Feline hyperthyroidism: diagnosis and treatment

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinopathy in cats older than 8 years, with no sex or breed predisposition. Benign adenomas and adenomatous hyperplasia of the thyroid gland is observed in the majority of cases. Symptoms reflect the effect of thyroid hormone excess in various systems, with weight loss, polyphagia, polyuria-polydipsia, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal abnormalities being common clinical manifestations. On clinical examination, there is frequently prominent thyroid enlargement. Common laboratory abnormal findings include increased activity of alkaline phosphatase and alanino-aminotransferase, hyperphosphataemia, azotaemia and decreased concentration of ionized calcium and creatinine. Definite diagnosis of the disease is based on the demonstration of increased blood concentration of thyroid hormones. Measurement of thyroxine concentration, alone or in conjunction with concentration of free thyroxine, is usually sufficient to reach a diagnosis. When diagnosis is uncertain, thyroid stimulating hormone, scintigraphy and dynamic function tests can be used. The possibility of concurrent diseases (e.g., renal failure, diabetes mellitus) must be investigated, as their presence has implications on diagnosis and treatment. Medical therapy, thyroidectomy, radionine therapy and low iodine diet are also valid options for treatment. Each has advantages and disadvantages that a clinician must take into consideration before instigating treatment. Prognosis for hyperthyroidism is favourable if no severe disease exists concurrently

Serum cobalamin concentrations in dogs with leishmaniosis before and during treatment

Hypocobalaminemia in dogs is most commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders leading to impaired absorption and utilization of cobalamin. The objectives of this study were to compare serum cobalamin concentrations between dogs with leishmaniosis and clinically healthy dogs, and to assess possible alterations of serum cobalamin concentrations in dogs with leishmaniosis at different timepoints during treatment. Fifty-five dogs with leishmaniosis and 129 clinically healthy dogs were prospectively enrolled. Diagnosis of leishmaniosis was based on clinical presentation, positive serology and microscopic detection of Leishmania amastigotes in lymph node aspiration smears. Twenty of the dogs with leishmaniosis were treated with a combination of meglumine antimonate and allopurinol for 28 days and serum cobalamin concentrations were measured in blood samples that were collected before initiation of treatment (timepoint 0) and on days 14 and 28. In order to estimate alterations of serum cobalamin concentrations during treatment, cobalamin concentrations were measured in blood samples from 20 out of 55 dogs with leishmaniosis at all timepoints. Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with leishmaniosis before treatment (median: 362 ng/L; IQR: 277−477 ng/L) compared to clinically healthy dogs (median: 470 ng/L; IQR: 367−632 ng/L; P = 0.0035). Serum cobalamin concentrations increased significantly in dogs with leishmaniosis on day 14 of treatment compared to timepoint 0 (P = 0.02). In the present study, serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with leishmaniosis compared to clinically healthy dogs. In addition, there was an increase in serum cobalamin concentrations during treatment. The clinical significance of hypocobalaminemia in dogs with leishmaniosis remains to be determined. © 2021 Elsevier Lt

Canine pancytopoenia in a Mediterranean region: a retrospective study of 119 cases (2005 to 2013)

Objectives: To further clarify the causes of pancytopoenia and to investigate whether underlying cause or severity were associated with survival in an area endemic for vector-borne pathogens. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of 119 dogs with and 238 dogs without pancytopoenia. Results: Mixed-breed dogs and dogs younger than one year had higher odds of being pancytopoenic. The most common diagnoses included monocytic ehrlichiosis (n=42), leishmaniasis (n=28) and parvoviral enteritis (n=19). The mean white blood cell counts were lower in dogs with ehrlichiosis and parvoviral enteritis compared to dogs with leishmaniasis, while platelet counts were lower in ehrlichiosis compared to leishmaniasis or parvoviral enteritis. Total protein concentrations were lower in dogs with parvoviral enteritis compared to ehrlichiosis and leishmaniasis. Higher haematocrit, platelet and white cell counts were associated with better odds of survival. Clinical Significance: Infectious diseases appear to be the leading causes of canine pancytopoenia in endemic areas; severe leukopoenia (ehrlichiosis, parvoviral enteritis), thrombocytopoenia (ehrlichiosis) and hypoproteinaemia (parvoviral enteritis), represented potentially useful disease-specific diagnostic determinants. The severity of pancytopoenia significantly affects the clinical outcome. © 2017 British Small Animal Veterinary Associatio