Establishment of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and the current status of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe.

After 5 years of development, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was formally recognized and approved on July 4, 2007 by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS), the European regulatory body that oversees specialization in veterinary medicine and which has approved 23 colleges. The objectives, committees, basis for membership, constitution, bylaws, information brochure and certifying examination of the ECVCP have remained unchanged during this time except as directed by EBVS. The ECVCP declared full functionality based on the following criteria: 1) a critical mass of 65 members: 15 original diplomates approved by the EBVS to establish the ECVCP, 37 de facto diplomates, 7 diplomates certified by examination, and 5 elected honorary members; 2) the development and certification of training programs, laboratories, and qualified supervisors for residents; currently there are 18 resident training programs in Europe; 3) administration of 3 annual board-certifying examinations thus far, with an overall pass rate of 70%; 4) European consensus criteria for assessing the continuing education of specialists every 5 years; 5) organization of 8 annual scientific congresses and a joint journal (with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology) for communication of scientific research and information; the College also maintains a website, a joint listserv, and a newsletter; 6) collaboration in training and continuing education with relevant colleges in medicine and pathology; 7) development and strict adherence to a constitution and bylaws compliant with the EBVS; and 8) demonstration of compelling rationale, supporting data, and the support of members and other colleges for independence as a specialty college.

Evaluation of coagulation markers in the plasma of healthy cats and cats with asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Thrombosis and arterial thromboembolism are frequent complications of feline cardiomyopathy, especially when associated with left atrial enlargement. Markers of activated coagulation may be used to evaluate the coagulation status of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in relation to left atrial size.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare plasma concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), D-dimer, and fibrin degradation products (FDP) between clinically healthy cats and cats with HCM.

Parasitemia in a neonatal bison calf.

A 3-day old female bison calf (Bison bison) was presented in lateral recumbency to the Université de Montréal Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The animal was severely depressed and dehydrated (10%) and died a few hours after admission. Prior to death, blood samples were obtained for CBC, clinical chemistry, and serology tests.

Evaluation of variation in serum globulin concentrations in dairy cattle.

Background: Several factors may influence the concentration of serum globulins in healthy cows and thereby affect clinical interpretation; however, few studies have addressed sources of variation in globulin values.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare colorimetry-based total serum globulin values with electrophoretically-determined serum globulin fractions and with IgG concentration, and to evaluate diurnal and long-term physiological variation and the effects of lactation and venipuncture site on serum globulin concentrations in Holstein dairy cattle.

Methods: Serum total globulin and albumin concentrations were analyzed by colorimetry and electrophoresis in 86 lactating cows; IgG concentrations were determined by radial immunodiffusion in 41 dry and 34 lactating cows.