Prevalence and risk factors for medical events following exercise at Australian Greyhound race meetings.

AIM: A prospective, observational study to determine the prevalence of post-exercise conditions at Australian Greyhound race meetings and to assess association with race performance and other environmental, race- and dog-related factors was undertaken. METHODS: A total of 4020 starters were observed (2813 Greyhounds, 1009 trainers, 536 races, 52 race meets, 48 race dates and 11 race tracks) following a race. The presence of diaphragmatic flutter (DF), ataxia, seizure, collapse or sudden death was recorded. Risk factors were screened by univariable logistic regression prior to multivariable backward stepwise model building. RESULTS: In this study, 962 starters (n = 768 dogs) had DF (23.9%), 16 starters were ataxic (0.4%) and there were no observed cases of collapse, seizure or sudden death. Race track location, increasing race distance, race grade based on increasing 1st place prize value, lower (earlier) race number at the meeting, age, a previous observation of DF at the last start, females, colour (white) and better finishing position were all associated with an increased risk of a Greyhound being observed with DF. However, when logistic regression assessing the random effect of dog was performed, the presence of previous DF was not significant. In this cohort, DF was common following strenuous exercise in Greyhounds and on its own does not appear to result in reduced performance or distress to the animal. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ataxia was low and collapse, seizure and sudden death were not observed. However, even though uncommon, ataxia has welfare concerns for racing Greyhounds that warrants further investigation.

Primary hypoparathyroidism in dogs: a retrospective study of 17 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinico-pathological findings, response to treatment and prevalence of complications in dogs with primary hypoparathyroidism. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 17 dogs presenting to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinical Centre and Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital over a 15 year period (1990 to 2004). Case records were evaluated for signalment, body weight, diet type, historical and clinical findings, serum total calcium, phosphate, albumin and parathyroid hormone concentrations, urinary fractional excretion ratios of calcium and phosphate, electrocardiogram (ECG) results, treatments administered, outcome and period of follow-up. RESULTS: The most common breeds identified were St Bernard (three dogs), Chihuahua (two dogs), German Shepherd (two dogs) and Jack Russell Terrier (two dogs). Three dogs were cross bred. Seizures, muscle tremors and fasciculations, stiff gait, tetany, muscle cramping, behavioural change and hyperventilation were the most common clinical signs. Vomiting, inappetence, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, hyperthermia, facial pruritus, ataxia, weakness, cataracts, and circling also occurred with less frequency. The mean duration of observed clinical signs preceding diagnosis was 33 days (median 13 days, range 1 to 173 days). All dogs had marked hypocalcaemia with normal or mildly increased serum albumin concentrations. Mean phosphate concentrations were significantly higher in inappetent dogs (P = 0.049). Mean serum calcium concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with cataracts compared to those without (P = 0.046). There were no other significant relationships between serum calcium or phosphate concentrations and the clinical presentation or outcome. No significant correlations were identified between the presence of a particular clinical sign and the duration of clinical signs. ECGs were obtained in four dogs and all exhibited QT interval prolongation due to a ST-segment prolongation. Sixteen of 17 dogs were treated successfully for hypocalcaemia and discharged from hospital. Acute management included parenteral calcium gluconate (10 dogs) and intravenous anticonvulsants (five dogs). Chronic therapy included oral vitamin D analogues and calcium supplementation. Treatment complications occurred in two dogs and included acute renal failure (one dog) and iatrogenic tissue necrosis following subcutaneous calcium administration (one dog). The mean follow-up period was 14.5 months (median 13 months, range 0 to 39 months). Twelve dogs were alive at the last follow up and two dogs were euthanased for unrelated reasons. The type of vitamin D analogue used was not associated with outcome. CONCLUSION: Primary hypoparathyroidism was an uncommon diagnosis in dogs. Saint Bernards, cross bred dogs, German Shepherd dogs and Terrier breeds were most commonly affected. Neurological signs were the most common presenting clinical signs, although alimentary signs may have been more common than previously reported. Dogs with primary hypoparathyroidism appeared to have a good prognosis following initiation of calcium supplementation and vitamin D therapy. Complications of treatment were uncommon and could be minimised with regular monitoring.

Reference limits for urinary fractional excretion of electrolytes in adult non-racing Greyhound dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference limits for urinary fractional excretion of electrolytes in Greyhound dogs. METHODS: Urinary fractional excretion was calculated using a spot clearance method preceded by a 16 to 20 hour fast in 48 Greyhound dogs. Raw data analysed using the bootstrap estimate was used to calculate the reference limits. RESULTS: The observed range for urinary fractional excretion in Greyhound dogs was 0.0 to 0.77% for sodium, 0.9 to 14.7% for potassium, 0 to 0.66% for chloride, 0.03 to 0.22% for calcium and 0.4 to 20.1% for phosphate. Expressed as percentages, the suggested reference limits for fractional excretion in Greyhound dogs are as follows: sodium < or = 0.72, potassium < or = 12.2, chloride < or = 0.55, calcium < or = 0.13 and phosphate < or = 16.5. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Veterinary practitioners may use these reference limits for urinary electrolyte fractional excretion when investigating renal tubular disease in Greyhound dogs.

Sodium cloprostenol administered at a continuous low dosage induces polydipsia and suppresses luteal function in early dioestrous bitches.

The aim of this study was to determine whether sodium cloprostenol administered at a continuous low dosage induced luteolysis and polydipsia in early dioestrous bitches. Sodium cloprostenol was administered subcutaneously to greyhounds at doses of 4.04-5.19 microg/kg/day (treated group, n=5) or 0 microg/kg/day (control group, n=5) delivered by mini-osmotic pumps for 7 days. The treated bitches and two of the control bitches were in early dioestrus (Days 5-14, and 6 and 10, respectively) when the mini-osmotic pump was inserted (Day 0). Concentrations of plasmatic progesterone were measured in dioestrous bitches each day from Day -2 to 7, and then weekly until Day 90. Daily intake of water was ascertained in all bitches from Day -2 until Day 10, and their weight was measured on Days -2, 6 and 13. Biochemical analyses on plasma for concentrations of urea and glucose, and urinalyses were performed on all bitches before (Day -1), during (Day 4) and after treatment (Day 10). Concentrations of plasmatic progesterone declined dramatically and rapidly in treated bitches after Day 0 to <2.9 ng/ml but were not similarly affected in the dioestrous control bitches. However, in three of five treated bitches, concentrations of plasmatic progesterone increased to >1 ng/ml in the period from Day 10 to 90 indicating that luteolysis was incomplete. All treated bitches were polydipsic (intake of water >100 ml/kg/day) for 2-6 days during the period of treatment, and for 0-2 days immediately after treatment (Days 7 and 8). One control bitch was polydipsic on Days -2, -1 and 0. The treated bitches were also polyuric since they were hyposthenuric (<1.007, n=4) or isothenuric (1.010, n=1) on Day 4, their weight did not increase and no gastrointestinal or respiratory effects were observed. The control bitches were always hypersthenuric when measured during and after treatment (>1.021). Biochemical analyses of plasma and other data obtained from urinalyses did not reveal any differences between groups. This study indicated that sodium cloprostenol administered at a continuous low dosage induced polydipsia and suppressed luteal function in early dioestrous bitches.

Stability of canine factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration in vitro.

The in vitro stability of canine factor VIII activity, von Willebrand factor antigen concentration and the ratio of these two factors was studied. Samples were stored for up to 48 hours, either as plasma or as whole blood, at 4 degrees, 20 degrees and 37 degrees C. Factor VIII activity was generally stable in both plasma and whole blood samples for up to 48 hours at 4 degrees or 20 degrees C. The concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen was more stable in samples stored as plasma than whole blood, and for a shorter time than factor VIII activity. Consequently, the stability of the ratio of these two factors was relatively poor in vitro.

Stability of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII in canine cryoprecipitate under various conditions of storage.

The stability of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor antigen in canine cryoprecipitate obtained from seven greyhound donors was determined after storage under various conditions, including twice freezing at -70 degrees C and thawing at 37 degrees C, slow thawing at 4 degrees C, refreezing the slowly thawed cryoprecipitate at -20 degrees C and thawing at 37 degrees C and maintaining the thawed cryoprecipitate at room temperature for 24 hours. The results indicated that factor VIII and von Willebrand factor antigen were effectively concentrated during the initial cryoprecipitation procedure. The cryoprecipitate which had been thawed and refrozen under the above conditions maintained factor VIII activities and concentrations of von Willebrand factor antigen similar to those in the original thawed cryoprecipitate. Furthermore, there was no significant loss of either of the coagulation factors in cryoprecipitate which was thawed in a warm water bath and stored for 24 hours at room temperature.

Stability of canine factor VIII and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration in the frozen state.

The stability of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration in the frozen state was assessed. Citrated plasma was obtained from 10 healthy, mixed breed dogs and separated into 300 microliters aliquots. One aliquot was assayed immediately and the others were frozen at either -20 degrees C or -70 degrees C. The activity of factor VIII and the concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen were measured after one week and one, two, three, four, five, six, eight and 10 months of storage. There were minor changes in both variables, particularly after four months, resulting in a decrease in the activity of factor VIII and an increase in the concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen. The changes were more pronounced at -20 degrees C. However, both factors remained relatively stable for the whole period.

An interobserver and intraobserver study of buccal mucosal bleeding time in Greyhounds.

Two observers experienced with the buccal mucosal bleeding-time technique using a standardised device (Surgicutt) performed the test on 20 Greyhounds, to evaluate interobserver and intraobserver repeatability. The interobserver and intraobserver repeatability were both about 2 minutes. The results indicated that, for any two readings within a dog, the buccal mucosal bleeding time may differ by up to +/- 2 minutes. A single reading was accurate to within +/- 80 seconds. Sixty-one Greyhounds were used to establish a reference interval for the buccal mucosal bleeding time, and to assess the relationship between the buccal mucosal bleeding time and plasma von Willebrand factor concentration. The mean was 129.5 (SD 44.2) seconds. The reference interval was 53 to 235 seconds, which was slightly lower than non-greyhounds. No significant correlation (r=-0. 18, P=0.17) between the buccal mucosal bleeding time and plasma von Willebrand factor concentration was found in the 61 Greyhounds, where plasma von Willebrand factor concentration was in the range 29 to 160 Canine Units dL(-1).

Pharmacokinetics of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII in canine von Willebrand disease and haemophilia A.

The pharmacokinetics of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag) and factor VIII coagulant (FVIII:C) activity in dogs with von Willebrand Disease (vWD) and haemophilia A, respectively, were assessed after the administration of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and cryoprecipitate. Loading doses necessary to attain target plasma concentrations of each factor were estimated to be 63 U kg-1 BW for FFP and 13 U kg-1 BW for cryoprecipitate to reach 35 U dl-1 vWf:Ag in vWD and 23 U kg-1 BW for FFP and 4 U kg-1 BW for cryoprecipitate to reach 30 U dl-1 FVIII:C in haemophilia A. The estimated volumes of FFP required to attain these target concentrations (49 ml kg-1 BW for vWD and 20 ml kg-1 BW for haemophilia A) are approximately 10-fold higher than the volumes of cryoprecipitate required (4 ml kg-1 BW for vWD and 2 ml kg-1 BW for haemophilia A). This indicates that cryoprecipitate is a more efficient and practical means of treating or preventing haemorrhage in these two haemostatic disorders.

Survey of 79 referral colic cases.

The clinical, surgical and/or necropsy diagnosis of 79 horses admitted to a referral clinic for evaluation of colic are reported. Twenty-one horses were presented with conditions amenable to medical treatment and all were subsequently discharged. Exploratory laparotomies were performed on 44 horses during the present study, in some cases as a diagnostic procedure preceding euthanasia. In general, in surgical cases the mortality rate was highest for problems involving the small intestine, followed by those affecting the large colon and then the small colon. Postoperative sequelae included peritonitis, infarction, visceral rupture and acute circulatory failure. Colitis, visceral rupture and thromboembolic infarction generally had a fatal result. The overall recovery rate (for 79 horses) was about 50 per cent.

Importance of uniform cuff application for equine blood pressure measurement.

Seventeen horses were used to determine the variances associated with blood pressure cuff application (Sp2) and with other inherent errors (So2). Systolic pressure values had Sp2 = 3.9 mmHg and So2 = 5.6 mmHg, while diastolic pressure values had Sp2 = 1.1 mmHg and So2 = 4.4 mmHg. Thus, to be considered different, two blood pressure means (in mmHg), each derived from three readings, had to differ by at least 3.9 for systolic pressure and 3.4 for diastolic pressure when all readings were made without cuff displacement; 6.8 for systolic pressure and 4.6 for diastolic pressure when the cuff was reapplied between, but not during, measurement of each mean; and 5.0 for systolic pressure and 3.8 for diastolic pressure when the cuff was reapplied between all readings. It was concluded that uniform cuff application is readily achieved.

Studies to detect carriers of haemophilia A in German shepherd dogs using diagnostic DNA polymorphisms in the human factor VIII gene.

The current study investigated whether the DNA polymorphisms in the human FVIII gene, that are used for the diagnosis of carriers of haemophilia A, were diagnostically useful in dogs. Genomic DNA from 20 German Shepherd dogs (13 females, three normal males and four haemophilic males) was tested using five restriction site polymorphisms [HindIII/F8 (exon 17-18), Taq I/ST14.1, BclI/ST14.1, BclI F8 (exon 17-18) and Bgl II/DX13]. The DNA probes (with the exception of DX13) all hybridized to the canine DNA at high stringency, indicating significant homology between the human and canine FVIII gene. A BclI polymorphism (13.5/13.5 + 12.8 kb) was detected with the ST14.1 probe.

Prognosis in equine colic: a study of individual variables used in case assessment.

The individual merit of the use of 43 variables to assess the prognosis of equine colic cases was examined. The following variables revealed highly significant (P less than 0.001) differences between cases which survived and those which died: blood pressure; heart rate; oral mucosal capillary refill time; degree of mental depression; venous haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, erythrocyte count, urea concentration and lactate concentration; peritoneal fluid lactate concentration; and haematocrit/plasma protein and serum protein concentration ratios. Thus, in general, variables which assessed cardiovascular function were good prognostic guides.

Survey of resting blood pressure values in clinically normal horses.

Resting coccygeal blood pressure values were measured, indirectly, on 296 horses (97 Thoroughbreds, 97 Standardbreds and 102 hacks). Blood pressure was found to vary with the class of horse examined; on average Thoroughbreds had significantly higher values than Standardbreds and hacks, whereas blood pressures of the last two groups were not significantly different. There was no demonstrable effect of sex, height or heart rate on blood pressure, but temperature and age did influence the value recorded. Mean (+/- sd) (n = 296) coccygeal uncorrected values (systolic pressure/diastolic pressure) were 112.1 +/- 16.5/77.3 +/- 14.3 mmHg. Allowing for bladder width to tail girth ratios used in each measurement, actual coccygeal pressures of 122.8 +/- 18.6/71.0 +/- 13.4 mmHg were determined. The latter corresponded to values of 149.4 +/- 19.0/97.6 +/- 14.0 mmHg, when corrected to heart (shoulder) level. Normal limits (defined as within 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) for all horses, regardless of class, were 80 to 144 mmHg/49 to 105 mmHg for coccygeal uncorrected values and 86 to 159 mmHg/45 to 97 mmHg adjusted for bladder width to tail girth ratio.

Prognosis in equine colic: a comparative study of variables used to assess individual cases.

The present retrospective study compared objectively the prognostic value of many variables routinely used in the assessment of equine colic cases. The best prognostic variables were those which assessed the integrity of cardiovascular function. Ranked in order of decreasing merit the following variables were able to discriminate between horses which lived and those which died: systolic pressure, blood lactate concentration, oral mucous membrane capillary refill time, diastolic pressure, arterial pulse amplitude, degree of mental depression, blood urea concentration, haematocrit, heart rate, haematocrit/plasma protein ratio, oral mucous membrane colour, jugular filling rate, frequency of gut sounds, differential blood leucocyte count, blood glucose concentration and respiratory rate. Assessment of systolic pressure alone appropriately classified the outcome (survival or death) of 86 per cent (64 out of 73) cases examined. Combined assessment of systolic pressure, blood lactate concentration, blood urea concentration and haematocrit permitted accurate classification of 93 per cent (68 of 73) of the cases examined. Outcome classification formulae for these four variables, alone and in all combinations, are presented.

Assessment of the necessity for surgical intervention in cases of equine colic: a retrospective study.

The present study retrospectively examined clinical and clinicopathological findings in horses with colic to determine which variables distinguished between medically treatable cases and cases which required surgical intervention. Heart rate, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, blood erythrocyte count, frequency of borborygmi and degree of mental depression showed the greatest differences (P less than 0.001) between medical and surgical groups. However, some variables which primarily evaluated cardiovascular function, ie, blood pressure, oral mucosal capillary refill time and blood lactate concentration, were not significantly different between medical and surgical groups. When several of the following findings are observed together surgery is suggested: moderate to marked colic signs; tacky to dry oral mucosa which is discoloured (especially when brick-red or blue); decreased to absent borborygmi, probably associated with absence of rectal faeces; nasograstric intubation producing refluent fluid; leucocytosis with a left-shift; and tachypnoea, tachycardia, elevated haematocrit, hyperglycaemia and uraemia.

Changes in factor VIII: coagulant activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration after subcutaneous injection of desmopressin in dogs with mild hemophilia A.

Four German Shepherd dogs with mild hemophilia A were given Desmopressin (Minirin intranasal solution, Ferring, Malmo, Sweden) subcutaneously at a range of doses in a controlled blind study. No substantial change in plasma FVIII activity was observed 0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 6 hours after administration of Desmopressin. Plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentrations increased rapidly after doses of 0.4, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 micrograms/kg to mean values of 140%, 127%, 120%, and 140% of baseline, respectively. The duration of this increase was dependent on the dose of Desmopressin injected.

Stability of canine factor VIII: coagulant activity in vitro.

A pilot study was undertaken to assess the stability of canine factor VIII:coagulant (FVIII:C) activity over three days, under various storage conditions (plasma at 4, 20 and 37 degrees C, whole blood at 4 and 20 degrees C). Blood collected from normal and hemophiliac dogs was used. Both plasma and whole blood samples appeared to be stable for up to 48 h at 4 and 20 degrees C. A subsequent study evaluated FVIII:C stability at 4 and 20 degrees C when stored as whole blood only. Samples were tested at 0, 24 and 48 h after collection. At 4 degree C there was a significant decline at 24 h (p less than 0.05), from 110% to 97% (mean values). Although the mean value was further decreased at 48 h (89%) this was not significant (p greater than 0.05). No significant change in FVIII:C activity was observed in whole blood stored at 20 degrees C for 24 or 48 h (110% and 107% respectively). These results suggest that canine whole blood samples collected into sodium citrate stored at 20 degrees C are adequate for routine FVIII:C assay for up to 48 h after collection.

Influence of head height on arterial blood pressure in standing horses.

Eighteen horses were used to investigate the influence of head position on arterial blood pressure, measured indirectly at the coccygeal artery. Head height significantly altered systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure, such that head-lowering decreased and head-raising increased all variables.

Correct occlusive bladder width for indirect blood pressure measurement in horses.

The influence of occlusive bladder width on blood pressure, measured indirectly using a doppler ultrasound technique at the middle coccygeal artery, was studied in 6 anesthetized horses. The relationship was investigated on tails with and without hair, and the optimum bladder width (BW)/tail girth (TG) ratio was determined for systolic pressure (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP), with the data grouped as unclipped tails (TT-1), clipped tails (TT-2), and both unclipped and clipped tails collectively (TTB). The optimum BW/TG ratios for SP and DP were 0.296 and 0.866 for TT-1, 0.376 and 1.156 for TT-2, and 0.339 and 0.983 for TTB, respectively. Despite the differences in optimal BW/TG ratios between TT-1 and TT-2, their regression equations were not significantly (P less than 0.05) different and therefore, data could be considered as TTB. The regression equations for TTB showed that a BW/TG ratio of 0.482 underestimated SP and overestimated DP by approximately 8.8%. In mature Thoroughbreds (mean TG 21.5 cm), this value corresponded to a BW of 10.4 cm. Blood pressure measured directly in the greater metatarsal artery was significantly different from that measured directly in the middle coccygeal artery in individual horses, but when averaged over all horses, there was no significant difference between the 2 sites.