Spinal nephroblastoma in a dog: a case report

Στην εργασία αυτή παρουσιάζεται περιστατικό νεφροβλαστώματος του νωτιαίου μυελού σε νεαρό σκύλο, που προσκομίστηκε με αιφνίδια παραπληγία. Συγκεκριμένα, στο ιστορικό αναφέρθηκε αρχικά χωλότητα στο οπίσθιο αριστερό άκρο που εμφανίστηκε δεκαπέντε ημέρες πριν την προσκόμιση του ζώου και εξελίχθηκε ραγδαία σε παραπληγία. Στη νευρολογική εξέταση διαπιστώθηκε σπαστική παραπληγία (θωρακοοσφυϊκό σύνδρομο, Θ3-Ο3) και η αρχική διαφορική διάγνωση περιλάμβανε την ισχαιμική μυελοπάθεια, τη μυελίτιδα και την οξεία συμπίεση του νωτιαίου μυελού. Στα ακτινογραφήματα της σπονδυλικής στήλης και στην ανάλυση του εγκεφαλονωτιαίου υγρού δεν υπήρξαν παθολογικά ευρήματα. Στη μυελογραφία διαπιστώθηκε εντοπισμένη υποσκληρίδια εξωμυελική χωροκατακτητική βλάβη στο ύψος του Θ12 σπονδύλου. Η διερεύνηση του περιστατικού δεν συνεχίστηκε ύστερα από απόφαση του ιδιοκτήτη να γίνει ευθανασία. Η οριστική διάγνωση τέθηκε με την ιστοπαθολογική εξέταση που έδειξε ότι επρόκειτο για υποσκληρίδιο νεφροβλάστωμα.The case report presents the clinical, clinicopathological, diagnostic imaging and histopathological findings of spinal cord nephroblastoma in a dog. It was admitted with a 2-week history of a “weight-bearing” lameness of the left posterior limb that evolved to paraplegia within hours. Neurological examination showed spastic paraplegia compatible with a T3-L3 spinal cord lesion. Differential diagnosis included ischemic myelopathy, myelitis and acute spinal cord compression. The spinal radiographs and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were unremarkable. Cisternal myelography indicated a focal intradural-extramedullary lesion at the level of T12 vertebra. Further diagnostic investigation was not performed because the owner decided to proceed to euthanasia. Histopathological examination of the spinal cord confirmed the diagnosis of intraspinal nephroblastoma

D-dimer as a diagnostic tool for canine thromboembolic disorders [Τα Δ-διμερή ως διαγνωστικό μέσο θρομβοεμβολικών διαταραχών στο σκύλο]

D-dimers are small protein fragments present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by plasmin. During the fibrin(ogen) degradation, a number of products are produced called fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs). D-dimers are part of the FDPs, formed as a result of plasmin activity on cross-linked fibrin. Thus, D-dimers indicate the activity of both trombin and plasmin and are specific markers for fibrinolysis. D-dimer measurement is widely used in the diagnostic work-up of human patients as the most sensitive test to diagnose pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and it is, also, considered essential in the evaluation of antithrombotic therapy. During the last decade, there was considerable research regarding the potential utility of D-dimer in veterinary medicine, particularly in canine and equine species. In dogs, D-dimer plasma concentrations can be used to rapidly detect the thrombotic complications and DIC associated with many systemic diseases (high quantitative D-dimer levels). The symptoms of PTE are subtle and the confirmation of diagnosis with routine hematological tests can be difficult, thus jeopardizing the patient's survival. Several techniques have been employed for the detection of D-dimer; the immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA), the immuno-turbidimetric assay and several latex agglutination assays are more commonly used. © 2017. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society. All Rights Reserved

Serum calcium determination with atomic absorption spectrophotometry and colorimetric method: association and predictive equations between them in cattle and sheep samples

The objectives of the present study were to compare the serum calcium (Ca) concentrations in cattle and sheep measured by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and those obtained with a colorimetric method (CM) and to generate equations that allow their prediction. Serum Ca concentration was determined in 50 dairy cattle and 50 dairy sheep non-hemolyzed blood samples with AAS and CM. The data were analyzed with paired sample t test and Bland–Altman plots were generated. Using a random number generator, 25 samples from each species were selected to create predictive equations between the two methods using Passing-Bablok regression analysis. The predictive equations were validated at the remaining 25 samples for each species using Bland–Altman plots. The average bias between the two methods was 5.5% for cattle and 18.1% for sheep samples. Mean Ca values determined with CM were significantly lower than those measured with AAS (P < 0.05) in both species. The use of the generated equations y = 0.706 + 0.727x for cattle and y = 0.744 + 0.833x for sheep (mmol/l) allows the prediction of AAS determined Ca (y) using CM determined Ca values (x) with average bias 1.8% for cattle and 1.9% for sheep. The two methods for calcium determination evaluated cannot be used interchangeably and the respective reference intervals and cut-off values should be taken into account to make clinical decisions in cattle and sheep. The use of the proposed equation for cattle is considered as acceptable for the calculation of bias corrected reference ranges and cut-off values. © 2020, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature

Correlation of a quantitative and a semi-quantitative method for proteinuria detection in chronic kidney disease in dogs

Proteinuria can arise in various physiologic and pathologic conditions. Persistent proteinuria without any abnormalities detected in urine sediment is indicative of chronic kidney disease and has great diagnostic value as it is used for the categorization of the patient on IRIS (International Renal Interest Society) staging system. There are several techniques for urine protein measurement including the semi-quantitative/qualitative (urine dipstick, sulfosalicylic acid turbidimetric test and Heller’s reaction test) and the quantitative tests (urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) and microalbuminuria assay).The purpose of this study was to correlate the semi-quantitative Heller’s reaction test for proteinuria detection, with the UPC in urine samples from 89 dogs with chronic kidney disease. The non-parametric Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to correlate Heller’s reaction test with UPC in urine samples from dogs with chronic kidney disease in proteinuria detection. Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive and moderate correlation between the Heller’s reaction test and UPC (r(89)=0.510, p1010 (r(72)=0.541, p<0.0001)(urine specific gravity).Heller’s reaction test might be a useful alternative to detect proteinuria when UPC is not available in the clinical setting, however it cannot be used interchangeably with UPC for the IRIS sub-staging of chronic kidney disease (CKD). © 2021 R.D. Baka, C.K. Koutinas, L.V. Athanasiou, Z.S. Polizopoulo

Diagnostic approach of anemia in ruminants

Anemia in ruminants is an abnormal condition characterized by the decrease of the hematocrit (Packed Cell Volume, PCV), the mass of erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells, RBCs) and/or hemoglobin. Anemia is classified as hemolytic, hemorrhagic or anemia caused by the decreased production of erythrocytes; the first two categories are characterized by a regenerative response. Hemorrhagic anemia can be caused by ectoparasites or parasites of the gastrointestinal system, hemorrhagic bowel syndrome, abomasal ulcers, vena cava thrombosis as well as from the genitourinary tract. In addition, primary and secondary hemostatic disorders can be accompanied by hemorrhagic anemia. Hemoparasites, toxins produced from Clostridium perfringens type D and Clostridium hemolyticum and leptospirosis are some of the causes of hemolytic anemia. Furthermore, certain plants, drugs or heavy metals and lack of certain trace elements can cause hemolysis. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia has also been reported in ruminants. The reduced production of erythrocytes can be caused by deficiency of vitamin B12 or iron, as well as by chronic diseases. Pathologic conditions of bone marrow like inflammatory or neoplastic cells filtration and hypoplasia or aplasia of bone marrow are related to reduced production of erythrocytes. After laboratory confirmation by complete blood count analysis, history taking, clinical examination of the animal and specific test depending on the case, are required for the diagnostic approach of anemia and especially for etiological diagnosis. Tachycardia, tachypnea, icterus, mucosal pallor as well as specific symptoms of the underlying disease are observed during the clinical examination of the animal. FAMACHA technique is widely used for the clinical diagnosis and the assessment of the severity of anemia. With respect to complete blood count, apart from the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, erythrocytes indices as Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) are contributing to the classification of anemia. The size and the shape of the erythrocytes, the appearance of inclusions and reticulocytes, which are indicative of regenerative anemia, are evaluated in blood smear. Rarely, examination of bone marrow is carried out, for the differentiation of anemia as regenerative or non-regenerative. In particular, the confirmation of immune- mediate anemia is based on Coomb's test for the detection of autoagglutination. Except from hemorrhage, blood loss is detected at urinalysis or feces microscopy for the presence of blood and/or parasites. Finally, serological and molecular techniques for the detection of infectious agents, as well as specific toxicological analysis are performed in various biological materials. © 2018 Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society.All Rights Reserved

Magnitude of reactive thrombocytosis and associated clinical conditions in dogs

Previous studies on the underlying causes of thrombocytosis have raised scientific interest in its clinical relevance in dogs. The purpose of this study was: (1) to explore the clinical conditions associated with thrombocytosis; (2) to compare platelet counts among these conditions; and (3) to identify possible interactions with other haematological variables and associated conditions. Medical records of 195 dogs with thrombocytosis (platelet count >500×10 3 /μL) were reviewed for signalment, complete blood count results and definitive diagnosis. The prevalence of thrombocytosis was 6.02%. All cases included had reactive thrombocytosis, with non-neoplastic, non-inflammatory underlying conditions in 48.2%, inflammatory processes in 34.4% and neoplastic processes in 17.4%. Haemoglobin and white blood cell counts were negatively and positively associated with platelet count, respectively. This study revealed that mean platelet count in dogs with neoplasia and a packed cell volume of 35% or below was significantly higher than that for dogs with other disease categories. Therefore, for dogs with marked thrombocytosis and anaemia, it is recommended that neoplasia should be included in the list of differential diagnoses. © British Veterinary Association (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved

Cross-Sectional Serosurvey and Factors Associated with Exposure of Dogs to Vector-Borne Pathogens in Greece

Blood samples from 2620 dogs living in 7 different areas were used for the detection of antibodies against Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis antigen. Previously published seropositivity data against Leishmania infantum from the same samples were also used to identify multiple-pathogen seropositivity. The associations between seropositivity against each pathogen and gender, age, utility, hair length, and region of residence were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of seropositivity against E. canis, B. burgdorferi, and D. immitis was 12.25%, 2.23%, and 5.96%, respectively. Double- and triple-pathogen seropositivity was detected in seven different combinations. Age and region of residence were strongly associated with seropositivity against all pathogens. The association between seropositivity and the area of residence highlights the need for regular testing of dogs for vector-borne pathogens in areas with similar conditions to define control measures. © Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2019