Serial measurement of cardiac troponin I in hospitalised dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis: Association with outcome and canine pancreas-specific lipase concentration.

The aim of this study was to serially evaluate serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (CPVE), and investigate the association with outcome and serum pancreas-specific lipase (Spec cPL) concentrations. Dogs with CPVE that were hospitalised for at least 5 days were included. cTnI and Spec cPL concentrations were measured on days 1, 3 and 5 of hospitalisation. Twenty-nine dogs (20 survivors, 9 non-survivors) were included. Spec cPL was indicative of pancreatitis (>400 µg/L) on at least one day in 10/29 (34.5%) dogs. Serum median (range) cTnI concentration was higher (P = 0.021) in non-survivors on day 5 [0.032 (0.001-0.395) ng/mL] compared to day 1 [0.012 (0.003-0.196) ng/mL]. Non-survivors had higher (P = 0.014) cTnI concentrations on day 5 [0.032 (0.001-0.395) ng/mL] compared to survivors [0.001 (0.001-0.042) ng/mL], but not at admission or on day 3 (P > 0.05). Serum cTnI concentrations were not significantly different (P = 0.465) between the three Spec cPL groups [group 1 (Spec cPL ≤ 200 µg/L): 0.007 (0.001-0.527) ng/mL; group 2 (Spec cPL: 201-399 µg/L): 0.0045 (0.001-0.196) ng/mL; group 3 (Spec cPL ≥ 400 µg/L): 0.011 (0.001-0.278) ng/mL]. cTnI and Spec cPL concentrations were not significantly correlated (rho = -0.043, P = 0.703). Serial measurement of cTnI had prognostic value in the examined cohort. However, cTnI was not correlated with spec cPL.

Diagnostic performance of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for diabetes mellitus in dogs.

The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for canine diabetes mellitus (DM) and compare it with that of serum fructosamine. Aliquots of blood samples collected for diagnostic purposes from adult dogs were used. HbA1c was measured using a previously validated capillary electrophoresis assay. The dogs were allocated into four groups: (1) DM; (2) hyperadrenocorticism (HAC); (3) long-term corticosteroid therapy (CST); and (4) various chronic diseases (VD). In total, 88 dogs were included as follows: DM (n = 11), HAC (n = 10), CST (n = 14), and VD (n = 53). Fructosamine was measured in all four groups as follows: DM (n = 6), HAC (n = 7), CST (n = 9), and VD (n = 42). Median (range) serum glucose concentration was higher (P < 0.001) in the DM group (22.8 mmol/L; range, 15.6-29.3 mmol/L) compared to HAC (5.9 mmol/L; range, 4.2-6.8 mmol/L), CST (5.6 mmol/L; range, 4.3-23.3 mmol/L), and VD (5.5 mmol/L; range, 4.1-9.4 mmol/L) groups. Mean (± standard deviation) HbA1c was higher (P < 0.001) in the DM group (6.3% ± 1.5%) compared to HAC (1.9% ± 0.5%), CST (1.7% ± 0.5%), and VD (1.9% ± 0.5%) groups. All diabetic dogs and none of the other dogs had HbA1c levels above the cut-off value for DM (3.3%), indicating an accuracy of 100% in diagnosing DM. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed in median fructosamine between the DM group (389 µmol/L; range, 348-865 µmol/L) and the HAC (306 µmol/L; range, 167-348 µmol/L) and the VD (316 µmol/L; range, 189-500 µmol/L) groups. Fructosamine had an accuracy of 84.4% for the diagnosis of DM. When used for the diagnosis of canine DM, HbA1c measured with this specific assay had excellent diagnostic accuracy and was superior to serum fructosamine.

Prevalence, association with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and outcome of stress hyperglycaemia in sick cats.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of stress hyperglycaemia in sick cats, and to investigate the association of stress hyperglycaemia with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records (2004 to 2013) from sick cats admitted to the Medicine Unit of a Veterinary Teaching Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were enrolled if a serum glucose measurement and a complete medical record were available. Cats that were healthy, hypoglycaemic, diabetic, sedated or had a previous administration of drugs (apart from vaccination and deworming) were excluded. RESULTS: The study included 647 cats; stress hyperglycaemia (serum glucose >8.3 mmol/L) was found in 194 (30%) cats, while 453 (70%) cats were normoglycaemic. The prevalence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome was significantly higher in cats with stress hyperglycaemia (25/174, 14.4%) compared to normoglycaemic cats (26/399, 6.5%). Significantly, more cats with stress hyperglycaemia were hospitalised [97/194 (50.0%)] compared to normoglycaemic cats [171/453 (37.7%)]. However, the median duration of hospitalisation was not significantly different [4 (1 to 26) days and 4 (1 to 24) days, respectively]. The prevalence of cats with negative outcome was not significantly different between the two groups (cats with stress hyperglycaemia: 37.1%, normoglycaemic cats: 33.9%). Nonetheless, when modelling of outcome prediction included breed, age, stress hyperglycaemia and disease category as factors, cats with stress hyperglycaemia had 2.8 times the odds to have a negative outcome (95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 6.4). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Based on the cut-off employed in this study, Stress hyperglycaemia, as defined by the cut-off is common in sick cats. Stress hyperglycaemia is associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome development and seem to be a negative prognostic indicator.

Serial measurement of thyroid hormones in hospitalised dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis: Incidence of non-thyroidal illness syndrome and its association with outcome and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

The aim of this study was to serially evaluate the serum concentrations of total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis (CPVE) during a 5-day hospitalisation period and assess the association of these hormone concentrations with the outcome and the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Dogs with confirmed CPVE that were hospitalised for at least 5 days were included. The thyroid hormones concentrations were measured on days 1, 3 and 5 of hospitalisation. Twenty-eight dogs were included. All (28/28, 100%), 19/28 (69.7%) and 23/28 (82.1%) dogs had a low serum tT4, fT4 and TSH concentration, respectively, on at least 1 day during the hospitalisation period. Overall, 11/28 (39.3%) dogs were diagnosed with SIRS on at least 1 day. In survivors, serum tT4 concentration was significantly higher on day 5 (median, range: 11.8 nmol/L, <6.4-32.2 nmol/L) compared to those on days 1 (<6.4 nmol/L, <6.4-20.1 nmol/L; P = 0.010) or 3 (7.6 nmol/L, <6.4-25.2 nmol/L; P = 0.019). Survivors had a significantly higher tT4 concentration (median, range: 11.8 nmol/L, <6.4-32.2 nmol/L) on day 5 compared to non-survivors (<6.4 nmol/L, <6.4-7.2 nmol/L; P = 0.002). Regardless of the day of hospitalisation, dogs with SIRS had significantly lower tT4 (<6.4 nmol/L, <6.4-16.3 nmol/L) compared to dogs without SIRS (8.6 nmol/L, <6.4-32.2 nmol/L; P = 0.006). A significant difference was also found in fT4 between dogs with SIRS (<3.9 pmol/L, <3.9-16.2 pmol/L) and dogs without SIRS (15.1 pmol/L, <3.9-59.2; pmol/L; P < 0.001). Non-thyroidal illness syndrome was frequently observed in dogs with CPVE, and a negative association between tT4 and fT4 concentrations and SIRS was noted. Serial measurements of tT4 concentrations appeared to have prognostic value.

Brainstem phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata (Cochliobolus lunatus) in a cat.

A 13-year-old female neutered domestic short-hair cat was presented with chronic progressive vestibular ataxia, lethargy and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge. Neurological examination revealed obtundation, a right head tilt, ambulatory tetraparesis, generalised vestibular ataxia, decreased postural reactions in all limbs, right Horner's syndrome, spontaneous conjugate jerk rotatory nystagmus and right positional ventral strabismus. Neuroanatomical localisation was observed in the right central vestibular system. Computed tomography revealed a solitary ill-defined contrast-enhancing mass lesion at the level of the right cerebellopontine angle. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed mild mononuclear pleocytosis and fungal elements. CSF culture was positive for Curvularia spp. Further tests for underlying diseases were all negative. The cat was treated with antibiotic and antifungal treatment, but it deteriorated rapidly and was euthanased. Necropsy of the brainstem mass lesion revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and subsequent sequencing identified Curvularia lunata in the formalin fixed brain tissue. This is the first report of brainstem phaeohyphomycosis by Curvularia lunata (Pleosporales) in a cat. In addition, this is the first report among animal and humans where fungal elements of Curvularia lunata were found in the CSF cytology. Opportunistic fungal pathogens should be always considered within the differential diagnoses list in cats with neurological signs and advanced imaging findings compatible with solitary mass lesions in the brain. In feline patients with pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis and a suspicion of a fungal aetiology, panfungal PCR for the ITS region and sequencing should be performed regardless of the absence of fungal elements in histopathology.

Validation, reference intervals and overlap performance of a new commercially available automated capillary electrophoresis assay for the determination of the major fraction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in dogs.

Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), the major fraction of glycated haemoglobin, is widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus in human beings. However, there is a paucity of literature on the most reliable methods available for measurement of canine HbA1c. The aim of this study was to validate a new automated capillary electrophoresis assay for canine HbA1c, to generate a reference interval and to assess the overlap performance of the assay for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Eighty-three blood samples treated with EDTA were included in the study, comprising 63 from healthy dogs and 20 from diabetic dogs. Linearity was assessed by mixing canine samples of known HbA1c percentage in different proportions, precision was assessed by repeated (n=8) measurement of five canine samples, and stability was assessed by measuring canine samples stored at 4°C for 96h and -20°C for 4 weeks. The robust method was used to determine the reference interval. The assay was demonstrated to be linear (R2=0.943). Intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were 4.8% and 7.0%, respectively. CVs for blood samples stored at 4°C and -20°C were 7.2% and 11.2%, respectively. The reference interval was 0.6-2.7%. Dogs with diabetes mellitus had significantly (P<0.001) higher mean HbA1c (5.24±0.88%) compared to the reference population (1.64±0.55%), with no overlap between results. A HbA1c cut-off of 3.3% clearly differentiated diabetic from healthy dogs. The capillary electrophoresis assay was properly validated for canine HbA1c and the reference interval was determined, while the overlap performance of the assay was excellent.

Α case of multiple bilateral testicular capsule mast cell tumours in a dog.

A 5-year-old intact male German Shepherd dog was referred with a diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Several testicular masses were palpated during the physical examination, while the diagnostic screening yielded no remarkable findings. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the masses revealed the presence of intermediately differentiated mast cell tumours. Scrotal ablation and orchiectomy were performed as a definitive treatment option. The pathological examination of the surgical specimens confirmed the diagnosis of grade II mast cell tumours and showed that they were all confined to the testicular capsule. At 7 months post-admission, the dog exhibited neither postsurgical complications nor metastatic foci and was, therefore, given a favourable prognosis. Despite their exceptionally rare occurrence, mast cell tumours should be considered for the differential diagnosis of testicular tumours.

Pharmacokinetics and tolerability of aminosidine after repeated administrations using an optimal dose regimen in healthy dogs and in dogs with leishmaniosis.

Optimisation of dose schedules of aminoglycosides is required in order to increase efficacy and prevent their toxicity. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile and the safety of aminosidine in dogs with naturally occurring leishmaniosis and in healthy dogs after once daily administration. Six young-adult, male, healthy, Beagle dogs and 12 dogs with clinical signs of canine leishmaniosis without azotemia and proteinuria were included in the study. Diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by serology, parasitology and molecular techniques. Pharmacokinetics and evaluation of renal function after repeated (once daily for 21 consecutive days) subcutaneous administration of aminosidine, at the dose of 15 mg/kg b.w. in both the healthy and the diseased animals were compared. Concentrations of aminosidine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by the non-compartmental method. No significant differences were observed between healthy and diseased dogs considering all pharmacokinetic parameters. In general, mean Cmax ranged between 46.41 and 54.32 µg/mL and between 38.69 and 40.73 µg/mL in healthy dogs and in dogs with canine leishmaniosis, respectively. No accumulation of the drug was observed in either group since total elimination of aminosidine and half-life lambda z were not modified throughout the administration period. Aminosidine was well tolerated in all dogs with no clinical and clinicopathological signs of nephrotoxicity. Once daily administration of high dose of aminoglycosides, resulted in effective serum concentrations and absence of nephrotoxicity.

Presumed localized tetanus in two cats.

In this report two cases of localised tetanus in two young (<1 year) intact male and outdoor DSH cats, which had been missing, are described. Clinical examination revealed severe muscular spasms on the right (case 1) or both thoracic limbs (case 2). In the latter cat, wrinkling of the forehead and mild trismus were also seen. The routine diagnostic workup (CBC, survey radiographs of the spine, CSF analysis) did not reveal any abnormalities in both cats. EMG testing on the affected muscles in the second animal showed persistent spontaneous motor unit potentials, strongly indicating tetanus. The treatment, that was symptomatic (diazepam, metronidazole) and supportive (physical therapy, assist feeding and intravenous fluid therapy) resulted in the progressive improvement of limb rigidity and the restoration of motor dysfunction in a period of 5- (case 1) and 2- (case 2) month duration.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in a randomized placebo controlled study of canine plasmacytic-lymphocytic colitis.

The purpose of this study was to determine serum and colonic monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) concentration in dogs with plasmacytic-lymphocytic (PL) colitis, as well as to demonstrate if the concentration of MCP-1 may be an accurate diagnostic and prognostic marker for PL colitis in dogs receiving three different therapeutic protocols. Serum and colonic MCP-1 concentration were measured in 18 dogs with PL colitis and in 6 controls. Dogs with PL colitis were randomly divided in 3 groups and for a period of 30 days received the following: Group 1, sulfasalazine, prednisone and placebo; Group 2, placebo and &#x03C93/&#x03C96 fatty acids, and Group 3, sul-fasalazine, prednisone and &#x03C93/&#x03C96 fatty acids. Colonic and serum MCP-1 concentration were de-termined at the beginning and at the end of this period. Serum MCP-1 concentrations at the be-ginning were not significantly increased in dogs with PL colitis compared to the controls. On the contrary, colonic tissue MCP-1 concentrations at the beginning were significantly increased in the same dogs compared to the controls. Moreover, the colonic tissue MCP-1 concentration in the dogs of group 3 was significantly decreased (P&#x003C0.001) at the end of the experiment. The same observations were obtained from dogs of groups 1 and 2, in which the colonic MCP-1 concentra-tion also significantly decreased (P&#x003C0.01). These data demonstrate that in canine PL colitis, colo-nic MCP-1 concentration is increased in comparison to those of controls and suggest that the colonic MCP-1 concentration may aid in the diagnosis of canine PL colitis.

Immunohistochemical study of a granular cell tumor on the tongue of a dog.

A granular cell tumor (GCT; myoblastoma) was diagnosed on the tongue of a 12-year-old English Pointer with clinical signs of mild oral dysphagia. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination and immunohistochemistry. The tumor was positive for S-100 protein, but also was positive for desmin, and was only weakly positive for PAS, which is unusual for GCTs. An epithelioid type of leiomyoma (leiomyoblastoma) was considered less likely on the basis of negative staining for smooth muscle actin. Treatment consisted of surgical resection of the tumor. The animal was in excellent clinical condition 1 year after surgery. Although GCT of the tongue has been reported previously in the dog, determining the cell of origin is still problematic. Immunohistochemistry is helpful for histogenetic classification and necessary for differentiation from leiomyoblastoma.