Leptospirosis and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia: A lethal association.

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common cause of anemia in dogs. The immune aggression towards erythrocytes can be triggered by many pathological conditions such as infection, inflammatory disease or neoplasia. Upon ruling out any eliciting conditions, a diagnosis of the primary immune-mediated disease can be made.

Enhanced fibrinolysis detection in a natural occurring canine model with intracavitary effusions: Comparison and degree of agreement between thromboelastometry and FDPs, D-dimer and fibrinogen concentrations.

Dogs with intracavitary effusion have coagulative abnormalities indicative of primary fibrinolysis/hyperfibrinolysis. The aim of this case control study was to investigate by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and standard coagulation tests (fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products, D-dimer and fibrinogen) fibrinolysis in dogs with intracavitary effusions. Thirty-two dogs with intracavitary effusion and 32 control sick dogs without effusion were studied.

Cryotherapy to treat benign skin tumours in conscious dogs.

Background: Cryotherapy can be used to treat benign skin lesions without general anaesthesia. This technique has only been described in anaesthetized dogs.

Objective: To describe the feasibility, safety and efficacy of cryotherapy to treat benign skin tumours in conscious dogs.

Prevalence and risk factors for Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 detection in domestic cats in Italy.

Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 (FcaGHV1), a novel gammaherpesvirus of domestic cats identified in 2014, has been detected in different countries demonstrating a worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of FcaGHV1 in Italy using a molecular epidemiological approach. FcaGHV1 DNA was detected with virus-specific real-time PCR in ≃1% of 2659 feline blood samples tested.

Effect of clinical signs, endocrinopathies, timing of surgery, hyperlipidemia, and hyperbilirubinemia on outcome in dogs with gallbladder mucocele.

Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common extra-hepatic biliary syndrome in dogs with death rates ranging from 7 to 45%. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the association of survival with variables that could be utilized to improve clinical decisions. A total of 1194 dogs with a gross and histopathological diagnosis of GBM were included from 41 veterinary referral hospitals in this retrospective study.

Use of proteases for the evaluation of the different adiponectin isoforms in the dog.

Adiponectin (ADP) is an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue with anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, and antidiabetic properties. In human serum, it is presented as three different forms: low molecular weight (LMW), medium molecular weight (MMW), and high molecular weight (HMW). High molecular weight isomer is the most active form of ADP and is more closely related with obesity-induced insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome than total ADP.

Compound heterozygosity for TNXB genetic variants in a mixed-breed dog with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDSs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility and tissue fragility. Inherited disorders similar to human EDS have been reported in different mammalian species. In the present study, we investigated a female mixed-breed dog with clinical signs of EDS.

Bleeding diathesis in canine multiple myeloma and prognostic implications: A cohort study in 156 dogs.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a tumor of plasma cells representing approximately 1% of all canine tumors. Clinical evident bleeding is often referred to as the main finding. The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of clinical bleedings in dogs with MM and its prognostic implications compared to a population of dogs not affected by MM.

Serological survey and risk factors of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection among owned cats in Italy.

Feline lungworms affect the respiratory tract of domestic cats causing respiratory conditions of various degrees. In this study, we investigated the exposure of cats to feline lungworm infections by detecting antibodies in a large population of animals from several regions of Italy. Sera of 1087 domestic cats living in regions of the north (n = 700), the centre (n = 227) and the south (n = 160) of Italy were examined by a newly developed indirect ELISA conceived for detection of antibodies against the most frequently occurring feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus.

Nested-polymerase chain reaction detection of f. sp. in a suspected immunocompromised Cavalier King Charles spaniel with multiple infections.

A 7-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel female was referred due to a chronic cough refractory to antibiotic treatments. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis, increased serum C-reactive protein, hypogammaglobulinemia, and decreased total serum immunoglobulin G concentration. Thoracic radiographs showed a mild bronchial pattern.

Computed tomography attenuation value for the characterization of pleural effusions in dogs: A cross-sectional study in 58 dogs.

CT attenuation value can help to differentiate exudate from transudate in people. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the utility of CT in characterizing pleural effusions based on attenuation values in a population of dogs having CT and diagnostic thoracentesis within 48 h of each other. The CT attenuation values were determined using four circular, same size, regions of interest (ROIs) placed on the same CT slice with the greatest quantity of fluid.

VAMPIRE fundus image analysis algorithms: Validation and diagnostic relevance in hypertensive cats.

Objectives: To validate a retinal imaging software named VAMPIRE (Vascular Assay and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina) in feline patients and test the clinical utility in hypertensive cats.

Animals Studied: One hundred and five healthy cats were enrolled. They represented the normal dataset used in the validation (group 1).

Anomalies of the Portal Venous System in Dogs and Cats as Seen on Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography: An Overview and Systematization Proposal.

This article offers an overview of congenital and acquired vascular anomalies involving the portal venous system in dogs and cats, as determined by multidetector-row computed tomography angiography. Congenital absence of the portal vein, portal vein hypoplasia, portal vein thrombosis and portal collaterals are described. Portal collaterals are further discussed as high- and low-flow connections and categorized in hepatic arterioportal malformation, arteriovenous fistula, end-to-side and side-to-side congenital portosystemic shunts, acquired portosystemic shunts, cavoportal and porto-portal collaterals.

Azole resistance of causing treatment failure in a dog.

A 5-year-old neutered female toy Poodle chronically treated with systemic and topical azoles to control recurrent Malassezia dermatitis/otitis was presented because of the loss of treatment efficacy. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) obtained in vitro for various azoles (especially itraconazole and ketoconazole) against Malassezia strains isolated from the dog were increased by several-fold compared with MICs obtained for control isolates. These results reinforced the assumption based on clinical observation, i.

Genetic variant in the NSDHL gene in a cat with multiple congenital lesions resembling inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi.

Background: The feline counterpart of human inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN) has been described; however, the possible underlying developmental defect has not been investigated.

Objective: To report a case of multiple ILVEN-like lesions in a cat with a genetic variant in the NSDHL gene.

Animals: A 2-year-old, female, domestic short hair cat with a history of multiple alopecic, verrucous, hyperpigmented and erythematous skin lesions, following Blaschko's lines on the head, the limbs, the trunk and paw pads.

A frameshift variant in the COL5A1 gene in a cat with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of heritable connective tissue disorders caused by defective collagen synthesis or incorrect assembly of the collagen triple helical structure. EDS is characterised by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, abnormal scarring, poor wound healing and tissue friability. Human EDS may be caused by variants in several different genes including COL5A1, which encodes the collagen type V alpha 1 chain.

Relationship between serum anti-Leishmania antibody levels and acute phase proteins in dogs with canine leishmaniosis.

This study examined the relationship between two serologic assays which quantify anti-Leishmania antibodies (a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TR-IFMA)) and selected acute phase proteins (APPs) and analytes related to protein concentration. Data were obtained from 205 canine serum samples from different veterinary clinics located in an area in which canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is endemic. The samples were submitted to the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), University of Murcia, Spain, for analysis.

European dog owner perceptions of obesity and factors associated with human and canine obesity.

Obesity is a common nutrition-related disorder leading to reduced life expectancy in both humans and dogs. With the aim of identifying new prevention and control options, the study objectives were (1) to investigate dog-owner perceptions about obesity in terms of themselves and their dogs, and (2) to identify factors associated with obesity and possible social, environmental and economic drivers for its development in dog owners and their pets. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed across multiple countries.

Use of acute phase proteins for the clinical assessment and management of canine leishmaniosis: general recommendations.

Background: Dogs with canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum can show a wide spectrum of clinical and clinicopathological findings at the time of diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to describe the possible application of acute phase proteins (APPs) for the characterization and management of this disease, based on previously published information on the utility of APPs in CanL and the experience of the authors in using APPs as analytes in the profiling of canine diseases.

Main Body: Dogs diagnosed with L.

Topical polyhydroxy acid treatment for autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis in the golden retriever: a prospective pilot study.

Background: Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) in golden retrievers is due to a PNPLA1 gene mutation, which plays a role in epidermal lipid organization and metabolism. Topical therapies are used to reduce scaling; however, there are few published efficacy studies.

Objectives: To examine the efficacy of topical treatment based on gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid with known beneficial effects on stratum corneum structure.

Hemostatic findings of pleural fluid in dogs and the association between pleural effusions and primary hyperfibrino(geno)lysis: A cohort study of 99 dogs.

The primary objective of this study was to determine if activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis occurs in canine pleural effusions. Thirty-three dogs with pleural effusions of different origin were studied. Pleural effusion fibrinogen concentrations were significantly lower, while pleural fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimer concentrations were significantly higher than those in plasma (P < 0.

Feline vertebral angiomatosis: two cases.

Case Series Summary: Two cats aged between 1 and 2 years were presented for paraparesis, general discomfort, back pain and urinary retention. Extradural spinal cord compression at the level of T4 and T8 was evident on CT examination and on MRI. Hemilaminectomy and partial corpectomy were performed to achieve spinal cord decompression.

Exophthalmos associated to orbital zygomatic mucocele and complex maxillary malformation in a puppy.

A case of exophthalmos due to zygomatic mucocele in a puppy with ipsilateral segmental maxillary atrophy is reported. A 7-month-old, mixed breed, male dog suffered the sudden-onset of unilateral painful exophthalmos and a gradual swelling of the right temporal region. A compressing, right retrobulbar mass was observed by ultrasound.

A Large Deletion in the Gene in Labrador Retrievers with a Congenital Cornification Disorder.

In heterozygous females affected by an X-linked skin disorder, lesions often appear in a characteristic pattern, the so-called Blaschko's lines. We investigated a female Labrador Retriever and her crossbred daughter, which both showed similar clinical lesions that followed Blaschko's lines. The two male littermates of the affected daughter had died at birth, suggesting a monogenic X-chromosomal semidominant mode of inheritance.