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Background: Bacterial urine culture is recommended in dogs suspected of having urinary tract infection (UTI), but there is expense and delay in obtaining such results. Hypothesis/Objective: To determine the diagnostic performance of a rapid immunoassay (RIA) dipstick for detection of bacteriuria using voided urine from dogs with clinical signs of lower UTI. Animals: Twenty-four client-owned dogs. Methods: Voided urine was collected and the RIA performed within 30 minutes. Urine collected by cystocentesis was submitted for aerobic urine culture. McNemar's test and kappa coefficient were calculated to determine agreement between the 2 tests. Results: Nine of 21 dogs (43%) had UTI verified by aerobic urine culture. There was 1 false-negative and no false-positive RIA results. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the RIA were 89%, 100%, 100%, and 92%, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This RIA is promising for correctly identifying whether or not voided urine samples from dogs with lower urinary tract clinical signs have true bacteriuria in a rapid, inexpensive manner. Additional patients should be enrolled in a similar study to determine if diagnostic performance is robust in a large population. Published version

Sarcocystis neurone, is best known as the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis of horses in the Americas. Domestic cats (Felis domesticus) were the first animals described as an intermediate host for S. neurone,. However, S. neurona-associated encephalitis has also been reported in naturally infected cats in the United States. Thus, cats can be implicated in the life cycle of S. neurona as natural intermediate hosts. The present study examined the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to merozoites of S. neurona in populations of domestic cats from Virginia and Pennsylvania. Overall, sera or plasma from 441 cats (Virginia = 232, Pennsylvania = 209) were tested by an indirect immunofluorescent assay at a 1:50 dilution. Antibodies to S. neurona were found in 32 (7%) of 441 cats. Of these, 22 (9%) of the 232 cats from Virginia and 10 (5%) of the 209 cats from Pennsylvania were seropositive for S. neurona.

Recent work in humans with protein losing nephropathies has revealed increased urine concentrations of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Differences exist between normal patients, those with glomerulonephritis (GN), and those with amyloidosis thus potentially allowing differentiation without a renal biopsy. Aims of this study were to validate a simple spectrophotometric assay used to measure canine urinary GAGs, establish a normal reference range, and determine optimal storage conditions. Urine GAG concentrations were measured in a limited number of dogs with glomerulonephritis or amyloidosis. Fourteen healthy dogs were placed in metabolic cages and all urine was collected for 24 hours. Serum and urine creatinine concentrations were measured at the beginning and end of the collection period. Urine collected at the beginning of the 24-hr period was centrifuged and the supernatant used to measure a spot GAG concentration and a spot glycosaminoglycan to creatinine ratio (GCR). A well mixed aliquot of the 24-hr sample was centrifuged, the supernatant used to measure the 24-hr total GAG, and stored at 4°C and -20°C for 1, 7, and 30 days. All dogs were used to determine effects of time and temperature (n=14), however, only dogs with an endogenous creatinine clearance > 2 ml/min/kg (n=10) were used to determine normal values. A standard absorption curve using a 1,9-dimethlymethylene blue dye and dilutions of chondroiton-4-sulfate was developed to estimate total GAG concentration. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test for effects of storage temperature and time on stability of urinary GAG. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Relationships between spot urinary GAG concentration, spot urinary GAG to creatinine ratio (GCR) and 24-hr total GAG excretion were estimated using simple linear regression. Single urine samples were collected by cystocentesis from dogs with GN or renal amyloidosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical evaluation or by histologic analysis. Urine protein, creatinine and GAG concentrations were measured. There were no time or temperature effects on urine GAG concentrations for up to 1 day at 4°C and 30 days at -20°C. Mean 24-hr total GAG excretion ± standard deviation was 1.586 ± 0.461 mg/kg of body weight. Mean spot GAG concentration and spot GCR were 5.007 ± 1.588 mg/dl and 0.023 ± 0.01 respectively. Neither spot GAG concentration (R2=0.4216) nor GCR (R2= 0.0839) were adequate predictors of 24-hr total GAG. The GCR's from dogs with renal disease were not different from normal dogs. This study established normal total urinary GAG values in dogs. Contrary to findings in humans, there was no correlation between 24-hr total sulfated GAG and spot GCR in dogs, limiting clinical utility of this test. Further work is needed to determine if either total sulfated GAG or the spot GCR can be used to differentiate causes of protein-losing nephropathies in dogs. Master of Science

Objective: The aims of this prospective clinical cohort study were to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease and to determine which clinical parameters and clinicopathologic data are associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Another aim was to determine the incidence of surgical site infections in dogs with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria. Results: In 156 dogs with cruciate ligament disease, the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 7.1%. Furthermore, the prevalence was 12.4% in female dogs and 0% in male dogs. The most common bacterial isolate was Escherichia coli. Patient sex, urine white blood cells/ high-powered field, and microscopic bacteriuria were significantly different between dogs with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria. Only 60% of dogs with microscopic bacteriuria had growth on urine aerobic culture. No significant difference was found in age, body weight, body condition score, duration of lameness, limb affected, or other urinalysis values between dogs with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria. Of the dogs that had 8-week repeat cultures, 2/3 dogs with asymptomatic bacteriuria had negative urine cultures and 3/43 without asymptomatic bacteriuria had positive urine cultures. Of 57 dogs that received surgery and had sufficient follow-up, 15 developed surgical site infection. All surgical site infections occurred in dogs without AB. The incidence of surgical site infection in this population was 26.3% (15/57). Conclusions: Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in dogs presenting with cranial cruciate ligament disease was similar to previously reported values in male and female dogs. This suggests that dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease are not more prone to asymptomatic bacteriuria than dogs in previously studied populations. Preliminary data suggests that AB does not predispose dogs to SSI however further research and continued data collection is warranted. Master of Science Asymptomatic bacteriuria is defined as having bacteria in the urine without signs of lower urinary tract disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence asymptomatic bacteriuria in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease. Additionally, another aim was to determine the incidence of surgical site infections after cranial cruciate ligament surgery in dogs with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria. Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in dogs presenting with cranial cruciate ligament disease was found to be similar to previously reported values in male and female dogs. This suggests that dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease are not more prone to asymptomatic bacteriuria than dogs in previously studied populations. Preliminary data suggests that dogs with bacteria in the urine does not predispose dogs to SSI however further research and continued data collection is warranted.

The intent of this research is to identify a simple diagnostic test to detect abnormal calciuresis and predict calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolith presence in Miniature Schnauzers. We investigated the impact of postprandial time on the specificity of urine calcium:creatine (UCa/Cr) in identifying affected dogs. The hypotheses were: 1) Significant differences exist in fasted and postprandial UCa/Cr between urolith-forming and control schnauzers. 2) UCa/Cr increases significantly from fasted baseline at one or more postprandial time point(s). Urine samples were collected from Miniature Schnauzers with (urolith-formers) and without (controls) CaOx uroliths in a fasted state and 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours after feeding a standardized diet. The change in UCa/Cr from baseline was calculated for each postprandial time. Urolithiasis status and the time point were assessed for impact on the UCa/Cr and change in UCa/Cr using a mixed model ANOVA. Based on 9 urolith-forming and 15 control dogs enrolled, urolith-forming Miniature Schnauzers have significantly higher mean UCa/Cr at 1 hour and 8 hours postprandial timepoints indicating altered calciuresis. The change in UCa/Cr was not significant at any post-prandial time point between or within groups. This pilot study shows male urolith-forming Miniature Schnauzers have excessive calciuresis throughout the day, providing insight into the mechanism behind their formation of CaOx uroliths. If using the Ca/Cr ratio, the postprandial sampling time is not critical. This simple urine measurement has potential as a marker of urolith presence and possibly risk of urolith formation. Master of Science

The present invention relates to the field of optical imaging and therapeutics. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide minimally-invasive Fiberoptic Microneedle Devices (FMDs) for light-based therapeutics, which physically penetrate tissue and deliver light directly into the target area below the skin surface. Embodiments of the invention enable depth-selective and deep photothermal therapeutics and include methods of treating cancer, methods of re-shaping or removing adipose tissue, and methods of delivering drugs or co-delivering drugs and energy to selected tissue.

Objectives: To determine the effects of prednisone and prednisone plus ultralow-dose aspirin on coagulation in healthy dogs, and to determine intra-individual variation in thromboelastography (TEG). Animals: 14 healthy experimental dogs and 10 healthy client-owned dogs Procedures: Prospective, randomized, blinded study. TEG was performed twice three days apart on each experimental dog prior to treatment and intra-individual variation was calculated. Dogs were given prednisone (2 mg/kg/day) plus aspirin (0.5 mg/kg/day) or prednisone (2 mg/kg/day) plus placebo for 14 days, after which TEG and other baseline tests were repeated. Changes from baseline between and within each group were compared using t-tests or Wilcoxon 2 sample tests. Client owned dogs had TEG performed twice three days apart to determine intra-individual variation. Results: Intra-individual variation in TEG parameters were

The hydraulic resistance characterization manuscript chronicles the early development of the hollow-core fiberoptic microneedle device (FMD). The study determined that for straight tubing with an inner bore of 150 ?m and a length greater than 50 mm long, Poiseuille's Law was shown to be accurate within 12% of experimental data for the pressure range of 69-517 kPa. Comparison between different needle design geometries indicated that tip diameters

This study tested the hypothesis that administration of immunosuppressive doses of prednisone in conjunction with ultralow-dose aspirin (0.5 mg/kg/day) would result in gastroduodenal lesion scores similar to those found in dogs administered only immunosuppressive doses of prednisone, but that the gastroduodenal scores from both of these treatment groups would be significantly higher than placebo when administered to healthy dogs for 27 days. Eighteen healthy adult purpose-bred dogs were divided randomly into three groups. Group I received placebo capsules and placebo suspension, Group II received prednisone capsules (mean 2.3 mg/kg, range 2.0-2.4) and placebo suspension, and Group III received prednisone capsules (mean 2.3 mg/kg, range 2.3-2.5) and aspirin suspension (0.5 mg/kg) by mouth once daily for 27 days. Gastroduodenoscopy was performed on days -7 (baseline), 5, 14, and 27 of treatment. Four regions of the stomach (angularis incisura, body, pylorus, and cardia) and the proximal descending duodenum were systematically scored on a scale of 1 (normal) to 11 (perforating ulcer) by an experienced observer who was blinded to the treatment groups and clinical signs of each subject. Dogs were observed every 8 hours for vomiting, diarrhea, and inappetence. Feces were scored on a scale of 1-5 with diarrhea defined as a fecal score

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of iopanoic acid for the treatment of experimentally-induced hyperthyroidism in cats. Animals: 15 healthy adult domestic short hair cats Procedures: Hyperthyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous administration of levothyroxine for 42 days. On day 28, cats were randomized to a control group receiving a placebo PO every 12 hours, a low dose group receiving 50 mg iopanoic acid PO every 12 hours, and a high dose group receiving 100 mg iopanoic acid PO every 12 hours. Cats were treated for 14 days. Weight and heart rates were obtained on days -8, 0, 28, 35, and 42. Blood was collected for CBC and biochemical analysis and for T4, T3, and rT3 measurement on days -8, 28, 35, and 42. Results: Two cats were removed prior to day 28 due to prolonged anorexia and another on day 36 because of heart failure. The low dose and high dose groups had significantly lower T3 concentrations on days 35 and 42 compared to the control group and to their own T3 concentrations on day 28. The T3 concentrations in cats administered iopanoic acid were not different from those obtained prior to induction of hyperthyroidism. Body weight and food consumption were not altered by iopanoic acid treatment, while heart rate was decreased in the low dose group on day 35 when compared to day 28. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Iopanoic acid was effective in decreasing T3 concentrations, but its effect on clinical signs of hyperthyroidism was less apparent. Studies evaluating the long-term efficacy in cats with naturally-occurring hyperthyroidism are warranted. Master of Science