Identification of changes in serum analytes and possible metabolic pathways associated with canine obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.

The main objective of this study was to identify analytes that could change and that could help to clarify the metabolic and physiopathological changes related to canine obesity-related metabolic dysfunction (ORMD). For this, serum from 35 overweight/obese dogs, with and without ORMD, was submitted to a comprehensive panel of biochemistry analysis, a gel-free tandem mass tag isobaric label-based proteomic analysis, and, finally, selected proteins were used as a starting point for creating a protein interaction network. Dogs with ORMD showed significantly higher serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Ca, total proteins, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity in comparison with dogs without ORMD. Proteomic analysis revealed that 23 proteins related to lipid metabolism, the complement factor system, cellular adhesion and functionality, inflammation, and coagulation were altered in dogs with ORMD. Finally, the obtained protein interaction network highlighted that the central term of this network was the negative regulation of the immune response. These data suggest that canine ORMD is associated with changes in analytes that reflect altered lipid metabolism, and liver and immune function impairment and suggests the potential for a prothrombotic state and lung function alterations.

Plasma markers of inflammation and hemostatic and endothelial activity in naturally overweight and obese dogs.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the most prevalent health problems in the canine population. While haemostatic parameters and markers of endothelial function have been evaluated in various disease conditions in dogs, there are no studies of these markers in canine obesity. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of naturally gained weight excess and obesity on inflammatory, hemostatic and endothelial biomarkers in dogs. A total of 37 overweight and obese dogs were compared with 28 normal weight dogs. RESULTS: Overweight and obese dogs had significantly elevated concentrations of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Number of platelets, activity of factor X and factor VII were significantly higher, while activated partial thromboplastine time (aPTT) and soluble plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) were significantly decreased. Statistical analysis of high mobility group box - 1 protein (HMGB-1), soluble intercellular adhesive molecule -1 (sICAM-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) concentrations did not show significant differences between the total overweight and obese group and the normal weight group of dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Analytical changes in the dogs in our study reflects that weight excess in dogs can be associated with a chronic low degree of inflammation and a hypercoagulable state, where primary and secondary hemostasis are both affected. However obesity is not associated with impairment of endothelial function in dogs.

Plasma biomarkers of SIRS and MODS associated with canine babesiosis.

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the haemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Early detection of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is of major importance in clinical practice for providing information about severity and outcomes of the disease and therapy. Plasma samples were taken at admission from five dogs with uncomplicated babesiosis caused by B. canis canis, five dogs with babesiosis and SIRS, five dogs with babesiosis and MODS, and five healthy dogs. After two-dimensional electrophoresis and capillary reversed - phase liquid chromatography coupled online with tandem mass spectrometry, 68 differentially expressed spots with level of significance P<0.05 were detected between groups. SIRS in babesiosis was characterised by increases in paraoxonase 1 and apoA-I, whereas MODS with decrease of complement inhibitors leading to prolonged complement activation and decrease of vitamin D binding protein due to haemolysis and activation of the coagulation cascade.

Markers of coagulation activation, endothelial stimulation, and inflammation in dogs with babesiosis.

BACKGROUND: Babesia infections in dogs can result in a wide range of clinical and laboratory presentations, including coagulopathy. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in dogs with babesiosis is unknown. OBJECTIVES: Whether inflammation in babesiosis triggers activation of ICAM-1 and the coagulation system. ANIMALS: Twelve and 10 dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis before and after antiparasitic treatment, respectively, were compared with 10 healthy dogs. METHODS: In this prospective study, diagnosis was made by blood smear examination and confirmed by PCR. C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels were measured by a canine ELISA kit, fibrinogen (FIB) and factor VIII activity levels were measured by coagulometric methods, and blood cell counts (WBC, RBC, PLT) were determined with an automatic analyzer. RESULTS: Compared to healthy dogs, the CRP, sICAM-1, and FIB concentrations were significantly increased before therapy and remained high for 3 days after therapy in dogs with babesiosis. vWF activity was significantly decreased in dogs with babesiosis before treatment. FVIII activity did not differ between dogs with babesiosis and healthy dogs. WBC; RBC and PLT were significantly lower before treatment and normalized by 3 days after treatment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A proinflammatory condition in babesiosis appears to influence endothelial dysfunction and hemostatic activity. Although clearly beneficial for the parasite, sequestered blood cells can obstruct blood flow in small vessels, promote an inflammatory state, and could increase the severity of babesiosis.

Poisoning of a dog with the explosive pentaerythrityl tetranitrate.

A three-year-old male Labrador retriever was presented at the Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia. The owner reported that the dog was ataxic, and this was evident by its markedly unsteady, swaying gait. The dog also had difficulty rising and fell several times while trying to stand. It had come into contact with the explosive, pentaerythrityl tetranitrate, while training to detect explosives. The following clinical symptoms were observed: bradycardia, depression, mild disorientation and a broad-based stance. The dog had conscious proprioceptive deficits in the hindlimbs, but cranial nerve function was normal except for miosis. Ion scan analysis of the dog's serum after evaporation of the current phase by mass spectroscopy revealed the presence of fragments that are characteristic of pentaerythrityl tetranitrate. The aim of the present case report was to identify pentaerythrityl tetranitrate poisoning and describe the clinical signs of pentaerythrityl tetranitrate poisoning in dogs. To the authors' knowledge, there are no published scientific articles on pentaerythrityl tetranitrate poisoning in dogs.

A seroepidemiologic survey of canine visceral leishmaniosis among apparently healthy dogs in Croatia.

Cross-sectional investigation was done on seroprevalence of Leishmania sp. infection among apparently healthy dogs in an area where canine leishmaniosis is endemic. Survey included 68 dogs living in the coastal city of Split, and 238 dogs living in 12 villages scattered in the hinterland. Each dog was clinically examined for the presence of some discrete signs compatible with leishmaniosis and by dot-ELISA modification determined the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies. The titre 1:600 and higher was regarded as positive in the study. The seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 42.85%, depending on the location. 54.34% of the seropositive dogs had moderately enlarged lymph nodes and/or some discrete changes on the skin. In our parasitological study, Leishmania sp. was isolated from several seropositive animals that had some clinical signs and from a few which did not have any. Data analysis revealed that serological positivity to Leishmania sp. was not associated with a dog's outdoor lifestyle and utility, but was associated with the gender and age.

Effect of different daily doses of gizzerosine on the serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentration in laying hens.

Five groups of laying hens were treated with different gizzerosine doses (0, 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; 10.0 mg/kg/body weight of gizzerosine) daily over a 21-day period to determine the serum concentrations of 1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D), total calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium. Blood samples were taken on days 7, 14, and 21 of the experiment. The concentration of 1,25(OH)2D remained unchanged after day 7 in the gizzerosine-treated birds compared to the control group. After 14 days, it was significantly lower in the birds receiving. gizzerosine, compared with the control group. On day 21, 1,25(OH2)D concentrations were also significantly decreased in all 4 gizzerosine-treated groups compared with the control hens. The serum total calcium, inorganic phosphorus and total magnesium concentrations varied significantly, but irregularly, during the period of the study.