Effects of intravenous administration of lactated Ringer's solution on hematologic, serum biochemical, rheological, hemodynamic, and renal measurements in healthy isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the hematologic, serum biochemical, rheological, hemodynamic, and renal effects of IV administration of lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) to healthy anesthetized dogs. DESIGN: 4-period, 4-treatment cross-over study. ANIMALS: 8 healthy mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES: Each dog was anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, instrumented, and randomly assigned to receive LRS (0, 10, 20, or 30 mL/kg/h [0, 4.5, 9.1, or 13.6 mL/lb/h]), IV, on 4 occasions separated by at least 7 days. Blood hemoglobin concentration and serum total protein, albumin, lactate, and electrolyte concentrations; PCV; colloid osmotic pressure; arterial and venous pH and blood gases (Po2; Pco2); whole blood and plasma viscosity; arterial and venous blood pressures; cardiac output; results of urinalysis; urine production; glomerular filtration rate; and anesthetic recovery times were monitored. Oxygen delivery, vascular resistance, stroke volume, pulse pressure, and blood and plasma volume were calculated. RESULTS: Increasing rates of LRS administration resulted in dose-dependent decreases in PCV; blood hemoglobin concentration and serum total protein and albumin concentrations; colloid osmotic pressure; and whole blood viscosity. Plasma viscosity; serum electrolyte concentrations; data from arterial and venous blood gas analysis; glomerular filtration rate; urine production; heart rate; pulse, central venous, and arterial blood pressures; pulmonary vascular resistance; and oxygen delivery did not change. Pulmonary artery pressure, stroke volume, and cardiac output increased, and systemic vascular resistance decreased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Conventional IV infusion rates of LRS to isoflurane-anesthetized dogs decreased colligative blood components; increased plasma volume, pulmonary artery pressure, and cardiac output; and did not change urine production or oxygen delivery to tissues.

The number of 24 h dietary recalls using the US Department of Agriculture's automated multiple-pass method required to estimate nutrient intake in overweight and obese adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of 24 h dietary recalls required to adequately estimate nutrient intake in overweight and obese adults using the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) automated multiple-pass method (AMPM). In addition, the study quantified sources of variation in dietary intake, such as day of the week, season, sequence of diet interviews (training effect), diet interviewer, body weight and within- and between-subject variances in the intake of selected nutrients. DESIGN: Adults having a BMI of ≥ 28 but <38 kg/m2 were included in the study. The USDA's AMPM was used to obtain 24 h dietary recalls every 10 d for 6 months. Dietary intake data were analysed to adequately estimate the number of 24 h recalls necessary to assess nutrient intake. Variance component estimates were made by using a mixed-model procedure. SETTING: The greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area. SUBJECTS: Adults (34 men and 39 women) aged 35-65 years. RESULTS: Overweight and obese adults completed fourteen 24 h dietary recalls. Utilizing within- and between-subject variances requires 5-10 and 12-15 d of 24 h dietary recalls in men and women, respectively, to estimate energy and macronutrient intakes in a 6-month period. Within- and between-subject variances were the major contributors to variance in nutrient intakes. Day of the week, season, sequence, diet interviewer and body weight had little impact on variance. CONCLUSIONS: This information is valuable for researchers planning to conduct studies on free-living individuals that include the collection of dietary intake data.

Comparison of tissue oxygen saturation in ovariohysterectomized dogs recovering on room air versus nasal oxygen insufflation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare tissue oxygen saturation in ovariohysterectomized dogs recovering postoperatively on room air versus nasal oxygen insufflation. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Twenty dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Dogs were randomized to breathe either room air or 100 mL/kg/min of nasal oxygen insufflation for 2 hours postoperatively. Tissue oxygen saturation (StO(2)) was evaluated at 2 mm and 20 mm lateral to the surgical incision, as well as in the inguinal region using a noninvasive tissue oximeter. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In dogs recovered on nasal oxygen insufflation (n = 10), tissue oxygen saturation was significantly higher--20 mm from the surgical site (88.44 ± 2.50%, P = 0.02) and in the inguinal region (83.56 ± 1.91%, P = 0.032)-- compared to dogs recovered on room air (n = 10, 79.11% ± 2.50 and 77.12% ± 1.91, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In ovariohysterectomized dogs, oxygen supplementation for 2 hours postoperatively improves tissue oxygen saturation 20 mm adjacent to the linea alba and in the inguinal region. Oxygen supplementation in postoperative dogs is an inexpensive and easily applicable method to improve tissue oxygen saturation.

Effects of domperidone on digital laminar microvascular blood flow in clinically normal adult horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of domperidone and acepromazine maleate on microvascular blood flow in digital laminae of clinically normal adult horses. ANIMALS: 8 clinically normal adult horses (4 mares and 4 geldings). PROCEDURES: In a 4-period crossover study, domperidone was administered PO at 1.1 mg/ kg and 5.5 mg/kg and IV at 0.2 mg/kg; acepromazine was administered IV at 0.04 mg/kg. The washout period between treatments was 1 week. A 3-minute measurement of laminar microvascular blood flow (LMBF) was obtained with laser Doppler flowmetry. Baseline measurements were obtained at -2, -1, and 0 hours prior to administration of drugs. Post-treatment measurements were obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 hours. Percentage change from baseline values in LMBF for each treatment was subsequently calculated. RESULTS: Oral administration of domperidone at 1.1 mg/kg and 5.5 mg/kg significantly increased LMBF, compared with baseline values, beginning 4 hours after administration, and this effect persisted for at least 8 hours. Intravenous administration of domperidone at 0.2 mg/kg significantly increased LMBF, compared with baseline values, at 10 and 12 hours after administration. Administration of acepromazine (0.04 mg/kg, IV) significantly increased LMBF, compared with baseline values, at 3, 5, 8, and 10 hours after administration. No adverse effects of drugs were detected in any horse. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Domperidone may be useful for preventing vasoconstriction and reduction in LMBF believed to occur in horses with laminitis, but additional research of the drug's effects in horses with laminitis is required.

Association of Bartonella species, feline calicivirus, and feline herpesvirus 1 infection with gingivostomatitis in cats.

Feline gingivostomatitis (FGS) is a common syndrome in cats; feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), and Bartonella species are common differential diagnoses. In this study, blood from 70 cats with FGS and 61 healthy control cats was tested for Bartonella species antibodies in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot immunoassay and DNA in blood using a conventional polymerase chain reaction assay. Additionally, fresh oral biopsies from cats with FGS (n=42) and 19 healthy controls were tested for FCV RNA, FHV-1 DNA and Bartonella species DNA. The prevalence rates for Bartonella species antibodies and DNA in the blood and the tissues did not differ between the two groups. FHV-1 DNA was also not significantly different between groups. Only FCV RNA was present in significantly more cats with FGS (40.5%) than control cats (0%). The results suggest that FCV was associated with FGS in some of the cats.

Comparison of continuous arterial pressure waveform analysis with the lithium dilution technique to monitor cardiac output in conscious dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement between cardiac output (CO) measured by use of arterial pressure waveform analysis (PulseCO) and lithium dilution (LiDCO) in conscious dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). ANIMALS: 14 dogs with naturally occurring SIRS. PROCEDURES: Pulse power analysis was performed on critically ill patients with a PulseCO monitor. All measurements were obtained with an indwelling arterial line and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Intermittent measurements of CO were obtained with the LiDCO method to validate the PulseCO measurements at initial calibration (baseline; time 0) and at 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. The 2 methods for measuring CO were compared by use of Bland-Altman analysis. An error rate for the limits of agreement between the 2 methods of < 30% was defined as being acceptable. RESULTS: Bland-Altman analysis did not indicate good agreement between measurements obtained by use of the PulseCO and LiDCO methods, despite no significant change in cardiac index (CI) over time as measured with the LiDCO method. The percentage error for the overall difference in CI values between the PulseCO and LiDCO measurements was 122%, which indicated that the PulseCO method was not an acceptable means of CO measurement when compared with the LiDCO method for this patient population. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Agreement between the PulseCO and LiDCO methods for measurement of CO was not acceptable at 4- and 8-hour intervals after calibration in conscious dogs with naturally occurring SIRS.

Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentration and seroprevalences of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella species in client-owned cats.

Feline pancreatitis is a commonly suspected illness and it has been proposed that some cases of feline pancreatitis may be caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii or Bartonella species. Feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) is a test performed on serum that is commonly combined with other clinical findings as an indirect aid in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are associations between fPLI concentration and the presence of serum antibodies against T gondii or Bartonella species. Serum samples from 458 cats, for which serum fPLI concentrations had already been determined, were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of T gondii immunoglobulin (Ig) G (IgG) and IgM antibodies, and Bartonella species IgG antibodies. The association between fPLI concentration and T gondii or Bartonella species antibodies was determined. No statistically significant association was found between fPLI concentration and T gondii or Bartonella species antibodies, suggesting that serological tests for the organisms are not useful in cases with increased fPLI concentration.

Use of pradofloxacin to treat experimentally induced Mycoplasma hemofelis infection in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the fluoroquinolone pradofloxacin in the treatment of cats experimentally infected with Mycoplasma hemofelis. ANIMALS: 23 young adult specific-pathogen-free cats. PROCEDURES: Cats were inoculated with M hemofelis from a chronically infected donor and assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: a doxycycline group, a low-dose-pradofloxacin group, a high-dose-pradofloxacin group, and an untreated control group. Treatment was initiated for 14 days when M hemofelis infection was detected via PCR assay and clinical signs of hemoplasmosis were present. Cats that had negative PCR assay results after treatment were administered a glucocorticoid and monitored via PCR assay for an additional 4 weeks. RESULTS: All cats yielded positive results for M hemofelis via conventional PCR and quantitative PCR assays and developed anemia. The low-dose-pradofloxacin group had significantly lower M hemofelis copy numbers than the doxycycline group. Six cats treated with pradofloxacin yielded negative results during treatment. Of those cats, 4 yielded negative conventional PCR assay results and all yielded negative quantitative PCR assay results for M hemofelis 1 month after administration of high-dose glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pradofloxacin had anti-M hemofelis effects similar to those of doxycycline. In addition, pradofloxacin may be more effective at long-term M hemofelis organism clearance than doxycycline.

Relationship of the iridocorneal angle, as measured using ultrasound biomicroscopy, with post-operative increases in intraocular pressure post-phacoemulsification in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of the iridocorneal angle as it appears on ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to increases in IOP post-phacoemulsification in the canine eye. Animals studied 47 eyes of 28 dogs of various age, sex, and breed. METHODS: The ciliary process and limbus were used as a reference points to measure the angle opening distance (AOD), which was set by multiplying 0.45 by the distance between the ciliary process and limbus (when measured from the ciliary process). Pressure measurements were taken at five set points: Before, immediately post-, one day post-, 1 week post-, and 1 month post-phacoemulsification. RESULTS: A weak relationship between the AOD and the IOP one day post-phacoemulsification (Intercept: 2.83, Slope: -1.24, P-value: 0.0155) was observed. No relationship immediately post-operative (Intercept: 3.45, Slope: -1.34, P-value: 0.0651), 1 week post-phacoemulsification (Intercept: 2.31, Slope: -0.01, P-value: 0.9829), 1 month post-phacoemulsification (Intercept: 1.85, Slope: -0.49, P-value: 0.1533) was observed. The pre-operative measurements made with UBM were: Distance from limbus to ciliary process (DLCP): (Minimum: 1.152, Maximum: 2.992, Mean: 1.91, SD: 0.468); AOD (Minimum: 0.104, Maximum: 0.764, Mean: 0.40, SD: 0.172). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between AOD as measured by UBM pre-operatively is weakly associated with IOP pressure elevations at day one post-phacoemulsification. Further study is required prospectively to establish the importance of this relationship. Initial measurements of the canine iridocorneal angle were created, suggesting a method to be used in the future to establish true canine normal measurements.

Prevalence of Rickettsia species antibodies and Rickettsia species DNA in the blood of cats with and without fever.

Rickettsia species antibodies have been detected in some cats but it is unknown whether infected cats develop clinical signs. The prevalence of Rickettsia species deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in blood from clinically ill cats has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if cats with fever (body temperature >or=102.5 degrees F [39.2 degrees C]) were more likely to have evidence of rickettsial infection than healthy, age-matched, control cats with a body temperature<102.5 degrees F. Rickettsia species polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed to detect rickettsial DNA extracted from blood (71 paired samples), indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) were performed to detect serum antibodies against Rickettsia felis (90 paired samples) and Rickettsia rickettsii (91 paired samples), and the results between pairs were compared. All samples were negative for Rickettsia species DNA. More cats with fever were seropositive for R felis or R rickettsii than control cats, but results were not statistically significant. Results of this pilot study failed to show an association between Rickettsia species DNA or Rickettsia species antibodies and fever.

Evaluation of pradofloxacin for the treatment of feline rhinitis.

Forty humane society cats with suspected bacterial upper respiratory infections (URIs) were studied in order to compare amoxycillin and pradofloxacin for treatment of rhinitis and describe common pathogens. Nasal discharges were collected prior to random placement into one of three treatment groups. Cats failing to initially respond were crossed to the alternate drug. Drug toxicity was not noted. The organisms most frequently isolated or amplified pre-treatment were feline herpesvirus-1 (75%), Mycoplasma species (62.5%), Bordetella species (47.5%), Staphylococcus species (12.5%) and Streptococcus species (10.0%). No differences in clinical scores between groups over time were noted. Overall response rates for amoxycillin at 22 mg/kg, q12 h for seven doses (10/15 cats; 67%), pradofloxacin at 5mg/kg, q24 h for seven doses (11/13 cats; 85%), and pradofloxacin at 10mg/kg, q24 h for seven doses (11/12 cats; 92%) were not statistically significant. Results suggest that pradofloxacin can be a safe, efficacious therapy for some cats with suspected bacterial URI.

Evaluation of the palatability of three nonsteroidal antiinflammatory top-dress formulations in horses.

The efficacy of top-dress antiinflammatory drugs ultimately depends on a patient's willingness to consume treated feed. The current study compares the palatability of two phenylbutazone top-dress formulations (Equipalazone Powder, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, and Pro-Dynam, VetXX, Ltd.) and a suxibuzone top-dress formulation (Danilon Equidos, Janssen Animal Health). Results of a three-period, crossover study on 18 healthy horses showed that Pro-Dynam was significantly less palatable, with significantly less consumption of treated feed compared with either Equipalazone Powder or Danilon Equidos. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of consumption of treated feed and palatability scores between Equipalazone Powder and Danilon Equidos.

Effect of topical ophthalmic application of cidofovir on experimentally induced primary ocular feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of twice-daily ophthalmic application of 0.5% cidofovir solution in cats with experimentally induced primary ocular feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infection. ANIMALS: Twelve 6-month-old sexually intact male cats. PROCEDURES: Cats were randomly assigned to either a treatment or control group. Ocular infection with FHV-1 was induced (day 0) in all cats via inoculation of both eyes with 10(4) plaque-forming units of a plaque-purified FHV-1 field strain. Twice daily for 10 days beginning on day 4 after virus inoculation, the treatment group received 1 drop of 0.5% cidofovir in 1% carboxymethylcellulose in both eyes, and the control group received 1 drop of 1% carboxymethylcellulose in both eyes. A standardized scoring method was used to evaluate clinical signs of FHV-1 infection in each cat once daily for 24 days. The amount of ocular viral shedding was assessed by use of a quantitative real-time PCR procedure every 3 days during the study period. Clinical scores and viral quantification were averaged over the pretreatment (days 0 to 3), treatment (days 4 to 14), and posttreatment (days 15 to 24) periods for each cat. RESULTS: During the treatment period, clinical scores and amount of viral ocular shedding were significantly lower in the treatment group, compared with findings in the control group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Twice-daily application of 0.5% cidofovir solution in both eyes significantly decreased the amount of viral shedding and the severity of clinical disease in cats with experimentally induced ocular FHV-1 infection.

Comparison of radiographic and anatomic femoral varus angle measurements in normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the clinically practiced method of radiographic femoral varus angle (R-FVA) measurement is repeatable, reproducible, and accurate. STUDY DESIGN: Radiographic and anatomic study. ANIMALS/SAMPLE POPULATION: Normal Walker hound cadavers (n=5) and femora (n=10). METHODS: Cadavers were held in dorsally-recumbent and torso-elevated positions as 3 craniocaudal radiographs were made of each femur, by each of 2 different technicians. Femora were then harvested for direct measurement of anatomic femoral varus angle (A-FVA). R-FVA was measured on each radiograph by each of 3 examiners on 3 separate occasions. Intra-observer (repeatability) and inter-observer (reproducibility) variance in R-FVA measurement and the strength of relationship between R-FVA and A-FVA (accuracy) were determined. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) A-FVA was 5.2+/-2.1 degrees (range, 2.4-8.2 degrees). Mean (+/-SD) R-FVA was 5.8+/-1.0 degrees (range, 2.7-9.6 degrees). Intra-observer variance (range: 11-16%) and inter-observer variance (16%) were acceptable. The strength of relationship between measured R-FVA and A-FVA (maximum adjusted R(2)<0) was unacceptably low regardless of observer, patient position, or radiographic technician. CONCLUSION: R-FVA measurement was repeatable and reproducible, but not statistically accurate in predicting A-FVA in these 5 normal Walker hounds. The detected inaccuracy may be real or the result of a selection bias for normal dogs obscuring the true relationship. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: R-FVA may not be an accurate method of femoral varus measurement in dogs with A-FVA<10 degrees. Using Slocum's criteria for distal femoral osteotomy (R-FVA>10 degrees), the procedure would not have been erroneously performed in any of the normal dogs of this study.

Prevalence of serum antibodies against Bartonella species in the serum of cats with or without uveitis.

Bartonella henselae has been implicated as a causative agent of chronic uveitis in people and in some cats. The objective of this study was to determine whether Bartonella species seroprevalence or titer magnitude varies among cats with uveitis, cats without ocular diseases recorded and healthy cats, while controlling for age and risk of flea exposure based on state of residence. There was no difference in seroprevalence rates or titer magnitude between cats with uveitis and cats with non-ocular diseases. Healthy cats were more likely to be seropositive for Bartonella species than cats with uveitis. The median Bartonella species titer was 1:64 for all groups, although healthy cats were more likely to have higher titers than cats with uveitis and cats with non-ocular disease. The results suggest that serum antibody tests alone cannot be used to document clinical uveitis associated with Bartonella species infection.

Canine and feline emergency room visits and the lunar cycle: 11,940 cases (1992-2002).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of canine and feline emergency visits with respect to the lunar cycle. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 11,940 dogs and cats evaluated on an emergency basis during an 11-year period. PROCEDURES: Date of emergency visit, signalment, and chief complaint were retrieved from a medical records database. Emergency type was categorized as animal bite, cardiac arrest, epilepsy, ophthalmic, gastric dilatation-volvulus, trauma, multiple diseases, neoplasia, or toxicosis. The corresponding lunar phase was calculated and recorded as new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, or waning crescent. The effect of lunar phase on the frequency of emergency visits was evaluated by calculating relative risk. RESULTS: Of 11,940 cases, 9,407 were canine and 2,533 were feline. Relative risk calculations identified a significant increase in emergencies for dogs and cats on fuller moon days (waxing gibbous to waning gibbous), compared with all other days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that more emergency room visits occurred on fuller moon days for dogs and cats. It is unlikely that an attending clinician would notice the fractional increase in visits (0.59 and 0.13 more canine and feline visits, respectively) observed in this study at a facility with a low caseload. If the study is repeated at a facility with a robust emergency caseload, these results may lead to reorganization of staffing on fuller moon dates. A prospective study evaluating these findings under conditions of high caseload is necessary to determine the clinical relevance.

Association of microalbuminuria and the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio with systemic disease in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic usefulness of semiquantitative and quantitative microalbuminuria assays and urine albumin-to-creatinine (UAC) ratio for detecting disease in cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 441 cats evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital. PROCEDURES: Urine samples from cats for which a complete medical record was available were included. Urine dipstick results, urine protein-to-creatinine ratios (cutoffs, 0.1 and 0.4), semiquantitative and quantitative microalbuminuria assay results (cutoff, 1 mg/dL), and UAC ratio values (cutoffs, 100 and 200 mg/g) were determined. Clinical diagnoses determined within 3 months of enrollment were recorded. Sensitivity and specificity were determined with disease status used as the standard. The influences of clinical diagnosis, sex, age, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, blood pressure, bacterial urine culture results, rectal temperature, pyuria, hematuria, and bacteriuria were evaluated by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 441 cats that were eligible for inclusion, 40 were healthy and 401 had > or = 1 disease. Results of logistic regression indicated that significant associations existed for age, presence of disease, presence of urinary tract disease, azotemia, hematuria, and pyuria and results of 1 or both of the microalbuminuria assays. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Microalbuminuria was associated with underlying disease. Sensitivity and specificity of the microalbuminuria assays for detection of systemic disease were superior to those of other tests. Microalbuminuria testing in conjunction with other screening procedures may increase identification of occult disease. A prospective study evaluating the predictive values of screening tests with and without microalbuminuria determination is needed to validate this recommendation.

Evaluation of retinal images for identifying individual dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To F whether vessels in the ocular fundus changed over the lifetime of Beagles and whether any changes were substantial enough to likely preclude positive identification of individual dogs by use of their retinal vascular patterns. ANIMALS: 18 Beagles. PROCEDURES: Fundic photographs of both eyes of 18 Beagles taken at 1 or 3, 5, and 7 or 9 years of age were digitalized. Photographs were analyzed by use of 2 software programs. One was used to determine vessel numbers and widths and the other to determine the locations of the 3 largest vessels. Measurements were compared over time periods in the life of each dog. Only observations made at baseline (1 or 3 years of age) and again at 5 and 9 years of age were included in the statistical analysis, as these points were common to all dogs. RESULTS: No significant changes in numbers or locations of the blood vessels were detected over time. Widths of the vessels decreased significantly as the dogs aged. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ocular fundus of Beagles changed over each dog's lifetime in that the retinal blood vessels became smaller but did not change in number or location. Results suggest that digitalized retinal images can likely be used to identify dogs over their lifetimes.

Prevalence of Bartonella henselae antibodies in serum of cats with and without clinical signs of central nervous system disease.

Bartonella henselae is occasionally associated with neurological dysfunction in people and some experimentally infected cats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether B henselae seroprevalence or titer magnitude varies among cats with neurological disease, cats with non-neurological diseases, and healthy cats while controlling for age and flea exposure. There was no difference in B henselae seroprevalence rates between cats with seizures and cats with other neurological diseases. Cats with non-neurological disease and healthy cats were more likely than cats with neurological disease to be seropositive. While the median B henselae antibody titer was greater in cats with seizures than in cats with other neurological disease, the median B henselae antibody titer was also greater in healthy cats than cats with seizures. The results suggest that titer magnitude cannot be used alone to document clinical disease associated with B henselae infection and that presence of B henselae antibodies in serum of cats with neurological disease does not prove the clinical signs are related to B henselae.

Evaluation of the association between microalbuminuria and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio and systemic disease in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate semiquantitative and quantitative assays for microalbuminuria and determination of the urine albumin-creatinine (UAC) ratio in detection of systemic disease in dogs without overt proteinuria. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 408 dogs. PROCEDURES: Urine samples that had been obtained from dogs for which a complete medical record was available and in which results of a dipstick test for urine protein were negative were evaluated. Urine protein-creatinine ratios (cutoff values, 0.5 and 0.1), semiquantitative and quantitative microalbuminuria values (cutoff value, 1 mg/dL), and UAC ratios (cutoff values, 100 and 200 mg/g) were determined. Clinical diagnoses rendered within 3 months of enrollment in the study were recorded. Sensitivity and specificity were determined with disease status serving as the standard. Associations with clinical diagnosis, sex, age, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, blood pressure, results of bacterial culture of urine, temperature, pyuria, hematuria, and bacteriuria were evaluated by use of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 48 dogs were healthy, and 360 had at least 1 disease. Significant associations were detected between age, presence of disease, presence of neoplastic disease, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, and hematuria and results of 1 or both of the microalbuminuria assays. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Microalbuminuria was associated with underlying disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the semiquantitative microalbuminuria test for detection of systemic disease were superior to those of other tests. Microalbuminuria testing in conjunction with other screening procedures may increase diagnosis of subclinical disease, but a prospective study in which the predictive values of screening tests are evaluated, with and without microalbuminuria determination, is needed.