Brain herniation in a dobermann with polycythaemia vera

Veterinary Record Case Reports · 2026-04-20

Abstract A 1.5‐year‐old, entire, female dobermann presented acutely comatose with seizures and tremors and was found to have marked erythrocytosis with a packed cell volume of 92%. The erythropoietin level was low, and the JAK2 gene mutation testing was negative. Despite multiple phlebotomies and a gradual decrease in packed cell volume, the dog deteriorated and developed respiratory arrest. Euthanasia was elected. Postmortem findings revealed a highly cellular bone marrow with approximately 70% haematopoietic cell lineages, aspiration pneumonia, as well as brain haemorrhage, necrosis and foramen magnum herniation, leading to respiratory arrest. The diagnostic findings were most consistent with polycythaemia vera, in which severe blood hyperviscosity likely caused cerebral hypoperfusion and vascular injury, explaining the neurological signs and postmortem changes. The neurological dysfunction likely contributed to aspiration pneumonia. Reported median survival time in dogs with polycythaemia vera is poor, emphasising the need for improved understanding of the disease to guide future management.

Premedication and general anesthetic agents decrease plasma concentration of the endocannabinoid anandamide in dogs

American Journal of Veterinary Research · 2025-02-27 · 1 citations

Objective: To determine the effect of premedication followed by isoflurane (ISO) versus sevoflurane (SEVO), length of general anesthesia (GA), and the amount of IV fluid administered on plasma endocannabinoid arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide; AEA) concentrations in dogs undergoing GA. Methods: This study was an analysis of samples collected during a previously designed prospective, randomized, single-blinded experimental study involving 21 client-owned dogs undergoing GA. Samples were collected from March through October 2021. Dogs were randomized to ISO or SEVO as the inhalant anesthetic. Blood samples collected before and after GA were used to measure plasma AEA concentrations using HPLC-MS-MS. Data included signalment, length of GA (minutes), surgery performed, fluid volume administered (milliliters per kilogram), and treatment with NSAIDs or steroids. Statistical analyses included power analysis, normality testing, and adjusted linear mixed models. Results: Plasma AEA concentrations significantly decreased after GA in both groups. Least squares mean AEA concentration decreased from 29 to 12.3 ng/mL in the ISO group and from 26.6 to 11.1 ng/mL in the SEVO group. There were no significant differences between groups or associations with anesthesia duration, fluid volume, surgery, or NSAID/steroid use. Conclusions: Plasma AEA concentrations were significantly reduced after GA in both the ISO and SEVO groups. This reduction may be influenced by other anesthesia agents, such as dexmedetomidine, hydromorphone, and propofol. Clinical Relevance: This study is the first to highlight a potential interaction between premedication, GA, and endocannabinoid signaling. Further research is needed to explore these findings and their implications for pain management and neuroprotection.

Urinary syndecan-1 in dogs anesthetized with isoflurane or sevoflurane: A randomized, prospective study

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2024-05-30 · 3 citations

BACKGROUND: Syndecan-1 (SDC1) is an established marker of endothelial glycocalyx shedding. Most research on SDC1 has focused on plasma or serum concentrations, and little is known about urine concentrations. OBJECTIVES: Measure urinary SDC1 concentrations in dogs undergoing anesthesia with either sevoflurane or isoflurane and assess the effects of anesthesia duration and IV crystalloids on urinary SDC1 concentrations. ANIMALS: Thirty-one client-owned dogs undergoing anesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with or without surgery for suspected intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) were used. METHODS: Dogs with suspected IVDD were randomized to undergo anesthesia with either sevoflurane or isoflurane. Urine was collected before and immediately after anesthesia for the analysis of SDC1. Urinary creatinine concentrations also were measured, and the ratio of urinary SDC1 to urinary creatinine (USCR) was used to account for dilution. RESULTS: Median (range) USCR was significantly higher after anesthesia compared with baseline for all groups combined (P < .05). No significant difference was found between the groups for age, sex, weight, and type of anesthesia. Multiple regression analysis of the effect of the independent variables inhalant type, age, weight, sex, anesthesia time, surgery, and quantity of IV fluids on the dependent variable SDC1 found that only the quantity of IV fluids significantly predicted a change (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The total volume of lactated Ringer's solution administered to anesthetized dogs may affect USCR. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the relationship between IV fluids and SDC1.

Intra-abdominal nocardiosis and scedosporiosis in a dog: case report and literature review

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation · 2024-10-14 · 3 citations

A 2-y-old, intact female, mixed-breed dog was presented to the veterinary hospital with abdominal distension, anemia, and lethargy following a chronic history of nonspecific gastrointestinal signs. CBC and serum biochemistry revealed moderate nonregenerative anemia with neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoglycemia, decreased urea and creatinine, and hypercholesterolemia. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound revealed a large heterogeneous mesenteric mass and ascites. Abdominocentesis confirmed septic peritonitis with filamentous bacteria. Fine-needle aspiration of the mass yielded pyogranulomatous inflammation and hyphae. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a large cranial abdominal mass with granulomas present throughout the abdominal cavity. Due to the poor prognosis and disseminated disease, the owner elected euthanasia. Postmortem and histologic examinations detected intralesional mycetomas and bacterial colonies within the mesenteric masses. 16S ribosomal RNA gene PCR and sequencing using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections identified Nocardia yamanashiensis, Nocardioides cavernae, and Nocardioides zeicaulis. Fungal culture, PCR, and sequencing confirmed Scedosporium apiospermum. Our report highlights the importance of molecular methods in conjunction with culture and histologic findings for diagnosing coinfections caused by infrequent etiologic agents. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive literature review of Scedosporium apiospermum infections in dogs.

Agreement between lacrimal fluid and serum for detecting urea nitrogen and creatinine in dogs

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2024-07-26 · 1 citations

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether urea nitrogen and creatinine levels differ in lacrimal fluid (LF) and serum (SER) in nonazotemic (control) and azotemic dogs and whether there is an agreement between LF and SER. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed at the Auburn University Small Animal Teaching Hospital between May 2023 and March 2024. Forty control and 38 azotemic dogs were enrolled. Twenty microliters of LF per eye was collected with microcapillary tubes, and 3 mL of blood was drawn. Bland-Altman plot and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate the agreement between LF and SER. RESULTS: There was good agreement between LF and SER levels of urea nitrogen in the control group (Bland-Altman plot mean bias of -0.8108 ± 2.407 mg/dL; ICC of 0.874 [95% CI, 0.773 to 0.934]) and the azotemic group (Bland-Altman plot mean bias of -9.681 ± 23.89 mg/dL; ICC of 0.82 [95% CI, 0.658 to 0.906]). There was poor agreement between LF and SER concentrations for creatinine in the control and azotemic groups, with only 26 dogs with creatinine detectable in LF. CONCLUSIONS: Lacrimal fluid and SER concentrations of urea nitrogen showed good agreement in both the control and azotemic groups, whereas poor agreement was found for creatinine in both groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Measurement of urea nitrogen in LF may provide an alternative to blood for diagnosing uremia. However, additional research is necessary before substituting LF for SER.

Intraobserver and interobserver reliability of standardized capillary refill time in dogs is high following observer training

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2023-09-27 · 1 citations

OBJECTIVE: To assess intraobserver and interobserver reliability of capillary refill time (CRT) measurement in dogs using a standardized technique after training. ANIMALS: 20 dogs presented to the emergency room. METHODS: Dogs presented to the emergency room were prospectively recruited. Using a timing device and standardized technique, CRT was measured at the oral mucosa of the inner lip. Measurements were performed by 2 emergency and critical care residents (observer 1 [Ob1] and observer 2 [Ob2]) and repeated 3 times by each observer for each dog. CRT values and signalment were recorded. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were analyzed by calculation of the coefficient of variation (CV%), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and minimal detectable difference. Reliability was considered high if CV% was lower than 10% and ICC was between 0.9 and 1. RESULTS: Median CRT for Ob1 was 1.22 seconds and for Ob2 was 1.19 seconds. Intraobserver reliability was high, evidenced by a median CV% of 6.2% (range, 1.0% to 18.6%) and 9.5% (range, 1.3% to 22.6%) and an ICC of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.94 to 0.99) and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.90 to 0.98) for Ob1 and Ob2, respectively. Between observers, the CV% was 4.4% (range, 0.8% to 17.5%) and the ICC was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.94 to 0.99), indicating high interobserver reliability. The minimal detectable differences for intraobserver and interobserver were 0.30 and 0.34 seconds, respectively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The reported high reliability of CRT despite its subjective nature enhances its usefulness in daily practice. However, further research on the validity of CRT is warranted.

What is your diagnosis? Postmortem impression smear from a kitten with lung nodules

Veterinary Clinical Pathology · 2023-08-24

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Untargeted Analysis of Serum Metabolomes in Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Animals · 2023-07-14 · 6 citations

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a malabsorptive syndrome resulting from insufficient secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes. EPI is treated with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), but the persistence of clinical signs, especially diarrhea, is common after treatment. We used untargeted metabolomics of serum to identify metabolic disturbances associated with EPI and generate novel hypotheses related to its pathophysiology. Fasted serum samples were collected from dogs with EPI (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 10), all receiving PERT. Serum metabolomes were generated using UPLC-MS/MS, and differences in relative metabolite abundances were compared between the groups. Of the 759 serum metabolites detected, 114 varied significantly (p &lt; 0.05, q &lt; 0.2) between dogs with EPI and healthy controls. Differences in amino acids (arginate, homoarginine, 2-oxoarginine, N-acetyl-cadaverine, and α-ketoglutaramate) and lipids (free fatty acids and docosahexaenoylcarnitine) were consistent with increased proteolysis and lipolysis, indicating a persistent catabolic state in dogs with EPI. Relative abundances of gut microbial metabolites (phenyllactate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, phenylacetyl-amino acids, catechol sulfates, and o-cresol-sulfate) were altered in dogs with EPI, consistent with disruptions in gut microbial communities. Increased kynurenine is consistent with the presence of intestinal inflammation in dogs with EPI. Whether these metabolic disturbances participate in the pathophysiology of EPI or contribute to the persistence of clinical signs after treatment is unknown, but they are targets for future investigations.

Case Report: Successful Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Therapy for Canine Amphetamine Toxicosis

Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2022-07-12 · 7 citations

, an extended-release amphetamine medication. In dogs, the oral median lethal dose for amphetamines ranges anywhere from 9-11 mg/kg to 20-27 mg/kg. On presentation, the patient was agitated, tachycardic and hypertensive. Initial treatment was instituted with intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) therapy, and baseline and post-treatment amphetamine concentrations were quantified in serum and plasma. In both serum and plasma, post-IVLE concentrations of amphetamine were lower 1 h after treatment and IVLE was the only treatment instituted during this time. The dog improved significantly while in hospital and was discharged <24 h after presentation. This is the first known reported use of IVLE for treatment of amphetamine toxicosis with documented decreases in both serum and plasma amphetamine levels shortly after administration of IVLE.

252: ECONOMIC EUTHANASIA IN DOGS REQUIRING EMERGENCY SURGERY INCREASED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Critical Care Medicine · 2022-12-15 · 2 citations

Introduction: ‘Economic euthanasia’, defined as euthanasia of pets due to financial constraints despite treatable illness, is common in veterinary emergency medicine. Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in dogs is inexpensive to diagnose and has a high survival rate with corrective, but costly, surgery. Without surgery, GDV is lethal. The proportion of dogs with GDV euthanized pre-surgery emerged as a reliable metric of economic euthanasia. If the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated economic distress in dog owners compromising their ability to afford pet healthcare, an increase in pre-surgical euthanasia in dogs with GDV would be expected. We hypothesized that in dogs with GDV, the risk of pre-surgical euthanasia during the COVID-19 pandemic increased compared to such risk before the pandemic. Methods: In this case-control study, we included non-referred dogs with GDV that presented to 11 US veterinary hospitals. Dogs were cases if they were euthanized pre-surgery, and controls if they underwent surgical treatment. Exposure positive dogs were those presenting during the initial surge of unemployment due to COVID-19 (March 16 - July 5 2020), exposure negative dogs were those during the same period in 2019. Univariate analyses and binary logistic regression models were developed to quantify the association between COVID-19 status (present, absent) and euthanasia risk, adjusting for the effect of known confounders. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: We recorded 118 dogs with GDV over the 2 time periods, with 30% of non-exposed and 52% of exposed pets being euthanized pre-surgery (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.4). After adjusting for age, breed, comorbidities and recumbency, the odds of euthanasia for dogs presenting during COVID-19 were 2.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 6.3) times those of dogs presented in 2019. Old age (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.1), but no other explanatory variables, were associated with pre-surgical euthanasia. Conclusions: Our findings show that in this study population, dogs with GDV presented in the period March 16 to July 5 2020 had a greater risk of euthanasia compared with dogs presented in the same period the year before. It is our inference that economic consequences arising from the COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted on the level of veterinary care owners were able to provide for their pets.