Search

This prospective clinical study sought to determine the accuracy of cytopathologic examination and needle-core biopsy (NCB) against diagnoses obtained by excisional histopathology (EH) for canine splenic masses. Twenty-five masses were evaluated ex vivo by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and NCB tissue sampling. Each spleen was placed in a container and artificial skin placed over its surface. Ultrasound-guided FNA using a 22-gauge needle and 2 NCB samples [14-gauge (NCB-14), 16-gauge (NCB-16)] were obtained and submitted for analysis. Results were compared to results obtained by splenic excisional histopathology (EH). There was no difference noted between FNA, NCB-14, or NCB-16 analyses. In addition, there was no difference in accuracy between FNA and NCB-14 or between FNA and NCB-14 versus NCB-16. Reported accuracy of FNA was 0.72, NCB-14 was 0.72, and NCB-16 was 0.64, respectively. Both FNA and NCB-14 displayed a sensitivity of 71% and NCB-16 a sensitivity of 53%. Both FNA and NCB-14 displayed a specificity of 75% and NCB-16 a specificity of 88%. The results demonstrated that NCB had no advantage clinically over FNA at diagnosing splenic pathology. This study further demonstrates that preoperative diagnostic evaluation of the spleen is not highly accurate and cannot be recommended prior to splenectomy., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

Background: Nonhemorrhagic ascites (NHA) can be caused by cardiac diseases (cNHA) and noncardiac diseases (ncNHA). N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may differentiate between cNHA and ncNHA., Hypothesis/objectives: We compared NT-proBNP and cTnI concentrations as well as POCUS findings in dogs presented with cNHA and ncNHA., Animals: Dogs (n = 60) were enrolled based on identification of NHA with an effusion packed cell volume < 10%., Methods: Blood samples were collected and POCUS was performed on all dogs. Dogs were diagnosed with cNHA (n = 28) or ncNHA (n = 32) based on echocardiography. The cNHA group was subdivided into cardiac non-pericardial disease (n = 17) and pericardial disease (n = 11)., Results: The NT-proBNP concentration (median; range pmol/L) was significantly higher in the cNHA group (4510; 250-10 000) compared to the ncNHA group (739.5; 250-10 000; P = .01), with a sensitivity of 53.8% and specificity of 85.7% using a cut-off of 4092 pmol/L. The NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the cardiac non-pericardial disease group (8339; 282-10 000) compared with the pericardial disease group (692.5; 250-4928; P = .002). A significant difference in cTnI concentration (median; range ng/L) between the cNHA group (300; 23-112 612) and ncNHA group (181; 17-37 549) was not detected (P = .41). A significantly higher number of dogs had hepatic venous and caudal vena cava distension in the cNHA group compared to the ncNHA group, respectively (18/28 vs 3/29, P < .0001 and 13/27 vs 2/29, P < .001). Gall bladder wall edema was not significantly different between groups (4/28 vs 3/29, P = .74)., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: NT-proBNP concentration and POCUS help distinguish between cNHA and ncNHA., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Background: Cytauxzoon felis is a life-threatening protozoan disease of cats. Identification of schizont-laden macrophages is a point-of-care diagnostic test for acute cytauxzoonosis., Hypothesis/objectives: The primary objective determined cytologic agreement between sample types to diagnose acute cytauxzoonosis. The secondary objective evaluated novices' ability to identify cytauxzoon organisms in blood films and tissue aspirates., Animals: Thirty-eight cats with suspected acute cytauxzoonosis and 5 controls examined postmortem., Methods: Cases were prospectively submitted and collected. Blood film, lymph node, and splenic aspirates were blindly reviewed for sample quality, presence of schizont-laden macrophages, and agreement between sample types. A subset of cases and controls were evaluated by 12 blinded novice observers to determine sensitivity and specificity for identifying organisms in various sample types., Results: Acute cytauxzoonosis diagnosis was made on at least 1 sample type in 28/38 cats. Schizont-laden macrophages were seen on 33% (10/30) of blood films, 56% (19/34) lymph node aspirates, 77% (26/34) splenic aspirates. Schizont-laden macrophages were more likely seen on splenic than lymph node aspirates (McNemar's, P = .03) or blood film (McNemar's, P = <.001). Novice observers were more likely to agree with experts when identifying schizont-laden macrophages in splenic aspirates (sensitivity = 77.1%, specificity = 94.4%) versus lymph node aspirates (sensitivity = 52.8%, specificity = 96.4%) or blood films (sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 96.9%)., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Schizont-laden macrophages are most frequently identified in spleen, even by novice observers. If the diagnosis of acute cytauxzoonosis cannot be confirmed via blood film, then splenic, followed by peripheral lymph node aspirates can be considered., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

A lack of understanding of specific immune defects underlying canine immune-mediated diseases hampers optimal therapy. Failure to tailor treatment to an individual's immune abnormality can result in lack of efficacy, secondary complications, added expense, and drug-potentiated adverse effects. We adopted a small-volume whole-blood flow cytometric assay to determine the effect of immunosuppressant drugs on T-lymphocyte proliferation. Using healthy dogs in this proof-of-principle study, we hypothesized that there would be dose-dependent suppression of T-lymphocyte proliferation in response to dexamethasone, cyclosporine, mycophenolic acid, and the active metabolite of leflunomide (A77 1726). Whole blood was collected from 6 healthy pet dogs and incubated for 4 d with or without the mitogens concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide and with increasing concentrations of immunosuppressant. Samples were subsequently stained with viability dye and with antibodies against the pan-T-lymphocyte marker CD5 and the cell proliferation marker Ki67. Percentages of proliferating T-lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry, and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) was calculated. Inhibition of T-lymphocyte proliferation by the panel of immunosuppressants was shown to be dose-dependent, with marked variability among the dogs. The mean IC 50 was 394.8 ± 871 (standard deviation) μM for dexamethasone, 18.89 ± 36.2 ng/mL for cyclosporine, 106.3 ± 157.7 nM for mycophenolic acid, and 3.746 ± 6.8 μM for A77 1726. These results support the use of this assay for detecting the efficacy of individual immunosuppressants used to diminish T-lymphocyte proliferation. In future, the assay may be applied to pet dogs with spontaneous immune-mediated disease to help tailor individual treatment., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

Objective: To determine the influence of propofol or methohexital, with and without doxapram, on the examination of laryngeal function in dogs., Study Design: Experimental study., Animals: Forty healthy dogs randomly assigned to 4 groups: propofol with saline (n = 10), propofol with doxapram (n = 10), methohexital with saline (n = 10), or methohexital with doxapram (n = 10)., Methods: Propofol and methohexital were administered to effect. Investigators examined laryngeal function (initial) simultaneously with video laryngoscopy. Doxapram or saline was administered, and laryngeal function was reevaluated (second). Laryngeal motion, quality of laryngeal exposure, and the degree of swallowing, laryngospasm, and jaw tone were scored at each evaluation. Adverse events were recorded. Initial and second videos were evaluated by a masked observer, and still images obtained from both evaluations were evaluated for change in rima glottidis size by 2 masked observers., Results: Administration of doxapram and saline was delayed with propofol (P = .001). Laryngeal function did not differ between dogs receiving propofol or methohexital, irrespective of doxapram administration. Doxapram improved breathing scores in both groups (P < .001). Jaw tone increased with propofol during the second evaluation (P = .049). Swallowing was more prevalent at initial examination (P = .020). Methohexital resulted in an increased heart rate (P < .001) compared with propofol. Twenty-five percent of dogs receiving methohexital developed seizure-like activity (n = 5/20)., Conclusion: Evaluation of laryngeal function did not differ between healthy dogs anesthetized with propofol or methohexital. Methohexital provided shorter examination times with less jaw tone but was associated with adverse events., Clinical Significance: This study provides evidence to recommend propofol over methohexital as an induction agent for laryngeal function examination., (© 2018 The Authors. Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

An 8-year-old spayed female border collie dog was diagnosed with an invasive pituitary macrotumor. Five months after radiation therapy, the patient developed paraparesis and lumbosacral pain. Necropsy revealed a pituitary carcinoma with cauda equina drop metastasis. In cases of pituitary masses, meningeal dissemination should be considered if neurologic status declines.

A 5-year-old domestic shorthair cat that had been previously diagnosed with diabetes mellitus was presented for episodes of coughing and respiratory distress. Diagnostic testing revealed congestive heart failure secondary to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and concurrent asthma. All clinical signs and eosinophilic airway inflammation resolved with oral ciclosporin while the cat was concurrently receiving medications for treatment of heart failure (furosemide and enalapril). Ciclosporin should be considered for treatment of feline asthma in patients with concurrent diseases (eg, diabetes mellitus, severe heart disease) that may contraindicate use of oral glucocorticoid therapy., (© ISFM and AAFP 2014.)

A high rate of mortality, expense, and complications of immunosuppressive therapy in dogs underscores the need for optimization of drug dosing. The purpose of this study was to determine, using a flow-cytometric assay, the 50% T-cell inhibitory concentration (IC50) of dexamethasone, cyclosporine, and the active metabolites of azathioprine (6-mercaptopurine) and leflunomide (A77 1726) in canine lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). Whole blood was collected from 5 privately owned, healthy dogs of various ages, genders, and breeds. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, obtained by density-gradient separation, were cultured for 72 h with Con A, a fluorochrome-tagged cell proliferation dye, and various concentrations of dexamethasone (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10 000 μM), cyclosporine (0.2, 2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, and 200 ng/mL), 6-mercaptopurine (0.5, 2.5, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μM), and A77 1726 (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 200 μM). After incubation, the lymphocytes were labeled with propidium iodide and an antibody against canine CD5, a pan T-cell surface marker. Flow cytometry determined the percentage of live, proliferating T-lymphocytes incubated with or without immunosuppressants. The mean (± standard error) IC50 was 3460 ± 1900 μM for dexamethasone, 15.8 ± 2.3 ng/mL for cyclosporine, 1.3 ± 0.4 μM for 6-mercaptopurine, and 55.6 ± 22.0 μM for A77 1722. Inhibition of T-cell proliferation by the 4 immunosuppressants was demonstrated in a concentration-dependent manner, with variability between the dogs. These results represent the initial steps to tailor this assay for individual immunosuppressant protocols for dogs with immune-mediated disease.

This study aimed to determine the frequency of cervical lung lobe herniation (CLLH) in dogs evaluated fluoroscopically and to identify associated characteristics. Reports of diagnostic procedures and patient summaries from 2008 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Signalment, body weight, duration of cough, presence of heart murmur and airway collapse, and radiographic findings were compared between dogs with and without CLLH. Of the 121 dogs that were examined, CLLH occurred in 85 (70%). The extra-thoracic trachea kinked during herniation in 33 (39%) dogs with CLLH. Collapse of the intra-thoracic trachea (assessed fluoroscopically or bronchoscopically) and collapse of major bronchi (assessed fluoroscopically) were strongly associated with CLLH. Although redundant dorsal tracheal membrane on radiographs was associated with CLLH, extra-thoracic tracheal collapse, assessed fluoroscopically or bronchoscopically, was not. No other associations were found. Cervical lung lobe herniation was present in most dogs evaluated during cough and was associated with intra-thoracic large airway collapse, but not duration of cough.

Nebulized lidocaine may be a corticosteroid-sparing drug in human asthmatics, reducing airway resistance and peripheral blood eosinophilia. We hypothesized that inhaled lidocaine would be safe in healthy and experimentally asthmatic cats, diminishing airflow limitation and eosinophilic airway inflammation in the latter population. Healthy (n = 5) and experimentally asthmatic (n = 9) research cats were administered 2 weeks of nebulized lidocaine (2 mg/kg q8h) or placebo (saline) followed by a 2-week washout and crossover to the alternate treatment. Cats were anesthetized to measure the response to inhaled methacholine (MCh) after each treatment. Placebo and doubling doses of methacholine (0.0625-32.0000 mg/ml) were delivered and results were expressed as the concentration of MCh increasing baseline airway resistance by 200% (EC200Raw). Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed after each treatment and eosinophil numbers quantified. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) % eosinophils and EC200Raw within groups after each treatment were compared using a paired t-test (P <0.05 significant). No adverse effects were noted. In healthy cats, lidocaine did not significantly alter BALF eosinophilia or the EC200Raw. There was no difference in %BALF eosinophils in asthmatic cats treated with lidocaine (36±10%) or placebo (33 ± 6%). However, lidocaine increased the EC200Raw compared with placebo 10 ± 2 versus 5 ± 1 mg/ml; P = 0.043). Chronic nebulized lidocaine was well-tolerated in all cats, and lidocaine did not induce airway inflammation or airway hyper-responsiveness in healthy cats. Lidocaine decreased airway response to MCh in asthmatic cats without reducing airway eosinophilia, making it unsuitable for monotherapy. However, lidocaine may serve as a novel adjunctive therapy in feline asthmatics with beneficial effects on airflow obstruction.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection is a valuable respiratory diagnostic procedure in cats. This study evaluated effects of BALF storage on total nucleated cell counts (TNCCs) and differential cell counts (DCC), cell morphology, and cytological diagnosis. Forty-five research cats with neutrophilic, eosinophilic, and mixed inflammation, and healthy controls were enrolled. BALF samples were processed within 1h (baseline) or stored at 4°C (4C24) or room temperature (RT24) for 24h, or 4°C (4C48) or room temperature (RT48) for 48h before processing. Stored BALF at RT48 had decreased TNCC compared to baseline. The RT24 and RT48 samples had greater eosinophil % and the RT24, 4C48, and RT48 samples had decreased neutrophil % compared with baseline. Cellular morphology deteriorated in all stored samples. Storage resulted in a change in cytological diagnosis in up to 57% of stored samples. We conclude that cytological analysis of BALF in cats should be performed promptly for optimal results., (Copyright © 2010 ISFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and total nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for discrimination between asthma and chronic bronchitis in cats., Animals: 97 cats., Procedures: Cats screened with cytologic examination of BALF included 13 client-owned cats with naturally developing asthma, 8 client-owned cats with chronic bronchitis, 23 research cats with experimentally induced asthma, 33 research cats with experimentally induced nonseptic suppurative inflammation of the airways, and 20 healthy control cats. Banked unconcentrated BALF supernatant samples were assayed for concentrations of IL-4, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and total NO metabolites., Results: Concentrations of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in BALF were less than the limits of detection for most cats, precluding statistical analysis. No significant differences were detected among groups for TNF-alpha concentrations. Concentrations of total NO metabolites were significantly higher in cats with clinical chronic bronchitis, compared with research cats with nonseptic suppurative inflammation or research cats with asthma., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: There were no significant differences in tested biomarkers between cats with asthma and healthy control cats. None of the measured cytokines or NO metabolites were useful for discriminating between cats with naturally developing asthma and those with chronic bronchitis.

Objective and Design: This study investigated if feG-COOH would decrease allergen-induced airway inflammation., Materials or Subjects: Seven adult cats sensitised to Bermuda grass allergen (BGA) to induce an asthmatic phenotype., Treatment: Cats were randomized to receive either feG-COOH (1 mg/kg, PO) or placebo (saline 1 ml, PO) immediately prior to BGA aerosol challenge in a cross-over design., Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and airway inflammatory response assessed via inflammatory cell number and type; IL-4, IFN-gamma and nitric oxide metabolite concentrations. A paired t test was used to compare parameters with a P < 0.05 considered significant., Results: The BALF eosinophil percentage was significantly lower in asthmatic cats treated with feG compared with placebo (placebo, 35.3 +/- 12.2%; feG, 22.4 +/- 8.6%; P = 0.002). Treatment with feG did not result in a significant change in any other parameter measured., Conclusions: These data indicate that a single dose of feG-COOH partially attenuates eosinophilic airway inflammation in experimental feline asthma.

The small animal practitioner is faced with an infinite number of potential toxins in our modern environment. Unapproved usage of drugs and insecticides requires the practitioner to keep informed about the development of new toxic syndromes. Recreational drug toxicosis in animals is still seen with some frequency in clinical practice and should not be overlooked, even when the owner denies the possible exposure. In this article, we have discussed a few of the more common and newer neurotoxicities seen in clinical practice today. Neurologic toxicities are complex, but treatment can be rewarding if early diagnosis is made and aggressive therapy is instituted. The practitioner will find it worthwhile to establish contact with a toxicologist or poison information center for additional support when necessary.

Degenerative myopathy suggestive of glucocorticoid-induced myopathy was diagnosed in a 10-year-old female Poodle X Pekingese dog with a history of progressive lameness. Electromyography revealed bizarre high-frequency discharges. Evidence of adrenal suppression was obtained in response to exogenous ACTH. The predominant source of corticosteroid was an ophthalmic preparation used in the management of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Considering the apparent adverse effects of the corticosteroid in this case, a study was undertaken to determine the systemic effects, if any, induced by long-term ophthalmic administration of 0.1% dexamethasone suspension in healthy adult dogs. Dogs in one group (n = 5) were treated 4 times daily for 8 weeks, and dogs in another group (n = 5) were treated 4 times daily for 16 weeks. All dogs remained healthy throughout the study, but dexamethasone-treated dogs developed marked adrenal suppression, beginning the second week of treatment and intensifying throughout the treatment period. Histopathologic changes in the liver of dexamethasone-treated dogs included scattered foci of vacuolated hepatocytes, increased hepatocytic glycogen content, and ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes. Muscle specimens were histologically, histochemically, and electromyographically normal.

Evoked muscle potentials were evaluated in 19 anesthetized dogs after stimulation of the ulnar nerve. Subsequently, unilateral dorsal rhizotomy was performed on 6 dogs, and ulnar nerve stimulation was repeated. The evoked muscle potentials were begun at 1 V and increased. Threshold, optimum, and maximum stimuli for the M wave, and the reflex-evoked response (H reflex) were recorded. Threshold voltages for the M wave and the H reflex were 4.4 V and 4.0 V, respectively. The latencies for these stimuli also were recorded for the H reflex from proximal and distal sites. The optimal latency for the proximal and the distal sites were 15.4 +/- 2.5 ms and 18.3 +/- 2.6 ms, respectively (mean +/- SD). The motor nerve conduction velocity was 68 +/- 11 m/s. In addition, a mixed orthodromic sensory-antidromic motor conduction velocity was 75.2 +/- 13.3 m/s. Ratios between thoracic limb length and H reflex latency were 27.5 +/- 3.9 from the proximal site and 23 +/- 2.7 from the distal site. A waveform with a latency less than that of the H reflex, but greater than that of the M wave was observed inconsistently. An additional group of low amplitude waves was observed with a latency greater than the H reflex latency. The H reflex latency/limb length ratio may be clinically useful in evaluation of proximal neuropathies in the dog.

A mucocutaneous subdermal plexus flap from the lip was transplanted into a defect created by removing the lower eyelid in 17 dogs. The grafts were evaluated from 10 days to 6 months later to assess their survivability, function, and cosmetic appearance. Histology was used in selected cases to examine changes in the grafted tissue. In addition, electromyograms were obtained for 2 grafts at 2 weeks and for 2 grafts at 24 weeks to assess reinnervation of transplanted segments of the orbicularis oris and buccinator muscles. Minor necrosis of the outer flap margin occurred in 4 dogs, but healing by second intention was satisfactory. Results from the histologic and electromyographic analyses suggested reinnervation of the orbicularis oris and buccinator muscle segments occurred from portions of the auriculopalpebral nerve in 2 grafts. The cosmetic and functional results in this procedure were satisfactory. It was concluded that the lip flap is a suitable substitute for the lower eyelid in the dog and can be effectively used for single-stage replacement of major lower eyelid losses, but that an elective second-stage procedure can be done to improve the cosmetic results in selected cases.

Thirty-six cases of meningiomas in cats were reviewed as to the clinical signs and anatomic location. Age, breed, and sex also were noted. It was found that, in general, meningiomas affected older cats, with two thirds of them being greater than or equal to 10 years old. There was no breed predilection, although there was a majority of male cats. In most cases, the anatomic location was supratentorial, with only one case being infratentorial, and no tumors were below the foramen magnum. A number of cats had multiple maningiomas, and this often complicated the anatomic localization by neurologic examination. Tentorial herniation (6 cases) was associated with positional nystagmus or tetraparesis, or both, in addition to the deficits caused by the tumor.

Clinical and necropsy records for nine dogs with tumors of the choroid plexus were reviewed. In seven of the dogs, the tumors were on the left side of the fourth ventricle. All of the dogs were males, ranging in age from 13 months to 9 years. Upper motor neuron tetraparesis and positional nystagmus were the most common neurologic signs. Less frequently recorded were head tilt, vomiting, bradycardia, and signs of cranial nerve dysfunction. Alteration in consciousness was evident in four of the dogs and ranged from personality changes to coma.