Pulmonary carcinoma associated with cystic airspaces in two dogs.

Malignant pulmonary neoplasia associated with cystic airspaces is a well-recognised disease entity in humans. Two elderly dogs, previously diagnosed with a solitary emphysematous bulla, presented with non-specific clinical signs. At presentation, pulmonary auscultation was unremarkable. In both cases, thoracic CT demonstrated the transformation of the cystic airspace lesions characterised by a progressive increase of the solid component and reduction of the air component. Cytological evaluation and subsequent surgical excision followed by histopathology confirmed pulmonary carcinoma in both cases. These two cases represent the first demonstration of possible malignant transformation of pulmonary cystic airspace in dogs. Veterinarians should consider neoplastic transformation as a differential diagnosis in cases of cystic airspaces, particularly cases with features including thickening or irregularity of the wall, associated soft-tissue nodules or solid and non-solid tissue intermixed within clusters of multiple cystic airspaces. Ongoing monitoring of cystic airspace lesions through diagnostic imaging is recommended.

Successful medical management of pseudomembranous cystitis in three cats with lower urinary tract obstruction.

CASE REPORT: The present case series describes the clinical course and outcome of three cats diagnosed with pseudomembranous cystitis. This is an uncommon presentation of lower urinary tract obstruction but can be easily be identified by ultrasonography, revealing severe bladder wall thickening and thin hyperechoic luminal strips. The condition can be secondary to severe bacterial urinary tract infection. All cats were successfully treated with medical management only, mainly based on antimicrobials and individualised supportive therapy. CONCLUSION: Further evaluation of this condition is necessary in order to determine potential underlying aetiologies, pathophysiological mechanisms and the most appropriate standardised treatment.

Adverse urinary effects of allopurinol in dogs with leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the adverse effects of allopurinol on the urinary system during treatment of canine leishmaniasis. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 42 dogs that developed xanthinuria while receiving allopurinol treatment for leishmaniasis. RESULTS: Of 320 dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis, 42 (13%) developed adverse urinary effects. Thirteen (of 42) dogs (31%) developed xanthinuria, renal mineralisation and urolithiasis; 11 (26·2%) showed xanthinuria with renal mineralisation; 9 (21·4%) had xanthinuria with urolithiasis and 9 (21·4%) developed xanthinuria alone. Urinary clinical signs developed in 19 dogs (45·2%). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that urolithiasis and renal mineralisation can occur in dogs receiving allopurinol therapy. Dogs receiving therapy should be monitored for the development of urinary adverse effects from the beginning of treatment.

Doppler evaluation of the effects of propofol, etomidate and alphaxalone on fetoplacental circulation hemodynamics in the pregnant ewe.

INTRODUCTION: Umbilical artery (UA) hemodynamics reflect blood flow and vascular resistance in the placental circulation. We examined non-invasively the hemodynamic effects of propofol, etomidate, and alphaxalone on the placental circulation of a sheep model by means of UA Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: Eleven sheep fetuses were examined at 90-109 days of gestation. UA Doppler ultrasound was performed before and after administration of a single intravenous bolus of propofol, etomidate, or alphaxalone. UA Doppler velocities (peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and mean velocity), vascular indices (pulsatility index, resistance index, and S/D ratio), blood flow, and fetal heart rate were recorded during the experimental period and UA Doppler waveforms were characterized. RESULTS: A laminar, parabolic, low resistance flow was observed in the UA of the sheep fetuses. No statistically significant changes were observed in the UA Doppler waveforms or in the UA Doppler hemodynamics after anesthesia induction. DISCUSSION: Changes in placental vascular resistance may alter the corresponding UA Doppler waveforms. When resistance in the fetal placenta increases, blood flow in the UA becomes more pulsatile. In the present study, umbilical arteries showed a parabolic flow with low resistance in all cases, as it occurs in normal human pregnancy. The administration of these anesthetics did not cause abnormalities in the normal UA Doppler pattern, inducing no changes in the resistance of the placenta in any case. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that intravenous anesthetic induction with propofol, etomidate, or alphaxalone does not cause significant detrimental effects on the placental circulation of the pregnant ewe.

Abdominal radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) with systemic coronavirus infection.

Ferret systemic coronavirus infection (FSCV) is a systemic disease in ferrets that clinically and pathologically resembles the dry form of FIP. The present study describes abdominal imaging features of 11 ferrets with FSCV. Abdominal survey radiographs were available for eight ferrets and ultrasound examination for all cases. Loss of lumbar musculature, decreased peritoneal detail, presence of mid-abdominal soft-tissue masses and splenomegaly were the most significant radiographic signs in these patients. Ultrasonographic findings including peritonitis, abdominal lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, abdominal soft-tissue masses, nephromegaly and changes in the renal cortex echogenicity were recorded in the majority of cases with FSCV. As an imaging modality, ultrasound is superior to radiology when abdominal contrast is reduced, as it frequently occurs in these cases. However, although imaging techniques provide additional information in the antemortem diagnosis, they can not replace the definitive diagnosis based on histological and immunohistochemical results.

Assessment of renal vascular resistance and blood pressure in dogs and cats with renal disease.

This study investigated the possible relationships between renal resistive index (RI) or pulsatility index (PI) and systolic blood pressure and biochemical and haematological parameters in dogs and cats with renal disease. The study included 50 dogs and 20 cats with renal disease. RI and PI were significantly higher in both dogs and cats with renal disease than in 27 healthy dogs and 10 healthy cats. In dogs, a significant negative correlation was found between RI and red blood cell count, and a positive correlation was found between PI and serum creatinine. In cats, a positive correlation was found between RI and serum urea, between PI and serum creatinine, and between PI and serum urea. No relationship could be found between either RI or PI and systolic blood pressure.

Determination of renal vascular resistance in dogs with diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism.

In dogs, diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism are causes of hypertension associated with increases in vascular peripheral resistance. In human patients, the renal resistive index (ri) and pulsatility index (pi) are related to hypertension and diabetes and are used as indicators of disease severity. In this study the renal vascular resistance was measured in 12 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, three with diabetes mellitus and four with both conditions, and the possible relationships between the two indices, blood pressure and biochemical parameters were investigated. Hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure more than 150 mmHg, was recorded in two of the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and three of the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes. The overall mean values for ri, pi and systolic blood pressure were higher in the diseased group of dogs than in 27 healthy dogs, and both indices were correlated with blood glucose concentration.

Ultrasonographic imaging of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

Twenty live and five dead juvenile and subadult loggerhead sea turtles were examined ultrasonographically. Ten soft tissue areas of the integument were used as acoustic windows: cervical-dorsal and cervical-ventral, left and right cervicobrachial, left and right axillary, left and right prefemoral and left and right postfemoral windows. Anatomical cross-sections were performed on the dead turtles to provide reference data. The fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae, the spinal cord, and the venous sinuses of the external jugular vein were clearly visible through the cervical-dorsal acoustic window, and the oesophagus and the heart were imaged through the cervical-ventral acoustic window. The stomach was more frequently visible through the left axillary acoustic window. The liver could be imaged through both sides, but the right axillary acoustic window was better for visualising the gall bladder. The large and small intestines and the kidneys were visible through the right and left prefemoral acoustic windows; the kidneys were easily identified by their intense vasculature.

Assessment of a platelet function analyser in horses: reference range and influence of a platelet aggregation inhibitor.

The objective of this study was to assess whether a new human platelet function analyser (the PFA-100) could be used to evaluate platelet function in horses and detect acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced platelet dysfunctions. Citrated blood samples from 40 healthy horses were processed to obtain reference values for closure time (CT) using cartridges with collagen-ADP (CT-ADP) and collagen-epinephrine (CT-EPI) as platelet agonists. In addition, CT-ADP and CT-EPI were also measured before and 24 h after oral ASA administration in another 12 healthy horses. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were also determined. In normal horses, means+/-SD value for CT-ADP was 85.1+/-13.1 s (median, 82 s), and CT-EPI ranged from 158 to >300 s (median 291 s). Calculated reference ranges were 60.5-115.9 s and 158.5->300 s for CT-ADP and CT-EPI, respectively. Administration of ASA significantly (P<0.001) prolonged CT-ADP values from 91.0+/-13 to 113.5+/-14.4 s, and CT-EPI values were also significantly (P<0.008) prolonged after ASA administration. Sensitivity and specificity results for ADP cartridges showed that a prolonged CT value would be highly suggestive of a platelet aggregation inhibition. In conclusion, ADP cartridges can be used in horses to assess primary haemostasis and may be a valuable test for the detection of platelet aggregation inhibition.

Normal echoanatomy of the red-eared slider terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Thirty red-eared slider terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans) were examined by ultrasound to establish the normal ultrasonographic appearance of their coelomic structures. They were not sedated, and owing to their small size they were examined through the inguinal window of the carapace. High resolution transducers (7.5 and 11 MHz) enhanced the ultrasonographic imaging of the bowel, urinary bladder, liver, gall bladder, heart, kidney and gonads, but the pancreas, adrenal glands, thyroid glands and spleen could not be visualised.

Hypercoagulation and hypofibrinolysis in horses with colic and DIC.

Changes in haemostasis in horses with colic were assessed by using specific and sensitive markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis activity. Blood samples from 41 horses with severe colic and from 30 healthy control horses were tested. Diagnosis of DIC was based on the findings of at least 3 of 6 abnormalities: thrombocytopenia, prolonged clotting times (PT and APTT), increased polyclonal FDPs, decreased fibrinogen and decreased AT-III activity. Plasma thrombin-antithrombin III complexes (TAT), monoclonal fibrin degradation products fragment D (D-dimer) and monoclonal fibrinogen degradation products (FgDP) were also tested by using ELISA kits. DIC was diagnosed in 16 of 41 horses with colic. Compared to control and non-DIC colic values, TAT was significantly (P < 0.000) greater in horses with colic and DIC (Control group, mean +/- s.d. 2.6 +/- 2; non-DIC colic group, 7.5 +/- 9, and DIC colic group, 30.9 +/- 36 ng/ml). Also, D-dimer was significantly (P < 0.000) less in the DIC group when compared to control and non-DIC colic values (mean +/- s.d. 677 +/- 119, 682 +/- 220 and 399 +/- 234 ng/ml, respectively). Compared to non-DIC colic values, FgDP was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the DIC group (363 +/- 111, 437 +/- 230 and 293 +/- 187 ng/ml respectively). Both PT and APTT showed a significant positive correlation with TAT. DIC was more common among nonsurvivors and horses with ischaemic bowel. We conclude that a hypercoagulative state was detected in horses with colic, which was stronger in horses with colic and DIC. Hypofibrinolysis was present only in horses with DIC. Therefore, marked hypercoagulation together with hypofibrinolysis are associated with DIC in horses.

Bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis in a nine-year-old female German shepherd dog.

A nine-year-old female German shepherd dog was presented in severe renal failure. Clinical and ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of adrenal neoplasia, bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis but no evidence of urolithiasis or bladder neoplasia. In the absence of anuria, therapy for the renal failure was attempted but the azotaemia did not improve. Remarkably, bilateral hydroureter appeared to have been induced by a past routine surgical procedure--ovariohysterectomy.

Electrolyte vs. glucose-electrolyte isotonic solutions for oral rehydration therapy in horses.

An isotonic electrolyte solution with a composition similar to equine sweat was compared to an isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution for oral rehydration therapy in exercising horses. Ten horses were dehydrated by using frusemide and allocated randomly to receive 4 different oral solutions: isotonic sweat-like electrolyte solution, half-strength hypotonic electrolyte solution, isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution, and plain water. Solutions were given by nasogastric tube using the same volume as the bodyweight lost by each horse. Blood samples were collected before and throughout 6 h of the rehydration period. Results showed that all solutions recovered pre-frusemide values of packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein (TP) in a similar fashion. No changes for Na+ values were observed during the rehydration period when the isotonic sweat-like solution was used. However, a significant hyponatraemia was induced throughout rehydration when the other 3 solutions were given, especially when hypotonic solution and water were used. Osmolality values did not change when both isotonic solutions were administered; but a significant hypotonicity was observed when hypotonic solution and water were given. When the isotonic sweat-like solution was used, plasma Cl-, K+ and creatinine values recovered to premedication values significantly faster than the other 3 solutions. In conclusion, the isotonic sweat-like electrolyte was the best solution because it restored rapidly the fluid and plasma electrolyte imbalances. In contrast, the isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution impaired the plasma electrolyte imbalances.

Study of haemostatic disorders in experimentally induced leishmaniasis in Beagle dogs.

Haemostatic alterations in dogs experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum were studied before and after therapy with meglumine antimonate. Haemostatic function tests including platelet count, collagen-induced platelet aggregation, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, plasma fibrinogen determination, and serum fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products concentration were performed. In the course of infection and before treatment, moderate thrombocytopenia (P<0.00001), decreased collagen induced platelet aggregation (P=0.0003), prolonged thrombin time (P=0.0117) and increased fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products were observed. Statistically significant differences of plasma fibrinogen concentration, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time were not encountered. Haemostatic parameters returned to normal values after therapy. The results indicate that Leishmania infection may impair haemostasis suggesting induction of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and that treating dogs in an early stage of infection may potentially avoid the possibility of developing an uncompensated DIC.

Fumonisin mycotoxicosis in broilers: plasma proteins and coagulation modifications.

The effects of fumonisin B1 (FB1) intoxication in chickens were evaluated in three experiments. Two-day-old broiler chicks were fed a diet containing 10 mg pure FB1/kg feed for 6 days; some chicks were necropsied at this time, and others were allowed to recover for 5 wk before necropsy. In two other experiments, 2-day-old chicks were fed a broiler starter ration prepared with Fusarium moniliforme culture material containing FB1; one group received 30 mg/kg for 2 wk, and another received 300 mg FB1/kg for 8 days. Compared with controls, intoxicated chicks exhibited decreased prothrombin time, increased plasma fibrinogen (not included for the group receiving 30 mg/kg of culture material), and increased antithrombin III activity. Simultaneously decreased serum albumin concentration and increased serum globulins could be observed in groups intoxicated with F. moniliforme culture material containing FB1. The group allowed to recover for 5 wk did not exhibit modifications in hemostasis or serum proteins compared with controls. The results indicate that low doses of pure FB1 (10 mg/kg) and FB1 from F. moniliforme culture material (30 mg/kg) may alter hemostasis and serum proteins in young chicks.

Comparison of the effects of low-molecular-weight and unfractioned heparin in horses.

Thirty healthy male horses were allotted to 3 groups and treated blindly during 4 days. Group-1 horses received unfractioned calcium heparin (100 IU/kg of body weight, SC, q 12 h). Group-2 horses received a single dose of a low-molecular-weight heparin (50 anti-Xa IU/kg, SC) every morning, and a similar volume of saline solution every evening. Group-3 horses received the vehicle (saline solution), SC, every 12 hours. Citrated and EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples were collected before starting the medication (T-0) and once daily 3 hours after each morning injection (T-3, T-27, T-51, and T-75). The PCV, hemoglobin concentration, RBC and platelet counts, and clotting times (activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time) were determined, and a microscopic examination to detect hemagglutination was performed. Plasma concentration of heparin was measured by use of the antifactor Xa, activity assay. Bleeding time was determined on the first and fourth days, using a double-template method. The horses given unfractioned heparin had marked agglutination of erythrocytes after the first injection that became more pronounced as treatment progressed. Also, significant decrease in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, and RBC count was observed during treatment. Platelet count was significantly decreased after the first day, and clotting times were significantly prolonged. In contrast to the horses given unfractioned heparin, those given low-molecular-weight heparin did not have any agglutination of erythrocytes during the 4 days of treatment, and there were no significant changes in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, or RBC and platelet counts. Activated partial thromboplastin time increased slightly in the horses given low-molecular weight heparin, although the values remained within reference range. Both groups of horses achieved adequate concentrations of heparin in plasma for prophylactic purposes, but those given low-molecular-weight heparin achieved those values after the first injection. Bleeding times were not significantly different between heparin-treated horses and horses given saline solution during treatment. We conclude that low-molecular-weight heparin may be used more safely and conveniently in horses, because it does not affect equine erythrocytes, platelets, or clotting and bleeding times.

Effects of two different doses of hirudin on APTT, determined with eight different reagents.

The APTT has been considered the most suitable candidate to monitor the anticoagulant activity of hirudin. However, its use is hampered by problems of standardization, which make the results heavily dependent on the responsiveness of the reagent used. Our aim was to investigate if this different responsiveness of different reagents when added in vitro is to be confirmed in an ex vivo study. Two different doses of r-hirudin (CGP 39393), 0.3 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg, were administered subcutaneously to 20 New Zealand male rabbits, and the differences in prolongation of APTT 2 and 12 h later were compared, using 8 widely used commercial reagents. All groups exhibited a significant prolongation of APTT 2 h after sc administration of hirudin, both at low and high doses. But this prolongation persisted 12 h later only when the PTTa reagent (Boehringer Mannheim) was used. In general, hirudin prolonged the APTT most with the silica-based reagents. In a further study, we compared the same APTT reagents in an in vitro study in which normal pooled plasma was mixed with increasing amount of hirudin. We failed to confirm a higher sensitivity for silica-containing reagents. Thus, we conclude that subcutaneous administration of hirudin prolongs the APTT most with the silica-based reagents, but this effect is exclusive for the ex vivo model.