bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective Clinical Evaluation of an ELISA B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide Assay in the Diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs Presenting with Cough or Dyspnea
Authors: DeFrancesco Teresa C. , Rush John E. , Rozanski Elizabeth A. , Hansen Bernard D. , Keene Bruce W. , Moore Dominic T. , Atkins Clarke E. 
Published: March 2010

Background:B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is increased in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF).Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of a novel canine‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay of BNP for the diagnosis of CHF in dogs presenting with either cough or dyspnea.Animals:Three hundred and thirty dogs from 2 large university teaching hospitals.Methods:We prospectively measured plasma BNP concentrations in 3 groups of dogs: (1) normal adult dogs (n = 75), (2) dogs with asymptomatic heart disease (n = 76), and (3) dogs with cough or dyspnea (n = 179). The final diagnosis of dogs with cough or dyspnea and the severity of CHF (International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council Heart Failure Classification [ISACHC]) were determined by medical record review by a study cardiologist who was blinded to the results of the BNP assay.Results:Dogs with CHF had a higher median BNP concentration (24.6 pg/mL) than dogs with noncardiac causes of cough or dyspnea (2.6 pg/mL) (P< .0001). The area under the curve was 0.91 for the receiver operating curve analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of the BNP measurement to differentiate CHF from other causes of cough or dyspnea. The median BNP concentrations in dogs were 3.0 pg/mL with ISACHC I, 17.8 pg/mL with ISACHC II, and 30.5 pg/mL with ISACHC III. (P< .0001)Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Measurement of BNP is useful in establishing or in excluding the diagnosis of CHF in dogs with cough or dyspnea. B‐type natriuretic peptide concentrations rose significantly as a function of severity of CHF.
Transthoracic Echocardiographic Measurement of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Dogs
Authors: Schneider Matthias , Hildebrandt Nicolai , Schweigl Tatjana , Wehner Martin 
Published: March 2010

Background:Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) size and morphology influence the selection of the kind and the size of the embolization device used to effect shunt closure.Hypothesis:That echocardiographic measurement of PDA in dogs is accurate.Animals:Forty‐five client‐owned dogs with PDA.Methods:Prospective observational study. Echocardiographic and angiographic data were compared.Results:Measurement of the ductus in color Doppler echocardiography (CD‐E) and 2‐dimensional echocardiography (2D‐E) was achieved from left parasternal views in 43 of 45 unsedated dogs (96%). In these 43 dogs, the angiographic minimal PDA diameter was 3.72 ± 1.59 mm, and the diameter of the PDA ampulla was 8.46 ± 3.01 mm. The CD‐E minimal PDA diameter ranged from 2.3 to 9.5 mm (median, 4.0 mm). There was a significant mean difference to the angiographic measurements (1.15 ± 0.95 mm; P < .0001). An agreement in a 1‐mm range was found in 21 of 43 dogs (48%). The 2D‐E minimal PDA diameter was 3.73 ± 1.78 mm, and the mean difference to the angiographic measurements was not significant (0.00 ± 0.72 mm; P= .98). An agreement in a 1‐mm range was found in 31 of 43 dogs (72%). The 2D‐E measurement of the PDA ampulla revealed a significant mean difference to the angiographic data (1.95 ± 2.43 mm, P < .0001). An agreement in a 2‐mm range was found in 21 of 43 dogs (49%).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The 2D‐E from the left cranial parasternal view is an excellent noninvasive method to estimate the PDA minimal diameter before doing catheter intervention.
Omega‐3 Fatty Acids in Boxer Dogs with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Smith Caren E. , Freeman Lisa M. , Rush John E. , Cunningham Suzanne M. , Biourge Vincent 
Published: March 2010

Background:Omega‐3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce arrhythmia in animal models and people. These effects have not been studied in dogs with spontaneously occurring arrhythmia.Hypothesis:Fish oil will reduce the frequency of ventricular arrhythmia in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).Animals:Twenty‐four Boxers with ARVC were included in this study.Methods:Asymptomatic Boxers not receiving antiarrhythmic medications were evaluated with echocardiogram and electrocardiogram. Dogs with at least 1 ventricular premature contraction (VPC) received 24‐hour ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG) recordings. Dogs with >95 VPCs in 24 hours were randomized to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) Fish oil, 2 g; (2) Flax oil, 2 g; or (3) sunflower oil, 2 g (Control group), for 6 weeks. Investigators and owners were blinded to the treatment groups. All baseline measurements were repeated after the 6‐week supplementation.Results:There were no differences at baseline for age, sex, blood pressure, weight, echocardiographic measurements, or VPCs. Median number of VPCs in 24 hours for all dogs was 543 (range, 96–40,063) at baseline and 193 (range, 6–14,825) after 6 weeks of supplementation. VPCs/24 h were reduced for the Fish oil group (baseline median = 397 [range, 249–10,587]; 6‐week median = 162 [range, 16–3,781];P= .02), but not for the Flax oil (P= .58) or Control (P= .48) groups.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These data suggest that fish oil, but not flax oil, supplementation for 6 weeks reduces arrhythmia in Boxers with ARVC and that it could be useful in treating this common disease. Further studies are needed to determine optimal dose and duration of treatment.
Clinical Stage, Therapy, and Prognosis in Canine Anal Sac Gland Carcinoma
Authors: Polton Gerry A. , Brearley Malcolm J. 
Published: March 2010

Background:Reports of canine anal sac gland carcinoma (ASGC) describe varied clinical presentations and management and differing responses to therapy. A unifying approach to clinical stage determination and management of this disease has yet to be presented.Hypothesis:An ordinal clinical staging scheme for canine ASGC can be devised on the basis of responses to therapy for a retrospective cohort of affected dogs.Animals:130 dogs with naturally occurring ASGC.Methods:A simplified clinical stage system and a management algorithm for canine ASGC were derived from retrospective evaluation of a cohort of 80 dogs; applicability of both was then prospectively evaluated in a cohort of 50 dogs.Results:Retrospective evaluation revealed 4 statistically significant negative prognostic indicators for survival: lack of therapy, presence of distant metastases, presence of lymph node metastases, and primary tumor size. Lymph node extirpation was a statistically significant positive prognostic indicator by bivariate analysis. In both retrospective and prospective analyses, the modified clinical stage scheme revealed a significant association with survival time.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The clinical staging scheme permits differentiation between groups in terms of prognosis and, therefore, decisions on therapy. This will facilitate application of appropriate therapy and enhanced communication and collaboration in further investigations of ASGC.
Cardiovascular Effects of Acute Pulmonary Obstruction in Horses with Recurrent Airway Obstruction
Authors: Johansson Anna M. , Gardner Sarah Y. , Atkins Clarke E. , LaFevers D. Heath , Breuhaus Babetta A. 
Published: March 2010

Background:Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is common in horses. Although pulmonary artery (PA) pressure increases during RAO, cardiac function in horses with RAO has received limited attention.Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to noninvasively determine the cardiovascular effects of acute pulmonary obstruction (APO) in horses with RAO and their reversibility.Animals:Five geldings with RAO, inducible by exposure to moldy hay, were studied.Methods:Pulmonary mechanics, echocardiography, serum troponin I concentrations, arterial blood gases, and hematocrit were obtained before and after 7 days of APO. Heart rate, PA diameter and flow characteristics, right and left ventricular Iuminal dimensions and wall thicknesses, global cardiac performance, and evidence of myocardial damage were evaluated. Pulmonary mechanics and echocardiography were reevaluated during remission.Results:Severe, transient APO did not induce chronic cor pulmonale in horses, because cardiac anatomy and function were normal between episodes. An acute episode of APO produced anatomical and functional cardiac changes in both the right and left heart (including increased PA diameter, abnormal septal motion, and decreased left ventricular diameter and estimated stroke volume), possibly because of the development of pulmonary hypertension, without apparent myocardial damage. The decrease in stroke volume was offset by the increase in heart rate.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: With APO of 7 days' duration, cardiovascular abnormalities and the functional airway changes that produce them are reversible when the offending allergens are removed.
Detection of Fibrin Deposits in Tissues from Horses with Severe Gastrointestinal Disorders
Authors: Cotovio Mario , Monreal Luis , Navarro Marga , Segura Didac , Prada Justina , Alves Anabela 
Published: March 2010

Background:In humans and experimental animals, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) causes fibrin deposition in several organs, which eventually leads to ischemia and multiorgan failure.Hypothesis:Horses who died or were euthanized for severe gastrointestinal disorders could have fibrin deposits in different tissues.Animals:Tissue‐organ samples collected during postmortem examinations on 66 colic horses with poor prognoses (eg, severe intestinal ischemia, enteritis, peritonitis), from 11 colic horses with good prognoses (eg, large‐colon obstruction or displacement), and from 16 slaughter horses.Methods:Tissue samples (kidney, lung, liver) were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin for a blinded histologic examination. A fibrin score (grades 0 to 4) was established for each tissue sample and for each horse.Results:Fibrin deposits were found in tissue specimens of 11 of 27 of horses (40.7%) in the ischemic group, 8 of 21 in the enteritis group (38.1%), and 7 of 18 in the peritonitis group (39.0%), whereas none of the horses in the obstructive group (n = 11) and only 1 horse in the slaughter group (n = 16) had fibrin deposits in their tissues. In addition, the mean fibrin score values for the ischemic, enteritis, and peritonitis groups (1.3 ± 1.7, 1.1 ± 1.6, and 0.9 ± 1.3, respectively) were statistically higher than those for the obstructive and slaughter groups (0.0 ± 0.0 and 0.1 ± 0.5, respectively). The largest fibrin deposits were found in the lungs.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Horses with severe gastrointestinal disorders have fibrin deposits that are consistent with capillary microthrombosis, multiorgan failure, and DIC.
Compressive Cervical Myelopathy in Young Texel and Beltex Sheep
Authors: Penny Colin , Macrae AIastair , Hagen Regine , Hahn Caroline , Sargison Neil , Scott Philip , Smith Sionagh , Wilson David , Mayhew Joe 
Published: March 2010

Background:This investigation was prompted by the referral of increasing numbers of young Texel and Beltex rams with ataxia and weakness, or wobbler syndrome.Hypothesis:The study aims were to describe the clinical and pathologic findings in affected sheep.Animals:The animals evaluated in this study included 7 Texel sheep (6 male and 1 female) and 3 Beltex sheep (2 male and 1 female) referred from pedigree flocks. Typically, the sheep were 15–18 months of age at referral.Methods:Diagnostic investigations included radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) myelography followed by gross postmortem and histopathologic examinations.Results:Clinical findings typical of cervical spinal cord compression were present in all sheep but varied in severity. Myelography confirmed dorsal spinal cord compression in the region of C6‐C7. No bony abnormalities were identified as described in cases of canine and equine wobbler syndrome. Postmortem examinations revealed discrete, smooth, nodular to polypoid projections of adipose tissue apparently prolapsing through the dorsolateral intervertebral space at C6‐C7 and causing localized spinal cord compression. Histopathology of the nodules confirmed that they were composed of well‐differentiated adipocytes typical of fatty tissue. Spinal cord lesions were similar in all sheep with marked Wallerian degeneration at the site of compression and mild Wallerian degeneration present cranial and caudal to the lesion.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The findings of this study suggest a novel cervical myelopathy in these sheep breeds caused by the presence of fatty nodules encroaching into the dorsal vertebral canal at C6‐C7. Additional investigations are required to establish the etiology and possible hereditary risk factors for this unique clinicopathologic syndrome.
Anticoagulant Effects of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Heparins in Healthy Cats
Authors: Alwood Amy J. , Downend Amanda B. , Brooks Marjory B. , Slensky Kimberly A. , Fox Julia A. , Simpson Stephen A. , Waddell Lori S. , Baumgardner James E. , Otto Cynthia M. 
Published: March 2010

Background:Low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) has potential benefit in cats at risk for thromboembolic disease. However, LMWH pharmacokinetics has not been characterized in the cat. Drug effect with LMWH may be evaluated with analysis of factor Xa inhibition (anti‐Xa) or thromboelastography (TEG).Hypothesis:Administration of LMWH at previously recommended dosages and schedules to healthy cats will result in inhibition of factor Xa and hypocoagulable TEG.Animals:In vivo research with heparin was performed in 5 purpose‐bred cats.Methods:In a prospective study with randomized crossover design, heparin or placebo was administered. Treatments were unfractionated heparin (UFH), 250 IU/kg q6h; dalteparin, 100 IU/kg q12h; enoxaparin, 1 mg/kg q12h; or 0.9% saline, 0.25 mL/kg q6h. Each drug was administered for 5 consecutive days followed by a minimum washout of 14 days. Baseline and post‐treatment analyses included anti‐Xa, TEG, and prothrombin time/activated partial thromboplastin time.Results:Mean anti‐Xa activity 4 hours after enoxaparin (0.48 U/mL) approached the human therapeutic target (0.5–1.0 U/mL); however, mean trough anti‐Xa activity was below detection limits. Mean anti‐Xa activity 4 hours after dalteparin was lower, and only 1 cat attained therapeutic target at a single time point. Cats receiving UFH attained target anti‐Xa activity and changes in TEG at trough and 4 hours.Conclusions: Cats have rapid absorption and elimination kinetics with LMWH therapy. On the basis of pharmacokinetic modeling, cats will require higher dosages and more frequent administration of LMWH to achieve human therapeutic anti‐factor Xa activity of 0.5–1 U/mL. Peak anti‐Xa activity is predicted at 2 hours after administration of LMWH.
Urinary Catecholamine and Metanephrine to Creatinine Ratios in Healthy Dogs at Home and in a Hospital Environment and in 2 Dogs with Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Kook Peter H. , Boretti Felicitas S. , Hersberger Martin , Glaus Tony M. , Reusch Claudia E. 
Published: March 2010

Background:Measurement of high concentrations of urine catecholamines and metanephrines is useful in diagnosing pheochromocytoma in humans. Stress increases Catecholamine excretion in urine.Hypothesis:Stress of a hospital visit increases urinary Catecholamine and metanephrine excretion in dogs.Animals:Fourteen clinically normal dogs, 2 dogs with pheochromocytomaMethods:Voided urine samples were collected by the owners 7 days before (t — 7), during the hospital visit immediately after diagnostic procedures (t0), as well as 1 (t1) and 7 days (t7) after the hospital visit. Urine Catecholamine and metanephrine concentrations were measured using high‐pressure liquid chromatography and expressed as ratios to urine creatinine concentration.Results:In client‐owned dogs epinephrine and norepinephrine ratios at t0 were significantly higher compared with ratios at t7. Metanephrine and normetanephrine ratios at t — 7, t0, and t1 did not differ significantly from each other; however, at t7 they were significantly lower compared to values at t — 7. In staff‐owned dogs no significant differences were detected among the different collecting time points for any variable. Metanephrine and normetanephrine ratios were significantly higher in client‐owned dogs compared to staff‐owned dogs at t — 7, t0, and t1 but not at t7.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Stress associated with a hospital visit and with the sampling procedure causes increases in urine Catecholamine and metanephrine excretion. Urine collection for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma probably should take place at home after adaptation to the sampling procedure.
Genetic Cause of Autosomal Recessive Hereditary Nephropathy in the English Cocker Spaniel
Authors: Davidson Ashley G. , Bell Rebecca J. , Lees George E. , Kashtan Clifford E. , Davidson George S. , Murphy Keith E. 
Published: March 2010

Background:Autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy (ARHN) in the English Cocker Spaniel is caused by a type IV collagen defect, but the underlying mutation is unknown.Animals: One hundred thirty‐four English Cocker Spaniels (12 with ARHN, 8 obligate carriers, and 114 others), 3 mixed breed dogs with X‐linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN), and 7 other dogs without hereditary nephropathy were included.Methods: Diagnosis of ARHN was based on transmission electron microscopy and immunostaining of kidney. Quantitative real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to compare COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 mRNA concentrations in the renal cortex from ARHN‐affected English Cocker Spaniels, XLHN‐affected dogs, and dogs without hereditary nephropathy. The entire coding region of COL4A4 was sequenced in 2 ARHN‐affected dogs, 2 obligate carriers, 2 English Cocker Spaniels of unknown status, and 2 healthy mixed breed dogs. The exon containing the mutation was sequenced for all 134 English Cocker Spaniels.Results: Quantitative real time RT‐PCR implicated COL4A4 as the gene harboring the mutation, and sequencing identified a single nucleotide substitution at base 115 as the cause of ARHN in English Cocker Spaniels. This mutation, which causes a premature stop codon in exon 3 of COL4A4, was segregated with clinical status in all affected dogs and obligate carriers. The mutation also was identified in 39 of 114 other English Cocker Spaniels with previously unknown status.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The cause of this disease has been identified, and use of a test for the mutation will permit eradication of ARHN in the English Cocker Spaniel.
Effect of Control of Systolic Blood Pressure on Survival in Cats with Systemic Hypertension
Authors: Jepson Rosanne E. , Elliott Jonathan , Brodbelt David , Syme Harriet M. 
Published: March 2010

Background:Systemic hypertension is a common clinical problem, often occurring in association with renal disease in cats. Limited information is available to assess the effect of blood pressure and the treatment of hypertension on survival.Hypothesis:That adequacy of blood pressure control is associated with the duration of survival in cats with systolic hypertension.Animals:One hundred and forty‐one client‐owned cats with systolic hypertension.Methods:Hypertensive cats were treated with amlodipine besylate and were followed until death or the study end point. Time‐averaged systolic blood pressure (SBPOT) after implementation of antihypertensive medication and stabilization of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was calculated by using the equation (area under the curve/survival [days]). Cats were divided into quartiles based on their SBPOT, representing varying levels of blood pressure control (median [25th, 75th percentile]: Q1 = 137 [132, 141] mm Hg, Q2 = 148 [145, 151] mm Hg, Q3 = 157 [155, 158] mm Hg, Q4 = 170 [164, 175] mm Hg). Survival and clinical variables were compared between the quartiles. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine the association of age, renal function, proteinuria, SBPOT, and the presence of hyperthyroidism on survival. Urine protein to creatinine ratio (UP: C) was compared at diagnosis of hypertension and after initiating treatment.Results:Only UP: C and SBP at diagnosis differed significantly between SBPOT quartiles. Proteinuria was the only variable significantly related to survival in hypertensive cats. A significant decline in UP: C was found in cats treated with amlodipine besylate.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Proteinuria before and after treatment of hypertension is strongly associated with survival in cats with systolic hypertension. Treatment with amlodipine besylate can result in a significant reduction in UP: C.
Evaluation of Antineutrophil IgG Antibodies in Persistently Neutropenic Dogs
Authors: Weiss Douglas J. 
Published: March 2010

Background:Immune‐mediated neutropenia (IMN) is one of several causes of persistent neutropenia in dogs. A test to detect IMN in dogs is not available.Hypothesis:A flow cytometric immunofluorescence assay will provide a sensitive method for detection of antineutrophil antibodies in dogs.Animals:The study included 12 neutropenic dogs and 20 healthy dogs.Methods:An indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding to dog neutrophils. Leukoagglutination was evaluated by light microscopy. Neutrophil distribution in scatter plots, neutrophil fluorescence intensity, and the percentage of neutrophils with increased fluorescence intensity was evaluated by use of flow cytometry.Results:Antineutrophil antibodies were detected in the serum of 5 of 6 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of IMN. Leukoagglutination was present in 3 dogs. Four dogs had altered neutrophil distribution in forward‐angle versus side‐angle light scatter plots. Five of 6 dogs had increased neutrophil fluorescence intensity and 4 of 6 dogs had an increased percentage of neutrophils with increased fluorescence intensity.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The flow cytometric test for antineutrophil antibodies detects dogs with a clinical diagnosis of IMN. Testing for antineutrophil antibodies should include observation for leukoagglutination, observation of scatter plots for altered distribution of the neutrophil population, observation of the shape of the fluorescence histogram, determination of neutrophil fluorescence intensity, and determination of the percentage of neutrophils with increased fluorescence intensity.