Preliminary report of Mycoplasma Wenoynii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos infection in Korean native cattle.

BACKGROUND: Hemotropic mycoplasmas or hemoplasmas are bacteria that attach to the erythrocyte surface and cause bovine hemoplasmosis. Two species, Mycoplasma wenyonii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, have been identified and shown to be distributed worldwide. However, there is currently no information available on hemoplasmas in cattle in the Republic of Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of hemoplasmas in Korean native cattle and to evaluate the association between hemoplasma infection and anemia. METHODS: One farm was selected, at which blood samples were collected from 104 Korean native cattle [grazing cattle (n = 89) and housed cattle (n = 15)]. Hemoplasmas were detected via polymerase chain reaction analysis and complete blood counts were also performed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hemoplasmas was 34% (35/104); 20.2% (21/104) for M. wenyonii, 3.8% (4/104) for C. M. haemobos, and 9.6% (10/104) for co-infection. Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos was detected only in grazing cattle. Of red blood cell (RBC) parameters, C. M. haemobos-infected cattle had lower RBC and hematocrit, and higher mean cell volume than hemoplasma-negative cattle, although none of these differences were statistically significant. This is the first study to report the occurrence of M. wenyonii and C. M. haemobos. Mycoplasma wenyonii is more prevalent than C. M. haemobos in Korean native cattle. The results did not show an association between hemoplasma infection and anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the infection rate of hemoplasmas shown in this study, further studies, such as on the pathogenicity and clinical significance of hemoplasmas are necessary.

Hypothermia, anemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hypoglycemia are significant prognostic indicators of death in client-owned ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether rectal temperature, Hct, or blood glucose at presentation were associated with all-cause mortality in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). ANIMALS: 321 client-owned ferrets. METHODS: A medical record database was searched for ferrets from January 2012 through September 2022. Records from 1,189 individual examinations were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were rectal temperature, Hct, and/or blood glucose measured at presentation and data on survival status 7 days postpresentation. Data were included from 321 ferrets from 571 examinations. Rectal temperature in 244 ferrets from 346 examinations, Hct in 181 ferrets from 277 examinations, and blood glucose in 260 ferrets from 420 examinations were available. RESULTS: The odds of death for hypothermic ferrets (< 37.8 °C) were 3.72 times (OR, 3.72; 95% CI, 2.30 to 6.01) the odds of death for normothermic ferrets (37.8 to 40 °C). For every 0.56 °C below normal rectal temperature, the odds of death increased 1.49 times (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.90). The odds of death for anemic ferrets (Hct < 33%) were 4.74 times (OR, 4.74; 95% CI, 1.70 to 13.21) the odds of death for ferrets with a normal Hct (33% to 57%). The odds of death for hyperglycemic ferrets (> 152 mg/dL) were 2.61 times (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.29 to 5.30) the odds of death for normoglycemic ferrets (74 to 152 mg/dL). The odds of death for severely hypoglycemic ferrets (< 40 mg/dL) were 9.45 times (OR, 9.45; 95% CI, 3.18 to 28.12) the odds of death for normoglycemic ferrets. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hypothermia, anemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hypoglycemia were significant prognostic indicators of death in ferrets. Further investigation into the causes and management of these derangements is warranted.

Hemotropic Mycoplasmas (Hemoplasmas) in Free-Ranging Azara's Agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) from an Urban Area of Southern Brazil.

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are opportunistic bacteria that attach to the erythrocyte surface, causing infectious anemia in several mammalian species, including rodents. Studies surveying native Azara's agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) in Brazil are lacking. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess hemoplasmas infection in free-ranging agoutis from an urban environmental conservation area in Curitiba, southern Brazil. Overall, 11/35 (31.43%) agoutis were positive to hemoplasmas by quantitative PCR (cycle threshold≤34.4). Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene indicated Mycoplasma haemomuris infection, closely related to M. haemomuris subsp. ratti, suggesting hemoplasma transmission from urban rats to agoutis. Because the main route of M. haemomuris transmission has been direct rodent-to-rodent infection, the relatively lower positivity that we detected may be the result of low intraspecies contact due to the smaller social units of agoutis, generally consisting of two to four individuals, and low interspecies contact due to only sporadic agouti-rat interactions in urban settings, compared with other rodent species interactions. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether the hemoplasma infection that we found can cause clinical onset and life-threatening anemia in agoutis.

Synovial extramedullary hematopoiesis in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: Synovial extramedullary hematopoiesis is a rarely reported condition in humans and, to date, has never been reported in canines. This case report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, treatment, and outcome of a canine case confirmed to have hematopoietic tissue within multiple joints. ANIMAL: A client-owned canine. CLINICAL PRESENTATION, PROGRESSION, AND PROCEDURES: The clinical presentation was most consistent with immune-mediated polyarthritis, and arthrocentesis was performed in multiple joints for cytological evaluation and culture. Cytology revealed evidence of extramedullary hematopoiesis, and shortly thereafter the dog was diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Pregabalin, prednisolone, clopidogrel, and cyclosporine were started, and after several recheck appointments and dose adjustments, the dog's clinical signs resolved for all conditions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Unusual sites of extramedullary hematopoietic tissue may result in a clinical presentation for which more traditional etiologies and differentials are not applicable.

Acute myeloid leukemia with neutrophilic differentiation in a 12-year-old African lion (Panthera leo).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation, progression, and diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with neutrophilic differentiation in an African lion (Panthera leo). ANIMAL: A 12-year-old male African lion kept at a zoological institution in Colombia. CLINICAL PRESENTATION, PROGRESSION, AND PROCEDURES: The lion presented for anorexia, pale mucous membranes, and a hind limb lameness of acute onset. Feline leukemia virus testing was negative, and repeated blood samples revealed severe anemia, intermittent thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia. Coinfection with Anaplasma and Mycoplasma spp and chronic kidney disease were diagnosed based on clinicopathological findings. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The lion received symptomatic treatment, doxycycline, and methylprednisolone or prednisolone. Euthanasia was elected due to clinical deterioration and unresponsive anemia, despite the resolution of Anaplasma and Mycoplasma spp infections. AML with neutrophilic differentiation was diagnosed based on bone marrow cytology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: AML is a rare, aggressive hematopoietic disorder in domestic cats, although it has not yet been reported in nondomestic cats. This is the first description of the clinicopathological, histological, and immunohistochemical features of AML with neutrophilic differentiation in an FeLV-negative African lion that lacked circulating blasts.

Pharmacodynamic effects of molidustat on erythropoiesis in healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) stimulates erythropoiesis in rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: Determine if molidustat, a novel HIF-PH inhibitor, stimulates erythropoiesis in healthy cats. ANIMALS: Seventeen healthy adult laboratory cats. METHODS: Randomized, placebo-controlled study. Cats were treated PO once daily with suspensions of 0 (Group 1; n = 6), 5 (Group 2; n = 6), or 10 (Group 3; n = 5) mg/kg of molidustat. Effects on red blood cell parameters, reticulocyte indices and plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations were evaluated. Molidustat treatment was stopped when hematocrit (HCT) exceeded 60%. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, a significant increase in mean HCT was evident starting on Day 14 (Group 2:54.4% vs 40.3%, P < .001, 95% confidence interval [CI] for the difference [8.95-19.28]; Group 3:61.2% vs 40.3%, P < .001, 95% CI [15.48-26.43]) and remained significantly higher for the entire treatment period. In molidustat-treated groups, HCT exceeded 60% on Day 21 (Group 2) and Day 14 (Group 3). Mean HCT in molidustat-treated cats returned to within the reference range (29%-45%) after Day 56 and was numerically comparable to placebo from Day 70 onwards. Red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentrations followed a similar pattern as HCT. Mean EPO concentrations significantly increased after molidustat administration on all assessment days. Molidustat treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Marked erythropoietic effects were identified after daily administration of molidustat to healthy cats and additional studies are warranted to evaluate the effects in anemic cats.

Hyperbetaglobulinemia, anaemia and thrombocytopenia in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) associated to Leishmania infantum.

Leishmaniosis in domestic ferrets is a vector-borne disease caused in Europe by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum. There is limited information on clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities in ferrets due to leishmaniosis. This clinical case report described a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with severe hyperbetaglobulinemia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and abnormal renal parameters. A good clinical response following an anti-Leishmania infantum treatment protocol was achieved. However, the presence of pain at the site of injection was the main side effect due to meglumine antimoniate administration. Xanthine crystalluria was not observed in urine sediment with no other urine alterations detected by urine analysis during the follow-up. Initially, clinical signs noted in this ferret could not initially be attributed to leishmaniosis. However, no causes were found that could have caused the hyperglobulinemia in this patient. A reduction of the levels of anti-L. infantum serum antibodies and the concentrations of beta-globulin fraction was detected in this patient after anti-Leishmania treatment administered as well as the disappearance of thrombocytopenia. To extent of the knowledge of leishmaniosis in ferrets, this is the fourth case report of leishmaniosis documented in this species.

Use of molidustat, a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, in chronic kidney disease-associated anemia in cats.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoietic effects of molidustat, a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor, were previously demonstrated in healthy cats. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and erythropoietic effects of daily PO administration of molidustat in anemic cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned CKD cats (4-17 years old) with anemia. METHODS: Multicenter field study; randomized, masked, and placebo-controlled. Cats were treated PO once daily for 28 days with suspensions of control product (CP; n = 6) or 5 mg/kg of molidustat (n = 15). Hematocrit (HCT) was evaluated at weekly intervals. Individual cat treatment success was defined as a ≥4% point increase in HCT compared to baseline. RESULTS: Control group mean HCT remained low throughout the study (20.1%-23.4%). Mean HCT of molidustat-treated cats increased weekly, and a significant increase compared to baseline (23.6%) was first observed on Day 21 (27.3%; P < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69-5.67). Compared to CP group, mean HCT was significantly higher on Day 21 (27.3% vs 20.1%; P < .001; 95% CI, 2.91-10.75) but not significantly higher on Day 28 (27.8% vs 23.4%; P = .06; 95% CI, -0.23 to 9.88). The number of individual treatment successes on Day 28 was higher among remaining molidustat-treated cats (7/14) compared to remaining control cats (1/5), but there was no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Daily PO molidustat administration may stimulate a clinically relevant erythropoietic response in anemic cats with CKD. This HIF-PH inhibitor may be an alternative for managing anemia in cats compared to recombinant EPO treatment.

Description of spatiotemporal patterns of infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) detections in marine Atlantic Salmon farms in Newfoundland and Labrador.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe spatiotemporal patterns of infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) detections in marine salmonid production sites in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. METHODS: Infectious salmon anemia virus surveillance data between 2012 and 2020 from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador were used. Data comprised a total of 94 sampling events from 20 Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar production sites in which ISAV was detected. Using linear regression models, factors influencing time to detection (days from stocking to first ISAV detection) and time to depopulation (days from first detection to production site depopulation) were investigated. RESULT: Based on 28 unique cases, site-level annual incidence risk of ISAV detection ranged from 3% to 29%. The proportion of ISAV detection by PCR in fish samples ranged from 2% to 45% annually. Overall, ISAV variants from the European clade were more common than variants from the North American clade. The type of ISAV clade, detections of ISAV in nearest production sites based on seaway distances, and year of infectious salmon anemia cases were not associated with time to first ISAV detection. Time to depopulation for sites infected with the ISAV-HPRΔ variant was not associated with ISAV North American or European clades. CONCLUSION: Our results contribute to the further understanding of the changing dynamics of infectious salmon anemia detections in Newfoundland and Labrador since its first detection in 2012 and will likely assist in the design of improved disease surveillance and control programs in the province.

Experimental infection of non-immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed goats reveals differential pathogenesis of Babesia aktasi n. sp.

Babesiosis is an acute and persistent tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. These hemoparasites affect vertebrates globally, resulting in symptoms such as high fever, anemia, jaundice, and even death. Advancements in molecular parasitology revealed new Babesia species/genotypes affecting sheep and goats, including Babesia aktasi n. sp., which is highly prevalent in goats from Turkiye's Mediterranean region. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of B. aktasi infection in immunosuppressed (n=7) and non-immunosuppressed (n=6) goats. These animals were experimentally infected with fresh B. aktasi infected blood, and their clinical signs, hematological and serum biochemical parameters were monitored throughout the infection. The presence of parasites in the blood of immunosuppressed goats was detected by microscopic examination between 4 and 6 days after infection, accompanied by fever and increasing parasitemia. Goats that succumbed acute disease exhibited severe clinical signs, such as anemia, hemoglobinuria, and loss of appetite. However, the goats that survived showed milder clinical signs. In the non-immunosuppressed group, piroplasm forms of B. aktasi were observed in the blood within 2-5 days after inoculation, but with low (0.01-0.2%) parasitemia. Although these goats showed loss of appetite, typical signs of babesiosis were absent except for increased body temperature. Hematological analysis revealed significant decreases in the levels of red blood cells, leukocytes and platelet values post-infection in immunosuppressed goats, while no significant hematological changes were observed in non-immunosuppressed goats. In addition, serum biochemical analysis showed elevated transaminase liver enzymes levels, decreased glucose, and lower total protein values in the immunosuppressed group post-infection. Babesia aktasi, caused mild disease with minor clinical symptoms in non-immunosuppressed goats. However, in immunosuppressed goats, it exhibited remarkable pathogenicity, leading to severe clinical infections and death. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the pathogenicity of the parasite and will serve as a foundation for future research aimed at developing effective prevention and control strategies against babesiosis in small ruminants. Further research is required to investigate the pathogenicity of B. aktasi in various goat breeds, other potential hosts, the vector ticks involved, and its presence in natural reservoirs.

A retrospective study of vector borne disease prevalence among anemic dogs in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. Further understanding of the prevalence of vector borne diseases (VBD) in anemic dogs is needed. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the rate of exposure to or infection with VBD among anemic dogs presented to a teaching hospital in North Carolina and to further characterize the anemia in dogs with VBD exposure. ANIMALS: A total of 597 anemic dogs that were concurrently tested for VBD were examined at a referral veterinary hospital between January 2012 and December 2018. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and VBD testing data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Of the 597 anemic dogs examined, 180 (30.15%; 95% CI: 26.49-34.01%) tested positive for one or more VBD. There was no difference in the severity of anemia or the proportion of dogs displaying a regenerative anemia between dogs testing positive and negative for VBD. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of anemic dogs from this region test positive for exposure to or infection with VBD. Our study supported the use of PCR and serology run in parallel to maximize the chance of detecting exposure to or infection with VBD compared to either serology or PCR alone. At this time, it is unknown whether infection with VBD contributed to the development of anemia in these patients. However, given the prevalence of VBD exposure in anemic dogs, testing for VBD in anemic patients from this region of the United States is warranted.

Adeno-associated virus-vectored erythropoietin gene therapy for anemia in cats with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: A treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated anemia in cats is needed. SB-001 is an adeno-associated virus-vectored (AAV)-based gene therapeutic agent that is administered intramuscularly, causing the expression of feline erythropoietin. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that SB-001 injection would lead to a sustained increase in PCV in cats with CKD-associated anemia. ANIMALS: Twenty-three cats with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) Stage 2 to 4 CKD-associated anemia were enrolled at 4 veterinary clinics. METHODS: In a prospective clinical trial, cats were treated with 1 of 3 regimens of SB-001 (Lo 1.2 × 109 genome copies [GCs] on Day 0; Lo ± Hi [supplemental 2nd dose of 3.65 × 109 GC on Day 42]; Hi 3.65 × 109 GC IM on Day 0) and followed for 70 days. RESULTS: A response to SB-001 at any time between Day 28 and Day 70 was seen in 86% (95% confidence interval 65, 97%) of all cats. There was a significant (P < .003) increase in PCV from Day 0 to Day 28 (mean increase 6 ± 6 percentage points [pp]; n = 21), Day 42 (8 ± 9 pp; n = 21), Day 56 (10 ± 11 pp; n = 17), and Day 70 (13 ± 14 pp, n = 14). Twelve cats were hypertensive at baseline, 4 of which developed encephalopathy during the study. An additional 6 cats became hypertensive during the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Results of this study suggest that SB-001 therapy represents a suitable single injection treatment that can address nonregenerative anemia in cats with CKD. It was generally well tolerated; however, hypertension and encephalopathy developed in some cats as previously described in association with erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy.

Complete remission of two canine cases with precursor-targeted immune-mediated anemia after combination therapy with prednisolone, cyclosporine, and oclacitinib.

Background: Precursor-targeted immune-mediated anemia (PIMA) has been described in dogs presenting with nonregenerative anemia and evidence of ineffective erythropoiesis. Although it has been suggested that its occurrence may be related to the immune targeting of erythroid precursors, this pathogenesis has not been established. PIMA is mainly treated with glucocorticoids, and in cases where glucocorticoids alone are not effective, immunosuppressants are also used as combination therapy. However, not all cases of PIMA go into remission after these treatments. Case Description: Two dogs with severe nonregenerative anemia diagnosed as PIMA based on the results of clinical pathological examinations, including bone marrow examination, were treated with whole-blood transfusion and immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclosporine. However, these treatments failed to achieve remission of PIMA. Therefore, concomitant administration of oclacitinib, which is a Janus kinase-1 inhibitor that has been applied recently to the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, was performed; this combined regimen improved the anemia and achieved complete remission of PIMA. Conclusion: Oclacitinib may be an option for the treatment of PIMA in dogs failing to achieve remission with conventional immunosuppressive therapy.

Plasma urea:creatinine ratio as a biomarker of gastrointestinal bleeding in dogs with anaemia.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal bleeding is a cause of anaemia in dogs. A reliable, non-invasive biomarker to differentiate gastrointestinal bleeding from other causes of anaemia would be advantageous to direct clinical decisions in anaemic patients. Plasma urea:creatinine ratio is an accepted biomarker of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in human medicine. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate plasma urea:creatinine ratio as a biomarker of gastrointestinal bleeding in a population of dogs with anaemia. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of dogs with anaemia presenting to referral centres for the investigation of anaemia. Cases were categorised as having overt gastrointestinal bleeding (melena on presentation), occult gastrointestinal bleeding (historical and diagnostic findings consistent with gastrointestinal bleeding without melena at presentation) or anaemia of other cause (confident diagnosis other than gastrointestinal bleeding reached, normal diagnostic imaging of gastrointestinal tract). Urea:creatinine ratio at presentation was calculated by dividing urea (mg/dL) by creatinine (mg/dL). RESULTS: Ninety-five dogs were included. Plasma urea:creatinine ratio was not significantly different between dogs with overt or occult gastrointestinal bleeding or those with anaemia of other cause (median urea:creatinine ratio 25.8, 20.7 and 22.5, respectively). No significant difference in urea:creatinine ratio was found between dogs with upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding (median urea:creatinine ratio 19.4 and 24.6, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma urea:creatinine ratio was not helpful in differentiating between dogs with anaemia resulting from gastrointestinal bleeding (overt or occult) and those with other causes of anaemia.

Clinical Assessment of Primary Hemostasis: A Review.

Primary hemostatic disorders such as thrombocytopenia and thrombocytopathia are commonly encountered in small animal practice. The key stages of primary hemostasis include platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation. Understanding the interaction between tissues, platelets, and signaling molecules not only helps clinicians comprehend clot formation but also better recognize thrombocytopathias. Although congenital thrombocytopathia is rare, commercially available platelet function tests allow veterinarians to narrow differentials in many clinical settings. Thrombocytopenia can be easily diagnosed in any clinical setting. In this paper, we review the current understanding of primary hemostasis in veterinary medicine, including the clinical presentation and available diagnostics to identify platelet abnormalities.

A retrospective evaluation of phenobarbital-induced hematologic changes in 69 cats.

BACKGROUND: Phenobarbital (PB) is used as a first-line treatment for recurrent epileptic seizures in cats. While hematologic abnormalities are well-known side effects of antiepileptic therapy with PB in humans and dogs, little is known about such alterations in cats. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical relevance of cytopenia during PB treatment in cats. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective clinical study, 69 cats-with suspected idiopathic epilepsy admitted to the Small Animal Clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna (VMU)-were included. A complete blood count for each patient was performed, and changes in hematocrit, leukocytes, neutrophils, and thrombocytes were documented and graded. RESULTS: Fifty-three out of 69 cats (76.8%) showed cytopenias with a reduction of at least one cell fraction during PB treatment. The most frequent change was neutropenia (60%), followed by leukopenia (49.3%), thrombocytopenia (24.1%), and anemia (20.3%). Most of the changes were mild or moderate; only one patient (1.5%) showed severe leukopenia and neutropenia, and one was a life-threatening neutropenia (1.5%) with a serum PB concentration within or even below the therapeutic range. These patients did not present with clinical symptoms other than those related to epileptic episodes. Cats who received combination therapy showed lower hematocrits than those who received monotherapy. A tendency for leukocytes and neutrophils to decrease during PB treatment was also seen. CONCLUSIONS: Blood cytopenias may frequently occur in cats on chronic PB therapy, even when serum drug levels are within the therapeutic range. However, clinical signs are typically mild to moderate and rarely severe.

Anemia in canine chronic kidney disease is multifactorial and associated with decreased erythroid precursor cells, gastrointestinal bleeding, and systemic inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Compare erythropoiesis-related factors between different stages of canine chronic kidney disease (CKD). ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult dogs (controls), and 24 dogs with CKD, equally divided into 3 groups based on International Renal Interest Society-CKD Guidelines (stage 2, 3, and 4) were recruited between December 2012 and December 2014. METHODS: The following were assessed in all dogs and then compared between groups: bone marrow cytology, CBC, reticulocyte count, urinalysis, serum biochemistry, blood pressure, occult gastrointestinal bleeding, and serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH), erythropoietin, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-3, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interferon-γ. RESULTS: Erythropoiesis inducing and suppressing factors and the results of the bone marrow cytology of dogs in stage 2 CKD did not differ from the control group. The presence of reticulocytosis in CKD stage 2 suggests that blood loss or erythrocyte destruction might be contributing to developing anemia. Anemia in dogs with progressive CKD was associated with increasing PTH and TNFα and with elevation of the ratio of myeloid to erythroid precursor cells caused by hypoplasia of the erythroid series. The latter was represented mainly by a decrease in the population of polychromatophilic rubricytes and metarubricytes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased PTH and TNFα seem to contribute to the reduced percentage of polychromatophilic rubricytes and erythroid population, thereby aggravating the anemia of dogs with advanced CKD. Gastrointestinal blood loss contributes to anemia in all canine CKD stages.

Establishment of a feline glycated hemoglobin reference interval for a novel dried-blood-spot assay and the effects of anemia on assay results.

BACKGROUND: Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects long-term (months) glycemic control and has been previously investigated as a monitoring and diagnostic tool in diabetic cats. However, a standardized, reliable, and globally available test and reference intervals (RIs) have not been established. A novel dried-blood-spot card system (A1Care, Baycom Diagnostics) allows for easy collection and evaluation of HbA1c levels in feline patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to establish an RI for HbA1c values in healthy adult cats using the A1Care (Baycom Diagnostics) dried-blood-spot card system. METHODS: Forty-one healthy client-owned adult cats were enrolled in this study. The RI for HbA1c was calculated according to the recommendation of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. RESULTS: The A1Care HbA1c RI for cats was determined to be 1.9%-3.1%. In healthy cats, A1Care HbA1c values were positively correlated with age (Spearman rho = 0.4 [95% CI 0.1 to 0.6], P = 0.01). In 50% of anemic cats, the A1Care HbA1c value was above 3.1%. There was a weak negative correlation between the A1Care HbA1c value and PCV (Spearman rho = -0.4 [95% CI -0.6 to -0.1]). CONCLUSIONS: This study established an RI for HbA1c in healthy adult cats similar to previously reported RIs. Future clinical studies are necessary to substantiate that this RI can differentiate diabetic from nondiabetic cats. Further long-term clinical studies will be valuable to determine if HbA1c values can be used as a screening test for prediabetes in cats.

Retrospective study of canine blood xenotransfusion compared with type-matched feline blood allotransfusion to cats: indications, effectiveness, limitations and adverse effects.

OBJECTIVES: Xenotransfusion is the transfusion of blood from one species to another. With varying availability of allogenic feline blood (AFB) and in emergency conditions, circumstances occur when canine blood is transfused to cats. This study aimed to characterise the indications, effectiveness, limitations, and acute and late transfusion-related adverse effects of canine blood xenotransfusion compared with matched AFB to anaemic cats, and their survival and longer-term outcome. METHODS: This retrospective study (2013-2020) examined cats receiving canine blood xenotransfusions or AFB. RESULTS: The study included 311 cats (xenotransfusion [X-group], n = 105; allotransfusion [A-group], n = 206). Xenotransfusion was more frequent among cats sustaining haemorrhage than in those with haemolysis (P <0.01) or hypoproliferative anaemia (P <0.001). Financial constraints were the most common reason to elect xenotransfusion (49%). The post-transfusion mean packed cell volume was higher (P <0.001) in the X-group (22%) compared with the A-group (18%), and also higher (P <0.001) at 48-96 h post-transfusion (23% vs 18%, respectively). Transfusion-related adverse effects (TRAEs) were more frequent (P = 0.001) in the X-group (37.1%) compared with the A-group (19.4%), as were delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions (85% vs 42.5%, respectively; P <0.001). Acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) were more frequent (P <0.001) in the A-group (60%) compared with the X-group (20%). TRAEs were unassociated with survival to discharge. The survival to discharge rate of the X-group (55%) was lower (P = 0.007) than in the A-group (73%), while post-discharge survival rates to 30 days of cats surviving to discharge were 90% and 88%, respectively (P = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Canine blood xenotransfusions to cats might save lives in emergency conditions when AFB is unavailable or blood typing is infeasible. The survival to discharge rate of the X-group was lower than that of the A-group. The longer-term survival rate of cats administered xenotransfusions and surviving to discharge from the hospital was good.

Comparative pathogenicity of single and mixed drug-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma congolense infections in rats.

Drug-resistant trypanosomes are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and in conjunction with the drug-sensitive phenotypes cause a serious endemic wasting disease in animals. We evaluated the pathogenicity of single and mixed drug-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. congolense isolates in 35 female rats, randomly divided into seven groups (1-7) of five rats. Group 1 was the uninfected control. Groups 2 and 3 were infected with drug-sensitive T. brucei brucei and T. congolense, respectively, whereas groups 4 and 5 were infected with multidrug-resistant T. brucei brucei and T. congolense respectively. Group 6 were infected with drug-sensitive T. brucei brucei and T. congolense while group 7 were infected with multidrug-resistant T. brucei brucei and T. congolense. Parasitaemia kinetics, haematological parameters, body weight, clinical signs, survival time, gross and histopathological changes in the spleen were evaluated. Parasitaemia occurred between day 3-9 post-infection in all the infected groups. Rats in groups 4 and 7 had markedly prolonged (p < 0.05) pre-patent period, days to first peak parasitaemia, survival time, and lower (p < 0.05) parasitaemia level than groups 2 and 6 rats while these parameters were comparable for groups 3 and 5 rats. Anaemia was noted in the infected groups but the severity did not vary amongst the infected groups. Severe clinical signs and splenic lesions were noted in rats infected with drug-sensitive trypanosome species compared to the multidrug-resistant species. Therefore, we conclude that the trypanosome isolates were pathogenic. However, the drug-sensitive T. brucei brucei and mixed drug-sensitive trypanosome infections were more pathogenic than their multidrug-resistant counterparts.