Renal involvement in dogs with babesiosis

Proteinuria, and renal tubular casts and epithelial cells in urine sediment, are commonly observed in both complicated and uncomplicated babesiosis, but do not necessarily reflect or predict renal failure. This study investigated the presence and degree of renal damage in canine babesiosis. Renal function and integrity were evaluated using serum urea and creatinine, serum electrolytes (sodium and potassium), fractional clearance of sodium (FcNa) and potassium (FcK), urine enzyme activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase, urine protein:creatinine ratio, and urinalysis. One control group (n = 10) and 3 groups of babesiosis cases were studied: mild uncomplicated (n = 10), severe uncomplicated (n = 11), and complicated (n = 9). All babesiosis groups showed well-concentrated urine. Mean serum urea was elevated in the severe and complicated groups, and was significantly different from the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for creatinine, although the complicated group had a mean value above the normal reference range. Hypokalaemia was uncommon in all the groups. Hyperkalaemia was present in only 2 dogs in the complicated group. Marginal hyponatraemia was present in a minority of dogs in all groups. The serum electrolytes were not significantly different between groups. There was no overall elevation, nor any statistically significant difference in both the FcNa and FcK between the groups. Only 1 dog, in the complicated group, showed marked enzymuria. Proteinuria was a common finding and was significantly different between the severe and complicated groups and the control group. Some dogs in all groups had renal tubular epithelial cells in the urinary sediment, which increased in severity from the mild to the complicated groups and was significantly different from the control group. This study demonstrated that minimal renal damage occurs more often in canine babesiosis than significant damage or acute renal failure.     

Glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations in dogs with babesiosis

OBJECTIVE: To document changes in glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations in dogs with severe or complicated babesiosis; assess relationships among glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations in those dogs; and compare clinical and laboratory variables in dogs with and without hypoglycemia and hyperlactatemia. ANIMALS: 20 dogs with naturally developing severe or complicated babesiosis. PROCEDURE: Samples and measurements were obtained before treatment was initiated. Babesiosis was diagnosed by examination of blood smears. Arterial blood pressure measurement, parasite quantification, CBC count, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, venous blood gas analysis, and acid-base determination were performed. Glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations were measured in samples of venous blood. RESULTS: We detected a significant negative correlation between glucose and lactate concentrations. Glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations all differed significantly between dogs that died and those that survived. Three of 5 dogs that died had concurrent hypoglycemia, hyperlactatemia, and hyperpyruvatemia. Hypoglycemic dogs differed significantly from normoglycemic dogs with regard to lactate, urea, and bicarbonate concentrations; lactate-to-pyruvate ratio; percentage parasitemia; and PCO2. Dogs with hyperlactatemia differed significantly from normolactatemic dogs with regard to clinical collapse; alanine transaminase activity; concentrations of bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and bicarbonate; percentage parasitemia; and PCO2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Abnormal carbohydrate metabolism is commonly evident in dogs with severe or complicated babesiosis and is often associated with changes in other clinical and laboratory variables. Significant differences were found between survivors and nonsurvivors. Hypoglycemia should be assessed and aggressively treated in dogs with babesiosis. Lactate concentration can be used as an indicator of disease severity.     

Electrocardiographic changes and cardiac pathology in canine babesiosis

The main purpose of this study was to describe electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in canine babesiosis, and to relate these to clinical severity, outcome and cardiac pathology.Four groups of dogs with babesiosis were studied: mild to moderate anemia, severe anemia, concurrent autoagglutination and concurrent complications. Lead II ECG was recorded at admission for 1 minute in all dogs (121). A six lead ECG was recorded in 88 dogs. Full necropsy was performed on 16 dogs (5 died on arrival, 11 had ECG recording).The following ECG changes were recorded in relatively high prevalence: sinoatrial blocks or sinus arrest (7%), ventricular premature complexes (7%), low R-amplitude (23%), prominent Q (13%), axis deviations (40%), prolonged QRS (32%), ST depression and coving (28%), large T (42%), and notched R (28%). Differences between groups were minor. There was a significantly higher prevalence of sinus bradycardia and irregular rhythm in the non-survivors. Gross pathological changes were pericardial effusion and hemorrhages. Histological changes were hemorrhages, necrosis, inflammation and fibrin microthrombi. The only correlation between pathology and ECG was low R-amplitude and pericardial effusion.The ECG changes were similar to the pattern described for myocarditis and myocardial ischemia, and together with the histopathological findings indicated that the heart suffers from the same pathological processes described in other organs in canine babesiosis, namely inflammation and hypoxia. As the clinical application of the ECG changes found in this study was limited, cardiovascular assessment should be based on functional monitoring rather than ECG.     

The factors affecting the distribution of babesiosis in dogs in Poland

The aim of this paper was to determine the factors affecting the development of canine babesiosis in Poland. The studies included 800 animals from 16 polish voivodeships-districts (50 from each voivodeship) with suspected piroplasmosis. Hematological and molecular tests confirmed infections in 158 animals. Analysis of the genetic material using the Real-Time Sybr Green HRM technique showed that 96 dogs were infected with Babesia canis 18S RNA-A and 62 with B. canis 18S RNA-B. It was observed that the disease occurs more often in eastern Poland (OR: 8.91; CI: 5.7-13.8), in males (OR: 1.04; CI: 0.7-1.5) and especially in rural areas (OR: 1.7; CI: 1.2-2.4). More prone to infection were pure-bred dogs (OR: 2.24; CI: 1.6-3.2), young animals under 1 year old (OR: 0.73; CI: 0.4-1.5), animals that had suffered from babesiosis in the past (OR: 17.9; CI: 10.9-29.2) and those that had not received preventive measures against ectoparasites (OR: 0.32; CI: 0.2-0.5). Knowledge of the factors facilitating the development of canine babesiosis helps to understand the causal connection between the dogs' exposure to the pathogen and the development of the disease and to limit the occurrence of the infection in these animals, to diagnose it early and to start proper treatment before serious complications develop.     

Blood pressure response to phenylephrine infusion in halothane-anesthetized dogs given acetylpromazine maleate

To quantitate acetylpromazine-induced alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade, phenylephrine was infused into dogs. The amount of phenylephrine necessary to increase the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) 50% above base line, with or without the prior administration of acetylpromazine, served to quantify the degree of acetylpromazine-induced alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade. Seven dogs were anesthetized with thiopental, maintained on halothane in oxygen, and mechanically ventilated. All infusions were made through a catheter in the cephalic vein. Continuous recordings were made of MAP and a lead II ECG. After induction of anesthesia, instrumentation, and stabilization of heart rate, MAP, and ventilation, 6 group I dogs were infused with phenylephrine until a 50% increase in MAP was recorded (phenylephrine control). On subsequent research days, each dog was anesthetized, instrumented as described, and given (IV) 1 of 3 dosages of acetylpromazine in the following order--0.05, 0.125, and 0.25 mg/kg. The dose of phenylephrine necessary to increase MAP 50% in the presence of acetylpromazine was recorded. Five group II dogs were studied as in group I, but each dog was given (IM) atropine (0.04 mg/kg) before anesthetization. Two dosages of acetylpromazine were studied in the following order--0.05 and 0.25 mg/kg. Group I dogs, when compared with their phenylephrine controls, were given significantly more phenylephrine to raise MAP 50% at each dose of acetylpromazine studied. The same trend was observed in group II dogs, but at smaller doses of phenylephrine, probably as a result of the positive chronotropic effect of atropine on the heart.     

The scintigraphic evaluation of the pulmonary perfusion pattern of dogs hospitalised with babesiosis

The possibility of coagulopathy in Babesia canis rossi infections in the canine patient has been suggested in the literature, but minimal work has been done to evaluate the clinicopathological nature of it in further detail. Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) has not yet been implicated in canine babesiosis (CB), but may also be one of the causes of the sudden dyspnoea and tachypnoea that are frequently seen in complicated CB patients. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the scintigraphic pulmonary perfusion pattern in hospitalised dogs with babesiosis in an attempt to ascertain whether a scintigraphic pattern consistent with clinically relevant PTE does indeed occur in these patients. The study consisted of a normal control group of 9 mature healthy Beagle dogs (group 1) and a Babesia group with 14 dogs of a variety of breeds that were naturally infected with Babesia (group 2). Pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy was performed after making thoracic radiographs and performing a blood gas analysis in both groups. The scintigraphic images were visually inspected for changes suggestive of PTE, but not a single dog in group 2 had pleural-based, wedge-shaped perfusion defects which would have resulted in a high probability for clinically relevant PTE. The scintigraphic pulmonary perfusion pattern demonstrated was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 1.00).     

Hematological changes during the course of canine babesiosis caused by large Babesia in domestic dogs in Warsaw (Poland)

In the presented study we evaluated the hematological changes in samples of blood obtained from 248 dogs naturally infected with large Babesia. The evaluation included red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leucocyte counts, thrombocyte counts, mean platelet volume (MPV), morphology of erythrocytes and leucogram. The most common disorders in affected dogs were thrombocytopenia and anisocytosis. The count of erythrocytes below reference values was detected in 26.2% of dogs and 31.4% of affected animals presented hematocrit below the reference values. Hemoglobin concentration below the reference values was noted in 29% of dogs, an increase of MCHC above normal values was detected in 21% of examinated dogs and MCV below normal values was recognized in 2% of dogs. 60.5% of dogs presented anisocytosis, 25% poikilocytosis, 23.8% polychromasia, 19.7% hypochromia and 4.4% erythroblastosis. Thrombocytopenia was detected in 99.5% of dogs, but only 15.3% of examined animals showed increase of MPV, which suggests a response of the bone marrow. 36.3% of dogs had neutropenia, and 21.8% presented a left shift, 14.9% had the lymphocytosis and 7.2% lymphopenia.     

Clinical response and urethral pressure profile changes after phenylpropanolamine in dogs with primary sphincter incompetence

Based on clinical response, urethral pressure profile changes, and lack of side effects, phenylpropanolamine was effective and safe in treating dogs with primary sphincter incompetence. Primary sphincter incompetence was diagnosed in 11 female and 8 male dogs with urinary incontinence. Urodynamics of the dogs were assessed, using a combined urethral pressure profile and urethral sphincter electromyography. Male and female dogs had significantly (P less than 0.05) lower maximal urethral closure pressures, when compared with clinically normally dogs (36.91 +/- 8.20 cm of H2O vs 79.72 +/- 4.61 cm of H2O for female dogs and 48.63 +/- 8.68 cm of H2O vs 99.77 +/- 11.71 cm of H2O for male dogs). After treatment with phenylpropanolamine, there was a significant increase in maximal urethral closure pressure in both sexes to within normal range (77.73 +/- 8.70 cm of H2O in females and 92.50 +/- 14.60 cm of H2O in males). Electromyographic activity was normal before and after treatment. Urinary incontinence resolved clinically in all but 1 male and 1 female dog; however, the condition in these 2 dogs improved considerably. Minimal side effects were seen clinically. Mean arterial blood pressure was not altered by treatment. Plasma estrogen and testosterone concentrations in 8 female dogs were not different from those in continent female dogs. The incontinence in these dogs was considered a sphincter incompetence rather than estrogen responsive.     

犬输血疗法

1　基本知识1 .1　输血疗法是利用输入正常生理机能的血液进行补血、止血、解毒的一种治疗措施。输血的意义在于迅速增加循环血量和体液量 ,增强血液运输氧的能力 ,增加蛋白质的浓度及血液凝固性 ,刺激造血机能等。1 .2　适应症为大失血、外伤性休克、脱水性休克、中毒性休克、溶血性贫血、营养性贫血、恶病质、蛋白质缺乏症等。1 .3　犬的血型根据异种免疫抗体分为 A、B、C、D、E五型 ,但在临床上主要做血液相合性的判定 ,而不做分型。1 .4　为了确保输血安全 ,防止输血反应 ,输血前应对供体和受体的血液进行交叉试验 ,以观察两者血液是…     

Blood volume changes and production and destruction of erythrocytes in newborn dogs.

Erythrocyte, plasma, and total blood volumes were measured in dogs from birth to maturity. All of these volumes (per kilogram of body weight) were significantly greater in the dog at birth than at maturity. Erythrocyte volume decreased during neonatal and postnatal periods to less than that during adult period. Erythrocyte production and destruction were measured with a technique combining dilution method of T-1824 for blood volume measurement with uniform tagging of newly formed erythrocytes with 29Fe. Erythrocyte destruction was high during the first 2 weeks after birth.     

Blood lactate levels in 31 female dogs with pyometra

Background

Canine pyometra is a life-threatening disease common in countries where spaying of dogs is not routinely performed. The disease is associated with endotoxemia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and a 3–4% mortality rate. Blood lactate analysis is clinically valuable in predicting prognosis and survival, evaluating tissue perfusion and treatment response in human and veterinary critical care settings. The aims of the present study were to investigate 1) the blood lactate levels of female dogs with pyometra by a hand-held analyser and 2) if these levels are related with the clinical status or other biochemical or hematological disorders.

Methods

In total 31 female dogs with pyometra admitted for surgical ovariohysterectomy and 16 healthy female control dogs were included in the present study. A complete physical examination including SIRS-status determination was performed. Blood samples for lactate concentrations, hematological and biochemical parameters, acid-base and blood gas analysis and other laboratory parameters were collected and subsequently analysed. The diagnosis pyometra was verified with histopathological examination of the uterus and ovaries. Increased hospitalisation length and presence of SIRS were used as indicators of outcome.

Results

In the pyometra group the median blood lactate level was 1,6 mmol l^-1 (range <0.8–2.7 mmol l^-1). In the control group the median lactate level was 1,2 mmol l^-1 (range <0.8–2.1 mmol l^-1). Of the 31 bitches 19 (61%) fulfilled 2 or more criteria for SIRS at inclusion, 10 bitches (32%) fulfilled 3 of the SIRS criteria whereas none accomplished more than 3 criteria. Lactate levels did not differ significantly between the pyometra and control group, or between the SIRS positive and SIRS negative dogs with pyometra. Increased lactate concentration (>2.5 mmol l^-1) was demonstrated in one female dog with pyometra (3%), and was not associated with longer hospitalisation or presence of SIRS. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. None of the bitches died during or within two months of the hospital stay. The measurements of temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, percentage bandforms of neutrophilic granulocytes, α₂-globulins, creatinin, pvCO₂, TCO₂ and base excess showed significant differences between the SIRS positive and the SIRS negative pyometra cases.

Conclusion

Increased blood lactate concentrations were demonstrated in 3% (1/31), and SIRS was present in 61% (19/31) of the female dogs with pyometra. Preoperative lactate levels were not related with presence of SIRS or prolonged hospitalisation. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. The value of a single and repeated lactate analysis in more severely affected cases remains to be determined.     

Hemostatic changes in dogs with naturally occurring sepsis

Sepsis is a frequent source of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The goal of this case control study was to measure hemostatic changes in dogs with naturally occurring sepsis. Blood was collected within 24 hours of admission from 20 dogs that fulfilled the criteria for sepsis. Sepsis was defined as histologic or microbiological confirmation of infection and 2 or more of the following criteria: hypo- or hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, or leukopenia, leukocytosis, or > 3% bands. Culture and sensitivities were performed on appropriate samples from all septic dogs. Twenty-eight control dogs were enrolled on the basis of normal results of physical examination, CBC, serum biochemistry, and coagulation profile. Plasma samples were analyzed for prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP), D-dimer (DD) concentrations, antithrombin (AT) activity, and protein C (PC) activity. Data were compared between groups by chi-square or independent t-tests. PC (P < .001) and AT (P < .001) activities were significantly lower in dogs with sepsis compared to controls. Dogs with sepsis had significantly higher PT (P = .007), PTT (P = .005), D-dimer (P = .005), and FDP (P = .001) compared to controls. Platelet counts were not significantly different between groups. Ten of the 20 septic dogs (50%) died, but no association was identified between any of the measured variables and outcome. These findings are consistent with previous studies in animals with experimentally induced disease and in clinical studies of humans. On the basis of these results, further investigation of the role of AT and PC in canine sepsis is warranted.     

Blood oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions in normal dogs and in dogs with respiratory failure

Arterial blood samples were obtained from thirty normal conscious dogs breathing air. The mean values and standard deviations recorded were PaO₂ 101.3±5.6 mmHg, PaCO₂ 34.0±3.9 mmHg, oxygen saturation 93.8 ±1.2%, oxygen content 19.3 ± 1.8 ml/100 ml. Ten dogs with respiratory problems were also examined and of these animals seven had lower than normal oxygen tensions while three had carbon dioxide levels higher than those found in healthy dogs. It was concluded that, in severe respiratory disease, measurement of arterial oxygen tension gives a useful assessment of respiratory failure in dogs.