in fibrinolytic activity in all old Beagles. The findings support the need to consider age as a possible risk factor for thrombosis in dogs.

CT and MRI in fat-containing papillary renal cell carcinoma.

We present a case, pathologically proven, of a patient with multiple papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) with bilateral and synchronous affectation. CT showed fatty tissue inside one of the lesions and numerous calcified lesions. The study with MR demonstrated multiple and hypointense lesions in T2 and contrast enhancement in T1. Our observations confirm that the presence of multiple lesions with fat and calcified deposits and poor contrast enhancement should be diagnosed as PRCC, rather than renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC) or renal angiomyolipoma.

Computerized tomographic determination of the cranial volume of the dog applied to racial and sexual differentiation.

The volume of the cranial cavity of 70 dogs (35 males and 35 females) has been determined in two breeds, the galgo greyhound and the pointer, by radiological techniques (computerized tomography; CT) and biostatistical methods. Each head was submitted to a complete series of transverse tomographic sections taken perpendicularly to the basilar plane, every 5 mm and with a thickness of 5 mm. There is a clear difference between the breeds and the two sexes, with a minimal confidence of 99.95%. The application of the method to fit zootechnical and/or osteoarcheological needs is emphasized.