Evaluation of Clinicopathological Data, the Specific Feline Pancreatic Lipase Assay, and Abdominal Ultrasound as Severity Determinants in Cats with Pancreatitis.

Limited data exist to predict the severity of pancreatitis in cats. In this retrospective case series, we reviewed the medical records of 45 cats with SP from June 2014 to June 2019. Case definition was based on an internist's review of clinopathologic data, Spec fPL concentration, and AUS findings.

Effects of leukoreduction on N-methylhistamine concentration in stored units of canine whole blood.

Objective: To determine the effects of leukoreduction on N-methylhistamine (NMH; a stable histamine metabolite) concentration in units of canine whole blood during storage and incubation at room temperature (approx 22 °C) to simulate temperature conditions during transfusion.

Animals: 8 healthy adult Walker Hounds.

Procedures: A standard unit of blood (450 mL) was obtained from each dog twice, with at least 28 days between donations.

Effects of desmopressin acetate administration in healthy dogs receiving prednisolone.

Background: Glucocorticoids are used for a variety of purposes in veterinary medicine but often are associated with clinically important adverse effects. Polyuria and polydipsia are the most frustrating adverse effects noted by owners.

Objective: To determine whether administration of desmopressin ameliorates polyuria and polydipsia associated with prednisolone administration.

Ketoconazole-induced transient hypoadrenocorticism in a dog.

A 6-year-old, spayed female, mixed breed boxer dog was presented for decreased appetite, polyuria and polydipsia, and lethargy 9 days after treatment with ketoconazole for pododermatitis. Ketoconazoleinduced hypoadrenocorticism was confirmed with an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test, and ketoconazole was discontinued. Clinical signs resolved 48 hours after initiation of prednisone, and resolution of glucocorticoid insufficiency was confirmed with a repeat ACTH stimulation test 48 hours after a 10-day course of prednisone.

Association between abdominal ultrasound findings, the specific canine pancreatic lipase assay, clinical severity indices, and clinical diagnosis in dogs with pancreatitis.

Background: A clinical diagnosis (CDx) of pancreatitis includes evaluation of clinical signs, abdominal ultrasound (AUS), and pancreatic lipase. However, practitioners are using AUS to diagnose pancreatitis and are using AUS severity to guide decisions. The validity of this is unknown.

Strategies to Improve Case Outcome When Referral Is Not Affordable.

We conducted a survey-based study to determine whether on-site consultations and cost-effective protocols are beneficial to general practitioners handling challenging small animal internal medicine patients when owners cannot afford referral and whether fourth-year veterinary students benefit from training in this area. Fifteen general practices were visited over 12 months by a board-certified internist and students. On-site consultations for patients belonging to owners who could not afford referral were conducted by the internist.

Evaluation of a structured individualised protocol as a potential cost-effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic diarrhoea in the dog.

Diagnostic investigation and management of chronic diarrhoea in dogs can be cost-prohibitive to many owners. The objectives of this study were to evaluate evidence-based, individualised diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for management of dogs with chronic diarrhoea, where financial constraints dictate a budget-limited approach and where more expensive approaches are deferred until simple affordable protocols are unsuccessful. Twenty-two client-owned dogs with chronic (minimum 2 weeks duration) untreated small, large or mixed small/large bowel diarrhoea were enrolled in a budget-limited step-wise management protocol (maximum expenditure $300 over 6 weeks), with diagnostic testing and therapeutic trials managed in an individualised and evidence-based fashion.

Identification of histamine receptors in the canine gastrointestinal tract.

The important role of histamine in chronic gastrointestinal diseases has been increasingly recognized over the last two decades in human medicine. Histamine is released following mast cell activation and exerts its action through binding to four different histamine receptors (H1, H2, H3, and H4). Histamine receptors are dispersed throughout the body, and each different receptor mediates a unique response.