Procoagulant and anticoagulant plasma indicators in diabetic dogs showing increased antithrombin III levels in canine diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) often leads to dangerous thromboembolic complications in humans. DM is also a relatively common endocrinopathy of dogs. There is scarce information regarding procoagulant and anticoagulant plasma indicators in this disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of the selected plasma haemostatic parameters in dogs suffering from diabetes. The study group consisted of 20 dogs meeting all the inclusion criteria, with fasting glycaemia exceeding 11.1 mmol/l. The control group consisted of 15 healthy dogs presented for routine examination. An evaluation of the prothrombin time (PT); and fibrinogen, D-dimer and antithrombin III (ATIII) levels was performed. RESULTS: Except for ATIII activity, the haemostatic parameter differences were not statistically significant. High values of ATIII activity were observed in 90% of diabetic dogs. On average, the values amounted to 166.6% and were 31.4% higher than those in the control group. The ATIII activity in the diabetic group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report elevated levels of ATIII in diabetic dogs. This finding may suggest the protective role of ATIII against potential thrombotic events. However, the exact role of ATIII in dog diabetes remains unclear

Cardiac manifestations during borreliosis in a dog. A case report

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes which are transmitted by ticks. Despite the development of many monitoring and prevention programs, the disease is still the most often diagnosed tick-borne infection in humans and animals in the Northern Hemisphere. Late diagnosis and improperly treated, borreliosis can result in serious damage to internal organs. Recently, the number of Lyme disease cases in dogs, has significantly increased. Cardiac manifestations become frequently recognized in early disseminated phase of the disease. According to the current opinions, a serious complication is Lyme carditis, a common manifestation, considered as one of the main causes of fatalities in humans. The aim of this paper was to present a clinical case of Lyme carditis in a four year old Bavarian mountain dog

Epizootic situation of feline Bartonella infection in eastern Poland

The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in cats in eastern Poland, and to determine the factors associated with the infection

Occurrence of different strains of Babesia canis in dogs in eastern Poland

Introduction: The aim of this study was to carry out a genetic analysis of Babesia canis isolates detected in dogs in eastern Poland and to study the correlation of the protozoa variant with a specific geographical region. Material and Methods: PCR was used to identify strains of B. canis from naturally infected animals (240 dogs from four provinces: Mazowieckie, Lublin, Podlasie, and Podkarpacie) by amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Results: Sequencing the PCR products led to the identification of four variants of B. canis. Two previously described protozoa variants (18S rRNA-A and 18S rRNA-B) were observed in all provinces. Additionally, in the Mazowieckie and Lublin provinces a B. canis variant which contributed to the development of acute or atypical babesiosis was observed. The fourth variant of B. canis was detected only in dogs from the Lublin province, and the course of the disease was subclinical in all dogs infected with this variant. Conclusion: These results indicate the appearance of a new fourth B. canis genotype in Poland and confirm that it is still necessary to study the relationships between the genetic structure of protozoa, geographical distribution of the parasites, and clinical course of the disease

Urinary Proteome Differences in Canine Diabetes with and without the Presence of Microalbuminuria

In this study we aimed to analyze the protein composition of the urine collected from the healthy animals and compare it to the two diabetic groups (DM I normoalbuminuric diabetic dogs; DM II diabetic dogs with microalbuminuria). We tried to identify potential urinary proteins which could be up- or downregulated in diabetic patients even before the appearance of microalbuminuria. Methods: After obtaining urine, we performed two-dimensional electrophoresis, followed by Delta2D software analysis, which allowed for selection and identification with MALDI-TOF spectrometry, statistically significant differentially expressed proteins. Our study revealed 286 common protein spots on 2D gels from the diabetic and control group. From these proteins five were positively identified by MALDI-TOF MS. To further evaluate the five differentiating proteins, the Panther program was used to assign them to appropriate biological process. Conclusion: Significant number of identified proteins play a role in intracellular signaling—vesicle formation, bonding, transport through membranes. This may suggest that first signs of kidney diabetic cellular impairment may be seen in the urine composition before any clinical signs occur

Utility of urinary markers in the assessment of renal dysfunction in familial glomerulonephritis in Dobermann dogs

Dobermann dogs are reportedly predisposed to familial glomerulonephropathy. Proteinuria is a hallmark of canine familial glomerular diseases. The identification of glomerular abnormalities in breeds so predisposed is of great importance in improving breeding policy. Therefore, markers that allow the detection and localisation of renal damage are needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the urinary concentrations of immunoglobulin G (uIgG), retinol-binding protein (uRBP), and Tamm–Horsfall protein (uTHP) in a family of Dobermanns with proteinuria and compare these concentrations with the corresponding values in healthy controls

A Suspected Case of Lyme Borreliosis in a Dog from Belgium

A 5-year-old Jack Russell Spaniel was presented in December 2017 to his veterinarian in Belgium for sudden weakness, reluctance to move, and pain. Blood analysis showed no deviations and serum increased levels of B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies were detected. The dog recovered a few days after the onset of doxycycline treatment. This case illustrates the possible relationship between tick-borne diseases and orthopedic problems

Prevalence of <i>Encephalitozoon cuniculi</i> Infection in Guinea Pigs (<i>Cavia porcellus)</i> in Poland with Different Clinical Disorders—A Pilot Study

Encephalitozoonosis is a disease caused by E. cuniculi. It is diagnosed primarily in rabbits but is less frequently so in other animal species. E. cuniculi is classified among Microsporidia—fungi frequently found in the environment, that are resistant to numerous external factors. Apart from rabbits, rodents form the next group of animals most exposed to infection with these pathogens. The objective of the study was to analyze the prevalence of E. cuniculi infection in guinea pigs with different clinical disorders. The study included 67 animals with E. cuniculi infection confirmed via real-time PCR. The infected animals most frequently exhibited nervous and urinary system symptoms, as well as issues with vision organs, while several animals were also recorded as having problems with the respiratory system and thyroid gland dysfunction. The study shows that encephalitozoonosis constitutes a significant problem in rodents kept as domestic animals, which in turn may be a source of infection for humans