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.     

Cardiac troponins I and T in dogs with pericardial effusion

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) are sensitive and specific markers for myocardial ischemia and necrosis. Dogs with pericardial effusion frequently have myocardial ischemia and necrosis, and these changes are more severe in dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA). We investigated the utility of using serum cTnI and cTnT concentrations to identify the idiopathic pericardial effusion from that associated with HSA. Blood samples for measurement of cTnI and cTnT concentrations were collected before pericardiocentesis in 37 dogs with pericardial effusion. Eighteen dogs had a mass consistent with HSA, 6 dogs had idiopathic pericardial effusion, 1 dog had mesothelioma, and 1 dog had a heart base tumor. No final diagnosis was achieved for 11 dogs. Dogs with pericardial effusion had significantly higher serum concentrations of cTnI (P < .001) but not cTnT (P = .16) than did normal dogs. Dogs with HSA had significantly higher concentrations of cTnI (2.77 ng/dL; range: 0.09-47.18 ng/dL) than did dogs with idiopathic pericardial effusion (0.05 ng/dL; range: 0.03-0.09 ng/dL) (P < .001). There was no difference in the concentration of cTnT between dogs with HSA and those with idiopathic pericardial effusion (P = .08). Measurement of cTnI may be useful in helping to distinguish between idiopathic pericardial effusion and pericardial effusion caused by HSA.     

Idiopathic or mesothelioma-related pericardial effusion: clinical findings and survival in 17 dogs studied retrospectively

This retrospective study compares the clinical signs and diagnostic findings of 17 canine patients with histopathological diagnoses of idiopathic pericardial effusion (IPE) or pericardial mesothelioma (MS) in order to identify differences in clinical findings or survival times that might aid in premortem differentiation of these disease conditions. Based on this series of cases, clinical signs, physical examination findings and results of non-invasive diagnostic testing are insufficient to differentiate MS from IPE with confidence unless a discrete pericardial or intrapericardial mass can be identified. Surgical biopsy may be misleading if large amounts of highly reactive and invasive mesothelial cells are seen. Recurrence of significant amounts of pleural effusion within 120 days of pericardiectomy may increase the likelihood that MS is the cause of pericardial effusion in cases in which other causes have been excluded. Survival longer than 120 days postpericardiectomy without chemotherapeutic intervention is associated with a decreased probability of the condition being MS.     

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy for the management of malignant pericardial effusion in two dogs

Two dogs with signs of right-sided congestive cardiac failure, due to recurrent pericardial effusion secondary to the presence of intraperi-cardial neoplasia, were treated by percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy. The first patient was euthanased one month after the procedure while the second patient developed ascites as a result of obstruction of the caudal vena cava by the growing tumour and was euthanased 14 weeks after the procedure. In neither case was there a recurrence of a significant volume of the effusion. Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy represents an effective means of relieving recurrent malignant pericardial effusion, without resorting to thoracotomy.     

A retrospective study of clinical findings, treatment and outcome in 143 dogs with pericardial effusion

A retrospective study of 143 dogs with pericardial effusion is presented, including a statistical analysis of survival time. Cases were classified into those in which a mass was seen on echocardiography (echo-positive) and those in which no mass could be identified (echo-negative). Forty-four dogs were echo-positive and 99 were echo-negative. The median survival time (MST) was 1068 days for echo-negative dogs and 26 days for echo-positive dogs. Dogs with a history of collapse were more likely to present with a mass on echocardiography. Those presenting with collapse had an MST of 30 days compared with 605 days for those without collapse. Echo-negative dogs tended to present with ascites and generally had a larger volume of pericardial effusion. The median survival for dogs presenting with ascites was 605 days compared with 45 days for those without ascites. Among echo-negative dogs, 64 per cent had a relapse of their effusion. Subtotal pericardiectomy was performed in 31 echo-negative dogs. The procedure had a perioperative mortality of 13 per cent but provided a favourable long-term prognosis. Dogs undergoing pericardiectomy had a median survival of 1218 days compared with 532 days for those not undergoing surgery.     

The occurrence of Treponema in fecal samples from dogs and cats with and without intestinal diseases

6 (6.9%) of 87 examined dogs without diarrhoea proved to be carriers of Treponema (1x T. hyodysenteriae, 5x T. innocens), whereas in fecal samples from 62 dogs with enteric symptoms no isolation of Treponema succeeded. 5 fecal samples (3.7%) of cats without signs of diarrhoea were found to contain Treponema (1x T. hyodysenteriae, 4x T. innocens), whereas the fecal samples of 31 cats with diarrhoea didn't show any growth of Treponema by cultural investigations. Due to the results of these investigations the conclusion can be drawn that Treponema belong to the usual bacteria of dogs' and cats' intestines and cannot be suspected to cause diarrhoea in these animals primarily.     

Pilot study to determine the feasibility of radiation therapy for dogs with right atrial masses and hemorrhagic pericardial effusion

Objectives

To determine the short-term safety and biologic activity of radiation therapy (RT) for presumptive cardiac hemangiosarcoma in pet dogs.

Surgical treatment of idiopathic pericardial effusion in the dog: 25 cases (1978-1993)

Twenty-five cases of canine idiopathic pericardial effusion are described. All were treated surgically and underwent thoracotomy and pericardectomy, with histopathological evaluation of the resected pericardial sac. No tumor, infection, granulation tissue, or foreign body was found. Thirteen of the 25 dogs were golden retrievers, and all were large or giant breeds. Three (12%) died in the immediate postoperative period, and four (16%) died within one year of signs possibly related to the original condition. Eighteen (72%) survived at least 18 months; seven died or were euthanized for reasons unrelated to pericardial effusion (median, 44 months); and 11 were still alive at last contact (median, 61 months).     

Screening of bacterial DNA in bile sampled from healthy dogs and dogs suffering from liver- or gallbladder-associated disease

Although the biliary system is generally aseptic, gallbladder microbiota has been reported in humans and some animals apart from dogs. We screened and analyzed the bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid in canine gallbladders using bile sampled from 7 healthy dogs and 52 dogs with liver- or gallbladder-associated disease. PCR screening detected bacteria in 17.3% of diseased dogs (9/52) and none in healthy dogs. Microbiota analysis of PCR-positive samples showed that the microbial diversity differed between liver- and gallbladder-associated disease groups. Thus, a specific bacterial community appears to occur at a certain frequency in the bile of diseased dogs.     

Sedative effects of hydromorphone or oxymorphone with or without acepromazine in dogs

Hydromorphone is an agonist opioid with potency approximately five times that of morphine and half that of oxymorphone. The purpose of this study was to compare hydromorphone with oxymorphone, with or without acepromazine, for sedation in dogs, and to measure plasma histamine before and after drug administration. Ten dogs received IM hydromorphone (H; 0.2 mg kg^?1), oxymorphone (O; 0.1 mg kg^?1), hydromorphone with acepromazine (H; 0.2 mg kg^?1, A; 0.05 mg kg^?1) or oxymorphone with acepromazine (O; 0.1 mg kg^?1, A; 0.05 mg kg^?1) in a randomized Latin‐square design. Sedation score, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and SpO₂ were recorded at baseline and every 5 minutes after drug administration up to 25 minutes. Plasma histamine was measured at baseline and at 25 minutes post‐drug administration. Data were analyzed with repeated measures anova . Mean ± SD body weight was 21.62 ± 1.54 kg. Mean ± SD age was 1.07 ± 0.19 years. Sedation score was significantly greater for OA after 5 minutes than O alone (4.1 ± 3.5 versus 1.9 ± 1.5) and for HA after 15 minutes than H alone (8.6 ± 2.9 versus 5.9 ± 2.5). There was no significant difference in sedation between H and O at any time point. There was no significant difference between groups at any time with respect to heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure or SpO₂. Mean ± SD plasma histamine (nM ml^?1) for all groups was 1.72 ± 2.69 at baseline and 1.13 ± 1.18 at 25 minutes. There was no significant change in plasma histamine concentration in any group. Hydromorphone is effective for sedation in dogs and does not cause measurable increase in histamine. Sedation with hydromorphone is enhanced by acepromazine.     

Evaluation of a microwave method for dry matter determination in faecal samples from weaned pigs with or without clinical diarrhoea

Microwave drying as a procedure for determination of faecal dry matter in weaned pigs was evaluated and clinical relevant cut-off values between faecal consistency scores were determined. Repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated. Overall coefficient of variation was 0.03. The 95% confidence limits for any future faecal subsample examined by any operator in any replica were ± 0.85% faecal dry matter. Robustness in relation to weight of wet faeces was evaluated. The weight categories were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 g. Samples of 0.5 g gave significantly different mean faecal dry matter content compared to weighing of 1.0-3.0 g. Agreement with freeze-drying was evaluated. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was 0.94. On average the faecal dry matter values was 1.7% (SD=1.99%) higher in freeze dried compared to micro waved samples. Non-parametric ROC analyses were used to determine optimal faecal dry matter cut-off values for clinical faecal consistency scores. The 4 consistency scores were score 1=firm and shaped, score 2=soft and shaped, score 3=loose and score 4=watery. The cut-off values were score 1: faecal dry matter content >19.5%, score 2: faecal dry matter content ≤ 19.5% and >18.0%, score 3: faecal dry matter content ≤ 18.0% and >11.3%, score 4: faecal dry matter content ≤ 11.3%. In conclusion, the microwave procedure has an acceptable repeatability/reproducibility and good agreement with freeze drying can be expected. A minimum of 1.0 g of wet faeces must be used for analyses. Faecal dry matter cut-off values between 4 different clinical consistency scores were determined.