Dogs with diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy have higher urine di-docosahexaenoyl (22:6)-bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate, a biomarker of phospholipidosis.

Objective: In dogs with diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we have identified electron microscopic changes suggestive of abnormal lysosomal accumulation of phospholipids and consistent with the appearance of drug-induced phospholipidosis in people and other animals. The objective of this study was to compare concentrations of urine di-docosahexaenoyl (22:6)-bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP), a biomarker of drug-induced phospholipidosis, in dogs with DCM eating high-pulse (HP) diets, dogs with DCM eating low-pulse (LP) diets, and healthy controls (control-HP and control-LP).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, voided urine was collected from client-owned dogs with DCM from September 2018 through March 2020.

A Retrospective Study of Sildenafil Administration in 55 Cats with Cardiopulmonary Disease (2009-2021).

Sildenafil is a drug used to successfully manage a variety of cardiopulmonary disorders in people and dogs, but there is limited information on its use in cats. The objective was to review the medical records of cats that received sildenafil as part of their clinical management. Medical records and pharmacy databases were searched for cats that received sildenafil for ≥24 h between 2009 and 2021, and data were collected from medical records.

Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings in Irish Wolfhounds eating high-pulse or low-pulse diets.

Background: Apparently healthy dogs of various breeds eating nontraditional, high-pulse diets can have larger left ventricular diameter, lower systolic function, and more ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) compared with dogs eating traditional, low-pulse diets. It is unknown whether Irish Wolfhounds eating high-pulse diets have similar cardiac abnormalities.

Hypothesis/objectives: To compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings between Irish Wolfhounds eating high- or low-pulse diets.

Untargeted metabolomic profiling of dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease and congestive heart failure shows metabolic differences associated with the presence of cardiac cachexia.

Objective: To determine the effects of cardiac cachexia on the metabolomic profile in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Animals: 3 groups of dogs with MMVD enrolled between November 30, 2018, and April 7, 2022: (1) Dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) and cachexia (CHF-cachexia group; n = 10); (2) dogs with CHF that had no cachexia (CHF-no cachexia group; n = 10); and (3) dogs with asymptomatic disease (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine [ACVIM] Stage B2) with no cachexia (B2 group; n = 10).

Methods: Metabolomic profiles were analyzed from serum samples using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy.

Pit bull-type breeds with dilated cardiomyopathy eating nontraditional diets improve after diet change (2015-2022).

Objective: To compare signalment, clinical signs, diet, echocardiographic findings, and outcome for pit bull-type breeds diagnosed between 2015 and 2022 with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or with DCM diagnosed by a cardiologist but that did not meet all study echocardiographic criteria (DCM-C).

Animals: 91 dogs with DCM and 11 dogs with DCM-C.

Procedures: Data were collected on clinical findings, echocardiographic measurements, and diet at the time of diagnosis (for 76/91 dogs); echocardiographic changes; and survival.

Inhaled pirfenidone solution (AP01) for IPF: a randomised, open-label, dose-response trial.

Introduction: Oral pirfenidone reduces lung function decline and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Systemic exposure can have significant side effects, including nausea, rash, photosensitivity, weight loss and fatigue. Reduced doses may be suboptimal in slowing disease progression.

Comparison of echocardiography, biomarkers and taurine concentrations in cats eating high- or low-pulse diets.

Objectives: There are ongoing investigations into diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, but there has been minimal investigation into possible diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. The objective of this study was to compare cardiac size and function, cardiac biomarkers and taurine concentrations in healthy cats eating high- vs low-pulse diets. We hypothesized that cats eating high-pulse diets would have larger hearts, lower systolic function and higher biomarker concentrations than cats eating low-pulse diets and that there would be no difference in taurine concentrations between the diet groups.

Metabolomic profiling in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy eating non-traditional or traditional diets and in healthy controls.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), caused by genetic and environmental factors, usually progresses to heart failure, a major cause of death in elderly people. A diet-associated form of DCM was recently identified in pet dogs eating non-traditional (NT) diets. To identify potential dietary causes, we analyzed metabolomic signatures and gene set/pathway enrichment in (1) all dogs based on disease, diet, and their interactions and (2) dogs with DCM based on diet.

Comparison of echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets.

Background: There has been a recent association between nontraditional diets and development of diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: To compare echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers between healthy dogs eating nontraditional vs traditional diets. We hypothesized that dogs eating nontraditional diets would have lower measures of systolic myocardial performance compared to dogs eating traditional diets.

Gastrointestinal signs and a need for nutritional management may persist long term in dogs and cats undergoing resection of the ileocolic junction: 35 cases (2008-2020).

Objective: To evaluate the effects of ileocecocolic junction (ICJ) resection on gastrointestinal signs, biochemical parameters, and nutritional variables in dogs and cats.

Animals: 20 dogs and 15 cats that underwent ICJ resection between January 2008 and June 2020.

Procedures: Medical records of dogs and cats that underwent ICJ resection were reviewed, and clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities, and nutritional information were obtained.

Untargeted global metabolomic profiling of healthy dogs grouped on the basis of grain inclusivity of their diet and of dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities that underwent a diet change.

Objective: To compare metabolomic profiles of dogs eating grain-free (GF) versus grain-inclusive (GI) diets (1) for healthy dogs at baseline and (2) for dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities at 12 months after a diet change.

Sample: Serum samples from 23 dogs eating GF diets and 79 dogs eating GI diets, of which 17 (8 eating a GF diet and 9 eating a GI diet) were reevaluated 12 months after a diet change.

Procedures: Metabolomic profiles were developed by means of ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy of serum samples.

Effect of diet change in healthy dogs with subclinical cardiac biomarker or echocardiographic abnormalities.

Background: A recent study showed higher high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentrations in healthy dogs eating grain-free (GF) compared to those eating grain-inclusive (GI) diets.

Hypothesis/objectives: Healthy dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities eating GF diets at baseline will show improvements in cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic variables after diet change, whereas healthy dogs eating GI diets at baseline will not improve.

Animals: Twenty healthy dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities (12 Golden Retrievers, 5 Doberman Pinschers, 3 Miniature Schnauzers).

Intervention to reduce unnecessary urinary catheter use in a large academic health science centre: A one-group, pretest, posttest study with a theory-based process evaluation.

Aim: To evaluate an intervention to reduce unnecessary urinary catheter use and prevent catheter-associated urinary-tract infections (CAUTI) in hospitalized patients across an academic health science centre.

Methods: We conducted a one-group, pretest, posttest study with a theory-based process evaluation. Phase 1 consisted of a pre/postintervention to test the impact of a CAUTI protocol.

Effect of type of diet on blood and plasma taurine concentrations, cardiac biomarkers, and echocardiograms in 4 dog breeds.

Background: Associations of diet with dilated cardiomyopathy are under investigation.

Objectives: That cardiac assessment would show abnormalities in healthy dogs eating grain-free (GF) diets or diets with Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-listed ingredients of concern (peas, lentils, or potatoes) as top 10 ingredients (FDA-PLP), but not in dogs eating grain-inclusive (GI) diets or diets without FDA-listed ingredients of concern (PLP) in the top 10 ingredients (NoFDA-PLP).

Animals: One hundred eighty-eight healthy Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Whippets.

Enhancing Nursing Capacity to Provide Patient Care in a Pandemic.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an immediate priority for nurse leaders was to develop a care delivery plan to address anticipated surges in patient volumes and potential staff shortages. This article describes actions taken to enhance patient care capacity. Strategies included reviewing the competencies of nurses and other health professionals, mapping out redeployment pathways, preparing nurses and other health professionals for redeployment as needed and creating a collaborative care team model.

Echocardiographic, morphometric and biomarker changes in female cats followed from 6 to 24 months of life.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiac size and early growth through echocardiographic, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), morphometric and biomarker changes in cats followed from 6 to 24 months of age.

Methods: Twenty-four female European shorthair colony cats were evaluated at birth for BW and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age for BW, BCS, head length (HL) and head width (HW), N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and echocardiographic measurements.

Results: BCS, HW, left ventricular free wall in diastole, left atrium diameter and aortic diameter increased significantly between 6 and 12 months, while BW, HL and interventricular septum in diastole increased significantly between 6, 12 and 18 months, and BW decreased significantly between 18 and 24 months.

Vitamin D status in cats with cardiomyopathy.

Background: Low vitamin D concentrations have been associated with advanced heart disease and poorer outcomes in people and dogs. Vitamin D status typically is assessed by serum 25(OH)D concentration. However, cats also produce notable amounts of a C-3 epimer of 25(OH)D (3-epi).

Validation and preliminary data from a health-related quality of life questionnaire for owners of dogs with cardiac disease.

Background: Cardiac disease in dogs impacts the quality of life (QoL) of their owners, but owners' QoL has not been comprehensively assessed in this population.

Objectives: To develop, validate, and provide preliminary data from a health-related QoL (hrQoL) questionnaire for owners of dogs with cardiac disease.

Subjects: A total of 141 owners of dogs with cardiac disease were studied.

Current Standards and Practices Within the Therapy Dog Industry: Results of a Representative Survey of United States Therapy Dog Organizations.

Organizations that deliver animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), as well as those that train, evaluate, and register therapy dogs, have proliferated in recent decades in the United States (U.S.).

Usefulness of muscle condition score and ultrasonographic measurements for assessment of muscle mass in cats with cachexia and sarcopenia.

Objective: To compare muscle condition scores (MCSs) and muscle ultrasonographic measurements in cats with and without muscle loss and to evaluate repeatability and reproducibility of MCS assessment.

Animals: 40 cats of various ages, body condition scores (BCSs), and MCSs.

Procedures: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted.