Accuracy of urine dipstick tests and urine glucose-to-creatinine ratios for assessment of glucosuria in dogs and cats.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of automated readings of urine dipstick results for assessment of glucosuria in dogs and cats, compare visual versus automated readings of urine glucose concentration, and determine the utility of the urine glucose-to-creatinine ratio (UGCR) for quantification of glucosuria.

Sample: 310 canine and 279 feline urine samples.

Procedures: Glucose concentration was estimated in 271 canine and 254 feline urine samples by visual assessment of urine dipstick results and with an automated dipstick reader.

Effect of blood contamination on results of dipstick evaluation and urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio for urine samples from dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of blood contamination on dipstick results, specific gravity (SG), and urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio (UPCR) for urine samples from dogs and cats. SAMPLE Urine samples collected from 279 dogs and 120 cats. PROCEDURES Urine pools were made for each species (dogs [n = 60] and cats [30]).

Automated in-clinic hematology instruments for small animal practitioners: what is available, what can they really do, and how do i make a choice?

The decision to purchase an in-office hematology instrument is typically based on the desire to have immediate access to complete blood count (CBC) data for disease diagnosis and follow-up and perhaps add to the financial bottom line of your practice. The decision regarding which in-office hematology instrument to purchase requires comparison of available instruments, how they function and knowledge of their strengths and limitations, what analytes they report, their ease of use, and their initial and continued costs. Other considerations include instrument space requirements, ability to interact with your existing data management system, the methods used by analyzers, and data accuracy.

Botryoid nuclei in the peripheral blood of a dog with heatstroke.

An EDTA-anticoagulated blood sample collected from a 1.5-year-old, intact male, English Bulldog was submitted for a CBC. The CBC data and blood smear evaluation revealed borderline high hematocrit (54%, reference interval 37-55%), inappropriate rubricytosis, moderate leukopenia due to both mature neutropenia and lymphopenia, and mild thrombocytopenia.

Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in dogs in North America.

Background: This study evaluated the exposure of dogs to three different Ehrlichia spp. in the south and central regions of the United States where vector-borne disease prevalence has been previously difficult to ascertain, particularly beyond the metropolitan areas.

Methods: Dog blood samples (n = 8,662) were submitted from 14 veterinary colleges, 6 private veterinary practices and 4 diagnostic laboratories across this region.

Automated in-clinic hematology instruments for small animal practitioners: what is available, what can they really do, and how do i make a choice?

To have an in-clinic hematology instrument in your practice and how it is used are decisions that precede the purchase of an instrument. Advantages and limitations of the various instruments should be considered. Initial purchase cost, reagent/disposable costs, costs of training personnel in the use and care of the instrument, and service/repair contract costs need to be considered.

Glucose detection and concentration estimation in feline urine samples with the Bayer Multistix and Purina Glucotest.

The Bayer Multistix are commonly used for detection and estimation of feline glucosuria by veterinarians and cat owners. A newer product, the Purina Glucotest, utilizes the same enzymatic technology for detection of glucose, but has been designed for home use as a litter additive that allows interpretation of glucosuria over an 8-h period. The objectives of this study were to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the Glucotest and Multistix, and to assess the 8-h color stability of the Glucotest.

Multimodal treatment of recurrent sinonasal cryptococcal granulomas in a horse.

Case Description: A 7-year-old 509-kg (1,120-lb) Tennessee Walking Horse mare was evaluated because of bilateral mucosanguinous nasal discharge, intermittent right-sided epistaxis, and worsening dyspnea of 9 months' duration.

Clinical Findings: Multiple masses in the nasopharynx were detected via endoscopic and radiographic examinations. Cytologic and histologic examinations of biopsy specimens of 1 mass revealed round yeasts with thick nonstaining capsules and occasional narrow-based budding that resembled cryptococcal organisms.

Canine complete blood counts: a comparison of four in-office instruments with the ADVIA 120 and manual differential counts.

Background: With more use of bench-top in-office hematology analyzers, the accuracy of reported values is increasingly important. Instruments use varied methods for cell counting and differentiation, and blood smears may not always be examined.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare canine CBC results using 4 bench-top instruments (Hemavet 950, Heska CBC-Diff, IDEXX LaserCyte, and IDEXX VetAutoread) with ADVIA 120 and manual leukocyte counts.

Comparison of Multistix PRO dipsticks with other biochemical assays for determining urine protein (UP), urine creatinine (UC) and UP:UC ratio in dogs and cats.

Background: Urine protein: urine creatinine (UP:UC) ratio determined from the quantitative measurement of protein and creatinine in a single urine sample is the best feasible assessment of clinically significant proteinuria in dogs and cats. A dipstick that measures urine protein, urine creatinine, and UP:UC ratio has been used in human medicine and could have application for veterinary practice.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the Multistix PRO dipstick (Bayer Corporation, Elkhart, IN, USA) to other biochemical methods for determination of urine protein and creatinine, and UP:UC ratio in canine and feline urine.