bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Horses: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Saville William J. , Hinchcliff Kenneth W. , Moore Bonnie R. , Kohn Catherine W. , Reed Stephen M. , Mitten Laurie A. , Rivas Luis J.
Published: March 2010

The clinical and clinicopathologic characteristics of fatal necrotizing enterocolitis were examined in 16 horses (age 4 months to 12 years). At initial presentation, 8 of 16 horses were pyrexic (median temperature, 38.4°C; range, 33.8 to 40.6°C); all 16 were tachycardic (median heart rate, 93 bpm, range, 66 to 138 bpm); 13 of 16 were tachypneic (median heart rate, 36 bpm, range, 16 to 80 bpm), dehydrated, and had discolored mucous membranes. All horses that were pyrexic were also tachycardic and tachypneic. PCV was high (>45%) in 14 horses. Six horses were leukopenic (<5,000 cells/μL); 12 were neutropenic (<2,300 cells/μL), and 14 had >100 band neutrophils/μL. Twelve horses were acidemic (pH 7.37; range, 6.88 to 7.33) and the venous bicarbonate concentration was low (<23 mEq/L) in 14 horses. Median anion gap in 16 horses was 31.5 mEq/L (>15 mEq/L in 15 horses). Eleven of 16 horses were hyponatremic (<137 mEq/L), 1 horse was hypernatremic (> 143 mEq/L), 3 were hypoka‐(emic (<3.2 mEq/L), 6 were hyperkalemic (>4.5 mEq/L), and 14 were hypochloremic (<98 mEq/L). Serum creatinine concentrations were high (>1.4 mg/dL) in 15 horses. Abdominal fluid was examined in 12 horses: 4 had total protein concentrations 2.5 g/dL and 6 had nucleated cell counts >5,000/μL and <10,000/μL; none had >10,000/μL. Eight of 12 samples revealed a nondegenerate neutrophilia (>50%). Abdominal fluid collected from 4 horses immediately before death was normal in 2 horses and indicative of suppurative inflammation in 2. All 8 horses tested had low or nonexistent serum immunofluorescent antibody titers toEhrlichia risticii. Four of 16 horses hadSalmonella sppisolated from feces or tissues. All 16 horses either died (5 of 16; 31%) or were euthanized because of a grave prognosis. Median time to death was 45.5 hours (range, 7 to 113 hours) from the time of admission. Death was preceded by severe abdominal pain in 14 horses. Fatal necrotizing enterocolitis of horses is characterized by a brief course, profound dehydration, electrolyte derangements, acid‐base abnormalities, and terminally, severe abdominal pain. Abdominal fluid analysis was frequently not indicative of the severity of disease.J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:265–270. Copyright©1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Post‐Therapy Antibody Titers in Dogs With Ehrlichiosis: Follow‐Up Study on 68 Patients Treated Primarily With Tetracycline and/or Doxycycline
Authors: Bartsch Robert C. , Greene Russell T.
Published: March 2010

The clinical and serological responses to therapy were evaluated for at least 1 year in 68 dogs with antibody titers positive forEhrlichiacam's. Treatments were of variable periods with primarily tetracycline hydrochloride and/or doxycycline. Sixteen dogs had initial titers of 1:20 and, at the end of the year, were asymptomatic, no longer receiving medication, and had negative serology. The average length of treatment with tetracycline HCI and/or doxycycline was 85 days (range, 14 to 360 days). Of 39 dogs with initial titers of 1:2,560 or greater, 1 died, 25 were asymptomatic, and 13 were lost to follow‐up at the end of the study. The average length of treatment was 210 days (range, 21 to 630 days). Twenty‐seven dogs were seropositive at ≥ 1:2,560 when the sera was last tested. Thirteen dogs had initial titers of 1:80 to 1:1,280. Of these 13 dogs, 2 died, 2 were lost to follow‐up, and 9 were asymptomatic and had titers ranging from negative to ≥ 1:2,560 at the end of the study. The persistence of antibodies, prolonged subclinical phase, and delayed relapses despite long‐term medication, suggest inadequate chemotherapeutic agents or may be natural features of latency of ehrlichiosis in dogs.J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:271–274. Copyright©1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Monoclonal Antibody C219 Immunohistochemistry Against P‐Glycoprotein: Sequential Analysis and Predictive Ability in Dogs With Lymphoma
Authors: Bergman Philip J. , Ogilvie Gregory K. , Powers Barbara E.
Published: March 2010

In the present study, the prevalence of positive staining for P‐glycoprotein using C219 monoclonal antibody was assessed in 58 tissue samples of high‐grade lymphoma from dogs before initiation of chemotherapy. Samples were also evaluated at relapse in 22 dogs, at necropsy in 34 dogs, and at all 3 times in 15 dogs. The frequency of positive staining was significantly higher than that found prior to the initiation of chemotherapy at the following times: relapse (P= .0001), necropsy (P< .0001), and both relapse and necropsy (P< .001, sequential data). The frequency of positive staining prior to the initiation of chemotherapy was significantly inversely related to remission (P< .001) and survival times (P= .0012). Similarly, when populations below and above the median initial C219 score were compared with respect to remission and survival times, the population with scores greater than the median had significantly lower remission (P< .001) and survival (P= .008) times, respectively. The frequency of positive staining determined at relapse was significantly inversely related to the time from relapse to death (P= .0102). Similarly, when populations below and above the median relapse C219 score were compared with respect to the time from relapse to death, the population with C219 scores greater than the median had a significantly lower time from relapse to death (P= .006). It appears that this immunohistochemical methodology may be used as a predictor of remission time, survival time, and the time from relapse to death. Additional studies are required to confirm the usefulness of C219 as a true marker of P‐glycoprotein and to evaluate P‐glycoprotein as a useful prognostic factor in dogs with lymphoma.
Treatment of Blastomycosis With Itraconazole in 112 Dogs
Authors: Legendre Alfred M. , Rohrbach Barton W. , Toal Robert L. , Rinaldi Michael G. , Grace Linda L. , Jones Janet B.
Published: March 2010

One hundred twelve client‐owned dogs with blastomycosis were treated with itraconazole, 5 or 10 mg/kg/d. The first group of 70 dogs treated in 1987 and 1988 received 10 mg/kg/d (group 1), and the second group of 42 dogs treated after October 1988 received 5 mg/kg/d (group 2). Even though the groups were treated at different times, the dogs were similar in age and gender distribution, number of sites involved, and percent and severity of pulmonary involvement. The proportion of dogs cured with a 60–day course of itraconazole was similar for both groups (53.6% versus 54.3%) and for a second historical control group treated with amphotericin B (57%); the recurrence rate was also similar, 20%, 21.4%, and 20%, respectively. Dogs treated with itraconazole had similar mortality rates (25.7% at 5 mg/kg/d; 25% at 10 mg/kg/day) to those treated with amphotericin B (23%). Seventeen of the 23 dogs that died (74%), did so during the first week of treatment; these early deaths were usually attributed to respiratory failure. The only site of infection that was significantly associated with failure (death or recurrence) was the brain. There was a marked difference in survival times between dogs without lung disease or with mild lung disease compared with dogs with moderate or severe lung disease. Serum itraconazole concentrations reached steady state by 14 days of treatment. Dogs receiving 5 mg/kg/d of itraconazole (group 2) had mean serum concentrations of 3.55 ± 2.81 mg/mL (range, 0.67 to 10.8 μg/mL), whereas dogs receiving 10 μg/kg/d (group 1) had mean concentrations of 13.46 ± 8.49 μg/mL (range, 1.8 to 28 μg/mL) (P ≤.001). There was no association between cure and serum itraconazole concentrations. Dogs in group 1 had significantly more adverse effects than dogs in group 2 (P= .046). Anorexia was the most common adverse effect, occurring in 14.9% of dogs in group 1. Only 8% of dogs in group 2 had adverse effects. Serum concentrations of itraconazole were positively correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Our findings indicate that itraconazole administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg/d is the drug of choice for blastomycosis in dogs.
Surgery and Doxorubicin in Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma
Authors: Ogilvie Gregory K. , Powers Barbara E. , Mallinckrodt Craig H. , Withrow Stephen J.
Published: March 2010

Forty‐six dogs with histologically confirmed hemangiosarcoma of various locations other than skin were used in a prospective study to determine the efficacy of adjuvant doxorubicin (30 mg/m2IV q 3 weeks for 5 treatments) 10 to 14 days after the tumor was partially or completely excised. Analysis of the data included information on variables that were hypothesized to influence response to therapy, disease‐free interval (DFI), or survival time (ST). Other information collected included age, gender, breed, weight, prior therapy, type of surgery, location of the primary tumor, presence of metastases, number of doses of doxorubicin, response to doxorubicin therapy (complete or partial response!, and the following histological criteria: overall differentiation, nuclear pleomorphism, percent necrosis, mitotic score, total histological score, and grade. Surgery outcome (complete versus incomplete surgical excision) markedly influenced survival times (P < .001). Twenty percent of the dogs rendered free of disease were alive at 1 year, whereas none of the dogs that had residual tumor after surgery were alive at 1 year. Most of the histological criteria (nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic score, grade, overall differentiation) had marked (P < .05), or close to marked, independent associations with ST for dogs that had complete tumor removal. Results from analysis of DFI were generally similar to those of ST in dogs with complete excision of the tumor. Twenty‐seven of the 46 dogs (58.7%) had all clinical evidence of tumor successfully removed. Logistic regression analysis of surgical outcome (ability to remove all visible tumor) suggested that age of the subject was the only factor markedly influencing surgical outcome (P= .017). As age increased, the probability of success increased. Those dogs that had previous treatment for their hemangiosarcoma tended (P= .08) to have a shorter DFI and ST. Therefore, complete removal of all evidence of tumor followed by 5 doses of doxorubicin may be an effective treatment for dogs with hemangiosarcoma. Dogs that had all tumor successfully removed had a mean and median ST of 267 and 172 days, respectively. Dogs with incomplete tumor removal had a mean and median ST of 172 and 60 days, respectively. Similarly, prognostic variables such as the ability to completely excise all evidence of tumor, histological criteria, and age of the patient are potentially important prognostic variables for predicting outcome.
Production of Granulocyte Colony‐Stimulating Factor and Granulocyte‐Macrophage Colony‐Stimulating Factor by Carcinomas in a Dog and a Cat With Paraneoplastic Leukocytosis
Authors: Sharkey Leslie C. , Rosol Thomas J. , Grone Andrea , Ward Heidi , Steinmeyer Carole
Published: March 2010

A dog with a pulmonary papillary carcinoma and a cat with a dermal tubular adenocarcinoma had profound paraneoplastic neutrophilic leukocytosis with no clinically detectable inflammatory foci. To investigate the mechanism of the leukocytosis, oligonucleotide primers were designed from the cDNA sequences of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) of dogs. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed on tumor tissues, and specific amplification of G‐CSF and GM‐CSF was obtained with the tumor RNA in the dog. The tumor RNA in the cat demonstrated specific amplification of G‐CSF but not GM‐CSF. These findings are consistent with the production of G‐CSF and/or GM‐CSF by neoplasms as a mechanism for paraneoplastic leukocytosis in small animals.
Iron Status and Erythrocyte Volume in Dogs With Congenital Portosystemic Vascular Anomalies
Authors: Simpson Kenneth W. , Meyer Dennis J. , Boswood Adrian , White Robert N. , Maskell Ian E.
Published: March 2010

Microcytosis, hypochromasia, and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin are frequent hematologic abnormalities in dogs with portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA). The relationship of iron status to these abnormalities is unclear. We evaluated iron status and hematologic and biochemical parameters in dogs with congenital PSVA before (25 dogs) and after (11 dogs) partial ligation of the vascular anomaly. Serum iron concentration and total iron binding capacity were subnormal in 56% and 20% of dogs with PSVA, respectively. Transferrin saturation was normal in 68%, decreased in 20%, and increased in 12% of the dogs. Plasma ferritin concentration was either normal (56%) or high (44%), and was not associated with increases in ceruloplasmin concentration. Hepatic stainable iron was increased in 10 of 16 dogs. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were decreased in more than 60% of dogs with PSVA. Serum biochemical abnormalities included high bile acid concentration and alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities; and low urea, creatinine, cholesterol, and total protein concentrations. Serum iron concentration and clinical status (normal or PSVA) significantly influenced MCV (P= .003 andP< .001, respectively), whereas age, ceruloplasmin, ferritin, cholesterol, bile acids, and total iron binding capacity did not. Partial ligation of PSVA was associated with resolution of clinical signs and the return to normal of iron status and all clinicopathologic abnormalities, except total fasting bile acid concentrations. These findings indicate that iron status is frequently abnormal in dogs with PSVA and that low serum iron concentration appears to be related to the development of microcytosis. The normalization of iron status and clinicopathologic abnormalities after treatment suggests that they are direct consequences of PSVA.
Intra‐ and Interindividual Variation in Urine Osmolality and Urine Specific Gravity in Healthy Pet Dogs of Various Ages
Authors: van Vonderen Ilse K. , Kooistra Hans S. , Rijnberk Ad
Published: March 2010

Urine specific gravity (Usg) and urine osmolality (Uosm) are used routinely to assess renal concentrating ability, but limited data on these variables are available for healthy dogs. Consequently, we studied the intra‐ and interindividual variations in Usg and Uosm in healthy dogs as well as the influence of age and gender on these variables.

Dogs were selected for health and anestrus in female dogs through the use of a detailed questionnaire. Eighty‐nine owners collected morning and evening urine samples from their dogs on 2 consecutive days. In 8 dogs in which the Uosm of different samples varied more than 50%, owners collected urine for 24 hours at 2‐hour intervals during the day and at 4‐hour intervals at night. The possible effect of changes in adrenocortical function with age was assessed by measurements of urinary corticoid/creatinine (C/C) ratios.

Among all samples, Uosm ranged from 161 to 2,830 mOsm/kg and Usg from 1.006 to > 1.050. In the morning, Uosm (1,541 ± 527 mOsm/kg, range 273–2,620 mOsm/kg) and Usg (1.035 ± 0.010, range 1.009‐ > 1.050) were higher than in the evening (Uosm 1,400 ± 586 mOsm/kg, range 161–2,830 mOsm/kg; Usg 1.031 ± 0.012, range 1.006‐ > 1.050). The interindividual coefficient of variation in Uosm was 34.2% for morning urine samples and 41.9% for evening samples. In 8 dogs with large differences in urine concentration, there were 2– to 3‐fold increases or decreases in Uosm during the day, and the intraindividual coefficient of variation was 33.0%. There was no relation between gender and urine concentration. Urine concentration in both the morning and evening samples decreased with age. Urinary corticoid/creatinine ratios did not change with age.

It can be concluded that Uosm and Usg vary widely among healthy dogs. Urine concentration is generally lower in the evening than in the morning and is not related to gender. Urine concentration decreases with age, and this cannot be ascribed to an associated increase in endogenous corticoids.

In some dogs, Uosm varies widely during the day, with an intraindividual coefficient of variation approaching the interindividual coefficient of variation. This may be regarded as a biologic variation but also could represent an early undi‐agnosed clinical abnormality.
A Clinical Trial of Probiotic Administration for Prevention ofSalmonellaShedding in the Postoperative Period in Horses With Colic
Authors: Parraga Maria E. , Spier Sharon J. , Thurmond Mark , Hirsh Dwight
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic administration on the prevalence of fecal shedding ofSalmonella, the prevalence of postoperative diarrhea, the length of antimicrobial therapy, and the length of the hospitalization stay during the postoperative period in horses with colic. Two commercially available probiotics for horses were used in a double‐blind prospective study of 200 horses undergoing surgery for colic. Probiotic or placebo was administered PO once a day for 7 days postoperatively, and fecal cultures forSalmonella wereobtained daily for 10 days. After selection of 186 patients completing the treatment protocol, the results indicated that the commercial probiotic formulations had no effect onSalmonellashedding, prevalence of diarrhea, length of antimicrobial therapy, or length of hospitalization (P> .05). Twenty percent of the horses yielded 1 or more positive fecal cultures forSalmonella;of these horses, 74% were classified as asymptomatic shed‐ders. Twenty‐six percent of all horses had fluid diarrhea postoperatively, with only 12% of these horses having positive fecal cultures forSalmonella, The most common isolate wasSalmonella krefeld(24 of 39 isolates). Among the different gastrointestinal disorders, horses with feed and sand impactions appeared to be more prone to shedSalmonella.
Endotoxemia and Tumor Necrosis Factor Activity in Dogs With Naturally Occurring Parvoviral Enteritis
Authors: Otto Cynthia M. , Drobatz Kenneth J. , Soter Carolyn
Published: March 2010

A prospective, nonrandomized study was performed to evaluate the role of endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Seventeen dogs with naturally occurring parvoviral enteritis were enrolled in the study. Plasma samples were obtained for quantification of endotoxin and TNF on presentation and at 3 and6hours after therapy with either fluids prior to antibiotics, or fluids concurrently with antibiotics. All dogs received standard supportive therapy. Fourteen of 17 dogs had endotoxin in their plasma during the study period; 7 of 17 dogs had measurable TNF. No endotoxin or TNF was detectable in plasma from normal puppies. An increase in TNF activity was pre dictive of mortality (P= .041). There was a trend for increasing endotoxin activity to predict mortality (P= .0769). Animals that received antibiotics with fluids were significantly older than those that received fluids prior to antibiotics, and there was a trend for animals that received antibiotics with fluids to have a decrease in endotoxin activity after treatment (P= .054). Endotoxin and activation of the cytokine cascade are integral to the pathophysiology of parvoviral enteritis. Measures to limit endotoxemia and the systemic inflammatory response may improve survival.
Determinants and Utility of the Anion Gap in Predicting Hyperlactatemia in Cattle
Authors: Constable Peter D. , Streeter Robert N. , Koenig Gerard J. , Perkins Nigel R. , Gohar Hani M. , Morin Dawn E.
Published: March 2010

The objectives of this study were to investigate the determinants of the anion gap (AG) in cattle and to evaluate the utility of AG in detecting hyperlactatemia in sick neonatal calves and adult cattle. The AG was calculated as AG = ([Na+] + [K+]) ‐ ([Cl‐] + [HCO3]), with all values in mEq/L. The AG of healthy neonatal calves (n = 16) was 29.6 ± 6.2 mEq/L (mean ± SD), and the blood L‐lactate concentration ranged from 0.5 to 1.2 mM/L. The AG was significantly (P> .05) correlated with serum phosphate (r = .66) and creatinine (r = .51) concentrations. The AG of neonatal calves with experimentally induced diarrhea (n = 16) was 28.6 ± 5.6 mEq/L, and the blood L‐lactate concentration ranged from 1.1 to 2.9 mM/L. The AG was significantly correlated with blood L‐lactate concentration (r = .67), serum phosphate concentration (r = .63), creatinine concentration (r = .76), and blood pH (r = ‐.61). The AG of adult cattle with abomasal volvulus (n = 41) was 20.5 ± 7.8 mEq/L, and the blood L‐lactate concentration ranged from 0.6 to 15.6 mM/L. The AG was significantly correlated with blood L‐lactate concentration (r = .60), serum phosphate concentration (r = .71), creatinine concentration (r = .65), albumin concentration (r = .47), total protein concentration (r = .54), blood pyruvate concentration (r = .67), and blood pH (r = ‐.41) but not plasma β‐OH butyrate concentration. The results indicate that the AG in cattle is only moderately correlated with blood L‐lactate concentration and is similarly correlated with serum phosphate and creatinine concentrations in neonatal calves and adult cattle, as well as with serum albumin and total protein concentrations in adult cattle. Anion gap determination is of limited usefulness in predicting blood L‐lactate concentration in sick cattle, whereas the correlation between AG and serum creatinine concentration in sick cattle suggests that an increased AG should alert the clinician to the potential presence of uremic anions.
Effect of Weight Gain and Subsequent Weight Loss on Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Response in Healthy Cats
Authors: Biourge Vincent , Nelson Richard W. , Feldman Edward C. , Willits Neil H. , Morris James G. , Rogers Quinton R.
Published: March 2010

The effects of weight gain and subsequent weight loss on glucose tolerance and insulin response were evaluated in 12 healthy cats. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) were performed at entry into the study, after a significant gain of body weight induced by feeding palatable commercial cat food ad libitum, after a significant loss of body weight induced by feeding a poorly palatable purified diet to discourage eating and promote fasting, and after recovery from fasting when body weight had returned to pre‐study values and cats were eating commercial foods. A complete physical examination with measurement of body weight was performed weekly, a CBC and serum biochemistry panel were evaluated at the time of each IVGTT, and a liver biopsy specimen obtained 2 to 4 days after each IVGTT was evaluated histologically for each cat.

Mean serum glucose and insulin concentrations after glucose infusion and total amount of insulin secreted during the second 60 minutes and entire 120 minutes after glucose infusion were significantly (P> .05) increased after weight gain, as compared with baseline. At the end of weight loss, cats had hepatic lipidosis and serum biochemical abnormalities consistent with feline hepatic lipidosis. There was a significant (P> .05) increase in mean serum glucose concentration and t1/2, and a significant (P> .05) decrease in mean serum insulin concentration and the glucose disappearance coefficient (K) after glucose infusion for measurements obtained after weight loss, compared with those obtained after weight gain and at baseline. Insulin peak response, insulino‐genic index, and total amount of insulin secreted during the initial 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 60 minutes after glucose infusion were decreased markedly (P> .05), compared with measurements obtained after weight gain and at baseline. In addition, the total amount of insulin secreted for 120 minutes after glucose infusion was decreased markedly (P> .05) in measurements obtained after weight loss, compared with those obtained after weight gain. At the end of recovery, all cats were voluntarily consuming food, serum biochemical abnormalities identified after weight loss had resolved, the number and size of lipid vacuoles in hepatocytes had decreased, and results of IVGTT were similar to those obtained at baseline.

These findings confirmed the reversibility of obesity‐induced insulin resistance in cats, and documented initial deterioration in glucose tolerance and insulin response to glucose infusion when weight loss was caused by severe restriction of caloric intake.
Glycosylated Hemoglobin Concentration for Assessment of Glycemic Control in Diabetic Cats
Authors: Elliott Denise A. , Nelson Richard W. , Feldman Edward C. , Nea Larry A.
Published: March 2010

Blood glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) concentration was quantified in 84 healthy cats, 9 cats with stress‐induced hyperglycemia, 37 cats with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and 122 diabetic cats treated with insulin or glipizide. Diabetic control was classified as good or poor in insulin‐treated or glipizide‐treated cats based on review of history, physical examination findings, changes in body weight, and measurement of blood glucose concentrations. Blood GHb concentration was determined using an affinity chromatography assay. Mean blood GHb concentration was similar for healthy normoglycemic cats and cats with transient, stress‐induced hyperglycemia, but was significantly (P< .001) higher in untreated diabetic cats when compared with healthy normoglycemic cats. Mean blood GHb concentration was significantly (P< .001) higher in 84 cats with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus when compared with 38 cats in which the disease was well controlled. Mean blood GHb concentration decreased significantly (P< .01) in 6 cats with untreated diabetes mellitus after insulin and dietary treatment. A similar significant (P < .01) decrease in mean blood GHb concentration occurred in 7 cats with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus after diabetic control was improved by an increase in insulin dosage from 1.1 ± 0.9 to 1.4 ± 0.6 U/kg/ 24 h and by feeding a diet containing increased fiber content and in 6 cats with transient diabetes mellitus 8.2 ± 0.6 weeks after discontinuing insulin treatment. There was a significant (P<.01) stress‐induced increase in mean fasting blood glucose concentration and mean blood glucose concentration for 12 hours after administration of insulin or glipizide but no change in mean blood GHb concentration in 5 docile diabetic cats 12.2 ± 0.4 weeks after the cats became fractious as a result of frequent hospitalizations and blood samplings. Results of this study suggest that evaluation of blood GHb concentration may be a clinically useful tool for monitoring glycemic control of diabetes in cats.
Pathologic Factors Affecting Postsplenectomy Survival in Dogs
Authors: Spangler William L. , Kass Philip H.
Published: March 2010

The apparently high prevalence of splenomegaly in dogs, along with the surgical accessibility of the spleen, results in a relatively large number of splenectomies in dogs in clinical veterinary practice. Splenic nodular lesions are widely considered to be indicative of hemangiosarcoma and thus a disease that is ultimately fatal. This study correlates the results of complete pathologic evaluation and classification of 500 spleens obtained by splenectomy with survival information for each dog. Among the spleens examined, 257 of 500 (51.4%) were classified nonneoplastic and 241 (48.2%) were neoplastic; 2 (0.4%) were unclassified. Miscellaneous non‐nodular splenomegaly accounted for 46 of 257 (18%) of the nonneoplastic lesions; nodular splenomegaly accounted for 206 of 257 (79%) of nonneoplastic splenic lesions and was composed of lymphoid hyperplastic nodules and associated hematomas, hyperplastic lymphoid nodules alone, or hematomas with no apparent underlying cause. Nodular neoplastic diseases of the spleen were divided among benign tumors (11.5%) and a variety of primary sarcomas. Hemangiosarcoma made up 51% of splenic malignancies but accounted for less than 25% of the spleens evaluated. Survival of dogs with hematomas associated with nonneoplastic conditions of the spleen was markedly different from that in dogs with hemangiosarcoma‐associated hematomas, even though most could not be effectively differentiated on gross inspection. Two month postoperative survival was 83% for dogs with nonneoplastic‐related hematomas, whereas only 31% of dogs with hemangiosarcoma, with or without associated hematomas, were alive after 2 months. Twelve‐month survival times were 64% and 7%, respectively. An overall postsplenectomy survival rate of 52% was based on the number of dogs surviving for a minimum of 6 months postoperatively.
Platelet Hyperfunction in Dogs With Malignancies
Authors: McNiel Elizabeth A. , Ogilvie Gregory K. , Fettman Martin J. , Salman Mowafak D.
Published: March 2010

In vitro platelet aggregometry was performed on whole blood samples from 59 dogs with malignancies and 24 control dogs. Three reagents were used for the aggregation studies: collagen, arachidonic acid, and adenosine diphos‐phate (ADP). The parameters measured to evaluate response to collagen included delay in the aggregation response, slope of the aggregation curve, maximum aggregation, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) secretion. The platelets of dogs with malignancies exhibited significantly (P< .05) shorter delays in the aggregation response, higher maximum aggregation, and higher ATP secretion when compared to control dogs. For the weaker reagents, ADP and arachidonic acid, the lowest concentration resulting in aggregation was determined. Platelets of dogs with malignancies tended to aggregate in response to lower concentrations of ADP than did those of controls (P< .05). The response of platelets to the concentrations of arachidonic acid employed in this study was poor, with few samples achieving measurable aggregation. The findings of this study suggest that dogs with malignancies have hyperaggregable platelets.
Signs of Sympathetic Denervation Associated With a Thoracic Melanoma in a Horse
Authors: Murray Michael J. , Cavey D. Michael , Feldman Bernard F. , Trostle Steven S. , White Nathaniel A.
Published: March 2010

Sympathetic denervation in a 20‐year‐old, gray, Thorough‐bred‐Percheron gelding was manifested by cutaneous hyperthermia and sweating over the right side of the body, demarcated by a line from the withers to the elbow and extending cranially. There was cutaneous hyperthermia over the right side of the head, but other signs of Horner's syndrome (sweating, ptosis, miosis, enophthalmos) were not present. The pattern of cutaneous hyperthermia and sweating was consistent with sympathetic denervation localized to the cervicothoracic ganglion, and thoracic radiographs revealed increased density in the craniodorsal thorax. Cytologic evaluation of a sample of pleural effusion revealed mesothelial cells containing melanin and cells suggestive of melanocytes or melanoblasts. Treatment with oral cimetidine and intrapleural cisplatin was not successful. A necropsy was not performed, but the clinical findings supported a diagnosis of thoracic melanoma involving the cervicothoracic ganglion.
Retrospective Review of 50 Canine Intracranial Tumors Evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kraft Susan L. , Gavin Patrick R. , DeHaan Constance , Moore Michael , Wendling Lyle R. , Leathers Charles W.
Published: March 2010

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 50 dogs with intracranial neoplasia. The following tumor features were assessed: axial origin, location, shape, growth pattern, MRI signal intensity, evidence for edema, and paramagnetic contrast enhancement. Histologic diagnoses included 5 intracranially invading nasal tumors, 7 pituitary tumors, 22 meningiomas, 6 choroid plexus tumors, 7 astrocytomas, 1 ependymoma, and 2 oligodendrogliomas. Axial origin, site, shape, and growth pattern were important diagnostic characteristics for tumor type. Signal intensity and contrast enhancement pattern allowed further differentiation. Characteristic MRI features that facilitate diagnosis and prognosis were identified. Accurate diagnosis of tumor type based on these features was not always possible because of similarities in MRI appearance for some tumors. Tissue biopsy remains necessary for definitive diagnosis of intracranial tumors.
Lipid Composition of Hepatic and Adipose Tissues From Normal Cats and From Cats With Idiopathic Hepatic Lipidosis
Authors: Hall Jean A. , Barstad Louise A. , Connor William E.
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this study was to characterize the lipid classes in hepatic and adipose tissues from cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis (IHL). Concentrations of triglyceride, phospholipid phosphorus, and free and total cholesterol were determined in lipid extracts of liver homogenates from 5 cats with IHL and 5 healthy control cats. Total fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue was also compared. Triglyceride accounted for 34% of liver by weight in cats with IHL (338 ± 38 mg/g wet liver) versus 1% in control cats {9.9 ±1.0 mg/g wet liver,P< .001). The mass of cholesterol ester was significantly higher in triglyceride‐free (TG‐free) liver from cats with IHL (741 ± 340 μg/g TG‐free wet liver) compared to healthy cats (31 ± 11 μg/g TG‐free wet liver,P< .05). Total fatty acid composition of hepatic tissue in the 2 groups differed; pa Imitate was higher (19.5 ± 1.1% of total fatty acids in cats with IHL versus 9.2 ± 2.7% in controls,P< .05), stearate was lower (8.5 ± 0.8% versus 16.8 ± 1.1%, P < .05), oleate was higher (41.2 ± 1.6% versus 31.1 ± 1.8%,P< .05), and arachidonate was lower (1.2 ± 0.2% versus 6.0 ± 0.9%,P< .05). The total fatty acid composition of adipose tissue also differed between the 2 groups; palmitate was higher (25.2 ± 1.2% in cats with IHL versus 21.3 ± 0.6% in controls,P< .05), total monounsaturated fatty acids were higher (48.4 ± 1.0% versus 45.0 ± 0.8%,P< .05), linoleate was lower (13.3 ± 1.6% versus 17.5 ± 0.9%,P< .05), total (n‐6) fatty acids were lower (13.8 ± 1.38% versus 18.4 ± 0.83%,P< .05), linolenate was lower (0.2 ± 0.04% versus 0.7 ± 0.06%,P< .05), and total (n‐3) fatty acids were lower (0.3 ± 0.02% versus 1.3 ± 0.32%,P< .05). The fatty acid composition of both liver and adipose tissue was similar for stearate, oleate, linoleate, and linolenate in cats with IHL. These results support the hypothesis that the origin of hepatic triglyceride in cats with IHL is the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue.
Duplex Doppler Estimation of Intrarenal Pourcelot Resistive Index in Dogs and Cats With Renal Disease
Authors: Rivers Bill J. , Walter Patricia A. , Polzin David J. , King Vickie L.
Published: March 2010

In human beings, intrarenal blood flow impedance, expressed as the resistive index (Rl) and obtained by duplex Doppler ultrasonography, has been used to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of renal failure. Higher than normal values for Rl were obtained in 3 of 4 dogs with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and in 5 of 10 dogs with glomerulonephrosis (GN). Normalization of Rl was observed in 2 dogs with ATN evaluated serially during treatment. Increased Rl values were obtained in 9 of 10 cats with nonobstructive renal disease and in 2 of 5 cats with obstructive renal disease. Normalization of Rl was observed in 3 cats with renal failure in which treatment was effective (1 with obstruction; 2 with nonobstructive disease). The magnitude of increase in Rl did not correlate with the magnitude of concurrent renal dysfunction. These results suggest that duplex Doppler evaluation of intrarenal Rl is more useful as an ancillary diagnostic technique in azotemic dogs with ATN than in those with GN and in azotemic cats with nonobstructive than in those with obstructive disease.
Persistent Hyperammonemia in Two Related Morgan Weanlings
Authors: McConnico Rebecca S. , Duckett Wendy M. , Wood Philip A.
Published: March 2010

Persistent hyperammonemia was diagnosed in 2 Morgan fillies with clinical signs that developed early in the post‐weaning period. Diagnostic evaluation, including routine serum chemistries, CBC, liver biopsy, hepatic ultrasonography, liver function test, and necropsy findings did not support a toxic, developmental, or infectious cause. Abnormal serum amino acid and urine orotic acid concentrations suggest that the foals may have had an inherited disorder, described in humans as hyperornithinemia, hyperammonemia, and homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome. The disorder is thought to be caused by a defective mitochondrial transporter protein, such that ornithine, required for complete urea synthesis, is deficient, thus causing increases in blood ammonia and ornithine concentrations.
Silica‐Containing Urinary Calculi in Dogs (1981–1993)
Authors: Aldrich Janet , Ling Gerald V. , Ruby Annette L. , Johnson Deedra L. , Franti Charles E.
Published: March 2010

Silica‐containing urinary calculi obtained from 773 dogs and submitted by veterinarians throughout the United States were analyzed by quantitative crystallographic analysis to determine mineral composition. Specimens were composed of either multiple mineral layers (535 specimens) or 1 mineral layer (238 specimens). Most multiple‐layer calculi were composed of 80% or greater silica (300 of 535, 56%) or 20% to 79% silica (184 of 535, 34%) in any mineral layer. Most 1–layer calculi were composed of 100% silica (212 of 238, 89%). Most dogs forming silica‐containing calculi were of male gender (679 of 773, 88%). Bacterial cultures of calculus or urine or both were performed on 49% (376 of 773) of the specimens, and bacterial growth was obtained from 37% (139 of 376) of samples cultured. The prevalence of calculus‐associated urinary tract infection was 35% (113 of 321) in males and 47% (26 of 55) in females. The gender prevalence for infection withStaphylococcusspecies was 16% (51 of 321) in males and 33% (18 of 55) in females. The breed and gender of dogs that formed calculi (silica population) were compared with the hospital population (Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital [VMTH] population) and with a population of calculus‐forming dogs (Stonelab population) to determine risk factors for silica calculus formation. For all breeds compared, the ratio of males to females was higher in the silica population. The German Shepherd Dog and Old English Sheepdog were significantly overrepresented when the silica population was compared with either the VMTH population or the Stonelab population. We conclude that male German Shepherd Dogs and Old English Sheepdogs are at increased risk for formation of silica‐containing urinary calculi.
Clinical and Clinicopathologic Effects of Large Doses of Raw Linseed Oil As Compared to Mineral Oil in Healthy Horses
Authors: Schumacher John , DeGraves Fred J. , Spano Joseph S.
Published: March 2010

The clinical and Clinicopathologic effects of raw linseed oil and mineral oil were compared. In a crossover experimental design trial, 6 horses were given either raw linseed oil (2.5 mL/kg body weight) or mineral oil (10 mL/kg body weight), twice, 12 hours apart. Two weeks later, the horses received the opposite treatment. All horses given mineral oil or linseed oil developed nonformed feces by 24 hours of the first administration of oil. Horses treated with mineral oil had formed feces at 48 hours; horses treated with linseed oil developed normally formed feces at 96 to 108 hours. All horses treated with linseed oil had signs of depression and anorexia, and 3 had signs of mild colic. These signs were not observed in horses treated with mineral oil. Concentrations of serum glucose and bilirubin were significantly higher in horses treated with linseed oil when compared with horses treated with mineral oil.
Polyuria and Polydipsia and Disturbed Vasopressin Release in 2 Dogs With Secondary Polycythemia
Authors: van Vonderen Ilse K. , Meyer Hein P. , Kraus Johannes S. , Kooistra Hans S.
Published: March 2010

In dogs, secondary polycythemia (SP) may be associated with polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD). The pathogenesis of this PU/PD has not yet been explained. We hypothesized that hyperviscosity and increased blood volume in SP might affect vasopressin (VP) release, resulting in PU/PD. This hypothesis was tested in 2 dogs with SP caused by renal neo‐plasia and PU/PD. Osmoregulation of VP release was studied by a modified water deprivation test and by investigating the VP response to hypertonic saline infusion.

Water deprivation test results were consistent with an inability to produce concentrated urine despite increasing plasma osmolality. During hypertonic saline infusion, the osmotic threshold of VP release was markedly increased in both dogs, resulting in a delayed VP response to increasing plasma osmolality. The sensitivity of VP release was low normal in both dogs. We conclude that blood hyperviscosity and increased blood volume led to impaired VP release and polyuria.
Prevalence and Identity of Translocating Bacteria in Healthy Dogs
Authors: Dahlinger John , Marks Stanley L. , Hirsh Dwight C.
Published: March 2010

Bacterial translocation is characterized by the passage of intestinally derived bacteria across the intestinal mucosa to local or regional tissues. This phenomenon is believed to be important in the pathogenesis of gram‐negative bacteremia and septicemia; however, the pathway or route of translocation remains unclear. To define the route of translocation better, mesenteric lymph nodes from 50 apparently healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomies were cultured aerobically and anaerobically. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of bacterial translocation and to quantify and identify types of organisms found in mesenteric lymph nodes. Peripheral blood and portal blood samples were similarly cultured to rule out hematogenous organisms as a source of lymph node contamination. Bacteria were isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes of 26 dogs (52%). The number of bacteria varied from 50 to > 105 organ‐isms/g of tissue. Bacteria isolated included Staphylococcus intermedius (n = 3), coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus (n = 2), nonhemolytic Streptococcus (n = 4), Bacillus species (n = 5), Escherichia coli (n = 6), Salmonella species (n = 3), Pseudomonas species (n = 2), Enterococcus species (n = 2), Clostridium sordelli (n = 1), Micrococcus species (n = 1), Lactobacillus species (n = 1), and Propionibacterium acnes (n = 1). One of 50 peripheral blood samples yielded an unidentified gram‐positive coccus and a coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus. No bacteria were isolated from portal blood samples of any dog. Further studies of this type on sick dogs are warranted before clinical recommendations can be made to culture mesenteric lymph nodes routinely.
Evaluation of a Multidrug Chemotherapy Protocol (ACOPA II) in Dogs With Lymphoma
Authors: III Nathaniel C. Myers , Moore Antony S. , Rand William M. , Gliatto John , Cotter Susan M.
Published: March 2010

A chemotherapeutic protocol using cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin, and L‐asparaginase (ACOPA II) was evaluated in dogs with lymphoma. The response rate for 68 dogs treated with ACOPA II (complete remission [CR] 65%, partial remission [PR] 10%) was lower than that for 41 dogs treated with a related protocol previously evaluated (ACOPA I; CR 76%, PR 12%). Initial treatment with doxorubicin and prednisone did not decrease the prevalence or severity of toxicity during induction. The mortality during induction was 22%. The median duration of CR for dogs treated with ACOPA II was 9 months, with 40% still in remission at 1 year and 21% at 2 years. The rate of CR was lower for dogs with signs of illness at presentation (substageb) and for dogs weighing less than 15 kg. Age was negatively correlated with survival time and duration of remission. Dogs with immunoblastic lymphoma had a more favorable prognosis than did those with lymphoblastic lymphoma. Survival times were also longer for dogs in substage a at presentation. Seven dogs in which treatment was discontinued while in remission had comparable remission duration to that achieved by dogs receiving long‐term maintenance chemotherapy.
Radiopaque Markers to Evaluate Gastric Emptying and Small Intestinal Transit Time in Healthy Cats
Authors: Chandler Marjorie L. , Guilford Grant , Lawoko Charles R.O.
Published: March 2010

Determinations of gastric emptying time (GET) and small intestinal transit time (SITT) are useful in detecting gastrointestinal motility disorders and partial obstructions of the pylorus or small intestine. Barium‐impregnated, polyethylene radiopaque spheres with diameters of 1.5 mm and 5.0 mm have been developed for quantitative assessment of gastrointestinal transit.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate GET and SITT using these radiopaque spheres in 10 healthy cats. The cats were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: fasted, fed, and fed plus sedation (acetylpromazine maleate 0.10 mg/kg subcutaneously). A repeated measures study design was used.

The mean GETs of 50%, 75%, and 90% of the 1.5‐mm and the 5‐mm spheres in the unfed cats were 0.36, 0.58, and 0.74 hours, and 0.41, 0.68, and 1.02 hours, respectively. These values were significantly (P ±.05) more rapid than the GETs of 50%, 75%, and 90% of the 1.5‐mm and 5‐mm spheres of either the sedated fed cats (4.39, 5.68, 6.65 and 5.15, 5.99, 6.91 hours) or the unsedated fed cats (6.43, 8.12, 9.06 and 7.49, 8.49, 9.22 hours).

The mean GETs of 50% and 75% of the 1.5‐mm and 5‐mm and of 90% of the 1.5‐mm spheres were significantly (P±.05) more rapid in sedated than in unsedated fed cats. The GET of 50% of the 1.5‐mm spheres was significantly more rapid (P±.05) than that of the 5‐mm spheres in the fed cats. The mean SITTs, which ranged from 2.25 to 3.05 hours, were not significantly different (P> .05) among the treatment groups or between the 1.5‐mm and 5‐mm spheres.

The GET of spheres given to fasted cats is significantly more rapid than that of fed cats. Subcutaneous injection of acetylpromazine speeds GET in fed cats. The SITT of small and large spheres was not influenced by feeding or by acetyl‐promazine injection.
Retrospective Case‐Control Study of Hepatozoonosis in Dogs in Israel
Authors: Baneth Gad , Weigler Benjamin
Published: March 2010

Signalment, clinical signs, and physical examination and clinicopathologic findings in dogs diagnosed withHepatozoon cam'sparasitemia (n = 100) were compared with those inHepatozoon‐negative dogs (n = 180). A subset (n = 15) ofHepatozoon‐positive dogs with unusually high (> 800H canisgametocytes/μL of whole blood) parasitemia was compared with dogs that had low parasitemia (n = 85) and with Hepatozoon‐negative dogs (n = 180).Hepatozoon‐positive dogs significantly differed from Hepatozoon‐negative dogs in body temperature, total red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and platelet count. Dogs with highH canisparasitemia significantly differed from those with low parasitemia in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and total neutrophil count. Clinical findings from dogs with highH canisparasitemia included emaciation, lethargy, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities. Findings at necropsy included hepatitis, pneumonia, and glomerulonephritis associated withH canisschizonts and extensive parasitism of bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. Low hemoglobin concentration, low platelet count, and concurrent parvovirus infection together represented the best predictor variables forHepatozoonpositivity in dogs presenting to the hospital.