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Simple Summary: Gastrointestinal signs are reported in humans with hypothyroidism, and resolution of GI signs was reported with thyroid hormone supplementation; however, GI involvement in the clinical presentation of dogs with hypothyroidism has not been investigated over the past decades. Our study aimed to fill this scientific gap, evaluating the prevalence and characteristics of concurrent gastrointestinal signs in hypothyroid dogs, describing laboratory and ultrasonographic findings and analyzing gastrointestinal signs after thyroid replacement therapy. Approximately 45% of hypothyroid dogs had gastrointestinal signs, especially constipation and diarrhea. At the abdominal ultrasound, gallbladder disease was present in more hypothyroid than euthyroid dogs. Finally, all hypothyroid dogs had a significant improvement in gastrointestinal signs after thyroid therapy. Our results, especially the improvement in clinical intestinal signs following thyroid therapy, support the association between gastrointestinal signs and hypothyroidism. Few observations about gastrointestinal (GI) signs in hypothyroid dogs (hypo-T dogs) are available. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of concurrent GI signs in hypo-T dogs, describe clinicopathological, hepato-intestinal ultrasound findings in hypo-T dogs, investigate changes in GI signs after thyroid replacement therapy (THRT). Medical records of suspected hypo-T dogs from two hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were: (1) having symptoms and clinicopathological abnormalities related to hypothyroidism (i.e., mild anemia, hyperlipemia); (2) not being affected by systemic acute disease; (3) not having received any treatment affecting thyroid axis. Hypothyroidism had to be confirmed using low fT4 or TT4 with high TSH and/or inadequate TSH-stimulation test response; otherwise, dogs were assigned to a euthyroid group. Clinical history, GI signs, hematobiochemical parameters, and abdominal ultrasound findings were recorded. Hypo-T dogs were assigned to the GI group (at least 2 GI signs) and not-GI group (1 or no GI signs). Follow-up information 3–5 weeks after THRT was recorded. In total, 110 medical records were screened: 31 dogs were hypo-T, and 79 were euthyroid. Hypo-T dogs showed a higher prevalence of GI signs (44%), especially constipation and diarrhea (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001), than euthyroid dogs (24%) (p = 0.04). Among hypo-T dogs, no difference in hematological parameters between GI and non-GI groups was found. Hypo-T dogs had a higher prevalence of gallbladder alterations than euthyroid dogs (20/25; 80% and 32/61; 52% p = 0.04). The hypo-T GI group showed a significant improvement in the GI signs after THRT (p < 0.0001). Specific investigation for concurrent GI diseases in hypo-T dogs was lacking; however, improvement in GI signs following THRT supports this association between GI signs and hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Homocysteine (HCY) was evaluated in healthy and chronic enteropathic dogs, however no studies on dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy are available. Objectives: The aim was to evaluate serum HCY concentrations and its prognostic role in dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy compared to healthy dogs. Objectives: The aim was to evaluate serum HCY concentrations and its prognostic role in dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy compared to healthy dogs. Results: The associations between serum HCY concentration and clinical, histological, endoscopic scores and follow-up were evaluated. Mean serum HCY concentration was higher in immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathic dogs compared to control dogs (30.22 ± 8.67 µmol/L vs. 5.26 ± 2.78 µmol/L; p < 0.0001). No association between serum HCY concentration and total protein, ALB, CRP, folate concentration as well as, clinical score, histological and endoscopic scores was found. A negative correlation between serum HCY concentration and cobalamin was noted (p = 0.0025, r = -0.54). No significant difference in HCY was found between responsive and non-responsive dogs or between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions: Although, serum HCY concentration was higher in immunosuppressantresponsive enteropathy, its prognostic value remains unclear. However, further prospective, large-scale studies are warranted to better investigate the possible prognostic role of HCY in immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathic dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is considered an important biomarker of kidney dysfunction. The aims of the study were to evaluate SDMA in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP) and its relationship with the presence of kidney injury and mortality. A cohort study including fifty-four dogs with AP diagnosed using compatible clinical and laboratory parameters, abnormal SNAP cPL and compatible abdominal ultrasound within 48 h from admission, was conducted. Dogs with history of renal and/or urinary diseases were excluded, along with dogs exposed to nephrotoxic drugs. Serum urea and creatinine and urinary output (UO) were recorded. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was diagnosed and graded using International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines. SDMA was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Fifty-four dogs were included and divided in non-AKI (n = 37) and AKI dogs (n = 17). Twenty-three dogs (14 non-AKI) had SDMA > 15 µg/dL. Median SDMA was higher in AKI dogs than non-AKI dogs (25.7 vs. 13.93 µg/dL; p = 0.03). Dogs with normal creatinine (AP and AKI 1 dogs) had SDMA above reference range in 38% and 33% of cases, respectively. In AKI dogs, SDMA and creatinine were positively correlated (p = 0.006 r = 0.7). SDMA was not significantly different between survivors and non-survivors. Although further studies are warranted, SDMA may be a useful tool in canine AP, as a high SDMA may be related to subclinical kidney impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been proposed as a severity marker in humans with acute pancreatitis (AP). Objectives: To evaluate ADMA in dogs with AP compared with healthy dogs and its association with severity of disease, mortality, and indicators of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), including serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration, WBC count, and band neutrophils. Animals Fifty‐four dogs with AP and a control group (CG) of 28 healthy dogs. Methods: Cohort study including dogs with AP diagnosed using clinical and laboratory variables, abnormal canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) concentration, and compatible abdominal ultrasound examination findings performed within 48 hours of admission. Canine AP severity (CAPS) was calculated. Serum concentration of ADMA was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Blood donor‐, staff‐, and student‐owned dogs were enrolled in the CG. Results: Dogs with AP had higher median admission serum ADMA concentrations compared with the CG (62 versus 48.5 μg/dL; P =.003). Dogs with CAPS ≥11 had higher serum ADMA concentrations than did dogs with CAPS <11 (92 versus 54.6 μg/dL P =.009). Univariable analysis for mortality, CAPS score, band neutrophils, CRP, and ADMA were included in multivariable logistic regression, in which only ADMA was associated with mortality (P =.02). Survivors had a significant decrease in ADMA at first reevaluation compared to admission (P =.02). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Because serum ADMA concentrations were higher in AP dogs compared with the CG, it may have value as a biomarker in the diagnosis of AP in dogs. In addition, because ADMA was associated with mortality, it may have prognostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]