Videofluoroscopy, CT angiography, and ultrasonography of congenital esophageal stenosis in a Labrador retriever.

A 7-week-old Labrador retriever presented for further investigation into acute onset regurgitation, following weaning from liquid to solid food. A videofluoroscopic swallow study demonstrated a severe, focal esophageal dilation in the mid-cervical region, with marked luminal narrowing distally. Computed tomography with angiography revealed esophageal stenosis, extending from C4-T2, secondary to circumferential esophageal wall thickening. With the concern for development of secondary aspiration pneumonia, the owners elected to euthanize the dog and consented to postmortem examination. A diagnosis of segmental, cervical esophageal muscular hypertrophy was made on necropsy, consistent with the fibromuscular thickening type of congenital esophageal stenosis reported in humans.

Obstructive sleep apnea in a Chihuahua successfully managed with ondansetron.

While the persistence of clinical signs related to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, particularly sleep-disordered breathing patterns following appropriate surgical management is likely to be relatively rare, this potential sequela needs to be considered, along with being aware of possible medical management options such as serotonin antagonists.

Presumed immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia associated with pregnancy in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 7-year-old female entire Birman presented with acute-onset haemorrhagic vulvar discharge. Moderate, normocytic, normochromic, non-/pre-regenerative anaemia, along with a moderate mature neutrophilia, were seen on haematology. Saline test for agglutination was positive. No haemotropic mycoplasmas were identified. Serum biochemistry revealed severe hyperbilirubinaemia. Retroviral testing was negative. Serology for toxoplasmosis revealed a titre of 1:512. Abdominal ultrasound identified a large uterus, containing at least three advanced-stage fetuses, two of which failed to exhibit independent motion or cardiac activity. Ovariohysterectomy was performed. Histology demonstrated mild, multifocal suppurative placentitis, with Gram staining revealing no evidence of bacteria. Complete resolution of the anaemia was seen within 1.5 months of ovariohysterectomy. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) in association with pregnancy has not been previously reported in cats. This case represents a potential novel cause for IMHA in cats, which resolved following ovariohysterectomy.

Evaluation of the clinical effects of diet and physical rehabilitation in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE To assess clinical effects of an omega-3 fatty acid and protein-enriched diet, physical rehabilitation, or both in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and arthroscopic surgery for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease. DESIGN Randomized, prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS 48 dogs with unilateral CCL disease. PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to receive a dry omega-3 fatty acid and protein-enriched dog food formulated to support joint health (test food [TF]), a dry food formulated for maintenance of adult dogs (control food [CF]), TF plus rehabilitation (TF-R), or CF plus rehabilitation (CF-R). Data collected over 6 months included body weight, body condition score, ground reaction force data, tibial plateau angle, limb circumference measurements, subjective pain and lameness scores assigned by surgeons and dog owners, and daily activity measured by accelerometry. RESULTS Peak vertical force and vertical impulse were greater after surgery for dogs in the TF groups than in the CF groups; peak vertical force was greater after surgery in dogs that underwent rehabilitation than in those that did not. Owner scores indicated lower frequencies of lameness and signs of pain during some activities for the TF group, compared with other groups, and for the TF-R and CF-R groups, compared with the CF group. Sedentary time decreased and time spent in light-to-moderate or vigorous activity increased in all groups over time. Rehabilitation was significantly associated with greater time spent in light-to-moderate activity, regardless of diet. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Feeding the TF and providing physical rehabilitation during the first 6 months after TPLO were associated with improvements in some indices of clinical outcome and function in dogs. Significant interactions between time and some outcome variables were observed, indicating further research is warranted.

Assessment of the effects of diet and physical rehabilitation on radiographic findings and markers of synovial inflammation in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of an omega-3 fatty acid and protein-enriched diet, physical rehabilitation, or both on radiographic findings and markers of synovial inflammation in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and arthroscopic surgery for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease. DESIGN Randomized, prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS 48 dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to receive a dry omega-3 fatty acid and protein-enriched dog food formulated to support joint health (test food [TF]), a dry food formulated for adult canine maintenance (control food [CF]), TF plus rehabilitation, or CF plus rehabilitation after surgery. Synovial fluid prostaglandin (PG) E2 and interleukin-1ß concentrations, radiographic osteoarthritis scores, osteotomy site healing, and patellar ligament thickness were assessed at predetermined time points up to 6 months after surgery. RESULTS Dogs that received CF had significantly higher PGE2 concentrations over time following surgery than did dogs that received TF, regardless of rehabilitation status. Synovial fluid interleukin-1ß concentrations did not change over time in any groups. Diet and rehabilitation were both associated with osteoarthritis scores, with significantly lower scores over time for dogs that received TF versus CF and for dogs that underwent rehabilitation versus those that did not. Proportions of dogs with complete osteotomy healing 8 and 24 weeks after surgery were significantly lower for dogs that received TF than for dogs that received CF, regardless of rehabilitation status. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that feeding the TF can result in lower synovial fluid PGE2 concentrations and that both the TF and rehabilitation can reduce progression of osteoarthritis in the 6 months following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy; clinical relevance of slower osteotomy healing in dogs fed the TF was unclear.

Estimates of biologic variation in specific feline pancreatic lipase concentrations in cats without clinical or ultrasonographic evidence of pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Serum concentrations of feline-specific pancreatic lipase are commonly used for diagnosis and monitoring of pancreatitis in cats, but little is known regarding biologic variation of this analyte. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to determine biologic variation, index of individuality, and reference change values (RCV) for specific feline pancreatic lipase concentrations (Spec fPL) in apparently healthy cats. METHODS: Four blood samples were collected prospectively from 12 apparently healthy cats at 2-week intervals. The Spec fPL was measured in all serum samples by a reference laboratory. RESULTS: Intra-individual variation for Spec fPL was 33.5% (95% CI 27.1-43.8%); inter-individual variation was 99.9% (69.2-169.9%) and analytic variation was 7.3% (6.1-9.2%). Reciprocal index of individuality for Spec fPL was 2.9 (2.5-3.8), the 2-sided RCV was 95.1% (77.0-123.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Due to high individuality, use of a population-based RI for Spec fPL may fail to detect clinically significant elevations in individual cats. The use of subject-based RIs for Spec fPL may have greater sensitivity for the detection of a change in pancreatic physiology in cats; however, this would require serial assessment of apparently healthy cats.

Validation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of canine S100A12.

BACKGROUND: Canine S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (cS100A12) shows promise as biomarker of inflammation in dogs. A previously developed cS100A12-radioimmunoassay (RIA) requires radioactive tracers and is not sensitive enough for fecal cS100A12 concentrations in 79% of tested healthy dogs. An ELISA assay may be more sensitive than RIA and does not require radioactive tracers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to establish a sandwich ELISA for serum and fecal cS100A12, and to establish reference intervals (RI) for normal healthy canine serum and feces. METHODS: Polyclonal rabbit anti-cS100A12 antibodies were generated and tested by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. A sandwich ELISA was developed and validated, including accuracy and precision, and agreement with cS100A12-RIA. The RI, stability, and biologic variation in fecal cS100A12, and the effect of corticosteroids on serum cS100A12 were evaluated. RESULTS: Lower detection limits were 5 µg/L (serum) and 1 ng/g (fecal), respectively. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were ≤ 4.4% and ≤ 10.9%, respectively. Observed-to-expected ratios for linearity and spiking recovery were 98.2 ± 9.8% (mean ± SD) and 93.0 ± 6.1%, respectively. There was a significant bias between the ELISA and the RIA. The RI was 49-320 µg/L for serum and 2-484 ng/g for fecal cS100A12. Fecal cS100A12 was stable for 7 days at 23, 4, -20, and -80°C; biologic variation was negligible but variation within one fecal sample was significant. Corticosteroid treatment had no clinically significant effect on serum cS100A12 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The cS100A12-ELISA is a precise and accurate assay for serum and fecal cS100A12 in dogs.

Characterization, treatment, and outcome of bacterial cholecystitis and bactibilia in dogs.

Objective-To characterize historical, clinicopathologic, ultrasonographic, microbiological, surgical, and histopathologic features of bacterial cholecystitis and bactibilia in dogs and evaluate response to treatment and outcomes in these patients. Design-Retrospective case-control study. Animals-40 client-owned dogs (10 with bacterial cholecystitis on histologic analysis or bactibilia on cytologic examination [case dogs] and 30 without bactibilia [controls]) evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital between 2010 and 2014. Procedures-Signalment, history, clinicopathologic findings, ultrasonographic features, microbiological results, surgical findings, histopathologic changes, treatments, and outcomes of case dogs were derived from medical records and summarized. Demographic and clinicopathologic data and ultrasonographic findings were compared between case and control dogs. Relationships among prior antimicrobial treatment, sediment formation in the gallbladder, presence of immobile biliary sludge, and presence of bactibilia or bacterial cholecystitis were assessed. Results-No finding was pathognomonic for bactibilia or bacterial cholecystitis in dogs. Case dogs were significantly more likely to have immobile biliary sludge and had a greater degree of biliary sediment formation than did control dogs. All case dogs for which gallbladders were examined histologically (6/6) had bacterial cholecystitis. Five of 10 case dogs were Dachshunds. Medical or surgical treatment resulted in good outcomes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Bactibilia and bacterial cholecystitis were important differential diagnoses in dogs with signs referable to biliary tract disease. Dachshunds were overrepresented, which may suggest a breed predisposition. Cytologic evaluation of bile should be considered in the routine assessment of dogs with hepatobiliary disease if immobile biliary sludge is present. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015;246:982-989).

Prevalence of blastocystis in shelter-resident and client-owned companion animals in the US Pacific Northwest.

Domestic dogs and cats are commonly infected with a variety of protozoan enteric parasites, including Blastocystis spp. In addition, there is growing interest in Blastocystis as a potential enteric pathogen, and the possible role of domestic and in-contact animals as reservoirs for human infection. Domestic animals in shelter environments are commonly recognized to be at higher risk for carriage of enteropathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of infection of shelter-resident and client-owned domestic dogs and cats with Blastocystis spp in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA. Fecal samples were collected from 103 shelter-resident dogs, 105 shelter-resident cats, 51 client-owned dogs and 52 client-owned cats. Blastocystis were detected and subtypes assigned using a nested PCR based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. Shelter-resident animals were significantly more likely to test positive for Blastocystis (P<0.05 for dogs, P = 0.009 for cats). Sequence analysis indicated that shelter-resident animals were carrying a variety of Blastocystis subtypes. No relationship was seen between Blastocystis carriage and the presence of gastrointestinal disease signs in either dogs or cats. These data suggest that, as previously reported for other enteric pathogens, shelter-resident companion animals are a higher risk for carriage of Blastocystis spp. The lack of relationship between Blastocystis carriage and intestinal disease in shelter-resident animals suggests that this organism is unlikely to be a major enteric pathogen in these species.

Effect of syringe and aggregate filter administration on survival of transfused autologous fresh feline red blood cells.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of transfusion using a syringe and microaggregate filter on short-term survival and circulating half-life of autologous feline RBCs. DESIGN: Prospective, internally controlled, observational study. SETTING: A University Teaching Hospital ANIMALS: Six apparently healthy, owned cats. INTERVENTIONS: Blood collection by jugular venipuncture. Transfusion with labeled, autologous, fresh RBCs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Anticoagulated whole blood (35 mL/cat) was collected in 2 equal aliquots. RBCs were washed and labeled at 2 different biotin densities, before suspension in autologous plasma. Labeled RBCs were then transfused using 2 methods, gravity flow and pump delivery using a 20 mL syringe and 18 µm microaggregate filter. Whole blood samples were collected from each cat at 2-hour intervals for 12 hours following completion of the transfusions. Additional samples were collected at weekly intervals up to 6 weeks to assess circulating half-life of the transfused cells. Cell survival was assessed via flow cytometry. The proportion of transfused cells remaining in each of the 2 populations was measured. Biotinylated RBCs were readily detected in all cats over the 6-week sampling period. There was a significant decrease in both populations of labeled cells over the 6-week period (P < 0.01), as expected. There was no difference in probability that the RBCs would survive up to 12 hours immediately following transfusion, and no significant difference in survival between the 2 groups over 6 weeks. The average half-life of all labeled cells was approximately 23 days. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in contrast to findings from dogs, transfusion of autologous feline RBCs using a syringe + aggregate filter method does not significantly impact short- or long-term survival of the transfused cells.

Influence of feeding on serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations.

Measurement of serum concentration of pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI) has been shown to be highly specific for exocrine pancreatic function and sensitive for the diagnosis of canine pancreatitis. Currently, it is recommended that food be withheld for at least 12 hours before collecting a blood sample for analysis from dogs. However, it is unknown whether feeding has any influence on serum canine PLI concentration. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of feeding on serum canine PLI concentrations in healthy dogs. Food was withheld from eight healthy adult Beagle dogs for at least 17 hours and a baseline serum sample (0 minutes) was collected. Dogs were fed and serum samples were collected at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, 360, 420, and 480 minutes. There was no significant difference in serum canine PLI concentrations at any time after feeding (P=0.131). We conclude that feeding has no significant influence on serum canine PLI concentrations.

Serum alpha1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations in healthy dogs--method validation and determination of reference interval and intra-individual variation.

BACKGROUND: A chronic loss of canine α1 -proteinase inhibitor (cα1 -PI) into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract could change the systemic proteinase-proteinase inhibitor balance. Serum cα1 -PI concentrations have not been studied in dogs with well-defined GI diseases. OBJECTIVES: To further evaluate serum cα1 -PI concentrations in dogs with GI diseases, the objectives of this study were to (1) analytically validate a previously developed fecal cα1 -PI immunoassay to determine serum concentrations, (2) determine a population-based reference interval (RI) and assess the clinical utility, (3) determine stability of serum cα1 -PI, (4) determine the intra-individual variation in healthy dogs, and (5) determine the clinically relevant magnitude of change of serum cα1 -PI. METHODS: Prestudy validation of the (125) I-cα1 -PI immunoassay included linearity, spiking recovery, and intra- and inter-assay precision. A RI was calculated with samples of healthy dogs. Stability at -20°C was tested on 36 samples. Intra-individual variation was assessed using samples collected from 11 healthy dogs over a 12-week period. RESULTS: The cα1 -PI radioimmunoassay (RIA) was linear, accurate, precise, and reproducible. Serum cα1 -PI decreased by 11% after one year at -20°C. Analytical, intra-individual, inter-individual, and total variation were 6.4, 9.9, 9.0, and 25.3%, respectively. The RI for serum cα1 -PI was 732-1802 mg/L (n = 87); there were no differences between sex and age groups. The index of individuality was 1.31. As analytical variation was > ½ inter-individual variation, the minimum critical difference was not determined. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide the basis for further evaluating serum cα1 -PI in dogs with GI disease. Using a population-based RI for serum cα1 -PI appears to be appropriate.

Evaluation of fecal α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations in cats with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease and cats with gastrointestinal neoplasia.

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal lymphoma are common disorders in cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate fecal α(1)-PI concentrations, a marker of gastrointestinal protein loss, in cats with histopathological evidence of gastrointestinal inflammation or gastrointestinal neoplasia. Fecal and serum samples were obtained from 20 cats with chronic gastrointestinal disease in which endoscopic biopsies were performed. Two groups of cats were assembled based on histopathology: Group A (n = 8), mild to moderate IBD; Group B (n = 12), severe IBD or gastrointestinal neoplasia. Fecal α(1)-PI concentrations and serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, cobalamin, folate, pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, and trypsin-like immunoreactivity were determined. Nineteen of the 20 diseased cats had elevated fecal α(1)-PI concentrations, ranging from 1.9 to 233.6 µg/g compared to 20 healthy control cats (normal range: ≤1.6 µg/g). Fecal α(1)-PI concentrations were statistically significantly different between healthy cats and cats of Group A (median: 3.9 µg/g, range: 1.3-9.2 µg/g, P < 0.001) or cats of Group B (median: 20.6 µg/g, 4.3-233.6 µg/g; P < 0.001), and between cats of Groups A and B (P < 0.01). Hypoalbuminemia, hypoproteinemia, and hypocobalaminemia were detected in 88%, 83%, and 56% of the diseased cats, respectively. This study suggests that increased fecal α(1)-PI concentrations in association with low serum albumin and total protein concentrations may be a common finding in cats with IBD or gastrointestinal neoplasia. Furthermore, fecal α(1)-PI concentrations appear to be higher in cats with severe IBD or confirmed gastrointestinal neoplasia when compared to cats with mild to moderate IBD.

Estimates of biological variation in routinely measured biochemical analytes in clinically healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: The degree of biological variation in routinely measured concentrations and activities of biochemical analytes has not been well defined in client-owned pet dogs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define indices of biological variation and, where appropriate, indices of individuality and critical change values for routinely measured serum biochemical analytes in a group of clinically healthy dogs owned and housed privately. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. Serum samples obtained from clinically healthy adult dogs at varying intervals over a 12-week period were analyzed. For each sample, a panel of 14 analytes was measured. Three levels of outlier analyses were applied (analytical, intra-individual, and inter-individual), followed by nested ANOVA to calculate intra-individual, inter-individual, and analytical coefficients of variation (CV(I), CV(G), and CV(A), respectively). RESULTS: Specimens from 11 dogs were analyzed. Individuality indices ranged from 0.9 for glucose and total triglyceride concentrations to 3.4 for ALT activity. Analytical variation (CV(A) ) was > ½ CV(I) for 9/14 analytes, failing to meet criteria for acceptable analytical variation when defining critical change values. Where analyzer performance was acceptable, critical change values ranged from 26.4% for glucose concentration to 84.0% for total triglyceride concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Many frequently measured analytes included in routine serum biochemical panels have high individuality. Thus, use of standard reference intervals to monitor changes over time in an individual is likely to miss meaningful biological change.

Development and analytic validation of an immunoassay for the quantification of canine S100A12 in serum and fecal samples and its biological variability in serum from healthy dogs.

S100A12 (calgranulin C) is a Ca(2+)-binding protein that has been proposed to play a central role in both innate and acquired immune responses. In humans, S100A12 has been reported to be increased in serum and/or plasma in patients with various inflammatory disorders, and this protein has been suggested to be a sensitive and specific marker for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An immunoassay for S100A12 is currently available for use in humans, but antibodies against the human protein do not cross-react with canine S100A12 (cS100A12). Both sensitive and specific markers for canine patients with systemic or localized inflammatory diseases are currently lacking, thus the aim of this study was to develop and analytically validate a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the quantification of cS100A12 in serum and fecal specimens and to determine the biological variation of cS100A12 in serum from healthy dogs. A competitive liquid-phase RIA was developed and analytically validated by determining assay working range, dilutional parallelism, spiking recovery, and intra- and inter-assay variability. Reference intervals for serum and fecal concentrations of cS100A12 were established from 124 and 65 healthy dogs, respectively, and components of variation for serum cS100A12 were determined from 11 dogs over 2.6 months. The working range of the assay was 0.6-432.7 µg/L. No cross-reactivity was observed with the cS100A8/A9 protein complex, the closest structural analogues available. Observed-to-expected ratios (O/E) for the serial dilution of serum and fecal extracts ranged from 97.2 to 146.8% and from 75.3 to 129.8%, respectively. O/E for spiking recovery for serum and fecal extracts ranged from 87.8 to 130.4% and from 84.8 to 143.8%, respectively. Coefficients of variation (CV) for intra- and inter-assay variability for sera were ≤ 8.1% and ≤ 7.8%, respectively, and were ≤ 7.8% and ≤ 8.7%, respectively, for fecal extracts. Reference intervals for serum and fecal cS100A12 were 33.2-225.1 µg/L and <24-745 ng/g, respectively. For biological variability testing, analytical, intra-individual, inter-individual, and total CV were 5.7, 29.2, 31.2, and 66.0%, respectively, yielding an index of individuality of 0.95 and a minimum critical difference (p<0.05) for sequential values of 84.9%. The RIA for cS100A12 measurement described here is analytically sensitive and specific, linear, accurate, precise, and reproducible, and will facilitate further research into the clinical utility of quantifying serum and fecal cS100A12 in canine patients with inflammatory diseases. Moderate changes in serum cS100A12 concentrations may be clinically relevant; however, the use of a population-based reference interval may require caution.

Influence of transfusion technique on survival of autologous red blood cells in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of 3 differing transfusion techniques on survival of autologous canine RBCs. DESIGN: Prospective, blinded study. SETTING: University Teaching Hospital. ANIMALS: Nine healthy dogs. INTERVENTIONS: Three distinct preparations of RBCs, each representing ~1% of red cell mass, were generated for each dog by biotinylation of RBCs at varying biotin densities. Labeled cells were transfused using 3 techniques (gravity, volumetric pump, syringe pump). Serial determinations of red cell survival were carried out by flow-cytometric analysis of RBCs collected at 7-day intervals for 49 days. In vitro analysis of the effect of transfusion methods on RBC integrity and osmotic fragility were carried out in 7/9 dogs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: RBCs administered via volumetric and syringe pumps exhibited a marked decrease in short-term probability of survival compared with RBCs delivered by gravity flow. At 24 hours, only 4/8 and 1/7 dogs had surviving cell populations delivered by volumetric and syringe pump, respectively, compared with 8/8 dogs which had surviving cell populations delivered by gravity flow. Circulating half-life of cells surviving at 24 hours after delivery by volumetric pump was not significantly different to that delivered by gravity flow. No significant effect on in vitro RBC integrity or osmotic fragility was detected in relation to transfusion technique. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of autologous canine RBCs via mechanical delivery systems was associated with a high risk for early loss of transfused cells.

Association between serum triglyceride and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations in miniature schnauzers.

The objective of this study was to investigate possible associations between serum triglyceride and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentrations in miniature schnauzers. One hundred and ninety-five miniature schnauzers were enrolled and divided into two groups based on whether they had normal (group 1) or increased (group 2) serum triglyceride concentrations. Serum cPLI concentrations were measured and compared between groups. A significant positive correlation was seen between serum triglyceride and cPLI concentrations (Spearman r=0.321; P<0.0001). Miniature schnauzers with hypertriglyceridemia had a significantly higher median serum cPLI concentration (99.5 microg/L) than miniature schnauzers with normal serum triglyceride concentrations (median cPLI concentration 39.3 microg/L; P=0.0001). A cutoff value of 862 mg/dL was selected for serum triglyceride concentrations based on receiver operator characteristic analysis. Miniature schnauzers with severe hypertriglyceridemia (> or =862 mg/dL) were 4.5 times more likely to have a serum cPLI concentration consistent with pancreatitis (> or =200 microg/L) than miniature schnauzers with a normal serum triglyceride concentration. The present study supports an association between hypertriglyceridemia (especially when severe [> or =862 mg/dL]) and high cPLI concentrations in miniature schnauzers.

Gastric smooth muscle hamartoma in a cat.

An 11-year-old cat presented for evaluation of intermittent vomiting, constipation and hyporexia of 3 weeks duration. Ultrasonographic and endoscopic examination revealed a soft tissue mass adjacent to the lower gastro-esophageal sphincter. Surgical excision of the mass was successfully performed resulting in a resolution of clinical signs. Histologically the mass was consistent with a smooth muscle hamartoma. At follow-up 7 months after surgery, the cat remained free from clinical signs.