Multiple myeloma in dogs: Use of the cell block technique as a new diagnostic tool.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) in dogs may be challenging and complex. The cell blocks are a diagnostic technique that allows the characterization of neoplastic cells and, therefore, might help in the diagnosis of atypical MM. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work is to describe three clinical cases in which the cell blocks and immunohistochemistry contributed to the definitive diagnosis of canine MM. METHODS: Three dogs, one female and two males, with different clinical signs, were presented for consultation with anemia, hyperproteinemia with monoclonal gammopathy, and the presence of plasmacytosis in the bone marrow. Cytologic analysis of the spleen was performed in two dogs and was suggestive of the presence of lymphocytes or plasma cells of a neoplastic nature in one of the cases and plasma cell hyperplasia associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis in the other. Given the hypotheses of lymphoid neoplasms with a plasma cell phenotype, cell blocks from aspiration punctures were performed for immunohistochemical analysis with anti-CD3, CD20, CD79αcy, PAX5, and MUM1 antibodies. RESULTS: The results revealed positive staining for MUM1 in 80% of the cells in the spleen cell block and for CD20 and MUM1 in 70% of the cells in the bone marrow cell blocks, with negative staining for the other antibodies. The immunophenotyping results allowed the diagnosis of MM in the three cases and excluded other lymphoid neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS: This work reinforces the importance of using cell blocks in the diagnosis of neoplasms by demonstrating their potential to aid the diagnosis of MM.

Clinical findings and prognostic factors for mortality in hospitalized dogs with leishmaniosis: aretrospective study.

This retrospective study evaluated factors responsible for mortality of dogs hospitalized for Canine Leishmaniosis. Medical records of 31 dogs with leishmaniosis from a Portuguese Veterinary Teaching Hospital were examined between August 2018 and January 2022. Females (n = 18) and pure breed dogs (n = 27) were overrepresented, with higher frequency of Labrador Retriever (n = 4). Median age was 7 years (interquartile range=7). Most had historical findings of lethargy (n = 26) and the commonest clinicopathological abnormality was hypoalbuminemia (n = 26). Eleven dogs were classified as LeishVet stage II, 10 stage III and 10 stage IV. Fourteen dogs (45.2%) died or were euthanized, with azotemia, leukocytosis, stage IV, absence of diagnosis before hospitalization and lack of leishmaniosis specific treatment during hospitalization contributing to mortality. Absence of hypoalbuminemia and stages II/III increased survival. Mean hospitalization length prior to discharge was 5.41days ( ± 1.84) and diarrhea prolonged hospital stay.

Plasma and urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine concentrations using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in healthy cats and in a cat with pheochromocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is rare in cats and plasma (PL) and urinary (U) metanephrines (metanephrine [MN]; normetanephrine [NMN]) measurement is rarely described in cats. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the utility of PL and U MNs measurement in 10 healthy cats and a cat with a confirmed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma (PheoCat), using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). METHODS: Urine and EDTA PL samples collected from each of the 10 cats and the PheoCat were promptly stored at -80°C and remained frozen until analysis. To evaluate U MNs stability, an additional urine sample collected from the healthy cats was refrigerated for 24 hours before freezing. Urinary creatinine concentration (Creat) was assessed using the same spot urine samples to calculate U MNs-to-creatinine ratios. RESULTS: The PL-MN and PL-NMN median concentrations of the healthy cats were 2.73 and 7.02 nmol/L, respectively. The median U-MN/Creat and U-NMN/Creat ratios were 70 and 139 µg/g, respectively. The PheoCat had a PL-MN of 3.68 nmol/L, PL-NMN of 66.27 nmol/L, U-MN/Creat of 179 µg/g, and U-NMN/Creat of 1262 µg/g. The PheoCat had markedly increased concentrations of both PL and U MNs when compared to the healthy cats. No significant difference was found between U MNs measured in urine samples that underwent 24 hours of refrigeration in comparison to those that were frozen immediately. CONCLUSIONS: We report preliminary reference intervals for PL and U MNs in cats using LC-MS-MS and the potential clinical applicability of these biomarkers for the diagnosis of PCC in cats.

Ultrasonographic Detected Adrenomegaly in Clinically Ill Cats: A Retrospective Study.

This retrospective study aimed to assess the prevalence of ultrasonographic detected adrenomegaly in clinically ill cats, evaluating the final established diagnosis, describe adrenal ultrasound findings and if the adrenomegaly was suspected or incidental. Abdominal ultrasonography reports of cats presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital between October 2018 and February 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Cats showing adrenomegaly (one or both glands having a dorsoventral axis >4.8 mm) were selected and medical records respectively evaluated. Nine-hundred and eighty-three ultrasonographical reports were selected, of which, 68 (7%) disclosed adrenomegaly. European/Domestic Short-Hair (62/68; 91%) male (44/68; 65%) castrated (35/44; 80%) cats were overrepresented. Adrenomegaly was an incidental finding in 62/68 (91%) cats while in 6/68 (9%) it was identified in the context of investigating a potential adrenal disease. Concerning established diagnosis, chronic kidney disease was overrepresented (25/68; 37%), followed by endocrinopathies (20/68; 29%). Adrenomegaly was bilateral in 53% (36/68) of cases. In unilateral cases (32/68; 47%), it was more prevalent on the left side (23/32; 72%), with a normal-sized contralateral adrenal gland. Left adrenal demonstrated a larger size and a tendency to oval shape. This study assesses the prevalence of adrenomegaly in clinically ill cats, reinforcing it can be an incidental ultrasound finding.

Effect of prednisolone therapy on serum levels of 1,2-O-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester lipase in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Activity of 1,2-O-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase in serum shows good agreement with pancreatic lipase (cPL) in dogs. Although prednisolone therapy does not seem to affect serum cPL concentration, its influence on DGGR lipase is unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of prednisolone therapy on DGGR lipase serum activity in dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-four dogs were used, of which 17 dogs received prednisolone (study group) and 17 healthy dogs did not receive treatment. METHODS: A prospective cohort study measured DGGR lipase activity in both groups at 3 time points: T0, T1, and T2, corresponding to days 0, 7-10, and 21-30, respectively. Dogs from study group presented a medical reason that justified the use of prednisolone for at least 3 weeks. Initial prednisolone dose was .5-2.0 mg/kg/day PO with a reduction at T1 to a final dose that was maintained until T2. DGGR lipase activity >160 U/L was defined as clinically relevant. RESULTS: In the study group, DGGR lipase activity increased significantly from T0 to T1 (P = .02) and decreased significantly from T1 to T2 (P = .02). Median DGGR activity at each time point (T0, T1, and T2) was 24.74 (14.45-31.48), 36.82 (23.8-80.16), and 29.52 (15.91-48.48) U/L, respectively. In the control group, no significant changes were observed over time (P = .93). The DGGR lipase activity and prednisolone doses were not correlated for both T0-T1 (rs = .371, P = .14) and T1-T2 (rs = 0.390, P = .12). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: DGGR lipase activity was affected by prednisolone administered orally in dogs. However, this variation was not clinically important as values remained below the relevant upper limit.

Nasal foreign bodies identified by rhinoscopy in dogs: 42 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate signalment, clinical presentation, location and type of nasal foreign bodies identified by rhinoscopy in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records from dogs that presented for consultation between April 2012 and June 2019 and were diagnosed with nasal foreign body via rhinoscopy. RESULTS: Forty-two dogs met the study's inclusion criteria. Thirty (71.4%; 30/42) were purebreds. Males accounted for 59.5% (25/42) of cases. The median age was 4.0 years old and 76.2% (32/42) were dogs up to 7 years of age. Mean bodyweight was 21.8 kg and dogs weighing more than 10 kg were overrepresented (78.6%; 33/42). Sneezing occurred in 78.6% (33/42) of cases. Foreign body retrieval was achieved by rhinoscopy in all cases. The foreign body was extracted from the right nasal cavity in 52.4% (22/42) of cases and from the left one in 42.9% (18/42). Two dogs (4.8%; 2/42) presented with one foreign body in each nasal cavity. Most nasal cavity foreign bodies (90.5%; 38/42) were grass awns. Three (7.2%; 3/42) were mineral and one (1/42) was fabric. Follow-up was documented for 35 patients, of which 97.1% (34/35) experienced resolution of clinical signs. Seven cases (16.7%; 7/42) were lost to follow-up. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Nasal foreign bodies were more common in dogs up to 7 years of age and heavier than 10 kg. Sneezing was the primary clinical sign. The vast majority of foreign bodies were grass awns and rhinoscopy was an effective means of nasal cavity foreign body retrieval.