Subpalpebral lavage placement for remote topical administration of ocular medications in 12 dogs: A retrospective review and assessment of owner perception

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe the placement of subpalpebral lavage (SPL) systems in 12 dogs (15 eyes) intolerant of topical ocular medications to assess the suitability, complications encountered and owner perception of use.

Animals Studied

Retrospective review of dogs that underwent SPL placement for treatment of ocular disease at the Ophthalmology Department, University of Bristol Small Animal Hospital between 2017 and 2021.

Procedure(s)

Data recorded included signalment, history, diagnosis, treatment, reason for SPL placement, uni- or bilateral placement, duration of placement, complications, and outcome. Owner perception was assessed using an online questionnaire. Statistical analysis included McNemar and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests.

Results

Twelve dogs (15 eyes) underwent SPL placement. Eleven owners completed the online questionnaire. Corneal ulceration was the most common disease requiring SPL placement (n = 13/15 eyes, 86.7%). Most cases received multimodal topical therapy (n = 9/15 eyes, 60.0%) via SPL. Owners administered medication 6.63 times daily via SPL (range 1–16 applications/day). All dogs requiring ongoing topical medication (n = 8/12, 66.7%) were trained to accept direct administration during SPL treatment. Statistically significant improvements in medication compliance, ease of application, and reduced perceived risk of iatrogenic ocular injury were reported by owners (p-value = .001, .004, and .031 respectively). Minor complications were infrequently reported but an excellent outcome was achieved for all eyes.

Conclusion

Subpalpebral lavage placement provides a practical and safe solution for the provision of frequent multimodal ocular medication when treating patients with a challenging temperament.     

Retrospective evaluation of the use of small-bore wire-guided catheters for the management of peritoneal effusion in cats and dogs

Objective

To describe the use of small-bore wire-guided catheters in the management of peritoneal effusion in cats and dogs and to detail any associated adverse events.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

University teaching hospital

Animals

Forty-five client-owned animals that had peritoneal catheters placed for management of peritoneal effusion between July 2010 and June 2021.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Forty-five cases were included (25 dogs and 20 cats). Twenty-eight animals had the catheter placed to aid management of a uroabdomen, 8 of which recovered without surgical management, 11 had the catheter placed to allow autotransfusion of hemoabdomen, 3 had peritonitis, and 3 had ascites secondary to cardiac disease. Twenty-seven cases (15 dogs and 12 cats) received sedation (n = 24) or local anesthesia alone (n = 3) to facilitate catheter placement, and 6 cases had the catheter placed while under general anesthesia. Median length of catheter persistence was 24 hours (range: 2–144 h). The most common adverse events reported were impaired drainage (n = 7) and leakage at the insertion site (n = 4).

Conclusions

Peritoneal catheters can be inserted percutaneously for management of peritoneal effusion. Indications include stabilization and conservative management of uroabdomen, and autotransfusion. They can often be placed with minimal or no sedation and adverse events appear infrequent in occurrence.     

Transpalpebral ultrasonographic measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter in healthy dogs

Objective

To develop a reference range for ultrasonographically measured optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD‐US) in dogs. We hypothesized that ONSD‐US can be measured reliably and is associated with weight but not age, sex, or body condition score (BCS), and that the relationship between weight and ONSD‐US in dogs is allometric due to canine size variations.

Design

Prospective, observational study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Seventy‐eight healthy adult dogs.

Interventions

The ONSD was measured by a standardized transpalpebral approach.

Measurements and Main Results

Regression analysis showed the relationship between weight and ONSD was better fit with a linear model (R² = 0.8510) than an allometric model (R² = 0.7917). Multiple regression analysis showed ONSD is associated with weight (P < 0.0001), age (P = 0.0021), and BCS (P = 0.0007), but not with sex. Dominance analysis showed 94.6% of the variance explained by the model was due to weight. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis showed excellent interobserver (ICC = 0.9338–0.9608) and intraobserver (ICC = 0.9893) reliability.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ONSD‐US may be reliably measured in dogs using our described transpalpebral approach, and we have calculated prediction intervals based on body weight. Future studies are needed to determine if ONSD‐US measurements are associated with intracranial hypertension as shown in human medicine.     

Accuracy of data in abstracts of veterinary ophthalmology research articles published in peer-reviewed journals

Objective

Assess the accuracy of abstracts in published veterinary ophthalmology articles.

Procedures

Abstracts and contents of 204 original research articles in veterinary ophthalmology published in seven peer-reviewed journals between 2016–2020 were reviewed. Abstracts were considered inconsistent if they contained data that were either missing from or inconsistent with corresponding data in the article's body. Each abstract was graded between 0 (inaccurate) to 3 (accurate), and each inconsistency was subjectively classified as minor or major. The influence of selected variables was assessed: journal, impact factor, year of publication, number of words in abstract, study type (prospective/retrospective), and characteristics of the corresponding author [institution (academia/private practice), country of domicile (native/non-native English), number of publications].

Results

Most abstracts were accurate, with 1%, 4%, 9% and 86% receiving a score of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. When detected, most inconsistencies were considered minor (77%). Although not statistically significant (p ≥ .130), the proportion of articles with a perfect score (=3) was higher in prospective (88%) vs. retrospective (81%) studies, academia (88%) vs. private practice (78%), and studies from corresponding authors domiciled in English (89%) vs. non-English (83%) speaking countries. A significant but very weak (r = −0.15 to −0.19; p ≤ .034) negative correlation was found between accuracy score and number of words, as well as 1-year and 5-year impact factors.

Conclusions

Although relatively uncommon, data in abstracts that are inconsistent or missing from the article's body do occur in veterinary ophthalmology articles, and could adversely influence a reader's interpretation of study findings.     

Assessment of mechanical ventricular synchrony in Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy

Objectives

Loss of temporal synchrony of myocardial contraction has been shown to reduce systolic function and be responsible for disease progression in people. The objective of this study is the assessment of inter- and intra ventricular synchrony in healthy Doberman Pinschers and those with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by use of conventional Doppler and tissue velocity imaging.

Animals

A total of 60 scans from 35 client-owned Doberman Pinschers presented for cardiac evaluation were analysed.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of data. Using the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology DCM taskforce scoring system, Doberman Pinschers were classified into 4 groups: Control (Group 1; n = 12), depressed systolic function other than DCM (Group 2; n = 9), preclinical DCM (Group 3; n = 8) and symptomatic DCM (Group 4; n = 6). The time intervals between the beginning of the QRS complex and the peak velocity of pulmonic flow (Q-P) and the peak aortic flow (Q-Ao) were used to assess global synchrony between both ventricles. The time intervals between the beginning of the QRS complex and the peak myocardial systolic velocity (Q-peak S) and the onset of myocardial systolic velocity (Q-start S) were measured at the base of the right and left ventricular free wall (RVFW and LVFW) and interventricular septum (IVS), and used to determine segmental longitudinal inter- and intra ventricular synchrony.

Results

No significant loss of global or segmental longitudinal inter- or intra ventricular synchrony was identified between the groups.

Conclusion

Impairment of longitudinal fibre synchrony does not appear to be significantly associated with clinical status of DCM in Doberman Pinschers, although it was identified in certain individuals.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for the prevalence of osseous fragments in limb joints of Hanoverian Warmblood horses

Genetic parameters were estimated for the prevalence of osseous fragments in distal (DIJ) and proximal interphalangeal (PIJ), fetlock (FJ) and hock joints (HJ) of Hanoverian Warmblood horses by using residual maximum likelihood (REML) with linear animal models. The analyses were based on the results of 10 standardized radiographs of all four limbs of 3725 young riding horses selected for sale at auction. Transformation factors onto the underlying liability scale were verified by a simulation study. The heritability estimates of osseous fragments on the liability scale were in the range of h² = 0.19–0.60. Further analyses of osseous fragments in FJ and HJ were performed separately in males and females. In both sexes, the heritabilities of osseous fragments in HJ were higher (h² = 0.41 in males, h² = 0.25 in females) than those of osseous fragments in FJ (h² = 0.21 in males, h² = 0.23 in females). Osseous fragments in the phalangeal joints (DIJ, PIJ, FJ) were genetically correlated moderately positive (r_g = 0.19–0.41). The genetic correlations between osseous fragments in the phalangeal joints and in HJ were negative (r_g = ?0.27 to ?0.67). Particularly, this applied to osseous fragments in FJ in both sexes, to those in front FJ in males and to osseous fragments in front and hind FJ of females (up to r_g = ?1). The heritability of height at withers was estimated at h² = 0.27–0.28. Genetic correlations between height at withers and osseous fragments in equine limb joints were mostly moderately positive (up to r_g = 0.75). We conclude from our results that osseous fragments in phalangeal and hock joints are genetically different traits but sex‐specific expression of osseous fragments was unlikely.     

Magnetic resonance imaging for the differentiation of neoplastic, inflammatory, and cerebrovascular brain disease in dogs

Background

The reliability and validity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting neoplastic, inflammatory, and cerebrovascular brain lesions in dogs are unknown.

Objectives

To estimate sensitivity, specificity, and inter‐rater agreement of MRI for classifying histologically confirmed neoplastic, inflammatory, and cerebrovascular brain disease in dogs.

Animals

One hundred and twenty‐one client‐owned dogs diagnosed with brain disease (n = 77) or idiopathic epilepsy (n = 44).

Methods

Retrospective, multi‐institutional case series; 3 investigators analyzed MR images for the presence of a brain lesion with and without knowledge of case clinical data. Investigators recorded most likely etiologic category (neoplastic, inflammatory, cerebrovascular) and most likely specific disease for all brain lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, and inter‐rater agreement were calculated to estimate diagnostic performance.

Results

MRI was 94.4% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI] = 88.7, 97.4) and 95.5% specific (95% CI = 89.9, 98.1) for detecting a brain lesion with similarly high performance for classifying neoplastic and inflammatory disease, but was only 38.9% sensitive for classifying cerebrovascular disease (95% CI = 16.1, 67.0). In general, high specificity but not sensitivity was retained for MR diagnosis of specific brain diseases. Inter‐rater agreement was very good for overall detection of structural brain lesions (κ = 0.895, 95% CI = 0.792, 0.998, P < .001) and neoplastic lesions, but was only fair for cerebrovascular lesions (κ = 0.299, 95% CI = 0, 0.761, P = .21).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

MRI is sensitive and specific for identifying brain lesions and classifying disease as inflammatory or neoplastic in dogs. Cerebrovascular disease in general and specific inflammatory, neoplastic, and cerebrovascular brain diseases were frequently misclassified.     

Immune Function in Critically Ill Dogs

Background

People with critical illness (CI) commonly develop various forms of immune dysfunction, however, there is limited information concerning immune dysfunction in dogs with CI.

Hypothesis

The immune response in CI dogs differs from that of healthy dogs.

Animals

Immunologic variables were compared between 14 dogs with CI, defined as APPLE_fast score of >20 points, admitted to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center Small Animal Clinic Intensive Care Unit and healthy controls (n = 15).

Methods

Cohort study evaluating constitutive and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐10 production, phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli and respiratory burst capacity after opsonized E. coli or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) stimulation, peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotype, and monocyte expressions of HLA‐DR and TLR‐4.

Results

Lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated leukocyte TNF‐α (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 120; control, 655, 446, 1174 pg/mL; P = < 0.001), IL‐6 (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 64; control, 100, 49, 166 pg/mL; P = 0.029), and IL‐10 (CI, 49, 49, 56; control, 96, 49, 203 pg/mL; P = 0.014) production and both E. coli (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 60.5, 43, 88.5; control, 86.6, 81, 89.2%; P = 0.047) and PMA (CI, 40, 11.7, 70; control, 93, 83, 97.6%; P = < 0.001)‐stimulated respiratory burst capacity significantly decreased in CI dogs. Percentage of monocytes expressing TLR‐4 greater in the CI dogs (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 46.9, 24.3, 64.2; control, 16.4, 9.4, 26.2%; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

These findings suggest dogs with CI develop immune system alterations that result in reduced respiratory burst function and cytokine production despite upregulation of TLR‐4.     

Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET‐He) in the diagnosis of iron‐deficient erythropoiesis in dogs

Background

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content provided by the Siemens ADVIA (CHr) is an established marker of iron deficiency. The IDEXX ProCyte Dx hematology analyzer now provides a similar variable, reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET‐He).

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate RET‐He and its diagnostic utility in dogs, and to calculate a cutoff value for diagnosing iron‐deficient erythropoiesis (IDE). Furthermore, the prevalence of RET‐He values below this cutoff value was established.

Methods

One hundred and seventy‐one CBCs of healthy dogs were used to establish a RI. Stability of RET‐He was evaluated by repeated measurements over 48 hours (n = 10). The 25‐run coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated, and correlation and bias between measurements of RET‐He and CHr were assessed (n = 190). A cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was calculated. The utility of RET‐He in the detection of IDE was evaluated in 123 dogs. The prevalence of low RET‐He values was assessed retrospectively in a multicenter study (2012–2014) under participation of 7 veterinary clinics.

Results

Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent with an RI of 22.2 to 28.6 pg was statistically stable over 48 hours (P = .10). The CV was 1.8%. A fair correlation (ρ = 0.74) between RET‐He and CHr with a small bias of ?0.6 pg was found. The cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was 20.9 pg (sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 99%). The prevalence of RET‐He values below 20.9 pg was 10.3% (1084/10,553 dogs).

Conclusions

RET‐He on the ProCyte Dx is a precise screening tool in dogs to detect iron‐deficient erythropoiesis.     

Risk Factors for Death in Dogs Treated for Esophageal Foreign Body Obstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 222 Cases (1998–2017)

Background

Limited data exist describing risk factors for death, and long‐term outcomes in dogs with esophageal foreign body (EFB) obstruction.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate short‐ and long‐term outcomes, and analyze risk factors for death in dogs with EFB obstruction. We hypothesized duration of entrapment and treatment type would affect outcome.

Animals

A total of 222 dogs were treated for EFB obstruction at an emergency and referral hospital between March 1998 and March 2017.

Methods

Medical records for dogs with EFB were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Foreign material most frequently was osseous (180/222 [81%]), with distal esophagus the most common location (110/222 [49.5%]). Duration of clinical signs was not associated with risk of death (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.99–1.17; P = 0.2). Entrapment was treated by endoscopy (204/222 [91.8%]), surgery after endoscopic attempt (13/222 [5.9%]), and repeat endoscopy after surgery was recommended but declined (5/222 [2.3%]). In‐hospital case fatality rate was 11/222 (5%). Risk of death was significantly higher with surgery (OR = 20.1, 95% CI 3.59–112.44; P = 0.001), and 5/5 (100%) of dogs died if undergoing endoscopy after surgery was recommended but declined. Increasing numbers of postprocedural complications (OR = 3.44, CI 2.01–5.91; P < 0.001), esophageal perforation (OR = 65.47, CI 4.27–1004.15; P = 0.003), and postprocedure esophageal hemorrhage (OR = 11.81, CI 1.19–116.77; P = 0.04) increased in‐hospital risk of death. Esophageal strictures were reported in 4/189 (2.1%) of survivors available for follow‐up.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Death is uncommon in canine EFB; however, treatment type affects outcome, and these data should be used to guide decision‐making in dogs with EFB.     

Left atrial rupture in dogs: 14 cases (1990–2005)

Objective: To describe the clinical parameters, treatment, and prognosis of dogs with left atrial rupture secondary to chronic mitral valve insufficiency. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University referral hospital. Animals: 14 dogs with left atrial rupture. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Mixed breed dogs (n=6, 43%) and Shetland Sheepdogs (n=3, 21%) were most commonly affected. The median age was 12 years (range 5.8–18 y). The median weight was 11 kg (range 4–30 kg). Eight dogs had been previously diagnosed with chronic valvular disease. The most common presenting complaints included collapse (13/14), cough (9/14), and dyspnea (8/14). Four dogs were presented in either respiratory or cardiac arrest. Pericardial effusion was present in 13 dogs. The median left atrium:aortic outflow ratio was 2.66 (range 1.66:1–5.52:1). Pericardiocentesis was performed to alleviate tamponade in 3 dogs. Five dogs were discharged from the hospital, 3 of which were euthanized within 35 days of initial diagnosis for recurrence of clinical signs (n=2) and for hematochezia and lethargy (n=1). Five dogs were euthanized while in the hospital for a variety of reasons including DIC, progressive azotemia, collapse and recurrence of pericardial effusion, or possible seizure episode. Conclusions: Although rare, left atrial rupture resulting in pericardial effusion should be considered in older small‐ to medium‐sized dogs presenting with collapse, cough, and dyspnea. The overall prognosis appears poor.     

Outcome following treatment of feline gastrointestinal mast cell tumours

Prognosis of feline gastrointestinal mast cell tumours (FGIMCT), based on limited available literature, is described as guarded to poor, which may influence treatment recommendations and patient outcome. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical findings, treatment response, and outcome of FGIMCT. Medical records of 31 cats diagnosed with and treated for FGIMCT were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included signalment, method of diagnosis, tumour location (including metastatic sites), treatment type, cause of death and survival time. Mean age was 12.9 y. Diagnosis was made via cytology (n = 15), histopathology (n = 13) or both (n = 3). Metastatic sites included abdominal lymph node (n = 10), abdominal viscera (n = 4) and both (n = 2). Therapeutic approaches included chemotherapy alone (n = 15), surgery and chemotherapy (n = 7), glucocorticoid only (n = 6) and surgery and glucocorticoid (n = 3). Lomustine (n = 15) and chlorambucil (n = 12) were the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs. Overall median survival time was 531 d (95% confidence interval 334, 982). Gastrointestinal location, diagnosis of additional cancers, and treatment type did not significantly affect survival time. Cause of death was tumour‐related or unknown (n = 12) and unrelated (n = 8) in the 20 cats dead at the time of analysis. The prognosis for cats with FGIMCT may be better than previously reported, with 26% of cats deceased from an unrelated cause. Surgical and medical treatments (including prednisolone alone) were both associated with prolonged survival times. Treatment other than prednisolone may not be necessary in some cats. Continued research into prognostic factors and most effective treatment strategies are needed.     

Pyelonephritis in Dogs: Retrospective Study of 47 Histologically Diagnosed Cases (2005–2015)

Background

The clinicopathologic aspects of pyelonephritis have not been reported in companion animals.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the prevalence of pyelonephritis diagnosed in dogs in a academic referral population, describe the clinical signs and the diagnostic test results in dogs with pyelonephritis, and identify concurrent disorders in order to determine potential risk factors for pyelonephritis.

Animals

Forty‐seven dogs with a histopathologic diagnosis of pyelonephritis from the teaching hospitals of three Canadian veterinary colleges.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Review of medical records and renal histologic sections.

Results

Pyelonephritis was diagnosed in 0.4–1.3% of the cases at necropsy. Clinical signs included anorexia or inappetence (n = 27, 57%), lethargy (n = 24, 51%), vomiting (n = 17, 36%), and dehydration (n = 12, 25%). Thirty‐five dogs (75%) had concomitant disease(s). Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen isolated (37%). Pyelonephritis was classified as acute (n = 12, 26%), subacute (n = 9, 19%), and chronic (n = 26, 55%) disease; and mild (n = 7, 15%), moderate (n = 11, 24%), and severe (n = 28, 61%). Fever was significantly associated with histopathologically subacute pyelonephritis (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

In referral hospitals, pyelonephritis has a very low prevalence at necropsy. Nonspecific clinical presentation, concomitant diseases, and high variability in the diagnostic tests results make the antemortem diagnosis of pyelonephritis challenging. Neither the histopathologic stage nor the severity of the pyelonephritis was associated with fever, lumbar pain, or signs of a urinary tract infection (ie, lower urinary tract infection, upper urinary tract infection, or both) except for subacute pyelonephritis which was associated with fever.     

Safety and accuracy of blind vs. ultrasound-guided dorsal retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses—A cadaveric study

Objective

There is limited knowledge regarding the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses. The aim of this study was to compare these parameters between blind and ultrasound-guided injection techniques for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block in horses.

Methods

Equine cadaver heads were used to inject the retrobulbar space with contrast medium (CM). Injections were performed either blindly based on anatomic landmarks (blind group, n = 44) or under ultrasonographic guidance (US-group, n = 44), equally divided between an experienced and unexperienced operator. Needle position and distribution of CM were assessed with computed tomography imaging and evaluated by a board-certified veterinary diagnostic imager blinded to the technique. Safety and accuracy of both techniques were compared.

Results

Ocular penetration was observed in two cases (n = 2/44) in the blind group but not in the US group (n = 0/44). No intrathecal, intraneural, or intravascular injections were seen in either group. Safety was significantly improved in the US group (p = .026). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the accuracy of the injection. Excellent accuracy was achieved more often with the ultrasound-guided technique (n = 11/22) than with the blind technique (n = 7/22) when performed by the unexperienced operator, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

To prevent globe-threatening complications and improve the safety of the injection, we recommend using the ultrasound-guided injection technique for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block.     

Bimatoprost sustained‐release intracameral implant reduces episcleral venous pressure in dogs

Objective

To determine the effect of a bimatoprost sustained‐release intracameral implant (Bimatoprost SR) on episcleral venous pressure (EVP) in normal dogs.

Methods

Normotensive beagle dogs were randomized to receive Bimatoprost SR 30 μg (n = 7) or sham injection (needle insertion only, n = 7) in one eye on day 1. EVP was measured with an episcleral venomanometer through day 65. Episcleral aqueous outflow vessels were identified using fluorescence imaging following intracameral injection of indocyanine green in one additional animal. A separate cohort of dogs that had been trained for conscious intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements received Bimatoprost SR 30 μg (n = 8) in one eye; IOP was evaluated through day 66.

Results

Baseline mean EVP was 10.0 mmHg in the Bimatoprost SR group and 10.4 mmHg in the sham group. Eyes treated with Bimatoprost SR exhibited a transient increase in mean EVP that peaked at day 8, followed by a decrease to levels below baseline. From day 29 to day 65, the change in mean EVP from baseline ranged from ?2.4 to ?3.9 mmHg (P < 0.05 vs. sham). Baseline mean IOP in eyes treated with Bimatoprost SR was 14.9 mmHg, and a steady IOP reduction was maintained through day 66. Bimatoprost SR‐treated eyes exhibited a selective, sustained dilation of aqueous outflow vessels that was not observed in sham‐treated eyes.

Conclusions

In normal dogs, Bimatoprost SR was associated with a transient increase in EVP followed by a sustained decrease. Changes in EVP were accompanied by a sustained dilation of aqueous outflow vessels.

     

Evaluation of a 3% surf solution (surf field mastitis test) for the diagnosis of subclinical bovine and bubaline mastitis

Purpose  

To evaluate a 3% solution of household detergent viz., Surf Excel (Surf field mastitis test, SFMT) vis-à-vis California mastitis test (CMT), Whiteside test (WST), somatic cell counts (SCC; cut off limit = 5 × 10⁵ cells per millilitre) and bacteriological cultures for the detection of subclinical mastitis in quarter foremilk samples (n = 800) of dairy cows and buffaloes.     

Renal resistive index in 55 dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease

Background

Azotemia occurs frequently in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). It could indicate changes in renal hemodynamics.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To assess the renal resistive index (RI) in dogs with DMVD, and the statistical link between heart failure class, azotemia, echo‐Doppler parameters, several plasma variables, and RI.

Animals

Fifty‐five dogs with naturally occurring DVMD were used (ISACHC class 1 [n = 28], 2 [n = 19], and 3 [n = 8]).

Methods

Observational, blinded study, performed under standardized conditions. Physical examination, renal ultrasonography, and echo‐Doppler examinations were performed in awake dogs. The RI of the renal, interlobar, and arcuate arteries were measured. Plasma creatinine, urea, and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide concentrations (NT‐proBNP) were determined. Statistical links between variables and RI were tested by means of a general linear model.

Results

Although the RI of renal and arcuate arteries were unaffected by ISACHC class, the left interlobar RI increased (P < .001) from 0.62 ± 0.05 (mean ± SD) in class 1 to 0.76 ± 0.08 in class 3. It was also higher (P < .001) in azotemic (0.74 ± 0.08) than in non‐azotemic (0.62 ± 0.05) dogs. Similar findings were observed for right interlobar RI. Univariate analysis showed a positive statistical link between NT‐proBNP (P = .002), urea (P < .001), creatinine (P = .002), urea‐to‐creatinine ratio (P < .001), left atrium‐to‐aorta ratio (P < .001), regurgitation fraction (P < .001), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (P < .001), shortening fraction (P = .035), and RI.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

In dogs with DMVD, interlobar RI increases with heart failure severity and azotemia but a cause and effect relationship remains to be established.     

Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

An acute reversible experimental model of pneumonia in pigs: time‐related histological and clinical signs changes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long‐term survival rates, clinical response, and lung gross and microscopic changes in pigs treated intratracheally with lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli 0111:B4 (LPS‐Ec). Healthy pigs were randomly allocated to three groups: (i) no‐LPS‐Ec (n = 1), (ii) LPS‐Ec‐T1 (1 mg/mL, 10 mL/pig) (n = 7), and (iii) LPS‐Ec‐T2 (0.5 mg/mL, 10 mL/pig) (n = 6). Two pigs from each dose group were euthanized at 24 (n = 3 for T1), 48 and 144 h post‐LPS‐Ec challenge. LPS‐Ec‐treated animals showed macroscopic lesions in middle lobes of the lung. A reversible recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils was observed at 24, 48, and 144 h post‐LPS‐Ec challenge. The highest cellular infiltration level was observed at 24 h after challenge. The highest clinical scores were evident in both experimental dose levels within 3 and 5 h after LPS‐Ec administration. Administration of LPS‐Ec, under the conditions evaluated, can be used to induce a reproducible model of acute pulmonary inflammation in pigs.