Markers of coagulation activation, endothelial stimulation, and inflammation in dogs with babesiosis.

BACKGROUND: Babesia infections in dogs can result in a wide range of clinical and laboratory presentations, including coagulopathy. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in dogs with babesiosis is unknown. OBJECTIVES: Whether inflammation in babesiosis triggers activation of ICAM-1 and the coagulation system. ANIMALS: Twelve and 10 dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis before and after antiparasitic treatment, respectively, were compared with 10 healthy dogs. METHODS: In this prospective study, diagnosis was made by blood smear examination and confirmed by PCR. C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels were measured by a canine ELISA kit, fibrinogen (FIB) and factor VIII activity levels were measured by coagulometric methods, and blood cell counts (WBC, RBC, PLT) were determined with an automatic analyzer. RESULTS: Compared to healthy dogs, the CRP, sICAM-1, and FIB concentrations were significantly increased before therapy and remained high for 3 days after therapy in dogs with babesiosis. vWF activity was significantly decreased in dogs with babesiosis before treatment. FVIII activity did not differ between dogs with babesiosis and healthy dogs. WBC; RBC and PLT were significantly lower before treatment and normalized by 3 days after treatment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A proinflammatory condition in babesiosis appears to influence endothelial dysfunction and hemostatic activity. Although clearly beneficial for the parasite, sequestered blood cells can obstruct blood flow in small vessels, promote an inflammatory state, and could increase the severity of babesiosis.

Co-oximetry in clinically healthy dogs and effects of time of post sampling on measurements.

OBJECTIVES: Co-oximetry is a complex and valuable laboratory method that measures haemoglobin species and oxygenation status by multi-wavelength spectrophotometry. The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for clinically healthy dogs and to determine the effect of time of analyses and sex of animals on the accuracy of results. METHODS: Blood was collected from 27 healthy adult dogs of various breeds and sex. Co-oximetry was performed on a CCX co-oximeter that measures eight haemoglobin and oxygen transport related parameters: carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb), deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb), oxyhaemoglobin (O(2)Hb), methaemoglobin (MetHb), total haemoglobin (tHb), oxygen saturation (SO(2)%), oxygen content (O(2)Ct) and oxygen capacity (O(2)Cap). RESULTS: Results obtained after 2 and 4 hours were not significantly different from those obtained immediately after sampling. But after 48 hours, the results for total haemoglobin, oxygen saturation, oxyhaemoglobin, oxygen content and oxygen capacity were significantly lower, and carboxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin values were significantly higher than determination immediately after sampling. Gender had no significant impact on co-oximetry values. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Co-oximetry offers several advantages compared with other methods, including ease of use, increased accuracy and greater differentiation among haemoglobin species.

Poisoning of a dog with the explosive pentaerythrityl tetranitrate.

A three-year-old male Labrador retriever was presented at the Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia. The owner reported that the dog was ataxic, and this was evident by its markedly unsteady, swaying gait. The dog also had difficulty rising and fell several times while trying to stand. It had come into contact with the explosive, pentaerythrityl tetranitrate, while training to detect explosives. The following clinical symptoms were observed: bradycardia, depression, mild disorientation and a broad-based stance. The dog had conscious proprioceptive deficits in the hindlimbs, but cranial nerve function was normal except for miosis. Ion scan analysis of the dog's serum after evaporation of the current phase by mass spectroscopy revealed the presence of fragments that are characteristic of pentaerythrityl tetranitrate. The aim of the present case report was to identify pentaerythrityl tetranitrate poisoning and describe the clinical signs of pentaerythrityl tetranitrate poisoning in dogs. To the authors' knowledge, there are no published scientific articles on pentaerythrityl tetranitrate poisoning in dogs.

A seroepidemiologic survey of canine visceral leishmaniosis among apparently healthy dogs in Croatia.

Cross-sectional investigation was done on seroprevalence of Leishmania sp. infection among apparently healthy dogs in an area where canine leishmaniosis is endemic. Survey included 68 dogs living in the coastal city of Split, and 238 dogs living in 12 villages scattered in the hinterland. Each dog was clinically examined for the presence of some discrete signs compatible with leishmaniosis and by dot-ELISA modification determined the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies. The titre 1:600 and higher was regarded as positive in the study. The seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 42.85%, depending on the location. 54.34% of the seropositive dogs had moderately enlarged lymph nodes and/or some discrete changes on the skin. In our parasitological study, Leishmania sp. was isolated from several seropositive animals that had some clinical signs and from a few which did not have any. Data analysis revealed that serological positivity to Leishmania sp. was not associated with a dog's outdoor lifestyle and utility, but was associated with the gender and age.