Risk factors and impact of COVID-19-related clinic closures on the detection of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs, a cross-sectional study.

Infections with endoparasites, especially gastrointestinal helminths, are a common finding in client-owned dogs. The Community Practice section at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center (OSU-VMC) follows Companion Animal Parasite Council, American Animal Hospital Association, and American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines for parasitology by recommending annual fecal analyses for dogs and prescribing year-round, broad-spectrum parasite preventatives. There is increasing interest in determining if parasite occurrence is changing in client-owned dogs. Therefore, a retrospective study was designed to examine risk factors associated with the detection of parasites in samples submitted to the OSU-VMC Clinical Veterinary Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory. Of the 1198 canine fecal samples, 254 (21.2%) of these samples had a positive fecal analysis for gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. The age of the dog, time of year, reproductive status, purpose of fecal examination, GI signs, and type of parasite preventatives were assessed as potential risk factors for GI parasite infection in dogs. To determine if Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated hospital restrictions impacted the number of fecal examinations performed, data from January to December 2020, was compared to the same period in 2019. There was nearly a 50% reduction in canine fecal samples submitted to the OSU-VMC Clinical Veterinary Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory in March 2020 compared to March 2019. At least one canine GI parasite was found in over 20% of all 1198 canine fecal samples (21.2%, 254/1198). The most commonly detected canine GI parasite in all the fecal samples was hookworm at 9.6% (115/1198), followed by Giardia sp. at 7.6% (91/1198). Age, use of parasite preventatives, breed, and reproductive status were found to be associated with parasite occurrence in the dog samples. Identifying such risk factors in dogs will guide veterinarians to advise annual fecal examinations more strongly to clients with high-risk dogs or when routine health visits are postponed for an extended period.

Comparison of albumin, colloid osmotic pressure, von Willebrand factor, and coagulation factors in canine cryopoor plasma, cryoprecipitate, and fresh frozen plasma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare albumin concentrations, coagulation factors activity, and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) of cryoprecipitate (CRYO) and cryopoor plasma (CPP) to that of source fresh frozen plasma (FFP). DESIGN: Prospective in vitro study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Ten healthy, non-Greyhound dogs enrolled in an academic teaching hospital blood donor program. INTERVENTIONS: Fresh blood was obtained from canine blood donors and separated into FFP and packed red blood cells. The source FFP was further separated into CRYO and CPP. Albumin and fibrinogen concentrations, COP, activities of coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, and von Willebrand factor (vWf) were assessed for each FFP, CRYO, and CPP. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean albumin concentration and COP in CPP were significantly higher compared with those found in FFP, with 31.7 g/L (±6) in CPP compared to 28.9 g/L (±0.5) in FFP (P < 0.001) and 14.5 mm Hg (±0.7) in CPP compared to 12.7 mm Hg (±0.3) in FFP (P = 0.03), respectively. CRYO had significantly higher concentrations of fibrinogen (median 3.46 g/L, 95% CI 2.65-4.27), and higher activities of factor VIII (mean activity 427.0%, ±95.4) and vWf (mean activity 504.7%, ±41.39) as compared to the other products. The activities of vitamin K dependent factors II, VII, and X were similar in CPP compared to FFP, although factor IX activity was lower in CPP. There was no significant difference in factor II or VII activities between the 3 products. CONCLUSIONS: The mean albumin concentration and COP were highest in CPP, suggesting that CPP may be a potential alternative to FFP for oncotic support and albumin replacement. CRYO contained higher activities of vWf and factor VIII than other products and could be used to treat vWf deficiency and hemophilia A. As vitamin K dependent coagulation factors II, VII, and X in CPP were similar to FFP, CPP may be an option for replacement of most of vitamin K dependent factors.

Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in dogs in North America.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the exposure of dogs to three different Ehrlichia spp. in the south and central regions of the United States where vector-borne disease prevalence has been previously difficult to ascertain, particularly beyond the metropolitan areas. METHODS: Dog blood samples (n = 8,662) were submitted from 14 veterinary colleges, 6 private veterinary practices and 4 diagnostic laboratories across this region. Samples were tested for E. canis, E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii specific antibodies using peptide microtiter ELISAs. RESULTS: Overall, E. canis, E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii seroprevalence was 0.8%, 2.8%, and 5.1%, respectively. The highest E. canis seroprevalence (2.3%) was found in a region encompassing Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. E. chaffeensis seroreactivity was 6.6% in the central region (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma) and 4.6% in the southeast region (Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia). Seroreactivity to E. ewingii was also highest in the central region (14.6%) followed by the southeast region (5.9%). The geospatial pattern derived from E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii seropositive samples was similar to previous reports based on E. chaffeensis seroreactivity in white-tailed deer and the distribution of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) cases reported by the CDC. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide the first large scale regional documentation of exposure to E. canis, E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii in pet dogs, highlighting regional differences in seroprevalence and providing the basis for heightened awareness of these emerging vector-borne pathogens by veterinarians and public health agencies.

Evaluation of a point-of-care hematology analyzer for use in dogs and cats receiving chemotherapeutic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare WBC, neutrophil, and platelet counts and Hct values obtained with a point-of-care hematology analyzer with values obtained by a reference method for dogs and cats receiving chemotherapy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 105 dogs and 25 cats undergoing chemotherapy. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were analyzed with a point-of-care hematology analyzer and with an impedance- and laser-based analyzer with manual differential WBC counts. Results for WBC, neutrophil, and platelet counts and Hct were compared. Sensitivity and specificity of the point-of-care analyzer to detect leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia were calculated. RESULTS: 554 canine and 96 feline blood samples were evaluated. Correlation coefficients for dogs and cats, respectively, were 0.92 and 0.95 for total WBC count, 0.91 and 0.88 for neutrophil count, 0.95 and 0.92 for Hct, and 0.93 and 0.71 for platelet count. Sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of the point-of-care analyzer to detect leukopenia were 100% and 75% for dogs and 100% and 68% for cats; to detect neutropenia were 80% and 97% for dogs and 100% and 80% for cats; to detect anemia were 100% and 80% for dogs and 100% and 66% for cats; and to detect thrombocytopenia were 86% and 95% for dogs and 50% and 87% for cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The point-of-care analyzer was reliable for monitoring CBCs of dogs and cats receiving chemotherapy. It had good to excellent correlation for WBC and neutrophil counts and Hct and accurately detected leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. Sensitivity of the analyzer for detecting thrombocytopenia was lower but acceptable.

Comparison of glomerular filtration rate between greyhounds and non-Greyhound dogs.

Greyhounds have significantly higher serum creatinine (SCr) concentration than do non-Greyhound dogs that may be attributable to differences in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). By means of plasma clearance of technetium Tc 99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, GFR was measured in 10 Greyhounds and 10 non-Greyhound dogs with normal findings of physical examination, CBC, serum biochemical analysis, and urinalysis. Dogs were fed the same diet for a minimum of 6 weeks before GFR data collection. Greyhounds had significantly higher mean +/- SD GFR (3.0 +/- 0.1 vs 2.5 +/- 0.2 ml/min/ kg; P = .01) and SCr concentration (1.8 +/- 0.1 vs 1.5 +/- 0.1 mg/dL; P = .03) than did non-Greyhound dogs, but the serum urea nitrogen (SUN) concentration was not significantly different (18 +/- 1 vs 18 +/- 2 mg/dL; P = .8). Therefore, the higher SCr concentration in Greyhounds is not attributable to decreased GFR, and may be associated with the high muscle mass in the breed. Healthy Greyhounds have higher GFR than do non-Greyhound dogs.