Chronic enteropathy in dogs affects the quality of life in both dogs and their owners-are veterinarians proficient in handling the caregiver burden?

Introduction: Chronic disease is generally known to affect dogs' quality of life (QoL) as well as being associated with increased strain on their owners. Gastrointestinal (GI) disease is a common problem in companion animal practice, yet little is known about the QoL of dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE) and how their owners and veterinarians assess it.

Methods: The aim of this study was to explore: (i) how dog owners and veterinarians observed and evaluated QoL for dogs with chronic GI disease, (ii) how having a dog with CE affected the owner's QoL, and (iii) characteristics of the communication and relationship between the dog owner and veterinarian.

Association of serum and fecal microRNA profiles in cats with gastrointestinal cancer and chronic inflammatory enteropathy.

Background: Differentiation of gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) from chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CIE) in cats can be challenging and often requires extensive diagnostic testing. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have promise as non-invasive biomarkers in serum and feces for diagnosis of GIC.

Hypothesis/objectives: Cats with GIC will have serum and fecal miRNA profiles that differ significantly from healthy cats and cats with CIE.

Dirofilaria repens in a dog imported to Denmark: A potential for emerging zoonotic disease.

Dirofilarosis is spreading among dogs and humans in Europe with infections being established in many countries. Here, we describe the first molecular biologically confirmed case of D. repens infection in an imported dog in Denmark and highlight the potential zoonotic aspects from this emerging zoonotic parasite in central and northern Europe as at least one to two generations of Dirofilaria spp.

Association of fecal and serum microRNA profiles with gastrointestinal cancer and chronic inflammatory enteropathy in dogs.

Background: Reliable biomarkers to differentiate gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) from chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) in dogs are needed. Fecal and serum microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic markers of GI disease in humans and dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: Dogs with GIC have fecal and serum miRNA profiles that differ from those of dogs with CIE.

Use of a videofluoroscopic feeding evaluation to guide management of dogs with congenital idiopathic megaoesophagus.

Background: Evidence-based guidelines for determining dietary management in dogs with megaoesophagus are lacking.

Objectives: This study looked to compare oesophageal clearance times (ECT) of liquid and two food consistencies using a contrast videofluoroscopy feeding evaluation, and to assess if recommendations made based on findings could improve regurgitation and quality of life in dogs with congenital megaoesophagus.

Methods: Twenty-one dogs with congenital megaoesophagus and nine healthy dogs received liquid, slurry, and meatball diets containing barium while in an upright position.

Evaluation of fecal microRNA stability in healthy cats.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer accounts for 14% of feline malignancies. There is a great need for reliable noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers to reach a timely diagnosis and initiate treatment. Fecal microRNAs (miRNAs) could be such a biomarker and have shown great potential in colorectal screening in people but have yet to be investigated in cats.

Validation of a method for quantitation of the clopidogrel active metabolite, clopidogrel, clopidogrel carboxylic acid, and 2-oxo-clopidogrel in feline plasma.

Introduction: The clopidogrel active metabolite (CAM) is unstable and challenging to quantitate. The objective was to validate a new method for stabilization and quantitation of CAM, clopidogrel, and the inactive metabolites clopidogrel carboxylic acid and 2-oxo-clopiodgrel in feline plasma.

Animals: Two healthy cats administered clopidogrel to demonstrate assay in vivo utility.

Hypoadrenocorticism mimicking protein-losing enteropathy in 4 dogs.

Four dogs referred for suspected protein-losing enteropathy based on clinical signs, severe hypoalbuminemia, and hypocholesterolemia, and in 2 dogs, abdominal effusion or peripheral edema, were diagnosed with hypoadrenocorticism. Dogs with hypoadrenocorticism may have features of protein-losing enteropathy, including ascites or peripheral edema, which have not been described in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism.

Quantification of lipopolysaccharides in outer membrane vesicle vaccines against meningococcal disease. High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the constituent 3-hydroxy-lauric acid.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay for quantification of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs, endotoxins) in outer membrane vesicle vaccines against meningococcal disease has been developed. The LPS constituent, 3-hydroxy-lauric acid, served as marker substance for the quantification. LPS from the vaccine was precipitated by ethanol and the fatty acid constituents, including 3-hydroxy-lauric acid, were released by acidic hydrolysis, collected and purified by solid phase extraction on C18 disc-cartridges and converted into phenacyl esters for UV detection at 240 nm.