Dietary Fatty Acids Differentially Regulate Secretion of Adiponectin and Interleukin-6 in Primary Canine Adipose Tissue Culture.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on canine adipose tissue secretion of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Subcutaneous and omental visceral adipose tissue samples were collected from 16 healthy intact female dogs. Concentrations of adiponectin were measured in mature adipocyte cultures, and concentrations of IL6 and TNFα were measured in undifferentiated stromovascular cell (SVC) cultures following treatment with eicosapentaenic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6), or palmitic acid (PAM, 16:0) at 25, 50, or 100 μM.

A Quick Reference on Hypercalcemia.

In dogs, neoplasia is the most common cause of hypercalcemia, followed by primary hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and hypoadrenocorticism. In cats, idiopathic hypercalcemia is the most common cause, followed by chronic kidney disease and then neoplasia. Prognosis and treatment ultimately depend on the cause of the hypercalcemia.

A Quick Reference on Hypocalcemia.

Primary hypoparathyroidism should be considered in dogs with vague signs, including tremors, facial rubbing, and seizures. Ionized hypocalcemia should be considered in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy, especially lymphangiectasia caused by hypovitaminosis D. Ionized hypocalcemia typically occurs only in advanced chronic kidney disease.

Update on Feline Ionized Hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia in cats is recognized with increased frequency, especially idiopathic hypercalcemia, which is the most common cause. Idiopathic hypercalcemia seems to be unique to the cat, not occurring in the dog as a specific syndrome. There are many causes of hypercalcemia, and diagnosis relies on evaluation of clinical signs, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, and evaluation of calcium metabolic hormones.

Increased serum concentrations of adiponectin in canine hypothyroidism.

Serum concentrations of adiponectin were compared between sex-matched hypothyroid (n = 18) and euthyroid (n = 18) client-owned dogs with comparable ages and body condition scores (BCS). Concentrations of adiponectin (mean; 95% confidence interval) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in hypothyroid (17.

Calcitriol, calcidiol, parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor-23 interactions in chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To review the inter-relationships between calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), parent and activated vitamin D metabolites (vitamin D, 25(OH)-vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2 -vitamin D, 24,25(OH)2 -vitamin D), and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) during chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs and cats.

Data Sources: Human and veterinary literature.

Human Data Synthesis: Beneficial effects of calcitriol treatment during CKD have traditionally been attributed to regulation of PTH but new perspectives emphasize direct renoprotective actions independent of PTH and calcium.

Effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and body condition on serum concentrations of adipokines in healthy dogs.

Objective: To determine associations between serum concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or body condition and serum concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, insulin, glucose, or triglyceride in healthy dogs.

Animals: 62 healthy adult client-owned dogs.

Procedures: Body condition score and percentage of body fat were determined.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on serum concentrations of adipokines in healthy cats.

Objective: To determine associations between serum concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, and insulin in healthy cats.

Animals: 56 healthy adult client-owned cats.

Procedures: Body condition score (BCS) was determined, and blood samples were collected after food was withheld for 12 hours.

Prediction of serum ionized calcium concentration by serum total calcium measurement in cats.

Feline serum samples (n = 434) were classified as hypercalcemic, normocalcemic, or hypocalcemic based on both total calcium (tCa) and ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive diagnostic likelihood ratio (PDLR), and negative diagnostic likelihood ratio (NDLR) were calculated for prediction of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia in all samples, in hypoalbuminemic cats, and in those with chronic renal failure (CRF) as compared with cats that had other conditions. Diagnostic discordance in prediction of iCa using tCa was 40%.

Calcium: total or ionized?

Measurement of serum total calcium (tCa) has been relied on for assessment of calcium status, despite the fact that it is the ionized calcium (iCa) fraction that has biologic activity. Serum tCa does not accurately predict iCa status in many clinical conditions. For accurate assessment of iCa status, iCa should be directly measured.

Hypocalcemia: a quick reference.

This article serves as a quick reference for hypocalcemia. Guidelines for causes, clinical signs, and diagnosis are presented in a stepwise approach.

Hypercalcemia: a quick reference.

This article serves as a quick reference for hypercalcemia. Guidelines for causes, clinical signs, analysis, and diagnosis are presented in a stepwise approach.

Calcium homeostasis in thyroid disease in dogs and cats.

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder of cats, and hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder of dogs. Little is known regarding the effects of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or treatment of these disorders on calcium metabolism in the dog or cat, however, especially any potential effects on bone. With better diagnostic tools, better treatments, and increased longevity of pets, the clinical impact of thyroid disorders on calcium metabolism and bone may be uncovered.

Comparison of the effects of daily and intermittent-dose calcitriol on serum parathyroid hormone and ionized calcium concentrations in normal cats and cats with chronic renal failure.

Background: Chronic renal failure is complicated by secondary hyperparathyroidism, which traditionally has been controlled by dietary restriction of phosphorus and administration of phosphorus binders. Early treatment of patients with chronic renal failure with calcitriol may be indicated because once established, parathyroid gland hyperplasia does not readily resolve with therapy.

Hypothesis: Daily and intermittent dosing of calcitriol will decrease plasma parathyroid hormone concentration in normal cats and cats with chronic renal failure without causing ionized hypercalcemia.

Prediction of serum ionized calcium concentration by use of serum total calcium concentration in dogs.

Objective: To determine whether total serum calcium (tCa) or adjusted tCa concentrations accurately predict ionized calcium (iCa) status in dogs.

Sample Population: 1,633 canine serum samples.

Procedure: The tCa concentration was adjusted for total protein (TP) or albumin concentration by use of published equations.

Effects of methimazole on thyroid gland uptake of 99mTC-pertechnetate in 19 hyperthyroid cats.

Nineteen cats with abnormally high serum T4 concentrations underwent thyroid scintigraphy using technetium-99m pertechnetate (99mTcO4) before and after 36 +/- 6 days of methimazole administration (approximately 2.5mg PO q 12 h). Thyroid-to-salivary gland ratios (T:S ratios) and percentage thyroidal uptake of injected radioactivity at 20 and 60min after injection of 99mTcO4 were compared before and after methimazole treatment.

Fractionation of canine serum magnesium.

Background: Serum total magnesium (tMg) consists of 3 fractions: ionized magnesium (iMg), protein-bound magnesium (pbMg), and complexed magnesium (cMg). Serum iMg may be measured by an ion-selective electrode, but determination of pbMg and cMg has not been attempted in dogs.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the validity of a micropartition system to fractionate serum tMg and to establish reference intervals for pbMg, cMg, and iMg in clinically normal dogs using this method.

Determination of calcium fractionation in dogs with chronic renal failure.

Objective: To determine concentrations of calcium (total [tCa], ionized [iCa], protein-bound [pCa], and complexed [cCa]) in dogs with chronic renal failure (CRF).

Animals: 23 dogs with CRF.

Procedure: Serum calcium was fractionated by use of a micropartition system.

Effects of storage on serum ionized calcium and pH from horses with normal and abnormal ionized calcium concentrations.

It has been previously shown that Ca(I) concentration is stable in serum collected from healthy horses for 10 days if stored at 40 degrees C. This may not be true for horses with abnormal Ca(I) concentrations. Thus the stability of ionized calcium (Ca(I)) concentration and pH measurement in serum from horses with both normal and abnormal Ca(I) concentrations stored for various times at 40 degrees C and -10 degrees C was evaluated.