bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronicity of Atrial Fibrillation Affects Duration of Sinus Rhythm after Transthoracic Cardioversion of Dogs with Naturally Occurring Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Bright J.M. , ZumBrunnen J. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in dogs can be managed by electrical cardioversion to sinus rhythm, but early recurrence of AF occurs in some dogs. In humans, the commonly evaluated clinical variables for prediction of early relapse of AF are left atrial size and duration of AF. It is unclear whether the duration of AF affects maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion in dogs with spontaneous AF.Hypothesis: That duration of sinus rhythm after cardioversion is related to the chronicity of AF.Animals: Forty‐one consecutive dogs that had undergone successful transthoracic cardioversion for spontaneous AF were evaluated.Methods: The relationship between the duration of documented AF and the duration of sinus rhythm after cardioversion was statistically evaluated using data obtained retrospectively. The effects of structural heart disease and pretreatment with amiodarone were also evaluated.Results: The presence of structural heart disease and the duration of documented AF had significant effects on maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion (P <.001 and P=.022, respectively). The duration of documented AF was inversely related to the duration of sinus rhythm (P=.022) in dogs with and without structural heart disease.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Estimates of duration of sinus rhythm based on the duration of documented AF are provided for dogs with and without heart disease allowing prediction of risk for early AF relapse.
Safety and Efficacy of Oral Low‐Volume Sodium Phosphate Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Dogs
Authors: Daugherty M.A. , Leib M.S. , Rossmeisl J.H. , Almy F.S. , Ward D.L. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Sodium phosphate (NaP) is a low‐volume, hyperosmolar laxative that is an effective bowel‐cleansing agent in humans.Hypothesis: NaP will be as safe and efficacious as polyethylene glycol (PEG) bowel preparation for colonoscopy in dogs.Animals: Eight purpose‐bred healthy dogs.Methods: In phase I, standard (NaP and enemas; NaP1) and control preparations (PEG and enemas) were compared in a crossover design to determine the safety and efficacy of NaP. Serial clinical and serum analytical evaluations were used to determine the safety of NaP. In phase II, the efficacy of the standard NaP preparation was compared with 3 other NaP variations, which excluded enema or included bisacodyl, with or without enemas in a crossover design. An observer blinded to the bowel preparation assigned a score of 1–4 (1=clean colon; 4=unacceptable colon cleansing preventing adequate endoscopic evaluation) to each of 5 regions of the colon.Results: The mean total colon cleansing score (TCS), defined as the sum of scores from each region, of the control (9.4) was less than NaP1 (13.6) (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in regional or TCS for the remaining 4 NaP protocols. NaP1 resulted in moderate, but clinically occult, hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia, which resolved within 24 hours.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Despite the safety and ease of administration of the NaP preparations, the NaP bowel‐cleansing preparations used in this study cannot be recommended for use because of the inadequate quality of bowel preparation compared with the protocol using PEG‐containing fluids.
Noninvasive Assessment of Systolic Left Ventricular Torsion by 2‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging in the Awake Dog: Repeatability, Reproducibility, and Comparison with Tissue Doppler Imaging Variables
Authors: Chetboul V. , Serres F. , Gouni V. , Tissier R. , Pouchelon J.L. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Left ventricular (LV) torsional deformation plays an important role in myocardial function. However, it has never been assessed in the awake dog, because magnetic resonance imaging and sonomicrometry have been the only methods available so far.Hypothesis: Two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), a new ultrasound imaging technique, provides a repeatable and reproducible noninvasive assessment of systolic LV wringing motion in the awake dog.Animals: Six healthy dogs were used to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of STE variables (study 1). These variables also were prospectively assessed in a population of 35 healthy dogs (study 2).Methods: Peak LV basal and apical systolic rotations were measured by STE from right parasternal short‐axis views using automatic frame‐to‐frame tracking of gray‐scale speckle patterns. Systolic LV torsion (LVtor, °) was defined as apical rotation relative to the base.Results: All within‐day and between‐day coefficients of variation were <20% (6.8–18.0%). Amplitude of apical systolic rotation was significantly higher (P < .001) than the basal value (5.4 ± 3.2° and −3.1 ± 1.3°, respectively). Global LVtor was significantly correlated with systolic longitudinal LV myocardial velocity gradient assessed by tissue Doppler (P < .05), but not with either systolic radial LV myocardial velocity gradient or the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity to early mitral annular velocity (Em/Ea).Conclusions and clinical importance: Speckle tracking echocardiography is a repeatable and reproducible method for assessing systolic LV torsional deformation. The combination of these new STE indices with tissue Doppler variables could provide a new approach for quantifying canine LV systolic function.
Evaluation of Human Recombinant Tissue Factor‐Activated Thromboelastography in 49 Dogs with Neoplasia
Authors: Kristensen A.T. , Wiinberg B. , Jessen L.R. , Andreasen E. , Jensen A.L. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Abnormal routine coagulation assay results have been reported to be common in veterinary patients with neoplasia, but the overall hemostatic functional state, including hypercoagulability, has not been described.Hypothesis: The overall hemostatic functional state, including hypercoagulability, can be assessed in dogs with neoplasia by tissue factor (TF)‐activated thromboelastography (TEG).Animals: Thirty‐six dogs with malignant neoplasia and 13 dogs with benign neoplasia presented to the Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.Methods: Prospective study evaluating the overall hemostatic functional state in dogs with neoplasia by a newly validated TF‐activated TEG assay and routine coagulation parameters activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), platelet count, and D‐dimer concentration.Results: Hemostatic dysfunction was observed in 28/49 (57%) dogs with neoplasia. Twenty‐four were dogs with malignant neoplasia, the majority of which 18/36 (50%) were hypercoagulable, whereas 6/36 (17%) were hypocoagulable. All hypocoagulable dogs had metastatic disease. The proportion of dogs with altered hemostasis was significantly different between dogs with malignant and benign neoplasia.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: TF‐activated TEG detected hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable states in this population of dogs with neoplasia. The most common hemostatic abnormality in dogs with malignant neoplasia was hypercoagulability. These findings suggest that this novel hemostatic function test may be of value as a cage side method for the assessment of overall hemostatic function in dogs with cancer, including the detection of both hyper‐ and hypocoagulable states as well as mixed disorders.
Idiopathic Immune‐Mediated Hemolytic Anemia: Treatment Outcome and Prognostic Factors in 149 Dogs
Authors: Piek C.J. , Junius G. , Dekker A. , Schrauwen E. , Slappendel R.J. , Teske E. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Canine idiopathic immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is associated with a high mortality, especially in the 1st 2 weeks after diagnosis despite treatment.Objectives: To determine treatment outcome and identify prognostic variables in order to define areas of future research.Animals: One hundred forty‐nine dogs with hematocrit <30% and either a positive Coombs' test or spherocytosis and with no evidence of disease that can trigger IMHA were included.Methods: Retrospective cohort study. All dogs were treated with prednisolone and azathioprine according to a standard protocol. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan‐Meier method. Variables recorded at the time of diagnosis were tested as possible prognostic variables in a univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model.Results: The main predictors for mortality in dogs with idiopathic IMHA are the presence of increased plasma urea concentration, bands, thrombocytopenia, and petechiae at the time of diagnosis. The estimated Kaplan‐Meier half‐year survival was 72.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64.9–81.3%). Mortality occurred mostly within the 1st 2 weeks. Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that increased plasma urea concentration, icterus, and petechiae were the major independent predictors of mortality in the 1st 2 weeks. In most dogs that survived IMHA, a 3‐month protocol of azathioprine with prednisolone maintained clinical remission. The estimated half‐year survival for dogs that survived the 1st 2 weeks was 92.5% (95% CI: 86–99.3%).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: If the dogs survived IMHA, a 3‐month protocol of prednisolone and azathioprine was effective with regard to survival and clinical outcome. Future research should be directed at identifying whether thrombotic tendency in dogs with IMHA is the main contributor to the development of increased plasma urea concentration, icterus, thrombocytopenia, and petechiae.
Thrombotic Endocarditis in 10 Alpacas
Authors: Firshman A.M. , Wünschmann A. , Cebra C.K. , Bildfell R. , McClanahan S.L. , Valentine B.A. , McKenzie E. , Waitt L. , Margiocco M. , Sisson D.D. 
Published: December 2008

Background:A description of the clinical signs and necropsy findings in 10 alpacas with thrombotic endocarditis.Animals:Clinical cases admitted to 2 veterinary referral hospitals between May 1998 and December 2006.Methods:A retrospective study was performed by searching hospital records to identify alpacas diagnosed with endocarditis.Results:Common clinical findings included sternal recumbency, tachycardia, tachypnea, and abdominal distension. Heart sounds were recorded as normal in 7 of 10 alpacas. Pleural and pericardial effusion and ascites were often present. Complete blood cell counts often suggested inflammation, and liver enzyme activity was often increased. When echocardiography was performed, a soft tissue density was imaged within the right ventricle. All alpacas died or were euthanized. Necropsy revealed mural endocarditis with right ventricular or biventricular fibrinous thrombi obliterating the ventricular lumina with no valvular involvement in 6 of 10 affected animals. Bacteria were not consistently identified as a cause for the endocarditic lesions. Eight of the 10 alpacas had evidence of hepatic fluke infestation.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Valvular and mural thrombotic endocarditis should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for hepatomegaly, abdominal distension, and other signs of right‐sided congestive heart failure in alpacas. The prognosis of this disease is grave.
Prognostic Usefulness of Blood Leukocyte Changes in Canine Parvoviral Enteritis
Authors: Goddard A. , Leisewitz A.L. , Christopher M.M. , Duncan N.M. , Becker P.J. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Despite treatment, many dogs still die of complications related to canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis. Effective prognostication would be beneficial in managing this disease.Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the occurrence of leukocytopenias at admission and at 24 and 48 hours after admission, and changes in absolute leukocyte counts over time, could be used to predict outcome.Animals: Sixty‐two puppies with confirmed CPV.Methods: A prospective study was performed. CBC was performed daily until discharge or death (in which case a postmortem examination was performed).Results: Of the nonsurvivors (10/62; 16%), 9 died because of complications of the disease and 1 was euthanized because of a poor prognosis. There was a statistical significant difference in the occurrence of leukocytopenias between groups at 24 and 48 hours postadmission. The survivors showed a significant increase over time in certain leukocyte types (specifically lymphocytes) compared with values at admission. The positive predictive value for survivors was high. Nonsurvivors had marked thymic and lymphoid atrophy and marked bone marrow hypocellularity.Conclusion: An accurate prognosis could be obtained at 24 hours after admission by evaluating the change in total leukocyte, band neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts.
Cytokine Dysregulation in Aged Horses and Horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
Authors: McFarlane D. , Holbrook T.C. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the result of a loss of dopaminergic inhibition of the pars intermedia secondary to neurodegeneration of periventricular hypothalamic neurons. The pathologic events contributing to development of neurodegeneration or clinical signs in equids with PPID are unknown. Chronic inflammation may contribute to initiation or progression of PPID.Hypothesis: Horses with PPID have a distinct systemic cytokine profile compared with that of normal adult or aged horses. The cytokine profile of healthy aged horses differs from that of adult horses.Animals: Aged horses with PPID, healthy aged‐matched controls, and adult controls (n = 14 per group).Methods: Total leukocyte cytokine expression was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α plasma concentration was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) TNF‐α response after endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) treatment was assessed by ELISA.Results: Aged healthy horses had increased expression of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and interferon‐γ as well as PBMC TNF‐α release after LPS stimulation compared with healthy adult horses. In contrast, aged horses with PPID had increased IL‐8 expression, but expression of other cytokines was similar to that of healthy adult horses, not age‐matched controls.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Aged horses show evidence of a proinflammatory state that may contribute to development of age‐associated diseases. Horses with PPID have increased expression of IL‐8, which may influence the ability of horses with PPID to respond to bacterial pathogens. The general decrease in proinflammatory cytokine expression observed in horses with PPID may be the outcome of high plasma concentrations of anti‐inflammatory hormones.
Postoperative Bleeding in Retired Racing Greyhounds
Authors: Lara‐García A. , Couto C.G. , Iazbik M.C. , Brooks M.B. 
Published: December 2008

Background:Some retired racing Greyhounds (RRG) that undergo surgery bleed excessively.Hypothesis:Greyhounds that bleed excessively will have one or more preoperative hemostatic abnormalities that can be used to predict the risk and severity of postoperative bleeding.Animals:Eighty‐eight RRG undergoing ovariohysterectomy or castration.Methods:All dogs were evaluated preoperatively with a physical exam, CBC, platelet count, OSPT, APTT, platelet function with PFA‐100a; fibrinogen,d‐dimer, plasminogen (Plmg), antiplasmin (AP), antithrombin (AT), and vWF concentration (vWF:Ag); vWF collagen binding assay (vWF:CBA), and Factor XIII assay. Assays were repeated in the dogs that bled, and in an age‐ and sex‐matched control group of RRG.Results:Twenty‐six percent of the dogs had bleeding 36–48 hours after surgery. AP (P<.0001) and AT concentration (P= .007) were significantly lower, and vWF:CBA (P= .0284) was higher preoperatively in the dogs with excessive hemorrhage. A lower platelet count (P= .001) and hematocrit (P= .002), shorter OSPT (P= .0002) and higher plasma fibrinogen (P<.0001), and AP (P= .001) concentration were detected at the time of bleeding compared with preoperative values in the dogs that bleed excessively. The same findings were observed postoperatively for the control group, except for the decrease in hematocrit.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:The results indicate that this excessive postoperative bleeding is not attributable to a primary or secondary hemostatic defect, but could result from altered fibrinolysis.
Investigating CXCR4 Expression in Canine Appendicular Osteosarcoma
Authors: Fan T.M. , Barger A.M. , Fredrickson R.L. , Fitzsimmons D. , Garrett L.D. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Chemokine receptors (CXCRs) are transmembrane proteins classically studied for their participation in leukocyte homing. By their binding of cognate ligands, CXCRs orchestrate key cellular processes, including directional migration. Several different CXCRs are expressed on cancer cells and dictate tissue‐specific metastases. In pediatric osteosarcoma (OSA), CXCR4 expression by tumor cells may participate in metastasis to tissues containing CXCL12, the partnering ligand for CXCR4. Canine and pediatric OSA share many biological similarities, including preferential metastasis to lung, bone, and lymph node.Hypothesis: In canine immortalized cell lines and naturally occurring tumor samples, OSA cells will express CXCR4. In canine OSA cell lines, CXCR4 will participate in directional cell migration.Methods: In vitro, CXCR4 expression in canine OSA cell lines was assessed by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry. In vitro, involvement of CXCR4‐mediated signaling for directional migration was investigated with a commercial assay. In vivo, CXCR4 expressions were evaluated in primary tumors and pulmonary metastases with immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results: In vitro, canine OSA cells express CXCR4 mRNA and protein. Ligation of CXCR4 with exogenous CXCL12 results in directional migration of canine OSA cell lines. In vivo, majority (8/11) of the canine OSA primary tumors, but minority (2/8) of the pulmonary metastases express CXCR4 protein.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Canine OSA cells express CXCR4, and its signaling participates in directional migration. Most dogs with spontaneously arising OSA express CXCR4 within their primary tumors.
The Effect of Age on Serum Antibody Titers after Rabies and Influenza Vaccination in Healthy Horses
Authors: Muirhead T.L. , McClure J.T. , Wichtel J.J. , Stryhn H. , Frederick Markham R.J. , McFarlane D. , Lunn D.P. 
Published: December 2008

Background:The proportion of geriatric horses within the equine population has increased in the past decade, but there is limited information on the immune function of these animals.Hypothesis:Aged horses will have a lesser increase in serum antibody response to vaccination.Animals:Thirty‐four aged healthy horses (≥ 20 years) and 29 younger adult horses (4–12 years) of various breeds.Methods:All horses were vaccinated with vaccines of killed rabies and influenza virus. Horses in each age group were allocated to receive either rabies or influenza booster vaccine 4 weeks after the initial vaccination. Serum samples were taken at 0, 4, 8, and 24 weeks. Rabies serum neutralization titers and equine influenza virus specific antibody sub‐isotypes (IgGa, IgGb, IgG(T), and IgA) as well as single radial hemolysis (SRH) titers were determined.Results:Rabies antibody titers were similar in the 2 age groups at all sampling times. Aged horses had higher IgGa and IgGb influenza antibody titers before vaccination than younger horses but similar titers after vaccination (P= .004 andP= .0027, respectively). Younger horses had significantly greater increases in titer than aged horses at all sampling times for IgGa (P= .001) and at 8 and 24 weeks for IgGb (P= .041 and .01, respectively). There was no detectable serum IgG(T) at any time point. A significant booster vaccine effect was seen for both antirabies and anti‐influenza titers. Anti‐influenza titer before vaccination also had a significant effect on subsequent antibody response.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Healthy aged horses generated a primary immune response to a killed rabies vaccine similar to that of younger adult horses. Aged horses had a significantly reduced anamnestic response to influenza vaccine.
Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of the Electroencephalogram in Normal Horses during Spontaneous Drowsiness and Sleep
Authors: Williams D.C. , Aleman M. , Holliday T.A. , Fletcher D.J. , Tharp B. , Kass P.H. , Steffey E.P. , LeCouteur R.A. 
Published: December 2008

Background: The influence of sleep on the equine electroencephalogram (EEG) has not been well documented.Hypothesis: The objectives were to develop a noninvasive method of electrode placement for recording the EEG in horses and to establish normal EEG parameters for the various states of vigilance. Findings are compared with previously published reports on equine sleep based on electrocorticography (ECoG).Animals: Five neurologically normal horses.Methods: Overnight EEGs were recorded digitally in association with simultaneous videotaping of the horses' behavior. Data were analyzed by visual inspection, states of vigilance were identified, and representative segments were quantitatively processed. Transient EEG events were examined.Results: Slow wave sleep (SWS) was significantly different (P < .05) in frequency and power from drowsiness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Second‐degree heart block was associated with SWS as were transient events commonly recognized in EEGs of humans. Drowsiness and REM sleep were similar. In both, background activity was low‐amplitude β activity admixed with prominent activity of approximately 4 Hz. Standing REM sleep was associated with numerous partial collapses in 1 horse.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Normative data for several states were described and probable benign variants identified. This information will serve as control data for sedative and anesthetic studies in this species. The sleep patterns observed during this study are those of horses removed from their usual surroundings, and thus may represent those encountered in a clinical environment.