Acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with nasal disease

The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A, haptoglobin (Hp) and α(1)-acid glycoprotein were measured in dogs with clinical signs of nasal disease and compared with those of healthy dogs in order to determine the expression of these proteins in cases of canine nasal disease. A significant difference (P<0.001) between the symptomatic group and the control group was found for both CRP and Hp. Among the animals with nasal disease, a significant intergroup difference (P<0.05) was found in the expression of Hp between dogs with aspergillosis and those with chronic rhinitis.     

Evaluation of disease activity markers in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical utility of serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein and microalbuminuria as disease activity markers in canine idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease for which no underlying cause could be identified were considered to have idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease and were included in the study. Serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha was assessed using a canine-specific ELISA, C-reactive protein by immunoturbidometric assay and quantitative microalbuminuria was analysed using a monoclonal antibody directed against canine albumin. The canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index and histopathologic grade were used to assess disease severity; biologic markers were then compared with the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index and histopathologic grade. RESULTS: Sixteen dogs were included in the study. C-reactive protein level was mildly elevated in 15 dogs. Microalbuminuria was elevated in two of 15 dogs, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha was not detected in any dog tested. No correlation was found between the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index and C-reactive protein or microalbuminuria or between histopathologic grade and C-reactive protein or microalbuminuria. There was no correlation between histopathologic grade and the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although only a small number of dogs were evaluated, this study does not support the use of serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha measured by canine-specific ELISA or microalbuminuria in the evaluation of disease activity in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. Although mildly elevated in most dogs, C-reactive protein did not reflect disease severity as assessed by the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index or histopathologic grade.     

Evaluation of lymphocyte apoptosis in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

Objective-To determine whether lymphocyte apoptosis in intestinal mucosae is more common in healthy dogs than dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and whether numbers of apoptotic cells increase after successful treatment of affected dogs. Animals-8 dogs with IBD (IBD dogs) and 8 healthy control dogs. Procedures-Biopsy specimens of the duodenum and colon were obtained via endoscopy from dogs with IBD before and after 10 weeks of standard treatment and compared with specimens obtained from control dogs. Expression of activated caspase 3 (Casp3), caspase-cleaved fragment p85 from poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was measured in the duodenal (villous tip and base) and colonic mucosae. Results-Expression of Casp3 was greater in the duodenal villous tips of control dogs, compared with expression in similar tissues from dogs with IBD before or after treatment. Despite clinical improvement of dogs with IBD, expression of Casp3 did not increase after treatment. Expression of PARP did not differ between groups at any time point. Expression of Bcl-2 was greater at all 3 tissue sites in control dogs, compared with expression at the same sites in dogs with IBD. Furthermore, Bcl-2 expression in duodenal villous tips was higher in dogs with IBD after treatment but was not higher elsewhere. In control dogs, expression patterns for all 3 markers were similar between sites (villous tip > villous base > colon). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Expression of Casp3 in lymphocytes in duodenal villous tips was significantly reduced in dogs with IBD, compared with expression in healthy dogs, but no increase was detected following successful treatment of IBD. Increased expression of Bcl-2 may be a potential marker of the success of treatment.     

Hypovitaminosis D in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and hypoalbuminaemia

Objectives : To compare serum vitamin D metabolites and plasma parathyroid hormone concentrations in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and normal albumin concentration, dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and hypoalbuminaemia, healthy dogs and hospitalised ill dogs with non‐gastrointestinal illness. Methods : Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations were measured in 36 healthy dogs, 49 hospitalised ill dogs with non‐gastrointestinal illnesses, 21 dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and normoalbuminaemia and 12 dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and hypoalbuminaemia. Plasma parathyroid hormone and ionised calcium concentrations were measured in a subset of these dogs. Results : Concentrations of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D were lower in hypoalbuminaemic dogs with inflammatory bowel disease than in the healthy dogs (P<0·001), hospitalised ill dogs (P<0·001) and normoalbuminaemic dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (P<0·001). Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and hypoalbuminaemia had a higher plasma concentration of parathyroid hormone (P<0·01) and lower plasma concentration of ionised calcium (P<0·001) than hospitalised ill dogs. Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease had a positive correlation between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and serum albumin (P<0·0001), serum calcium (P<0·0001) and plasma ionised calcium (P<0·0005) concentrations. Clinical Significance : Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and hypoalbuminaemia frequently have ionised hypocalcaemia, high parathyroid hormone and low serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Further studies are indicated to establish the pathogenesis of this disease complication as well as therapeutic strategies to reverse this state.     

A catheter technique for biopsy of dogs with chronic nasal disease

A method of catheter biopsy of intranasal tissue is described. This technique was evaluated in 23 dogs referred with a history of chronic nasal disease. The technique was successful in providing diagnostically useful tissue in 15 of the cases and was shown to be a safe, inexpensive and useful diagnostic aid.     

Diagnostic value of echo-Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging in dogs with pulmonary arterial hypertension

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) relies on Doppler measurement of pulmonic and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, these are not always detectable. HYPOTHESIS: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), a novel noninvasive ultrasound technique, provides indirect but sensitive and specific assessment of elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) in dogs. ANIMALS: One hundred and five dogs with TR. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Dogs were categorized as presenting normal (group 1, n = 45), mildly increased (group 2, n = 19), or moderately to severely increased (group 3, n = 41) SPAP, based on TR peak velocities (< 2.5, 2.5-3.0, and > 3.0 m/s, respectively). Ten quantitative echo-Doppler- and TDI-derived variables were assessed, including the main pulmonary arterial diameter to aortic diameter ratio, pulmonary flow acceleration time, and acceleration-to-ejection time ratio, the Tei index of right ventricular function, and 6 longitudinal basal right ventricular TDI variables. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between SPAP and each of the 10 tested variables (P < .05). Conventional echo-Doppler variables were less discriminating than the TDI for predicting increased SPAP. The combined systolic and diastolic right TDI index had the highest sensitivity and specificity (89% and 93% respectively, for a cutoff of 11.8 cm/s) and could discriminate between dogs in group 1 from dogs in group 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: TDI provided effective predictors of systolic PAH and demonstrated that both alterations in right-sided systolic and diastolic myocardial function can occur with mild increases in SPAP.     

Predictive value of natriuretic peptides in dogs with mitral valve disease

Natriuretic peptides are useful in diagnosing heart failure in dogs. However, their usefulness in detecting early stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) has been debated. This study evaluated N-terminal (NT) fragment pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in 39 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) with pre-clinical mitral valve regurgitation (MR), sixteen dogs with clinical signs of heart failure (HF) and thirteen healthy control dogs. Twenty seven CKCS and ten control dogs were re-examined 4 years after the initial examination and the status of the dogs 5 years after the initial examination was determined by telephone calls to the owner. All dogs were evaluated by clinical examination and echocardiography. CKCS with severe MR had higher NT-proANP and NT-proBNP compared to controls and CKCS with less severe MR. Dogs with clinical signs of HF had markedly elevated NT-proANP and NT-proBNP. Plasma concentrations of the natriuretic peptides measured at re-examination could predict progression in regurgitant jet size.     

Orbital inflammatory disease and pseudotumor in dogs and cats

Orbital disease is common in dogs and cats. Clinical signs include exophthalmos, protrusion of the third eyelid, and resistance to retropulsion of the globe. This article discusses diagnostic work-up for dogs and cats with signs suggestive of orbital disease. Diagnosis and treatment of nonneoplastic orbital diseases follows. Congenital diseases are discussed first, followed by inflammatory diseases of the orbit including orbital pseudotumor. Lastly, other less common orbital conditions are addressed.     

Diagnostic value of exfoliative cytology of body fluids in dogs and cats

A method for collecting body fluids for cytological examination and their subsequent preparation and staining is described. The results of the cytological examination of 80 dogs and 26 cats over a period of three years are reported, indicating the number and types of condition which can be diagnosed, together with the clinicopathological correlations.     

Idiopathic ocular and nasal granulomatous inflammatory disease in a dog

A young female Akita presented for ocular and nasal lesions. Examination showed bilateral 360 degree limbal masses that extended onto the peripheral cornea. In addition, intranasal granulomatous masses were observed by rhinoscopy. Histopathologic examination with immunohistochemical staining showed that these masses were almost identical and were classified as an idiopathic, T-cell rich, granulomatous inflammation. The dog responded well to anti-inflammatory medication and the disease remains in remission 2 years after the initial presentation.