Clinical, Hematological, Blood Gasometric and Electrolytic Changes in Dogs Receiving Whole Blood Transfusions

Background: Blood transfusion is a tool capable of saving lives. Patients undergoing blood transfusion usually present several alterations in the acid-base and electrolyte balance, aggravating the condition of critically ill patients. Some studies have demonstrated haematological alterations in certain species that received whole blood transfusions, however, few studies have evaluated acid base and electrolyte changes in dogs undergoing whole blood haemotherapy. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical, hematological, blood gas and electrolyte changes in anemic dogs after whole blood transfusion.Materials, Methods & Results:Twenty nine dogs transfused due to anemia were enrolled in the study. Donors blood was collected in a transfusion bag containing citrate phosphate adenine dextrose and stored up to 24 h. Blood collections and evaluations were made before and 24 h after the transfusion. Data distribution normality was tested by the Shapiro Wilk Test. The means of the variables were compared by paired t-test. It was observed an increase in diastolic blood pressure and a reduction in heart rate (P 0.05) and ionized calcium (P > 0.05) and an increase in the mean partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) (P 0.05) and sodium (P < 0.05). The probable cause of anemia was monocytic ehrlichiosis (14/29), visceral leishmaniasis (1/29), babesiosis (1/29), co-infection of Ehrlichia canis and Leishmaniainfantum (2/19), co-infection of E. canis and Babesia vogeli (1/19). It was not possible to determine the etiology of the anemia in ten dogs. Discussion:Heart rate significantly reduced after transfusion, probably because of the increase in hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocyte values. It may be justified by the displacement of extravascular fluid to the intravascular space. Mean values of systolic blood pressure were slightly elevated before transfusion and remained elevated afterwards, while diastolic and mean arterial pressure increased significantly after transfusion. These changes may be due to the morbid condition and may be influenced by many other factors. Haematocrit, haemoglobin and erythrocyte values increased significantly after transfusion, according to what was observed in other studies. The significant reduction in pH and increase in pCO2 reflects the compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis to increase ventilation, leading to pCO2 reduction and changes in pH. The reduction in pH due to the contact of the collected blood with conservative solutions is one of the main changes thar occurs during blood storage. It was described significantly lower pH in dogs’ whole blood samples stored for more than 24h in vacutainer plastic containing CPDA-1. We may assume there was no intense pH reduction in the present study because the bags were stored for up to 24 h. Although not statistically significant, the increase of pO2 mean reflects the improvement of tissue oxygen perfusion. It was observed a significant increase in sodium ions. The mean sodium ionconcentration before transfusion was very close to the maximum reference value. Hyperkalaemia was not observed, nor was there significant reduction of potassium ions after transfusion. Several studies report hyperkalaemia and transfusion-associated cardiac arrests in humans, associated with infusion of large volumes of blood. Whole blood transfusion increased erythrogram values and did not negatively affect the electrolyte or acid-base status, representing a safe and useful tool in the intensive care of small animals.

Pneumonija kod mačaka povezana sa Neisseria sp.

Neisseria sp. is a Gram-negative diplococcus bacterium usually present on the mucosal surfaces of animals without causing an obvious pathology. The objective of this study was to report the isolation of Neisseria sp. from severe cases of pyogranulomatous pneumonia with the formation of a Splendore-Hoeppli structure in two cats treated at a veterinary hospital. This paper suggests that the Neisseria genus members may be involved in lower respiratory tract infections in cats, with the molecular diagnosis being a necessary method for the correct identification of this bacteria in animals.Neisseria spp. je Gram pozitivna diplokokna bakterija koja je prisutna na mukoznim površinama životinja, pri čemu ne dovodi do uočljivih patoloških promena. Cilj ove studije bio je da opiše izolaciju Neisseria spp. kod teških slučajeva piogranulomatozne pneumonije sa formiranjem Splendore-Hoeppli strukture kod dve mačke lečene u veterinarskoj bolnici. Ovaj rad sugeriše da su članovi roda Neisseria možda uključeni u infekcije donjih disajnih puteva kod mačaka, s tim što je molekularna dijagnoza neophodan metod za tačnu identifi kaciju ove bakterije na životinjama

Influence of idiopathic epilepsy on blood pressure and electrocardiography in dogs treated with phenobarbital

Background and Aim: Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) experience a shortened lifespan, neurobehavioral changes, and an increased risk of comorbidities during the interictal period. There have been several reports of sudden death in humans with epilepsy, suggesting changes in cardiac rhythm secondary to seizures. In veterinary medicine, there are still no such conclusive studies. The present study aimed to evaluate blood pressure values, electrocardiographic findings, and laboratory parameters in dogs with IE treated with phenobarbital and to correlate these findings with possible cardiac alterations. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one dogs were divided into 11 healthy dogs and 10 idiopathic epileptic dogs for blood analysis, computerized electrocardiogram, and oscillometer-based blood pressure measurement. Results: QRS complex and S-T interval values differed significantly between groups, but blood pressure values were not significantly different. Conclusion: IE can occur with alterations in cardiac conduction and is a pathological condition

Ocorrência de Leishmania chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia canis vogeli, Anaplasma platys e Ehrlichia canis em cães doadores de sangue

The transfusion of blood components is common in a veterinary clinic; however, the safety of this therapeutic measure cannot always be guaranteed. Studies show a high risk of haemoparasite transmission during blood transfusion in canines. These parasites include Leishmania chagasi, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis, which are endemic to the city of Cuiabá. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of L. chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia (canis) vogeli, A. platys, and E. canis in canine blood donor candidates, and identify possible factors associated with the infection of these agents. Sixty-six canines were evaluated using serologic and molecular tests, for the presence of the Leishmania species. While one canine sample showed a positive result for L. chagasi with indirect fluorescent antibody test, with titer of 1:40, and seven canine samples were positive using DPP, all other samples were negative when using PCR and ELISA. All canines were negative for T. cruzi when using PCR. The B. (c.) vogeli infection was identified in one canine and A. platys was identified in six canines. E. canis was identified in 17 canines, with a prevalence of 25.7%. There were no significant factors associated with the infection of the pathogens investigated. Given the observation of infection, even in the absence of clinical symptoms, emphasis must be placed on the need for the use of more sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for the screening of donor canines.Administração de hemocomponentes é uma prática de rotina na clínica veterinária, entretanto, a segurança nessa medida terapêutica nem sempre é garantida. Estudos mostram risco elevado na transmissão de hemoparasitos pela transfusão sanguínea em cães. Dentre estes, Leishmania chagasi, Anaplasma platys e Ehrlichia canis são endêmicas no município de Cuiabá. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência de L. chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia (canis) vogeli, A. platys e E. canis em cães candidatos a doadores de sangue e identificar os possíveis fatores associados à infecção pelos referidos agentes. Dos 66 cães avaliados por exames sorológicos e moleculares para Leishmania sp, um cão reagiu na IFI na titulação 1:40 para L. chagasi., sete no DPP, e todos negativos na PCR e ELISA. Todos os cães foram negativos na PCR para T. cruzi. Foi identificada infecção por Babesia (c.) vogeli em apenas um cão e seis para A. platys. E. canis foi diagnosticado em 17 cães, com ocorrência de 25,7%. Não foram observados fatores associados significativamente à infecção pelos patógenos pesquisados. Diante da observação da infecção mesmo na ausência de alterações clínicas, ressalta-se o uso de métodos diagnósticos mais sensíveis e específicos na triagem de cães doadores