Measurement of serum Interleukin 34 (IL-34) and correlation with severity and pruritus scores in client-owned dogs with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease of dogs. Interleukin (IL)-34 is a monocyte/macrophage growth factor, produced mainly by keratinocytes, that has been implicated in several human inflammatory conditions including human AD. HYPOTHESIS: Canine serum IL-34 concentrations are increased in dogs with AD and correlate with clinical lesion and pruritus scores. ANIMALS: Forty seven client-owned dogs diagnosed with AD and 25 healthy, unaffected control dogs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A commercially available IL-34 ELISA was optimized for the measurement of IL-34 in canine serum samples. Information regarding treatment, clinical lesion scores [Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04)] and pruritus Visual Analog Score (pVAS) were recorded for each dog at the time of serum collection. RESULTS: Dogs with AD had significantly increased serum IL-34 concentrations compared to controls. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-34 concentrations and CADESI-04 and pVAS scores. Concentrations of IL-34 remained increased in dogs with AD receiving steroids or the JAK1 inhibitor, oclacitinib, compared to unaffected control dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum IL-34 concentrations are increased in dogs with AD and are correlated with clinical severity and pruritus. IL-34 may be a suitable candidate therapeutic target for canine AD.

Measurement of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and correlation with severity and pruritus scores in client owned dogs with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease of dogs. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) initiates pro-inflammatory cytokine release in human AD and serum concentrations are correlated with disease severity. HYPOTHESIS: Canine serum MIF concentrations are increased in dogs with AD and correlate with clinical lesion and pruritus scores. ANIMALS: Client owned dogs (n = 49) diagnosed with AD and 17 healthy, unaffected control dogs were used for the study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A commercially available MIF ELISA was optimized for the dog and serum from clinical cases used. Information regarding treatment, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, (CADESI-4) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) were recorded for each dog at the time of serum collection. RESULTS: Dogs with AD which had not received steroid therapy and those treated with oclacitinib had significantly elevated serum MIF concentrations compared to controls. Concentrations of MIF were not significantly different in AD dogs receiving steroids compared to controls. There was no significant correlation between MIF concentrations and clinical scores (CADESI-4 or pVAS). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum MIF concentrations are increased in dogs with AD and MIF might be a target for therapy.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-A CASE OF SPONTANEOUS HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN GAS IN AN 11-MONTH-OLD WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER.

An 11-month-old female entire West Highland White Terrier presented for chronic diarrhea with acute deterioration in demeanor and progression to systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography identified colonic ulceration and secondary mucosal gas. Suspected hepatic portal vein gas and hepatic parenchyma gas were also visualized. The patient was stabilized and managed for ulcerative colitis. Based on endoscopic biopsies, the dog was diagnosed with severe, chronic, pyogranulomatous colitis. On repeat ultrasonographic evaluation the portal vein and hepatic gas had resolved but the patient deteriorated and was ultimately euthanized due to sepsis.

Surgical attenuation of spontaneous congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs resolves hepatic encephalopathy but not hypermanganesemia.

Hypermanganesemia is commonly recognized in human patients with hepatic insufficiency and portosystemic shunting. Since manganese is neurotoxic, increases in brain manganese concentrations have been implicated in the development of hepatic encephalopathy although a direct causative role has yet to be demonstrated. Evaluate manganese concentrations in dogs with a naturally occurring congenital shunt before and after attenuation as well as longitudinally following the changes in hepatic encephalopathy grade. Our study demonstrated that attenuation of the shunt resolved encephalopathy, significantly reduced postprandial bile acids, yet a hypermanganasemic state persisted. This study demonstrates that resolution of hepatic encephalopathy can occur without the correction of hypermanganesemia, indicating that increased manganese concentrations alone do not play a causative role in encephalopathy. Our study further demonstrates the value of the canine congenital portosystemic shunt as a naturally occurring spontaneous model of human hepatic encephalopathy.

Candidate circulating microRNA biomarkers in dogs with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is an important cause of disease and death in dogs. Available circulating biomarkers are not sufficiently sensitive and specific for a definitive diagnosis. HYPOTHESIS: Circulating microRNAs would be differentially expressed in dogs with chronic pancreatitis and could have potential as diagnostic biomarkers. ANIMALS: Healthy controls (n = 19) and dogs with naturally occurring pancreatitis (n = 17). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study. Dogs with pancreatitis were included if they satisfied diagnostic criteria for pancreatitis as adjudicated by 3 experts. MicroRNA was extracted from stored serum samples and sequenced. Reads were mapped to mature microRNA sequences in the canine, mouse, and human genomes. Differentially expressed microRNAs were identified and the potential mechanistic relevance explored using Qiagen Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). RESULTS: Reads mapping to 196 mature microRNA sequences were detected. Eight circulating microRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in dogs with pancreatitis (≥2-fold change and false discovery rate <0.05). Four of these mapped to the canine genome (cfa-miR-221, cfa-miR-222, cfa-miR-23a, and cfa-miR-205). Three mapped to the murine genome (mmu-miR-484, mmu-miR-6240, mmu-miR-101a-3p) and 1 to the human genome (hsa-miR-1290). Expression in dogs with pancreatitis was higher for 7 microRNAs and lower for mmu-miR-101a-3p. Qiagen IPA demonstrated a number of the differently expressed microRNAs are involved in a common pancreatic inflammatory pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly differentially expressed microRNAs represent promising candidates for further validation as diagnostic biomarkers for canine pancreatitis.

Cloning and expression of feline colony stimulating factor receptor (CSF-1R) and analysis of the species specificity of stimulation by colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) and interleukin-34 (IL-34).

Colony stimulating factor (CSF-1) and its receptor, CSF-1R, have been previously well studied in humans and rodents to dissect the role they play in development of cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. A second ligand for the CSF-1R, IL-34 has been described in several species. In this study, we have cloned and expressed the feline CSF-1R and examined the responsiveness to CSF-1 and IL-34 from a range of species. The results indicate that pig and human CSF-1 and human IL-34 are equally effective in cats, where both mouse CSF-1 and IL-34 are significantly less active. Recombinant human CSF-1 can be used to generate populations of feline bone marrow and monocyte derived macrophages that can be used to further dissect macrophage-specific gene expression in this species, and to compare it to data derived from mouse, human and pig. These results set the scene for therapeutic use of CSF-1 and IL-34 in cats.

Evaluation of resting cortisol concentration testing in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs.

BACKGROUND: Resting cortisol concentrations are routinely measured in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs to rule out hypoadrenocorticism based on a concentration >2 µg/dL (>55 nmol/L). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To assess the cross-sectional prevalence of hypoadrenocorticism in a group of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs presented to a referral internal medicine service. ANIMALS: Two-hundred and eighty-two client-owned dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs and with resting cortisol concentration testing performed. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records (final diagnosis, resting cortisol concentration, and adenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] stimulation test results) of a referral population of dogs between May 2013 and September 2017. RESULTS: Resting cortisol concentration was <2 µg/dL (<55 nmol/L) in 79 patients (28%). Repeated resting cortisol concentration measurements were performed in 28 dogs, and in 8, resting cortisol concentrations remained <2 µg/dL (<55 nmol/L). Post-ACTH cortisol concentration was <2 µg/dL (<55 nmol/L) in 1 dog, consistent with a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism and giving a prevalence estimate of hypoadrenocorticism in this population of dogs of 0.3% (95% confidence interval [95CI], 0.03-1.5%). In 19 dogs with an initial resting cortisol concentration <2 µg/dL (<55 nmol/L), hypoadrenocorticism was excluded based on a repeat resting cortisol concentration >2 µg/dL (>55 nmol/L). Overall, the most common diagnosis was chronic primary inflammatory enteropathy (176/282, 62.4%), followed by extragastrointestinal neoplasia (17/282, 6%), protein-losing enteropathy, pancreatitis and megaesophagus (10/282, 3.5% each). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although dogs with hypoadrenocorticism can present with chronic gastrointestinal signs, it was the final diagnosis in only 1 of 282 dogs presenting to a referral internal medicine service for signs of chronic enteropathy. Repeated resting cortisol concentration may be considered as a test to try and exclude hypoadrenocorticism.

Retrospective evaluation of red blood cell distribution width as a prognostic factor in critically ill dogs (December 2016 to April 2017): 127 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between RBC distribution width (RDW) and in-hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, and leukocyte count in critically ill dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: One hundred and twenty-seven dogs admitted to the ICU from December 2016 to April 2017. Patients were included if they had a CBC performed within the first 24 h of admission. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 29% (37/127), and median length of hospital stay was 3 days (interquartile range [IQR], 5). The median RDW value was 13.8% (IQR, 1.6%; reference interval, 11.9%-14.5 %). The canine Acute Patient Physiologic and Laboratory Evaluation (APPLE) fast score was calculated in 81 of 127 (64%) patients; the median score was 24/50 (IQR, 9). There was no significant correlation between RDW and APPLE fast score (P = 0.163). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the following diagnostic categories: abdominal (36%; 46/127), hematological (13%; 16/127), respiratory (13%; 16/127), neurological (12%; 15/127), cardiovascular (11%; 14/127), integument (3%; 4/127), trauma (3%; 4/127), musculoskeletal (2%; 3/127), and others (7%; 9/127). Increased RDW was not associated with in-hospital mortality overall (P = 0.381) or in any individual subgroup analysis. No association was found between length of hospitalization and RDW values in either survivors (P = 0.548) or nonsurvivors (P = 0.083). The correlation between RDW and leukocyte count was nonsignificant (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, admission RDW was not associated with in-hospital mortality or length of hospitalization in critically ill dogs. The correlation between RDW and leukocyte count was nonsignificant.

Investigation of a relationship between serum concentrations of microRNA-122 and alanine aminotransferase activity in hospitalised cats.

OBJECTIVES: Current blood tests to diagnose feline liver diseases are suboptimal. Serum concentrations of microRNA (miR)-122 have been shown in humans, dogs and rodents to be a sensitive and specific biomarker for liver injury. To explore the potential diagnostic utility of measuring serum concentrations of miR-122 in cats, miR-122 was measured in a cohort of ill, hospitalised cats with known serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. METHODS: In this retrospective study, cats were grouped into those with an ALT activity within the reference interval (0-83 U/l; n = 38) and those with an abnormal ALT activity (>84 U/l; n = 25). Serum concentrations of miR-122 were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and the relationship between miR-122 and ALT was examined. RESULTS: miR-122 was significantly higher in the group with high ALT activity than the ALT group, within normal reference limits (P <0.0004). There was also a moderately positive correlation between serum ALT activity and miR-122 concentrations (P <0.001; r = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Concentrations of miR-122 were reliably quantified in feline serum and were higher in a cohort of cats with increased ALT activity than in cats with normal ALT activity. This work highlights the potential diagnostic utility of miR-122 as a biomarker of liver damage in cats and encourages further investigation to determine the sensitivity and specificity of miR-122 as a biomarker of hepatocellular injury in this species.

Serum metabolomic profiles in dogs with chronic enteropathy.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic profiles differ between healthy humans and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Few studies have examined metabolic profiles in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE). HYPOTHESIS: Serum metabolic profiles of dogs with CE are significantly different from those of healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Fifty-five dogs with CE and 204 healthy controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. The serum concentrations of 99 metabolites measured using a canine-specific proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy platform were studied. A 2-sample unpaired t-test was used to compare the 2 study samples. The threshold for significance was set at P < .05 with a Bonferroni correction for each metabolite group. RESULTS: Nineteen metabolites and 18 indices of lipoprotein composition were significantly different between the CE and healthy dogs. Four metabolites were significantly higher in dogs with CE, including phenylalanine (mean and SD) (healthy: 0.0417 mmol/L; [SD] 0.0100; CE: 0.0480 mmol/L; SD: 0.0125; P value: <.001) and lactate (healthy: 1.8751 mmol/L; SD: 0.7808; CE: 2.4827 mmol/L; SD CE: 1.4166; P value: .003). Fifteen metabolites were significantly lower in dogs with CE, including total fatty acids, and glycine (healthy: 0.2273 mmol/L; SD: 0.0794; CE: 0.1828 mmol/L; SD CE: 0.0517; P value: <.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The metabolic profile of dogs with CE is significantly different from that of healthy dogs, this opens novel research avenues to develop better diagnostic and prognostic approaches as well as therapeutic trials.

Seasonal variation in serum metabolites of northern European dogs.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic profiling identifies seasonal variance of serum metabolites in humans. Despite the presence of seasonal disease patterns, no studies have assessed whether serum metabolites vary seasonally in dogs. HYPOTHESIS: There is seasonal variation in the serum metabolite profiles of healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Eighteen healthy, client-owned dogs. METHODS: A prospective cohort study. Serum metabolomic profiles were assessed monthly in 18 healthy dogs over a 12-month period. Metabolic profiling was conducted using a canine-specific proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy platform, and the effects of seasonality were studied for 98 metabolites using a cosinor model. Seasonal component was calculated, which describes the seasonal variation of each metabolite. RESULTS: We found no evidence of seasonal variation in 93 of 98 metabolites. Six metabolites had statistically significant seasonal variance, including cholesterol (mean 249 mg/dL [6.47 mmol/L] with a seasonal component amplitude of 9 mg/dL [0.23 mmol/L]; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6-13 mg/dL [0.14-0.33 mmol/L], P < .008), with a peak concentration of 264 mg/dL (6.83 mmol/L) in June and trough concentration of 236 mg/dL (6.12 mmol/L) in December. In contrast, there was a significantly lower concentration of lactate (mean 20 mg/dL [2.27 mmol/L] with a seasonal component amplitude of 4 mg/dL [0.42 mmol/L]; 95% CI 2-6 mg/dL [0.22-0.62 mmol/L], P < .001) during the summer months compared to the winter months, with a peak concentration of 26 mg/dL (2.9 mmol/L) in February and trough concentration of 14 mg/dL (1.57 mmol/L) in July. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We found no clear evidence that seasonal reference ranges need to be established for serum metabolites of dogs.

Relationship between vitamin D status and clinical outcomes in dogs with a cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is one of the most common orthopaedic disorders diagnosed in dogs yet the factors which influence postoperative clinical outcomes are poorly understood. Low vitamin D status has been linked to poorer clinical outcomes in human patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between pre-operative vitamin D status, as defined by serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, and initial disease severity and clinical outcomes in dogs undergoing surgical treatment for a CCLR. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured in 44 dogs with a CCLR on the day before surgery. C-reactive protein concentrations were measured at a median time of 1 day post-surgery and the patient's clinical and radiographic response to CCLR surgical treatment was assessed at a median timepoint of 60 days post-surgery. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs with a CCLR was not significantly different to a population of healthy dogs (median 74.1 nmol/L and 88.40 nmol/L, respectively). There was no significant correlation between pre-operative serum 25(OH)D concentrations and length of pre-diagnosis clinical signs, pre-operative lameness scores or day 1 post-operative CRP concentrations. Thirty nine of the 44 dogs were re-examined at a median 60 days post-surgery. There was no relationship between the day 60 lameness scores and pre-operative serum 25(OH)D concentrations. In summary, we discovered that the vitamin D status of dogs with a CCLR was not significantly lower than healthy dogs and pre-operative serum 25(OH)D concentrations were not correlated to either pre-surgical disease severity or post-operative clinical outcomes.

Investigation of hypomagnesaemia prevalence and underlying aetiology in a hospitalised cohort of dogs with ionised hypocalcaemia.

OBJECTIVES: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and plays a critical role in a wide range of physiological processes. Low concentrations of ionised calcium, the most metabolically available form of calcium, have been linked to an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes in dogs. Magnesium plays an important role in parathyroid hormone function. The objective of this study was to define the prevalence and aetiology of hypomagnesaemia in a hospitalised cohort of dogs with ionised hypocalcaemia (IHC). METHODS: A total magnesium reference interval was established using serum biochemistry results from 346 clinically healthy dogs. The clinical records of dogs with IHC were reviewed, and concurrent serum magnesium concentrations were recorded alongside clinical signs and underlying aetiology. The prevalence, clinical presentation and aetiology of hypomagnesaemia were examined in the IHC population. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-five IHC dogs were identified. Hypomagnesaemia was identified in 22%. Total magnesium concentration was significantly higher in dogs with renal disease. The most common cause of concurrent hypomagnesaemia and IHC was gastrointestinal diseases. CONCLUSION: Low concentrations of serum magnesium occur in approximately one fifth of all dogs with IHC. Further studies are required to clarify the link between magnesium status, IHC and clinical outcome.

Serum melatonin in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunting, with and without hepatic encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin is a hormone produced and secreted primarily by the pineal gland and mainly metabolised in the liver. Increased melatonin concentrations have been reported in human cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a syndrome of neurological dysfunction. The pathogenesis of canine HE is incompletely understood. Melatonin has been hypothesised as a contributor to the development of HE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum melatonin concentrations are increased in canine congenital portosystemic shunting (cPSS), with and without HE. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, for which archived (-80°C) serum samples were available. A canine competitive ELISA was used to measure melatonin in two cohorts: dogs with a final diagnosis of cPSS (n=23) with and without clinical signs of HE, and healthy dogs (n=15). RESULTS: Melatonin concentrations were not significantly different (P=0.81) between healthy controls (median 27.2 pg/mL, range 19.8-161.5 pg/mL) and dogs with cPSS (median 25.7 pg/mL, range 18.5-244.9 pg/mL). Serum melatonin did not differ between cPSS patients with and without clinical signs of HE (P>0.99). No correlation was found between serum melatonin and blood ammonia (Spearman rank correlation coefficient, rs =-0.41, P=0.08). CONCLUSION: Serum melatonin is not increased in canine cPSS with and without HE. We found no evidence that altered melatonin metabolism plays a role in the pathogenesis of cPSS-associated HE.

The use of smartphone-obtained images to extrapolate canine packed cell volume.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a smartphone-obtained image can be used to extrapolate the PCV of canine blood samples. DESIGN: Prospective study of surplus blood obtained from clinical cases. SETTING: University teaching hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Blood samples were placed on filter paper, and images were obtained with a smartphone in different environments. These results were then compared to the PCV measurements on the same samples following the World Health Organization guidelines. MEASUREMENTS: Sixty-nine samples were assessed and identified that smartphone images, obtained in a controlled environment, were able to predict the PCV of the samples. This prediction was most accurate when assessing samples of a normal erythroid mass or polycythemic samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that smartphone-obtained images do have a utility in predicting canine PCV. If this can be incorporated into a smartphone application, there would be scope to use this in low resource settings.

Investigation of the efficacy of a dietetic food in the management of chronic enteropathies in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Chronic enteropathies (CEs) are a common cause of morbidity in dogs. CEs are diagnosed in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal clinical signs (>3 weeks), inflammatory changes on intestinal biopsies and where no other underlying cause is determined based on a thorough, standardised diagnostic work-up. Based on response to therapy, CEs are subclassified into food-responsive, antibiotic-responsive or steroid-responsive enteropathies. A significant proportion of dogs with a CE are food-responsive; however, there are limited peer-reviewed publications describing the clinical efficacy of the commercially available diets used to treat CE. METHODS: In this study, the authors evaluated the response of 15 dogs with a CE to a commercially available dietetic food (Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Sensitive Canine Dry). The dogs underwent a standard diagnostic evaluation and did not receive concurrent anthelmintic, antibiotic, glucocorticoid or gastroprotectant therapies. The clinical efficacy of the dietary treatment was assessed by comparing the Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) before and a median of 13 days after dietary therapy. RESULTS: The authors found that the CIBDAI significantly decreased following the introduction of the dietetic food (median CIBDAI score pretreatment 9, post-treatment 2; P<0.0005). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that this dietetic food can be used to successfully manage CE in dogs.

Astrocyte lesions in cerebral cortex and cerebellum of dogs with congenital ortosystemic shunting.

BACKGROUND: Congenital portosystemic shunt (cPSS) is one of the most common congenital disorders diagnosed in dogs. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent complication in dogs with a cPSS and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite HE been a major cause of morbidity in dogs with a cPSS, little is known about the cellular changes that occur in the central nervous system of dogs with a cPSS. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to characterise the histological changes in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of dogs with cPSS with particular emphasis on astrocyte morphology. METHODS: Eight dogs with a confirmed cPSS were included in the study. RESULTS: Six dogs had substantial numbers of Alzheimer type II astrocytes and all cases had increased immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein in the cerebral cortex, even if there were minimal other morphological changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that dogs with a cPSS have marked cellular changes in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The cellular changes that occur in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of dogs with spontaneously arising HE are similar to changes which occur in humans with HE, further validating dogs with a cPSS as a good model for human HE.

Neutrophilia is associated with a poorer clinical outcome in dogs with chronic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Liver disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. Currently, it is challenging to prognosticate in these cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the haematological variables in dogs with chronic hepatitis. METHODS: Dogs with chronic hepatitis confirmed on histopathology had presenting haematological values retrospectively obtained and evaluated against survival time. Eighty-two dogs met the inclusion criteria and their data analysed. RESULTS: Neutrophilic patients, with a count greater than 12×109/l, controlled for sex and age, had a shorter survival time (P≤0.01). In dogs, neutrophilia at presentation predicted a poor outcome, whereas the other haematological parameters were not prognostically informative. When the dogs were split into even quarters on the basis of their neutrophil count, those within the higher quartiles had poorer survival times. Neutrophilia was associated with a poorer survival time in comparison to those patients with a lower count. CONCLUSION: The relationship between neutrophils, inflammation and clinical outcome is deserving of future study in dogs with chronic hepatitis.

Effects of surgery on free and total 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether a low total 25(OH)D concentration is a cause or consequence of illnesses. To address this knowledge gap, studies measuring free and total 25(OH)D during the evolution and resolution of an inflammatory process are required. OBJECTIVES: Serum total and free 25(OH)D concentrations would transiently decline after cruciate surgery in dogs. ANIMALS: Seventeen client-owned dogs with a spontaneous cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study involving the measurement of serum concentrations of total and free 25(OH)D, total calcium, creatinine, albumin, phosphate, C-reactive protein and plasma ionized calcium, at 1 day before and a median time of 1 and 60 days after surgical treatment of CCLR. RESULTS: Median serum concentrations of total 25(OH)D before surgery (80.3 nmoL/L [range, 43.5-137.3]) significantly declined immediately after surgery; (64.8 nmoL/L [range, 36.3-116.5] 1 day after surgery, P < .005) before increasing to become nonsignificantly different from concentrations before surgery at day 60 after surgery (median 78.0 nmoL/L [range, 24.2-115.8], P = .14). In contrast, median free 25(OH)D concentrations before surgery (7.6 pg/mL [range, 3.8-12.2]) significantly increased immediately after surgery (9.2 pg/mL [range, 5.2-15.7], P < .05) before declining to become nonsignificantly different from before surgery concentrations at day 60 after surgery (median 6.2 pg/mL [range, 4.0-15.8], P = .37). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study reveals the difficulties of assessing vitamin D status in dogs following elective surgery.

Low vitamin D status is associated with anaemia in hospitalised cats.

BACKGROUND: The major physiological role of vitamin D has traditionally been considered to be the regulation of calcium homeostasis and maintenance of skeletal health. However, there is increasing evidence that vitamin D influences a wider range of physiological processes including erythropoiesis. Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D) deficiency concentrations have been associated with anaemia in human beings. In contrast, the relationship between vitamin D status and erythropoiesis has not been investigated in cats. METHODS: Clinical records of cats consecutively presenting between November 2013 and February 2015 were reviewed. For each cat, data including sex, age, breed, serum albumin and creatinine concentrations, and appetite scores were extracted. A multivariable linear regression model was constructed to examine the relationship between 25(OH)D concentrations and these variables. RESULTS: Cats with anaemia had significantly lower 25(OH)D concentrations (median 49.5 nmol/l, n=31) than cats with packed cell volume above the lower limit of the reference range (median 109.0 nmol/l, n=130) (P<0.001). A binary logistic regression found that red blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume were negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations (P<0.001 and P=0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration is positively associated with red blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume in cats with a wide range of different illnesses.