Influence of age and vaccination interval on canine parvovirus, distemper virus, and adenovirus serum antibody titers.

Canine core vaccine titer screenings are becoming increasingly popular in veterinary practice as a tool to guide vaccination decisions, despite a lack of supportive, peer-reviewed evidence-based literature. Additionally, it has been suggested that the canine core vaccine duration of host protective immunity can persist past the currently recommended vaccination interval. Thus, this study evaluated serum antibody titers against three core antigens in dogs with known vaccination histories and lifestyles, analyzing the effect of life stage, exposure risk, and time since last vaccination (TSLV).

Cross-sectional characterization of renal function in cats with caudal stomatitis.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to compare renal functional biomarkers in cats and in caudal stomatitis (CS) and in age-matched control cats.

Methods: A cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted on 44 client-owned cats with CS that were prospectively enrolled and evaluated for a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment at one of four institutions. Renal function was assessed with measurement of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum symmetric dimethylarginine, urinalysis, urine protein:creatinine ratio and urine protein electrophoresis.

Evaluation of renal values during treatment for heartworm disease in 27 client-owned dogs.

Background: Canine heartworm disease (CHD) caused by Dirofilaria immitis remains a common preventable disease with increasing incidence in some parts of the USA. The treatment guidelines of the American Heartworm Society (AHS) currently recommend monthly macrocyclic lactone administration, 28 days of doxycycline given orally every 12 h and three injections of melarsomine dihydrochloride (1 injection on day 2 of treatment followed 30 days later by 2 injections 24 h apart). Minocycline has also been utilized when doxycycline is unavailable.

Renal Osteodystrophy due to Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in a Cat.

A 6 yr old neutered male mixed-breed cat presented for renal transplantation (RTx) for chronic kidney disease. Severe periodontal disease was identified, and before initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment procedure was performed to reduce the burden of existing oral infection. Dental radiography revealed diffuse, severe bone demineralization across the mandible and maxilla, with thinning of the cortices.

Eliciting the Student Perspective on Point-of-Care Diagnostic Testing in Association with a Primary Care Rotation.

The majority of North American veterinary students enter general practice upon graduation. Tertiary teaching hospitals provide extensive case exposure; however, primary case responsibility and decision making are often provided by clinical faculty members. Primary care services at veterinary teaching hospitals are a central component of student preparation for general practice.

Relationships among urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio, urine specific gravity, and bacteriuria in canine urine samples.

Background: Proteinuria is a marker of chronic kidney disease in dogs and a risk factor for increased morbidity and death. Predictive models using the results of readily available screening tests could foster early recognition.

Objective: To determine whether urine specific gravity (USG) and semiquantitative category of dipstick protein can be used to predict urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP : C) and to examine the effect of urine culture results on UP : C in dogs.