Changes in canine C-reactive protein levels following orthopaedic surgery: a prospective study.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a powerful biomarker for inflammation, infection and sepsis. However, no reports have investigated canine CRP (c-CRP) concentration changes after orthopaedic procedures. If c-CRP changes were better characterized, it may be possible to identify postoperative complications more quickly. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristic changes in serum c-CRP after orthopaedic surgery in dogs. Blood samples were collected from 98 dogs on Day 0 (preoperatively), and then on Days 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13 postoperatively. Day 1 blood sampling was performed 12-24 h postoperatively. We classified the dogs into four groups based on changes in c-CRP pre- to postoperatively. Group 1 dogs showed a peak c-CRP concentration on Day 1, followed by decreases of ≥ 1 mg/dL. Group 2 dogs showed changes in c-CRP concentration by Day 4 that were within ± 1 mg/dL compared with Day 1. Dogs in Group 3 showed a peak c-CRP concentration on Day 4, followed by decreases of ≥ 1 mg/dL. Group 4 dogs showed an initial decrease in c-CRP, then an increase of ≥ 1 mg/dL. Group 1 was the largest group, with 63 dogs. c-CRP on Days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13 was 0.83 ± 1.03 mg/dL, 8.10 ± 3.15 mg/dL, 3.76 ± 1.94 mg/dL, 1.63 ± 0.92 mg/dL, 0.96 ± 0.70 mg/dL and 0.68 ± 0.51 mg/dL, respectively. Serum c-CRP concentration on Day 1 was significantly higher than at every other timepoint (P < 0.001). In Group 2, surgical site complications were confirmed in 9/15 dogs. In Group 3, surgical site complications were confirmed in 7/14 dogs. In Group 4, two surgical site problems and three surgical site infections were observed, and visceral disease was found in one dog. In Group 1, peak c-CRP was seen on Day 1 postoperatively in 63 dogs (64%), with c-CRP level decreasing by half at each subsequent measurement, which may describe a typical c-CRP change in orthopaedic patients. If deviation from this typical change is observed postoperatively, as in Groups 2-4, this may suggest possible complications.

The concentration of iodine in horse serum and its relationship with thyroxin concentration by geological difference.

In this study, iodine and thyroxin (T4) concentrations in the serum of 69 horses were investigated. Higher iodine concentrations were obtained from the horses housed in Chiba Prefecture. In contrast, T4 concentrations of horses at Shizuoka Prefecture were higher than those of horses at Chiba Prefecture. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.643, P < 0.001) between the iodine and T4 concentrations of horses at Saitama and Shizuoka prefectures. Although a significant correlation (r = 0.794, P < 0.001) was also observed in the investigation of all horses at Chiba Prefecture, the distribution area of the data was separated from the data of horses housed in Saitama and Shizuoka prefectures. A higher iodine concentration in the environment is expected in the sampling area at Chiba Prefecture. Thus, it was suggested that the concentrations of iodine in the serum of horses are influenced by geological differences. It was thought that equine serum is a useful sample for monitoring.

Patient-side assay of lipase activity correlating with pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in the dog.

Pancreatitis is a common exocrine pancreatic disease in dogs, and the pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI) test is used for diagnosis. Enzyme catalytic assay is thought to have low specificity, but a lipase activity assay with increased specificity has been developed in human clinical chemistry. We measured serum lipase activity of 65 client-owned dogs using the newly developed FUJI DRI-CHEM slide and compared the results with their PLI concentrations. The results showed a good correlation (r = 0.91), and the normal and pancreatitis dogs identified based on the PLI values were correctly separated based on lipase activity. The present study suggests that FUJI DRI-CHEM lipase activity would be helpful for diagnosis of pacreatitis in dogs and, in particular, that it can be used as a patient-side assay and contributes to immediate treatment.

Evaluation of serum and urine 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol and myo-inositol concentrations in healthy dogs.

1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5AG) is a pyranoid polyol compound found in human circulating blood. Myo-inositol (MI) is a stereoisomer of inositol and serves as a precursor of inositol phospholipids. 1,5AG and MI are filtered by the glomerulus and almost completely reabsorbed through the renal tubules. However, under hyperglycemic conditions, reabsorption through the renal tubules is competitively inhibited because the structures of 1,5AG and MI resemble that of glucose. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of serum and urine 1,5AG and MI levels in healthy dogs. We demonstrated that 1,5AG and MI exist in canine serum and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Under continuous hyperglycemic conditions, the serum 1,5AG concentration in healthy dogs decreased while the serum MI concentration remained unchanged. Urinary excretion of 1,5AG and MI increased significantly after blood glucose concentrations reached 200 to 220 mg/dl. A significant negative correlation was observed between serum 1,5AG and glucose concentrations during hyperglycemia. However, no significant correlation was observed between serum MI and glucose concentrations. In this study, we demonstrated that serum and urine 1,5AG and MI levels were changed by blood glucose concentrations. The serum 1,5AG concentration was decreased by continuous hyperglycemia. However, the serum MI concentration does not reflect hyperglycemia.

A bolus infusion of xylitol solution in the treatment of cow ketosis does not cause a surge in insulin secretion.

When a solution of xylitol was rapidly administered intravenously (bolus infusion) to healthy cattle or those with ketosis, different results were obtained. In healthy cattle, a temporary surge in insulin secretion was observed, whereas in ketotic cattle no such surge was found, but instead a moderate level of secretion continued for a lengthy period. No significant difference in the areas under the insulin curve (AUC) was found between healthy cattle and ketotic cattle up to 120 min after xylitol infusion. These results clearly demonstrated that a bolus infusion of xylitol solution in ketotic cattle does not cause a temporary surge in insulin secretion unlike in healthy animals, but rather results in a continuous, gradual rise in secretion.