Canine Medicine Research Articles

Correction: Vitamin D metabolism in canine and feline medicine.

Correction: Vitamin D metabolism in canine and feline medicine.

Urinary peptidome analyses for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in dogs

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is clinically important in canine medicine. Current diagnostic tools lack sensitivity for detection of subclinical CKD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate urinary peptidome analysis for diagnosis of CKD in dogs. Capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated presence of approximately 5400 peptides in dog urine. Comparison of urinary peptide abundance of dogs with and without CKD led to the identification of 133 differentially excreted peptides (adjusted P for each peptide <0.05). Sequence information was obtained for 35 of these peptides. This 35 peptide subset and the total group of 133 peptides were used to construct two predictive models of CKD which were subsequently validated by researchers masked to results in an independent cohort of 20 dogs.Both models diagnosed CKD with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.88 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.72–1.0). Most differentially excreted peptides represented fragments of collagen I, indicating possible association with fibrotic processes in CKD (similar to the equivalent human urinary peptide CKD model, CKD273). This first study of the urinary peptidome in dogs identified peptides that were associated with presence of CKD. Future studies are needed to validate the utility of this model for diagnosis and prediction of progression of canine CKD in a clinical setting.

Shelter Medicine

Rachel Dean, Maggie Roberts and Jenny Stavisky, editors of the new BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Shelter Medicine, offer a useful insight into this latest addition to the BSAVA Manual series.

Pharmacokinetics of citicoline after intravenous and intramuscular administration in dogs

Background: New studies have confirmed the role of citicoline in reversing different pathological conditions in canine medicine, but dosing regimens of this drug has not yet been investigated in dogs. Using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, this study aims to quantify the levels of citicoline in dogs plasma after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration.Design and methods: The subjects of this study were 12 male, mixed breed healthy dogs that were approximately 2 to 3 years old and had a body weight between 15 and 25 kg. Plasma samples were extracted following protein precipitation. Samples were eluted from the column at flow rate of 0.7ml min-1. Solvents were degassed. The PH of the mobile phase of HPLC grade acetonitrile: water (20:80, v/v) was adjusted to 3.0 using 1% orthophosphoric acid. Both sample and standard solutions were filtered through 0.22 µm membrane filter. A sample volume of 20 microliter was injected to HPLC to obtain a standard curve.Results: No clinical signs or drug adverse effect was noticed in animals during and after the period of administration of citicoline. Measuring plasma concentration of citicoline sodium after IV and IM administration showed biphasic plasma peaks which occured at 15 minutes and 5 hours after the drug administration in dogs. Conclusions: Giving the drug once a day with 30-50 mg/kg dosage or twice daily with 15-30 mg/kg dosage would cause their levels to remain elevated for much of the day and doesn’t have any serious adverse effect.

Canine Amniotic Membrane Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells- Potential Sources for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract Canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be defined with self renew potential and specific differentiation capacity. Amiotic membrane represent an important source of MSCs, which can be harvested by minimally invasive methods. The aim of our study was to evaluate the growth characteristics of canine amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells. The placenta samples were collected after cesarean section from healthy mixed breed dogs. MSCs isolation was performed using enzymatic method. Isolated cells were cultured in propagation medium: Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F12 (DMEM/F12, Gibco) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Gibco) and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic (Sigma-Aldrich). The medium was changed after 4 days. The cell doubling number, cell proliferation capacity, cell doubling time, daily duplication rate and clonogenic efficacy were evaluated. Our study demonstrate the self renew potential of canine amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells, and can represent a potential source of stem cells for canine regenerative medicine.

Hematological, biochemical, serological, and molecular monitoring of blood donor dogs vaccinated with CaniLeish® for the prevention of Leishmaniosis

The use of systemic preventive measures in dogs living in areas with Leishmania infection is advisable, particularly in blood donors. The aim of this study was to monitor healthy blood-donor dogs immunized with the vaccine CaniLeish® by means of hematological, biochemical (serum total protein, albumin, protein electrophoresis, and C-reactive protein), serological (Speed Leish K™ and IFAT), and molecular assays (qualitative PCR, qlPCR). Twenty-four dogs were monitored at (T0), second (T1), third (T2) immunizations, and 2 months (T3) after the initial immunization and at the first (T4), second (T5), and third (T6) annual booster. The results were as follows: slight hyperproteinemia (29.5%, p > 0.05) observed throughout the monitoring period (T0-T6); increase in C-reactive protein (46.4%, p < 0.05) (at T3-T6); significant alterations in β-1 and β-2 globulin fractions (as absolute and percentage values, p < 0.05), Speed Leish K™ assay negative at T0 and T4-T6, positive IFAT titres of 1/40 (9.5%) at T0, and T3-T6, 1/80 (8.6%) at T1-T4, 1/160 (6.7%) at T1-T2 and T4, and 1/320 (1.9%) at T2 and T4; and qlPCR positive in 7.7% of samples at T3-T6. The vaccination with Canileish® induced changes in a few clinico-pathological and serological markers, which are likely associated with the activation of the immune response. These changes should be carefully considered when evaluating vaccinated dogs included in blood transfusion programs. The use of the CaniLeish® vaccine could be recommended as an additional preventive measure and could represent an important practice in the field of canine transfusion medicine.

2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease encountered in canine and feline medicine. The 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats revise and update earlier guidelines published in 2010. The 2018 guidelines retain much of the information in the earlier guidelines that continues to be applicable in clinical practice, along with new information that represents current expert opinion on controlling DM. An essential aspect of successful DM management is to ensure that the owner of a diabetic dog or cat is capable of administering insulin, recognizing the clinical signs of inadequately managed DM, and monitoring blood glucose levels at home, although this is ideal but not mandatory; all topics that are reviewed in the guidelines. Insulin therapy is the mainstay of treatment for clinical DM. The guidelines provide recommendations for using each insulin formulation currently available for use in dogs and cats, the choice of which is generally based on efficacy and duration of effect in the respective species. Also discussed are non-insulin therapeutic medications and dietary management. These treatment modalities, along with insulin therapy, give the practitioner an assortment of options for decreasing the clinical signs of DM while avoiding hypoglycemia, the two conditions that represent the definition of a controlled diabetic. The guidelines review identifying and monitoring patients at risk for developing DM, which are important for avoiding unnecessary insulin therapy in patients with transient hyperglycemia or mildly elevated blood glucose.

Vitamin D metabolism in canine and feline medicine.

Vitamin D metabolism in canine and feline medicine.

Generation of Canine Induced Extraembryonic Endoderm-Like Cell Line That Forms Both Extraembryonic and Embryonic Endoderm Derivatives.

Extraembryonic endoderm (XEN) cells are stem cell lines derived from primitive endoderm cells of inner cell mass in blastocysts. These cells have self-renewal properties and differentiate into visceral endoderm (VE) and parietal endoderm (PE) of the yolk sac. Recently, it has been reported that XEN cells can contribute to fetal embryonic endoderm, and their unique potency has been evaluated. In this study, we have described the induction and characterization of new canine stem cell lines that closely resemble to XEN cells. These cells, which we designated canine induced XEN (ciXEN)-like cells, were induced from canine embryonic fibroblasts by introducing four transgenes. ciXEN-like cells expressed XEN markers, which could be maintained over 50 passages in N2B27 medium supplemented with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 and transforming growth factor-beta 1. Our ciXEN-like cells were maintained without transgene expression and exhibited upregulated expression of VE and PE markers in feeder-free conditions. The cells differentiated from ciXEN-like cells using a coculture system showed multiple nuclei and expressed albumin protein, similar to characteristics of hepatocytes. Furthermore, these cells expressed the adult hepatocyte marker, CYP3A4. Interestingly, these cells also formed a net structure expressing the bile epithelium capillary marker, multidrug resistance-associated protein 2. Thus, we have demonstrated the induction of a new canine stem cell line, ciXEN-like cells, which could form an embryonic endodermal cell layer. Our ciXEN-like cells may be a helpful tool to study the canine embryo development and represent a promising cell source for proceeding human and canine regenerative medicine.

Safety and efficacy of intravenous administration for tranexamic acid-induced emesis in dogs with accidental ingestion of foreign substances.

A prospective observational study was performed in canine clinical medicine to evaluate the emetic action and adverse effects of tranexamic acid. Veterinarians treated 137 dogs with a single dose of tranexamic acid (50 mg/kg, IV) after accidental ingestion of foreign substances. If needed, a second (median, 50 mg/kg; range, 20–50 mg/kg, IV) or third dose (median, 50 mg/kg; range, 25–50 mg/kg, IV) was administered. Tranexamic acid induced emesis in 116 of 137 (84.7%) dogs. Median time to onset of emesis was 116.5 sec (range, 26–370 sec), median duration of emesis was 151.5 sec (range, 30–780 sec), and median number of emesis episodes was 2 (range, 1–8). Second and third administrations of tranexamic acid induced emesis in 64.7 and 66.7% of dogs, respectively. In total, IV administration of tranexamic acid successfully induced emesis in 129 of 137 (94.2%) dogs. Adverse effects included a tonic-clonic convulsion and hemostatic disorder in two different dogs, both of which recovered after receiving medical care. Tranexamic acid induced emesis in most dogs following a single-dose. When a single dose was not sufficient, an additional dosage effectively induced emesis. Overall, adverse effects were considered low and self-limiting.

Activity, specificity, and titer of naturally occurring canine anti-DEA 7 antibodies.

The reported prevalence of naturally occurring anti-dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 7 antibodies in DEA 7-negative dogs is as high as 50%. Characterization of these antibodies may better define their importance in canine transfusion medicine. We determined in vitro activity, specificity, and titer of anti-DEA 7 antibodies in DEA 7-negative dogs. Plasma samples from 317 DEA 7-negative dogs were cross-matched with DEA 7-positive red blood cells (RBCs) using gel column technology. Agglutination occurred with DEA 7-positive RBCs but not with DEA 7-negative RBCs in 73 samples (23%), which were hence classified as containing anti-DEA 7 antibodies. These samples were evaluated for hemolytic and agglutinating activity, strength of agglutination, and antibody specificity and titers. All samples showed agglutination but none showed hemolysis. Gel agglutination was graded as 1+ for 20 samples (27%), 2+ for 49 samples (67%), 3+ for 4 samples (6%); no samples were graded 4+. The agglutination titer was <1:2 for 51 samples (73%), 1:2 for 13 samples (19%), 1:4 for 4 samples (5%), and 1:8 for 2 samples (3%). Of 16 samples treated with 2-mercaptoethanol, 11 samples (69%) contained only IgM, 4 samples (25%) exhibited only IgG activity, and 1 sample (6%) had both IgG and IgM activity. Low titers of warm, weakly agglutinating, mostly naturally occurring IgM anti-DEA 7 antibodies were found in 23% of DEA 7-negative dogs. The presence of naturally occurring anti-DEA 7 antibodies suggests that cross-matching of canine blood recipients is advisable, even at first transfusion, to minimize delayed transfusion reactions.

Survey of Two New (Kai 1 and Kai 2) and Other Blood Groups in Dogs of North America.

BackgroundBased upon serology, >10 canine blood group systems have been reported.ObjectiveWe surveyed dogs for dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1 and 2 new blood types (Kai 1 and Kai 2), and some samples also were screened for Dal and DEA 3, 4, and 7.MethodsBlood samples provided by owners, breeders, animal blood banks, and clinical laboratories were typed for DEA 1 by an immunochromatographic strip technique with a monoclonal antibody and analysis of band intensity. Both new antigens, the Dal and other DEAs (except DEA 7 by tube method), were assessed by a gel column method with either monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. The same gel column method was applied for alloantibody detection.ResultsOf 503 dogs typed, 59.6% were DEA 1+ with 4% weakly, 10% moderately, and 45.6% strongly DEA 1+. Regarding Kai 1 and Kai 2, 94% were Kai 1+/Kai 2‐, 5% were Kai 1‐/Kai 2‐ and 1% were Kai 1‐/Kai 2+, but none were Kai 1+/Kai 2+. There was no relationship between Kai 1/Kai 2 and other blood types tested. Plasma from DEA 1‐, Kai 1‐, Kai 2‐ dogs, or some combination of these contained no detectable alloantibodies against DEA 1 and Kai 1 or Kai, respectively.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe new blood types, called Kai 1 and Kai 2, are unrelated to DEA 1, 3, 4, and 7 and Dal. Kai 1+/Kai 2‐ dogs were most commonly found in North America. The clinical relevance of Kai 1 and Kai 2 in canine transfusion medicine still needs to be elucidated.

Detection of bacterial contamination and DNA quantification in stored blood units in 2 veterinary hospital blood banks.

Blood transfusions in veterinary medicine have become increasingly more common and are now an integral part of lifesaving and advanced treatment in small and large animals. Important risks associated with transfusion of blood products include the transmission of various infectious diseases. Several guidelines suggest what infectious agents to screen for in canine and feline transfusion medicine. However, while the risk of bacterial contamination of blood products during storage and administration has not been documented in veterinary medicine, it has emerged as a cause of morbidity and mortality in human transfusion medicine. Clinical experience shows that the majority of blood component bacterial contaminations are caused by only a few species. Unlike other types of bacteria, psychrotolerant species like Pseudomonas spp. and Serratia spp. can proliferate during the storage of blood units at 4°C from a very low titer at the time of blood collection to a clinically significant level (> 10(5) CFU/mL) causing clinical sepsis resulting from red blood cell concentrate transfusions in human medicine. The purpose of this report was to describe the detection and quantification procedures applied in 4 cases of bacterial contamination of canine and feline blood units, which suggest the need for further investigations to optimize patients' safety in veterinary transfusion medicine.

Relationship between vitamin D status and leukocytes in hospitalised cats.

Objectives Vitamin D deficiency, as assessed by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations, has been linked to markers of systemic inflammation in human and canine medicine. However, the relationship between vitamin D status and inflammation has not been previously investigated in cats. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and leukocyte counts in hospitalised sick cats. Methods Serum 25(OH)D concentrations and haematology profiles were measured in 170 consecutive hospitalised sick cats. A binary logistical regression model examined the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentration, age, sex, breed and neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts. Results Cats with neutrophilia had lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations than cats with neutrophil concentrations below the upper limit of the reference interval (RI). There were no differences in serum 25(OH)D concentrations in cats with monocyte, lymphocyte or eosinophil counts above their respective RI compared with cats with counts below the upper limit of the RI. Conclusions and relevance Hospitalised cats with a neutrophil count above the RI had lower vitamin D status. There is a need to establish whether lower vitamin D status is a cause or consequence of increased neutrophil counts.

Neospora caninum seropositivity and reproductive risk factors in dogs

Despite the importance of Neospora caninum in veterinary medicine, knowledge of distribution of neosporosis in dog populations in some countries is still poor. The aims of the present study were to determine the occurrence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in one-hundred dogs living in cattle farms or dog breedings in central Italy and to evaluate the risk factors associated with seropositivity. The incidence of reproductive system disorders (e.g. infertility after first pregnancy) was also evaluated. Serum from breeding and farm dogs was tested to an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to assess the occurrence of seropositivity. Management and individual data were collected and analysed both by linear and logistic multiple-regression models to find reliable predictors of seroprevalence and anti-N. caninum antibody level. The seropositivity for N. caninum was 32%. Dogs reared for breeding and presence of cattle on the farm were associated with seropositivity for N. caninum. Dogs living in the cattle farms showed a higher seropositivity for N. caninum (46%) compared with those living in dogs breeding (18%) (P < 0.05). The high presence of seropositive dogs in cattle farms of the study region demonstrates the potential risk of horizontal transmission of N. caninum between dogs and cattle, regardless the occurrence of reproductive system disorders or with infectious bovine tissues contact. Although the Neospora seropositivity in dog breedings may appear relatively low if compared with that found in dogs living with livestock, this infection, apparently underestimated, should be considered as a potential serious problem in canine medicine.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in ferret and the histological assessment of the endoscopic biopsies

GASTROINTESTINAL diseases are common in ferrets (Hoefer and others 2012). Gastritis and gastric ulcers have been reported extensively in laboratory and pet ferrets (Hoefer and others 2012). Ferrets are considered...

Care of the competitive Obedience dog

ABSTRACTCompetitive Obedience is a sport enjoyed by handlers and dogs alike. The competitive Obedience dog is an elite canine athlete, and as such is exposed to additional stresses and strains over and above those experienced by the average pet dog. Owners of competition dogs have high expectations from their veterinary practice in terms of the treatment and prevention of sport-related injuries, and this demand for highly-specialised care has led to the development of canine sports medicine.

Descrição anatômica dos ramos arteriais da aorta torácica e abdominal do quati (Nasua nasua) (Carnivora, Procyonidae)

The coati (Nasua nasua) is a widely distributed species in South America, also in Brazil. This study aimed to observe and describe the branching morphology of the main arterial branches of thoracic and abdominal aorta in the coati, by comparing the findings with existing literature on the other domestic and wild species. For this study, two adult male specimens were used, collected from highways in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, victims of roadkill. The specimens were fixed in formalin solution and their aortic branches were filled with latex for subsequent dissection and analysis. It was observed that the left subclavian artery is a direct branch of the aortic arch, there is no formation of a bicarotid or celiac-mesenteric trunk, facts similarly described in domestic carnivores. Thus, it was noticed that the arterial branches of aorta in the coati, both in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, show a distribution very similar to that observed in domestic carnivores, something which reflects their evolutionary closeness within the Carnivora order. Thus, this study proves to be relevant by deepening anatomical knowledge on this wild species, enabling that aspects already known in canine veterinary medicine are applied to the coati.

Canine and feline obesity: a review of pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical management.

Canine and feline obesity rates have reached pandemic proportions and are similar to those in humans, with approximately 30%–40% of dogs and cats being overweight to obese. Obesity has been associated with other health problems, including osteoarthritis, renal disease, skin disease, insulin resistance, and neoplasia in dogs, while in cats obesity is associated with dermatological issues, diabetes mellitus, neoplasia, and urolithiasis. The health issues appear to be slightly different across the two species, which may be due to some inherent differences in the hormonal milieu involved in obesity that differs between the dog and the cat. In this review, we discuss the complicated nature of the pathogenesis of obesity, the hormonal stimulus for orexigenic and anorexigenic behavior, adipose tissue as an endocrine organ, and most importantly, clinical management of the number one disease in canine and feline medicine.

Comparison of rectal and vaginal temperature daily rhythm in dogs (Canis familiaris) under different photoperiod

To investigate the daily rhythm of rectal and vaginal temperature, we used six mongrel dogs with a mean body weight of 15±3 kg, aged between 2 and 3 years old. Rectal and vaginal temperatures were recorded every 3 h over 48-h period during three different lighting regimes: natural light/dark (L/D) cycle (sunrise 06:25, sunset 17:05), constant light (L/L) and constant darkness (D/D). A daily rhythm of rectal temperature was observed in both days of monitoring in all experimental conditions. Vaginal temperature showed a daily rhythmicity in L/D and D/D cycle. During the L/L cycle, daily rhythm was disrupted. Rhythmic parameters (MESOR, amplitude, acrophase and robustness) did not change between the different photoperiod and the site of temperature collection. In conclusion, the monitoring of vaginal temperature can be considered a valid alternative to the monitoring of body temperature as well as rectal temperature under natural lighting conditions in canine medicine.