Factor X deficiency in a Jack Russell terrier

Deficiency in factor X (Stuart-Prower factor) was identified in a 7-month-old spayed female Jack Russell Terrier following recurrent bleeding episodes. Various relatives were screened for factor X deficiency and low and subnormal levels were identified in the father and paternal grandmother, respectively. Factor X deficiency has been previously documented in a family of American Cocker Spaniels, in which the inheritance pattern appeared to be an autosomal dominant trait with variable expression. This is the first report describing this coagulopathy in the Jack Russell Terrier.     

Relation of fructosamine to serum protein, albumin, and glucose concentrations in healthy and diabetic dogs.

The relation of the glycated serum protein, fructosamine, to serum protein, albumin, and glucose concentrations was examined in healthy dogs, dogs with hypo- or hyperproteinemia, and diabetic dogs. Fructosamine was determined by use of an adaptation of an automated kit method. The reference range for fructosamine in a composite group of control dogs was found to be 1.7 to 3.38 mmol/L (mean +/- SD, 2.54 +/- 0.42 mmol/L). Fructosamine was not correlated to serum total protein, but was highly correlated to albumin in dogs with hypoalbuminemia. To normalize the data with respect to albumin, it is suggested that the lower limit of the reference range for albumin concentration (2.5 g/dl) be used for adjustment of fructosamine concentration and only in hypoalbuminemic dogs. In 6 hyperglycemic diabetic dogs, fructosamine concentration was well above the reference range. It is concluded that although fructosamine may be a potentially useful guide to assess the average blood glucose concentration over the preceding few days in dogs, further study is required to establish its value as a guide to glucose control in diabetic dogs.     

Diagnostic imaging findings and endocrine test results in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism that did or did not have neurologic abnormalities: 157 cases (1989-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To compare imaging findings in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) that did or did not have neurologic abnormalities. Design-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 157 dogs with PDH that did (n = 73) or did not (84) have neurologic abnormalities. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for the presence and nature of clinical signs of CNS disease, and computed tomographic and magnetic resonance images were reviewed for evidence of a pituitary tumor. RESULTS: 60 of the 84 (71%) dogs without neurologic abnormalities and 48 of the 73 (66%) dogs with neurologic abnormalities had a detectable pituitary tumor. However, 17 of the 84 (20%) dogs without neurologic abnormalities had a pituitary macrotumor (ie, a tumor > or = 10 mm in height), and 41 of the 73 (56%) dogs with neurologic abnormalities did not have a detectable pituitary tumor or had a pituitary microtumor. Vague signs of CNS dysfunction (ie, lethargy, inappetence, and mental dullness) were more specific for detection of pituitary macrotumors than were CNS-specific signs (ie, seizure or blindness). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that there was no apparent relationship between a pituitary tumor and development of neurologic abnormalities in dogs with PDH. In addition, neurologic abnormalities in dogs with pituitary macrotumors were often vague (ie, lethargy, inappetence, and mental dullness).     

Cytologic, microbiologic, and biochemical analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from 24 healthy cats

Twenty-four healthy cats underwent bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage to determine the normal cytologic environment of the lower respiratory tract of cats. Initial screening to ensure the health of the study population included complete histories, physical examinations, thoracic radiography, CBC, serologic tests for feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, and occult heartworm, and sugar and Baermann fecal flotation. In 18 cats, protected catheter brush samples of airway secretions from the lavaged lung segment were taken for culture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mycoplasma. Bronchial lavage fluid (5 sequential 10-ml aliquots of normal saline solution) was pooled and filtered with cotton gauze. The unspun sample was used for determination of a total nucleated cell count. Lavage fluid was cytocentrifuged and 500 cells/slide were scored for determination of the cellular differential. Activity of lactate dehydrogenase and concentrations of total protein and IgG within the supernatant were measured, and assays were performed to detect the presence of IgA and IgM. Complete histologic evaluation of the lavaged lung of each of 6 random-source cats was performed after differential cell counting revealed 18% eosinophils within bronchoalveolar lavage fluid recovered from this group. Alveolar macrophages were the predominant cells encountered; however, a quarter of all cells recovered were eosinophils. A significant relationship was not found between the abundance of eosinophils in the lavage fluid, and either isolation of aerobic bacteria, high total nucleated cell counts, total protein concentrations, or activity of lactate dehydrogenase. Histologic evaluation of the lungs of 5 of 6 random-source cats revealed normal lungs in 2 cats, and minimal abnormal change in 3 others. Evaluation of the lungs from 1 random source cat revealed acute, mild eosinophilic bronchiolitis. We conclude that large numbers of eosinophils may be retrieved from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of healthy cats.     

The anemia of inflammatory disease in the dog I. The nature of the problem

The anemia of inflammatory disease (AID) in the dog is an almost invariable complication of infection, inflammation and disseminated or necrotizing neoplastic disease. Clinically innocuous, it is important only in the greater under-standing of the mechanisms controlling circulating erythrocyte quantity and quality. The etiology and pathogenesis include a shortened red cell life-span, disordered iron metabolism, depressed bone marrow response to the anemia and a disordered iron storage. The laboratory features of a moderate anemia, normal bone marrow cellular pattern, depression in iron metabolism and reticuloendothelial iron sequestration make a final diagnosis of AID dependent on ruling out other etiologic mechanisms which may obscure or aggravate the anemia of inflammatory disease in the dog.

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Kurzfassung Die Anämie der entzündlichen Erkrankung des Hundes ist eine komplizierende Begleiterscheinung von Infektionen, Entzündungen und disseminierten oder neoplastischen Erkrankungen. Klinisch unbedeutend ist diese Anämie nur im Sinne eines weiteren Verständnisses der Mechanismen bedeutsam, die Zahl und Menge der zirkulierenden Erythrozyten kontrollieren. Atiologie und Pathogenese umfassen eine verkürzte Lebensdauer der Erythrozyten, Störungen im Eisenstoffwechsel, unterdrückte Knochenmarksreaktion auf die Anämie und eine gestörte Eisenspeicherung. Laborwerte wie moderate Anämie, normale Knochenmarkszellbilder, unterdrückter Eisenstoffwechsel und RES-Eisen-Absonderung sprechen für die Diagnose einer Anämie der entzündlichen Erkrankung, vorausgesetzt, dass andere ätiologische Ursachen, die eine Anämie verschleiern oder erschweren können, ausgeschlossen werden.

     

Prevalence of pituitary tumors among diabetic cats with insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of pituitary tumors, detectable by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, in cats with insulin resistance suspected to have acromegaly or hyperadrenocorticism versus cats with well-controlled diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 16 cats with insulin resistance that were also suspected to have acromegaly (n = 12) or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (4) and 8 cats with well-controlled diabetes mellitus. PROCEDURE: Computed tomography was performed on all 16 cats with insulin resistance and 2 cats in which diabetes mellitus was well-controlled. The remaining 6 cats in which diabetes mellitus was well-controlled underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Images were obtained before and immediately after i.v. administration of contrast medium. RESULTS: Computed tomography revealed a mass in the region of the pituitary gland in all 16 cats with insulin resistance. Maximum width of the masses ranged from 4.4 to 12.7 mm; maximum height ranged from 3.1 to 12.6 mm. Results of computed tomography performed on 2 cats with well-controlled diabetes and magnetic resonance imaging performed on the remaining 6 cats were considered normal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that cats with insulin resistance suspected to have acromegaly or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism are likely to have a pituitary mass detectable by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.