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BackgroundFeline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is very resistant and highly contagious and infects domestic cats and other felids. FPV is particularly widespread among sheltered cats, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, causing severe gastroenteritis characterized by anorexia, lethargy, fever, dehydration, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and vomiting. There is currently no data on the ultrasonographic features of cats affected with FPV. This case series describes abdominal ultrasonographic findings in shelter cats with naturally-occurring FPV, and assesses whether are associated with clinical and laboratory findings. Cats affected by FPV were enrolled in the study if an abdominal ultrasound was performed within 12 hours of diagnosis. Clinical, laboratory and survival data were collected from medical records. Ultrasonographic examinations were reviewed for gastrointestinal abnormalities and their associations with the above data were explored.ResultsTwenty-one cats were included. Nine cats (42.9%) died and 12 (57.1%) recovered. Based on ultrasonography, the duodenum and jejunum showed thinning of the mucosal layer in 70.6% and 66.6% of cats, thickening of the muscular layer in 52.9% and 57.1% of cats, and hyperechogenicity of the mucosa in 41.2% and 33.3%. Jejunal hyperechoic mucosal band paralleling the submucosa and irregular luminal surface were both observed in 33.3% of the cats. Survival was positively associated with increased jejunal mucosal echogenicity ( P =0.003) and hyperechoic mucosal band ( P =0.003). Peritoneal free fluid was positively associated with vomiting ( P =0.002).ConclusionThis study provides ultrasonographic features of naturally-occurring FPV in cats, which, as expected, are compatible with gastroenteropathy. The most frequent findings were diffuse small intestine mucosal layer thinning, muscular layer thickening and mucosal hyperechogenicity, and jejunal hyperechoic mucosal band and irregular luminal surface. At diagnosis, ultrasonographic features may be useful to assess survival.

OBJECTIVES To describe multidetector CT and ultrasonographic characteristics of abdominal arterial pseudoaneurysms (segmental dilatations of an artery with a ruptured tunica intima) arising secondary to systemic mycosis in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study on dogs with confirmed histological diagnosis of a fungal pseudoaneurysm and the availability of multidetector CT or ultrasound images. RESULTS At the time of admission, the three dogs included in this study demonstrated segmental arterial dilation, irregular arterial wall thickening, and increased echogenicity or attenuation within the local perivascular fat on ultrasound and multidetector CT images. Follow-up examinations revealed progressive increase in arterial wall thickening and saccular dilation with formation of a pseudoaneurysm in affected vessels of two dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Multidetector CT and ultrasonography can be useful imaging modalities in the diagnosis and monitoring of abdominal arterial pseudoaneurysms caused by systemic mycosis.

BACKGROUND Right ventricular (RV) enlargement and dysfunction are associated with prognosis in humans with pulmonary hypertension (PH). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To assess RV size and systolic function in dogs with PH and to determine if they are associated with disease severity and right-sided congestive heart failure (R-CHF). ANIMALS 89 dogs with PH and 74 healthy dogs. METHODS Prospective observational study. PH was classified according to the tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient. RV end-diastolic area (RVEDA) index was calculated as RVEDA divided by body surface area. RV systolic function was assessed with the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and the RV fractional area change (FAC) normalized for body weight (TAPSEn and FACn, respectively). RESULTS RVEDA index was higher in dogs with moderate PH (10.8 cm2 /m2 ; range, 6.2-14.4 cm2 /m2 ) and severe PH (12.4 cm2 /m2 ; range, 7.7-21.4 cm2 /m2 ) than in those with mild PH (8.4 cm2 /m2 ; range, 4.8-11.6 cm2 /m2 ) and control dogs (8.5 cm2 /m2 ; range, 2.8-11.6 cm2 /m2 ; P < .001). RVEDA index was significantly higher in dogs with R-CHF (13.7 cm2 /m2 ; range, 11.0-21.4 cm2 /m2 ) than in dogs without R-CHF (9.4 cm2 /m2 ; range, 4.8-17.1 cm2 /m2 ; P < .001). The severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was the only independent predictor of the RVEDA index (P < .001). TAPSEn and FACn were not significantly different among varying degrees of PH severity and between dogs with and without R-CHF. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The RVEDA index can be used to evaluate RV size in dogs. It can provide additional information in dogs with PH and predict R-CHF. Severity of TR is the main determinant of RV enlargement in dogs with PH.

Background The European Veterinary Renal Pathology Service (EVRPS) is the first Web-based registry for canine renal biopsy specimens in Europe. Hypothesis/Objectives The aim was to verify whether differences exist between the clinical and laboratory presentation of dogs with nephropathy according to renal pathological findings, as defined by light and electron microscopy of renal biopsy specimens submitted to EVRPS. Animals Renal biopsy specimens of dogs were collected from the archive of the service (n = 254). Cases were included if both light and electron microscopy were available (n = 162). Methods Renal biopsy specimens were classified based on the morphological diagnoses. Thereafter, they were grouped into 3 disease categories, including immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN), non-immune-complex-mediated GN (non-ICGN), and renal lesions not otherwise specified (RL-NOS). Differences among morphological diagnoses and among disease categories were investigated for clinical and laboratory variables. Results Serum albumin concentration was lower in dogs with ICGN than in those with non-ICGN (P = 0.006) or RL-NOS (P = 0.000), and the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) was significantly higher in ICGN than in the other 2 disease categories. Regarding morphological diagnoses, albumin was significantly lower in amyloidosis (AMY) and membranous (MGN), membranoproliferative (MPGN) or mixed glomerulonephritis (MixGN) than in minimal change disease, primary (FSGS I) or secondary (FSGS II) focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis and juvenile nephropathies (JN). The UPC was higher in MPGN than in FSGS I and FSGS II. Conclusions and clinical importance Dogs with ICGN, in particular MPGN, had higher protein loss than those with non-ICGN or RL-NOS, leading to more severe hypoalbuminemia. Clinical and laboratory differentiation among dogs with the different morphological diagnoses and among dogs with different disease categories was difficult due to overlapping results.

Obesity and inactivity are major risk factors of feline diabetes mellitus (FDM) and human type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In recent years, changes in the gut microbiota have been suggested as a contributing factor to T2DM. Whether the gut microbiota (GM) composition plays a role in FDM remains unknown. The aim of the current study was firstly a cross-sectional comparison of the GM of diabetic cats, to that of lean, and of obese/overweight non-diabetic cats of a similar age. Specifically, fecal samples from 82 privately-owned cats from Denmark and Switzerland were sequenced using 16S rRNA gene amplicon metabarcoding. Secondly dietary intervention data was generated, by obtaining additional samples from a subset of cats after placing them on a high-protein diet for four weeks. The GM diversity of diabetic cats was lower than that of lean cats in the cross-sectional study, and lower compared to lean and to overweight/obese cats after diet intervention. Diabetic cats also exhibited fewer Anaerotruncus, Dialister, and unknown Ruminococcaceae than lean cats. Serum fructosamine levels correlated negatively with Prevotellaceae abundance and positively with Enterobacteriaceae abundance. In summary the intestinal microbiota of diabetic cats was characterized by decreased GM diversity and loss of butyrate producing bacterial genera.

Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is a well-known negative prognostic factor in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Left atrial-to-aortic root ratio (LA/Ao) is the most commonly used method to evaluate left atrial (LA) size in dogs, while the left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LAD) has been proposed as an additional measurement of LA size in different species. The aim of this study was to establish a normal reference range of LAD normalized to body weight (LADn) in dogs using allometric scales, and to evaluate the agreement between LADn and LA/Ao in the detection of LAE in dogs with MMVD. This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study. We included 330 healthy dogs, 30 dogs with MMVD in ACVIM stage B1, 30 dogs in ACVIM stage B2, and 30 dogs in ACVIM stage C. The reference range for the LAD, depending on body weight, was between 16.91 mm and 49.68 mm. The reference range for the LADn in healthy dogs was between 10.49 and 15.72. LADn was significantly greater in dogs with MMVD compared to healthy dogs, and a significant difference in LADn was noted between different ACVIM stages (P

The feasibility of the home monitoring of heart rate (HR) and rhythm through ECG tracings recorded by owners with a smartphone ECG device was evaluated in dogs. Smartphone ECG tracings were recorded by owners at home using a single-lead ECG device and sent via email for interpretation. A questionnaire was prepared to assess the owner’s opinion regarding this home monitoring service. Recordings were evaluated by two operators, and agreement was evaluated for HR and rhythm diagnosis. Thirty-three dogs were included. Thirty-one owners (94 per cent) felt that the recording technique was easy to learn and that the smartphone ECG device was easy to use. A total of 15 owners (45 per cent) required a second person to hold the dog during recording. Of the 150 smartphone ECG tracings that were received, 134 (89 per cent) were interpretable. The median difference between the two operators to assess the mean HR on the smartphone tracings was 10 bpm (−10, +25 bpm). Perfect agreement (κ=1) between operators was observed in the heart rhythm evaluation. Most owners sent adequate ECG tracings for interpretation via email from their smartphone. Home monitoring of HR and heart rhythm may represent an additional tool in the management of dogs with arrhythmias.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has typically a non-immune mediated origin in cats and immune-complex glomerulonephritis (ICGN) is scarcely described. Aims of this study were to characterize ICGN by light and electron microscopy and identify associations with clinico-pathological findings. In addition, comparisons between cats with ICGN and non immune-complex glomerulonephritis (non-ICGN) were performed. Renal samples examined between 2010 and 2019 were considered if both light and electron microscopy were performed. Signalment, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and leukemia virus (FeLV) status, serum creatinine concentration, urine protein-to-creatinine (UPC) ratio, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage were retrieved and used for comparisons. Results Sixty-eight client-owned cats were included. Thirty-seven cats (54.4%) had ICGN and 31 (45.6%) non-ICGN. Eighteen (48.6%) with ICGN had membranous glomerulonephropathy (MGN), 14 (37.8%) membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), and 5 (13.5%) mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MeGN). Clinico-pathological data were not associated with any type of ICGN. Among cats with non-ICGN, 11 (35.5%) had end-stage CKD, 9 (29%) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 6 (19.4%) global and multifocal mesangiosclerosis, 2 (6.5%) glomerular atrophy, 2 (6.5%) renal dysplasia and 1 (3.1%) amyloidosis. Eight (25.8%) cats with non-ICGN had chronic interstitial nephritis (CIN) grade 1, 13 (41.9%) grade 2 and 10 (32.3%) grade 3; creatinine and UPC ratio increased with CIN grades (p = 0.001, p

Pancreatic amyloidosis and loss of α and β cells have been shown to occur in cats with diabetes mellitus, although the number of studies currently available is very limited. Furthermore, it is not known whether pancreatic islet inflammation is a common feature. The aims of the present study were to characterize islet lesions and to investigate whether diabetic cats have inflammation of the pancreatic islets. Samples of pancreas were collected postmortem from 37 diabetic and 20 control cats matched for age, sex, breed, and body weight. Histologic sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Congo red; double labeled for insulin/CD3, insulin/CD20, insulin/myeloperoxidase, insulin/proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and glucagon/Ki67; and single labeled for amylin and Iba1. Mean insulin-positive cross-sectional area was approximately 65% lower in diabetic than control cats ( P = .009), while that of amylin and glucagon was similar. Surprisingly, amyloid deposition was similar between groups ( P = .408). Proliferation of insulin- and glucagon-positive cells and the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and T (CD3) and B (CD20) lymphocytes in the islets did not differ. The presence of T and B lymphocytes combined tended to be more frequent in diabetic cats ( n = 8 of 37; 21.6%) than control cats ( n = 1 of 20; 5.0%). The results confirm previous observations that loss of β cells but not α cells occurs in diabetic cats. Islet amyloidosis was present in diabetic cats but was not greater than in controls. A subset of diabetic cats had lymphocytic infiltration of the islets, which might be associated with β-cell loss.

Background Little information is available about posthypoglycemic hyperglycemia (PHH) in diabetic cats, and a causal link between hypoglycemia and subsequent hyperglycemia is not clear. Fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations might only represent high glycemic variability. Hypothesis Insulin induces PHH in healthy cats, and PHH is associated with poorly regulated diabetes and increased glycemic variability in diabetic cats. Animals Six healthy cats, 133 diabetic cats. Methods Insulin (protamine‐zinc and degludec; 0.1‐0.3 IU/kg) administered to healthy cats. Blood glucose curves were generated with portable glucose meter to determine the percentage of curves with PHH. Data from insulin‐treated diabetic cats with blood glucose curves showing hypoglycemia included data of cats with and without PHH. Post‐hypoglycemic hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose concentrations 15 mmol/L within 12 hours. Glycemic variability was calculated as the standard deviation of the blood glucose concentrations. Results In healthy cats, all insulin doses caused hypoglycemia but PHH was not observed; glycemic variability did not differ between insulin preparations. Among diabetic cats with hypoglycemia, 33 (25%) had PHH. Compared with cats without PHH, their daily insulin dose was higher (1.09 ± 0.55 versus 0.65 ± 0.56 IU/kg; P

The aims of this study were to assess if ECG-gated 16-multidetector CT (MDCT) provides sufficient temporal and spatial resolution to evaluate canine coronary arteries and provide a detailed description of their anatomy. A total of 24 dogs were included. Images were reviewed to assess: (1) coronary artery opacification and dominance; (2) choice of optimal R-R ECG reconstruction interval for both left coronary artery (LCA) and right coronary artery (RCA); (3) branching patterns of the left main coronary artery (LMCA); and (4) diameter and length of the LCA and RCA and classification of their branches by adapting a previously described segmental coding system. The degree of opacification of the coronary arteries was subjectively judged as excellent or good in five and 19 dogs, respectively. All hearts showed a left coronary dominance. The best R-R reconstruction interval for both LCA and RCA arteries was 75 per cent. Seven different subtypes of LMCA branching patterns were noted. The rami circumflexus and interventricularis paraconalis were divided into three angiographic segments, and the ramus septi interventricularis and the RCA in two and three segments, respectively. ECG-gated 16-MDCT coronary angiography provides adequate resolution to assist the basic anatomy of the main coronary artery branches.

A 6-month-old German shepherd dog was presented for progressive paraparesis. Multiple arteriovenous fistulae and hyperostosis of the thoracic vertebrae with secondary thoraco-lumbar spinal cord compression were diagnosed. Arteriovenous spinal fistula is a rare condition but should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs with progressive paraparesis.

The aim of this study was to examine the safety and reliability of a research-grade implantable pump for controlled delivery of insulin glargine in cats. For this purpose, a small telemetrically controlled drug delivery pump with a refillable reservoir was implanted into the subcutaneous tissues of the dorsal neck in 10 clinically healthy cats. The reservoir was filled with insulin glargine, and the pump was programmed to deliver four boluses of 0.25 IU/kg, 2-3 weeks apart. As a control, insulin glargine (0.25 IU/kg) was injected SC. Blood glucose and plasma insulin glargine concentrations were measured before each bolus and SC injection and for 8 h afterward. Cats were monitored for signs of discomfort. Pumps were easily implanted and well tolerated by all cats. The experiment was completed in five of 10 cats. In four, the pump failed because of technical reasons; another cat developed severe hypoglycaemia attributable to insulin leakage. Overall, plasma insulin glargine increased after six of eight (75%) initial boluses and after one of 16 (6%) successive boluses. Glucose decreased after seven of eight (88%) initial boluses and after four of 16 (25%) successive boluses. Only the first bolus significantly increased plasma insulin glargine (P = 0.008) and decreased glucose (P = 0.008). Of 20 SC injections, 10 (50%) increased plasma insulin glargine (P

The CT "sentinel clot sign" has been defined as the highest attenuation hematoma adjacent to a bleeding organ in humans with hemoabdomen. The aims of this retrospective descriptive multicenter study were to describe CT findings in a sample of dogs with surgically or necropsy confirmed intra-abdominal bleeding and determine prevalence of the "sentinel clot sign" adjacent to the location of bleeding. Medical records between 2012 and 2014 were searched for dogs with hemoabdomen and in which the origin of the bleeding was confirmed either with surgery or necropsy. Retrieved CT images were reviewed for the presence and localization of the "sentinel clot sign," HU measurements of the "sentinel clot sign" and hemoabdomen, and presence of extravasation of contrast media within the abdominal cavity. Nineteen dogs were included. Three dogs were excluded due to the low amount of blood that did not allow the identification of a "sentinel clot sign." A "sentinel clot sign" was detected in the proximity of the confirmed bleeding organ in 14/16 (88%) of the patients. The mean HU of the "sentinel clot sign" was 56 (range: 43-70) while that of the hemoabdomen was 34 (range: 20-45). Active hemorrhage was identified as extravasation of contrast medium within the peritoneal cavity from the bleeding organ in three dogs. In conclusion, the CT "sentinel clot sign" may be helpful for identifying the source of bleeding in dogs with hemoabdomen.

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), feline pancreas-specific lipase (fPLI) and total thyroxine (TT4) concentrations and urinary corticoid-to-creatinine ratio (UCCR) as indicators for the prevalence of acromegaly, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism and hypercortisolism in cats with diabetes mellitus. Methods Blood and urine samples were collected from diabetic cats treated in primary care clinics in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Standardised questionnaires and physical examination forms provided clinical information from owners and veterinarians. Laboratory testing included serum biochemistry profile analysis and measurement of circulating fructosamine, IGF-1, fPLI, and TT4 concentrations and UCCR. CT of the pituitary gland was performed using a multidetector computed tomography scanner. Results Blood samples were available from 215 cats and urine samples were collected at home from 117 cats. Age ranged from 2–18 years (median 12 years) and body weight from 2.7–12.3 kg (median 5.5 kg). Sixty-five percent of the cats were castrated male and 35% were female (33% spayed); 82% were domestic shorthair cats. Eighty percent of cats received a porcine insulin zinc suspension, 19.5% insulin glargine and 0.5% a human neutral protamine hagedorn insulin. Thirty-six of 202 (17.8%) cats had IGF-1 concentrations >1000 ng/ml. Serum fPLI, and TT4 concentrations and UCCR were increased in 86/196 (43.9%), 9/201 (4.5%) and 18/117 cats (15.3%), respectively. Prevalence did not differ between countries. Conclusions Hyperthyroidism is rare, whereas increased fPLI concentration, possibly reflecting pancreatitis, is common in diabetic cats. The high UCCR may reflect activation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, which also occurs in diabetic humans. The percentage of cats with increased IGF-1 was high but lower than reported in recent studies.

Background Exenatide extended release (ER) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue that increases insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon secretion and induces satiation in humans with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The use of exenatide ER is safe and stimulates insulin secretion in healthy cats. Objectives The objective of this study is to assess the safety of exenatide ER and its effect on body weight, remission and metabolic control in newly diagnosed diabetic cats receiving insulin and a low-carbohydrate diet. Animals Thirty client-owned cats. Methods Prospective placebo-controlled clinical trial. Cats were treated with exenatide ER or 0.9% saline, administered SC, once weekly. Both groups received insulin glargine and a low-carbohydrate diet. Exenatide ER was administered for 16 weeks, or in cats that achieved remission it was given for 4 weeks after discontinuing insulin treatment. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Cats in the exenatide ER and placebo groups had transient adverse signs including decreased appetite (60% vs. 20%, respectively, P = .06) and vomiting (53% vs. 40%, respectively, P = .715). Body weight increased significantly in the placebo group (P = .002), but not in cats receiving exenatide ER. Cats on exenatide ER achieved remission or good metabolic control in 40% or 89%, respectively, whereas in control cats percentages were 20% or 58% (P = .427 and P = .178, respectively). Conclusion and clinical importance Exenatide ER is safe in diabetic cats and does not result in weight gain. Our pilot study suggests that, should there be an additional clinically relevant beneficial effect of exenatide ER in insulin-treated cats on rate of remission and good metabolic control, it would likely approximate 20% and 30%, respectively.

There are several topical ectoparasiticides, drugs, supplements and vaccines that protect dogs against sand fly bites and/or reduce the risk of Leishmania infantum infection. This large variety of products and the absence of comparative studies mean that veterinarians are often faced with uncertainty. The aim of the study was to characterise the attitudes of veterinarians towards leishmaniosis prevention in client-owned dogs in Italy. A web-based questionnaire was prepared with 28 questions covering the working environment of veterinarians, advice given to owners regarding topical ectoparasiticides, advice on systemic prevention, and the use of diagnostic tests on which to base advice for prevention. The questionnaire was emailed to 9,426 veterinarians and answers were collected after 100 days. A total of 542 questionnaires were returned (response percentage 5.8 %): 54.8 % of the veterinarians considered their working area to be endemic, 29.3 % examined dogs from urban areas, and 42.3 % diagnosed ≥10 dogs/year with leishmaniosis. Those veterinarians who diagnosed ≥10 dogs/year with leishmaniosis were more likely to consider their working area to be endemic, whereas those who examined dogs mainly from urban areas were less likely to consider the area to be endemic. Veterinarians who considered the working area to be endemic were more prone to prescribe ectoparasiticides throughout the year, including collars and spot-on products and a combination of the two, vaccine alone or vaccine and domperidone combined, and used qualitative serological Leishmania tests. The attitude of veterinarians did not differ whether dogs were from urban or rural areas. In conclusion, veterinarians who consider their working area to be endemic or who frequently diagnose dogs with leishmaniosis tend to adopt more comprehensive strategies, and their attitudes are not influenced by the origin of the dogs: urban or rural. Overall, in Italy the attitudes of veterinarians in relation to canine leishmaniosis prevention appear to vary considerably.

Feline parvovirus (FPV) causes severe gastroenteritis and leukopenia in cats, the outcome is poor. Information regarding specific treatments is lacking. Class A CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-A) are short single-stranded DNAs, stimulating type I interferon production. In cats, CpG-A induced an antiviral response in vivo and inhibited FPV replication in vitro. The aim was to prospectively investigate the effects of CpG-A on survival, clinical score, hematological findings, antiviral response (cytokines), viremia, and fecal shedding (real-time qPCR) in cats naturally infected with FPV. Forty-two FPV-infected cats were randomized to receive 100 &micro, g/kg of CpG-A (n = 22) or placebo (n = 20) subcutaneously, on admission and after 48 h. Blood and fecal samples were collected on admission, after 1, 3, and 7 days. All 22 cats showed short duration pain during CpG-A injections. The survival rate, clinical score, leukocyte and erythrocyte counts, viremia, and fecal shedding at any time-point did not differ between cats treated with CpG-A (50%) and placebo (40%). Antiviral myxovirus resistance (Mx) gene transcription increased in both groups from day 1 to 3 (p = 0.005). Antibodies against FPV on admission were associated with survival in cats (p = 0.002). In conclusion, CpG-A treatment did not improve the outcome in cats with FPV infection. FPV infection produced an antiviral response.

In veterinary medicine, assay performance is often affected by the lack of species-specific diagnostic tools. Reliable biomarkers might be identified by investigating biological fluids of the species of interest, but protein sequence databases are often incomplete and human-specific devices for reducing sample complexity might fail when applied to animal plasma. Here, seven commercial methods based on different capturing agents (anti-human antibodies, affinity ligands, mixture of antibodies and ligands, and combinatorial peptide ligand libraries) are applied to cat plasma and evaluated in terms of yield, identified proteins/ peptides, and relative abundance by high-resolution shotgun proteomics and label-free quantitation. As a result, anti-human antibody-based methods are unsatisfactory. Most fail in reducing albumin and immunoglobulins, and some lead to a substantial removal of other highly abundant proteins, probably because of nonspecific interactions. A protein A/dye ligand-based method is efficient in reducing immunoglobulins, fibrinogen, and apolipoprotein A1 and A2, but not albumin, and protein identifications do not increase. Only peptide ligand libraries flatten the dynamic range, and increased protein identification (59.0%). Albumin and immunoglobulins are successfully depleted (60.7% and 35.9%, respectively). Although further studies will be required for reinforcing our observations, this work can provide a useful guide for cat plasma pretreatment in biomarker discovery studies.

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy in cats that is associated with pancreatic islets lesions. Research on isolated islets contributed to the understanding of the pathophysiology of human diabetes. Therefore, by improving the existing methods of isolation in cats, we aimed at increasing islet yield, purity and viability of feline isolated islets. Islet isolation was accomplished by pancreas perfusion with 80ml of Collagenase type IV through the pancreatic duct at the site of the major papilla. The enzymatic digestion was combined with mechanical disruption and controlled by dithizone staining. Purification was performed by filtration and handpicking. Purified islets were plated on extracellular matrix pre-coated plates and cultured for 48h. Feline islets with a high degree of viability and purity were isolated and cultured for the first time. Although the percentage of islet free from the acinar tissue relative to the total number of isolated islets was low compared to other species, the suggested protocol represents a promising progress in the procedure of islet isolation in cats.

OBJECTIVE To determine survival estimates and outcome predictors for shelter cats with feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infection. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 177 shelter cats with FPV infection. PROCEDURES Medical records of cats treated for FPV infection from 2011 through 2013 were reviewed to collect information pertaining to signalment; history; results of physical examination, CBC, serum biochemical analysis, and blood gas analysis; and treatments (antimicrobials, antiparasitics, antivirals, antiemetics, analgesics, crystalloid or colloid solutions, and blood products). Survival time and outcome predictors were determined by means of Kaplan-Meier estimation, logistic regression, and mixed-model ANOVA. RESULTS Median survival time after hospital admission was 3 days; 20.3% (36/177) of cats survived to discharge from the hospital. Risk of nonsurvival was greater in cats with (vs without) signs of lethargy, rectal temperature < 37.9°C (I00.2°F), or low body weight at hospital admission. Lower (vs higher) leukocyte count on days 3,4, and 7 of hospitalization, but not at admission, was associated with nonsurvival. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, antiparasitics, and maropitant but not interferon-ω were associated with survival, whereas glucose infusion was associated with nonsurvival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that FPV infection carried a poor prognosis for shelter cats. Several variables measured at admission or during hospitalization were associated with outcome. Remarkably and contrary to the existing literature, leukopenia at admission had no association with outcome, possibly owing to early prevention of complications.

Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a neoplasm of vascular endothelial origin that has an aggressive biological behaviour, with less than 10% of dogs alive at 12-months postdiagnosis. Treatment of choice consists of surgery followed by adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. We prospectively compared adjuvant doxorubicin and dacarbazine (ADTIC) to a traditional doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) treatment, aiming at determining safety and assessing whether this regimen prolongs survival and time to metastasis (TTM). Twenty-seven dogs were enrolled; following staging work-up, 18 were treated with AC and 9 with ADTIC. Median TTM and survival time were longer for dogs treated with ADTIC compared with those receiving AC (>550 versus 112 days, P = 0.021 and >550 versus 142 days, P = 0.011, respectively). Both protocols were well tolerated, without need for dose reduction or increased interval between treatments. A protocol consisting of combined doxorubicin and dacarbazine is safe in dogs with HSA and prolongs TTM and survival time.

The CT “sentinel clot sign” has been defined as the highest attenuation hematoma adjacent to a bleeding organ in humans with hemoabdomen. The aims of this retrospective descriptive multicenter study were to describe CT findings in a sample of dogs with surgically or necropsy confirmed intra-abdominal bleeding and determine prevalence of the “sentinel clot sign” adjacent to the location of bleeding. Medical records between 2012 and 2014 were searched for dogs with hemoabdomen and in which the origin of the bleeding was confirmed either with surgery or necropsy. Retrieved CT images were reviewed for the presence and localization of the “sentinel clot sign,” HU measurements of the “sentinel clot sign” and hemoabdomen, and presence of extravasation of contrast media within the abdominal cavity. Nineteen dogs were included. Three dogs were excluded due to the low amount of blood that did not allow the identification of a “sentinel clot sign.” A “sentinel clot sign” was detected in the proximity of the confirmed bleeding organ in 14/16 (88%) of the patients. The mean HU of the “sentinel clot sign” was 56 (range: 43–70) while that of the hemoabdomen was 34 (range: 20–45). Active hemorrhage was identified as extravasation of contrast medium within the peritoneal cavity from the bleeding organ in three dogs. In conclusion, the CT “sentinel clot sign” may be helpful for identifying the source of bleeding in dogs with hemoabdomen.

Pancreatitis has been described in cats with diabetes mellitus, although the number of studies currently available is very limited. In addition, ketoacidosis has been hypothesized to be associated with pancreatitis in diabetic cats. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether diabetic cats have pancreatitis and to determine if pancreatitis is more frequent with ketoacidosis. Samples of pancreas were collected postmortem from 37 diabetic cats, including 15 with ketoacidosis, and 20 control cats matched for age, sex, breed, and body weight. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, double-labeled for insulin/CD3, insulin/CD20, insulin/myeloperoxidase, insulin/PCNA, and glucagon/Ki67, and single-labeled for Iba1. A previously proposed semiquantitative score was used to characterize pancreatitis, along with counts of inflammatory cells. Scores of pancreatitis and the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes in the exocrine pancreas did not differ between diabetic and control cats or between diabetic cats with and without ketoacidosis. Of note, PCNA-positive acinar cells were increased ( P = .002) in diabetic cats, particularly near islets ( P < .001). Ki67-positive acinar cells were increased only near islets ( P = .038). Ketoacidosis was not linked to proliferation. The results suggest that histopathologic evidence of pancreatitis may not be more frequent in diabetic cats and that ketoacidosis may not be associated with it at the time of death. Augmented PCNA-positive acinar cells might indicate increased proliferation due to chronic pancreatitis. The reason behind the prevalent proliferation of acinar cells surrounding pancreatic islets deserves further investigation.