Comparison of different bronchial closure techniques following pneumonectomy in dogs

The comparison of the histologic healing and bronchopleural fistula (BPF) complications encountered with three different BS closure techniques (manual suture, stapler and manual suture plus tissue flab) after pneumonectomy in dogs was investigated for a one-month period. The dogs were separated into two groups: group I (GI) (n = 9) and group II (GII) (n = 9). Right and left pneumonectomies were performed on the animals in GI and GII, respectively. Each group was further divided into three subgroups according to BS closure technique: subgroup I (SGI) (n = 3), manual suture; subgroup II (SGII) (n = 3), stapler; and subgroup III (SGIII) (n = 3), manual suture plus tissue flab. The dogs were sacrificed after one month of observation, and the bronchial stumps were removed for histological examination. The complications observed during a one-month period following pneumonectomy in nine dogs (n = 9) were: BPF (n = 5), peri-operative cardiac arrest (n = 1), post-operative respiratory arrest (n = 1), post-operative cardiac failure (n = 1) and cardio-pulmonary failure (n = 1). Histological healing was classified as complete or incomplete healing. Histological healing and BPF complications in the subgroups were analyzed statistically. There was no significant difference in histological healing between SGI and SGIII (p = 1.00; p > 0.05), nor between SGII and SGIII (p = 1.00; p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was observed between the subgroups in terms of BPF (p = 0.945; p > 0.05). The results of the statistical analysis indicated that manual suture, stapler or manual suture plus tissue flab could be alternative methods for BS closure following pneumonectomy in dogs.     

Effects of anti-glaucoma drugs on resistive index of the medial long posterior ciliary artery using color Doppler imaging in Beagle dogs

Color Doppler imaging (CDI) was carried out to evaluate the effects of anti-glaucoma drugs on ophthalmic circulation using CDI-derived resistive index (RI) values. CDI was performed on nine Beagle dogs, and RI values were calculated for the medial long posterior ciliary artery before and after the administration of anti-glaucoma drugs. A significant increase in RI values was found after topical administration of levobunolol (p < 0.05) or dipivefrin (p < 0.05). Pilocarpine showed no effects on RI values after topical administration. The results suggest that some anti-glaucoma drugs could affect ophthalmic blood flow.     

Usefulness of Conventional and Tissue Doppler Echocardiography to Predict Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

Background

Systolic and diastolic functions have been evaluated to predict outcome in congestive heart failure (CHF). Recently, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has become useful for the estimation of myocardial function in cardiac diseases of humans and animals.

Objective

This study was designed to assess whether myocardial function as assessed by TDI is associated with the occurrence of CHF in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and whether additional information is gained over conventional Doppler variables.

Animals

Forty‐one privately owned dogs (15 healthy dogs and 26 dogs with MMVD) were included. Dogs with MMVD were divided into non‐CHF (n = 10) and CHF groups (n = 16).

Methods

Conventional echocardiographic examinations were performed. In addition, TDI‐derived variables, including radial and longitudinal velocities, strain, and strain rate were assessed.

Results

Several (12 of 47, 26%) conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography variables were significant predictors of CHF in a univariate analysis (P < .05). However, TDI‐derived E/E _{m sept} was the only load‐independent significant predictor of CHF (P < .05) after multivariate logistic regression analysis. The E/E _{m sept} cut‐off value of >18.7 had a sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 90% in predicting CHF in dogs with MMVD.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The combination of TDI of the mitral annulus and mitral inflow velocity provided better estimates of diastolic dysfunction in dogs with MMVD and CHF. Additional study is warranted to assess TDI‐derived E/E _{m sept}, an index of diastolic function that could contribute to the management of dogs with MMVD and CHF.     

Acute effects of intravenous dronedarone on electrocardiograms,hemodynamics and cardiac functions in anesthetized dogs

Dronedarone is a class III antiarrhythmic that has been used for management of atrial fibrillation in humans, but limited information was found in dogs. The objective of this study was to determine the acute effects of escalating concentrations of dronedarone on electrocardiograms (ECG), hemodynamics and cardiac mechanics in healthy dogs. A total of 7 beagle dogs were anesthetized with isoflurane and instrumented to obtain lead II ECG, pressures at ascending aorta, right atrium, pulmonary artery and left ventricle, and left ventricular pressure-volume relationship. Five dogs were given vehicle and followed by escalating doses of dronedarone (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg, 15 min for each dose), and two dogs were used as a vehicle-treated control. All parameters were measured at 15 min after the end of each dose. The results showed that all parameters in vehicle-treated dogs were unaltered. Dronedarone at 2.5 mg/kg significantly lengthened PQ interval (P<0.01), reduced cardiac output (P<0.01) and increased systemic vascular resistance (P<0.01). Dronedarone produced negative inotropy assessed by significantly lowered end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, preload recruitable stroke work, contractility index and dP/dt_max. It also impaired diastolic function by significantly increased end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship, tau and dP/dt_min. These results suggested that acute effects of dronedarone produced negative dromotropy, inotropy and lusitropy in anesthetized dogs. Care should be taken when given dronedarone to dogs, especially when the patients have impaired cardiac function.     

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Myocardial Changes Observed After Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Dogs

Background

Closure of PDA can be associated with echocardiographic changes including deterioration of LV systolic function. Although PDA is commonly encountered in dogs, few comprehensive reports of echocardiographic changes in dogs with PDA closure are available.

Objectives

To evaluate the short‐term echocardiographic changes observed after PDA closure in dogs using strain analysis.

Animals

Seventeen client‐owned dogs with left‐to‐right PDA.

Methods

Echocardiographic evaluations, including standard echocardiography and two‐dimensional tissue tracking (2DTT), were performed before and within 3 days of PDA closure.

Results

Preclosure examination showed LV and left atrial dilatation indicating volume overload as a result of PDA. Closure of PDA resulted in significant reduction of LVIDd (<.0001) and LA/Ao (0.01) without change in LVIDs, suggestive of decreased preload. Postclosure LV systolic dysfunction was observed with significant decreased in FS (<.0001) and strain values (P = .0039 for radial strains, P = .0005 for circumferential strains). Additionally, significant LV dyssynchrony (P = .0162) was observed after closure of PDA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Closure of PDA resulted in decreased preload as a result of alleviation of LV volume overload, which in turn caused transient deterioration of LV systolic function. Additionally, this study demonstrated that strain analysis is load dependent. Therefore, care should be taken when interpreting strain measurements as an indicator of LV systolic function.     

Atrial septal defect in five dogs

The clinical, electrocardiographic, radiographic, and two-dimensional, M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic findings of five cases of canine ostium secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) are described. The atrial septal anomaly was associated with other congenital cardiac abnormalities in two dogs: ventricular septal defect in one case and tricuspid dysplasia in the other. ASD was found in addition to dilated cardiomyopathy and suspected atrial thrombosis in one geriatric dog, but was the only cardiac abnormality detected in the remaining two dogs. Colour Doppler imaging facilitated the diagnosis of ASD in all subjects. The long-term prognosis for dogs with isolated and small-sized ASD is usually good, but can be compromised by the presence of concurrent congenital or acquired cardiac diseases.     

Association of Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion with Survival Time in Boxer Dogs with Ventricular Arrhythmias

Background

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is a useful estimate of right ventricular function in humans. Reference intervals for dogs have been generated, but the value of measuring TAPSE in other diseases, or investigating the association between TAPSE and outcome, is unknown.

Hypothesis

TAPSE is lower in Boxer dogs with ≥50 VPCs/24 h on Holter than in dogs with fewer ventricular ectopics, and lower TAPSE is associated with a shorter survival time.

Animals

Fifty Boxer dogs that presented for investigation of syncope or suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) at a veterinary teaching hospital (2004–2011).

Methods

Retrospective study. Clinical records, Holter, and echocardiographic data were reviewed. TAPSE was measured in a blinded manner on stored echocardiographic cine‐loops using anatomic M‐mode. Outcome information was obtained and death was classified as cardiac or noncardiac. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan‐Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

TAPSE was lower in Boxers with ≥50 VPCs/24 h (13.9 ± 4.04 mm) than Boxers with <50 VPCs/24 h (16.8 ± 3.21 mm; P < .001). TAPSE <15.1 mm was associated with shorter cardiac survival time in all dogs (P = .004) and also in dogs without left ventricular dysfunction (P = .035). When controlling for other variables, including ventricular tachycardia on Holter and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, multivariable analysis showed that TAPSE remained an independent predictor of time to cardiac death (HR >4.09, 95%CI 1.15–16.9, P < .029).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

TAPSE offers prognostic value for Boxer dogs, including those with apparently normal systolic function and ≥50 VPCs/24 h on Holter analysis.     

Hypoglycemic effects of vanadium on alloxan monohydrate induced diabetic dogs

The hypoglycemic effects after oral administration of vanadium have been studied previously in many species such as rats, mice and even humans. However, there has been no prior report on the glucose lowering effect of vanadium on diabetic dogs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of oral vanadium on diabetic dogs. Diabetes mellitus in the dogs studied was induced by alloxan monohydrate intravenous injection. The dogs were divided into two groups, one was the diabetic control (DC) group (n = 4) and the other was the vanadium treated (DV) group (n = 6). Fresh water was supplied to the dogs in the DC group, but sodium metavanadate solution (0.1~0.2 mg/ml) was given to the dogs in DV group from one week after the alloxan injection. The fasting glucose levels, fructosamine and serum chemistry profiles were compared between the two groups weekly for three weeks. The fasting blood glucose levels in DV group were significantly lower than those in the DC group (p < 0.01). Fructosamine levels in the DV group were also lower than those in the DC group (p < 0.05). The serum chemistry profiles were not significantly different in comparisons between the two groups. However, the cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the DV group compared to the DC group (p < 0.05). Our findings showed that oral vanadium administration had a hypoglycemic effect on chemically induced diabetic dogs.     

Canine Pancreatic‐Specific Lipase Concentrations in Dogs with Heart Failure and Chronic Mitral Valvular Insufficiency

Background

Chronic mitral valvular insufficiency (CMVI) in dogs is very common and might cause clinical signs of congestion and poor tissue perfusion.

Hypothesis

Poor tissue perfusion from CMVI causes pancreatitis in dogs, as indicated by serum pancreatic lipase concentrations.

Animals

Sixty‐two client‐owned dogs consisting of 40 dogs with different stages of heart failure from CMVI and 22 age‐matched healthy dogs, based on full cardiac exam and routine laboratory tests.

Methods

Prospective, controlled, observational study. Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentrations were determined by quantitative cPLI test in healthy and CMVI groups.

Results

Serum cPLI concentrations were 54.0 μg/L (IQR: 38.0–78.8 μg/L) in control, 55.0 μg/L (IQR: 38.3–88.8 μg/L) in ISACHC I, 115.0 μg/L (IQR: 45.0–179.0 μg/L) in ISACHC II and 223.0 μg/L (IQR: 119.5–817.5 μg/L) in ISACHC III. Close correlation to serum cPLI concentration was found in the left atrial to aorta (LA/Ao) ratio (r = 0.597; P = .000) and the severity of heart failure (r = 0.530; P = .000).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study found CMVI is associated with pancreatic injury in congestive heart failure caused by CMVI. Therefore, periodic monitoring on cPLI could be useful in monitoring dogs in heart failure.     

Cohort Study of the Success of Controlled Weight Loss Programs for Obese Dogs

Background

Most weight loss studies in obese dogs assess rate and percentage of weight loss in the first 2–3 months, rather than the likelihood of successfully reaching target weight.

Objective

To determine outcome of controlled weight loss programs for obese dogs, and to determine the factors associated with successful completion.

Animals

143 obese dogs undergoing a controlled weight loss program.

Methods

This was a cohort study of obese dogs attending a referral weight management clinic. Dogs were studied during their period of weight loss, and cases classified according to outcome as “completed” (reached target weight), “euthanized” (was euthanized before reaching target weight), or “stopped prematurely” (program stopped early for other reasons). Factors associated with successful completion were assessed using simple and multiple logistic regression.

Results

87/143 dogs (61%) completed their weight loss program, 11 [8%] died or were euthanized, and the remaining 45 [32%] stopped prematurely. Reasons for dogs stopping prematurely included inability to contact owner, refusal to comply with weight management advice, or development of another illness. Successful weight loss was positively associated with a faster rate (P < .001), a longer duration (P < .001), and feeding a dried weight management diet (P = .010), but negatively associated with starting body fat (P < .001), and use of dirlotapide (P = .0046).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Just over half of all obese dogs on a controlled weight loss program reach their target weight. Future studies should better clarify reasons for success in individual cases, and also the role of factors such as activity and behavioral modification.     

Evaluation of serum chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronan: biomarkers for osteoarthritis in canine hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia (HD) is one of the most important bone and joint diseases in dogs. Making the radiographic diagnosis is sometime possible when the disease has markedly progressed. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronan (HA) are the most important cartilage biomolecules that are elevated in the serum taken from dogs with osteoarthritis. The serum CS and HA can be detected by an ELISA technique, with using monoclonal antibodies against CS epitope 3B3 and WF6 and the HA chain as the primary antibodies. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of serum CS (both epitopes) and HA in non-HD and HD dogs. All 123 dogs were categorized into 2 groups. The non-HD group was composed of 98 healthy dogs, while the HD group was comprised of 25 HD dogs. Blood samples were collected for analyzing the serum CS and HA levels with using the ELISA technique. The results showed that the average serum level of the CS epitope WF6 in the HD group (2,594 ± 3,036.10 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in the non-HD group (465 ± 208.97 ng/ml) (p < 0.01) while the epitope 3B3 in the HD group (105 ± 100.05 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in the non-HD group (136 ± 142.03 ng/ml) (p < 0.05). The amount of serum HA in the HD group (134.74 ± 59.71 ng/ml) was lower than that in the non HD group (245.45 ± 97.84 ng/ml) (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the serum CS and HA levels might be used as biomarkers for osteoarthritis in HD dogs.     

Prevalence and Prognostic Importance of Pulmonary Hypertension in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) but its effect on clinical outcome has not been investigated.

Hypothesis/objectives

The presence of PH worsens the outcome in dogs with MMVD. To compare survival times of dogs with MMVD and PH to those without PH.

Animals

Two hundred and twelve client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Case review study. Medical records of dogs diagnosed with ACVIM stage B2 and C MMVD between January 2010 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Long‐term outcome was determined by telephone interview or from the medical record. End of the observation period was March 2013. PH was identified if tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity was >3 m/s.

Results

Two hundred and twelve were identified. Eighty‐three dogs (39%) had PH. PH was more commonly identified in stage C compared to B2 (P < .0001). One hundred and five (49.5%) dogs died during the observation period. Median survival time for the entire study population was 567 days (95% CI 512–743). Stage C (P = .003), the presence of PH (P = .009), left atrial to aortic root ratio (LA/Ao) >1.7 (P = .0002), normalized left‐ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDn) >1.73 (P = .048), and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) >55 mmHg (P = .009) were associated with worse outcomes in the univariate analyses. The presence of TRPG >55 mmHg (HR 1.8 95% CI 1–2.9; P = .05) and LA/Ao > 1.7 (HR 2 95% CI 1.2–3.4; P = .01) remained significant predictors of worse outcome in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In dogs with MMVD, moderate to severe PH worsens outcome.     

Outcomes of Heimlich valve drainage in dogs

Objective and design   Retrospective study of the outcomes of Heimlich valve drainage in dogs.
Procedure   Medical records of the past 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. Heimlich valve drainage was used in 34 dogs (median body weight 30 ± 5 kg): lobectomy (n = 15), pneumonectomy (n = 9), intrathoracic oesophageal surgery (n = 2), diaphragmatic hernia repair (n = 1), traumatic open pneumothorax (n = 2), bilobectomy (n = 2), ligation of the thoracic duct (n = 1), and chylothorax and pneumothorax (n = 1 each). Evacuation of air and/or fluid from the pleural cavity was performed with the Heimlich valve following thoracostomy tube insertion. During drainage, the dogs were closely monitored for possible respiratory failure. Termination of Heimlich valve drainage was controlled with underwater seal drainage and assessed with thoracic radiography.
Results   Negative intrathoracic pressure was provided in 29 dogs without any complications. Post pneumonectomy respiratory syncope and post lobectomy massive hemothorax, which did not originate from the Heimlich valve, were the only postoperative complications. Dysfunction of the valve diaphragm, open pneumothorax and intrathoracic localisation of an acute gastric dilatation–volvulus syndrome caused by a left-sided diaphragmatic hernia following pneumonectomy were the Heimlich valve drainage complications.
Conclusions   The Heimlich valve can be used as a continuous drainage device in dogs, but the complications reported here should be considered by veterinary practitioners.     

Evaluation of the effect of a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray on clinical signs and skin barrier function in dogs with atopic dermatitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a topical spray containing 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate (HCA) on canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and to evaluate the skin barrier function during the treatment of CAD. Twenty-one dogs that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for CAD were included in this study. The HCA spray was applied once a day to the lesions of all dogs for 7 or 14 days. Clinical assessment was performed before (day 0) and after treatment (day 14), and clinical responses were correlated with changes in skin barrier function. CAD severity significantly decreased after 14 days of HCA treatment based on the lesion scores (p < 0.0001), which were determined using the CAD extent and severity index (CADESI-03) and pruritus scores (p < 0.0001) calculated using a pruritus visual analog scale. Transepidermal water loss, a biomarker of skin barrier function, was significantly reduced compared to baseline (day 0) measurements (p = 0.0011). HCA spray was shown to be effective for significantly improving the condition of dogs suffering from CAD. This treatment also significantly improved cutaneous hydration and skin barrier function in the animals.     

Comparison of N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide and three cardiac biomarkers for discriminatory ability of clinical stage in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease

Plasma N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) concentration increases with progression of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs. This multicentre, prospective study compared plasma NT-proANP, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), ANP, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in dogs with MMVD for their characteristics and discriminatory ability to detect cardiac dilatation and congestive heart failure (CHF). Thirty-six healthy dogs and 69 dogs with MMVD were included. Clinical variables were obtained via physical examination, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography. The discriminatory ability of each cardiac biomarker (CB) to determine the presence or absence of cardiac dilatation (event 1) and CHF (event 2) was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curves. Plasma NT-proANP, NT-proBNP, and ANP concentrations showed a significant association with the left atrium/aorta ratio (P<0.01). The area under the curve of plasma NT-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations were 0.72 and 0.75, respectively in event1 and 0.72 and 0.76, respectively in event2. Plasma NT-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations showed sensitivity 80.0 and 80.0%; specificity 67.6 and 64.7% in event1 (cutoff value; 8,497.81 pg/ml and 1,453.00 pmol/l, respectively) and sensitivity 85.7 and 81.0%; specificity 60.4 and 64.6% in event2 (cutoff value; 8,684.33 pg/ml and 1,772.00 pmol/l, respectively). In dogs with MMVD, plasma NT-proANP, NT-proBNP, and ANP concentrations increase with left atrial enlargement. Particularly, plasma NT-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations appeared to be equally useful in the discriminatory ability to detect cardiac dilatation and CHF.     

Incidence,Severity and Prognosis Associated with Hypernatremia in Dogs and Cats

Background

Hypernatremia has been associated with substantial morbidity and death in human patients. The incidence and importance of hypernatremia in dogs and cats has not been determined.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the incidence of and prognosis associated with hypernatremia in dogs and cats at a university teaching hospital.

Animals

A total of 16,691 dogs and 4,211 cats with measured blood or serum sodium concentration.

Methods

Retrospective study. Medical records of animals with a blood or serum sodium concentration measured during a 60‐month period were reviewed to determine the severity of hypernatremia and its associated case fatality rate. Cases with moderate (11–15 mmol/L above the reference range) or severe hypernatremia (≥16 mmol/L above the reference range) were further reviewed.

Results

A total of 957 dogs (5.7%) and 338 cats (8.0%) were diagnosed with hypernatremia. Case fatality rates of dogs and cats with hypernatremia was 20.6 and 28.1%, respectively compared to 4.4 and 4.5% with a normal blood or serum sodium concentration (P < .0001). The magnitude of hypernatremia was linearly associated with a higher case fatality rate (P < .0001). Hypernatremia was associated with a higher case fatality rate than hyponatremia. Among the animals with moderate or severe hypernatremia, 50% of dogs and 38.5% of cats presented with community‐acquired hypernatremia, and 50% of dogs and 61.5% of cats developed hospital‐acquired hypernatremia.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Hypernatremia was found infrequently in this population but was associated with increased case fatality rates in dogs and cats. Presence and severity of hypernatremia might be useful as a prognostic indicator.     

Thoracoscopic Lung Lobectomy for Primary Lung Tumors in 13 Dogs

Objectives

To report our experience with thoracoscopic lung lobectomy in dogs with primary lung tumors and compare the long‐term outcome between dogs with primary lung tumors treated with lobectomy via thoracoscopy or thoracotomy.

Study Design

Retrospective case series; case–control study.

Animals

Thirteen dogs with primary lung tumors treated with thoracoscopic lung lobectomy; case‐matched cohort of 9 dogs with primary lung tumors treated with lobectomy via thoracotomy.

Methods

Medical records from dogs that underwent thoracoscopic lung lobectomy at a single institution were reviewed. Only cases with primary lung tumors were included. Surgical complications and conversion rate were reported. Cases without conversion and with clean margins on histologic examination were matched on prognostic criteria to cases with primary lung tumors treated with lobectomy via thoracotomy. Survival was compared between thoracoscopy and thoracotomy.

Results

Thirteen dogs with primary lung tumors that measured 2.2–7 cm underwent thoracoscopic lung lobectomy. Nine dogs were diagnosed with carcinoma and 4 with histiocytic sarcoma. There were 3 conversions to open thoracotomy because of poor visualization. There were no differences in short‐term outcome between dogs that had their procedures completed via thoracoscopy and those that were converted to thoracotomy. Nine dogs with clean margins were matched with 9 dogs treated via thoracotomy. Mean (standard deviation) followup was 367 (327) days for dogs undergoing thoracoscopy and 603 (612) days for dogs undergoing thoracotomy. The 2‐year survival rate was 44% for thoracoscopy and 56% for thoracotomy (P = .942).

Conclusion

Selected primary lung tumors in dogs can be safely resected with thoracoscopy and not affect long‐term outcome.

     

Assessment of left ventricular function using pulsed tissue Doppler imaging in healthy dogs and dogs with spontaneous mitral regurgitation

Pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (pulsed TDI) has been demonstrated to be useful for the estimation of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions in various human cardiac diseases. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between pulsed TDI and LV function by using cardiac catheterization in healthy dogs and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of pulsed TDI in dogs with spontaneous mitral regurgitation (MR). The peak early diastolic velocity (E'), peak atrial systolic velocity (A'), and peak systolic velocity (S') were detectable in the velocity profiles of the mitral annulus in all the dogs. In the healthy dogs, S' and E' were correlated with LV peak +dP/dt and -dP/dt, respectively. E' was lower in dogs with MR than in dogs without cardiac diseases. E/E' in the MR dogs with decompensated heart failure was significantly increased in comparison with those with compensated heart failure. The sensitivity and specificity of the E/E' cutoff value of 13.0 for identifying decompensated heart failure were 80% and 83%, respectively. In addition, E/E' was significantly correlated with the ratio of left atrial to aortic diameter. These findings suggest that canine pulsed TDI can be applied clinically for estimation of cardiac function and detection of cardiac decompensation and left atrial volume overload in dogs with MR.     

Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Dogs with Pituitary‐Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism and Atypical Hyperadrenocorticism

Background

Atypical hyperadrenocorticism (AHAC) is considered when dogs have clinical signs of hypercortisolemia with normal hyperadrenocorticism screening tests.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To compare cortisol concentrations and adrenal gland size among dogs with pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH), atypical hyperadrenocorticism (AHAC), and healthy controls.

Animals

Ten healthy dogs, 7 dogs with PDH, and 8 dogs with AHAC.

Method

Dogs were prospectively enrolled between November 2011 and January 2013. Dogs were diagnosed with PDH or AHAC based on clinical signs and positive screening test results (PDH) or abnormal extended adrenal hormone panel results (AHAC). Transverse adrenal gland measurements were obtained by abdominal ultrasound. Hourly mean cortisol (9 samplings), sum of hourly cortisol measurements and adrenal gland sizes were compared among the 3 groups.

Results

Hourly (control, 1.4 ± 0.6 μg/dL; AHAC, 2.9 ± 1.3; PDH, 4.3 ± 1.5) (mean, SD) and sum (control, 11.3 ± 3.3; AHAC, 23.2 ± 7.7; PDH, 34.7 ± 9.9) cortisol concentrations differed significantly between the controls and AHAC (P < .01) and PDH (P < .01) groups. Hourly (P < .01) but not sum (P = .27) cortisol concentrations differed between AHAC and PDH dogs. Average transverse adrenal gland diameter of control dogs (5.3 ± 1.2 mm) was significantly less than dogs with PDH (6.4 ± 1.4; P = .02) and AHAC (7.2 ± 1.5; P < .01); adrenal gland diameter did not differ (P = .18) between dogs with AHAC and PDH.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum cortisol concentrations in dogs with AHAC were increased compared to controls but less than dogs with PDH, while adrenal gland diameter was similar between dogs with AHAC and PDH. These findings suggest cortisol excess could contribute to the pathophysiology of AHAC.