Effects of zinc-L-carnosine and vitamin E on aspirin-induced gastroduodenal injury in dogs

Background: Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs frequently cause gastrointestinal (GI) injury. Zinc‐l ‐carnosine has antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, mucosal protective, and healing properties in rodent models and in some human studies of GI injury. Hypothesis: The combination of zinc‐l ‐carnosine and vitamin E attenuates aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury. Animals: Eighteen healthy random‐source Foxhound dogs. Methods: In this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study dogs were treated with placebo (n = 6; 0X group), 30 mg/30 IU (n = 6; 1X group), or 60 mg/60 IU (n = 6; 2X group) zinc‐l ‐carnosine/vitamin E orally every 12 hours for 35 days. Between Day 7 and 35, GI mucosal lesions were induced with aspirin (25 mg/kg PO q8h). Mucosal injury lesions (hemorrhage, erosion, and ulcer) were assessed by gastroduodenoscopy on Days 14, 21, and 35 with a 12‐point scoring scale. Results: At baseline (Day ?1) gastroscopy scores were not significantly different between groups (mean ± SD: 0X, 4.4 ± 0.8; group 1X, 4.4 ± 0.6; group 2X, 4.2 ± 0.3; P= .55). Gastroscopy scores increased significantly in all groups between Day ?1 and Days 14, 21, and 35 (P < .0001). On Day 35, gastroscopy scores were 29.2 ± 5.2 (0X), 27.3 ± 3.7 (1X), and 28.6 ± 3.3 (2X). Mean gastroscopy scores were not significantly different among treatment groups on any of the days (P= .61). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Administration of the combination of zinc‐l ‐carnosine and vitamin E at 1X or 2X dosing did not attenuate aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury.     

Use of pedometers to measure physical activity in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pedometers can be used to measure physical activity in dogs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 26 dogs. PROCEDURE: To determine pedometer accuracy, number of steps recorded with the pedometer as dogs walked, trotted, and ran for a distance of approximately 30 m (100 ft) at each gait was compared with actual number of steps. Dogs and owners then wore pedometers for 7 to 14 days, and dog pedometer output was compared with body condition score, owner-reported activity of the dog, and owner pedometer output. RESULTS: Most owners classified their dogs as active or quite active and indicated that their dogs exercised 3 to 7 days/wk. For all dogs, body condition score was 5, 6, or 7 on a scale from 1 to 9. At a walk, pedometers overestimated actual number of steps by approximately 17% in large and medium dogs and underestimated actual number of steps by approximately 7% in small dogs. No significant differences between pedometer-recorded and actual number of steps were detected when dogs trotted or ran. Number of steps per day for the dogs was significantly correlated with owner-reported activity of the dog (r = 0.305) and number of steps per day for the owners (r = 0.469) and was inversely correlated with body condition score (r = -0.554). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that pedometers can measure physical activity in dogs with reasonable accuracy. A lower number of steps per day was associated with a higher body condition score, and less active owners generally had less active dogs.     

The Effect of Laparoscopic Versus Open Ovariectomy on Postsurgical Activity in Small Dogs

Objective— To describe a technique for laparoscopic ovariectomy (LapOVE) in small dogs, and compare the surgical time, complications, and postoperative activity of dogs undergoing LapOVE to those undergoing conventional traditional open ovariectomy (OOVE).
Study Design— A randomized, controlled clinical trial.
Animals— Intact small breed (<10 kg) female dogs (n=20).
Methods— Ventral median celiotomy was performed for OOVE. A 2-midline portal technique using a 3.5 mm laparoscope port and a 6 mm instrument portal was used for LapOVE. An accelerometer was attached to the collar of each dog to record 24-hour preoperative and 48-hour postoperative activity. Total activity counts recorded before surgery were compared with total counts recorded after surgery. The percent change in counts after surgery was compared between OOVE- and LapOVE-treated dogs.
Results— No major complications occurred and surgical time for LapOVE was significantly longer than for OOVE cases ( P =.005). Dogs in the LapOVE group had a 25% decrease in total activity counts after surgery (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11–38%), whereas dogs in the OOVE group had a 62% decrease in total activity counts after surgery (95% CI: 48–76%).
Conclusions— Both procedures were performed with reasonable surgical times and without major complication. Postoperative activity, as measured by accelerometry, was significantly different between the 2 groups.
Clinical Relevance— Laparoscopy is a safe method for ovariectomy in small dogs and results in increased postoperative activity counts when compared with an open technique.     

Vinorelbine rescue therapy for dogs with primary urinary bladder carcinoma

The goal of this study was to evaluate the anti‐tumour activity and toxicoses of vinorelbine as a palliative rescue therapy for dogs with primary urinary bladder carcinoma. Thirteen dogs refractory to prior chemotherapeutics and one dog naïve to chemotherapeutic treatment were enrolled. Vinorelbine (15 mg m^?2 IV) was administered intravenously along with concurrent oral anti‐inflammatory drugs, if tolerated. A median of six doses of vinorelbine (range: 1–16) was administered. Two dogs (14%) had partial responses, and eight (57%) experienced stable disease. Subjective improvement in clinical signs was noted in 11 dogs (78%). Adverse events were mild and primarily haematological in nature. Median time to progression was 93 days (range: 20–239 days). Median survival time for all dogs was 187 days; median survival for 13 pre‐treated dogs was 207 days. Vinorelbine may have utility in the management of canine primary urinary bladder carcinoma and should be evaluated in a prospective study.     

Determination of plasma lysosomal enzyme activity and its relationship to severity of injury following blunt vehicular trauma in dogs

Objective: To determine plasma β‐d ‐glucuronidase (βG) activity in the first 4 hours following injury in dogs struck by a motor vehicle, and to evaluate whether the degree of enzyme activity is correlated with the severity of injury. Design: A prospective clinical study. Setting: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Animals: Thirteen client‐owned dogs that were presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between June and August 1999 for blunt vehicular trauma. Ten healthy student and staff‐owned dogs served as controls. Interventions: None. Measurements: Plasma was analyzed for βG enzyme activity at the time of presentation (n=13), and 1 and 4 hours (n=7) following presentation to the Emergency Service for blunt vehicular trauma. The results were compared with enzyme activity from healthy controls evaluated serially over 4 hours. Fluorometric analysis using 96‐well microtiter plates was used to perform the enzyme assays. The relationships between presentation (n=13) and 4 hours (n=7) of enzyme activity and 3 indices of metabolic and physical disturbance (serum pH, serum lactate and Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) score) at the time of presentation were also investigated. Main results: Of the 13 dogs, 7 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for comparison of enzyme activity of the trauma over time. A statistically significant difference in βG activity was found in the trauma group (mean 75.6±10.4 U) at 4 hours following presentation compared with controls (mean 48.0±6.4 U). This difference was suggested by 1 hour following presentation (trauma group, mean 70.4±10.9 U; control group, mean 49.8±5.5 U), although it did not reach statistical significance. Thirteen dogs fulfilled the inclusion criteria for comparison of only presentation enzyme activity with trauma severity score, serum lactate, and serum pH. No statistically significant relationship was found between the βd ‐glucuronidase activity and the presenting ATT score, serum lactate concentration, or serum pH at either presentation or 4 hours, although the power of these analyses was low. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the activity of βG, a lysosomal enzyme, increases significantly in the systemic circulation in dogs 4 hours following blunt trauma. Additional research to include more severely injured dogs, a larger number of dogs, and to follow the course of injury for a longer period of time would be beneficial to further characterize βG activity following blunt trauma.     

Blood and Colostrum/Milk Serum γ‐Glutamyltransferase Activity as a Predictor of Passive Transfer Status in Lambs

The importance of blood and colostrum/milk serum γ‐glutamyl transferase (γ‐GT) enzyme activity was evaluated to assess passive transfer status in healthy lambs. Thirty Akkaraman sheep (3–6 years old) were used which had normal pregnancy period and the same conditions, and the age of the lambs ranged between 0 and 15 days. Blood and colostrum/milk samples were collected from sheep and lambs after birth, before suckling (0) and after on 1st, 3rd, 7th and 15th days. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration was determined by the use of Single Radial Immunodiffusion method. Serum γ‐GT activity was measured, using a commercially available kit in blood and colostrum/milk samples. Correlations were carried out between immunoglobulin and γ‐GT levels. Regression models (simple and multiple) were calculated with significant data. Linear correlation was determined between colostrum/milk γ‐GT activity and IgG concentrations and between serum γ‐GT activity and IgG concentrations in lambs on the 0 day. (r: 0.607, P: 0.001), 1st (r: 0.768, P: 0.001) and the 3rd (r: 0.603, P: 0.001) days and on the 1st (r: 0.637, P: 0.001) and 3rd (r: 0.478, P: 0.012) days in the experiment, respectively. Multivariate regression models were developed to estimate sample IgG concentration. Serum and colostrum/milk IgG concentration could be predicted using the formula: lamb serum IgG = 825 + 0.688 (lamb γ‐GT) + 52 (days); colostrum/milk IgG = 832 + 0.505 (colostrum/milk γ‐GT) ? 167 (days). The regression models were moderately accurate in predicting serum IgG concentration (R² = 0.51) and colostrum/milk IgG concentration (R² = 0.55). Test sensitivity and positive predictive values for serum γ‐GT enzyme activity were found to be 96 and 100% and for colostrum/milk γ‐GT enzyme activity were found to be 100 and 68% to prediction IgG concentration. Serum and colostrum/milk γ‐GT activity can be used to assess passive transfer status of lambs. Along with this, regression models used to calculate serum and colostrum/milk γ‐GT activities found to be useful to estimate sample IgG concentration. The use of serum and colostrum/milk γ‐GT enzyme activity was found useful especially after birth on the 0, 1st and 3rd days.     

Xenogeneic murine tyrosinase DNA vaccine for malignant melanoma of the digit of dogs

Background: Malignant melanoma of dogs is a highly aggressive neoplasm and is the 2nd most common digit tumor. Metastatic disease is a common sequela for which few effective treatment options exist. Studies show that xenogeneic tyrosinase DNA vaccination yields immune responses and prolongation of survival in dogs with oral malignant melanoma. Objectives/Hypothesis: Describe clinical findings and tumor characteristics of a cohort of dogs with digit malignant melanoma, and evaluate the prognostic utility of a proposed staging system. Determine if a novel xenogeneic DNA vaccine is safe and potentially effective for treatment of dogs with digit melanoma. Animals: Fifty‐eight dogs with digit malignant melanoma treated at the Animal Medical Center between 2004 and 2007. Methods: Retrospective, medical records review of dogs with digit melanoma treated with xenogeneic DNA vaccine. Results: Overall median survival time (MST) for dogs treated with loco‐regional control and xenogeneic DNA vaccine was 476 days with a 1‐year survival rate of 63%. MST for dogs presenting with metastasis was 105 days versus 533 days for dogs presenting without metastasis (P < .0001). Forty‐eight percent of the dogs in the latter group were alive at 2 and 3 years. A proposed staging system proved prognostic with stages I–IV dogs surviving >952, >1,093, 321, and 76 days, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The xenogeneic murine tyrosinase DNA vaccine was safe and appears effective when used in conjunction with local and regional disease control. The proposed staging system was prognostic in this study and future studies might benefit from utilizing this staging system.     

Development of an ELISA to detect circulating anti‐asparaginase antibodies in dogs with lymphoid neoplasia treated with Escherichia coli l‐asparaginase

Resistance to Escherichia coli l ‐asparaginase in canine lymphoma occurs frequently with repeated administration, a phenomenon often attributed, without substantiation, to the induction of neutralizing antibodies. To test the hypothesis that treated dogs develop antibodies against the drug, we created an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure plasma anti‐asparaginase immunoglobulin G responses. Using samples from dogs that had received multiple doses, specific reactivity against l ‐asparaginase was demonstrated, while naïve patients' samples were negative. The optimized ELISA appeared sensitive, with endpoint titers >1 600 000 in positive control dogs. Intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficients of variation were 3.6 and 14.5%. The assay was supported by the observation that ELISA‐positive plasma could immunoprecipitate asparaginase activity. When clinical patients were evaluated, 3/10 dogs developed titers after a single injection; with repeated administration, 4/7 dogs were positive. l ‐asparaginase antibodies showed reduced binding to the PEGylated drug formulation. The ELISA should prove useful in investigating the potential correlation of antibody responses with resistance.     

Evaluation of a digitally integrated accelerometer-based activity monitor for the measurement of activity in cats

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between data generated by an accelerometer-based activity monitor and the distance moved in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. ANIMALS: Three, four-year-old, male, purpose-bred research cats, weighing between 5.1 and 5.9 kg. METHODS: Part I: Collar and harness mounted accelerometers were evaluated in three cats, comparing simultaneously collected accelerometer data with movement data from computer-analyzed video. Part II: Cats wore collar and harness mounted accelerometers, and data were recorded for 4 weeks to evaluate day-to-day and week-to-week variation in activity. RESULTS: Part I: 432 hours of simultaneous video and accelerometer data were collected. The correlation between accelerometer counts and distance moved was 0.82 overall. Agreement between collar and harness mounted accelerometers was excellent with only 6% of the differences in measurements lying outside the mean difference +/- 2 standard deviations. The adjusted R(2) for harness accelerometer output and 6% mobility was 0.75; for movement 0.84; and for mean velocity 0.83. Evaluation of video indicated eating, grooming and scratching created high accelerometer counts with little effect on movement. Part II: There was a significant effect of day on harness (p < 0.001) and collar (p < 0.002) counts, with counts being lowest at the weekend. There was a significant effect of week on harness-mounted accelerometer counts (p < 0.034), but not on collar-mounted accelerometer counts. Harness accelerometer counts were lowest in week 1. CONCLUSION: Output from an acceleration-based digitally integrated accelerometer correlated well with distance moved and mobility in freely moving cats provided the mobility threshold in the analysis software was > or = 6%. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acceleration-based activity monitors may allow for objective measurement of improved mobility following analgesic treatment for conditions such as osteoarthritis.     

A comparison of uniaxial and triaxial accelerometers for the assessment of physical activity in dogs

The present study compares the outputs of uniaxial accelerometer (UA) and triaxial accelerometer (TA) to determine whether UAs can be used instead of TAs in estimating physical activity (PA) in domestic dogs (N = 79). The PA of the dogs was measured simultaneously by a UA and a TA attached to regular collars under 3 different conditions: unstructured activity in the kennels (kennel activity); and 2 structured on-lead activities of different intensities on a designated pathway (walking and trotting). The study finds that UA consistently detected significantly more steps. Kennel activity showed the largest differences between the accelerometers, and trotting showed the least. Dogs in the heaviest body weight category showed the best correlation between the devices and the least differences between the accelerometers across the 3 activities. The limits of agreement were wide in all activities. Significantly higher agreements were associated with lower step counts in kennel activity and higher step counts in walking and trotting. The results show that these 2 types of accelerometers cannot be used interchangeably. Confounding factors, such as body weight, must be considered in future analysis of accelerometer outputs and selection of devices for different contexts. Optimal interpretation of objectively measured PA is paramount in supporting future dog fitness, health, and welfare studies.     

Oral melphalan for the treatment of relapsed canine lymphoma

Oral melphalan has been included in multi‐agent rescue protocols for canine lymphoma but its activity as a single‐agent for this purpose has not been established. Inexpensive cost, ease of administration and tolerability make oral melphalan an attractive candidate for single‐agent rescue therapy of canine lymphoma. Retrospective evaluation of 19 cases of relapsed canine lymphoma treated with oral melphalan was performed. Melphalan was primarily administered (n = 16) via a high dose protocol (HDM ) with a median dosage of 19.4 mg m^?2. Fifteen dogs (78.9%) were treated concurrently with corticosteroids. Response evaluation was possible for all dogs with a calculated overall clinical benefit (partial response [PR ] + stable disease [SD ]) of 31.6% (PR 3/19; SD 3/19). Times to progression following melphalan (TTP ‐M) were 14, 24 and 34 days for responders and 20, 28 and 103 days for dogs experiencing SD . Twelve of 17 dogs evaluable for toxicity experienced an adverse event (AE ) with only 3 dogs experiencing a grade III or higher AE . Haematologic toxicity was common (11/17) while gastrointestinal toxicity was rare (1/17). Although treatment resulted in limited clinical benefit and non‐durable responses, oral melphalan was well‐tolerated and may be a reasonable rescue option in cases where minimal effective agents remain.     

Phase II, open-label trial of single-agent CCNU in dogs with previously untreated histiocytic sarcoma

Background: Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an aggressive neoplasm in dogs, and in most instances, the disease is localized, but not amenable to surgical removal, or is disseminated. Affected patients usually die within 6 months. There have been no prospective studies to determine efficacy of single‐agent chemotherapy in dogs with HS. Hypothesis: Single‐agent CCNU [1‐(2‐chloroethyl)3‐cyclohexyl‐1‐nitrosourea; lomustine] has antitumor activity against HS in dogs. Animals: Twenty‐one dogs with histologically confirmed, nonresectable localized or disseminated HS. Methods: Prospective, open‐label phase II clinical trial in which dogs with previously untreated HS were uniformly treated with CCNU as a single oral dosage of 90 mg/m² every 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was reduction in tumor size. Results: Fourteen dogs with disseminated HS and 7 with localized HS were enrolled between 1999 and 2008. Overall response rate was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14–50%) for a median of 96 days (95% CI, 55–137 days). Three dogs (1 disseminated, 2 localized) had complete responses lasting for 54–269 days and 3 dogs (2 disseminated, 1 localized) had partial responses lasting for 78–112 days. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: CCNU, when used as a single agent, has activity against HS in dogs. Evaluation of CCNU postoperatively for dogs with resectable localized HS and as part of combination therapy for tumors that are nonresectable or disseminated should be considered.     

Evaluation of an accelerometer for at-home monitoring of spontaneous activity in dogs

OBJECTIVE:To determine the correlation between activity as measured by an accelerometer and videographic measurements of movement and mobility in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 4 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: After determination that accelerometers had good agreement, 5 identical accelerometers were used simultaneously to test their output at 8 locations (rotated among collar, vest, and forelimb stocking locations) on each dog. Movement and mobility for each dog were recorded continuously with a computerized videography system for 7-hour sessions on 4 consecutive days. Accelerometer values were combined into 439 fifteen-minute intervals and compared with 3 videographic measurements of movement and mobility (distance traveled, time spent walking > 20 cm/s, and time spent changing position by > 12% of 2-dimensional surface area during 1.5 seconds). RESULTS: 96% of values compared between the most discordant pair of accelerometers were within 2 SDs of the mean value from all 5 accelerometers. All mounting locations provided acceptable correlation with videographic measurements of movement and mobility, and the ventral portion of the collar was determined to be the most convenient location. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of an accelerometer was adequate for at-home activity monitoring, an important end point in clinical trials of treatment for chronic disease, and provided information about daily activity that is unattainable by other methods.     

Efficacy of Vinblastine for Treatment of Canine Mast Cell Tumors

Background: The optimal dosage and clinical efficacy of vinblastine (VBL) for treatment of mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs has not been established. Hypothesis: Single‐agent VBL has antitumor activity against MCTs in dogs. Animals: Fifty‐one dogs with nonresectable grade II or III cutaneous MCTs. Methods: Prospective, open clinical trial. Dogs were systematically allocated (by hospital record number) to receive IV treatment with VBL at a dosage of 2.0 mg/m² (weekly for 4 treatments then biweekly for 4 treatments; VBL 2.0) or treatment with VBL at a dosage of 3.5 mg/m² (biweekly for 5 treatments; VBL 3.5). The primary outcome measure was reduction in tumor size. Results: Twenty‐five dogs were allocated to the VBL 2.0 group and 26 were allocated to the VBL 3.5 group. In the VBL 2.0 group, 3 (12%) had a partial response (PR) for a median of 77 days (range, 48–229 days). Overall response rate in the VBL 3.5 group was 27%. One dog (4%) had a complete response for 63 days and 6 dogs (23%) had a PR for a median of 28 days (range, 28–78 days). Toxicoses were uncommon in the VBL 2.0 group. Twelve (46%) dogs in the VBL 3.5 group had <500 neutrophils/μL 7 days after treatment; 2 dogs with neutropenia developed concurrent fevers. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: VBL, when used as a single‐agent, has activity against MCTs in dogs although the response rate is lower than those reported for VBL‐containing combination protocols. Further, findings suggest VBL at a dosage of 3.5 mg/m² should be considered for use in future phase II/III trials.     

Electrophoretic fractionation of creatine kinase isoenzymes and macroenzymes in clinically healthy dogs and cats and preliminary evaluation in central neurologic disease

Background: Information about the electrophoretic distribution of CK‐MM, CK‐MB, and CK‐BB, serum creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes that are indicators of skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and brain lesions, respectively, and CK macroenzymes (macro‐CK1 and macro‐CK2) in dogs and cats with and without central neurologic disease is scant and equivocal. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the electrophoretic distribution of CK isoenzymes and macroenzymes in healthy dogs and cats and to provide a preliminary assessment of the utility of CK enzymatic electrophoresis in dogs and cats with central neurologic disease. Methods: Electrophoretic separation of serum CK isoenzymes and macroenzymes was performed on freeze‐thawed serum samples from 20 healthy dogs and 3 dogs with central neurologic disease and from 14 healthy cats and 6 cats with neurologic feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Electrophoretic separation was also performed on supernatants of homogenized brain, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle from both species, to assess the tissue distribution of isoenyzmes in dogs and cats. Results: CK‐MM was the predominant isoenzyme in the serum of healthy dogs and cats, followed by macro‐CK2 and CK‐BB in dogs and by both macroenzymes in cats. In dogs, CK‐MB was essentially absent from both serum and homogenized hearts. CK‐BB increased in dogs with neurologic disease. In cats, CK‐BB was essentially absent from serum, but was present in brain homogenates. Two of 6 cats with FIP had increased macro‐CK1 and increased CK‐BB activity. Conclusions: This study identified the electophoretic distribution of CK isoenzymes and macroenzymes of dogs and cats and provided encouraging data about the possible use of CK‐BB as a biomarker for canine neurologic disorders, but not for FIP.     

A retrospective review of acute myeloid leukaemia in 35 dogs diagnosed by a combination of morphologic findings,flow cytometric immunophenotyping and cytochemical staining results (2007‐2015)

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an uncommon, rapidly progressive neoplasm in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to characterize the clinical presentation, haematologic findings, diagnostic imaging results, treatment and survival time of a contemporary cohort of dogs with AML. Diagnosis was based on >20% blasts in bone marrow or blood identified as myeloid based on morphologic findings, flow cytometric immunophenotyping and cytochemical staining. Medical records of 35 dogs diagnosed with AML from 2007 to 2015 were included. Most dogs presented with inappetence (66%) and lethargy (57%) and physical examination findings of peripheral lymphadenopathy (74%) and tachypnea (62%). Common haematologic findings were quantifiable circulating blasts (85%; median blast count 35 700/μL; range: 300‐276 500/μL), anaemia (median haematocrit 34%; range: 11%‐52%) and thrombocytopenia (median 57 000/μL; range: 9000‐252 000/μL). Bicytopenia and pancytopenia were each found in 44% of dogs. Follow‐up information was available for 34 dogs. The overall median survival time from diagnosis was 19 days (range: 1‐121 days). Clinical progression in some dogs was not as rapid as previously reported. Haematologic responses to various chemotherapeutics were documented in 3 dogs, with associated survival times of 62, 103 and 121 days. Dogs treated with prednisone or a combination of chemotherapy and prednisone had improved survival compared to dogs that received symptomatic care only (P < .0001). Our results show canine AML has an overlapping clinical presentation with lymphoma. The prognosis for canine AML remains extremely guarded. Further studies are needed to optimize therapeutic regimens for dogs with AML.     

Validation of a client-based clinical metrology instrument for the evaluation of canine elbow osteoarthritis

Objective : To validate a disease‐specific client‐based clinical metrology instrument (questionnaire) for dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the elbow joint. Materials and Methods : This was a prospective cohort study involving 26 dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the elbow with 24 associated clients. Validity (face and criterion), reliability and responsiveness of the metrology instrument (named “Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs [elbow]”) were tested in a sequence of studies. Face validity involved use of international peer review. Reliability was assessed using a test‐retest scenario with a two week interval; peak vertical force as measured by a force platform was used as an external standard measure. Responsiveness was tested with a two week, single‐blinded placebo‐controlled intervention using a licensed non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug. Results : The reliability of Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) in the test‐retest scenario was good; intraclass correlation coefficient is 0·89, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·75 to 0·95, compared with intraclass correlation coefficient 0·92, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·74 to 0·98, for peak vertical force. Responsiveness testing indicated that the “net” effect size (allowing for placebo effect) for Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) was 0·13 compared with (?)0·18 for the force platform. Criterion validity for Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) against peak vertical force was poor; Spearman’s rank correlation is ?0·24 (P=0·30). Clinical Significance : Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) was considered reliable with satisfactory responsiveness. The poor criterion validity suggests a mismatch between force platform peak vertical force and client perceptions of lameness. This instrument requires further validation in larger studies with alternative client groups and alternative therapeutic interventions, but this initial validation suggests that Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) is worthy of continued investigation.     

Treatment of Immune‐Mediated Hemolytic Anemia with Individually Adjusted Heparin Dosing in Dogs

Background: A major cause of death in dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is thromboembolism. Previous studies suggest unfractionated heparin (UH) is not effective in preventing thromboembolism in IMHA; however, subtherapeutic dosing could explain the seeming lack of efficacy. Hypothesis: Providing therapeutic plasma concentration of UH by individually adjusting doses based on antifactor Xa activity would improve survival in IMHA. Animals: Fifteen dogs with primary IMHA. Methods: Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical trial. Dogs received standardized therapy for IMHA and either constant dose (CD) (150 U/kg SC) (n = 7) or individually adjusted dose (IAD) (n = 8) UH, monitored via an anti‐Xa chromogenic assay, adjusted according to a nomogram. UH was administered every 6 hours until day 7, and every 8 hours thereafter. UH dose was adjusted daily in IAD dogs until day 7, weekly until day 28, then tapered over 1 week. Dogs were monitored for 180 days. Results: At day 180, 7 dogs in the IAD group and 1 in the CD group were alive (P= .01). Median survival time for the IAD group was >180 days, and 68 days for the CD group. Thromboembolic events occurred in 5 dogs in the CD group and 2 dogs in the IAD group. Doses of UH between 150 and 566 U/kg achieved therapeutic anti‐Xa activity (0.35–0.7 U/mL). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This study suggests that IAD UH therapy using anti‐Xa monitoring reduced case fatality rate in dogs with IMHA when compared with dogs receiving fixed low dose UH therapy.     

Correlates of objectively measured physical activity in dogs

To increase physical activity (PA) levels in dogs and to better evaluate their energy requirements, there is a need to understand which factors or correlates are associated with PA and/or sedentary behaviour. Improving our understanding of these correlates also has implications for prescribed energy requirements in dogs. PA was measured using accelerometry in 62 dogs from two common breeds (Labrador retrievers and Cocker spaniels). Five potential correlates (age, sex, breed, neuter status, body condition score) were tested for associations with total volume of PA, light-moderate intensity PA, vigorous intensity PA and sedentary behaviour. Age and breed were associated with total volume of PA, light-moderate intensity PA and sedentary behaviour in the final models. Age was associated with vigorous intensity PA. The final models explained 60%, 40%, 63% and 44% of variance in total volume of PA, light-moderate intensity PA, vigorous intensity PA and sedentary behaviour, respectively. These results should improve understanding of the variation in energy requirements of dogs, as well as the development of age and breed-specific diets and the prevention and treatment of canine obesity.     

Evaluation of a novel accelerometer for kinetic gait analysis in dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel accelerometer-based sensor system, the Walkabout Portable Gait Monitor (WPGM), for use in kinetic gait analysis of dogs. The accelerometer was compared to the common reference standard of force platform analysis. Fifteen client-owned, orthopedically sound dogs of various breeds underwent simultaneous force platform and accelerometer gait trials to measure peak vertical forces (PVFs). The agreement between PVF for the accelerometer and force platform was measured using concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and was found, overall, to be moderate [CCC = 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46 to 0.56]. The agreement between PVF for the accelerometer and force platform for the forelimbs was positive and substantial (CCC = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.84) and for the hind limbs was positive and low (CCC = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.38). As measured by the accelerometer, PVF was systematically higher than as measured by the force platform (forelimbs 55.3 N, hind limbs 144.3 N). It was also found that, when positioned over the lumbar spine, the WPGM cannot measure PVF of the individual forelimbs and hind limbs, which limits its use as a clinical tool to measure kinetic variables in dogs.