Surface ultrastructure of pyruvate kinase-deficient erythrocytes in the Basenji dog.

The scanning electron microscope was used to study the surface morphologic features of erythrocytes from a Basenji dog with hereditary hemolytic anemia due to a pyruvate kinase-deficient erythrocytes (RBC). Cells from this dog were compared with RBC from normal dogs and from dogs with regenerative anemias unrelated to pyruvate kinase deficiency. Demonstration of spherical RBC with uniform spicules on their surface (spheroechinocytes) may provide a morphologic explanation for the shortened erythrocytic life-span previously reported in congenital hemolytic anemia of Basenji dogs. Spherical, spiculated RBC were not found in blood from normal dogs or from anemic dogs with reticulocytoses. The surface of reticulocytes from all dogs with regenerative anemia was roughened, with pronounced folding of the cell membrane.     

Trichosporonosis in two cats

Infection with Trichosporon spp was diagnosed in 2 cats. In one cat, infection consisted of a granulomatous dermatitis and was concurrent with disseminated lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma. In another cat, urinary cystitis caused by T beigelii was diagnosed.     

Pharmacokinetics, stability, and retrospective analysis of use of an oral gel formulation of the bovine injectable enrofloxacin in horses

In many cases of equine infectious disease, long-term administration of antimicrobial drugs is required. Oral agents are preferred because of the relative ease of administration compared with other routes. Enrofloxacin has been shown to be effective against a variety of equine pathogens, but oral administration of this drug has proved difficult in horses. An oral gel formulation made from the injectable cattle product produces blood levels sufficient to resolve infections caused by a variety of common equine pathogens.     

Effects of recent Leptospira vaccination on whole blood real-time PCR testing in healthy client-owned dogs

Background

Bacterin‐based canine Leptospira vaccines could present a challenge for the use of whole blood real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a diagnostic tool. Recent vaccination could induce positive results if the targeted DNA fragment is present within the vaccine and in the blood of the recently vaccinated dog.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess whether 2 available 4‐serovar vaccines induce a positive real‐time PCR reaction in the blood of healthy recently vaccinated dogs.

Animals

Twenty healthy dogs.

Methods

This was a prospective study. Dogs were assigned to 1 of 2 vaccine groups. Both vaccines were culture‐based and include Leptospira interrogans serovars Pomona, Canicola, and Icterohaemorrhagiae and Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa. Whole blood for real‐time PCR and serum for the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) were collected prior to and 3 and 7 days after vaccination and weekly thereafter for 8 weeks. Two real‐time PCR tests targeting 2 different genes were performed independently in a blinded fashion.

Results

Both Leptospira vaccines produced positive real‐time PCR reactions when assayed undiluted or diluted 1 : 100 in canine blood. However, blood samples drawn from all dogs at all time points after vaccination were negative on PCR. All dogs developed MAT titers.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Recent vaccination with 2 commercially available vaccines does not interfere with the use of real‐time PCR for the identification of acute Leptospira infection in dogs.