Evaluation of presentation, treatment and outcome in dogs with granulomatous steatitis associated with hypercalcaemia: six cases (2019-2023).

OBJECTIVES: To report the presentation, treatment and outcome of dogs with granulomatous steatitis associated with total and ionised hypercalcaemia. METHODS: Six dogs diagnosed with ionised and/or total hypercalcaemia and histologically diagnosed granulomatous steatitis were evaluated to determine the clinical signs, clinical findings, response to treatment and outcome. These cases were seen at different primary care and referral veterinary hospitals in the United Kingdom between 2019 and 2023. RESULTS: No alternative aetiology to explain the total and/or ionised hypercalcaemia or steatitis was identified. The most common presenting signs were lethargy, anorexia or hyporexia, vomiting and polyuria/polydipsia. Other clinical signs included weight loss, discomfort and panting. Five out of the six dogs responded to prednisolone. Four dogs were alive at the time of writing, one dog was lost to follow-up and one dog died 2 weeks post-diagnosis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It is well-established that granulomatous disease can cause hypercalcaemia. In this case series we found granulomatous steatitis associated with total and/or ionised hypercalcaemia. Dogs diagnosed with granulomatous steatitis should have ionised calcium measured, which may prompt further diagnostics and treatment options. Dogs with hypercalcaemia should be evaluated for evidence of steatitis where more common differentials have been excluded.

Control line failure in Angiostrongylus vasorum point-of-care serology test in dogs with angiostrongylosis due to suspected hook effect.

OBJECTIVES: Angiostrongylosis is a significant differential for a diverse range of clinical signs in dogs, many of whom present acutely and sometimes with fatal consequences. Point-of-care diagnostic assays include a commercially available Angiostrongylus vasorum qualitative direct lateral flow assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case records from one referral centre from dogs with an invalid A. vasorum lateral flow assay, comprising an absent control line alongside a visible test line, were reviewed. As control line failure was hypothesised to be due to antigen excess; where available the A. vasorum lateral flow assay was repeated using dilutions of the original serum. RESULTS: Six dogs had an invalid A. vasorum lateral flow assay result. Five dogs had presented with acute-onset, severe clinical disease consistent with angiostrongylosis, and one dog was a clinically healthy in-contact. Clinical suspicion of angiostrongylosis was confirmed using alternative diagnostic testing and/or response to treatment. Repetition of the A. vasorum lateral flow assay, in four cases, using diluted plasma (10% to 12.5% v/v) resulted in the appearance of a control line alongside the visible test line. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A heavy burden of A. vasorum infection resulting in angiostrongylosis should be suspected in dogs with compatible clinical signs and an invalid A. vasorum lateral flow assay result due to control failure alongside a visible test line. Repetition of the test with a diluted serum may be considered to account for the hook effect, also known as the postzone phenomenon, as a possible cause.

Prevalence and risk factors for common respiratory pathogens within a cohort of pet cats in the UK.

OBJECTIVES: Feline herpesvirus (FHV), feline calicivirus (FCV) and Chlamydia felis are common causes of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in cats. Their prevalence in the UK pet cat population has not been reported and little is known regarding the risk factors for their oral carriage. METHODS: Total nucleic acid was extracted from owner-collected buccal swabs (n=600) from cats enrolled in a self-selected longitudinal cohort study. Duplex quantitative PCRs for the detection of FHV and C. felis genomic DNA and reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCRs for the detection of FCV genomic RNA were performed. Duplicates, swabs with insufficient host DNA/RNA, and cats with missing data were excluded. Selected epidemiological data were interrogated using univariable and multi-variable logistic regression modelling to identify risk factors. RESULTS: Data from 430 cats were included in the final statistical model. Of these, 2.1% (n=9/430; 95% CI 1.0% to 3.9%) were positive for FHV, 13.3% (n=57/430; 95% CI 10.2% to 16.8%) positive for FCV and 1.2% (n=5/430; 95% CI 0.4% to 2.7%) positive for C. felis. FCV co-infection was present in five (44%) FHV-positive cats and three (60%) C. felis-positive cats. FCV carriage was more frequent in purebred cats (odds ratio 2.48; 95% CI 1.37 to 4.49) and in cats with current or historical clinical signs compatible with URTD (odds ratio 2.98; 95% CI 1.22 to 7.27). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: FCV was the most frequently encountered URTD pathogen in this sample of cats; this should be noted for disinfectant choice. In cats suspected of having FHV or C. felis infection, assessment for co-infection with FCV is recommended.

Clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment protocols and outcomes of dogs diagnosed with tick-borne diseases living in the United Kingdom: 76 cases (2005-2019).

OBJECTIVES: To report the presence of tick-borne diseases in dogs living in the United Kingdom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs with a final diagnosis of tick-borne diseases made between January 2005 and August 2019 at seven referral institutions in the United Kingdom were included in the study. RESULTS: Seventy-six dogs were included: 25 were diagnosed with ehrlichiosis, 23 with babesiosis, eight with Lyme borreliosis and six with anaplasmosis. Fourteen dogs had co-infections with two or three pathogens. Except for those dogs with anaplasmosis and Lyme borreliosis, most dogs with tick-borne diseases had a history of travel to or from endemic countries. However, three dogs with ehrlichiosis, and one dog each infected with Babesia canis and Babesia vulpes did not have any history of travel. A variety of non-specific clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities were reported. Targeted treatment was successful at achieving clinical remission in 64 (84%) dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Even in non-endemic areas, veterinary surgeons should consider tick-borne diseases in dogs with compatible clinical presentation and laboratory findings and especially where there is a history of travel. As autochthonous transmission of tick-borne-pathogens does occur, an absence of travel should not rule out tick-borne diseases. Specific diagnostic testing is required to confirm infection, and this enables prompt targeted treatment and often a positive outcome.

Inflammatory Mediators in the Mesenteric Lymph Nodes, Site of a Possible Intermediate Phase in the Immune Response to Feline Coronavirus and the Pathogenesis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis?

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an almost invariably fatal feline coronavirus (FCoV)-induced disease thought to arise from a combination of viral mutations and an overexuberant immune response. Natural initial enteric FCoV infection may remain subclinical, or result in mild enteric signs or the development of FIP; cats may also carry the virus systemically with no adverse effect. This study screened mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), the presumed first site of FCoV spread from the intestine regardless of viraemia, for changes in the transcription of a panel of innate immune response mediators in response to systemic FCoV infection and with FIP, aiming to identify key pathways triggered by FCoV. Cats with and without FIP, the latter with and without FCoV infection in the MLN, were compared. Higher expression levels in FIP were found for toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 4 and 8. These are part of the first line of defence and suggest a response to both viral structural proteins and viral nucleic acid. Expression of genes encoding inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-15, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, CXCL10, CCL8, interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-ß and IFN-γ, was higher in cats with FIP, consistent with inflammatory pathway activation. Expression of genes encoding transcription factors STAT1 and 2, regulating signalling pathways, particularly of the interferons, was also higher. Among cats without FIP, there were few differences between virus-positive and virus-negative MLNs; however, TLR9 and STAT2 expression were higher with infection, suggesting a direct viral effect. The study provides evidence for TLR involvement in the response to FCoV. This could open up new avenues for therapeutic approaches.

Degenerative Encephalopathy in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Presenting with a Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by loss of neurons and are commonly associated with a genetic mutation. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical and histopathological features of a novel degenerative neurological disease affecting the brain of young adult Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTRs). ANIMALS: Nine, young adult, related NSDTRs were evaluated for neurological dysfunction and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. METHODS: Case series review. RESULTS: Clinical signs of neurological dysfunction began between 2 months and 5 years of age and were progressive in nature. They were characterized by episodes of marked movements during sleep, increased anxiety, noise phobia, and gait abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging documented symmetrical, progressively increasing, T2-weighted image intensity, predominantly within the caudate nuclei, consistent with necrosis secondary to gray matter degeneration. Abnormalities were not detected on clinicopathological analysis of blood and cerebrospinal fluid, infectious disease screening or urine metabolite screening in most cases. Postmortem examination of brain tissue identified symmetrical malacia of the caudate nuclei and axonal dystrophy within the brainstem and spinal cord. Genealogical analysis supports an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A degenerative encephalopathy was identified in young adult NSDTRs consistent with a hereditary disease. The prognosis is guarded due to the progressive nature of the disease, which is minimally responsive to empirical treatment.

Feline blood genotyping versus phenotyping, and detection of non-AB blood type incompatibilities in UK cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the agreement between AB blood phenotyping and genotyping and determine whether non-AB blood type incompatibilities exist in UK cats. METHODS: Blood samples underwent phenotyping (A, B or AB) using microplate agglutination, and genotyping (AA, Ab or bb) using pyrosequencing of a fragment of the cytidine monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase gene. Non-AB blood type incompatibilities were investigated by cross-matching against reference blood of the same phenotype. RESULTS: Of 112 cats tested, 86 (77%) were blood phenotype A, 19 (17%) type B and 7 (6%) type AB. Genotype and initial phenotype agreed in 96% (107 of 112) of cats, but 5 were discordant; these were all B phenotype with either AA (n=2) or Ab (n=3) genotype. Two of the five cats had repeat blood samples tested: one was reclassified as phenotype A; the other remained phenotype B. Two cats had incompatibilities on minor cross-match, but these were attributed to phenotyping errors. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Unknown mutation(s) associated with phenotype B, resulting in false AA or Ab genotyping, were evident in a small number of cases in this study. No conclusive evidence for non-AB blood type incompatibilities was found.

Non-ribosomal phylogenetic exploration of Mollicute species: new insights into haemoplasma taxonomy.

Nine species of uncultivable haemoplasmas and several Mycoplasma species were examined by partial sequencing of two protein-encoding housekeeping genes. Partial glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapA) and heat shock protein 70 (dnaK) gene sequences were determined for these Mollicute species; in total nine gapA sequences and ten dnaK sequences were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses of these sequences, along with those of a broad selection of Mollicute species downloaded from GenBank, for the individual genes, and for the gapA and dnaK concatenated data set, revealed a clear separation of the haemoplasmas from other species within the Mycoplasma genus; indeed the haemoplasmas resided within a single clade which was phylogenetically detached from the pneumoniae group of Mycoplasmas. This is the first report to examine the use of gapA and dnaK, as well as a concatenated data set, for phylogenetic analysis of the haemoplasmas and other Mollicute species. These results demonstrate a distinct phylogenetic separation between the haemoplasmas and Mycoplasmas that corresponds with the biological differences observed in these species, indicating that further evaluation of the haemoplasmas' relationship with the Mycoplasma genus is required to determine whether reclassification of the haemoplasmas is necessary.

Phylogenetic analysis of feline coronavirus strains in an epizootic outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection is common. In a small percentage of cats, FCoV infection is associated with the fatal disease feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Genetically distinct virulent and avirulent strains of FCoV might coexist within a cat population. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the strains of FCoV in FIP-affected cats are closely related or genetically distinct from the fecally derived strains of FCoV in contemporary-asymptomatic cats during an epizootic outbreak of FIP. ANIMALS: Four cats euthanized because of FIP and 16 asymptomatic cats. METHODS: This prospective outbreak investigation was initiated during an outbreak of FIP in cats within or rehomed from a rescue/rehoming center. Postmortem samples were collected from cats with FIP and contemporaneous fecal samples from asymptomatic cats. RNA was purified from tissue and fecal samples, FCoV gene fragments were reverse transcribed, PCR-amplified using novel primers, and sequenced. Sequences were aligned with ClustalW and compared with published FCoV sequences. RESULTS: FCoV RNA was detected in all 4 FIP cat postmortem samples and in 9 of the 16 fecal samples from contemporary-asymptomatic cats. Novel primers successfully amplified fragments from 4 regions of the genome for all FCoV-positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the FIP-associated strains of FCoV from the outbreak were very closely related to the fecally derived strains of FCoV from contemporary-asymptomatic cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Sequence analysis provided no evidence that genetically distinct virulent and avirulent strains of FCoV were present during this FIP outbreak.

Acute phase response to Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' infection in FIV-infected and non-FIV-infected cats.

The pathogenicity of Haemoplasma spp. in cats varies with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (CMhm) causing subclinical infection while Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) often induces haemolytic anaemia. The aims of this study were to characterise the acute phase response (APR) of the cat to experimental infection with Mhf or CMhm, and to determine whether chronic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection influences this response. The acute phase proteins serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) concentrations were measured pre-infection and every 7-14 days up to day 100 post-infection (pi) in cats infected with either Mhf or CMhm. Half of each group of cats (6/12) were chronically and subclinically infected with FIV. Marbofloxacin treatment was given on days 16-44 pi to half of the Mhf-infected cats, and on days 49-77 pi to half of the CMhm-infected cats. FIV-infected animals had significantly lower AGP concentrations, and significantly greater Hp concentrations than non-FIV-infected cats when infected with CMhm and Mhf, respectively. Both CMhm and Mhf infection were associated with significant increases in SAA concentrations, while AGP concentrations were only significantly increased by Mhf infection. Mhf-infected cats had significantly greater SAA concentrations than CMhm-infected animals. Both Mhf and CMhm infections were associated with an APR, with Mhf infection inducing a greater response. Chronic FIV infection appeared to modify the APR, which varied with the infecting Haemoplasma species.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of haemoplasmas in healthy and unhealthy dogs from Central Macedonia, Greece.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of canine haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma haemocanis and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" infection in Central Macedonia, Greece, and to evaluate any associations between canine haemoplasma infection and clinical presentation, selected laboratory data or the presence of ticks. METHODS: Genomic DNA was purified from excess blood (n=151) submitted for haematological examination. Purified DNA was subjected to species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays duplexed with a canine DNA control quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Clinical records were retrospectively examined and selected clinical parameters were compared to haemoplasma infection status. RESULTS: Nine samples were excluded due to inadequate canine DNA polymerase chain reaction results. Of the remaining 142 samples: eight (5·6%) were positive for M. haemocanis alone, six (4·2%) were positive for "Ca. M. haematoparvum" alone and one (0·7%) was dual positive. No association was found between haemoplasma status and age, sex, breed, health status, presence of anaemia, selected biochemistry parameters, presence of ectoparasites, routine ectoparasiticide treatment or the presence of selected tick-borne diseases.

Haemoplasma infection is not a common cause of canine immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in the UK.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the two canine haemoplasma species, Mycoplasma haemocanis and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum," are commonly associated with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) in UK dogs. METHODS: Three groups of dogs were recruited to the study: anaemic dogs with primary IMHA (n=37); anaemic dogs not meeting the inclusion criteria for primary IMHA (n=77) and non-anaemic dogs (n=113). DNA was extracted from 100 µl of blood and subjected to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays for both species of Mycoplasma. Each assay incorporated co-amplification of canine glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an endogenous internal control. RESULTS: Canine GAPDH was successfully amplified by qPCR from all 227 canine blood samples but none contained M. haemocanis or "Candidatus M. haematoparvum" DNA. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Haemoplasma infection is uncommon in dogs in the UK and no evidence was found that these organisms act as triggers for IMHA.

Development and use of real-time PCR to detect and quantify Mycoplasma haemocanis and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" in dogs.

Two canine haemoplasma species have been recognised to date; Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc), which has been associated with anaemia in splenectomised or immunocompromised dogs, and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" (CMhp), recently described in an anaemic splenectomised dog undergoing chemotherapy. The study aim was to develop quantitative real-time PCR assays (qPCRs) incorporating an endogenous internal control to detect Mhc and CMhp and to apply these assays to DNA samples extracted from canine blood collected in Northern Tanzania (n=100) and from dogs presented to a Trinidadian veterinary hospital (n=185). QPCRs specific for Mhc and CMhp were designed using 16S rRNA gene sequence data, and each was duplexed with an assay specific for canine glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The assays detected < or =10 copies of a sequence-specific haemoplasma plasmid per reaction and neither assay showed cross-reactivity with 10(6) copies of the sequence-specific plasmid from the non-target canine haemoplasma species. Nineteen of the 100 Tanzanian samples (19%) were positive for Mhc alone and one (1%) was dually infected. One Trinidadian sample was negative for canine GAPDH DNA and was excluded from the study. Of the 184 remaining Trinidadian samples, nine (4.9%) were positive for Mhc alone, five (2.7%) for CMhp alone, and two (1.1%) dually infected. This is the first report of canine haemoplasma qPCR assays that use an internal control to confirm the presence of amplifiable sample DNA, and their application to prevalence studies. Mhc was the most commonly detected canine haemoplasma species.

A comparison of the survival times of dogs treated with mitotane or trilostane for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism.

The survival times of 148 dogs treated for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism were studied using clinical records from 3 UK veterinary centers between 1998 and 2003. Of these animals, 123 (83.1%) were treated with trilostane, while 25 (16.9%) were treated with mitotane. Treatment groups were compared using t-tests and analysis of variance (or their nonparametric equivalents) and chi-square tests. Survival data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox proportional hazard methods. There was no significant difference between the population attributes from each center or between treatment groups. The median survival time for animals treated with trilostane was 662 days (range 8-1,971) and for mitotane it was 708 days (range 33-1,399). There were no significant differences between the survival times for animals treated with trilostane and those treated with mitotane. In the multivariable model (including drug, center, breed group, weight, diagnostic group, and age at diagnosis), only age at diagnosis and weight were significantly negatively associated with survival. Importantly, there was no significant effect of drug choice on survival.