Evaluation of the LaserCyte: an in-house hematology analyzer for dogs and cats

In the present study, the LaserCyte instrument, a fully automated flow cytometer for use in veterinary practice, was evaluated for dogs and cats. Precision (coefficient of variation, CV) for red blood cell (RBC) parameters was ≤3.9%, for reticulocytes between 14.9 and 102%, for white blood cells (WBC) between 3 and 9.5%, for neutrophils between 3.9 and 6.5%, for lymphocytes between 7 and 17.9%, for monocytes between 4.9 and 13.1%, for eosinophils between 10.4 and 32.1%, for basophils between 7.8 and 32%, for platelets between 3.1 and 13.2%, and for platelet indices between 0 and 28.2%. The range of linearity extended the reference ranges. The agreement with reference methods (coefficient of correlation, r) were ≥0.96 (RBC), ≥0.94 (hematocrit), ≥0.96 (hemoglobin), ≥0.95 (mean corpuscular volume), ≥0.94 (WBC), ≥0.93 (neutrophils), ≥0.77 (lymphocytes), ≥0.77 (monocytes), ≥0.29 (eosinophils), ≥0.03 (basophils), ≥0.13 (reticulocytes), and ≥0.86 (platelets). The LaserCyte allowed the correct assessment of RBC and WBC parameters with respect to clinical relevance in the majority of samples. Lymphocytopenia was detected in only 51 out of 89 cases and monocytopenia in one out of 11 cases. The reticulocyte counts were correctly estimated in 85 out of 149 cases. It was concluded that the LaserCyte allowed reliable determination of the RBC parameters, WBCs, neutrophils in both species and platelets in dogs. Based on its capability to reliably determine feline platelets and of the parameters mentioned above, this instrument is considered a useful in-house analyzer for the veterinary practice. Qualitative microscopic assessment of blood smears is still necessary for detecting abnormal cell morphologies, certain cell precursors and blood parasite

Efficacy of medium chain triglyceride oil dietary supplementation in reducing seizure frequency in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy without cluster seizures : a non-blinded, prospective clinical trial

This study was fully funded by Nestlé Purina ResearchDespite appropriate antiseizure drug (ASD) treatment, around two-thirds of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) have seizures long-term and 20-30per cent of affected dogs remain poorly controlled. The current study aim is to test in a field trial the efficacy and tolerability of a commercially available diet enriched with 6.5per cent medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in dogs (n=21) with at least a tier 1 idiopathic epilepsy diagnosis, without cluster seizures, in 10 veterinary practices across Europe. Each dog's quality of life (QoL), ataxia, sedation and frequency and severity of seizures were recorded by owners throughout the study. The mean seizure frequency per month, averaged over the entire 84-day study, significantly (P=0.04) decreased 32per cent compared with the baseline monthly seizure frequency recorded during the month immediately before feeding the diet. Similarly, the seizure days rate (days/month) also declined (P8.5/10) in 20 of the 21 dogs before starting the diet and this remained unchanged during the trial. This study demonstrates the use of a diet enriched with MCTs as an adjunct to ASD treatment may have some antiseizure properties for dogs diagnosed with IE, as demonstrated in previous studies

Evaluation of the LaserCyte® : an in-house haematology analyzer for dogs and cats

Das Ziel der Studie war, den LaserCyte®, der erste Flow Zytometer für die Bestimmung der hämatologischen Parameter von Katzen- und Hundeblutproben in der Privattierarztpraxis, zu evaluieren. Die Präzision wurde mittels Berechnung der Variationskoeffizenten (CV) bestimmt: Erythrozyten ≤ 3.9%, Retikulozyten 14.9% - 102%, Gesamtleukozytenzahl 3% - 9.5%, Neutrophile 3.9% - 6.5%, Lymphozyten 7% - 17.9%, Monozyten 4.9% - 13.1%, Eosinophile 10.4% - 32.1%, Basophile 7.8% - 32%, Thrombozyten 3.1% - 13.2% und Thrombozytenindizes 0% - 28.2%. Die Linearität ist auch ausserhalb des Referenzbereiches gegeben. Die Korrelationskoeffizienten (r) als Mass der Richtigkeit ergeben folgende Werte: ≥ 0.96 (Erythrozyten), ≥ 0.94 (Hämatokrit), ≥ 0.96 (Hämoglobin), ≥ 0.95 (MCV), ≥ 0.94 (Leukozyten), ≥ 0.93 (Neutrophile), ≥ 0.77 (Lymphozyten), ≥ 0.77 (Monozyten), ≥ 0.29 (Eosinophile), ≥ 0.03 (Basophile), ≥ 0.13 (Retikulozyten), und ≥ 0.86 (Thrombozyten). In Anbetracht der klinischen Relevanz wurden Proben mit Lymphozytenpenien in 51 von 89 Fällen, Monozytopenien in 1 von 11 Fällen und die Retikulozytenzahlen in 85 von 149 Fällen korrekt wiedergegeben. Zuverlässige Resultate werden für das rote Blutbild mit Ausnahme der Retikulozytenbestimmung, der Leukozytengesamtzahl und der Neutrophilenanzahl bei beiden Tierarten sowie der Thrombozyten beim Hund erhalten. Zur Erkennung von pathologischen Zellmorphologien, Vorläuferzellen und Blutparasiten ist die mikroskopische Untersuchung nach wie vor unerlässlich. In the present study, the LaserCyte®1 instrument, an automated flow cytometer for use in veterinary practice, was evaluated for dogs and cats. Precision (coefficient of variation, CV) for red blood cell (RBC) parameters was ≤ 3.9%, for reticulocytes between 14.9% and 102%, for white blood cells (WBC) between 3% and 9.5%, for neutrophils between 3.9% and 6.5%, for lymphocytes between 7% and 17.9%, for monocytes between 4.9% and 13.1%, for eosinophils between 10.4% and 32.1%, for basophils between 7.8% and 32%, for platelets between 3.1% and 13.2%, and for platelet indices between 0% and 28.2%. The range of linearity extended the reference ranges. The agreement with reference methods (coefficient of correlation, r) were ≥ 0.96 (RBC), ≥ 0.94 (haematocrit), ≥ 0.96 (haemoglobin), ≥ 0.95 (mean corpuscular volume), ≥ 0.94 (WBC), ≥ 0.93 (neutrophils), ≥ 0.77 (lymphocytes), ≥ 0.77 (monocytes), ≥ 0.29 (eosinophils), ≥ 0.03 (basophils), ≥ 0.13 (reticulocytes), and ≥ 0.86 (platelets). The LaserCyte® allowed the correct assessment of RBC and WBC parameters with respect to clinical relevance in the majority of samples. Lymphocytopenia was detected in only 51 out of 89 cases and monocytopenia in 1 out of 11 cases. The reticulocyte counts were correctly estimated in 85 out of 149 cases. It was concluded that the LaserCyte® allowed reliable determination of the RBC parameters, WBCs, neutrophils in both species and platelets in dogs. Based on its capability to reliably determine feline platelets and of the parameters mentioned above, this instrument is considered a useful analyzer for the veterinary practice. Qualitative microscopic assessment of blood smears is still necessary for detecting abnormal cell morphologies, cell precursors and blood parasites

Evaluation of the LaserCyte: an in-house hematology analyzer for dogs and cats

In the present study, the LaserCyte instrument, a fully automated flow cytometer for use in veterinary practice, was evaluated for dogs and cats. Precision (coefficient of variation, CV) for red blood cell (RBC) parameters was ≤3.9%, for reticulocytes between 14.9 and 102%, for white blood cells (WBC) between 3 and 9.5%, for neutrophils between 3.9 and 6.5%, for lymphocytes between 7 and 17.9%, for monocytes between 4.9 and 13.1%, for eosinophils between 10.4 and 32.1%, for basophils between 7.8 and 32%, for platelets between 3.1 and 13.2%, and for platelet indices between 0 and 28.2%. The range of linearity extended the reference ranges. The agreement with reference methods (coefficient of correlation, r) were ≥0.96 (RBC), ≥0.94 (hematocrit), ≥0.96 (hemoglobin), ≥0.95 (mean corpuscular volume), ≥0.94 (WBC), ≥0.93 (neutrophils), ≥0.77 (lymphocytes), ≥0.77 (monocytes), ≥0.29 (eosinophils), ≥0.03 (basophils), ≥0.13 (reticulocytes), and ≥0.86 (platelets). The LaserCyte allowed the correct assessment of RBC and WBC parameters with respect to clinical relevance in the majority of samples. Lymphocytopenia was detected in only 51 out of 89 cases and monocytopenia in one out of 11 cases. The reticulocyte counts were correctly estimated in 85 out of 149 cases. It was concluded that the LaserCyte allowed reliable determination of the RBC parameters, WBCs, neutrophils in both species and platelets in dogs. Based on its capability to reliably determine feline platelets and of the parameters mentioned above, this instrument is considered a useful in-house analyzer for the veterinary practice. Qualitative microscopic assessment of blood smears is still necessary for detecting abnormal cell morphologies, certain cell precursors and blood parasites

Serum protein concentrations from clinically healthy horses determined by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Background: Serum protein electrophoresis is a useful screening test in equine laboratory medicine. The method can provide valuable information about changes in the concentrations of albumin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-globulins and thereby help characterize dysproteinemias in equine patients. Reference values for horses using agarose gel as a support medium have not been reported. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for serum protein concentrations in adult horses using agarose gel electrophoresis and to assess differences between warm-blooded and heavy draught horses. In addition, the precision of electrophoresis for determining fraction percentages and the detection limit were determined. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 126 clinically healthy horses, including 105 Thoroughbreds and 21 heavy draught horses of both sexes and ranging from 2 to 20 years of age. The total protein concentration was determined by an automated biuret method. Serum protein electrophoresis was performed using a semi-automated agarose gel electrophoresis system. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated for within-run and within-assay precision. Data from warm-blooded and draught horses were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Within-run and within-assay CVs were <5% for all protein fractions. No significant difference was found between warm-blooded and heavy draught horses and so combined reference intervals (2.5-97.5%) were calculated for total protein (51.0-72.0 g/L), albumin (29.6-38.5 g/L), alpha(1)-globulin (1.9-3.1 g/L), alpha(2)-globulin (5.3-8.7 g/L), beta(1)-globulin (2.8-7.3g/L), beta(2)-globulin (2.2-6.0 g/L), and gamma-globulin (5.8-12.7 g/L) concentrations, and albumin/globulin ratio (0.93-1.65). Conclusion: Using agarose gel as the supporting matrix for serum protein electrophoresis in horses resulted in excellent resolution and accurate results that facilitated standardization into 6 protein fractions

Canine sterile neutrophilic dermatosis (resembling Sweet's syndrome) with severe extracutaneous manifestations.

INTRODUCTION Sterile neutrophilic dermatosis is a rare disease in dogs, similar to Sweet's syndrome in humans. This case report describes the treatment of a 2-year old Bearded Collie that was presented with a 3-week history of fever, hind-limb weakness, peripheral lymphadenomegaly and leucocytosis. Blood tests revealed severe leukocytosis, renal azotaemia, elevated liver enzymes and bilirubinaemia. Skin lesions started to appear in week four. Histology revealed a sterile neutrophilic dermatitis resembling Sweet's syndrome. The dog displayed extracutaneous manifestations, including fever, polyarthritis, a severe leukemoid reaction, anaemia, hepatopathy and nephropathy. Issues regarding the use of criteria for the diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome in humans that are used for dogs with sterile neutrophilic dermatosis, are discussed in this case report. The condition resolved with dexamethasone and mycophenolate mofetil as a novel steroid-sparing therapy. Three months later the dog relapsed, which rapidly responded to short-term dexamethasone treatment and temporarily increased mycophenolate mofetil dosage

Comparison of 2 doses of recombinant human thyrotropin for thyroid function testing in healthy and suspected hypothyroid dogs.

BACKGROUND: Various protocols using different doses of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) in TSH stimulation testing have been described. However, the influence of TSH dosage on thyroxine (T4) concentration has not yet been evaluated in suspected hypothyroid dogs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of 2 doses of rhTSH. ANIMALS: Fifteen dogs with clinical signs consistent with hypothyroidism and abnormal stimulation results with 75 microg rhTSH and 18 clinically healthy dogs. METHODS: All dogs were stimulated with 75 and 150 microg rhTSH IV in a 1st and 2nd stimulation test, respectively. Blood samples were taken before and 6 hours after rhTSH administration for determination of total T4 concentration. RESULTS: Using the higher dose led to a normal test interpretation in 9 of the 15 dogs, in which stimulation had been abnormal using the lower dose. Based on follow-up information, hypothyroidism was excluded in 7 of these 9 dogs. In all 6 dogs with a blunted response to the higher dose, hypothyroidism could be confirmed. Healthy dogs showed significantly higher post-TSH T4 concentrations with the higher compared with the lower dose. Post-TSH T4 concentrations after TSH stimulation were not related to dogs' body weight in either healthy or diseased dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TSH dose significantly influenced test interpretation in suspected hypothyroid dogs. Differentiation between primary hypothyroidism and nonthyroidal disease was improved with 150 microg rhTSH. Because this effect was independent of the dogs' body weight, the higher dose is recommended in dogs that have concurrent disease or are receiving medication