Retrospective evaluation of paired plasma creatinine and chloride concentrations following hetastarch administration in anesthetized dogs (2002-2015): 244 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in serum creatinine and chloride concentrations in anesthetized dogs that received 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 670/0.7. DESIGN: Retrospective case series, 2002-2015. SETTING: University veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Two hundred forty-four client-owned dogs undergoing general anesthesia that received an HES solution. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical records of dogs that received an HES solution (6%, 670/0.7) while under general anesthesia during the study period were reviewed. Information obtained from the medical record included patient signalment, reason for anesthesia or diagnosis, body weight, amount of HES solution administered, pre- and postanesthesia creatinine value, pre- and postanesthesia chloride value, and day interval between measurements. Corrected chloride values were used for all statistical analysis. Dogs received a median dose of 6.3 mL/kg hetastarch during anesthesia. Median preanesthesia creatinine and corrected chloride values were 79.5 µmol/L (0.9 mg/dL) (range 8.8-689.5 µmol/L [0.1-7.8 mg/dL]) and 111 mmol/L (111 mEq/L) (range 80-123 mmol/L [80-123 mg/dL]), respectively. Median postanesthesia creatinine was 57.4 µmol/L (0.65 mg/dL) (8.8-716 µmol/L [0.1-8.1 mg/dL]). Median postanesthesia corrected chloride was 115 mmol/L (115 mEq/L) (range 87.5-129.6 mmol/L [87.5-129.6 mEq/L]). Mann-Whitney test analysis revealed a significant decrease in creatinine (Δ Cr 17.7 µmol/L [0.2 mg/dL], P < 0.01) and a significant increase in corrected chloride (Δ Cl 4.1 mmol/L [4.1mEq/L], P < 0.01) between pre- and postanesthesia values. CONCLUSIONS: In a mixed population of hospitalized dogs undergoing general anesthesia that received a median dose of 6 mL/kg of HES, creatinine was lower and chloride was higher in the postanesthetic than in the preanesthetic period. The clinical significance of these changes and the role that HES administration played in them relative to concurrent therapies is unknown.

Reference intervals for coagulation variables in healthy adult domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus).

BACKGROUND: Coagulation has not been studied extensively in adult goats, and reference intervals (RIs) for coagulation variables have not yet been established and would be clinically useful. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to establish coagulation variable RIs in adult goats for future coagulation interpretation. METHODS: Blood samples from 40 healthy adult goats were collected, and assays for PT, APTT, D-dimers, antithrombin III, and fibrinogen were performed. Coagulation variable RIs were established using the Reference Value Advisor v2.1. RESULTS: The RIs included: PT, 15.7-19.8 seconds; APTT, 16.2-24.3 seconds; D-dimer, 0-0.68 µg/mL; antithrombin III, 108.6%-156.5%; fibrinogen, 89.5-303.2 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: In this brief communication, we report the RIs for coagulation variables in healthy adult goats. Further research will be needed to identify coagulation changes that are associated with specific disease processes of goats.

Comparison of axillary and rectal temperatures for healthy Beagles in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare axillary and rectal temperature measurements obtained with a digital thermometer for Beagles in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. ANIMALS: 26 healthy Beagles (17 sexually intact males and 9 sexually intact females). PROCEDURES: Dogs were maintained in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment for 56 days before rectal and axillary temperatures were measured. Axillary and rectal temperatures were obtained in triplicate for each dog by use of a single commercially available manufacturer-calibrated digital thermometer. RESULTS: Mean rectal and axillary temperatures of Beagles maintained in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment were significantly different, with a median ± SD difference of 1.4° ± 0.15°C (range, 0.7° to 2.1°C). Mean rectal and axillary temperatures were 38.7°C (range, 37.6° to 39.5°C) and 37.2°C (range, 36.6° to 38.3°C), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study indicated that the historical reference of a 0.55°C gradient between rectal and axillary temperatures that has been clinically used for veterinary patients was inaccurate for healthy Beagles in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. Rectal and axillary temperatures can be measured in veterinary patients. Reliable interpretation of axillary temperatures may accommodate patient comfort and reduce patient anxiety when serial measurement of temperatures is necessary. Further clinical studies will be needed.

Palatability assessment of an oral recuperation fluid in healthy dogs during the perioperative period.

The objective of this study was to determine whether healthy dogs undergoing elective surgery will accept and prefer an oral recuperation fluid (ORF) to water during the perioperative time period and if the consumption of an ORF would lead to increased caloric intake during the final preoperative and first postoperative periods. This prospective, observational study was performed in the setting of a University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A total of 67 healthy dogs were presented for routine ovariectomy (n = 30) or castration (n = 37). Before surgical intervention, dogs were offered an ORF to assess their voluntary acceptance of the fluid. After 2 hours, the ORF was offered alongside water to assess fluid preference. Routine castration or ovariectomy was then performed. During the immediate postoperative period, dogs were reassessed as to their acceptance and preference of the ORF. A high percentage of dogs accepted the ORF in both the preoperative (55/67, 82%) and postoperative (42/67, 63%) periods (P < .01 and P = .04, respectively). Of dogs that demonstrated a preference between the ORF and water, 87% (95% CI: 77%-93%) chose the ORF preoperatively, whereas 98% (95% CI: 87%-99.5%) chose the ORF postoperatively (P < .01 and P < .01, respectively). Dogs that consumed the ORF in each measurement period ingested a higher amount of food (measured as percentage of kilocalories offered) when compared with those that did not consume the ORF (preoperatively 83% vs. 49%, P < .01; postoperatively 51% vs. 27%, P = .01). A commercially manufactured veterinary ORF was found to be palatable, as determined by acceptance and preference testing, in healthy dogs during the preoperative and postoperative phases of routine sterilization. Further studies in dogs undergoing more intensive surgical procedures or recovering from nonsurgical illness or both are warranted.

Diagnosis of secondary dysmyelopoiesis via costochondral rib aspirate in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel bone marrow sampling technique utilized in a dog diagnosed with secondary dysmyelopoiesis. CASE SUMMARY: A 1.5-year-old female spayed Lhasa Apso was treated for generalized seizures, aspiration pneumonia, and severe sepsis. Pertinent history included administration of phenobarbital (2.1 mg/kg PO q 12 h) for the 6 months prior to presentation for suspected idiopathic epilepsy. Initial leukopenia and thrombocytopenia was attributed to underlying sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Progressive decline in all cell lines (ie, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia), along with history of phenobarbital administration, suggested myelodysplastic disease. Bone marrow cytology via serial costochondral rib aspirates confirmed secondary dysmyelopoiesis. Phenobarbital therapy was abruptly discontinued and replaced with alternative anticonvulsant therapy. Complete resolution of the observed leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia were observed 2 weeks after discontinuation of phenobarbital. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Costochondral rib aspirate appears to be a simple, viable method for bone marrow evaluation in dogs. Dysmyelopoiesis is a rare adverse effect of phenobarbital administration that can possess fatal consequences if not quickly recognized. Prompt diagnosis and discontinuation of the inciting drug is imperative to successful case management. Prognosis for return of bone marrow function appears good following drug discontinuation.