Investigation of a screening programme and the possible identification of biomarkers for early disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in Bernese Mountain dogs

The aim of the study was to construct a screening programme for disseminated histiocytic sarcoma (DHS) in Bernese Mountain dogs using diagnostic imaging and blood analysis and evaluate blood borne biomarkers as early disease detection biomarkers. Healthy Bernese Mountain dogs were screened on four occasions in an attempt to detect early disease. Eleven blood borne biomarkers were examined for their worth as early tumour biomarkers. During 2.5 years, five dogs with early DHS were identified; four of these by diagnostic imaging. No dogs developed symptomatic DHS without being detected within 6 months of the screening programme. Only serum ferritin showed potential as a blood borne marker of the disease. Median survival times for the dogs with early DHS were 226 days. Screening programmes every 6 months for Bernese Mountain dogs over 4 years of age including diagnostic imaging and ferritin measurements may identify early DHS.     

Evaluation of the use of an endotracheal tube as a novel method of short-term haemostasis in post-operative paranasal sinus surgery in three horses

This case series describes placement of an endotracheal tube (ETT) with an air-inflated cuff within surgically created sinonasal windows as a technique of post-operative haemostasis. A frontonasal bone flap and a sinonasal window were performed routinely in three standing horses with paranasal sinus disease. In Case 1, the fistula was initially gauze packed, which controlled haemorrhage until concerns of gauze dislodgement necessitated removal 8 h post-operatively. Severe haemorrhage ensued, requiring emergency passage of an ETT and cuff inflation for control. In Cases 2 and 3, the ETT was placed electively intraoperatively for post-operative haemostasis. The ETT was easy to use in the standing horse and no discomfort or complications were recorded. It adequately controlled haemorrhage post-operatively by application of controlled pressure to the nasal and sinus vasculature. ETT cuff placement and inflation over surgically created sinonasal windows has the potential to provide simple and reliable haemostasis following standing sinus-flap surgery without the reported complications of conventionally used methods.     

Expression of tissue factor in canine mammary tumours and correlation with grade,stage and markers of haemostasis and inflammation

Tissue factor (TF) expression in human cancers has been associated with a procoagulant state and facilitation of metastasis. This study was conducted in order to evaluate if TF was expressed in canine mammary tumours. Forty epithelial mammary tumours from 28 dogs were included. TF expression of the tumours was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody against recombinant canine TF. In addition, thromboelastography, haemostatic and inflammatory parameters were evaluated in the patients. TF was recognized in 44% of benign and 58% of malignant tumours. TF localized to the cytoplasmic membrane of neoplastic luminal epithelial cells and/or diffusely in the cytoplasm. No association was found between TF expression and stage or grade of disease. A significant association between TF expression and antithrombin and plasminogen was found, and extensive TF expression was seen in a lymph node metastasis classified as anaplastic mammary carcinoma from a dog with concomitant disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).     

The effect of three different doses of sodium pentosan polysulphate on haematological and haemostatic variables in adult horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of three different doses of sodium pentosan polysulphate (PPS) on haematological and haemostatic variables in adult horses. DESIGN: Eight adult standardbred horses were used. All horses received a single injection of 0, 3, 6, and 10 mg/kg of PPS at the beginning of each treatment week for 4 weeks so that by the end of the study all horses had received all four doses of PPS. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 168 h after each weekly injection of PPS. Variables measured were packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, platelet count, white cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, eosinophil count, monocyte count, serum protein, fibrinogen, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT). Data were analysed using an ANOVA. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There was a dose-dependent increase in PTT. A significant increase in PTT occurrred in all treatment groups when compared to horses receiving 0 mg/kg in which there was no change over time. The PTT values all returned to baseline by 48 h after treatment. The mean neutrophil count was higher 3 h after treatment when compared to time 0. Horses receiving 3 mg/kg of PPS had a higher lymphocyte count 4 h after injection, and those receiving 6 and 10 mg/kg had higher counts at 3,4,6 and 8 h after injection when compared to time 0. At 8 h after injection horses receiving 6 and 10 mg PPS had higher lymphocyte counts than horses not receiving PPS. CONCLUSIONS: PPS causes a dose-dependent prolongation of PTT in horses. At the dose rates currently recommended for treatment of joint problems in horses this increase was small and remained elevated from baseline for up to 24 h. Based on these findings doses of PPS up to 3 mg/kg should not be administered to horses within 24 h of high stress activities or where physical injury may occur.     

冲服水温对三七粉散瘀止血作用的影响

三七粉(Panax notoginseng powder,PNP)"散瘀止血"功效明确,临床上多以水冲服.为探究冲服水温对三七粉散瘀止血作用的影响,为患者服用三七粉提供一定参考,分别采用细菌内毒素(LPS)与角叉菜胶(Ca)制备血瘀证模型,机械损伤建立大鼠外伤出血模型,测定全血黏度、血浆黏度、红细胞聚集指数和凝血4项(PT、APTT、Fib和TT)等血流变和凝血指标;测定TNF-a、IL-1β和IL-6等炎症因子水平;测定出血时间(BT)和凝血时间(CT)等止血指标,来评价不同温度(30、40、50和100℃)水冲服对三七粉散瘀、止血作用的影响.结果 显示,三七粉可改变SD大鼠血液流变学行为,降低血液黏度,抑制血栓形成.水浴温度对三七粉的散瘀作用具有显著影响,在一定温度范围(30～40℃)内可显著降低血瘀证大鼠全血黏度和正常大鼠血浆黏度,改善血液流变特性.     

Serial haemostatic monitoring of dogs with multicentric lymphoma

Lymphoma is the most common haematopoietic malignancy in dogs and it has been associated with hypercoagulability and subsequent thromboembolism. The objectives of this study were to serially characterize the haemostatic status of dogs with multicentric lymphoma. Thromboelastography, thrombin–antithrombin complex concentration and routine haematology and coagulation panels were measured. Twenty‐seven dogs were included in the study and 15 completed the study in remission. At presentation, 81% (22/27) of dogs with multicentric lymphoma had altered haemostatic profiles consistent with hypercoagulability. Laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability did not resolve during treatment or for up to 1 month following attainment of clinical remission. Accelerated rate of clot formation at the time of chemotherapeutic protocol completion was associated with decreased survival time. We concluded that dogs with multicentric lymphoma were frequently hypercoagulable from presentation through 4 weeks after the completion of chemotherapy. Increased angle and shortened K in dogs that have successfully completed their chemotherapeutic protocol may be associated with shorter survival times.     

Thromboelastography in equine medicine: Technique and use in clinical research

Thromboelastography (TEG) is a viscoelastic, whole blood‐based assay that integrates information from both the cellular and soluble components of coagulation, providing a global evaluation of the haemostatic system. This contrasts with the conventional coagulation assays (i.e. platelet count, prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT] and fibrinogen concentration [FIB]), which only provide information about one component (e.g. clotting factors in the case of PT and aPTT) of the haemostatic process, requiring the combination of several assays for a complete evaluation of haemostasis. Thromboelastography is an old technology that has been used in human medicine for over 50 years. However, it is relatively new in veterinary medicine and has only been applied to horses in the last 5 years. Clinical applications in human medicine include diagnosis and monitoring of coagulopathies. Currently, extensive research is being carried out to expand the use of TEG in dogs and cats. Therefore, it is expected that the use of this technique will also further expand in horses in the near future. To date, the available studies in the equine species have evaluated TEG in healthy horses, horses with gastrointestinal disease, septic foals, horses with exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) and a filly with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. The main objective of this review is to introduce the TEG technique to equine clinicians, providing information on how the TEG functions, blood sample collection and processing, variables measured and their interpretations, normal reference values and areas of potential clinical application.