Frequency and severity of tracheal wash hemosiderosis and association with underlying disease in 96 cats: 2002-2003

BACKGROUND: Hemosiderophages may be found in feline tracheal wash specimens in association with various disease conditions, including heart failure, trauma, infection, foreign body migration, lung lobe torsion, pulmonary embolism or infarction, neoplasia, and bleeding diathesis. Based on observations in our laboratory, we hypothesized that tracheal wash specimens from cats with asthma also frequently contain hemosiderophages, even in the absence of other known causes of pulmonary hemorrhage. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of hemosiderosis in tracheal wash fluid from cats with various diseases, including asthma. METHODS: Feline tracheal wash fluid specimens submitted for cytologic evaluation between March 2002 and August 2003 were included in the study. One hundred and one specimens from 96 cats were examined with both Wright's-Giemsa and Prussian blue stains. Cats were assigned to 6 disease categories: feline asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary neoplasia, rhinitis, heart disease, and other disorders. Based on the percentage of Prussian blue-positive macrophages, hemosiderosis was categorized as negative (0%), mild (<20%), moderate (21-50%), or marked (>50%). RESULTS: The frequency of tracheal wash hemosiderosis in the study population was 63.5% (61/96); hemosiderosis was mild (29/96, 30.2%), moderate (22/96, 22.9%), or marked (10/96, 10.4%). Hemosiderosis was found in 85.7% (6/7) of cats with rhinitis, 78.6% (11/14) of cats with pulmonary neoplasia, 75.0% (27/36) of cats with asthma, 71.4% (5/7) of cats with primary or concurrent heart disease, 25.0% (5/20) of cats with pneumonia, and 66.7% (12/18) of cats with other disorders. In cats with asthma, hemosiderosis was usually mild to moderate and frequently was accompanied by increased eosinophils. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that hemosiderosis is a common finding in tracheal wash specimens collected from cats with diverse disease conditions, including feline asthma syndrome.     

Infarctive purpura hemorrhagica in five horses

Five horses were examined because of signs of muscle stiffness, colic, or both. All 5 had been exposed to Streptococcus equi within 3 weeks prior to examination or had high serum titers of antibodies against the M protein of S equi. Horses had signs of unrelenting colic-like pain and focal areas of muscle swelling. Four horses were euthanatized. The fifth responded to treatment with penicillin and dexamethasone; after 3 weeks of treatment with dexamethasone, prednisolone was administered for an additional 10 weeks. Common hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities included neutrophilia with a left shift and toxic changes, hyperproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and high serum creatine kinase and aspartate transferase activities. Necropsy revealed extensive infarction of the skeletal musculature, skin, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. Histologic lesions included leukocytoclastic vasculitis in numerous tissues and acute coagulative necrosis resembling infarction. These horses appeared to have a severe form of purpura hemorrhagica resembling Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura in humans and characterized by infarction of skeletal muscles. Early recognition of focal muscle swelling, abdominal discomfort, neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, and high serum creatine kinase activity combined with antimicrobial and corticosteroid treatment may enhance the likelihood of a successful outcome.     

Prediction of serum ionized calcium concentration by use of serum total calcium concentration in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether total serum calcium (tCa) or adjusted tCa concentrations accurately predict ionized calcium (iCa) status in dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION: 1,633 canine serum samples. PROCEDURE: The tCa concentration was adjusted for total protein (TP) or albumin concentration by use of published equations. Correlations between iCa and tCa or adjusted tCa, tCa and TP, and tCa and albumin were calculated. Diagnostic discordance between tCa or adjusted tCa and iCa was determined. Diagnostic discordance in predicting iCa was also determined for 490 dogs with chronic renal failure (CRF). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative diagnostic likelihood ratios were calculated for tCa, tCa adjusted forTP, and tCa adjusted for albumin. RESULTS: Diagnostic discordance was 27% when tCa concentration was used to predict iCa status. Use of adjusted tCa increased diagnostic discordance to approximately 37% for all dogs and 55% for dogs with CRF. Positive predictive value and positive diagnostic likelihood ratios were poor when tCa concentration was used to predict iCa status. The tCa concentration overestimated normocalcemia and underestimated hypocalcemia. Adjusted tCa overestimated hypercalcemia and underestimated hypocalcemia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Adjusted tCa or tCa concentrations are unacceptable for predicting iCa status in dogs. Use of adjustment equations is not recommended. Direct measurement of iCa concentration is necessary for accurate assessment of calcium status. Use of tCa or adjusted tCa concentrations to predict iCa status in dogs could cause serious mistakes in diagnosis and case management, especially in dogs with CRF.     

Morphological, histological, and ultrastructural studies of the ovary of the cattle-tick Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (Acari: Ixodidae)

This study presents the morphology of the ovary, as well as the dynamics of the vitellogenesis process in oocytes of the cattle-tick Boophilus microplus. The ovary of these individuals is of the panoistic type; therefore, it lacks nurse cells. This organ consists of a single tubular structure, continuous, and composed of a lumen delimitated by a wall of small epithelial cells with rounded nuclei. In this tick species, the oocytes were classified into six stages varying from I to VI and according to: cytoplasm appearance and presence of the germ vesicle, yolk granules, and chorion. Oocytes of various sizes and at different developmental stages remain attached to the ovary through a cellular pedicel until completing stage V. Afterwards, they are liberated into the lumen and from there to the exterior. Some oocytes (classified as type VI) showed an atypical appearance indicating that some of the cellular components would be undergoing a degenerative process and/or reabsorption.     

Effects of oral potassium supplementation on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations of horses during endurance exercise

OBJECTIVE: To compare effects of oral supplementation with an experimental potassium-free sodium-abundant electrolyte mixture (EM-K) with that of oral supplementation with commercial potassium-rich mixtures (EM+K) on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations in horses during an 80-km endurance ride. ANIMALS: 46 healthy horses. PROCEDURE: Blood samples were collected before the ride; at 21-, 37-, 56-, and 80-km inspection points; and during recovery (ie, 30-minute period after the ride). Consumed electrolytes were recorded. Blood was analyzed for pH, PvCO2, and Hct, and plasma was analyzed for Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, lactate, albumin, phosphate, and total protein concentrations. Plasma concentrations of H+ and HCO3-, the strong ion difference (SID), and osmolarity were calculated. RESULTS: 34 (17 EM-K and 17 EM+K treated) horses finished the ride. Potassium intake was 33 g less and Na+ intake was 36 g greater for EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. With increasing distance, plasma osmolarity; H+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, phosphate, lactate, total protein, and albumin concentrations; and PvCO2 and Hct were increased in all horses. Plasma HCO3-, Ca2+, and Cl- concentrations were decreased. Plasma H+ concentration was significantly lower in EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. Plasma K+ concentrations at the 80-km inspection point and during recovery were significantly less in EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in plasma H+ and K+ concentrations in this endurance ride were moderate and unlikely to contribute to signs of muscle fatigue and hyperexcitability in horses.     

Evaluation of cardiac lesions and risk factors associated with myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

OBJECTIVE: To describe cardiac lesions and identify risk factors associated with myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in beach-cast southern sea otters. ANIMALS: Free-ranging southern sea otters. PROCEDURE: Sea otters were necropsied at the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center from 1998 through 2001. Microscopic and gross necropsy findings were used to classify sea otters as myocarditis or DCM case otters or control otters. Univariate, multivariate, and spatial analytical techniques were used to evaluate associations among myocarditis; DCM; common sea otter pathogens; and potential infectious, toxic, and nutritional causes. RESULTS: Clusters of sea otters with myocarditis and DCM were identified in the southern aspect of the sea otter range from May to November 2000. Risk factors for myocarditis included age, good body condition, and exposure to domoic acid and Sarcocystis neurona. Myocarditis associated with domoic acid occurred predominantly in the southern part of the range, whereas myocarditis associated with S. neurona occurred in the northern part of the range. Age and suspected previous exposure to domoic acid were identified as major risk factors for DCM. A sample of otters with DCM had significantly lower concentrations of myocardial L-carnitine than control and myocarditis case otters. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cardiac disease is an important cause of death in southern sea otters. Domoic acid toxicosis and infection with S. neurona are likely to be 2 important causes of myocarditis in sea otters. Domoic acid-induced myocarditis appears to progress to DCM, and depletion of myocardial L-carnitine may play a key role in this pathogenesis.