Clinical utility of fungal culture and antifungal susceptibility in cats and dogs with histoplasmosis.

Background: Culture can be used for diagnosis and antifungal susceptibility testing in animals with fungal infections. Limited information is available regarding the diagnostic performance of culture and the susceptibility patterns of Histoplasma spp. isolates.

Retrospective analysis of immunosuppressive and anti-thrombotic protocols in nonassociative immune mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs.

Background: Evidence supporting the effectiveness of therapeutic protocols for nonassociative immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (na-IMHA) is weak.

Hypothesis/objectives: Investigate the efficacy of various drugs in na-IMHA.

Animals: Two hundred forty-two dogs.

Anticoagulant effects of rivaroxaban, prednisone, alone and in combination, in healthy dogs.

Background: The potential effects of glucocorticoid administration on rivaroxaban's anticoagulant bioactivity in dogs, and an appropriate rivaroxaban dosage regimen for dogs receiving glucocorticoid therapy are unknown.

Hypothesis/objectives: The objective was to determine whether glucocorticoid administration influences the anticoagulant effects of rivaroxaban in healthy dogs. We hypothesized that administration of rivaroxaban and prednisone would reduce the anticoagulant intensity compared with rivaroxaban alone.

Effect of washing units of canine red blood cells on storage lesions.

Background: In humans, washing stored blood products before transfusion reduces storage lesions and incidence of transfusion reactions, but the effectiveness of washing canine blood is unknown.

Objectives: The objective was to determine if manually washing units of stored blood would reduce storage lesions without adversely affecting erythrocytes. We hypothesized that washing stored units would reduce concentrations of storage lesions and cause minimal erythrocyte damage.

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.

Anticoagulant profile of subcutaneous enoxaparin in healthy dogs.

Our study objective was to identify a subcutaneous enoxaparin dosage that provided a consistent anticoagulant intensity in dogs. Our hypotheses were that a dose of 0.8 mg/kg would provide inconsistent anticoagulation, a higher dose would provide consistent anticoagulation over a greater duration of time, and viscoelastometry would effectively monitor the anticoagulant status.

Effects of pentoxifylline on canine platelet aggregation.

Background: Pentoxifylline can decrease platelet function in humans, but the anti-platelet effects of pentoxifylline in dogs is unknown. The addition of a luciferin-luciferase reagent during platelet aggregometry can induce a dose-dependent potentiation of platelet aggregation.

Objective: To determine if exposure to pentoxifylline, without the addition of a luciferin-luciferase reagent during aggregometry, causes canine platelet dysfunction.

Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) Transfusion Reaction Small Animal Consensus Statement (TRACS). Part 1: Definitions and clinical signs.

Objective: To use a systematic, evidence-based consensus process to develop definitions for transfusion reactions in dogs and cats.

Design: Evidence evaluation of the literature was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Reaction definitions were generated based on synthesis of human and veterinary literature.

Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) transfusion reaction small animal consensus statement (TRACS). Part 3: Diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: To systematically review available evidence to develop guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of transfusion-associated reactions in dogs and cats.

Design: Standardized and systemic evaluation of the literature (identified through Medline via PubMed and Google Scholar searches) was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. The available evidence was evaluated using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions generated for each reaction type.

Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) Transfusion Reaction Small Animal Consensus Statement (TRACS) Part 2: Prevention and monitoring.

Objective: To systematically review available evidence to develop guidelines for the prevention of transfusion reactions and monitoring of transfusion administration in dogs and cats.

Design: Evidence evaluation of the literature (identified through Medline searches through Pubmed and Google Scholar searches) was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Evidence was evaluated using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions generated for each reaction type.

Effects of clopidogrel and prednisone on platelet function in healthy dogs.

Background: Glucocorticoids cause hypercoagulability, but it is unknown if they counteract clopidogrel's antiplatelet effects.

Hypothesis/objectives: Determine the effects of clopidogrel and prednisone on platelet function.

Animals: Twenty-four healthy dogs.

Effects of oral administration of 5 immunosuppressive agents on activated T-cell cytokine expression in healthy dogs.

Background: Dogs are often adminstered >1 immunosuppressive medication when treating immune-mediated diseases, and determining whether these different medications affect IL-2 expression would be useful when performing pharmacodynamic monitoring during cyclosporine therapy.

Hypothesis/objectives: To determine the effects of 5 medications (prednisone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and leflunomide) on activated T-cell expression of the cytokines IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).

Animals: Eight healthy dogs.

Recovery of T-cell function in healthy dogs following cessation of oral cyclosporine administration.

Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive agent used to treat immune-mediated disorders in dogs. Secondary infections sometimes necessitate withdrawal of cyclosporine, but it is not known how long it takes for the immune system to recover after cessation of cyclosporine. Our goal was to utilize a validated RT-qPCR assay in dogs to assess recovery time of the T-cell cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ after discontinuation of cyclosporine.

Effects of Aspirin and Prednisone on Platelet Function and Thromboxane Synthesis in Healthy Dogs.

Glucocorticoid administration is a risk factor for thromboembolism in hypercoagulable dogs, and it is unknown if aspirin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced hypercoagulability. The objective was to determine the effects of sustained aspirin and prednisone administration on platelet function and thromboxane synthesis. Our hypothesis was that aspirin would consistently inhibit platelet function and thromboxane synthesis when administered with or without prednisone.

Effects of cyclosporine on feline lymphocytes activated in vitro.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a calcineurin inhibitor that is known to decrease lymphocyte expression of NFAT-regulated cytokines in humans, dogs and cats, and thereby depress lymphocyte function. Less is known about the effects of CsA on lymphocytes in cats than in other species. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 6 healthy cats.

Effects of pentoxifylline on whole blood IL-2 and IFN-gamma gene expression in normal dogs.

Background: Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor that is used as a hemorrheologic and anti-inflammatory agent in veterinary and human medicine. In human studies, PTX has been shown to decrease T-cell production of cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-γ. A RT-qPCR assay to measure activated T-cell gene expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ has been validated in dogs.

Clinical, clinicopathologic, and gastrointestinal changes from administration of clopidogrel, prednisone, or combination in healthy dogs: A double-blind randomized trial.

Background: Dogs with immune-mediated disease often receive glucocorticoids with clopidogrel, but ulcerogenic effects of current protocols are unknown.

Hypothesis/objectives: To compare gastrointestinal endoscopic findings among dogs administered clopidogrel, prednisone, and combination treatment.

Animals: Twenty-four healthy research dogs.

Assessment of erythrocyte damage and in-line pressure changes associated with simulated transfusion of canine blood through microaggregate filters.

Objective: To determine whether passage of whole blood through a microaggregate filter by use of a syringe pump would damage canine erythrocytes.

Sample: Blood samples obtained from 8 healthy client-owned dogs.

Procedures: Whole blood was passed through a standard microaggregate filter by use of a syringe pump at 3 standard administration rates (12.

Coagulation factor activity in units of leukoreduced and nonleukoreduced canine fresh-frozen plasma.

Objective: To evaluate coagulation factors in units of leukoreduced (LR) and nonleukoreduced (non-LR) canine fresh-frozen plasma (cFFP).

Animals: 8 healthy research dogs.

Procedures: In a crossover study, dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups from which blood was collected and either did or did not undergo leukoreduction.

Clinical, clinicopathologic, and gastrointestinal changes from aspirin, prednisone, or combination treatment in healthy research dogs: A double-blind randomized trial.

Background: Dogs with immune-mediated disease are often coadministered glucocorticoids and aspirin, but ulcerogenic effects of current protocols are unknown.

Objectives: To compare gastrointestinal changes among dogs administered aspirin, prednisone, and combination treatment.

Animals: Twenty-four healthy research dogs.

Alterations in activated T-cell cytokine expression in healthy dogs over the initial 7 days of twice daily dosing with oral cyclosporine.

Cyclosporine is a powerful T-cell inhibitor used in the treatment of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases in the dog. There is limited information on how to best monitor patients on cyclosporine therapy. Currently, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assays are available.

Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE): Domain 4-Refining and monitoring antithrombotic therapies.

Objectives: To systematically review the evidence for therapeutic monitoring of antithrombotic drugs in small animals, develop guidelines regarding antithrombotic monitoring, and identify knowledge gaps in the field.

Design: First, a standardized, systematic literature review was conducted to address predefined PICO (Population/Patient, Intervention, Control, Outcome) questions, with categorization of relevant articles according to level of evidence and quality. Preliminary guidelines were developed by PICO worksheet authors and the domain chair.