Comparison of six microscopic methods and two operators for estimation of white and red blood cells in canine urine sediment.

BACKGROUND: Little information is currently available about the analytical variability of urinalysis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare results obtained by two operators using six microscopic methods in the quantification of urinary leukocytes (WBC) and erythrocytes (RBC). METHODS: Forty urine samples (10 mL) were centrifuged (450g, 5 minutes) and resuspended in 0.5 mL of supernatant. Two operators with different expertise in urinalysis interpreted sediment results using the six methods, obtained by combining the use of microscope slides (Slide) or counting chambers (Chamber) with three different techniques: bright-field (BF) microscopy, phase-contrast (PC) microscopy, and stained sediment (SS) evaluations. The mean WBC and RBC counts from 10 fields (Slide) or squares (Chamber) observed at 400× were used to calculate the difference and agreement between operators and methods. We also estimated the concordance between methods in classifying microhematuric or pyuric samples. RESULTS: Operator 2 counted significantly lower WBC counts using Slide+BF (P = 0.009) and Slide+PC (P = 0.001) than Operator 1, whereas no inter-operator differences were recorded for RBC counts. The concordance between the operators ranged from "good" to "very good." No differences or biases were found for WBC counts among the methods, and concordances were "good" to "very good"; proportional biases were found for RBC counts between Slide+BF vs Slide+SS and Slide+PC vs Slide+SS. Concordance measurements for RBC counts ranged from "good" to "very good." CONCLUSIONS: All methods yielded good reproducibility among operators, although stained SS evaluations allowed better identification of WBC by the inexperienced operator. However, we suspected that the SS preparations affected RBC counts. All other methods yielded reproducible WBC and RBC counts.

Urinary tract infection by atypical uropathogens in dogs.

Bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition affecting dogs. Urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test, associated with the identification of underlying cause, are of primary importance in order to select a correct treatment, especially in presence of comorbidities. Two cases of immunecompromised dogs affected by urinary tract infection (UTI) have been described: the first, probably immunosuppressed due to old age, was in poor body condition, with severe odontolithiasis and periodontitis; the second was affected by chronic kidney disease in advanced stage. Urine cultures isolated two rare and atypical pathogens, Moellerella wisconsensis and Brevundimonas vesicularis, both showing sensitivity versus floroquinolones which were selected for the treatment. After a 4 weeks treatment, a second culture demonstrated the resolution of infection in both cases, in absence of clinical signs.To date neither of the two bacteria have been reported as cause of UTI in dog.

Haematological and biochemical reference intervals in healthy racing and retired Italian Greyhounds.

In view of the enormous variability of dog breeds, breed-specific reference intervals (RIs) are recommended for use in veterinary clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to determine whether RIs of the general canine population may be applied to the Italian Greyhound (Piccoli Levrieri Italiani or PLI), and to generate breed-specific RIs, where appropriate. Sixty-three privately owned clinically healthy fasted dogs were examined. Routine haematology and biochemistry were performed on 58 enrolled patients using the ADVIA 120 haematology analyzer and the Cobas Mira system, respectively. Changes in haematological and biochemical parameters depending on sex, age and attitude (resting vs. running dogs) were investigated. The results of PLI were compared with the RIs of the general canine population. In those cases in which these RIs were not validated, new RIs were generated according to the guidelines of the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Pre-existing RIs were considered valid based on the recommendations by the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). RIs were higher for mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), cell haemoglobin concentration mean (CHCM) and lower for large unstained cells (LUC). A wider discrepancy between pre-existing and newly established RIs was found for some ADVIA parameters regarding red blood cell (RBC) or reticulocyte morphology. For total protein and cholesterol the new RIs were wider than the pre-existing ones, while albumin, calcium and iron were higher. This study suggests that most of the RIs published in veterinary textbooks cannot be validated for PLIs.

Association of amniotic uric acid, glucose, lactate and creatinine concentrations and lactate/creatinine ratio with newborn survival in small-sized dogs - preliminary results.

In order to define the normal composition of canine amniotic fluid and to detect differences between surviving and non-surviving newborn puppies, the present study determined the uric acid, glucose, lactate and creatinine concentrations and the lactate to creatinine ratio in amniotic fluids collected during elective Caesarean section from small-sized purebred bitches. The possible relationship between newborn survival and the studied parameters, as well as the effects of maternal parity, fetal gender and Apgar score were assessed. The study enrolled 27 small-sized purebred bitches submitted to elective Caesarean section at term. After opening the fetal membranes, amniotic fluid samples were collected aseptically from the amniotic sac of each fetus. The data obtained from 74 amniotic fluid samples collected from 27 bitches showed that amniotic glucose concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in non-surviving than in surviving puppies. Within the normal, surviving puppies, amniotic glucose concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in male than in female newborns, and the lactate/creatinine ratio was significantly higher in multiparous than in primiparous bitches (P < 0.05). These preliminary results demonstrate the relevance of amniotic glucose, but not of uric acid, lactate, creatinine and the lactate to creatinine ratio for detecting puppies at risk of death immediately after birth.

Sensitivity and specificity of manual and automated measurements of reticulocyte parameters for classification of anemia in dogs: 174 cases (1993-2013).

OBJECTIVE To assess sensitivity and specificity of manual and automated measurements of reticulocyte percentage, number, and production index for classification of anemia in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case series SAMPLE 174 blood smears from client-owned dogs with anemia collected between 1993 and 2013 for which reticulocyte parameters were determined manually (nonregenerative anemia, 22; preregenerative anemia, 23; regenerative anemia, 28) or with an automated laser-based counter (nonregenerative anemia, 66; preregenerative anemia, 17; regenerative anemia, 18). PROCEDURES Diagnostic performance was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves by considering preregenerative anemia as nonregenerative or regenerative. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio were calculated by use of cutoffs determined from ROC curves or published reference limits. RESULTS Considering preregenerative anemia as non regenerative, areas under the curve (AUCs) for reticulocyte percentage, number, and production index were 97%, 93%, and 91% for manual counting and 93%, 90%, and 93% for automated counting. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio were 82% to 86%, 82% to 87%, and 4.6 to 6.4, respectively. Considering preregenerative anemia as regenerative, AUCs were 77%, 82%, and 80% for manual counting and 81%, 82%, and 92% for automated counting. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio were 72% to 74%, 76 to 87%, and 2.7 to 6.2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Whereas all reticulocyte parameters identified regeneration in anemic dogs, the performance of specific parameters was dependent on the method used. Findings suggested that lower cutoffs than published reference limits are preferred for reticulocyte number and production index and higher cutoffs are preferred for reticulocyte percentage. Reticulocyte production index may be useful when the pretest probability of regeneration is moderate.