Acceleration of the identification of sepsis-inducing bacteria in cultures of dog and cat blood.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) combined with the Sepsityper kit (Bruker Daltoniks GmbH, Bremen) for the direct detection of bacterial species from inoculated blood cultures from dogs and cats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Canine and feline blood samples were inoculated with typical sepsis-causing bacteria such as Staphylococcus intermedius, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus canis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at two distinct concentrations (each in triplicate), resulting in 72 blood culture bottles incubated at 37°C. Samples were comparatively analysed with MALDI-TOF MS after preparation with the Sepsityper kit and also by standard bacteriology (culturing and biochemical characterisation). RESULTS: Bacterial species identified from agar plates and by MALDI-TOF MS from blood culture bottles were identical for all samples. The MALDI Biotyper software (Bruker Daltoniks) correctly identified all bacterial strains from inoculated canine and feline blood with analysis indicating very good precision. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: MALDI-TOF MS analysis combined with the Sepsityper kit is a reliable tool for a quick detection of veterinary-relevant bacterial species directly from blood culture bottles. This approach could reduce the time for identification of critical species to only 24 hours.

European Adder bites in dogs in southern Germany. A retrospective study over a 6.5-year period.

OBJECTIVE: In some regions of Germany dogs are presented to the veterinarian due to a snake bite, especially during the summer. These patients often show multiple clinical and laboratory deviations. Without a significant history diagnosis is commonly difficult. Aim of this retrospective study was to analyze exposure, physical examination and clinical pathology results as well as course and outcome in dogs presented after European adder bites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient history of 15 dogs diagnosed with European adder bites over a 6.5-year-period were evaluated retrospectively. Normality of data distribution was tested by D'Agostino and Pearson omnibus normality test. Data were analyzed by T-test and Wilcoxon-matched-pairs-signed rank-test. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: All 15 dogs were presented within 1-48 hours after the snakebite. Most common clinical signs were local swelling and pain. Clinical pathology results on day 1 included haemoconcentration, leukocytosis and coagulopathy. On the second day of hospitalization heart rate and haematocrit declined significantly. Treatment included fluid therapy, antibiotic and antihistaminic drugs, glucocorticosteroids, antivenom and analgesics. One of 15 dogs died on the third day of hospitalization, all others were discharged. Duration of hospitalization was between 1 and 8 days (mean 4.2 ± 1.9 days). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs affected by European adder bites most often present with swelling and pain at the site of the bite, most frequently on the head and limbs. Patients require intensive symptomatic therapy including antibiotics and analgesics, if indicated. With adequate therapy survival rate is high. For some patients European adder bites may be lethal.

Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial injury can be detected by cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration, which appears to be a predictor of short-term death in critically ill patients. It is unknown if the best prognostic indicator of short-term survival is cTnI measurement at admission or at later time points. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Measuring cTnI with a high-sensitivity (HS) test at different time points after admission may be a better short-term prognostic indicator than a single cTnI measurement at admission in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). ANIMALS: Prospective, observational clinical study of 60 dogs with SIRS. METHODS: Cardiac troponin I concentration was measured in 133 serum samples, collected at days 1, 2, 3, and 5. Additionally, the acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation (APPLE) fast score was evaluated at admission. Prognostic capabilities of cTnI measurement and APPLE fast score for 28-day mortality were assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Forty-one dogs with SIRS that survived 28 days had significantly lower serum cTnI concentrations at admission (median, 0.09 ng/mL; P = .004) and at the peak time point (median, 0.23 ng/mL; P = .01) compared to 19 nonsurvivors (median at admission, 0.63 ng/mL; median at peak, 1.22 ng/mL). Area under the curve to predict survival, using cTnI was similar at admission (0.732) and at peak (0.708), and was 0.754 for the APPLE fast score. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Increased cTnI concentration in dogs with SIRS is associated with poor outcome. Daily follow-up measurement of cTnI concentration provides no additional prognostic information for short-term mortality.

[Smoke inhalation in dogs and cats - a retrospective study over 5.5 years]. / Rauchvergiftungen bei Hunden und Katzen - eine retrospektive Studie über 5,5 Jahre.

OBJECTIVE: Particularly during household fires, inhalation of hot air and smoke, and the formation of carboxyhaemoglobin and cyanide lead to respiratory tract and lung injury in small animals. Additionally, oxygenation is impaired in most cases. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse smoke exposure, physical examination findings and clinical pathology results as well as their course in dogs and cats presented after smoke inhalation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient histories of dogs and cats that had been diagnosed with smoke inhalation between January 1, 2008 and August 31, 2013 were analysed retrospectively. Normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test and analyses were performed using t-tests, the Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The analysis included data of 13 cats and nine dogs. The animals were presented within 12 hours after a household fire with sooting, coughing and polypnoea. Pretreatment in approximately 50% of patients consisted of oxygen, corticoids and bronchodilators. The most common clinical abnormalities were tachycardia, polypnoea and hypothermia as well as pink mucous membranes. Changes observed from clinical pathology analysis included the haemoconcentration, reticulocytosis, a left shift of the leucogram, mixed acid-base disorders and moderate carboxyhaemoglobinema. Therapy included oxygen and fluid therapy, antibiotic treatment, corticoids, bronchodilators and cleaning of the animal. One cat died and 21 animals were discharged 0-6 days after presentation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs and cats suffering from smoke inhalation were presented with respiratory disorders and dehydration. Outcome is good if the animals are treated early and adequately with oxygen and fluid therapy.

[Heatstroke in dogs in southern Germany. A retrospective study over a 5.5-year period]. / Hitzschlag bei Hunden in Süddeutschland. Eine retrospektive Studie über 5,5 Jahre.

OBJECTIVE: Heatstroke is a life-threating emergency in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the sources of heat stroke in dogs, predisposing and prognostic factors, results of physical examination and clinical pathology as well as the course of this condition and appropriate treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient histories of 12 dogs diagnosed with heat stroke over a 5.5-year period were analysed retrospectively. Normality was tested using the Kolmogrow-Smirnow Test and analysed using T-tests, the Chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Heat stroke occurred most frequently during summer, particularly in the afternoon. The most common cause of heat stroke was heat exposition in a car. Brachycephalic breeds were overrepresented. The most common clinical signs were polypnoea, tachycardia, hyperthermia and depression to prostration as well as gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms. Clinical pathology results included haemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia, hyperkalemia, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and azotemia. Therapies employed included oxygen application, cooling, fluid therapy and administration of gastrointestinal protectants, antiemetics and antibiotics. Duration of hospitalization was 1-6 days. The overall mortality rate was 50%. Most of the non-survivors died or were euthanized within 24-48 hours after presentation. All animals remaining alive after 3 days survived and could be discharged from hospital. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Heat stroke is a life-threating condition, which can lead to shock, sepsis, coagulation disorders and multiorgan failure. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are important factors for a positive outcome. Furthermore, intensive monitoring and rapid therapy adaption as required are pivotal.

Association of nucleated red blood cells with†mortality in critically ill dogs.

The occurrence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) in the peripheral blood of critically ill human patients is associated with increased mortality. In dogs, the presence of NRBCs in peripheral blood has been used as a sensitive and specific marker of complications and outcome associated with heatstroke. However, no study has investigated their prevalence in critically ill dogs. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NRBCs in the peripheral blood, and to evaluate their occurrence as a prognostic factor in critically ill dogs. One hundred and one dogs were prospectively included; the presence of NRBCs was studied on a daily basis from the time of admission until day 3 in the intensive care unit (or less if discharged or death occurred earlier). Dogs fulfilled at least two systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and suffered from various diseases. Survival was defined as being alive 28 days postdischarge from hospital. In 42 dogs, NRBCs were detected at least once; 59 patients were NRBC negative. Mortality was significantly higher in NRBC-positive than NRBC-negative patients (54.8 v 30.5 per cent) (P=0.014). However, this association was not present when anaemic dogs were excluded from the analysis. Detection of NRBCs in the peripheral blood may be an indicator for regenerative anaemia and may have potential for use as a prognostic tool or in addition to established scoring systems in critically ill dogs.

[Quality of life in primary and adjuvant veterinary radiation therapy. An owner survey]. / Lebensqualität der Patienten nach primärer und adjuvanter Strahlentherapie in der Kleintieronkologie. Eine Besitzerumfrage.

OBJECTIVE: External radiation therapy has been available since 2011 for small animals at the University of Munich. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life of treated pets and the satisfaction of their owners. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The questionnaire was sent to the owners of all the pets (n = 91) that had undergone primary or adjuvant radiotherapy at the Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, University of Munich, since April 2011. RESULTS: The questionnaire was returned by 68 (74.7%) owners. According to their assessment, the quality of life improved in 41 cases (60.3%) after treatment where- as in 13 patients (19.1%) a decline was described. The majority of owners (88.2%) would have decided for repeated radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: Improvement of the animals' quality of life is related to a high satisfaction (83.8%) of the owners (p = 0.003) and their positive attitude towards radiotherapy (p = 0.027). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analyses showed that for these owners, the treatment was a worthwhile therapy despite it requiring much time and money.