Haematological response in the treatment of naturally acquired ectoparasite infestations in rabbits

[EN] The objective of this study was to determine changes in haematological values of topical administration of selamectin in rabbits with at least one species of naturally acquired ectoparasite infestation (Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi, Psoroptes cuniculi, or Cheyletiella spp). Thirty-five rabbits were enrolled. They underwent physical examination and assessment of ectoparasite infestations on days 0, 14, 28, 56 and 86. Blood for haematology and serum biochemistry was collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 56. Selamectin was topically applied at a dose of 15 mg/kg onto the skin on days 0, 14 and 28, respectively. No ectoparasites or eggs were found in these rabbits from day 28 onwards by skin scraping and/or tape cytology. Haematology and serum biochemistry values were within normal limit throughout the study. However, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio significantly decreased post-treatment from 2.89 (0.90-5.47) on day 0 to 1.38 (0.56-3.09), and 1.44 (0.42-4.47) on days 14 and 56, respectively. There were no adverse drug reactions or treatment-related mortalities during the study. This study indicated that selamectin was effective and safe in the treatment and prevent re-infestation for at least 58 d post-treatment. Moreover, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio could be used for monitoring of inflammatory response in rabbits.We would like to thank the owner of the commercial rabbit farm in Thong Pha Phum district, Karnchanaburi province, in the western region of Thailand, who willingly participated in this study. This project was fully supported by Zoetis (Thailand) Limited, 323 United Center Building, 46th floor, Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand.Moonarmart, W.; Tansakul, M.; Kiewsiri, C.; Watanaboonchai, R.; Somrith, W.; Yinharnmingmongkol, C.; Tunhikorn, M. (2018). 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Clinical Severity Score System in Dogs with Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors already have been determined for dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). Risk factors often have been considered in isolation and have not always taken into account additional information provided by the history and physical examination (PE). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Data obtained from history and PE of dogs with DMVD provide prognostic information and can be used for risk stratification. ANIMALS: Client‐owned dogs (n = 244) with DMVD recruited from first opinion practice. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal follow‐up of dogs with DMVD. History and PE data were obtained at 6‐month intervals and analyzed with time‐dependent Cox models to derive relative risk of cardiac death. Independent hazard ratios were used to derive a clinical severity score (CSS), the prognostic value of which was evaluated by analyzing the median survival times for different risk groups and ROC analysis. Analysis of the progression of CSS over time also was undertaken. RESULTS: History of cough, exercise intolerance, decreased appetite, breathlessness (difficulty breathing) and syncope with PE findings of heart murmur intensity louder than III/VI and absence of respiratory sinus arrhythmia were independently associated with outcome and allowed development of the CSS. Clinical severity score distinguished groups of dogs with significantly different outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Routinely obtained clinical findings allow risk stratification of dogs with DMVD. Results of ancillary diagnostic tests may be complementary to history and PE findings and always should be interpreted in conjunction with these findings

CLINICAL HISTORY AND HEMATOLOGICAL FINDINGS AMONG CANINES WITH MONOCYTIC EHRLICHIOSIS

Abstract. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is a tick borne disease caused by Ehrlichia canis, an obligate intracellular rickettsial organism belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae. Canine ehrlichiosis causes hemaotological changes among infected animals which could be used as a potential predictor for diagnosing canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). Ninety-four blood samples were obtained from canines that either presented for a routine health check-up or for clinical illness. A history, physical and laboratory test were conducted on each animal. All samples were examined for E. canis using a 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to confirm CME infection. Thirty-six of the samples were positive for E. canis using PCR and the rest were negative. The Mann-Whitney and chisquare test were used to compare the differences between the PCR-positive and negative animals. PCR-positive animals had a higher mean body temperature than PCR-negative animals. The following were significantly lower in PCRpositive animals: white blood cell count, eosinophil count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, and the random distribution of width (RDW) of the red blood cells. We evaluated complete blood cell count findings to determine factors associated with CME using multivariable logistic regression analysis and found thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with CME (OR=0.085; 95%CI: 0.78-0.92, p<0.001). For every decrease in the platelet count of 10,000 there was a 15% increase in the likelihood of having CME

Breed differences in natriuretic peptides in healthy dogs

Background: Measurement of plasma concentration of natriuretic peptides (NPs) is suggested to be of value in diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs, but many factors other than cardiac status may influence their concentrations. Dog breed potentially is 1 such factor. Objective: To investigate breed variation in plasma concentrations of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide 31-67 (proANP 31-67) and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in healthy dogs. Animals: 535 healthy, privately owned dogs of 9 breeds were examined at 5 centers as part of the European Union (EU) LUPA project. Methods: Absence of cardiovascular disease or other clinically relevant organ-related or systemic disease was ensured by thorough clinical investigation. Plasma concentrations of proANP 31-67 and NT-proBNP were measured by commercially available ELISA assays. Results: Overall significant breed differences were found in proANP 31-67 (P?<?0001) and NT-proBNP (P?<?0001) concentrations. Pair-wise comparisons between breeds differed in approximately 50% of comparisons for proANP 31-67 as well as NT-proBNP concentrations, both when including all centers and within each center. Interquartile range was large for many breeds, especially for NT-proBNP. Among included breeds, Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands had highest median NT-proBNP concentrations with concentrations 3 times as high as those of Dachshunds. German Shepherds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels had the highest median proANP 31-67 concentrations, twice the median concentration in Doberman Pinschers. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Considerable interbreed variation in plasma NP concentrations was found in healthy dogs. Intrabreed variation was large in several breeds, especially for NT-proBNP. Additional studies are needed to establish breed-specific reference ranges. 2014 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Effects of Behavior Responses on the Vasovagal Tonus Index in Healthy Dogs บทคั ดย่ อ ผลของพฤติ กรรมต่ อความแปรปรวนของอั ตราการเต้ นหั วใจในสุ นั ขปกติ วลาสิ นี มู ลอามาตย์ 1* ไกรพิ ชญ์ สุ ธรรมมาภรณ์ 2 ฐาปนา จารุ ธรรมสิ ริ 3 รุ ่ งโรจน์ โอสถานนท์ Vasovaga

Abstract The vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) is a time-domain analysis method of heart rate variability acquired over a short period. It is a useful measurement for evaluating severity and prognosis heart failure in dogs. Behavior responses can be used to evaluate stress in each dog individually. Stress during clinical examination may interfere with the VVTI since it influences the sympathetic nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of behavior responses during clinical examination on the VVTI. Data set obtained from physical examination, systolic blood pressure measurement, electrocardiography, VVTI calculation, and video recording were collected from 50 healthy dogs. Behavior scores were analyzed from video recording and dogs were classified into three groups; group 1 (passive), group 2 (quite active), and group 3 (highly active). The results showed that the VVTI was not different between the three groups (p=0.77). Medians and interquartiles of the VVTI in group 1, 2, and 3 were 8. 45 (6.86-9.05), 7.65 (6.82-8.94), and 7.26 (5.80-8.90) respectively. There was a negative correlation between VVTI and heart rate (Pearson&apos;s r= -0.68, p&lt;0.001). Therefore, the effect of behavior responses during clinical examination did not affect the VVTI measurement in healthy dogs

Associations among serum N-terminal procollagen type III concentration, urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine ratio, and ventricular remodeling in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease

Abstract Objective—To assess relationships among serum N-terminal procollagen type III concentration, urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine concentration ratio (UAC), and clinical variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and healthy dogs. Animals—162 dogs with MMVD and 24 healthy control dogs of comparable age and body weight. Procedures—Blood and urine samples were collected from each dog. Dogs with MMVD underwent echocardiography and ECG. Ventricular diameter measurements were normalized for body weight. Serum N-terminal procollagen type III and urinary aldosterone concentrations were measured via radioimmunoassay. Each dog was examined on 1 to 3 occasions. Examinations were repeated at approximately 6-month intervals. Results—Serum N-terminal procollagen type III concentration decreased with increasing severity of MMVD and was negatively associated with age and left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters. The UAC increased with prior percentage change in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter per month, subsequent percentage change in left ventricular end-systolic diameter per month, and treatment with diuretics and was negatively associated with age. Both UAC and serum N-terminal procollagen type III concentration were higher in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels than in other breeds when other measured variables were controlled for. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In dogs with MMVD, echocardiographic indicators of left ventricular remodeling appeared to be associated with a decrease in serum concentration of a marker of collagen type III turnover and an increase in urinary aldosterone concentration.</jats:p