C-reactive protein in canine babesiosis caused by Babesia rossi and its association with outcome

Acute phase proteins (APP) are ideal biomarkers for inflammation due to their stability, relative ease of assay and apparent relation between their concentration and the extent of the insult to tissue. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a positive major APP in dogs and can be used as a predictive marker for risk of disease and to monitor the response to treatment. Increased concentrations in certain diseases are associated with poor outcome. This cross-sectional, observational study of 75 dogs naturally infected with Babesia rossi, a cause of virulent canine babesiosis, was designed to examine the association of CRP concentration at admission and the magnitude of CRP change 24 hours after admission with outcome. Dogs were excluded if there was evidence of concurrent inflammatory diseases at the time of admission, infection with subtypes other than B. rossi, concurrent Ehrlichia canis infections or euthanasia for reasons other than poor prognosis. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and reverse line blot. CRP concentrations were determined by an automated human CRP Turbidometric Immunoassay (TIA), previously validated for use in dogs (Bayer CRP TIA, Newbury, UK), on serum samples collected by jugular venipuncture on admission, prior to any therapy, and thereafter daily until discharge or death. There was no significant difference in admission CRP concentration between survivors (n = 57; median = 97.4 mg/l; mean ± SD = 107.5 ± 49.5), and non-survivors (n = 11; median = 101.4 mg/l; mean ± SD = 122.1 ± 64.6) (p = 0.39). After elimination of non-significant predictors, a multiple exact logistic regression model for predicting mortality contained glucose and CRP. Mortality was associated with decreased glucose levels (p = 0.0002) and increased CRP levels (p = 0.045) on admission. Multiple regression analysis failed to show a significant relationship between admission CRP concentration and number of days of hospitalization in the survivors, adjusting for age and sex (p = 0.65). No significance was found in the relationship between the magnitude of change in CRP concentration 24 hours after admission, and the number of days of hospitalization in survivors, (p = 0.34). Using an admission CRP concentration cut-off of 60 mg/l, survival proportions between the two groups were no different (p = 0.34) and when applied to the group of dogs that survived, it was not associated with length of hospitalization (p = 0.25). In corroboration with previous reports glucose was identified as a major prognostic marker for mortality, but additionally the pro-inflammatory marker CRP was identified as a significant co-prognosticator. CopyrightDissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2009.Companion Animal Clinical Studiesunrestricte

Cyclic neutropenia in a basset hound

A 6 month old, male basset hound was referred for intermittent malaise, and pyrexia that repeated every 10-11 days. Sequential blood counts and bone marrow aspirates demonstrated severe neutropaenia and increased myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow from day two of each cycle. By day five the bone marrow had predominantly mature neutrophils and band cells, and by day 10 the myeloid precursors had decreased with a myeloid:erythroid of 0.4:1. During the same period the blood neutrophils had rebounded to normal counts by day five, and were declining by day 9 and 10. The monocytes and platelets were oscillating in an opposite phase to the neutrophils. The age of onset, regular cycle length, oscillation of neutrophil, platelet and monocyte counts and characteristic bone marrow cytology were diagnostic for cyclic neutropaenia. This syndrome has never before been described in any breed other than the grey collie. The grey collie gene mutation was not found in this dog. However, based on the clinical signs, and haematological and bone marrow results, it can be deduced that cyclic neutropaenia may develop as a result of other mutations in neutrophil elastase expression.http://vetrecordcasereports.bmj.comhb201

Gallbladder mucocoele : a review

Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia. Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being 66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201

Gallbladder mucocoele : a review

Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia. Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being 66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201

Novel biomarkers in cats with congestive heart failure due to primary cardiomyopathy

The pathogenesis of feline cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (CHF) requires further understanding. In this study, we assessed serum proteome change in feline CHF, aiming to identify novel biomarker for both research and clinical use. The study comprised 15 cats in CHF, 5 cats in preclinical cardiomyopathy and 15 cats as healthy controls. Serum proteome profiles were obtained by tandem mass tag labelling followed by mass spectrometry. Protein concentrations in CHF cats were compared with healthy controls. Western blot was performed for proteomic validation. Correlations were assessed between the altered proteins in CHF and clinical variables in cats with cardiomyopathy to evaluate protein-cardiac association. Bioinformatic analysis was employed to identify pathophysiological pathways involved in feline CHF. Sixteen serum proteins were significantly different between CHF and healthy control cats (P < .05). These included serine protease inhibitors, apolipoproteins and other proteins associated with inflammation and coagulation. Clinical parameters from cats with cardiomyopathy significantly correlated with the altered proteins (P < .05). Bioinformatic analysis identified 13 most relevant functional profiles in feline CHF, which mostly associated with extracellular matrix organization and metabolism. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD017761

Steriod-responsive idiopathic interstitial lung disease in two dogs

Two dogs had a 3 to 4 week history of persistent pyrexia, reduced exercise tolerance, inappetence and coughing and failed to respond to repeated courses of antibiotics. Clinical examination detected adventitious lung sounds, pyrexia and submandibular lymphadenopathy. Haematology in both dogs revealed an inflammatory leukogram. Both dogs had radiological abnormalities consistent with a multifocal interstitial lung pattern. Computed tomography performed in one dog had characteristic changes of cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP), an extremely rare idiopathic interstitial lung disease. The abnormal pulmonary findings included several parenchymal bands, multifocal patchy ground-glass opacities and multifocal subpleural and peribronchial hyperattenuating poorly defined nodular opacities throughout the lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis in both dogs revealed a sterile suppurative exudate, excluding eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. There was rapid resolution of clinical and radiological signs with corticosteroids and relapse in one dog after discontinuation of steroids supporting the diagnosis of this rare condition. Lung biopsy, which was not performed in either case, is definitive but considered invasive with major complications reported including death.http://vetrecordcasereports.bmj.comhb2015ab201

Radiographic lung congestion scores in dogs with acute congestive heart failure caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease

Abstract Background In humans, lung congestion scores are predictive of recurrence of acute congestive heart failure (CHF) and are superior to cardiac biomarkers in predicting survival. Objectives The primary aim of this retrospective study was to determine if a modified lung congestion score (LCS) in dogs diagnosed with acute CHF because of myxomatous mitral valve disease was associated with time until recurrence or death. Animals Complete medical records were available for a total of 94 dogs between 2010 and 2019, but only 35 dogs fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. Methods This retrospective study used descriptive statistics to describe the cumulative and corrected LCS. Correlations were used to examine the association of the corrected LCS and time until recurrence or death, selected echocardiographic variables, and timing of furosemide administration. Results The mean LCS was 8.4 (SD 3.3) and corrected LCS was 0.48 (SD 0.19). The pattern was predominantly symmetric (40% of dogs) and focal (caudal) but more commonly right‐sided when asymmetric (40% vs 20%). The median number of days after initial diagnosis of acute CHF to readmission and death was 150 days (range 4‐572), and 266 days (range 5‐965), respectively. No significant association between the dog's corrected LCS and number of days until readmission (r = .173, P = .42) nor survival (r = .109, P = .56) was found. There was a negative significant correlation (r = −.71, P < .001) between the time interval of furosemide administration and corrected LCS

The Effects of Music during a Physical Examination Skills Practice: A Pilot Study

Some veterinary students experience elevated stress, anxiety, and depression resulting in disease and psychological changes. Elevated arousal, negative moods, and lack of interest can negatively affect performance and learning. Psychoacoustic music promotes calming effects using simple and slow piano sounds and can positively impact well-being and functioning. This pilot study assessed the effects of music on blood pressure, pulse, arousal, and mood during a canine physical examination laboratory. In an AB/BA crossover study, 17 students were randomly allocated to practice physical examination skills while listening to Through a Dog’s Ear, Volume 1. Psychological and physiologic data were collected. Nonparametric methods were used to test for significant differences in psychological and physiologic data and a linear mixed models approach was used to test for physiological differences. There were no significant baseline differences between the music and no music groups for DASS-21 depression, anxiety, or stress scores; however, there were significant time differences between pretest and posttest on arousal and mood as measured by the Profile of Mood Sates (POMS) Depression, Fatigue–Inertia, and Tension Anxiety subscales. Linear mixed models revealed no significant treatment effect on the pulse and diastolic blood pressure; however, there was a significant systolic blood pressure treatment effect. Future indications include repeating the study with a larger sample to examine longitudinal psychological and physiological benefits

Prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Feral Cats on St. Kitts, West Indies

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded species including humans. The definitive hosts of T. gondii are felid vertebrates including the domestic cat. Domestic cats shed oocysts for approximately two weeks in their feces after the primary infection. It has been shown that feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive cats have a higher prevalence of and a higher titer of antibodies to T. gondii than those of FIV-negative cats. The main purposes of this study were to determine FIV prevalence and to investigate the oocysts shedding in FIV-positive and FIV-negative feral cats on St. Kitts. Fecal samples were collected from feral cats while their FIV statues were determined using a commercial SNAP kit. Total fecal DNA of each cat was tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) consistently detecting one genome equivalent. A FIV-positive status was detected in 18 of 105 (17.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.9%−24.3%) feral cats sampled. Furthermore, males were three times more likely to be FIV positive than females (p = 0.017) with an odds ratio of 3.93 (95% CI: 1.20–12.89). Adults were found to have at least twice the prevalence of FIV compared to cats younger than one year of age (p = 0.056) with an odds ratio of 3.07 (95% CI: 0.94–10.00). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was not detected in the feces of any of the 18 FIV-positive (95% CI: 0%−0.18%) and 87 FIV-negative cats (95% CI: 0%−0.04%). A follow-up study with a much bigger sample size is needed to prove or disprove the hypothesis that FIV-positive cats have a higher prevalence of shedding T. gondii oocysts than FIV-negative cats

ACTH stimulation test in the captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Please refer to abstract in articl