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Abstract Background Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the most sensitive indicator of initial renal function decline during chronic kidney disease (CKD), but conventional protocols for measuring GFR are labor‐intensive and stressful for the dog. Objectives To assess the diagnostic potential for detecting CKD with simplified GFR protocols based on iohexol plasma clearance. Animals Seventeen CKD‐positive and 23 CKD‐negative dogs of different breeds and sex. Methods Prospective nonrandomized study. Plasma iohexol was measured 5, 15, 60, 90, and 180 minutes after injection. Glomerular filtration rate was calculated using 5 samples (GFR5) or simplified protocols based on 1, 2, or 3 samples. The GFR5 and simplified GFR were compared by Bland‐Altmann and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis, and diagnostic accuracy for CKD by receiver operating characteristic curves. A gray zone for each protocol was bounded by the fourth quartile of the CKD‐positive population (lower cutoff) and the first quartile of the CKD‐negative population (upper cutoff). Results All simplified protocols gave reliable GFR measurements, comparable to reference GFR5 (CCC >0.92). Simplified protocols which included the 180‐minutes sampling granted the best GFR measure (CCC: 0.98), with strong diagnostic potential for CKD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ± SE: 0.98 ± 0.01). A double cutoff including a zone of CKD uncertainty guaranteed reliable diagnosis outside the gray area and identified borderline dogs inside it. Conclusions The simplified GFR protocols offer an accurate, hands‐on tool for CKD diagnosis in dogs. The gray zone might help decision‐making in the management of early kidney dysfunction.

Background The study determines the pharmacokinetic profiles of dexmedetomidine (DEX), ketamine (KET) and its active metabolite, norketamine (NORKET), after simultaneous administration. Moreover, the study evaluates the sedative effects of this protocol, its influence on the main physiological variables and the occurrence of adverse effects.Methods Eighteen captive tigers were initially administered with a mixture of DEX (10 µg/kg) and KET (2 mg/kg) by remote intramuscular injection. In case of individual and specific needs, the protocol was modified and tigers could receive general anaesthesia, propofol or additional doses of DEX and KET.Results Based on the immobilisation protocol, nine animals were assigned to the standard protocol group and the other nine to the non-standard protocol group. Higher area under the first moment curve (AUMC0-last) and longer mean residence time (MRT0-last) (P

Background: The study determines the pharmacokinetic profiles of dexmedetomidine (DEX), ketamine (KET) and its active metabolite, norketamine (NORKET), after simultaneous administration. Moreover, the study evaluates the sedative effects of this protocol, its influence on the main physiological variables and the occurrence of adverse effects., Methods: Eighteen captive tigers were initially administered with a mixture of DEX (10 µg/kg) and KET (2 mg/kg) by remote intramuscular injection. In case of individual and specific needs, the protocol was modified and tigers could receive general anaesthesia, propofol or additional doses of DEX and KET., Results: Based on the immobilisation protocol, nine animals were assigned to the standard protocol group and the other nine to the non-standard protocol group. Higher area under the first moment curve (AUMC 0-last ) and longer mean residence time (MRT 0-last ) (P<0.05) were observed in the non-standard protocol group for DEX, KET and NORKET, and higher area under the concentration-time curve from administration to the last measurable concentration (AUC 0-last ) only for KET. The KET metabolisation rate was similar (P=0.296) between groups. No differences between groups were detected in terms of stages of sedation and recoveries. All physiological variables remained within normality ranges during the whole observation period. During the hospitalisation period, no severe adverse reactions and signs of resedation were observed., Conclusion: The simultaneous administration of 10 µg/kg of DEX and 2 mg/kg of KET can be considered an effective protocol for chemical immobilisation of captive tigers, along with dosage adjusments or when other drugs are needed., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© British Veterinary Association 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. Published by BMJ.)