Comparison of blood pressure measurements obtained in dogs by use of indirect oscillometry in a veterinary clinic versus at home.

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood pressure and heart rate measurements performed in a veterinary clinic to similar measurements performed in a dog's home. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 14 client-owned, clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURE: Sequential blood pressure and heart rate measurements were recorded from the metatarsus and metacarpus of conscious dogs by indirect oscillometry. Measurements were performed in the dogs' homes and were repeated in a veterinary clinic. Blood pressures and heart rate were derived from 7 serial estimates over 8 to 10 minutes. Statistical differences between the home and clinic and between recording sites were calculated. RESULTS: Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure and heart rate measurements obtained from the metatarsus and metacarpus in the dogs' homes were significantly lower than measurements from the metatarsus in the clinic, but were similar to measurements from the metacarpus in the clinic. Significant differences were not found between blood pressure measurements from the metatarsus and metacarpus in the dogs' homes, but systolic and mean blood pressure and heart rate measurements from the metacarpus in the clinic were significantly lower than measurements from the metatarsus. Whereas all dogs had normal blood pressure in their homes, 5 of 14 dogs had transient hypertension (systolic pressure > 165 mm of Hg or diastolic pressure > 95 mm of Hg) in the clinic. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Blood pressure and heart rate measurements obtained in the clinic initially overestimate comparable measurements in a dog's home. The differences are best explained by transient autonomic responses to the stress of the clinic. Blood pressure must be measured by use of standardized techniques on dogs acclimated to the clinic environment.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in cats: seven cases (1984-1989).

The medical records of 7 hypercalcemic cats with primary hyperparathyroidism were evaluated. Mean age was 12.9 years, with ages ranging from 8 to 15 years; 5 were female; 5 were Siamese, and 2 were of mixed breed. The most common clinical signs detected by owners were anorexia and lethargy. A cervical mass was palpable in 4 cats. Serum calcium concentrations were 11.1 to 22.8 mg/dl, with a mean of 15.8 mg/dl calculated from each cat's highest preoperative value. The serum phosphorus concentration was low in 2 cats, within reference limits in 4, and slightly high in 1 cat. The BUN concentration was greater than 60 mg/dl in 2 cats, 31 to 35 mg/dl in 2 cats, and less than 30 mg/dl in 3 cats. Abnormalities were detected in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities from 2 or 3 cats. Parathormone (PTH) concentrations were measured in 2 cats before and after surgery. The preoperative PTH concentration was within reference limits in 1 cat and was high in 1 cat. The PTH concentrations were lower after surgery in both cats tested. A solitary parathyroid adenoma was surgically removed from 5 cats, bilateral parathyroid cystadenomas were surgically resected in 1 cat, and a parathyroid carcinoma was diagnosed at necropsy in 1 cat. None of the cats had clinical problems with hypocalcemia after surgery, although 2 cats developed hypocalcemia without tetany, one of which was controlled with oral administration of dihydrotachysterol and the other with oral administration of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. All 5 of the cta that underwent removal of an adenoma were alive at least 240 days after surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pemphigus foliaceus of the footpads in three dogs.

Severe hyperkeratinization and villous hypertrophy of the footpads were seen in 3 middle-aged dogs. Peeling, fissuring, swelling, and ulcerations were noted on the margins of severely affected pads. Pain was evident in palpation and ambulation. Lesions were compatible with the traditional diagnosis of "hard pad disease". Histopathologic findings were diagnostic for canine pemphigus foliaceus in all 3 dogs, and direct immunofluorescence in an intercellular pattern was seen in both dogs that were tested. All 3 dogs responded to immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids.