Comparison of home blood pressure and office blood pressure measurement in dogs and cats.

The objectives of this study were to retrospectively compare blood pressure measurements obtained in clinic with those obtained at home from cats and dogs seen at our hospital and to investigate the potential for white-coat effect (WCE) and white-coat hypertension (WCH) in this population of 10 cats and 7 dogs. Medical records from Western College of Veterinary Medicine were searched to identify patients with paired home and in-clinic blood pressure measurements taken within 14 d. The results were compared with matched-pair analysis to determine the agreement and bias. Significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured in the clinic compared with those from home measurements. A mean difference of +27.7 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): 17.1 to 38.3 mmHg, P < 0.001] and +12.9 mmHg (95% CI: 6.4 to 19.5 mmHg, P = 0.0007) was found for systolic and diastolic pressure, respectively. The prevalence of WCH in this population was 41%. A total of 39% of home blood pressure measurements by owners were free of artefacts as evaluated by waveforms on high-definition oscillometry (HDO) devices. The results of this study showed that blood pressure measurements taken at home and at a clinic varied significantly, which was attributed to a high prevalence of white-coat effect and white-coat hypertension in this clinical population.

Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de comparer rétrospectivement les mesures de pression sanguine obtenues en clinique avec celles obtenues à la maison pour des chats et des chiens vus en consultation à notre hôpital et d'examiner le potentiel pour l'effet pelage blanc (WCE) et l'hypertension pelage blanc (WCH) dans cette population de dix chats et sept chiens. Les dossiers médicaux du Western College of Veterinary Medicine ont été consultés afin d'identifier des patients avec mesures pairées de la pression sanguine en clinique et à la maison prises dans un délai de 14 jours. Les résultats furent comparés par analyse par paires appariées pour déterminer l'accord et le biais. Des pressions sanguines systoliques et diastoliques significativement plus élevées ont été mesurées en clinique comparativement à celles mesurées à la maison. Une différence moyenne de + 27,7 mmHg [intervalle de confiance 95 % (CI) : 17,1 à 38,3 mmHg, P < 0,001] et + 12,9 mmHg (CI 95 % : 6,4 à 19,5 mmHg, P = 0,0007) a été trouvée pour la pression systolique et diastolique, respectivement. La prévalence de WCH dans cette population était de 41 %. Un total de 39 % des mesures de pression sanguine à la maison par les propriétaires était exempt d'artéfact, tel qu'évalué par la forme des ondes sur des équipements d'oscillométrie à haute définition (HDO). Les résultats de cette étude ont montré que les mesures de pression sanguine prises à la maison et à une clinique variaient de manière significative, ce qui a été attribué à une prévalence élevée de l'effet pelage blanc et d'hypertension pelage blanc dans cette population clinique.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Parvovirus enteritis and other risk factors associated with persistent gastrointestinal signs in dogs later in life: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Parvoviral enteritis (PE) is a viral gastrointestinal (GI) infection of dogs. Recovery from PE has been associated with persistent GI signs later in life. The objectives of this study were: (i) To determine whether dogs that have recovered from PE (post-parvo dogs) had an increased risk of persistent GI signs compared to uninfected control dogs. (ii) To investigate the lifestyle and clinicopathologic factors that are associated with persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs. METHODS: A total of 86 post-parvo dogs and 52 age-matched control dogs were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Many years after hospitalization for PE, the owners were interviewed about the health and habits of their dogs using a questionnaire. We used generalized linear mixed effects models to test whether parvovirus enteritis and other risk factors are associated with owner-recognized general health problems in all dogs and with owner-recognized persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs. RESULTS: The prevalence of persistent GI signs was significantly higher in post-parvo dogs compared to control dogs (57% vs 25%, P < 0.001). Markers of disease severity at the time of hospital admission such as neutropenia, low body temperature (BT), and treatment with an antiemetic medication (metoclopramide) were significant risk factors for persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs. For example, PE-affected dogs that were hypothermic at hospital admission (BT of 37.2 °C) were 16.6 × more likely to have GI signs later in life compared to hyperthermic dogs (BT of 40.4 °C). The presence of persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs was a risk factor for health problems in other organ systems. CONCLUSIONS: Parvovirus enteritis is a significant risk factor for persistent GI signs in dogs highlighting the importance of prevention. The risk factors identified in the present study may guide future investigations on the mechanisms that link parvovirus enteritis to chronic health problems in dogs.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a dog that was presented for neck wounds.

A 12-year-old spayed female German shorthaired pointer dog sustained extensive bite wounds around the neck. At presentation, atrial fibrillation was identified with a rapid ventricular response rate of 300 beats per minute (bpm). The ventricular response rate rapidly decreased to 130 bpm following administration of hydromorphone and oxygen. Based on the rate, antiarrhythmic therapy was not initiated. The heart rhythm converted back to sinus rhythm by the time of the first recheck evaluation 2 days later, and the dog remained in sinus rhythm at all subsequent evaluations. With the resolution of the arrhythmia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was suspected. The underlying etiology of the arrhythmia was not determined; however, imbalances in autonomic tone associated with trauma and/or direct trauma to the heart were hypothesized. Key clinical message: This report indicates a possible role of imbalances in autonomic tone due to trauma in the development of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and suggests that it should be a differential diagnostic consideration in patients with atrial fibrillation following trauma. Primary treatment of atrial fibrillation may not be needed in these cases if the ventricular response rate is not rapid, or if there is spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm.

Fibrillation atriale paroxysmique chez un chien présenté avec des blessures au cou. Une femelle braque allemand stérilisée âgée de 12 ans a subi des blessures extensives de morsure autour du cou. À la présentation, une fibrillation atriale fut identifiée avec un rythme de réponse ventriculaire rapide de 300 battements par minute (bpm). Le rythme de réponse ventriculaire diminua à 130 bpm à la suite de l'administration d'hydromorphone et d'oxygène. Sur la base du rythme aucune thérapie antiarythmique ne fut initiée. Le rythme cardiaque était retourné au rythme sinusal lors de la première réévaluation 2 jours plus tard, et le chien est demeuré en rythme sinusal à toutes les évaluations subséquentes. Avec la résolution de l'arythmie, une fibrillation atriale paroxysmique fut suspectée. L'étiologie sous-jacente de l'arythmie ne fut pas déterminée; toutefois, des débalancements du tonus autonome associés avec un trauma et/ou un trauma directement au coeur furent émis comme hypothèses.Message clinique clé:Ce rapport mentionne un rôle possible de débalancements du tonus autonome dus à un trauma lors du développement de fibrillation atriale paroxysmique et suggère que cela devrait être un diagnostic différentiel à considérer chez les patients avec fibrillation atriale à la suite d'un trauma. Le traitement initial de la fibrillation atriale pourrait ne pas être nécessaire dans ces cas si le rythme de la réponse ventriculaire n'est pas rapide ou s'il y a une conversion spontanée au rythme sinusal.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Pulsus alternans in a critically ill dog hospitalized for xylitol toxicity.

A 2-year-old spayed female Great Pyrenees cross dog was presented following the consumption of pure xylitol sweetener. Blood tests revealed hepatocellular leakage and cholestasis, hyperlactatemia, thrombocytopenia, and prolonged prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times. Thoracic radiographs on day 2 of hospitalization were consistent with pulmonary hemorrhage. Prior to death, the dog developed pulsus alternans suggestive of myocardial dysfunction secondary to severe systemic inflammation. This is the first report of pulsus alternans in a critically ill dog prior to clinical deterioration and death. This is also the first documentation of pulsus alternans with a high-definition oscillometric device. Key clinical message: Increased recognition of pulsus alternans and its potential implications in veterinary medicine may contribute to the identification of cardiovascular complications associated with systemic disease.

Pouls alternant chez un chien critiquement malade hospitalisé pour toxicité au xylitol. Une chienne Grand Pyrénées croisée stérilisée âgée de 2 ans a été présentée à la suite de la consommation de l'édulcorant xylitol pur. Des tests sanguins ont révélé une fuite hépatocellulaire et une cholestase, une hyperlactatémie, une thrombocytopénie et des temps de prothrombine et de thromboplastine partielle activée allongés. Des radiographies thoraciques au jour 2 de l'hospitalisation étaient conformes avec une hémorragie pulmonaire. Avant le décès, le chien développa un pouls alternant suggestif de dysfonction myocardique secondaire à une inflammation systémique sévère. Ceci constitue le premier rapport de pouls alternant chez un chien critiquement malade antérieur à une détérioration clinique et la mort. Il s'agit également de la première documentation d'un pouls alternant avec un instrument oscillométrique à haute définition.Message clinique clé :Une augmentation de la reconnaissance de pouls alternant et ses implications potentielles en médecine vétérinaire pourraient contribuer à l'identification de complications cardiovasculaires associées à des maladies systémiques.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Effect of three resuscitative fluid therapy strategies on NT-proBNP concentration in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if 3 resuscitative fluid therapy strategies increase N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP) levels in healthy dogs. DESIGN: Randomized crossover trial. SETTING: Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Plasma NT proBNP concentrations were measured in 6 healthy purpose-bred dogs that received 3 resuscitative fluid therapy protocols. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Crystalloid, synthetic colloid, or hypertonic saline fluids were administered at resuscitative doses. Blood samples were collected via an indwelling catheter before, and at set time points between 0.5 and 36 h after fluid therapy and analyzed for NT-proBNP. A general linear mixed model was used to estimate the differences in NT-proBNP over time and among treatments. None of the resuscitative fluid therapy protocols caused increases of serum NT-proBNP beyond the previously reported cutoff concentration used to differentiate cardiac versus noncardiac causes of respiratory signs. Dogs receiving crystalloid fluid therapy had the most significant and prolonged increase in serum NT-proBNP concentration above baseline compared to dogs receiving either resuscitative doses of colloids or hypertonic saline. CONCLUSIONS: Serum NT-proBNP concentration in normal dogs was not increased beyond concentrations previously established to equate to cardiac disease after receiving resuscitative fluid therapy with either a balanced crystalloid solution, hypertonic saline, or a synthetic colloid solution in this study.

Serological survey of canine vector-borne diseases in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Whole blood samples were collected from 515 dogs in the practice region surrounding Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada between 2008 and 2010 and evaluated for seroprevalence of vector-borne diseases. Of 515 samples, 12 (2.3%) were positive, with 7 (1.4%) positive for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. These prevalences are higher than those previously reported for this region.

Enquête sérologique des maladies canines à transmission vectorielle en Saskatchewan, au Canada. Des échantillons de sang total ont été prélevés auprès de 515 chiens dans des établissements vétérinaires des environs de Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan, au Canada, entre 2008 et 2010, et ont été évalués pour la séroprévalence des maladies à transmission vectorielle. Parmi les 515 échantillons, 12 (2,3 %) étaient positifs et 7 (1,4 %) étaient positifs pour les anticorps contre Borrelia burgdorferi. Ces prévalences sont supérieures à celles précédemment signalées pour cette région.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

The effect of anesthetic drug choice on accuracy of high-definition oscillometry in laterally recumbent horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of high-definition oscillometry (HDO) for arterial pressure measurement during injectable or inhalation anesthesia in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. ANIMALS: Twenty-four horses anesthetized for procedures requiring lateral recumbency. METHODS: Horses were premedicated with xylazine, and anesthesia induced with diazepam-ketamine. Anesthesia was maintained with xylazine-ketamine-guaifenesin combination [TripleDrip (TD; n = 12) or isoflurane (ISO; n = 12)]. HDO was used to obtain systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures, and heart rate (HR) using an 8-cm-wide cuff around the proximal tail. Invasive blood pressure (IBP), SAP, MAP, DAP and HR were recorded during HDO cycling. Bland-Altman analysis for repeated measures was used to compare HDO and IBP for all measurements. The generalized additive model was used to determine if means in the differences between HDO and IBP were similar between anesthetic protocols for all measurements. RESULTS: There were >110 paired samples for each variable. There was no effect of anesthetic choice on HDO performance, but more variability was present in TD compared with ISO. Skewed data required log-transformation for statistical comparison. Using raw data and standard Bland-Altman analysis, HDO overestimated SAP (TD, 3.8 ± 28.3 mmHg; ISO, 3.5 ± 13.6 mmHg), MAP (TD, 4.0 ± 23.3 mmHg; ISO, 6.3 ± 10.0 mmHg) and DAP (TD, 4.0 ± 21.2 mmHg; ISO, 7.8 ± 13.6 mmHg). In TD, 26-40% HDO measurements were within 10 mmHg of IBP, compared with 60-74% in ISO. Differences between HDO and IBP for all measurements were similar between anesthetic protocols. The numerical difference between IBP and HDO measurements for SAP, MAP and DAP significantly decreased as cuff width:tail girth ratio increased toward 40%. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: More variability in HDO occurred during TD. The cuff width:tail girth ratio is important for accuracy of HDO.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infection in association with acute gastroenteritis in 7 dogs from Saskatchewan.

Seven dogs diagnosed with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infection in association with acute gastroenteritis are described. Disease severity ranged from mild in adults to fatal disease in young dogs. Enteropathogenic E. coli infection should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in dogs with diarrhea.

Infection parEscherichia colientéropathogène (ECEP) en association avec une gastroentérite aiguë chez 7 chiens de la Saskatchewan. On décrit sept chiens diagnostiqués avec une infection par Escherichia coli entéropathogène (ECEP) en association avec une gastroentérite aigüe. La gravité de la maladie allait de légère chez les adultes à une maladie mortelle chez les jeunes chiens. E. coli entéropathogène devrait être considéré comme un diagnostic différentiel chez les chiens souffrant de la diarrhée.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Effect of oral administration of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on coagulation parameters in plasma and levels of urine and fecal heparin in dogs.

The effects of heparin administration, by the oral route, were evaluated in dogs. In single and multiple dose studies (single 7.5 mg/kg, multiple 3 × 7.5 mg/kg per 48 h), plasma, urine, and fecal samples were collected at various times up to 120 h after oral administration of unfractionated heparin. Changes in plasma and urine anti-Xa activity, plasma and urine anti-IIa activity, plasma activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and antithrombin (ATIII), and chemical heparin in urine and feces were examined with time. There was support for heparin absorption, with significant differences in APTT, heparin in plasma as determined by anti-Xa activity (Heptest) in the single dose study and plasma anti-Xa activity, anti-IIa activity and ATIII; and chemical heparin in urine in the multiple dose study. No clinical evidence of bleeding was detected in any dog during the studies. Oral heparin therapy may be applicable for thromboembolic disease in animals. Further studies are warranted to determine the effects of oral heparin at the endothelial level in the dog.

Les effets de l'administration d'héparine, par voie orale, furent évalués chez des chiens. Dans des études suite à une administration unique et à des administrations multiples (unique 7,5 mg/kg; multiples 3 × 7,5 mg/kg par 48 h), des échantillons de plasma, d'urine et de fèces furent prélevés à différents intervalles jusqu'à 120 h suivant l'administration orale d'héparine non-fractionnée. On examina dans le temps les changements de l'activité anti-Xa dans le plasma et l'urine, l'activité anti-IIa dans le plasma et dans l'urine, le temps de thromboplastine partielle (APTT) et d'antithrombine (ATIII) activé par le plasma, et l'héparine dans l'urine et les fèces. Il y a évidence d'absorption d'héparine, avec des différences significatives de l'APTT, de l'héparine plasmatique tel que déterminé par l'activité anti-Xa (Heptest) dans l'étude à dose unique et dans l'activité anti-Xa plasmatique, l'activité anti-IIa et l'ATIII; et de l'héparine chimique dans l'urine lors de l'étude à doses multiples. Aucune évidence clinique de saignement ne fut détectée chez les chiens au courant des études. Une thérapie orale à l'héparine pourrait être applicable pour des maladies thromboemboliques chez les animaux. Des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires afin de déterminer les effets d'administration d'héparine orale au niveau endothélial chez les chiens.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Effects of a standardized anesthetic protocol on hematologic variables in healthy cats.

This study evaluated the effects of an anesthetic protocol using intravenous ketamine and midazolam, and intramuscular buprenorphine on hematologic variables in cats. Twelve healthy adult cats had blood collected for a complete blood count before and after the induction of anesthesia. There were significant decreases in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrits after the induction of anesthesia. On average, red blood cell counts and hematocrits decreased by 25%, and hemoglobin concentrations decreased by 24%. Based on hematocrit, 3/12 samples (25%) taken while the cats were anesthetized would have been interpreted as belonging to anemic patients while none of the cats would have been considered anemic before anesthesia. This study suggests that a complete blood count performed on blood taken under anesthesia with this anesthetic protocol should be interpreted cautiously in order to not make a false diagnosis of anemia.

A survey of intestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Fresh fecal samples from 124 apparently healthy dogs and 333 random source canine fecal samples from dog walking areas were analyzed by centrifuged flotation in Sheather's solution to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Fecal flotation was positive in 4.4% of samples. Roundworm species were found in 1.5% of samples, hookworm species were found in 0.4% of samples, whipworm species were found in 0.7%, Strongyloides spp. were found in 0.6%, Giardia spp., Cystoisospora spp., and Alaria spp. were found in 0.4% of samples.

Safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol 3350 as an oral laxative in cats.

Recurrent constipation is a common problem in cats. Laxatives often are the cornerstone for management of recurrent constipation; however, there is a paucity of published research on laxative use in cats. This study investigated the safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol (PEG3350) in normal cats. All cats consumed the PEG3350 laxative for 4 weeks without changes in weight or food intake. In all cats soft stools were achieved. Effective doses varied widely in experimental cats, so individualized dosing is important. Mild, non-clinical hyperkalemia was noted although the cause is unknown.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and chronic endometritis in a chinchilla.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old nulliparous sexually intact female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) was evaluated because of a 2-month history of blood being sporadically observed in its cage. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Results of physical examination of the chinchilla were unremarkable except for the presence of blood-stained fur around the perineum. There were no external lesions to account for the bleeding. Findings on urinalysis, bacteriologic culture of urine, and whole-body radiography were unremarkable. The chinchilla's littermate had been evaluated because of similar clinical signs 2 years earlier, and these signs resolved following ovariohysterectomy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Ovariohysterectomy was performed, and gross changes were not observed in the reproductive tract. However, microscopic examination revealed multifocal cystic dilation of the endometrial glands, foci of microhemorrhage, and chronic suppurative inflammation consistent with a final diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia and chronic endometritis. Clinical signs did not recur. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cystic endometrial hyperplasia has been documented in a variety of animals, but to the authors' knowledge, this was the first reported case in a chinchilla. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and chronic endometritis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in an adult sexually intact female chinchilla with a history of suspected hemorrhagic vaginal discharge, suspected hematuria, or hemorrhage from an unknown source.

Chronic mesenteric volvulus in a dog.

A chronic, partial mesenteric volvulus was found on laparotomy of an adult Bernese mountain dog with a 4-month history of intermittent vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. The dog had elevated cholestatic and hepatocellular leakage enzymes, increased bile acids, azotemia, isosthenuria, and a hypokalemic, hypochloremic, metabolic alkalosis. The dog recovered fully following reduction of the volvulus.

Characterization and quantification of feline fecal microbiota using cpn60 sequence-based methods and investigation of animal-to-animal variation in microbial population structure.

The complex microbial community of the intestine plays a major role in animal health and diseases. Despite its significance to feline health and the significance of intestinal and fecal populations to the public health, little is known about the actual composition of the normal microbiota of the cat. To create a sequence-based inventory of feline fecal microbiota, we applied established methods exploiting the gene encoding the universal 60kDa chaperonin (cpn60) to create libraries of cloned cpn60 sequences from pooled fecal samples from five exclusively indoor and four outdoor, known predatory cats. Sequencing of 1248 clones from each library revealed diverse populations dominated by Actinobacteria (particularly bifidobacteria) and Firmicutes (particularly lactobacilli). To investigate the degree of animal-to-animal variation in species abundance, ten targets were selected from the libraries for analysis by quantitative real-time PCR. Quantitative PCR results showed substantial animal-to-animal variation in target abundance although most targets were detected in all cats. This study lays the foundation for future work aimed at understanding the dynamics of intestinal microbial communities and their role in feline health.

A dog with squamous cell carcinoma in the middle ear.

An 8-year-old, castrated male golden retriever was referred for lethargy and inappetance. Severe pain was elicited on palpation of the left temporomandibular joint region. Computed tomography revealed aggressive bone destruction of the left bulla. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. Malignant tumor in the canine middle ear is rare.