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Canine lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of diseases and many previous studies have evaluated the response of a mixed population of lymphoma cases to one specific treatment protocol. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the outcome and prognostic factors in 42 cases of multicentric centroblastic diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated with either a COP‐type (35%) or CHOP‐type (64%) induction chemotherapy. The objective response rate to induction therapy was 94%; entire dogs had a greater rate of complete vs partial remissions than neutered dogs (P = .017). Median progression‐free survival for the first remission (PFS1) was 182 days; absence of anaemia at diagnosis (P = .002) and pretreatment neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) below 9.44 (P = .015) were independently predictive of longer PFS1. Fifty‐eight percent of dogs received rescue protocols with an objective response rate of 81%; 31% of dogs received further rescue protocols (up to a total of 5) and the median number of protocols administered were 2. Median overall survival (OS) was 322 days, the 1‐year survival rate was 38% and the 2‐year survival rate was 9%. Lymphocyte:monocyte ratio above 1.43 (P = .031), NLR below 11.44 (P = .009), the combination of induction and rescue therapy (P = .030) and the total number of doxorubicin doses used (P = .002) were independently predictive of longer OS. Use of a COP‐type protocol induction compared with CHOP did not undermine OS providing doxorubicin was used as rescue therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia ( IMHA) is uncommon in cats, but may result in severe disease. Demographic predispositions for development of the disease and prognostic factors for mortality have not been investigated previously. Hypothesis/Objectives To explore possible demographic predispositions for development of primary IMHA in cats and to investigate possible prognostic factors for mortality. Animals 107 client-owned cats with IMHA, of which 72 had primary IMHA and 35 had secondary IMHA, and 9,194 control cats. Methods Data were collected retrospectively from records of cats with IMHA, defined by the presence of anemia and concurrent autoagglutination, ghost cells without oxidative damage on fresh blood smear, positive titer in a direct antiglobulin test, or evidence of phagocytosis of erythroid precursors in bone marrow. Odds ratios were calculated to assess the risk of development of primary IMHA in different demographic groups and Cox proportional hazards analysis was conducted to evaluate prognostic factors. Results No sex or breed predisposition was identified for the development of primary IMHA in comparison to the control cats, but cats in the age range 2.1-5.9 years were predisposed. Higher total bilirubin concentration and age were significant negative prognostic factors and higher lymphocyte numbers and serum globulin concentration were positive prognostic factors in a multivariable model. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Young adult cats were more likely to develop primary IMHA than other groups, but no apparent male predisposition was identified in this study, contrary to previous reports. Several prognostic factors were identified, which may be helpful in guiding clinical practice in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cholecystocentesis can be part of the diagnostic workup of hepatobiliary disease in small animals, but literature on cytological evaluation of bile is scant. Objectives To determine the diagnostic utility of cytological assessment of bile aspirates. Animals Fifty-six and 78 client-owned dogs and cats, respectively, with bile collected by cholecystocentesis and submitted to our diagnostic laboratory between 1999 and 2014. Methods Retrospective study describing cytological findings of bile, concurrent bacterial culture results, hematological and serum biochemical data, gallbladder biopsy results, as well as final diagnosis and complications after cholecystocentesis. Results Infectious agents were found in 30% of canine and 22% of feline bile aspirates, and inflammation in 5% and 19% respectively. Presence of microorganisms was more often detected on cytological examination (24%) than by culture (21%). The most common bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., isolated from 14.8% and 6.7% of cultured samples respectively. Only increased canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentration ( cPLI) was significantly associated with the presence of microorganisms, inflammatory cells, or both in bile. Clinically relevant complications of cholecystocentesis occurred in 2 dogs. The majority of the animals undergoing cholecystocentesis suffered from hepatic, pancreatic, gastrointestinal disease, or a combination thereof. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Cytological examination of bile is inexpensive and straightforward, and yields diagnostically relevant information that precedes and complements bacterial culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Commercial laying hens are commonly housed in noisy and dim environments, yet relatively little is known about whether these conditions, particularly in combination, have any effect on welfare or egg production. 2. The study was designed to investigate whether chronic exposure to continuous noise (60 dB(A) vs. 80 dB(A)) and/or light intensity (150 lux vs. 5 lux) during the critical period of coming into lay (16–24 weeks of age) influenced behaviour (activity, resting and feather maintenance), physiological stress (plasma corticosterone and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio) and production (number and weight of eggs laid) in laying hens. 3. Hens in the low light pens were less active and preened and dust-bathed more than those housed in 150 lux; hens in the high noise pens rested more frequently than those in quieter pens. 4. There was no evidence that chronic exposure to low light or high noise caused appreciable physiological stress but egg production was affected by these conditions. Hens kept in pens with low light or high noise laid fewer eggs per day than those kept in high light or low noise pens. These effects were additive, so that the fewest eggs were laid by hens subject to both low light and high noise. 5. These results show that low light intensity and continual high background noise have a detrimental effect on egg production in the early laying phase as well as influencing the time allocated to different behaviours. However there was no strong evidence for a physiological stress response to either of these conditions or their combination. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is a major health concern in performance horses, but the presence and severity of this condition in racing greyhounds has received little attention. While equids and greyhounds share many physiological attributes, there are important structural and functional differences that may help protect greyhounds from EIPH. We tested the hypothesis that greyhounds performing a simulated 503m race would experience EIPH and that the time course of recovery would be similar to the horse, even though the severity or relative extent as indexed by the concentration of red blood cells [RBCs] in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid would be lower in comparison with that demonstrated previously in horses. Greyhound dogs (n = 6) raced on two occasions (separated by 7 weeks) and BAL was performed 1 week before, 2 h after and each week for 4 weeks following each race to examine the [RBC], concentration of white blood cells [WBCs], WBC differentials and haemosiderophages in the lungs. Racing increased 10 min post-exercise venous blood [lactate] to 18.6 ± 0.4 mmol l-1. No epistaxis or pink froth was observed at the nose or mouth of any of the dogs. The [RBC] in the BAL fluid was increased significantly 2 h post-race (baseline = 109.6 ± 11.7 × 103; post-race = 292.3 ± 69.9 × 103 RBC ml-1 BAL fluid, P < 0.05) and returned to baseline 1 week post-race (149.2 ± 46.2 × 103 RBC ml-1 BAL fluid, P > 0.05 versus baseline). The number of haemosiderophages was not different for any of the measurement periods. The [WBC] in the BAL fluid decreased from baseline and race values at 2, 3 and 4 weeks post-exercise (all P < 0.05). Alveolar neutrophil concentrations were also decreased from baseline and immediate post-race values for 4 weeks post-race. The increased [RBC] in the BAL fluid post-exercise is consistent with the presence of EIPH in these greyhounds. However, the relative extent of EIPH in greyhounds (as indexed by [RBC] in the BAL fluid), as compared with that in the horse, was mild, and the lack of elevation of WBC suggests that, unlike their equine counterparts, inflammatory airway disease was absent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IV injection of xylazine (0.4 mg kg[sup -1] ), morphine (0.4 mg kg[sup -1] ) and atropine (0.02 mg kg[sup -1] ) is frequently used to provide short-term sedation and analgesia for canine patients at our hospital. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the cardiopulmonary effects of this combination. Six hound dogs (weight 27 ± 3 kg) had the skin over the ventral neck and dorsal metatarsus surgically prepared and anesthetized with lidocaine. Central venous and arterial catheters were percutaneously placed into the jugular vein and dorsal pedal artery, respectively. Baseline measurements of respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature, direct systemic arterial pressure (SAP, MAP, DAP), central venous pressure (CVP), and arterial blood gas analysis were obtained. The 2-D, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography were used to obtain or calculate fractional shortening and cardiac output. Level of alertness and resistance to handling were quantified on an analog scale. The drug mixture was given, and measurements repeated at 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. A repeated measures anova was used to detect differences over time, and Dunnett's test was used for multiple comparisons when significance was reached (p < 0.05). Respiratory rate was significantly decreased below baseline after drug administration, PaCO[sub 2] increased to 50 ± 3 mm Hg (mean ± SD) at 60 minutes, and pH decreased to 7.31 ± 0.01 at 15 minutes PaO[sub 2] was unaffected. The HR was decreased at 30 and 60 minutes and MAP was increased 5 minutes after drug administration. Fractional shortening and cardiac output were decreased and pre-injection period/ejection time was increased by drug administration. Level of consciousness and resistance to restraint were decreased at all times after drug administration. The IV combination of xylazine, morphine, and atropine caused moderate cardiopulmonary dysfunction and reliable short-term sedation in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]