Serum progesterone (sP4) measurement is commonly used to determine the optimal time for mating in bitches, and to diagnose reproduction-related abnormalities. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is the gold standard assay, but is becoming less available, and has several practical disadvantages. Chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA) are commonly used in human medicine for sP4 measurement, and are becoming more available in veterinary medicine. Our objective was to compare the sP4 results obtained by RIA and two CLIA systems (Immulite-Siemens [IS-CLIA] and Elecsys-Roche [ER-CLIA]) in the same sera in 60 client-owned healthy bitches at different estrous cycle stages. The agreement between the two CLIAs and RIA was examined using the Passing-Bablok regression and Bland Altman plots. Comparing sP4 concentrations measured by the IS-CLIA to the RIA yielded an intercept of 0.16 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.03–0.25) with a slope of 0.45 (95%CI, 0.44–0.47) and a median difference of −2.10 ng/mL (P < 0.0001) that was strongly correlated to the average of measurements (r = −0.97; P < 0.0001). Comparing sP4 concentrations measured by the ER-CLIA to the RIA yielded an intercept of −0.23 ng/mL (95%CI, −0.56 to −0.09) with a slope of 1.06 (95%CI, 1.00–1.12) and a median difference of −0.09 ng/mL (P = 0.9), that was weakly correlated to the average of measurements (r = 0.34; P = 0.018). The performance of the ER-CLIA was similar to the RIA, while the IS-CLIA showed significantly different results compared to the RIA. Our study supports the conclusion that sP4 results generated by the ER-CLIA can be used interchangeably with RIA results for clinical purposes, while IS-CLIA results require adjustment to RIA results for clinical practice.

Canine filarioids are worldwide distributed nematodes transmitted by arthropods with variable virulence depending on the species. Dirofilaria immitis is the most virulent and serological antigen tests are commonly employed to detect it. This study reports on the heaviest cavity filariasis recorded so far in a dog, which showed no apparent clinical signs of infection. The 6-year-old male was positive to a D. immitis antigen test. Blood samples collected and analyzed with the modified Knott's test for microfilariae revealed 264,367 microfilariae/ml. In a post-mortem examination 791 adult filarial nematodes were found in the dog's thoracic and peritoneal cavities. Morphological and molecular analysis identified the nematode as Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and no other species were present. This is evidence that massive A. dracunculoides infections in dogs may not be clinically evident, they may cause serologic cross-reaction with D. immitis infection and become a life-threatening condition if dogs are treated with a microfilaricidal treatment without previously performing an adequate diagnosis.

ObjectiveAcute kidney injury (AKI) may be a complication in dogs undergoing surgery. Urinary heat shock protein 72 (uHSP72) is a sensitive biomarker of canine AKI. To assess the occurrence of perioperative AKI, based on uHSP72 compared with serum creatinine (sCr), and whether its occurrence is associated with the American Society of Anesthesiology physical status (ASA status). Study design Clinical prospective study. Animals A total of 80 client-owned and shelter dogs. Methods Dogs scheduled for elective or emergency surgery were assigned ASA status (ASA I–IV). Preoperative and 24 hour postoperative serum and urine samples were collected. sCr, uHSP72 and urinary creatinine (uCr) were measured. Results Postoperative uHSP72/uCr concentration [median (range)] of all dogs undergoing surgery [2.40 (0.14–252) ng mg−1] was significantly increased compared with preoperative uHSP72/uCr [1.30 (0.11–142) ng mg−1] concentration (p < 0.001). Conversely, postoperative sCr concentration of all dogs [0.88 (0.3–1.6) mg dL−1] significantly decreased compared with preoperative sCr concentration [0.8 (0.2–5.0) mg dL−1; p = 0.001]. Median uHSP72/uCr concentration differed both preoperatively (p = 0.007) and postoperatively (p = 0.019) among the ASA status groups. Increased uHSP/uCr was measured in 20 dogs preoperatively and 33 dogs postoperatively, whereas only five dogs fulfilled the criteria of AKI based on sCr. Conclusions The occurrence of increased uHSP72/uCr perioperatively suggests that the proportion of dogs with AKI is considerably higher than perceived. Clinical relevance Dogs undergoing surgery should be closely monitored for AKI before and after anesthesia, using currently available markers (e.g., sCr) and more sensitive markers.