Concentrations of C-reactive protein in effusions in dogs

The concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured in effusions from 50 dogs to assess the potential for measuring this protein to differentiate body cavity fluids. The effusions were classified as either transudates, modified transudates or exudates according to their total protein concentration, total nucleated cell count, cytological findings and aetiology, and the concentration of CRP was determined by a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. There were significant differences between the concentrations of CRP in the three types of effusion; the highest concentrations were observed in the exudates (4.47 to 54.59 microg/ml), the lowest were in the transudates (0.0094 to 7.87 microg/ml), and the modified transudates contained intermediate concentrations of CRP (0.045 to 10.78 microg/ml). A cut-off value of 4 microg/ml had a sensitivity of 100 per cent and a specificity of 94.4 per cent for differentiating transudates from exudates, and a cut-off value of 11 microg/ml had a sensitivity of 88.2 per cent and a specificity of 100 per cent for distinguishing modified transudates from exudates. However, a cut-off value of 1 microg/ml had a lower sensitivity (80 per cent) and an unacceptably low specificity (66.7 per cent) for differentiating transudates from modified transudates.     

Biochemical variants in dogs

Biochemical variants of constituents of the blood are considered to be valuable markers of genes in studies on population genetics. They are being used for that purpose for human populations and also for populations of laboratory and farm animals. The present report is concerned with biochemical variants in dogs.

In dog breeding an increasing interest is being shown in the origin of the breeds, in their mutual relations, and in the relationship with wild canidae. Since biochemically detectable variation can offer valuable information in this repect, an overall investigation of the possibilities for the detection of these variants has been made. In this study, eleven constituents of the blood of dogs were found to demonstrate clearly detectable genetic polymorphism. The genetic systems for these eleven constituents are described. The observed frequencies of the variants are reported.     

Biochemical variants in dogs

Biochemical variants of constituents of the blood are considered to be valuable markers of genes in studies on population genetics. They are being used for that purpose for human populations and also for populations of laboratory and farm animals. The present report is concerned with biochemical variants in dogs. In dog breeding an increasing interest is being shown in the origin of the breeds, in their mutual relations, and in the relationship with wild canidae. Since biochemically detectable variation can offer valuable information in this respect, an overall investigation of the possibilities for the detection of these variants has been made. In this study, eleven constituents of the blood of dogs were found to demonstrate clearly detectable genetic polymorphism. The genetic systems for these eleven constituents are described. The observed frequencies of the variants are reported.     

Long-term survival of 23 dogs with pericardial effusions

Twenty-three dogs with pericardial effusions were identified from case records made between 1992 and 2000. Fourteen of the 23 were diagnosed with idiopathic pericardial effusions, and three of these were treated successfully by one pericardiocentesis. In the remaining 11 cases the pericardial effusion recurred; six cases were managed long-term by either two (three cases), three (two cases), or 11 repeated pericardiocenteses, and the remaining five were treated by pericardiectomy. The median survival time of the six dogs treated by repeated pericardiocentesis was five years and nine days.     

Endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in healthy dogs, dogs with selected neoplasia, and dogs with nonneoplastic diseases

To evaluate the relationship between endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancers of dogs, circulating concentrations of these 2 tumor-associated markers were measured prospectively in healthy dogs (n = 44), dogs with tumors (n = 54), and dogs with nonneoplastic diseases (n = 42 for endostatin; n = 16 for VEGF). A canine-directed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used for determination of endostatin, and a human-directed kit was validated for detection of canine VEGF. Concentrations of endostatin for all dogs were 28-408 ng/mL. Increasing serum endostatin concentration was associated with increasing age (P = .0396). Concentrations of endostatin were not different among groups of dogs (P = .1989) when adjusted for age. Mean endostatin concentrations for all dogs were higher in dogs (P = .0124) with detectable VEGF concentrations. Endostatin concentrations, when corrected for age, were related to decreasing PCV (P = .032) but not white blood cell count (P = .225) or platelet count (P = .1990). Measurable VEGF (> or = 2.5 pg/mL) was detected in 3 (7.0%) of 43 healthy dogs. Dogs with tumors had detectable VEGF in 24 (44%) of 54 dogs, with concentrations ranging from 2.5-274 pg/mL; only 1 dog with a nonneoplastic disease process had detectable VEGF. VEGF concentrations for all dogs after correcting for age, endostatin, and disease categories were associated with increased white blood cell count (P = .0032) and platelet counts (P = .0064) and decreased PCV (P = .0017). Linkage between increased endostatin and VEGF concentrations suggests that similar factors may influence concentrations of these markers. Further evaluation of endostatin and VEGF associations in dogs with tumors may provide information on the extent and progression of the disease.     

Flow cytometric analysis of effusions in dogs and cats with the automated haematology analyser ADVIA 120

Samples were aspirated from 12 thoracic effusions, 10 abdominal effusions and four pericardial effusions in 17 dogs and nine cats. They were analysed cytometrically with the ADVIA 120 flow cytometer and the results were compared with the results of cytological examinations of May-Grünwald-Giemsa-stained smears. The conventional cytology revealed a purulent or pyogranulomatous inflammation in 12 of the animals, lymphoma in six, malignant histiocytosis in two, and an unspecified carcinoma in two; two animals had a chylous effusion, two had a modified transudate, and one dog had an idiopathic pericardial haemorrhage. The flow cytometric analysis was based on cellular volume, peroxidase staining intensity and the determination of nuclear lobularity, and made it possible to identify predominant cell lineages and cell debris, which were shown in characteristic cytograms. Inflammatory effusions, monocytic proliferation and lymphoma were easily detected, but carcinoma cells and mesothelial cells were classified as 'mononuclear blasts'.     

Serum complement level in dogs with neoplastic disease

The hemolytic reactivity of complement obtained from 119 dogs with and without cancer has been determined. Dogs with cancer were divided retrospectively, into 2 groups--dogs with lymphosarcoma (37) and dogs with malignant neoplasms other than lymphosarcoma (31). Normal dogs (21) served as a control group. Also, for comparison, complement reactivity was determined on sera from a 4th group composed of a limited number (30) of dogs with serious systemic illnesses other than neoplasia. There was no significant difference among means for hemolytic complement reactivity of the 4 groups. However, when the dispersion of hemolytic complement values within each group of abnormal dogs was compared with that of normal dogs by variance ratio testing, it was found that all abnormal groups had highly significant greater variances than did normal dogs.     

Biochemical analysis of pericardial fluid and whole blood in dogs with pericardial effusion

Studies evaluating pericardial fluid analysis in dogs to determine the etiology of pericardial effusions have yielded conflicting results. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, glucose, and lactate of pericardial fluid to peripheral blood from dogs with pericardial effusion and to compare these variables between dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic pericardial effusion. Acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, glucose, hematocrit, urea nitrogen, and lactate concentrations were evaluated in peripheral blood samples and in pericardial effusion samples of 41 client-owned dogs with pericardial effusion. Common abnormal findings in the peripheral blood of dogs with pericardial effusion included hyperlactatemia (n = 38 [of 41]; 93%), hyponatremia (n = 25/41; 61%), hyperglycemia (n = 13/41; 32%), and hypermagnesemia (n = 13/41; 32%). Bicarbonate, sodium, ionized calcium, glucose, and hematocrit were all significantly lower in the pericardial fluid compared with peripheral blood, whereas lactate, chloride, and PCO2 were significantly higher in the pericardial fluid. When comparing the concentrations of variables in the pericardial fluid of dogs with neoplasia (n = 28) to those without neoplasia (n = 13), pH, bicarbonate, and chloride were significantly lower in dogs with neoplasia, whereas lactate, hematocrit, and urea nitrogen were significantly higher in the pericardial fluid of dogs with neoplasia. The difference between peripheral and pericardial glucose concentrations was significantly larger in dogs with neoplasia than in dogs without neoplasia. Although differences between variables in dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic pericardial effusion were documented, clinical relevance is likely limited by the degree of overlap between the 2 groups.     

Use of pericardial fluid pH to distinguish between idiopathic and neoplastic effusions

Pericardial effusion (PE) resulting from neoplasia usually is associated with a poor prognosis, whereas idiopathic PE frequently has a good prognosis. This study examined the utility of pH measurement to distinguish between these 2 etiologies. Dogs were classified as having idiopathic PE (n = 12) if pericarditis was diagnosed on histopathology (n = 4) or if no historical, physical, or echocardiographic evidence of recurrent PE was present for at least 6 months after pericardiocentesis (n = 8). Dogs were classified as having neoplastic PE (n = 25) if pericardial or myocardial neoplasia was detected on histopathology (n = 11) or a discrete mass associated with the right atrium, right ventricle, or the aorta was visualized on echocardiography (n = 14). Samples of PE were centrifuged and the supernatant pH was measured with a portable pH meter. The lowest pH (6.40) was found in a dog with idiopathic PE and the highest pH (7.85) was found in a dog with neoplastic PE. However, data from the 2 groups overlapped in 33 out of 37 (89%) instances, and median pH from the idiopathic and neoplastic groups was not significantly different (7.40 and 7.47, respectively; P = 0.28; difference in medians = -0.7; 95% CI, -0.26-0.06). Because of the degree of overlap, our data provide little justification for the use of pH measurement as a diagnostic test in cases of PE.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in body cavity effusions in dogs

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability enhancing properties specific for endothelial cells. VEGF is present in high concentrations in inflammatory and neoplastic body cavity effusions and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neoplastic and inflammatory effusion formation. In this study, VEGF was quantitated by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) in samples of pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal effusions (N = 38) from dogs (N = 35) with neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. VEGF was detected in 37 of 38 effusions (median, 754; range, 18-3,669 pg/mL) and was present in much higher concentrations than in previously established normal concentrations for canine plasma (median, < 1 pg/mL; range, < 1-18 pg/mL) or in those previously noted in the plasma of dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA; median, 17 pg/mL; range, < 1-67 pg/mL). In 4 dogs with HSA, the concurrent plasma VEGF concentration was much lower than in the abdominal effusion (P = .029). No significant correlation was demonstrated between VEGF effusion concentration and effusion total protein content or nucleated cell count. Mean VEGF concentrations were significantly higher in pericardial (median, 3,533; range, 709-3,669 pg/mL) and pleural effusions (median, 3,144; range, 0-3,663 pg/mL) compared to peritoneal effusions (median, 288; range, 18-2,607 pg/mL; P < .05). There was no marked difference demonstrated between effusions associated with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of VEGF in body cavity effusion formation in dogs.     

Comparison of abdominal computed tomography and abdominal ultrasound in sedated dogs

Abdominal ultrasound (US) is used frequently as a first-line screening tool for abdominal disease. Although computed tomography (CT) is superior to US in the diagnosis of some abdominal diseases, a major impediment is the requirement of general anesthesia to prevent motion and for safe restraint. With multidetector helical CT, faster examinations allow general anesthesia to be avoided, while producing diagnostic-quality images. Abdominal US and CT were compared for lesion detection in 27 sedated dogs, divided into three even groups based on body weight. Lesions were categorized further as to subjective clinical relevance. In dogs less than 25 kg, there is no significant difference in lesion detection between CT and US. In dogs weighing greater than 25 kg, more lesions were detected with CT than with US (P = 0.0001), including clinically relevant lesions (P = 0.0277). From these results, it appears that CT has an advantage in lesion detection in dogs greater than 25 kg, making it a better screening test for abdominal disease in these patients.     

Lymphoid nodules in skin biopsies from dogs, cats, and horses with nonneoplastic dermatoses

In a retrospective histopathologic study of nonneoplastic dermatoses, lymphoid nodules were found in 0.3% of 3,408 canine, 5.1% of 469 feline, and 4.5% of 325 equine skin biopsies. In all 3 species, the majority of cases wherein lymphoid nodules were found were diseases of presumed immune-mediated nature. In cats and horses, the majority of cases were also diseases characterized by tissue eosinophilia.