Chronic pancreatitis in dogs: A retrospective study of clinical, clinicopathological, and histopathological findings in 61 cases

The objective of the present study was to characterize the clinical, clinicopathologic, and histopathologic findings of dogs with chronic pancreatitis. The necropsy database at Texas A&M University was searched for reports of dogs with histologic evidence of chronic pancreatitis defined as irreversible histologic changes of the pancreas, i.e. fibrosis and atrophy. Medical records and necropsy reports were retrieved and reviewed. A reference necropsy population of 100 randomly selected dogs was used for signalment and concurrent disease comparisons. Cases were categorized as clinical or incidental chronic pancreatitis based on the presence of vomiting, decreased appetite, or both versus neither of these signs. All archived pancreata samples were evaluated histologically and scored using a published pancreatic scoring system. A total of 61 dogs with chronic pancreatitis were included in the study. The most frequent clinical signs were lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Compared to the reference necropsy population, chronic pancreatitis cases were more likely to be older, neutered, and of the non-sporting/toy breed group and to have concurrent endocrine, hepatobiliary, or neurologic diseases. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases had significantly higher histological scores for pancreatic necrosis and peripancreatic fat necrosis. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases were significantly more likely to have hepatobiliary or endocrine disease as well as increased liver enzyme activities, and cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations. In conclusion, clinical disease resulting from chronic pancreatitis might be related to the presence of pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic fat necrosis. The signalment, presentation, and concurrent diseases of dogs with chronic pancreatitis are similar to those previously reported for dogs with acute pancreatitis.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/tvjlam2013ab201

Novel lipoprotein density profiling in healthy dogs of various breeds, healthy miniature schnauzers, and miniature schnauzers with hyperlipidemia

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of abnormalities in lipoprotein metabolism in clinical canine medicine, the fact that most previously used methods for lipoprotein profiling are rather laborious and time-consuming has been a major obstacle to the wide clinical application and use of lipoprotein profiling in this species. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of a continuous lipoprotein density profile (CLPDP) generated within a bismuth sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (NaBiEDTA) density gradient to characterize and compare the lipoprotein profiles of healthy dogs of various breeds, healthy Miniature Schnauzers, and Miniature Schnauzers with primary hypertriacylglycerolemia. A total of 35 healthy dogs of various breeds with serum triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesterol concentrations within their respective reference intervals were selected for use as a reference population. Thirty-one Miniature Schnauzers with serum TAG and cholesterol concentrations within their respective reference intervals and 31 Miniature Schnauzers with hypertriacylglyceridemia were also included in the study. RESULTS: The results suggest that CLPDP using NaBiEDTA provides unique diagnostic information in addition to measurements of serum TAG and cholesterol concentrations and that it is a useful screening method for dogs with suspected lipoprotein metabolism disorders. Using the detailed and continuous density distribution information provided by the CLPDP, important differences in lipoprotein profiles can be detected even among dogs that have serum TAG and cholesterol concentrations within the reference interval. Miniature Schnauzers with serum TAG and cholesterol concentrations within the reference interval had significantly different lipoprotein profiles than dogs of various other breeds. In addition, it was further established that specific lipoprotein fractions are associated with hypertriacylglyceridemia in Miniature Schnauzers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that density gradient ultracentrifugation using NaBiEDTA is a useful screening method for the study of lipoprotein profiles in dogs. Therefore, this method could potentially be used for diagnostic purposes for the separation of dogs suspected of having lipoprotein abnormalities from healthy dogs

Chronic pancreatitis in dogs : a retrospective study of clinical, clinicopathological, and histopathological findings in 61 cases

The objective of the present study was to characterize the clinical, clinicopathologic, and histopathologic findings of dogs with chronic pancreatitis. The necropsy database at Texas A&M University was searched for reports of dogs with histologic evidence of chronic pancreatitis defined as irreversible histologic changes of the pancreas, i.e. fibrosis and atrophy. Medical records and necropsy reports were retrieved and reviewed. A reference necropsy population of 100 randomly selected dogs was used for signalment and concurrent disease comparisons. Cases were categorized as clinical or incidental chronic pancreatitis based on the presence of vomiting, decreased appetite, or both versus neither of these signs. All archived pancreata samples were evaluated histologically and scored using a published pancreatic scoring system. A total of 61 dogs with chronic pancreatitis were included in the study. The most frequent clinical signs were lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Compared to the reference necropsy population, chronic pancreatitis cases were more likely to be older, neutered, and of the non-sporting/toy breed group and to have concurrent endocrine, hepatobiliary, or neurologic diseases. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases had significantly higher histological scores for pancreatic necrosis and peripancreatic fat necrosis. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases were significantly more likely to have hepatobiliary or endocrine disease as well as increased liver enzyme activities, and cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations. In conclusion, clinical disease resulting from chronic pancreatitis might be related to the presence of pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic fat necrosis. The signalment, presentation, and concurrent diseases of dogs with chronic pancreatitis are similar to those previously reported for dogs with acute pancreatitis.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/tvjlam2013ab201

Short- and long-term effects of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or doxycycline on the gastrointestinal microbiome of growing cats

Antibiotic treatment in early life influences gastrointestinal (GI) microbial composition and function. In humans, the resultant intestinal dysbiosis is associated with an increased risk for certain diseases later in life. The objective of this study was to determine the temporal effects of antibiotic treatment on the GI microbiome of young cats. Fecal samples were collected from cats randomly allocated to receive either amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (20 mg/kg q12h) for 20 days (AMC group; 15 cats) or doxycycline (10 mg/kg q24h) for 28 days (DOX group;15 cats) as part of the standard treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. In addition, feces were collected from healthy control cats (CON group;15 cats). All cats were approximately two months of age at enrolment. Samples were collected on days 0 (baseline), 20 or 28 (AMC and DOX, respectively; last day of treatment), 60, 120, and 300. DNA was extracted and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and qPCR assays were performed. Fecal microbial composition was different on the last day of treatment for AMC cats, and 1 month after the end of antibiotic treatment for DOX cats, compared to CON cats. Species richness was significantly greater in DOX cats compared to CON cats on the last day of treatment. Abundance of Enterobacteriales was increased, and that of Erysipelotrichi was decreased in cats of the AMC group on the last day of treatment compared to CON cats. The abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria was increased in cats of the DOX group on days 60 and 120 compared to cats of the CON group. Only minor differences in abundances between the treatment groups and the control group were present on day 300. Both antibiotics appear to delay the developmental progression of the microbiome, and this effect is more profound during treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and one month after treatment with doxycycline. Future studies are required to determine if these changes influence microbiome function and whether they have possible effects on disease susceptibility in cats.S1 Fig. Beta diversity indices among groups. A) Principal Coordinate Analysis of unweighted UniFrac distances of 16S rRNA genes representing the difference in microbial communities among cats treated with amoxicillin clavulanic acid (blue circles), cats treated with doxycycline (yellow circles), and healthy control cats (red circles) on days 20/28 (last day of treatment), 60, 120, and 300. B) Principal Coordinate Analysis of weighted UniFrac distances of 16S rRNA genes representing the difference in microbial communities among cats treated with amoxicillin clavulanic acid (blue circles), cats treated with doxycycline (yellow circles), and healthy control cats (red circles) on days 20/28 (last day of treatment), 60, 120, and 300.S2 Fig. Rarefaction curves for A) Chao1, B) Observed ASVs, and C) Shannon Index.S1 Table. Clinical data of cats participating to the study.S2 Table. Alpha diversity metrics (mean ± standard deviation) with summary statistics; CON, healthy cats that did not receive antibiotics; AMC, cats treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days; DOX, cats treated with doxycycline for 28 days.S3 Table. Beta diversity differences based on ANOSIM analysis. CON, healthy cats that did not receive antibiotics; AMC, cats treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days; DOX, cats treated with doxycycline for 28 days.S4 Table. Beta diversity differences based on PERMANOVA analysis. CON, healthy cats that did not receive antibiotics; AMC, cats treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days; DOX, cats treated with doxycycline for 28 days.S5 Table. Summary statistics of sequencing data describing the mean percent and standard deviation of sequences belonging to antibiotic-treated (AMC and DOX groups) and healthy (CON group) cats.S6 Table. Summary statistics of qPCR data describing the mean log abundance and standard deviation of bacterial groups belonging to antibiotic-treated (AMC and DOX groups) and healthy (CON group) cats.The Miller Trust Award of the Winn Feline Foundation.http://www.plosone.orgam2022Production Animal Studie

Seroprevalence of and Risk Factors for <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection in Cats from Greece

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important protozoan diseases with a global impact on the health of domestic cats and with zoonotic significance. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii in different populations of cats in Greece and to assess risk factors for seropositivity. A total of 457 cats were prospectively enrolled, and a commercially available indirect immunofluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) kit was used for the detection of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum. Overall, 95 (20.8%) of the 457 cats were seropositive for T. gondii. Based on multivariate analysis, factors associated with seropositivity included older age [Odds ratio (OR), 1.33; p p = 0.004); and lack of vaccination against calicivirus, herpesvirus-1, panleukopenia, and rabies (OR, 10; p = 0.002). This study shows a high prevalence of seropositivity for T. gondii in cats in Greece. This implies that toxoplasmosis is still a major public health concern and that optimal strategies for the prevention of infection with T. gondii in cats should be established

Serial Measurement of Serum Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity, Feline Trypsin-like Immunoreactivity, and Cobalamin Concentrations in Kittens

Serum concentrations of feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI), feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI), and cobalamin are commonly used for the diagnostic investigation of cats with gastrointestinal signs. No information on these parameters in healthy cats less than 1 year of age exists. We aimed to evaluate serum concentrations of fPLI, fTLI, and cobalamin in healthy cats at different time-points during their first 12 months of life. Fourteen healthy 2-month-old kittens were included. Blood was collected at 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 months of age, and serum concentrations of fPLI, fTLI, and cobalamin were measured. While there was a statistically significant difference in serum fPLI concentrations over time, there was no statistically significant difference between individual time-points. There was no significant difference in serum fTLI concentrations over time. Serum cobalamin concentrations were below the reference interval in 3/13 cats at 2 months of age and were significantly lower by 3 months, when 13/14 had hypocobalaminemia. By 12 months, serum cobalamin had significantly increased, yet 4/12 cats still had hypocobalaminemia. Serum fPLI and fTLI concentrations did not show any statistically or clinically significant differences in young kittens. In contrast, serum cobalamin concentrations were commonly below the reference interval in kittens. Serum fPLI and fTLI concentrations are not practically affected by age in kittens as young as 2 months of age and could be used for the investigation of pancreatic diseases

The serum and fecal metabolomic profiles of growing kittens treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or doxycycline

The long-term impact of antibiotics on the serum and fecal metabolome of kittens has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the serum and fecal metabolome of kittens with an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) before, during, and after antibiotic treatment and compare it with that of healthy control cats. Thirty 2-month-old cats with a URTI were randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days or doxycycline for 28 days, and 15 cats of similar age were enrolled as controls. Fecal samples were collected on days 0, 20/28, 60, 120, and 300, while serum was collected on days 0, 20/28, and 300. Untargeted and targeted metabolomic analyses were performed on both serum and fecal samples. Seven metabolites differed significantly in antibiotic-treated cats compared to controls on day 20/28, with two differing on day 60, and two on day 120. Alterations in the pattern of serum amino acids, antioxidants, purines, and pyrimidines, as well as fecal bile acids, sterols, and fatty acids, were observed in antibiotic-treated groups that were not observed in control cats. However, the alterations caused by either amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or doxycycline of the fecal and serum metabolome were only temporary and were resolved by 10 months after their withdrawal.SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS : TABLE S1: List of raw metabolites identified in serum samples by untargeted metabolomics. TABLE S2: List of metabolites identified in serum samples by untargeted metabolomics. Mean and standard deviation by group and time point. TABLE S3: List of raw metabolites identified in fecal samples by targeted metabolomics. TABLE S4: List of metabolites identified in fecal samples by targeted metabolomics. Mean and standard deviation by group and time point.Winn Feline Foundation, Miller Trust Award, and the Operational Program “Human Resources Development, Education and Life Lifelong Learning”http://www.mdpi.com/journal/animalsProduction Animal Studie

Clustering analysis of lipoprotein profiles to identify subtypes of hypertriglyceridemia in Miniature Schnauzers

Abstract Background Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is prevalent in Miniature Schnauzers, predisposing them to life‐threatening diseases. Varied responses to management strategies suggest the possibility of multiple subtypes. Hypothesis/Objective To identify and characterize HTG subtypes in Miniature Schnauzers through cluster analysis of lipoprotein profiles. We hypothesize that multiple phenotypes of primary HTG exist in this breed. Animals Twenty Miniature Schnauzers with normal serum triglyceride concentration (NTG), 25 with primary HTG, and 5 with secondary HTG. Methods Cross‐sectional study using archived samples. Lipoprotein profiles, generated using continuous lipoprotein density profiling, were clustered with hierarchical cluster analysis. Clinical data (age, sex, body condition score, and dietary fat content) was compared between clusters. Results Six clusters were identified. Dogs with primary HTG were dispersed among 4 clusters. One cluster showed the highest intensities for triglyceride‐rich lipoprotein (TRL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions and also included 4 dogs with secondary HTG. Two clusters had moderately high TRL fraction intensities and low‐to‐intermediate LDL intensities. The fourth cluster had high LDL but variable TRL fraction intensities with equal numbers of NTG and mild HTG dogs. The final 2 clusters comprised only NTG dogs with low TRL intensities and low‐to‐intermediate LDL intensities. The clusters did not appear to be driven by differences in the clinical data. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The results of this study support a spectrum of lipoprotein phenotypes within Miniature Schnauzers that cannot be predicted by triglyceride concentration alone. Lipoprotein profiling might be useful to determine if subtypes have different origins, clinical consequences, and response to treatment

Sequence Analysis of Six Candidate Genes in Miniature Schnauzers with Primary Hypertriglyceridemia

Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to primary hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). In this study, we performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) of eight Miniature Schnauzers with primary HTG and screened for risk variants in six HTG candidate genes: LPL, APOC2, APOA5, GPIHBP1, LMF1, and APOE. Variants were filtered to identify those present in ≥2 Miniature Schnauzers with primary HTG and uncommon (APOE TATA box deletion, an LMF1 intronic SNP, and a GPIHBP1 missense variant. The APOE and GPIHBP1 variants were genotyped in a cohort of 108 Miniature Schnauzers, including 68 with primary HTG and 40 controls. A multivariable regression model, including age and sex, did not identify an effect of APOE (estimate = 0.18, std. error = 0.14; p = 0.20) or GPIHBP1 genotypes (estimate = −0.26, std. error = 0.42; p = 0.54) on triglyceride concentration. In conclusion, we did not identify a monogenic cause for primary HTG in Miniature Schnauzers in the six genes evaluated. However, if HTG in Miniature Schnauzers is a complex disease resulting from the cumulative effects of multiple variants and environment, the identified variants cannot be ruled out as contributing factors