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Abstract Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) in hunting dogs is an uncommon and poorly described condition for which no preventive treatment is available. Two dogs were presented for recurrent respiratory distress strictly associated with hunting activities. Diagnosis was based on bilateral, symmetrical, interstitial‐to‐alveolar pattern in the caudodorsal lung fields on thoracic radiographs, exclusion of other causes, and spontaneous clinical and radiographic improvement. Considering that the pathogenesis of exercise‐induced NCPE likely involves α‐ and β‐adrenergic overstimulation, treatment with sympathetic blockers was used in both dogs. The first dog no longer showed respiratory signs during hunting activities. However, treatment failed to prevent respiratory distress in the other dog. Based on the large number of red blood cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the second dog, exercise‐induced pulmonary hemorrhage was suspected, as described in racing horses. The loop diuretic furosemide successfully prevented further hunting‐associated respiratory distress episodes in this dog.

Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) in hunting dogs is an uncommon and poorly described condition for which no preventive treatment is available. Two dogs were presented for recurrent respiratory distress strictly associated with hunting activities. Diagnosis was based on bilateral, symmetrical, interstitial‐to‐alveolar pattern in the caudodorsal lung fields on thoracic radiographs, exclusion of other causes, and spontaneous clinical and radiographic improvement. Considering that the pathogenesis of exercise‐induced NCPE likely involves α‐ and β‐adrenergic overstimulation, treatment with sympathetic blockers was used in both dogs. The first dog no longer showed respiratory signs during hunting activities. However, treatment failed to prevent respiratory distress in the other dog. Based on the large number of red blood cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the second dog, exercise‐induced pulmonary hemorrhage was suspected, as described in racing horses. The loop diuretic furosemide successfully prevented further hunting‐associated respiratory distress episodes in this dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Measurement of free metanephrines is recommended for screening of pheochromocytoma (PCC) but requires appropriate reference intervals (RIs). Hypothesis/Objectives To report RIs for plasma, urinary and salivary concentrations of free metanephrines and to determine the diagnostic performance of plasma free normetanephrine (pNMN) and metanephrine (pMN) concentrations in dogs with PCC, hypercortisolism (HC), and nonadrenal illness (NAI). Animals Eighty healthy dogs, 11 PCC dogs, 25 HC dogs, 6 NAI dogs. Methods Plasma, urine, and saliva were collected prospectively from healthy dogs, and free metanephrine concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). In addition, medical records of dogs that had plasma free metanephrine concentrations measured by LC‐MS/MS between 2018‐2021 were studied retrospectively. Results The RIs for free metanephrines in plasma, urine and saliva are reported. Dogs with PCC had significantly higher pNMN than dogs with HC (P 3.56 nmol/L) showed high sensitivity (100%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 72‐100) and specificity (94%, 95% CI: 79‐99) for diagnosis of PCC, whereas pMN (>2.49 nmol/L) showed moderate sensitivity (73%, 95% CI: 39‐94) and high specificity (94%, 95% CI: 79‐99). Conclusions and Clinical Importance With establishment of these RIs, biochemical testing for PCC in dogs can be substantially improved. Measurement of pNMN is superior to pMN in dogs with PCC.

Background: Measurement of free metanephrines is recommended for screening of pheochromocytoma (PCC) but requires appropriate reference intervals (RIs). Hypothesis/Objectives: To report RIs for plasma, urinary and salivary concentrations of free metanephrines and to determine the diagnostic performance of plasma free normetanephrine (pNMN) and metanephrine (pMN) concentrations in dogs with PCC, hypercortisolism (HC), and nonadrenal illness (NAI). Animals: Eighty healthy dogs, 11 PCC dogs, 25 HC dogs, 6 NAI dogs. Methods: Plasma, urine, and saliva were collected prospectively from healthy dogs, and free metanephrine concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). In addition, medical records of dogs that had plasma free metanephrine concentrations measured by LC‐MS/MS between 2018‐2021 were studied retrospectively. Results: The RIs for free metanephrines in plasma, urine and saliva are reported. Dogs with PCC had significantly higher pNMN than dogs with HC (P <.001) and NAI (P =.002). The PCC dogs had significantly higher pMN than HC dogs (P <.001), but not higher than NAI dogs (P =.29). Using the upper reference limit, pNMN (>3.56 nmol/L) showed high sensitivity (100%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 72‐100) and specificity (94%, 95% CI: 79‐99) for diagnosis of PCC, whereas pMN (>2.49 nmol/L) showed moderate sensitivity (73%, 95% CI: 39‐94) and high specificity (94%, 95% CI: 79‐99). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: With establishment of these RIs, biochemical testing for PCC in dogs can be substantially improved. Measurement of pNMN is superior to pMN in dogs with PCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of suspected pheochromocytoma and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in a 27-year-old Shetland pony. Topics discussed include brief information on the cause of excessive secretion of catecholamines, clinical symptoms that led to the diagnosis of suspected pheochromocytoma, and the usefulness of measurement of catecholamines and their metabolites in plasma and urine in detecting suspected pheochromocytoma.

Urinary catecholamines and metanephrines have been proposed as a diagnostic tool for identifying canine pheochromocytomas, but the effects of critical illness on urine concentrations of catecholamines and metanephrines currently are unknown. To examine the effects of illness on urine concentrations of catecholamines and metanephrines in dogs. Twenty-five critically ill dogs and 25 healthy age- and sex-matched control dogs. Prospective observational study. Urine was collected from healthy and critically ill dogs, and urine concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, metanephrine, and normetanephrine were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Urinary catecholamine and metanephrine : creatinine ratios were calculated and compared between groups. Urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, metanephrine, and normetanephrine : creatinine ratios were higher in critically ill dogs when compared with a healthy control population ( P= .0009, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively). Illness has a significant impact on urinary catecholamines and their metabolites in dogs. Further investigation of catecholamine and metanephrine concentrations in dogs with pheochromocytomas is warranted to fully evaluate this test as a diagnostic tool; however, the findings of this study suggest that the results may be difficult to interpret in dogs with concurrent illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urinary catecholamines and metanephrines are used for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma (PHEO) in dogs. Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is an important differential diagnosis for PHEO. Objectives: To measure urinary catecholamines and metanephrines in dogs with HAC. Animals: Fourteen dogs with HAC, 7 dogs with PHEO, and 10 healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Urine was collected during initial work-up in the hospital; in dogs with HAC an additional sample was taken at home 1 week after discharge. Parameters were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography and expressed as ratios to urinary creatinine concentration. Results: Dogs with HAC had significantly higher urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine and normetanephrine to creatinine ratios than healthy dogs. Urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and metanephrine to creatinine ratios did not differ between dogs with HAC and dogs with PHEO, whereas the urinary normetanephrine to creatinine ratio was significantly higher ( P= .011) in dogs with PHEO (414, 157.0–925.0, median, range versus (117.5, 53.0–323.0). Using a cut-off ratio of 4 times the highest normetanephrine to creatinine ratio measured in controls, there was no overlap between dogs with HAC and dogs with PHEO. The variables determined in urine samples collected at home did not differ from those collected in the hospital. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Dogs with HAC might have increased concentrations of urinary catecholamines and normetanephrine. A high concentration of urinary normetanephrine (4 times normal), is highly suggestive of PHEO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]