Hemolytic anemia after ingestion of the natural hair dye Lawsonia inermis (henna) in a dog.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical presentation and case management of a dog that developed hemolytic anemia and evidence of renal tubular dysfunction after ingestion of a natural hair dye containing Lawsonia inermis (henna). To review cases of henna toxicity reported in the human literature. CASE SUMMARY: An 8-year-old female spayed Border Collie was presented 5 days after ingestion of a box of natural hair dye. The dog was showing signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. A serum biochemistry profile, complete blood count, and urinalysis demonstrated evidence of renal tubular dysfunction and a regenerative anemia without spherocytosis. The dog was treated with a transfusion of packed RBCs and IV fluids, resulting in significant clinical improvement. Repeat diagnostics showed resolution of the anemia and no lasting evidence of tubular dysfunction. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case in the veterinary literature of toxicity following ingestion of Lawsonia inermis (henna). Henna ingestion was associated with the development of hemolytic anemia and acute kidney injury.

Current techniques in peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a current overview of the technique of peritoneal dialysis in dogs and cats. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Peritoneal dialysis is the process by which water and solutes move between blood in the peritoneal capillaries and fluid (dialysate) instilled into the peritoneal cavity, across the semipermeable membrane of the peritoneum. The primary indication for peritoneal dialysis (PD) in animals is for treatment of renal failure to correct water, solute, and acid-base abnormalities and to remove uremic toxins. SUMMARY: Peritoneal dialysis is a modality of renal replacement therapy commonly used in human medicine for the treatment of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney failure. Peritoneal dialysis utilizes the peritoneum as a membrane across which fluids and uremic solutes are exchanged. Dialysate is instilled into the peritoneal cavity and, through the process of diffusion and osmosis, water, toxins, electrolytes, and other small molecules are allowed to equilibrate.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in dogs by plasma clearance of gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid as measured by use of an ELISA.

OBJECTIVE-To evaluate use of gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by plasma clearance and use of an ELISA as the method of Gd-DTPA quantification. ANIMALS-16 dogs of various sexes and breeds (12 dogs were clinically normal, and 4 dogs were polyuric and polydipsic with no other clinical or biochemical abnormalities). PROCEDURES-GFR was estimated by measuring the plasma clearance of Gd-DTPA and iohexol by use of an ELISA and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. The GFR was determined by use of a 1-compartment model for both methods. The GFRs obtained by Gd-DTPA plasma clearance were compared with those obtained by iohexol plasma clearance by use of correlation analysis, paired t tests, and limits of agreement analysis. A paired t test was used to evaluate differences between the 2 plasma clearance methods. RESULTS-A strong linear correlation (r(2) = 0.90) was found between GFRs derived from the plasma clearance of Gd-DTPA and those derived from the plasma clearance of iohexol. By use of limits of agreement analysis, almost all (13/14) dogs had Gd-DTPA GFRs that were within 12% of iohexol GFRs. The remaining dog had a Gd-DTPA GFR that was 45% higher than the iohexol GFR. There was no significant difference between Gd-DTPA GFRs and those obtained with iohexol. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-This study revealed that plasma clearance of Gd-DTPA measured by use of an ELISA is an effective method to estimate GFR in dogs because it compared favorably with results for the iohexol-HPLC method.

Diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes insipidus is a metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in the production of or response to arginine vasopressin (AVP). The lack of, or inability to appropriately respond to, AVP results in a lack of tubular reabsorption of water and urine of low specific gravity. Two main categories of diabetes insipidus are recognized in veterinary medicine: central and nephrogenic.

Serum concentrations of the third component of complement in healthy dogs and dogs with protein-losing nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for determining the concentration of the third component of complement (C3) in canine serum, to establish a reference range for C3 in healthy dogs, and to evaluate dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) to determine whether PLN is associated with decreased serum C3 concentrations. ANIMALS: 30 healthy dogs and 49 dogs with PLN. PROCEDURES: Serum samples were obtained from healthy dogs at the time of examination, whereas serum samples were obtained from dogs with PLN at the time of diagnosis. All samples were frozen at -70 degrees C until analyzed. Serum C3 concentrations were determined by use of a sandwich ELISA. Concentrations were expressed as the number of dilutions in which C3 could be detected. RESULTS: C3 was detectable in healthy control dogs (range, 1,920,000 to 15,400,000 dilutions; median, 9,600,000 dilutions). This represented a range of four 2-fold serum dilutions. In addition, C3 was detectable in dogs with PLN (range, 1,460,000 to 30,070,000 dilutions; median, 7,680,000 dilutions), which represented a range of six 2-fold serum dilutions. There was no significant difference in C3 concentrations between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: C3 is a critical part of the immune defense system that has not been extensively examined in veterinary medicine. An ELISA was developed for measuring C3 concentrations, and a reference range for healthy dogs was established. Significant decreases in C3 concentrations were not detected in any dog with PLN. Additional studies will be required to definitively determine the importance of serum C3 concentrations in PLN.