Characterization of clinical presentation, histological features, ultrasonographic findings, and survival in 29 dogs with granulomatous hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous hepatitis (GH) is a form of chronic hepatitis (CH) in dogs for which limited information is published. HYPOTHESIS: Describe the clinical presentation, clinical pathology, ultrasound, and hepatic histopathology findings and to report survival times in dogs with GH. ANIMALS: Twenty-nine client-owned dogs with GH. METHODS: Retrospective observational study. Pathology records were searched. Inclusion criteria included a histopathologic diagnosis of GH, absence of an identified etiology or evidence of extrahepatic granulomatous disease, and a medical record available for review. Clinical presentation, clinical pathologic findings, treatment protocols, and survival times were recorded. Available hepatic biopsy material was graded and scored, and ultrasound evaluations reviewed. RESULTS: The median age was 7 years (range, 0.66-12 years). Nineteen breeds were represented. Decreased appetite (19/29), lethargy (16/29), and fever (13/29) were seen most commonly. All dogs had increased serum transaminase activities, whereas 21/29 and 12/24 had hyperbilirubinemia and neutrophilia, respectively. Ultrasonographic findings included hepatomegaly (12/22), nodular parenchymal lesions (9/22), and hyperechoic parenchymal bands (8/22). Histopathologic necroinflammatory scores were moderate to severe in 16/19 dogs, and fibrosis scores were mild in 14/19 dogs. Treatments varied and included antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs, and hepatoprotectants. Overall median survival was 635 days (range, 1-2482 days). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Granulomatous hepatitis in dogs is associated with high histopathologic grade, fever, neutrophilia, and a high incidence of hepatomegaly and focal parenchymal lesions on ultrasound examination. Despite disease severity on presentation, dogs with GH can have a good outcome with prolonged survival.

Thoracic radiographic findings for dogs with cardiac tamponade attributable to pericardial effusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of various radiographic findings for dogs with cardiac tamponade (CT) attributable to pericardial effusion (PE) and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of such findings for identification of affected dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective, randomized, blinded, controlled study. ANIMALS: 50 dogs with CT attributable to PE and 23 control dogs (10 healthy dogs and 13 dogs with cardiac diseases other than CT). PROCEDURES: Thoracic radiographic images of dogs were evaluated by an observer who was unaware of the dogs' medical histories. For each dog, a vertebral heart score, globoid appearance of the cardiac silhouette, and convexity of the dorsocaudal aspect of the cardiac silhouette were determined. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of enlargement of the cardiac silhouette (vertebral heart score, ≥ 10.7) for identification of dogs with CT attributable to PE were 77.6% and 47.8%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of a globoid appearance of the cardiac silhouette for identification dogs with CT were 41.9% and 40.0%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of a convex appearance of the dorsocaudal aspect of the cardiac silhouette for identification of dogs with CT were 57.1% and 35.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study indicated none of the evaluated radiographic variables was highly (> 90%) sensitive or specific for identification of dogs with CT attributable to PE. Thoracic radiographic findings should not be considered reliable for identification of dogs with CT attributable to PE.

Gastropexy with an automatic stapling instrument for the treatment of gastric dilatation and volvulus in 20 dogs.

Surgical stapling equipment was used to create a gastropexy in 20 dogs undergoing emergency surgery for gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). The technique involved creation of a tunnel between the seromuscular layer and the submucosa of the pyloric antrum, and a matching tunnel beneath the right m. transversus abdominis. The arms of a gastrointestinal anastomosis stapling device were introduced into the tunnels, and the device was fired to create the gastropexy. One dog died of systemic sequelae of GDV during the early postoperative period. None of the remaining 19 dogs developed a recurrence of GDV during follow-up periods ranging from 5 to 43 months. In 11 dogs, the integrity of the gastropexy was evaluated by abdominal ultrasonography and either negative contrast gastrography or double contrast gastrography; in these dogs, the radiographic and/or the ultrasonographic findings were suggestive of an intact gastropexy. There were no complications involving the gastropexy staple line. The results of this study indicate that an effective and consistent permanent gastropexy can be created, using surgical stapling equipment.

Respiratory Rate is a Valid and Reliable Marker for the Anaerobic Threshold: Implications for Measuring Change in Fitness.

The anaerobic threshold (AT) has been defined as the theoretical highest exercise level that can be maintained for prolonged periods. It is of practical importance to the competitive endurance athlete to measure progress and plan training programs. The primary objective of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of breakpoint in the respiratory rate (RR) during incremental exercise as a marker for the AT. Secondary objectives were 1) to assess the reliability of the ventilatory threshold (VE) and ventilatory equivalent (VE/VO2) breakpoint, and 2) to assess differences in these 3 methods for their potential to measure change in fitness, as measured by standard error of measurement (SEM), coefficient of variability (CV), and correlation coefficient (R). Fifteen competitive male cyclists (5 category II, 6 category III, 1 category IV, 3 category V United States Cycling Federation) completed 2 maximal oxygen consumption tests within one week on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. A repeated measures Analysis of Variance using 2x3 design (test and methods) resulted in no significant differences (F = 0.02, p = 0.978), indicating that 1)all 3 methods are reproducible, and 2) RR, when compared to VE and VE/VO2, is a valid method of assessing the anaerobic threshold. The lowest SEM, lowest CV and highest R were obtained with the VE method (SEM = 19.4 watts, CV = 6.7%, R = 0.872), compared to VE/VO2 (SEM = 21.5 watts, CV = 7.4%, R=.811) and RR (SEM = 35.3 watts, CV = 12.2%, R = 0.800). From the results of this study, it is concluded that the RR method is a valid and reliable method for detecting AT. However, due to the relatively high SEM and CV, and low R, when compared to VE and VE/VO2, its insensitivity to small changes seen in highly fit athletes would preclude its use in measuring changes in AT. It appears that either VE or VE/VO2 would be appropriate for measuring AT changes in highly fit athletes. Key PointsRespiratory rate is a valid and reliable marker of the anaerobic threshold.Due to a relatively high standard error of measurement and coefficient of variability for the respiratory rate method, use of ventilation (VE) and ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2 is preferred when assessing changes in anaerobic threshold.When assessing changes in maximal aerobic capacity, maximal watts has a lower standard error of measurement and coefficient of variability and is preferred over changes in maximal oxygen consumption.

The normal upper gastrointestinal examination in the ferret.

Upper gastrointestinal examinations were performed in 11 unsedated ferrets and 4 ferrets sedated with ketamine and diazepam. Each animal received a 8-13 mL/kg body weight dosage of barium liquid (30% weight:volume). Radiographs were made immediately and at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min (mins) after the barium was administered. Gastric emptying began immediately. Mean total gastric emptying was longer in sedated ferrets (130 +/- 40 min versus 75 +/- 54 min); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.18). Small intestinal transit time was less than 2 h in all ferrets. The barium-filled small bowel was best visualized on the 20- and 40-min radiographs and did not exceed 5-7 mm in width. Flocculation of barium in the small intestine and adherence of barium to the stomach mucosa was seen in almost all animals. The longitudinal colonic mucosal folds in the colon were well visualized in the normal upper gastrointestinal study and aided in distinguishing small intestine from large intestine. The use of ketamine and diazepam sedation did not significantly affect the parameters evaluated in the upper gastrointestinal study series.