Assessment of gastrointestinal health in racing Alaskan sled dogs using capsule endoscopy and inflammatory cytokines

OBJECTIVES

Exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome occurs in dogs and people and might compromise athlete performance by increasing intestinal permeability and causing gastrointestinal erosions. Racing sled dogs often receive acid suppressant prophylaxis which decreases the incidence of gastric erosions induced by exercise. The objectives were to quantify intestinal injury by measuring serum pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations before and after exercise and to evaluate gastrointestinal mucosa using video capsule endoscopy after exercise.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective study of 12 racing Alaskan sled dogs receiving approximately 1 mg/kg omeprazole once daily from the day before the race until race completion. Blood was drawn before and 8 to 10 hours after an endurance race for the quantification of cytokines. Gastrointestinal tract mucosa was assessed with video capsule endoscopy immediately post-race.

RESULTS

Eight of nine dogs (89%; 95% confidence interval 52 to 100%) had gastric erosions; all dogs (100%, 95% confidence interval 63 to 100%) had small intestinal erosions. Most of the dogs (seven of nine) had straw or foreign material present. Cytokine levels were not different from before to after the race.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Video capsule endoscopy identified gastrointestinal tract mucosal erosions after exercise in all dogs receiving once-daily omeprazole treatment, though other causes for the lesions besides exercise are possible.

Gut microbiota promoting propionic acid production accompanies diet-induced intentional weight loss in cats

Rodent models and human clinical studies have shown gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play roles in obesity and insulin resistance. These roles have been minimally explored in cats, where in the USA an estimated 60% of cats are overweight or obese. Overweight/obese research cats (n = 7) were transitioned from a maintenance diet to a reduced calorie diet fed ad libitum for seven days, then calories were restricted to achieve 1-2% weight loss per week for an additional 77 days. Cats then received their original maintenance diet again for 14 days. Significant intentional weight loss was noted after calorie restriction (adjusted p < 0.0001). 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and targeted SCFA metabolomics were performed on fecal samples. Fecal microbial community structure significantly differed between the four study phases (PERMANOVA p = 0.011). Fecal propionic acid was significantly higher during diet-induced weight loss (adjusted p < 0.05). Spearman correlation revealed the relative abundances of Prevotella 9 copri (ρ = 0.6385, p = 0.0006) and Blautia caecimuris (ρ = 0.5269, p = 0.0068) were significantly correlated with propionic acid composition. Like humans, obese cats experienced an altered microbial community structure and function, favoring propionic acid production, during diet-induced weight loss.

Prevalence of portal vein and splanchnic venous thrombosis in dogs with chronic hepatitis

OBJECTIVES

Alterations in haemostasis have been described in dogs and humans with chronic hepatitis. Portal vein thrombosis is a recognised complication of chronic hepatitis in humans; however, its prevalence in dogs with chronic hepatitis has not been reported. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of, and describe clinical and laboratory data of dogs with chronic hepatitis and portal vein thrombosis and splanchnic venous thrombosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective cross-sectional study. Medical records of dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital between 2009 and 2019 were reviewed. Dogs were included if chronic hepatitis was histopathologically confirmed, and if diagnostic imaging or necropsy indicated the presence of thrombosis. Clinical and laboratory data (i.e. haematology, biochemistry, coagulation panels) were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise dogs with and without thrombosis.

RESULTS

Records from 136 dogs with chronic hepatitis were identified. Three of these dogs, 2.2% (95% confidence interval: 0.8 to 6.3%) all females, were diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis. Five dogs in total, (3.7%; 95% confidence interval: 1.6 to 8.3%), including three with portal vein thrombosis, all females, were diagnosed with splanchnic venous thrombosis. Dogs with portal vein and splanchnic venous thrombosis often had hyperbilirubinaemia, increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity, and decreased plasma antithrombin 3 activity. They also had relatively high alternative Child-Pugh scores for dogs (median 6 out of 13).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Portal vein and splanchnic venous thrombosis are potentially serious complications that were identified in a relatively low proportion of dogs with chronic hepatitis.

Serial measurement of cardiac troponin I in hospitalised dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis: Association with outcome and canine pancreas-specific lipase concentration

The aim of this study was to serially evaluate serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (CPVE), and investigate the association with outcome and serum pancreas-specific lipase (Spec cPL) concentrations. Dogs with CPVE that were hospitalised for at least 5 days were included. cTnI and Spec cPL concentrations were measured on days 1, 3 and 5 of hospitalisation. Twenty-nine dogs (20 survivors, 9 non-survivors) were included. Spec cPL was indicative of pancreatitis (>400 μg/L) on at least one day in 10/29 (34.5%) dogs. Serum median (range) cTnI concentration was higher (P = 0.021) in non-survivors on day 5 [0.032 (0.001-0.395) ng/mL] compared to day 1 [0.012 (0.003-0.196) ng/mL]. Non-survivors had higher (P = 0.014) cTnI concentrations on day 5 [0.032 (0.001-0.395) ng/mL] compared to survivors [0.001 (0.001-0.042) ng/mL], but not at admission or on day 3 (P > 0.05). Serum cTnI concentrations were not significantly different (P = 0.465) between the three Spec cPL groups [group 1 (Spec cPL ≤ 200 μg/L): 0.007 (0.001-0.527) ng/mL; group 2 (Spec cPL: 201-399 μg/L): 0.0045 (0.001-0.196) ng/mL; group 3 (Spec cPL ≥ 400 μg/L): 0.011 (0.001-0.278) ng/mL]. cTnI and Spec cPL concentrations were not significantly correlated (rho = -0.043, P = 0.703). Serial measurement of cTnI had prognostic value in the examined cohort. However, cTnI was not correlated with spec cPL.

Serial measurement of thyroid hormones in hospitalised dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis: Incidence of non-thyroidal illness syndrome and its association with outcome and systemic inflammatory response syndrome

The aim of this study was to serially evaluate the serum concentrations of total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis (CPVE) during a 5-day hospitalisation period and assess the association of these hormone concentrations with the outcome and the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Dogs with confirmed CPVE that were hospitalised for at least 5 days were included. The thyroid hormones concentrations were measured on days 1, 3 and 5 of hospitalisation. Twenty-eight dogs were included. All (28/28, 100%), 19/28 (69.7%) and 23/28 (82.1%) dogs had a low serum tT4, fT4 and TSH concentration, respectively, on at least 1 day during the hospitalisation period. Overall, 11/28 (39.3%) dogs were diagnosed with SIRS on at least 1 day. In survivors, serum tT4 concentration was significantly higher on day 5 (median, range: 11.8 nmol/L, <6.4-32.2 nmol/L) compared to those on days 1 (<6.4 nmol/L, <6.4-20.1 nmol/L; P = 0.010) or 3 (7.6 nmol/L, <6.4-25.2 nmol/L; P = 0.019). Survivors had a significantly higher tT4 concentration (median, range: 11.8 nmol/L, <6.4-32.2 nmol/L) on day 5 compared to non-survivors (<6.4 nmol/L, <6.4-7.2 nmol/L; P = 0.002). Regardless of the day of hospitalisation, dogs with SIRS had significantly lower tT4 (<6.4 nmol/L, <6.4-16.3 nmol/L) compared to dogs without SIRS (8.6 nmol/L, <6.4-32.2 nmol/L; P = 0.006). A significant difference was also found in fT4 between dogs with SIRS (<3.9 pmol/L, <3.9-16.2 pmol/L) and dogs without SIRS (15.1 pmol/L, <3.9-59.2; pmol/L; P < 0.001). Non-thyroidal illness syndrome was frequently observed in dogs with CPVE, and a negative association between tT4 and fT4 concentrations and SIRS was noted. Serial measurements of tT4 concentrations appeared to have prognostic value.

A prospective epidemiological, clinical, and clinicopathologic study of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection in 435 cats from Greece

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses causing significant morbidity and mortality in cats. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and clinicopathologic aspects of FeLV and FIV infections in different populations of cats in Greece, including client-owned cats, stray cats and cats who live in catteries. A total of 435 cats were prospectively enrolled. Serological detection of FeLV antigen and FIV antibody was performed using a commercial in-house ELISA test kit. The results showed that 17 (3.9 %) and 40 (9.2 %) of the 435 cats were positive for FeLV antigen and FIV antibody, respectively, whereas 5 (1.1 %) had concurrent infection with FeLV and FIV. Factors that were associated with FeLV antigenemia, based on multivariate analysis, included vomiting, rhinitis, infection with FIV, neutropenia, decreased blood urea nitrogen and increased serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Factors associated with FIV seropositivity included male gender, older age, outdoor access, weight loss, fever, gingivostomatitis, skin lesions and/or pruritus and hyperglobulinemia. Various clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities were found to be significantly associated with retroviral infections, suggesting that current guidelines to test all sick cats should be followed, taking into particular consideration the high-risk groups of cats found in this study.

Serum cobalamin concentrations in dogs with leishmaniosis before and during treatment

Hypocobalaminemia in dogs is most commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders leading to impaired absorption and utilization of cobalamin. The objectives of this study were to compare serum cobalamin concentrations between dogs with leishmaniosis and clinically healthy dogs, and to assess possible alterations of serum cobalamin concentrations in dogs with leishmaniosis at different timepoints during treatment. Fifty-five dogs with leishmaniosis and 129 clinically healthy dogs were prospectively enrolled. Diagnosis of leishmaniosis was based on clinical presentation, positive serology and microscopic detection of Leishmania amastigotes in lymph node aspiration smears. Twenty of the dogs with leishmaniosis were treated with a combination of meglumine antimonate and allopurinol for 28 days and serum cobalamin concentrations were measured in blood samples that were collected before initiation of treatment (timepoint 0) and on days 14 and 28. In order to estimate alterations of serum cobalamin concentrations during treatment, cobalamin concentrations were measured in blood samples from 20 out of 55 dogs with leishmaniosis at all timepoints. Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with leishmaniosis before treatment (median: 362 ng/L; IQR: 277-477 ng/L) compared to clinically healthy dogs (median: 470 ng/L; IQR: 367-632 ng/L; P = 0.0035). Serum cobalamin concentrations increased significantly in dogs with leishmaniosis on day 14 of treatment compared to timepoint 0 (P = 0.02). In the present study, serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with leishmaniosis compared to clinically healthy dogs. In addition, there was an increase in serum cobalamin concentrations during treatment. The clinical significance of hypocobalaminemia in dogs with leishmaniosis remains to be determined.

Dysregulation of gastrointestinal RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) expression in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy

The pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CIE) in dogs involves dysregulated innate immune responses. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), a pattern recognition receptor, plays a role in chronic inflammation. Abrogation of proinflammatory RAGE signaling by ligand binding (e.g., S100/calgranulins) to soluble RAGE (sRAGE) might also be a novel therapeutic avenue. Serum sRAGE levels are decreased in canine CIE, but gastrointestinal tissue RAGE expression has not been investigated in dogs. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the gastrointestinal mucosal RAGE expression in dogs with CIE. Further, the potential binding of RAGE to canine S100/calgranulin ligands was investigated. Epithelial RAGE expression was quantified in gastrointestinal (gastric, duodenal, ileal, and colonic) biopsies from 12 dogs with CIE and 9 healthy control dogs using confocal laser scanning microscopy. RAGE expression was compared between both groups of dogs and was tested for an association with patient characteristics, clinical variables, histologic lesion severity, and biomarkers of extra-gastrointestinal disease, systemic or gastrointestinal inflammation, function, or protein loss. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RAGE:S100/calgranulin binding was assessed by immunoassay and electrophoretic techniques. RAGE expression was detected in all 59 biopsies from diseased and healthy control dogs evaluated. Epithelial RAGE expression in the duodenum and colon was significantly higher in dogs with CIE than in healthy controls (p < 0.04). Compared to healthy controls, RAGE expression in dogs with CIE also tended to be higher in the ileum but lower in the stomach. A slight (statistically not significant) shift towards more basal intestinal epithelial RAGE expression was detected in CIE dogs. Serum sRAGE was proportional to epithelial RAGE expression in the duodenum (p < 0.04), and RAGE expression in the colon inversely correlated with biomarkers of protein loss in serum (both p < 0.04). Several histologic morphologic and inflammatory lesion criteria and markers of inflammation (serum C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin concentration) were related to epithelial RAGE expression in the duodenum, ileum, and/or colon. in vitro canine RAGE:S100A12 binding appeared more pronounced than RAGE:S100A8/A9 binding. This study showed a dysregulation of epithelial RAGE expression along the gastrointestinal tract in dogs with CIE. Compensatory regulations in the sRAGE/RAGE axis are an alternative explanation for these findings. The results suggest that RAGE signaling plays a role in dogs with CIE, but higher anti-inflammatory decoy receptor sRAGE levels paralleled RAGE overexpression. Canine S100/calgranulins were demonstrated to be ligands for RAGE.

Risk factors for urinary bacterial growth in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts: 66 cases (1997-2019)

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for urinary bacterial growth in dogs with confirmed congenital portosystemic shunts on which a quantitative urine culture was performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-six dogs were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Medical records were reviewed from 1997 through 2019. Variables of interest included age, sex and sexual status, clinical signs for a urinary tract infection, blood urea concentration, urinalysis abnormalities, ultrasound abnormalities of the urinary tract, and previous treatment. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The median age of the dogs was one year (range: 0.2-11.0 years). Urinary tract ultrasound abnormalities (cystic calculi and cystic debris) were reported in 50 dogs (75.7%). Abnormalities on urinalysis included pyuria in nine dogs (13.6%), bacteriuria in 13 dogs (19.7%), and haematuria in 26 dogs (39.4%). The median urine specific gravity was 1.021 (range: 1.004-1.052). Sixteen dogs (24.2%) had a positive quantitative urine culture. Based on multivariable analysis, bacteriuria (Odds ratio, 116; 95% CI, 9.6-1393; P = < 0.001) was the only variable significantly associated with a significantly increased odds for a positive quantitative urine culture.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Clinical and subclinical bacteriuria can occur in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts. In this group of dogs, bacteriuria was a risk factor for urinary bacterial growth.

Cholestyramine treatment in two dogs with presumptive bile acid diarrhoea: a case report

Background

In people, bile acid diarrhoea is a prevalent complication of Crohn’s disease and diarrhoea-associated irritable bowel syndrome. Affected patients typically respond to bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, but human gastroenterologists often fail to recognize bile acid diarrhoea. Consequently, bile acid diarrhoea is regarded as an underrecognized and undertreated condition in human medicine. Due to lack of diagnostic tools, clinical response to bile acid sequestrants is often used to confirm a diagnosis of bile acid diarrhoea in people.

Several recent studies have shown that bile acid dysmetabolism also occurs in dogs with chronic enteropathies. It has further been shown that dogs with chronic enteropathies have significantly decreased expression of a bile acid transport protein in the ileum compared to healthy dogs, which correlates with faecal bile acid dysmetabolism. Consequently, in spite of the lack of reports in the literature, bile acid diarrhoea is likely to exist in dogs as well.

Case descriptions

Two dogs, an 8-year old Rottweiler and a 4.5-year old Siberian Husky were evaluated for chronic watery diarrhoea. Neither dog responded to dietary trials, probiotics, cyclosporine, faecal microbial transplantations or metronidazole. One of the dogs responded to high daily doses of corticosteroids, which were however associated with unacceptable side effects. The other dog was refractory to all standard treatment protocols, including cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Since none of the dogs responded satisfactorily to standard treatment or modulation of the intestinal microbiome, a suspicion of possible bile acid diarrhoea was raised. Treatment with cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestrant was initiated and resulted in marked improvement of faecal consistency, frequency of defecation and activity level in both dogs.

Conclusion

This report presents two dogs with presumed bile acid diarrhoea that were successfully treated with cholestyramine. Therefore, bile acid diarrhoea should be considered as a possible diagnosis in dogs with treatment-refractory chronic diarrhoea.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40575-021-00099-x.

Evaluation of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of aminosidine (paromomycin)-allopurinol combination in dogs with leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum: A randomized, blinded, controlled study

Canine leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum is a widespread zoonotic disease. Although aminosidine can be an effective treatment, current therapeutic recommendations do not advocate its use, mainly due to concerns regarding the potential nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of this drug. The aim of this randomized, blinded, controlled study was to evaluate the nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of aminosidine-allopurinol combination and compare it with that of meglumine antimonate-allopurinol combination in non-azotemic dogs with leishmaniosis. Forty dogs with leishmaniosis were randomly assigned to be treated with either aminosidine at 15 mg/kg, subcutaneously, once daily for 28 days (group A) or with meglumine antimonate at 100 mg/kg, subcutaneously, once daily for 28 days (group B). In addition to either drug, dogs in both groups were administered allopurinol at 10 mg/kg per os twice daily for 2 months. Kidney function was evaluated through measurement of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and cystatin-c concentrations and complete urinalysis, including protein-to-creatinine ratio, at baseline and after 14, 28, and 60 days from the beginning of the treatment. At the same time points, vestibular and auditory functions were evaluated through neurological examination and brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) recordings of wave I, wave V, inter-wave I-V latencies, and minimum hearing thresholds. None of the dogs developed clinicopathological evidence of kidney disease during the study. Serum creatinine concentration increased >0.3 mg/dl over baseline in 2 dogs in group A and in 5 dogs in group B. Parameters of kidney function were not significantly different or were improved compared to baseline and the only difference between the two groups was the lower concentration of serum creatinine in group A. None of the dogs developed peripheral vestibular syndrome or hearing impairment. At the end of the study, parameters of auditory function were not significantly different or were improved compared to baseline and there were no differences between the two groups. The results of this study show that the nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of aminosidine, when administered to non-azotemic dogs with leishmaniosis at 15 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily for 28 days along with allopurinol, is minimal and does not differ from that of meglumine antimonate.

Placebo-controlled pilot study of the effects of an eggshell membrane-based supplement on mobility and serum biomarkers in dogs with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease in dogs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat OA; however, many dogs do not obtain adequate pain relief with an NSAID alone. This pilot study evaluated the systemic anti-inflammatory and mobility enhancing effects of an eggshell membrane-based nutritional supplement in dogs with OA-associated pain and mobility impairment. Twenty-seven dogs with OA-associated pain were enrolled into a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, proof of principle pilot study and received either placebo or an eggshell membrane-based nutritional supplement over a 12-week period. Inflammatory biomarkers (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, S100A12, and N-methylhistamine) were measured at Day 0 and Day 84. Owner questionnaires (CBPI and LOAD) were completed at Day 0, Day 42, and Day 84. Differences between groups over time were calculated. Twenty-two dogs completed the pilot study. Inflammatory biomarker IL-2 decreased in the supplement group, compared to the placebo group. Although small, the difference was statistically significant at an alpha of 0.1 (P=0.069). LOAD scores were numerically lower in the supplement group, but not significantly different from the placebo group at Day 0. Day 84 LOAD scores were significantly lower in the supplement group compared to the placebo group (P=0.034). CBPI results did not show the same pattern. The changes in biomarkers and LOAD scores were small, and do not provide definitive evidence of positive effects. However, these pilot results provide a rationale for performing a larger placebo-controlled study of the potential effects of the eggshell membrane-based nutritional supplement.

Development, analytical validation, and initial clinical evaluation of a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of soluble CD25 concentrations in canine serum

During immune activation, CD25 is expressed by T cells, and its soluble form (sCD25) is released into the extracellular matrix and the bloodstream. In humans, serum sCD25 concentrations are used as a surrogate marker for autoimmune diseases, malignancies, and transplant rejection. However, a canine-specific assay for the measurement of sCD25 in dog serum has not previously been described. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop and analytically validate a radioimmunoassay to measure sCD25 in canine serum, to establish a reference interval for canine sCD25, and to test the clinical utility of this assay with serum samples for dogs with various diseases. A competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed and analytically validated. Analytical validation consisted of lower limit of detection (LLOD), dilutional parallelism, spiking recovery, and intra- and inter-assay variability using pooled surplus canine serum samples. A reference interval was established in healthy dogs and serum samples from dogs with various types of neoplasia, IBD, liver disease, suspected pancreatitis, or suspected small intestinal disease and serum samples with an increased C-reactive protein concentration (CRP) were analyzed to test the clinical utility of the assay. LLOD was calculated to be 0.5 ng/mL. The mean (±SD) observed-to-expected ratio (O/E) for serial dilutions was 101.7 ± 14.0%, and the mean (± SD) O/E for spiking recovery was 93.2 ± 4.2%. Coefficients of variation (CVs) for intra-assay variability were ≤12.5% (mean ± SD: 7.5 ± 4.2%), and inter-assay CVs were ≤15.7% (mean ± SD: 11 ± 4.4%). A reference interval (RI) for canine sCD25 of 1.2-4.2 ng/mL was established from a population of 112 clinically healthy dogs. Dogs with neoplasia and dogs with suspected small intestinal disease had decreased concentrations of serum sCD25 when compared to healthy dogs (p < 0.0001, respectively). However, the majority of clinical samples used in this study were within the reference interval. Median concentrations of serum sCD25 were 1.9 ng/mL for healthy dogs. Dogs with cancer, IBD, liver disease, suspected pancreatitis, or suspected small intestinal disease, as well as sera with an increased serum CRP concentration, had median serum sCD25 concentrations of 1.6 ng/mL, 2.1 ng/mL, 2.2 ng/mL, 1.7 ng/mL, 1.5 ng/mL, and 1.8 ng/mL, respectively. Thus, the RIA described here is linear, accurate, precise, and reproducible for measuring sCD25 in canine serum. However, this assay shows little clinical utility of sCD25 as a biomarker for dogs with inflammatory, autoimmune, and/or neoplastic conditions.

Biological variation of serum canine calprotectin concentrations as measured by ELISA in healthy dogs

Calprotectin is a useful biomarker of inflammation in dogs. However, the biological variation of serum canine calprotectin is unknown. Indices of biological variation were determined in serial serum samples (n=147) from 11 healthy dogs (males/females: 4/7, median age: 5 years): analytical (3.0%), intra-individual (29.9%), and inter-individual variation (33.2%), reciprocal index of individuality (1.1), and index of heterogeneity (4.9). Serum calprotectin concentrations measured by ELISA and by the previous radioimmunoassay were highly correlated, but a constant and proportional bias exists between both assays. A de novo ELISA-reference interval (RI) for serum calprotectin concentration was established (0.6-11.8mg/L). Moderate changes in serum calprotectin (minimum critical difference: 6.4mg/L) between sequential measurements are needed to be considered relevant, and a population-based RI may or may not be appropriate for serum calprotectin.

The validity of an experiment testing the influence of acceleration on time dilation using a rotating Mössbauer absorber and a Synchrotron Mössbauer Source

Three experiments are reviewed, performed (in 2014-2016) at ID18 of ESRF to measure the influence of acceleration on time dilation by measuring the relative shift between the absorption lines of two states of the same rotating absorber with accelerations anti-parallel and parallel to the incident beam. Statistically significant data for rotation frequencies up to 510 Hz in both directions of rotation were collected. For each run with high rotation, a stable statistically significant `vibration-free' relative shift between the absorption lines of the two states was measured. This may indicate the influence of acceleration on time dilation. However, the measured relative shift was also affected by the use of a slit necessary to focus the beam to the axis of rotation to a focal spot of sub-micrometre size. The introduction of the slit broke the symmetry in the absorption lines due to the nuclear lighthouse effect and affected the measured relative shift, preventing to claim conclusively the influence of acceleration on time dilation. Assuming that this loss of symmetry is of first order, the zero value of the relative shift, corrected for this loss, falls always within the experimental error limits, as predicted by Einstein's clock hypothesis. The requirements and an indispensable plan for a conclusive experiment, once the improved technology becomes available, is presented. This will be useful to future experimentalists wishing to pursue this experiment or a related rotor experiment involving a Mössbauer absorber and a synchrotron Mössbauer source.

Effects of oral versus parenteral cobalamin supplementation on methylmalonic acid and homocysteine concentrations in dogs with chronic enteropathies and low cobalamin concentrations

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of parenteral (PE) versus oral (PO) cobalamin supplementation on serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (HCY) concentrations in dogs with hypocobalaminaemia. Thirty-six dogs with serum cobalamin concentrations below 285ng/L (reference interval (RI): 244-959ng/L) were treated with PO (0.25-1.0mg daily) or PE cobalamin (0.25-1.2mg/injection) using a block-randomized schedule. Serum MMA and HCY concentrations were analysed at day 0, 28 and 90 after start of supplementation. There was no significant difference between the PO and PE group regarding serum MMA or HCY concentrations at any time point. Median (range, P comparing baseline and 28 days, P comparing 28days and 90 days) serum MMA concentrations (nmol/L; RI 415-1193) were 932 (566-2468) in the PO and 943 (508-1900) in the PE group at baseline, respectively, 705 (386-1465, P<0.0001) and 696 (377-932, P<0.0001) after 28 days, and 739 (450-1221, P=0.58) and 690 (349-1145, P=0.76) after 90 days. Serum HCY concentrations (median (range), P comparing baseline and 28 days, P comparing 28days and 90 days, μmol/L; RI 5.9-31.9) in the PO and PE groups were 12.2 (3.3-62.2) and 8.4 (3.7-34.8) at baseline, 12.5 (5.0-45.0, P=0.61) and 8.0 (3.8-18.3, P=0.28) after 28 days, and 17.7 (7.3-60.0 P=0.07) and 12.4 (6.3-33.1, P=0.0007) after 90 days, respectively. Oral and parenteral cobalamin supplementation had the same effect on serum MMA concentrations in this group of dogs.

Serum α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations in dogs with exocrine pancreatic disease, chronic hepatitis or proteinuric chronic kidney disease

Serum canine α₁-proteinase inhibitor (cα₁-PI) concentrations were evaluated in dogs with pancreatitis (n=24), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI; n=29), chronic hepatitis (CH; n=11) or proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD-P; n=61) to determine whether systemic proteinase/proteinase-inhibitor balance is altered in these conditions. Dogs with CKD-P had significantly lower cα₁-PI concentrations than dogs with pancreatitis, EPI or CH; 16% of dogs with CKD-P had serum cα₁-PI concentrations below the reference interval. Serum and urine cα₁-PI concentrations were inversely correlated in dogs with CKD-P, but not in dogs with CH. This suggests that renal loss of cα₁-PI contributes to decreased serum concentrations in dogs with CKD-P, while hepatic cα₁-PI synthesis with CH either is not compromised or is counterbalanced by extrahepatic production.

A dysbiosis index to assess microbial changes in fecal samples of dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy

Recent studies have identified various bacterial groups that are altered in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CE) compared to healthy dogs. The study aim was to use quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays to confirm these findings in a larger number of dogs, and to build a mathematical algorithm to report these microbiota changes as a dysbiosis index (DI). Fecal DNA from 95 healthy dogs and 106 dogs with histologically confirmed CE was analyzed. Samples were grouped into a training set and a validation set. Various mathematical models and combination of qPCR assays were evaluated to find a model with highest discriminatory power. The final qPCR panel consisted of eight bacterial groups: total bacteria, Faecalibacterium, Turicibacter, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Blautia, Fusobacterium and Clostridium hiranonis. The qPCR-based DI was built based on the nearest centroid classifier, and reports the degree of dysbiosis in a single numerical value that measures the closeness in the l2 - norm of the test sample to the mean prototype of each class. A negative DI indicates normobiosis, whereas a positive DI indicates dysbiosis. For a threshold of 0, the DI based on the combined dataset achieved 74% sensitivity and 95% specificity to separate healthy and CE dogs.

Canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations associated with intervertebral disc disease in 84 dogs

OBJECTIVE

To determine the differences in serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity between dogs with intervertebral disc herniation and healthy control dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-four client-owned dogs with intervertebral disc herniation, diagnosed by neurologic examination and imaging, and 18 healthy control dogs. Samples of whole blood were collected within 90 minutes of admission. Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were measured by a commercial immunoassay and evaluated for association with intervertebral disc herniation, signalment, neurolocalisation and the preadmission administration of glucocorticosteriods or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

RESULTS

Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were statistically increased in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation (P<0·01, n=38). A subgroup of dogs (19/38) with elevated canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations was re-evaluated between 2 and 4 weeks later, and 15 had resolution of clinical signs and values less than 200 μg/L. Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were not significantly correlated with clinical gastrointestinal disease, neurolocalisation or the preadmission administration of corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest that serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations are significantly elevated in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation.

Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs - Retrospective Study in 136 Cases

Background

Chronic diarrhea (CD) is common in dogs, and information on frequency and distribution of primary and secondary causes is lacking.

Objectives

To evaluate underlying causes and predictors of outcome in dogs with CD.

Animals

One hundred and thirty‐six client‐owned dogs with CD (≥3 weeks duration).

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records (Small Animal Clinic, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, 09/2009‐07/2011). Quantification of final diagnoses and comparison of clinical aspects including disease severity and clinicopathological abnormalities among dogs with clinical remission (either complete [gastrointestinal signs absent] or partial [clinical improvement of gastrointestinal signs and reduced episodes with shortened duration]), and those without recovery.

Results

Ninety percent of dogs were diagnosed with a primary enteropathy: inflammatory (71%; of those 66% dietary responsive, 23% idiopathic, 11% antibiotic responsive), infectious (13%), neoplastic (4%), and in one dog each mechanical disease or systemic vasculitis. Secondary causes were diagnosed in 10% of dogs: exocrine pancreatic (6%), endocrine (2%), and in one dog each hepatic, renal, and cardiac disease. In total, 87% of dogs had clinical remission, whereas 13% died or did not respond to treatment: Lack of recovery was frequently recorded for dogs with primary inflammatory (idiopathic) or neoplastic disease and was significantly associated with increased disease severity scores (P = .005), anemia (hematocrit < 40%, P < .001), severe hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <2.0 g/dL, P = .008), and severe hypocobalaminemia (serum cobalamin concentration <200 pg/mL, P = .006).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Inflammatory enteropathies and particularly those of dietary origin were the most common causes of CD in dogs. Findings support the usefulness of hematocrit, and serum albumin and cobalamin concentration as prognostic markers in dogs with CD.

Comparison of efficacy of oral and parenteral cobalamin supplementation in normalising low cobalamin concentrations in dogs: A randomised controlled study

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of parenteral and oral cobalamin supplementation protocols in dogs with chronic enteropathies and low cobalamin concentrations. It was hypothesised that both treatments would increase serum cobalamin concentrations significantly. Fifty-three dogs with chronic enteropathies and serum cobalamin concentrations<285ng/L (reference interval 244-959ng/L) were enrolled. Dogs were randomised to treatment with either daily oral cobalamin tablets (0.25-1.0mg cyanocobalamin daily according to body weight) or parenteral cobalamin (0.4-1.2mg hydroxycobalamin according to body weight). Serum cobalamin concentrations were analysed 28±5days and 90±15days after initiation of supplementation. After 28 days, all dogs had serum cobalamin concentrations within the reference interval or above. In the parenteral group (n=26), median (range) cobalamin concentrations were 228 (150-285) ng/L at inclusion, 2107 (725-10,009) ng/L after 28days and 877 (188-1267) ng/L after 90 days. In the oral group (n=27), median (range) serum cobalamin concentrations were 245 (150-285) ng/L at inclusion, 975 (564-2385) ng/L after 28days and 1244 (738-4999) ng/L after 90 days. In both groups, there were significant differences in serum cobalamin concentrations between baseline and 28 days, and between 28days and 90days (P<0.001). In conclusion, both parenteral and oral cobalamin supplementation effectively increase serum cobalamin concentrations in dogs with chronic enteropathies and low cobalamin concentrations.

Evaluation of Gastric pH and Serum Gastrin Concentrations in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition in cats. Advanced CKD is associated with hyporexia and vomiting, which typically are attributed to uremic toxins and gastric hyperacidity. However, gastric pH studies have not been performed in cats with CKD.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine if cats with CKD have decreased gastric pH compared to age‐matched, healthy cats. Based on previous work demonstrating an association of hypergastrinemia and CKD, we hypothesized that cats with CKD would have decreased gastric pH compared to healthy, age‐matched control cats.

Animals

10 CKD cats; 9 healthy control cats.

Methods

All cats with concurrent disease were excluded on the basis of history, physical examination, CBC, plasma biochemistry profile, urinalysis, urine culture, serum total thyroxine concentration, and serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration (controls only) obtained within 24 hours of pH monitoring and assessment of serum gastrin concentrations. Serum for gastrin determination was collected, and 12‐hour continuous gastric pH monitoring was performed in all cats. Serum gastrin concentration, mean pH, and percentage time that gastric pH was strongly acidic (pH <1 and <2) were compared between groups.

Results

No significant differences in serum gastrin concentrations were observed between groups (medians [range]: CKD, 18.7 ng/dL [<10–659.0]; healthy, 54.6 ng/dL [<10–98.0]; P‐value = 0.713) or of any pH parameters including mean ± SD gastric pH (CKD, 1.8 ± 0.5; healthy, 1.6 ± 0.3; P‐value = 0.23).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These findings suggest that cats with CKD may not have gastric hyperacidity compared to healthy cats and, therefore, may not need acid suppression. Thus, further studies to determine if there is a benefit to acid suppression in cats with CKD are warranted.

Evaluation of Serum 3-Bromotyrosine Concentrations in Dogs with Steroid-Responsive Diarrhea and Food-Responsive Diarrhea

Background

The clinical usefulness of serum 3‐BrY concentrations for subclassifying dogs with food‐responsive diarrhea (FRD) and steroid‐responsive diarrhea (SRD) has not been studied.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To compare serum 3‐BrY concentrations in dogs with FRD, dogs with SRD, and healthy control dogs.

Animals

38 dogs with FRD, 14 dogs with SRD, and 46 healthy dogs.

Methods

Prospective study. Measurement of 3‐BrY concentration in serum samples was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Results

There was no association of peripheral eosinophilia in dogs with FRD, SRD, and healthy control dogs (P = 0.069). There was no significant correlation between peripheral eosinophil counts and serum 3‐BrY concentrations (ρ = −0.15, P = 0.13). Serum 3‐BrY concentrations in dogs with SRD (median [range] = 3.27, 0.9–26.23 μmol/L) were significantly higher than in dogs with FRD (median [range] = 0.99, 0.62–8.82 μmol/L; P = 0.007) or in healthy dogs (median [range] = 0.62, 0.62–1.79 μmol/L; P < 0.001). Also, serum 3‐BrY concentrations in dogs with FRD were significantly higher than in healthy dogs (P = 0.025). There was no significant correlation between the canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index and serum 3‐BrY concentrations (ρ = 0.17, P = 0.23).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Measurement of serum 3‐BrY concentrations, but not the peripheral eosinophil count, is helpful for detecting dogs with SRD and FRD.

Advances in testing the effect of acceleration on time dilation using a synchrotron Mössbauer source

New results, additional techniques and know-how acquired, developed and employed in a recent HC-1898 experiment at the Nuclear Resonance Beamline ID18 of ESRF are presented, in the quest to explore the acceleration effect on time dilation. Using the specially modified Synchrotron Mössbauer Source and KB-optics together with a rotating single-line semicircular Mössbauer absorber on the rim of a specially designed rotating disk, the aim was to measure the relative spectral shift between the spectra of two states when the acceleration of the absorber is anti-parallel and parallel to the source. A control system was used for the first time and a method to quantify the effects of non-random vibrations on the spectral shift was developed. For several runs where the effect of these vibrations was negligible, a stable statistically significant non-zero relative shift was observed. This suggests the influence of acceleration on time.

Interobserver Agreement Using Histological Scoring of the Canine Liver

Background

Grading schemes for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in humans previously have been applied to dogs with chronic hepatitis. Interobserver agreement is a desirable characteristic for any histological scoring scheme.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To assess interobserver agreement associated with pathologists using a previously published histological scoring scheme to assess hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in dogs and to compare fibrosis scores assigned to serial sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and picrosirius red.

Animals

Histological sections of liver from 50 dogs with variable degrees of hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity were selected from institutional tissue archives.

Methods

Six board‐certified veterinary anatomic pathologists assigned fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity scores to the histological sections. The multiuser kappa statistic was calculated to assess interobserver agreement. Fibrosis stage assigned to serial sections stained with picrosirius red and H&E was compared using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

Multiuser kappa statistics for assessment of fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity from H&E‐stained sections were 0.35 and 0.16, respectively. There was no difference in median fibrosis scores assigned to serial section stained with H&E and picrosirius red (P = .248).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

There was fair interobserver agreement when pathologists assessed fibrosis and poor agreement when they assessed necroinflammatory activity. This suboptimal agreement must be taken into account by clinicians making decisions based on histology reports of the liver and in the design of studies evaluating these findings. To decrease this variability, ideally >1 pathologist should evaluate each section.

Repeated Famotidine Administration Results in a Diminished Effect on Intragastric pH in Dogs

Background

Famotidine is an acid suppressant commonly administered to dogs. Prolonged famotidine use in people results in decreased efficacy, but the effect in dogs is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To compare the effect of repeated oral administration of famotidine or placebo on intragastric pH and serum gastrin in dogs. We hypothesized that famotidine would have a diminished effect on intragastric pH on day 13 compared to day 1.

Animals

Six healthy adult colony Beagles.

Methods

Randomized, 2‐factor repeated‐measures crossover design. All dogs received oral placebo or 1.0 mg/kg famotidine q12h for 14 consecutive days. Intragastric pH monitoring was used to continuously record intragastric pH on treatment days 1–2 and 12–13. Mean pH as well as mean percentage time (MPT) that intragastric pH was ≥3 or ≥4 were compared between and within groups by analysis of variance. Serum gastrin was measured on days 0, 3, and 12 for each treatment.

Results

Continued administration of famotidine resulted in a significant decrease in mean pH, MPT ≥3, and MPT ≥4 (P < .0001) on day 12 and 13. This resulted in a mean decrease in pH by 1.63 on days 12 and 13 compared to days 1 and 2. Furthermore, a mean decrease of MPT ≥3 and MPT ≥4 by 33 and 45% was observed for the same time period, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Continued administration of famotidine results in a diminished effect on intragastric pH in dogs. Caution is advised when recommending long‐term, daily oral administration of famotidine to dogs.

Hyperhomocysteinemia in Greyhounds and its Association with Hypofolatemia and Other Clinicopathologic Variables

Background

Folate and cobalamin are essential cofactors for homocysteine (HCY) metabolism. Hyperhomocysteinemia, a multifactorial condition, may reflect B vitamin deficiency and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, and neurodegenerative and chronic gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been reported in Greyhounds with suspected chronic enteropathy.

Objectives

To evaluate the frequencies of and the association between hypofolatemia and hyperhomocysteinemia in Greyhounds.

Animals

Data and serum samples from 559 Greyhounds.

Methods

Nested case‐control study. The frequency of hypofolatemia in Greyhounds was determined by a laboratory database search. The relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia (measured by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry) and hypocobalaminemia and hypofolatemia was evaluated, and its frequency compared between healthy Greyhounds and Greyhounds with thrombosis or chronic diarrhea.

Results

Hypofolatemia was identified in 172 of 423 (41%) Greyhounds and was more common in hypo‐ than in normocobalaminemic dogs (49% vs. 35%; P = .0064). Hyperhomocysteinemia was detected in 53 of 78 (68%) of Greyhounds, being more common in hypo‐ than in normofolatemic dogs (88% vs. 59%; P = .0175). All healthy Greyhounds, 21 of 30 (70%) of dogs with chronic diarrhea and 6 of 8 (75%) of those with thrombosis, were hyperhomocysteinemic. Serum HCY concentrations were inversely correlated with serum folate concentration (ρ = −0.28; P = .0386) and were positively associated with serum albumin concentration (ρ = 0.66; P = .0022).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Hyperhomocysteinemia occurs frequently in the Greyhound population. Its association with hypofolatemia suggests decreased intracellular availability of B vitamins, but the functional implications warrant further investigation. Hyperhomocysteinemia in Greyhounds potentially may serve as a spontaneous canine model to further investigate hyperhomocysteinemia in humans.

Feline Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: A Retrospective Study of 150 Cases

Background

Little information is available about the clinical presentation and response to treatment of cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).

Objectives

To describe the signalment, clinical signs, concurrent diseases, and response to treatment of cats with EPI.

Animals

One hundred and fifty cats with EPI.

Methods

Retrospective case series.

Results

Questionnaires were sent to 261 veterinarians, and 150 (57%) were returned with data suitable for statistical analysis. The median age of the cats with EPI was 7.7 years. The median body condition score was 3 of 9. Ninety‐two of 119 cats (77%) had hypocobalaminemia, and 56 of 119 cats (47%) had increased and 6 of 119 cats (5%) had decreased serum folate concentrations. Clinical signs included weight loss (91%), unformed feces (62%), poor hair coat (50%), anorexia (45%), increased appetite (42%), lethargy (40%), watery diarrhea (28%), and vomiting (19%). Eighty‐seven cats (58%) had concurrent diseases. Treatment response was reported to be good in 60%, partial in 27%, and poor in 13% of 121 cats. Trypsin‐like immunoreactivity <4 μg/L was associated with a positive response to treatment (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5–7.0; P = .004). Also, cobalamin supplementation improved the response to treatment (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4–6.6; P = .006).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cats often has a different clinical presentation than in dogs. The age range for EPI in cats is wide, and many cats can be ≤5 years of age. Most cats respond well to appropriate treatment for EPI, and cobalamin supplementation appears to be necessary for a good response.

Correlation of Age and Incidence of Pancreatic Exocrine Nodular Hyperplasia in the Dog

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of pancreatic nodular hyperplasia (NH) and its relation to age in the dog. A total of 101 dogs were enrolled. The pancreas was evaluated by histology and hyperplastic lesions were detected and scored. Age was recorded from the medical records. Correlation of age with inflammation and presence of hyperplastic lesions was evaluated. Of the 101 dogs, 81 (80.2%) had evidence of NH. Twenty-five of the 101 dogs did not have evidence of pancreatic inflammation, necrosis, and/or fibrosis, 17 (68.0%) of which had evidence of NH. Mean ± SD age in dogs with NH was significantly higher compared with dogs without NH (9.5 ± 3.4 years versus 3.4 ± 3.3; p-value < 0.0001). We conclude that NH is a common pathologic lesion in dogs and shows a positive correlation with age regardless of the presence or absence of pancreatic inflammation, necrosis, or fibrosis.

Histologic Assessment and Grading of the Exocrine Pancreas in the Dog

Histologic grading schemes for canine inflammatory conditions are sparse, and in the case of the canine pancreas, have not been previously described. In a previous study, we determined that histologic lesions of the exocrine pancreas occurred much more frequently than gross lesions. The intention of the current study was to develop a histologic grading scheme for nonneoplastic lesions following extensive assessment of the exocrine pancreas from dogs presented for necropsy examination. The parameters of the proposed scheme include neutrophilic inflammation, lymphocytic inflammation, pancreatic necrosis, pancreatic fat necrosis, edema, fibrosis, atrophy, and hyperplastic nodules. In this case series, the most common lesion was pancreatic hyperplastic nodules (80.2%), followed by lymphocytic inflammation (52.5%), fibrosis (49.5%), atrophy (46.5%), neutrophilic inflammation (31.7%), pancreatic fat necrosis (25.7%), pancreatic necrosis (16.8%), and edema (9.9%). Only 8 of the 101 animals had no evidence of any of the lesions in any of the sections examined. Fibrosis, atrophy, and/or lymphocytic infiltration most commonly accompanied nodules. Neutrophilic inflammation, when present, was often associated with necrosis (pancreatic necrosis, pancreatic fat necrosis, or both) and occasionally with hyperplastic nodules. The utilization of a grading scheme for exocrine pancreatic lesions will be useful in advancing the classification of exocrine pancreatic disease in the dog, which may lead to multicenter studies of exocrine pancreatic disorders in the dog and in other species.

Prevalence and Clinicopathological Features of Triaditis in a Prospective Case Series of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Cats

Background

The term triaditis designates the concurrent presence of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cholangitis, and pancreatitis in cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The histopathology of concurrent, but often subclinical, inflammatory processes in the small intestine, liver, and pancreas of cats is poorly described. We aimed to investigate the frequency of enteritis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, or some combination of these in symptomatic and asymptomatic cats, compare clinicopathological features, and correlate histopathological with laboratory findings.

Animals

Domestic cats (27 symptomatic, 20 asymptomatic, and 8 normal).

Methods

Prospective study. Physical examination, laboratory variables (CBC, serum biochemistry profile, serum thyroxine concentration, serum feline trypsin‐like immunoreactivity [fTLI], feline lipase immunoreactivity [fPLI, as measured by Spec fPL^®], urinalysis, and fecal analysis), imaging, and histopathological examinations were conducted. Feline liver, pancreas, and small intestine were biopsied during laparotomy.

Results

Inflammatory lesions were detected in 47 cats (27 symptomatic, 20 asymptomatic). In total, 20 cats had histopathologic lesions of IBD (13/47, 27.7%), cholangitis (6/47, 12.8%), or pancreatitis (1/47, 2.1%) alone, or inflammation involving >1 organ (27/47, 57.4%). More specifically, 16/47 cats (34.0%) had concurrent lesions of IBD and cholangitis, 3/47 (6.4%) of IBD and pancreatitis, and 8/47 cats (17%) of triaditis. Triaditis was identified only in symptomatic cats (8/27, 29.6%). A mild, positive correlation was detected between the severity (score) of IBD lesions and the number of comorbidities (rho = +0.367, P = .022).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Histopathological evidence of IBD or IBD with comorbidities was detected in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cats. The possibility of triaditis should be considered in symptomatic cats with severe IBD.

Influence of Breed Size, Age, Fecal Quality, and Enteropathogen Shedding on Fecal Calprotectin and Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Puppies During the Weaning Period

Background

Fecal calprotectin and immunoglobulin A (IgA) are markers of intestinal inflammation and immunity in adult dogs.

Hypothesis

Fecal calprotectin and IgA concentrations in puppies are not influenced by fecal moisture in puppies but by enteropathogen shedding.

Animals

Three hundred and twenty‐four puppies.

Methods

Fecal consistency was assessed by gross examination. Fecal moisture was evaluated before and after lyophilization. Canine parvovirus and coronavirus were detected in feces by qPCR and qRT‐PCR respectively. Giardia intestinalis antigen was quantified by ELISA. The standard McMaster flotation technique was used to detect eggs and oocysts in feces. Fecal calprotectin and IgA concentrations were quantified by in‐house radioimmunoassays.

Results

For each marker (IgA and calprotectin), a strong positive correlation was observed between concentration in fresh feces and concentration in fecal dry matter. 75.6% of the puppies were found to be infected by at ≥1 of the enteropathogens evaluated. Fecal calprotectin concentration was significantly influenced by age (P = .001), with higher concentrations in younger puppies, but not by viral (P = .863) or parasitic infection (P = .791). Fecal IgA concentration was significantly influenced by enteropathogen shedding (P = .01), with a lower fecal IgA concentration in puppies shedding at ≥1 enteropathogen compared to puppies without any enteropathogen shedding, but not by age.

Conclusions

Fecal calprotectin and IgA are of no diagnostic value to detect presence of enteropathogens in clinically healthy puppies or puppies with abnormal feces, but could help to better understand the maturation of digestive tract.

Serum C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations in dogs with hepatic disease

OBJECTIVES

To describe serum C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations in dogs with hepatic disease and to determine whether there is a relationship between the concentration of either and the severity of hepatic necroinflammation.

METHODS

Serum C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations were measured in 46 dogs undergoing hepatic biopsy. Dogs were divided into three groups: congenital portosystemic shunts, chronic hepatitis and hepatic neoplasia. The histological severity of hepatic necroinflammation was scored.

RESULTS

C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations were greater than the upper limit of the reference intervals in 39 and 26% of dogs, respectively. There was no association of disease group with C-reactive protein (P=0·1733) or S100A12 (P=0·1513) concentrations. There was a positive correlation between serum C-reactive protein concentration and hepatic necroinflammatory activity (rs =0·428, P=0·006).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Increased serum C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations were observed in a subpopulation of dogs with various types of hepatic diseases, suggesting acute-phase inflammation and activation of phagocytic cells, respectively. Dogs with higher hepatic necroinflammatory activity scores tended to have higher serum C-reactive protein concentrations. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding in a larger group of dogs.

Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity in Serum of Dogs with Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Background

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a relatively common endocrine disorder in dogs and is routinely associated with concurrent pancreatic injury.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of pancreatic injury in dogs with DKA based on measurement of pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in serum (PLI); compare demographic, clinicopathologic, and ultrasonographic findings in dogs with and without evidence of concurrent pancreatic injury; determine the impact of pancreatic injury on duration of hospitalization and short‐term outcome.

Animals

One hundred and nineteen dogs with DKA with or without concurrent pancreatic injury.

Methods

Retrospective study. Dogs with DKA were divided into three groups on the basis of PLI results: positive for pancreatic injury (PLI_pos), negative for pancreatic injury (PLI_neg), and not tested (PLI_na). Demographics, clinicopathologic test results, findings on abdominal ultrasonography (AUS), duration of hospitalization, and short‐term outcome were compared between the three groups.

Results

Based on serum PLI activity, 45 dogs (73%) with DKA had evidence of concurrent pancreatic injury. Median total carbon dioxide was significantly lower in the PLI_pos dogs compared to the PLI_neg dogs. There was fair agreement (κ = 0.26) between serum PLI activity and AUS. Evidence of pancreatic injury was not associated with significantly longer periods of hospitalization (PLI_pos median 6 days, range 4–7 days, PLI_neg median 4 days, range 3–6 days) and did not influence short‐term outcome (PLI_pos failure to survive to discharge 11/45, 24%, PLI_neg failure to survive to discharge 2/17, 12%).

Clinical Importance

Concurrent pancreatic injury is common in dogs with DKA, but did not affect prognosis in this population of dogs.

A Prospective, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Evaluation of the Effect of Omeprazole on Serum Calcium, Magnesium, Cobalamin, Gastrin Concentrations, and Bone in Cats

BACKGROUND

Chronic proton pump inhibitor administration has been associated with electrolyte and cobalamin deficiency, disrupted bone homeostasis, hypergastrinemia, and rebound acid hypersecretion in humans. It is unknown if this occurs in cats.

OBJECTIVES

Prolonged oral omeprazole results in altered bone mineral density or content, serum calcium, magnesium, cobalamin, and gastrin concentrations in healthy cats.

ANIMALS

Six healthy adult DSH cats.

METHODS

In a within subjects, before and after design, cats received placebo followed by omeprazole (0.83-1.6 mg/kg PO q12h) for 60 days each. Analysis of serum calcium, magnesium, cobalamin, and gastrin concentrations was performed on days 0, 30, and 60. Bone density and content were evaluated on days 0 and 60 of each intervention. Continuous data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA (α = 0.006). On day 60 of omeprazole administration, continuous intragastric pH monitoring was performed in 2 cats to evaluate the effects of abrupt withdrawal of omeprazole.

RESULTS

No significant changes were detected between treatments for any variables, except serum gastrin, which was significantly higher during omeprazole treatment in comparison to placebo (P = 0.002). Evidence of gastric hyperacidity was seen in both cats in which intragastric pH monitoring was performed following cessation of omeprazole.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Although further studies with larger populations of cats will be needed to draw any definitive conclusions, these preliminary results suggest that prolonged PPI treatment results in hypergastrinemia and abrupt PPI withdrawal might result in RAH in cats.

Oral Cobalamin Supplementation in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathies and Hypocobalaminemia

Background

Cobalamin deficiency is commonly associated with chronic enteropathies (CE) in dogs and current treatment protocols recommend parenteral supplementation. In humans, several studies have reported equal efficacy of oral and parenteral cobalamin administration of cobalamin.

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate whether oral cobalamin supplementation can restore normocobalaminemia in dogs with CE and hypocobalaminemia.

Animals

Fifty‐one client‐owned dogs with various signs of CE and hypocobalaminemia.

Material and Methods

Retrospective study based on a computerized database search for dogs treated at Evidensia Specialist Animal Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden during January 2012–March 2014. Inclusion criteria were dogs with signs of CE, an initial serum cobalamin ≤270 ng/L (reference interval: 234–811 ng/L) and oral treatment with cobalamin tablets. Serum cobalamin for follow‐up was analyzed 20–202 days after continuous oral cobalamin supplementation started.

Results

All dogs became normocobalaminemic with oral cobalamin supplementation. The mean increase in serum cobalamin concentration after treatment was 794 ± 462 ng/L. Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly higher after supplementation (mean 1017 ± 460 ng/L; P < .0001) than at baseline (mean 223 ± 33 ng/L).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Our results suggest that oral cobalamin supplementation is effective in normalizing serum cobalamin concentrations in dogs with CE. Prospective studies comparing cellular cobalamin status in dogs being treated with parenteral versus oral cobalamin supplementation are warranted before oral supplementation can be recommended for routine supplementation.

[Measurement of canine and feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity - analytical comparison of new commercial assays with established assays]

OBJECTIVE

Commercial assays for the measurement of canine and feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (Spec cPL® and Spec fPL®) have been available for a few years. The aim of this study was to compare new commercial assays that have not previously been validated in the literature to the established assays.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Leftover serum samples from diagnostic submissions to the GI-lab of the Texas A&M University were collected based on certain parameters (e.g., good quality sample, hemolytic, lipemic, or icteric sample) and were assigned random sample ID numbers. The samples were evaluated by Spec cPL® or Spec fPL® and sent on dry ice to the Kleintierklinik am Hochberg (Germany). From here one aliquot of each sample was blindly submitted to the diagnostic laboratory Laboklin (Germany) for measurement of cPL and fPL by their newly released assay and also to the GI-Lab (Texas) for repeated analysis to exclude any effect of shipping.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between serum cPL or fPL concentrations before or after shipping at the GI-Lab (Texas) (Wilcoxon paired sample signed rank tests p = 0.581 and 0.712, respectively). Significant differences were found between serum cPL or fPL concentrations of the newly released assays and the established assays (p < 0.0004 and p = 0.025, respectively). The newly released and the established assays showed some association (Spearman r: 0.775 and 0.739, respectively), however, there was a strong bias between the new assays and the established assays. The strength of agreement between the new and established canine and feline assays was poor (concordance coefficient 0.539 and 0.465, respectively). Also, the clinical interpretation for serum cPL and fPL results did not agree for many of the samples.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In conclusion, the newly released assays for the measurement of cPL and fPL show significant bias and poor concordance and provide different clinical interpretations when compared with validated assays. Thus, further research is needed before these newly released assays can be recommended for clinical use.

Association of DLA-DQB1 alleles with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a digestive disorder resulting from the insufficient secretion of enzymes from the pancreas. In dogs, this condition is often attributed to pancreatic acinar atrophy, wherein the enzyme-producing acinar cells are believed to be destroyed through an autoimmune process. Although EPI affects many diverse breeds, to date, molecular studies have been limited to the German Shepherd dog. A recent study of major histocompatibility genes in diseased and healthy German Shepherd dogs identified both risk and protective haplotypes. Herein, we genotyped DLA-DQB1 in Pembroke Welsh Corgis to determine whether dog leukocyte antigen alleles contribute to the pathogenesis of EPI across dog breeds. We evaluated 14 affected and 43 control Pembroke Welsh Corgis, which were selected based on an age of onset similar to German Shepherd dogs. We identified one protective allele (odds ratio = 0.13, P-value = 0.044) and one risk allele (odds ratio = 3.8, P-value = 0.047). As in German Shepherd dogs, the risk allele is a duplication of DLA-DQB1 (alleles DQB1*013:03 and 017:01); however, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have acquired a single polymorphism on DQB1*017:01. Thus, the DLA-DQB1 duplication is a risk allele for EPI in at least two breeds.

Serum concentrations of canine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein in healthy dogs after incubation using an autologous serum processing system

The objectives of this study were to optimize and validate a canine IL-1RA ELISA using commercially available reagents and to determine the effect of an autologous serum processing system (IRAP II) on IL-1RA concentrations in canine serum. The clinical detection limit of the optimized ELISA was 188.8 to 39,965.6 pg/mL. The observed-to-expected ratio (O:E) for three serial dilutions for four serum samples ranged from 109.6 to 132.2%. The O:E for four serum samples spiked with four concentrations of canine IL-1 RA ranged from 98.7 to 114.3%. Coefficients of variances for intra- and interassay variability ranged from 1.4 to 3.0 and 6.3 to 9.8, respectively. The ELISA was sensitive, linear, accurate, precise, and reproducible. Mean±SD serum concentration of IL-1RA in 12 healthy dogs was 396.6±208.0 pg/mL. There was a significant increase in IL-1RA when blood was incubated in the IRAP II system (15,955.0±6421.0 pg/mL, P<0.0001).

Homocysteine in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To compare serum concentrations of homocysteine in healthy dogs and those fitting the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome and to compare these values to commonly measured B-vitamins.

METHODS

Study dogs were classified into non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis groups and blood was drawn on Day 1 of the patient's hospitalisation for measurement of serum homocysteine, folate and cobalamin concentrations. Homocysteine concentration was measured in 51 clinically healthy dogs to serve as the control group.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found between the homocysteine concentrations of the healthy group when compared to non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis groups. Homocysteine values were not correlated with folate, cobalamin or APPLEfast severity scores. Homocysteine concentrations were significantly lower in sick dogs when compared to the control group, which is dissimilar to the human population.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The clinical significance of homocysteine changes in critically ill dogs is currently unknown.

The relationship of serum cobalamin to methylmalonic acid concentrations and clinical variables in cats

BACKGROUND

Serum cobalamin concentration [CBL] suggests CBL deficiency in cats but serum methylmalonic acid concentration [MMA] more accurately indicates CBL deficiency.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the ability of [CBL] to predict CBL deficiency defined by increased [MMA], and relationships of [CBL] and [MMA] with select clinical and clinicopathological variables.

ANIMALS

One hundred sixty-three client-owned cats with [CBL] measurements, 114 cats with simultaneous [MMA] measurements; 88 cats with medical information.

METHODS

Prospectively collected [CBL] and [MMA] were compared using scatter plots, receiver operating characteristic and correlative analyses with historical [CBL] thresholds and those identified in the study. [CBL] and [MMA] were compared retrospectively to specific clinical and clinicopathological variables.

RESULTS

[CBL] correlated negatively with [MMA] (τ = -0.334, P < .0001). [MMA] ≥ 1,343 nmol/L identified CBL deficiency. [CBL] = 209 pg/mL optimized sensitivity (0.51), specificity (0.96), PPV (0.89), and NPV (0.74) for detecting [MMA] ≥ 1,343 nmol/L. Prevalence of CBL deficiency was 42% (48/114) when defined by [MMA] ≥ 1,343 nmol/L versus 23% (27/114) by [CBL] ≤ 209 pg/mL. Unexpectedly, 23 and 45% of 48 cats with [MMA] ≥ 1,343 nmol/L had [CBL] > 900 pg/mL and 290 pg/mL (historical thresholds). [CBL] correlated with mean corpuscular volume (τ = -0.199, P = .013) and [MMA] with hematocrit (τ = -0.28, P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Cobalamin deficiency ([MMA] ≥ 1,343 nmol/L) occurred in 42% of cats and is predicted with high specificity by [CBL] ≤ 209 pg/mL. CBL status correlates with microcytosis and anemia. Discordance between [CBL] and [MMA] cautions against relying on any single marker for determining CBL status.

Association of postprandial serum triglyceride concentration and serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in overweight and obese dogs

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia has been proposed to contribute to the risk of developing pancreatitis in dogs.

OBJECTIVES

To determine associations between postprandial serum triglyceride concentrations and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentrations or pancreatic disease.

ANIMALS

Thirty-five client-owned overweight (n = 25) or obese (n = 10) dogs weighing >10 kg.

METHODS

Healthy dogs were prospectively recruited for a cross-sectional study. Serum triglyceride concentrations were measured before and hourly for 12 hours after a meal. Fasting cPLI and canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) concentrations were assayed. Cut-off values for hypertriglyceridemia were set a priori for fasting (≥ 88, ≥ 177, ≥ 354, ≥ 885 mg/dL) and peak postprandial (≥ 133, ≥ 442, ≥ 885 mg/dL) triglyceride concentrations. The association between hypertriglyceridemia and high cPLI concentrations was assessed by exact logistic regression. Follow-up was performed 4 years later to determine the incidence of pancreatic disease.

RESULTS

Eight dogs had peak postprandial triglycerides >442 mg/dL and 3 dogs had fasting serum cPLI concentrations ≥ 400 μg/L. Odds of high cPLI concentrations were 16.7 times higher in dogs with peak postprandial triglyceride concentrations ≥ 442 mg/dL relative to other dogs (P < .001). Fasting triglyceride concentration was not significantly associated with cPLI concentrations. None of the dogs with high triglyceride concentrations and one of the dogs with low fasting and peak postprandial triglyceride concentrations developed clinically important pancreatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Overweight and obese dogs with peak serum postprandial triglyceride concentrations ≥ 442 mg/dL after a standard meal are more likely to have serum cPLI concentrations ≥ 400 μg/L, but did not develop clinically important pancreatic disease.

Serum D-lactate concentrations in cats with gastrointestinal disease

BACKGROUND

Increased D-lactate concentrations cause neurological signs in humans with gastrointestinal disease.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

To determine if serum D-lactate concentrations are increased in cats with gastrointestinal disease compared to healthy controls, and if concentrations correlate with specific neurological or gastrointestinal abnormalities.

ANIMALS

Systematically selected serum samples submitted to the Gastrointestinal Laboratory at Texas A&M University from 100 cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease and abnormal gastrointestinal function tests, and 30 healthy cats.

METHODS

Case-control study in which serum D- and L-lactate concentrations and retrospective data on clinical signs were compared between 30 healthy cats and 100 cats with gastrointestinal disease. Association of D-lactate concentration with tests of GI dysfunction and neurological signs was evaluated by multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

All 100 cats had a history of abnormal gastrointestinal signs and abnormal gastrointestinal function test results. Thirty-one cats had definitive or subjective neurological abnormalities. D-lactate concentrations of cats with gastrointestinal disease (median 0.36, range 0.04-8.33 mmol/L) were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (median 0.22, range 0.04-0.87 mmol/L; P = .022). L-lactate concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups of cats with gastrointestinal disease and healthy controls. D-lactate concentrations were not significantly associated with fPLI, fTLI, cobalamin, folate, or neurological abnormalities (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

D-lactate concentrations can be increased in cats with gastrointestinal disease. These findings warrant additional investigations into the role of intestinal microbiota derangements in cats with gastrointestinal disease, and the association of D-lactate and neurological abnormalities.