Coagulopathies in horses are common and potentially life-threatening. In equine field medicine, a portable point-of-care (POC) prothrombin time (PT) testing device could be useful to identify early changes in extrinsic clotting. The CoaguChek-XS (Roche Diagnostics) is a small, portable POC PT analyzer used in human medicine. Our preliminary study assessed the suitability of CoaguChek-XS for testing PT in horses and established the PT reference interval (PT RI) in healthy horses using this instrument. Blood samples collected from 102 healthy and ill horses were analyzed with the CoaguChek-XS and compared to a semi-automated coagulometric analyzer (SACA) as the gold standard. There was a significant positive correlation between the 2 measurement methods (r = 0.765, p < 0.01), and very good agreement, with 97% of the samples falling within limits of agreement. The mean CoaguChek-XS PT coefficient of variation was 0.8%, indicating high precision. With high precision and good agreement with the coagulometric PT, the CoaguChek-XS should be further validated for PT measurement in horses.

Organophosphates (OP) and carbamates are commonly used insecticides and important intoxication sources of humans and animals. Nevertheless, large scale studies of these intoxications in dogs are unavailable. The medical records of dogs presented to a veterinary hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The study included 102 dogs definitely diagnosed with acute OP or carbamate intoxication. The most common presenting clinical signs included muscle tremor, hypersalivation, miosis, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. Hypersalivation, muscle tremor and tachypnea were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with survival to discharge; while weakness, mental dullness, anorexia, pale mucous membranes and paddling were significantly associated with death. Common laboratory abnormalities included decreased butyrylcholine esterase activity, acidemia, increased total plasma protein, leukocytosis, hypochloridemia, hyperbilirubinemia, increased creatinine and alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and creatine kinase activities, and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Compared to the survivors, the non-survivors showed significantly: higher frequencies of thrombocytopenia, hypocarbemia, prolonged prothrombin time (PT), hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, hypocholesterolemia, hypoproteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased ALT activity and increased urea concentration; lower median concentrations of venous blood bicarbonate, serum chloride and total CO2; and higher medians of PT, serum total bilirubin and urea concentrations, and ALT and AST activities. Intoxicated dogs were commonly treated with diphenhydramine, atropine-sulfate, antibiotics, diazepam and pralidoxime, while some (19.2%) required general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. The survival rate of dogs treated by gastric lavage was higher (P = 0.041) compared to that of the remaining dogs. Development of respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation requirement were significantly associated (P < 0.001) with death. The mortality rate was 17%.

Heatstroke (HS) is an acute, progressive life-threatening emergency. Animals, including military working dogs (IDFMWD), rapidly activate cytoprotective processes, e.g., heat shock proteins (HSPs) and antioxidative molecules, in response to heat stress. We hypothesized that serum HSPs (eHSP72) and oxidative stress markers would differ in IDFMWD with a history of HS compared with controls and thus could be used to detect susceptibility to recurrent HS. eHSPs concentration, oxidative stress markers, and systemic physiological parameters were studied in dogs with and without histories of HS, undergoing indoor or outdoor training. Treadmill physical performance tests (PPTs) were conducted indoors at 22 °C (groups C-I and HS-I) or outdoors under heat stress conditions of 36 °C; 60% humidity (groups C-O and HS-O). Pre-, immediately post-, and 45 min post-PPT heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, and rectal temperature (Tre) were recorded in all dogs. Likewise, blood samples were collected and eHSP72, venous blood gas analysis, and lactate and creatine kinase activity (CK) were assayed. Serum uric acid (sUA) and total serum redox potential (TRP) were measured only in the indoor group. Immediately post-PPT under both environmental conditions, Tre, HR, eHSP, sUA, and TRP (only measured in indoor PPT) significantly (P < 0.05) increased, whereas venous blood pH and bicarbonate decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Between groups comparisons demonstrated significant differences in basal HR and post-PPT Tre immediately after outdoor PPT. eHSP72 induction, CK, sUA, and serum TRP remained significantly higher in the HS group during post-PPT recovery. Taken together, animals with a history of HS have different results, and this signature of previous HS may predict altered heat sensitivity.

Extrachromosomal genomes of the adeleorinid parasite Hepatozoon canis infecting an Israeli dog were investigated using next-generation and standard sequencing technologies. A complete apicoplast genome and several mitochondrion-associated sequences were generated. The apicoplast genome (31,869 bp) possessed two copies of both large subunit (23S) and small subunit (16S) ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) within an inverted repeat region, as well as 22 protein-coding sequences, 25 transfer RNA genes (tDNA) and seven open reading frames of unknown function. Although circular-mapping, the apicoplast genome was physically linear according to next-generation data. Unlike other apicoplast genomes, genes encoding ribosomal protein S19 and tDNAs for alanine, aspartic acid, histidine, threonine and valine were not identified. No complete mitochondrial genome was recovered using next-generation data or directed PCR amplifications. Eight mitochondrion-associated (215–3523 bp) contigs assembled from next-generation data encoded a complete cytochrome c oxidase subunit I coding sequence, a complete cytochrome c oxidase subunit III coding sequence, two complete cytochrome B coding sequences, a non-coding, pseudogene for cytochrome B and multiple fragmented mitochondrial rDNA genes (SSUA, SSUB, SSUD, LSUC, LSUG, RNA6, RNA10, RNA14, RNA18). The paucity of NGS reads generating each of the mitochondrion-like sequences suggested that a complete mitochondrial genome at typically high copy number was absent in H. canis. In contrast, the complete nuclear rDNA unit sequence of H. canis (18S rDNA to 28S rDNA, 6977 bp) had >1000-fold next-generation coverage. Multiple divergent (from 93.6% to 99.9% pairwise identities) nuclear 18S rDNA contigs were generated (three types with 10 subtypes total). To our knowledge this is the first apicoplast genome sequenced from any adeleorinid coccidium and the first mitochondrion-associated sequences from this serious pathogen of wild and domestic canids. These newly generated sequences may provide useful genetic loci for high-resolution species-level genotyping that is currently impossible using existing nuclear rDNA targets.

Abstract Background Urethral obstruction (UO) is a common complication of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Robust treatment recommendations to prevent its recurrence are scarce. Objectives To evaluate meloxicam treatment for prevention of clinical recrudescence in male cats with obstructive FIC. Animals Fifty-one client-owned cats. Methods Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Every male cat with FIC-associated UO was deemed eligible for the study and was recruited during hospitalization. After discharge, cats were treated with phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam for 2?weeks, with (24 cats) or without (27 cats) low-dose meloxicam (0.025?mg/kg/day PO) and monitored for 6?months. Results Cumulative number (%) of cats with recurrent UO at 10?days, 1-, 2-, and 6-months after discharge was 1 (2%), 2 (4%), 4 (8%), and 8 (16%), respectively. Overall, 12 (24%) cats experienced signs of recurrent FIC within 6?months, with (8 cats) or without (4 cats) concurrent UO. No difference in the cumulative incidence of UO within 6?months was detected with addition of meloxicam (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.63 [0.13-2.97]; P =?.70). All cats were alive at 6?months. Conclusions and Clinical Importance No clinical benefit was detected with the addition of low-dose meloxicam to phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam treatment for 2?weeks after discharge. Nevertheless, this study was underpowered to identify potential differences, and its findings must be corroborated in larger studies.

Abstract Background Hypocobalaminemia, hypofolatemia and iron deficiency are associated with pregnancy-related anemia (PRA) and neonatal survival (NS) in women. Similar associations have not been investigated in pregnant bitches. Objectives To investigate time course and associations of serum cobalamin, folate and iron status indicators with hematological variables and NS in pregnant bitches. Animals Forty-eight pregnant bitches. Methods A prospective cohort study. Pregnancy was confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography twice during mid- and late pregnancy, concurrently with blood sampling. Associations among pregnancy stage, NS and laboratory variables were assessed by generalized estimating equations. Results Compared with midpregnancy, serum cobalamin (adjusted mean [95% confidence interval, CI]) decreased at late pregnancy (430?pg/mL [394-466] versus 330?pg/mL [303-357], respectively; P?<?.001), whereas serum folate did not. Every increment of 1 in parity number or litter size corresponded to 28.6 pg/mL (95% CI, 5.6-51.6; P = .02) and 20.3 pg/mL (95% CI, 10.9-29.7; P?<?.001) decrease in serum cobalamin concentration. Compared with midpregnancy, serum iron (P?<?.001) and transferrin saturation (P = .01) increased at late pregnancy. The decrease in red blood cell count (P?<?.001) at late pregnancy was significantly, albeit weakly, correlated with decreasing serum folate concentration (r = 0.33; P = .02). None of the measures was associated with NS. Conclusions and Clinical Significance Pregnancy-related anemia was common at late pregnancy. Unlike in women, in pregnant bitches, serum iron and transferrin saturation were increased at late pregnancy. Future studies are warranted to investigate the clinical ramifications of hypocobalaminemia in pregnant bitches and the utility of prophylactic folate administration in mitigating PRA.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in cats is associated with high mortality, partially attributed to late recognition of the disease when using currently available markers. Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a variable progression rate. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of urinary heat shock protein-72 to urinary creatinine ratio (uHSP72:uCr) as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in feline AKI, and as a prognostic indicator in feline CKD. The study included 63 cats, divided into five groups: healthy controls (n=10), urethral obstruction (UO; n=7), CKD (n=15), AKI (16 cats) and acute decompensating CKD (ACKD; n=15). Median uHSP72:uCr (ng/mg) of healthy, UO, CKD, AKI and ACKD cats were 0.44 (range, 0.13–1.1), 1.96 (range, 0.64–11.9), 4.2ng/mg (range, 0.57–22.16), 3.2 (range, 0.42–10.91) and 7.0 (range, 1.2–20.96), respectively, and differed (P<0.001) among groups. uHSP72:uCr was significantly lower in the controls vs. the CKD, AKI and ACKD groups. Receiver operator characteristic analysis of uHSP72:uCr, including the AKI and control groups, showed an area under the curve of 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.84–1.00), indicating an excellent predictive performance for diagnosing AKI. A 0.54ng/mg cutoff point corresponded to 94% sensitivity and 70% specificity for diagnosing AKI. The median survival time of cats with CKD with low uHSP72:uCr was longer (P=0.036) than in those with high uHSP72:uCr (561 vs. 112 days, respectively). uHSP72:uCr is a highly sensitive, moderately specific marker of AKI in cats, and is associated with the survival of cats with CKD.