Timed up and go demonstrates strong interrater agreement and criterion validity as a functional test in geriatric dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To measure interobserver agreement for 4 functional tasks and their summed geriatric functional score (GFS) and correlate tasks and GFS with client-specific outcome measurements (CSOMs): Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) pain severity, CBPI pain interference, and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs. ANIMALS: 89 geriatric dogs were recruited between April and September 2023 from staff, friends, and clients of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine with a median age of 11.0 years and weight of 26.4 kg. METHODS: Dogs underwent 4 sequential functional tests: timed up and go (TUG), cavallettis, figure 8s, and down to stands. Two observers independently scored each dog. The GFS was calculated based on the summed scores of the individual tests. Additional information collected included signalment, weight, measurements reflecting the comorbidities of aging (body condition score and muscle condition score), and CSOMs. RESULTS: Strong interrater agreement was found for all functional tests. The TUG in seconds (sTUG) and figure 8s demonstrated significant (P < .05) moderate to strong correlations to all CSOMs. The GFS showed similar significant correlations with all CSOMs except CBPI pain severity; however, when correlating individual tests to CSOMs, only figure 8s and TUG were significantly contributing to GFS results. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defined highly functional dogs as those completing the sTUG in under 3.83 seconds. The sTUG represented the best test for geriatric function given it was objective, reliable, correlated well to CSOMs, and could help identify highly functioning dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The sTUG appears to be the first practical and reliable functional test of canine geriatric mobility.

Biological variation of serum thyrotropin and thyroid hormones concentrations determined at 8-week intervals for 1 year in clinically healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Cats commonly develop thyroid disease but little is known about the long-term biological variability of serum thyroid hormone and thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSH) concentrations. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the long-term biological variation of thyroid hormones and TSH in clinically healthy cats. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was carried out. Serum samples for analysis of total thyroxine (T4, by radioimmunoassay [RIA] and homogenous enzyme immunoassay [EIA]), triiodothyronine (T3 ), free T4 (by dialysis), and TSH were obtained every 8 weeks for 1 year from 15 healthy cats, then frozen until single-batch analysis. Coefficients of variation (CV) within individual cats ( CV I ) and among individual cats ( CV G ), as well as the variation between duplicates (ie, analytical variation [ CV A ]) were determined with restricted maximum likelihood estimation. The indices of individuality (IoI) and reference change values (RCVs) for each hormone were calculated. RESULTS: Some thyroid hormones showed similar (total T4 by EIA) or greater (TSH) interindividual relative to intraindividual variation resulting in intermediate to high IoI, consistent with previous studies evaluating the biological variation of these hormones weekly for 5-6 weeks. By contrast, total T4 (by RIA) and free T4 had a low IoI. Total T3 had a high ratio of CV A to CV I ; therefore, interindividual variation could not be distinguished from analytical variation. No seasonal variability in the hormones could be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians might improve the diagnosis of feline thyroid disease by establishing baseline concentrations for analytes with intermediate-high IoI (total T4, TSH) for individual cats and applying RCVs to subsequent measurements.

Piezosurgical bone-cutting technology reduces risk of maxillectomy and mandibulectomy complications in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report the complication rate of dogs undergoing oral oncological surgery when using a bone-cutting piezoelectric unit for osteotomies. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND PROCEDURES: Retrospective cohort evaluation of medical records from 2012 through 2022 for canine patients that underwent mandibulectomy or maxillectomy for the treatment of oral neoplasia at the Companion Animal Hospital at Cornell University. Cases were included if osteotomy was performed using a piezoelectric unit. Medical records were then reviewed for documentation of intraoperative hemorrhage and administration of blood products. RESULTS: 41 maxillectomies and 57 mandibulectomies met the inclusion criteria (98 in total). Only 1 (1.02%) case was associated with excessive surgical bleeding requiring administration of blood products. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study show that intraoperative hemorrhage requiring the use of blood products during or immediately after a mandibulectomy or maxillectomy is rare when using a piezoelectric unit to perform osteotomies, and is substantially lower than that previously reported when using oscillating saws or other bone-cutting devices for maxillectomies.

Retrospective analysis describes safety of therapeutic joint injections in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively investigate the safety of canine therapeutic IA injections, describing and correlating adverse events with the number of injections per visit, joint injected, signalment, body condition score, type, and volume of injectate. SAMPLE: There were 505 joint injections across 283 visits for 178 client-owned dogs, including the shoulder, elbow, carpus, hip, stifle, tarsus, and metacarpophalangeal. PROCEDURES: A search was performed of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals medical records for relevant data, identifying dogs treated with therapeutic joint injections and rechecked between 2010 and 2022. RESULTS: Minor complications were noted in 70 of 283 visits and included transient soreness (18.4%, lasting a median of 2 days; range, 1 to 20 days) and gastroenteritis (6.8%). One case of septic arthritis (1/505 joints), which possessed risks of a hematogenous source, was the only potential major complication. Soreness was not correlated with the number of joints injected per visit. Larger volumes of injectate normalized to body size were more likely to be associated with transient soreness in the stifle and tarsus. Across injectates, only stem cells had significantly increased odds of soreness. Gastroenteritis was not associated with the type of injectate. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Therapeutic joint injections in dogs are safe, with an extremely low risk of major adverse effects. Transient soreness is a commonly expected minor adverse event. The use of stem cells or larger injectate volumes (confined to the stifle and smaller distal joints) may be more likely to invoke discomfort.

Precipitation as a Possible Risk Factor for Development of Lyme Nephritis in Dogs.

To determine whether increased precipitation in the months before diagnosis is predictive of Lyme nephritis in dogs, a symmetrical bidirectional case-crossover study was performed on 87 dogs with presumptive Lyme nephritis. Cases were geographically linked to the nearest precipitation monitoring station, and monthly total precipitation for the 4 mo preceding diagnosis was compared to monthly total precipitation 1 yr before and 1 yr after. Breeds affected included Labrador retrievers (n = 31), mixed-breed dogs (n = 19), and golden retrievers (n = 10), with a possible seasonal bimodal peak in spring and fall. In age-adjusted analysis, each additional inch of precipitation 3 mo before diagnosis was associated with an increase in the odds of developing Lyme nephritis (odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.25). The results suggest that increased precipitation is a possible risk factor for Lyme nephritis in dogs. These findings may provide useful information for the accurate diagnosis of dogs with protein-losing nephropathy and may guide future studies of risk factors for Lyme nephritis. The methodology employed here reinforces the concept that case-crossover designs have utility beyond acute exposures and outcomes and offer an attractive alternative for studies in companion animals.

Biological variation of biochemical analytes determined at 8-week intervals for 1 year in clinically healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Biological variation helps determine whether population-based or subject-based reference intervals are more appropriate to assess changes in serial analytical values. Previous studies have investigated the biological variation of biochemical analytes weekly or with variable frequency over 5-14 weeks in cats, but none have considered biological variation at less frequent intervals over 1 year. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the long-term biological variation of 19 biochemical analytes in clinically healthy cats. METHODS: A prospective, observational study in which 15 clinically healthy, client-owned cats were sampled for serum biochemical analyses every 8 weeks for 1 year. Frozen serum samples were single-batch analyzed. Restricted maximum likelihood estimation was used to determine the coefficients of variation (CV), describing variation within each cat, between cats, and the analytical variation. These CVs were used to determine the indices of individuality and reference change values (RCVs). RESULTS: Albumin, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, and globulin had high indices of individuality, indicating that they are best evaluated by RCVs. Phosphorus, potassium, chloride, sodium, symmetric dimethylarginine, and total CO2 had low indices of individuality, indicating that population-based reference intervals are appropriate. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, total bilirubin, and total protein had intermediate indices of individuality, indicating that RCVs may provide additional insight into the interpretation of analyte measurements beyond the population-based reference intervals. CONCLUSIONS: For many analytes, the biological variation detected was similar to that reported in prior studies. Clinicians should consider the biological variation of analytes to best interpret clinically relevant changes in serial analyte measurements.

Associations between styloid process sheath CT sizes and age, body weight, and breed in horses.

The styloid process sheath (SPS) is a part of the tympanic temporal bone and an incomplete bony sleeve surrounding the styloid process, tympanohyoid cartilage, and dorsal part of the stylohyoid bone. In horses undergoing head CT, we observed a range of SPS sizes and questioned whether differences were early features of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) or normal anatomic variations associated with age, body weight, sex, or breed. We hypothesized that SPS sizes were positively correlated with age and body weight, but not with sex or breed. Using a convenience population of horses that underwent head CT at our institution (2008-2017), regardless of THO status, we investigated these hypotheses in a retrospective cross-sectional study. The sample comprised 102 horses. The median SPS height was larger medially (4.3 mm) than laterally (2.4 mm) and the median width was 11.1 mm: no difference was detected between sides. Geldings had a significantly larger median SPS width (11.6 mm) than stallions (8.7 mm; P < 0.05) and mares (10.0 mm; P < 0.05). No association was detected between SPS sizes and body weight and breed. Univariate and multivariate analyses initially found significant associations between SPS heights and age. Secondary analyses performed following removal of outliers and horses <2-years old found similar but less pronounced results (annual increase in SPS heights decreased from 3.2-3.8% to 0.9-2.6%). Most associations were insignificant when investigated by age group, but the annual rate of increased size might be faster in older horses. Excessive SPS enlargement was theorized as an essential component of THO.

Prevalence of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnoses and Correlation With Signalment and Presenting Complaint in Dogs.

Since magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was introduced, it has become increasingly available and technologically improved. Studies have documented the prevalence of specific pathologies, however no previous veterinary studies have investigated the prevalence and distribution of pathology across all MRIs performed at a single institution. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MRI-diagnosed brain lesions and correlate these to patient signalment and presenting complaint. Archived MRI brain scans from 805 dogs were reviewed retrospectively. One board-certified veterinary radiologist at the institution retrospectively evaluated all reports to determine the most clinically pertinent imaging diagnosis for each case. Breed, age, and presenting complaint were obtained from the medical record for each patient. The most common imaging diagnoses across all dogs reviewed were no significant findings (35.16%), asymmetric encephalopathy or meningoencephalopathy (19.75%), and extra-axial intracranial mass (11.18%). Age of dogs differed by diagnosis (p <0.0001), with the median age of dogs diagnosed with a brain mass being greater than that of dogs with no significant findings and dogs with asymmetric encephalopathy or meningoencephalopathy (both p <0.0083). In dogs presenting with seizures, the odds of a brain mass increased with each additional year of age [p <0.0001, odds ratio 1.26 (95% CI 1.16-1.37)], whereas the odds of no significant finding [p <0.0001, OR 0.87 (0.82-0.93)] decreased. Our findings provide overview information on the types of disease observed in the clinical population and allow us to detect correlations between imaging diagnoses, presenting complaints, and signalment.

Levels of Evidence in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Literature Over 40 Years.

Veterinary dentistry and oral surgery are relatively new clinical disciplines that have rapidly evolved in the last few decades. Although clinical standards of care are supported by a growing body of literature, the extent to which peer-reviewed, evidence-based studies have contributed to advancing the practice of dentistry and oral surgery has not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to survey literature on the clinical practice of small animal dentistry and oral surgery published over the past 40 years to evaluate the levels of evidence over time, authorship affiliation, funding, and clinical subdisciplines within the field. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and the identified articles were screened for inclusion. A total of 1,083 articles were included for final analysis. Three reviewers independently assessed and assigned each article to one of nine predetermined study design categories. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were considered the highest level of evidence, whereas expert opinion and experimental (ex vivo, in vitro, or in silico) studies were deemed the lowest levels of evidence. For statistical analysis and interpretation, study type was dichotomized into high evidence designs from which causal inference and/or associations could be derived, and low evidence designs which were purely descriptive or non-clinical experiments. No statistically significant difference in the distribution of study type was seen over time, with the majority of research in the last 5 years being largely at high risk of bias and descriptive in nature: 80.6% of articles published between 2014 and 2019 were assigned to the low evidence design tier. The type of study was found to differ by author affiliation: high evidence study designs were found more often than expected when author affiliation was multi-institutional or industrial, whereas private practice authorship was underrepresented in the high evidence design tier. To meet the increasing demand for evidence-based studies on the practice of dentistry and oral surgery in dogs and cats, researchers are encouraged to consider study design when testing hypotheses to improve the quality of research.

Biologic variation of symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine in clinically healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Biologic variation of biochemical analytes, both within individuals and between individuals, determines whether population-based reference intervals (RIs) are appropriate when interpreting if a particular change is clinically relevant for a specific individual. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the biologic variation of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in clinically healthy cats. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed in which 10 clinically healthy, client-owned cats were sampled for serum biochemical analyses once weekly for 6 weeks. Serum samples were frozen, and then single batches were analyzed for SDMA, using both liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), and an enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), and creatinine by modified Jaffe method. Restricted maximum likelihood estimations were used to determine the coefficients of variation (CVs) describing variation within each cat, between cats, and the analytical variation. These CVs were used to determine the indices of individuality and reference change values (RCVs). RESULTS: SDMA had an intermediate index of individuality that could be evaluated by both RCV and population-based RIs. In contrast, creatinine had a high index of individuality best evaluated with RCVs. Serum SDMA concentrations evaluated with either the reference standard, LC-MS, or the clinically used EMIT yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should consider biologic variation when selecting the best method for interpreting changes in biochemical analytes. Specifically, establishing each cat's baseline serum creatinine and SDMA concentrations during health, and applying RCVs to subsequent measurements could improve the recognition of meaningful biologic changes.

Incidence patterns of orofacial clefts in purebred dogs.

Cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip and palate (CLP) are the most common types of orofacial clefts in dogs. Orofacial clefts in dogs are clinically relevant because of the associated morbidity and high newborn mortality rate and are of interest as comparative models of disease. However, the incidence of CL, CP and CLP has not been investigated in purebred dogs, and the financial impact on breeders is unknown. The aims of this study were to document the incidence patterns of CL, CP and CLP in different breeds of dogs, determine whether defect phenotype is associated with skull type, genetic cluster and geographic location, and estimate the financial impact in breeding programs in the United States by means of an anonymous online survey. A total of 228 orofacial clefts were reported among 7,429 puppies whelped in the 12 preceding months. Breeds in the mastiff/terrier genetic cluster and brachycephalic breeds were predisposed to orofacial clefts. Certain breeds in the ancient genetic cluster were at increased odds of orofacial clefts. Male purebred dogs were at increased odds of CPs. Results confirm that brachycephalic breeds are overrepresented among cases of orofacial clefts. Furthermore, geographic region appeared to be a relevant risk factor and orofacial clefts represented a considerable financial loss to breeders. Improved understanding of the epidemiology of orofacial clefts (frequency, causes, predictors and risk factors) may help in identifying ways to minimize their occurrence. Information gained may potentially help veterinarians and researchers to diagnose, treat and prevent orofacial clefts.

Perception of Cats: Assessing the Differences Between Videos and Still Pictures on Adoptability and Associated Characteristics.

While animal shelters have made significant progress in reducing the number of euthanized dogs and cats, millions of unclaimed pets are still euthanized every year. Cats, in particular, face bleak prospects, with ~70% of those that enter animal shelters euthanized. Many factors influence potential cat adopters' decisions, including a cat's physical appearance and perceived personality. To explore elements related to the perception of cat personality, this study examined whether videos and pictures highlight different characteristics felt to potentially affect perceived cat adoptability. An online survey was used to assess perceptions regarding videos and pictures of cats. The survey consisted of three adult cats viewed in a short video and as a still picture. Participants were asked to view the media and rate how well these images depicted 12 separate characteristics (from extremely well to not well at all). Respondents were then asked how likely they would be to adopt this cat if they "were in the market to adopt a cat." A total of 555 surveys were analyzed to answer two questions. The first question was whether cats were perceived as more adoptable when viewed in a still photo or in an action video. A statistically significant difference was found between median photo and video adoption scores for all three cats, with video scores consistently higher than photo scores. The next question was how video footage might alter perception of cats when compared to still photos. For all three cats, the traits "Playful," "Aggressive," "Active," and "Curious" received higher scores when the cats were viewed in videos vs. photos. All of these traits can be associated with active behaviors, best demonstrated via motion. The cats, however, were seen as more "Loving," "Shy," "Quiet," and "Likes to be held" in photos compared to videos. The results suggest that there is an advantage of videos over pictures in perceived adoptability, as determined by response to the question "how likely would you be to adopt this cat," but this difference is small and likely does not justify additional resources. Exceptions might be for active, outgoing cats in order to highlight these attributes.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is more prevalent in shared households and its risk correlates with the number of cohabiting cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is more prevalent in shared vs single-cat households, whether the number of cohabiting cats or outdoor access represent risk factors for FCGS and whether the number of cohabiting cats is a useful prognostic indicator for standard surgical treatment. METHODS: Cats diagnosed with FCGS (study group) in the past 5 years at a referral institution were identified. The number of cohabiting cats, outdoor access, number of other cohabiting cats diagnosed with FCGS, ⩾6 month surgical outcome, when applicable, and historical signs of upper respiratory disease among any of the cohabiting cats, as well as patient demographic information, were recorded. Data were collected from medical records and by means of a telephone interview with the owners. The same information was collected from a group of cats of similar demographic characteristics diagnosed with periodontal disease but free of FCGS (control group). RESULTS: Seventy-six cats were included, of which 36 (47%) had FCGS and 40 (53%) served as controls. Bivariate analysis showed that cats with FCGS were significantly more likely to come from shared households, and had significantly more total cats per household compared with controls. Multivariate analysis also showed that cats in shared households had a significantly increased odds of FCGS compared with those from single-cat households. Historical signs of upper respiratory disease and outdoor access among cats within the same household were not associated with FCGS. The number of cohabiting cats was not associated with surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cats with FCGS are more likely to live in shared households. The risk of FCGS correlates with the number of cohabiting cats. The epidemiological features of FCGS may support an infectious etiology. The number of cohabiting cats within a household is not a useful prognostic indicator for standard surgical treatment of FCGS.

Estimates of biological variation in routinely measured biochemical analytes in clinically healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: The degree of biological variation in routinely measured concentrations and activities of biochemical analytes has not been well defined in client-owned pet dogs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define indices of biological variation and, where appropriate, indices of individuality and critical change values for routinely measured serum biochemical analytes in a group of clinically healthy dogs owned and housed privately. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. Serum samples obtained from clinically healthy adult dogs at varying intervals over a 12-week period were analyzed. For each sample, a panel of 14 analytes was measured. Three levels of outlier analyses were applied (analytical, intra-individual, and inter-individual), followed by nested ANOVA to calculate intra-individual, inter-individual, and analytical coefficients of variation (CV(I), CV(G), and CV(A), respectively). RESULTS: Specimens from 11 dogs were analyzed. Individuality indices ranged from 0.9 for glucose and total triglyceride concentrations to 3.4 for ALT activity. Analytical variation (CV(A) ) was > ½ CV(I) for 9/14 analytes, failing to meet criteria for acceptable analytical variation when defining critical change values. Where analyzer performance was acceptable, critical change values ranged from 26.4% for glucose concentration to 84.0% for total triglyceride concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Many frequently measured analytes included in routine serum biochemical panels have high individuality. Thus, use of standard reference intervals to monitor changes over time in an individual is likely to miss meaningful biological change.