Publications by authors named "Kari Lunsford"

A 1-year-old neutered male Labrador retriever mixed breed dog was referred for peracute onset of ataxia and seizures. Hematocrit at presentation was 84%. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a lesion in the right caudate nucleus consistent with infarction.

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Objective: To assess the in vitro and in vivo platelet function of healthy dogs during administration of a low-dose aspirin regimen.

Animals: 16 dogs.

Procedures: Dogs received aspirin (1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) for 7 days.

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Objective: To evaluate the anticoagulant effects of inhaled heparin in dogs.

Design: This study was conducted in 3 phases. In phase 1, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) was collected to generate an in vitro calibration curve to relate heparin concentration to the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

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To date, a 4-bp deletion in the MDR1 gene has been detected in more than ten dog breeds, as well as in mixed breed dogs, in several countries, however information regarding this mutation in dogs from Brazil is lacking. For this reason, 103 Collies, 77 Border Collies, 76 Shetland Sheepdogs, 20 Old English Sheepdogs, 55 German Shepherds, 16 Australian Shepherds, and 53 Whippets from Brazil were screened for the presence of the mutation. The heterozygous mutated genotype, MDR1 (+/-), frequency found for Collies, Australian Shepherd, and Shetland Sheepdog was 50.

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During platelet development, proteins necessary for the many functional roles of the platelet are stored within cytoplasmic granules. Platelets have also been shown to take up and store many plasma proteins into granules. This makes the platelet a potential novel source of biomarkers for many disease states.

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Background: Several research applications involving platelets, such as proteomic and transcriptomic analysis, require samples with very low numbers of contaminating leukocytes, which have considerably higher RNA and protein content than platelets. We sought to develop a platelet purification protocol that would minimize contamination, involve minimal centrifugation steps, and yield highly pure platelet samples derived from low volume whole blood samples from healthy dogs.

Results: Using an optimized OptiPrep density gradient technique, platelet recovery was 51.

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Case Description: A 7-year-old neutered male Saint Bernard was evaluated because of a 6-month history of coughing, gagging, change in phonation, excessive panting, and chronic intermittent vomiting and diarrhea.

Clinical Findings: Physical examination revealed no remarkable findings other than panting. Total thyroxine concentration and results of a CBC, serum biochemistry analysis, urinalysis, and thoracic radiography were within reference limits.

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Objective: To determine effects of anti-inflammatory doses of COX-2 selective NSAIDs carprofen, meloxicam, and deracoxib on platelet function in dogs and urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2.

Study Design: Randomized, blocked, crossover design with a 14-day washout period.

Animals: Healthy intact female Walker Hounds aged 1-6 years and weighing 20.

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Unfractionated heparin has been the standard heparin used in human and veterinary medicine for its anticoagulation effect; however, it has a complex pharmacodynamic profile that requires close monitoring. Low molecular weight heparins have a more predictable bioavailability, allowing standardized dosing without individual patient monitoring. This project was designed to a) evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the subcutaneous (SC) administration of the low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, in dogs using anti-Xa activity as a marker of plasma enoxaparin concentrations and b) to establish the dose necessary to maintain activity within an established target range.

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In veterinary medicine, we are forced to make use of less than ideal "evidence," such as extrapolation from experimental studies in dogs and cats without naturally occurring diseases and from clinical trials in other species (particularly human clinical trials), as well as limited information gained from veterinary clinical experience, small clinical trials, case studies, and anecdotal reports. In this article, specific treatment recommendations are made for each of the common thromboembolic conditions seen in dogs and cats. These recommendations are made with the important caveat that, to date, such suggested therapeutic approaches are based on limited evidence.

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