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Splenitis is uncommonly reported in dogs. Herein, the authors describe its prevalence, clinical findings and outcomes, histologic patterns, and causes. Splenic samples of dogs diagnosed with splenitis between 2005 and 2013 were collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Gram, green-Gram, Giemsa, periodic acid–Schiff, and Ziehl-Neelsen. Samples were processed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect bacteria, fungi, and protozoa (Leishmania infantum, Hepatozoon canis). Thirty-three of 660 splenic samples (5%) had splenitis. Clinical findings and outcomes were available in 19 dogs (58%); 49% had weakness, 33% had fever, and 84% survived. The most frequent inflammatory patterns included purulent splenitis (27%), pyogranulomatous splenitis (24%), and neutrophilic perisplenitis (15%). One dog had a putative diagnosis of primary splenitis; in 8 dogs, microorganisms were identified histologically or by PCR in the spleen without obvious comorbidities. Twenty-four dogs (73%) had concurrent diseases; a permissive role in the development of splenitis was suspected in 21 of these cases. Histologic examination identified the cause of splenitis in 10 dogs. Bacteria were identified by PCR in 23 cases, but the bacteria were confirmed histologically in only 6 of these. Leishmania was detected with PCR in 6 dogs. Leishmania was identified in 1 dog and H. canis in another histologically, but both were PCR negative. Fungi were identified in 8 spleens by PCR and in 1 by histology. This study suggests that splenitis is uncommon in dogs and is frequently associated with systemic diseases. Prognosis is favorable in most cases. Identification of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in the spleens of affected dogs with PCR should be interpreted cautiously, because the findings are not confirmed histologically in many cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Feline pancreas-specific lipase (Spec fPL) is considered a useful test for the antemortem diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats. A recent study found good agreement between the results of the Spec fPL and catalytic 1,2- o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester ( DGGR) lipase assay. Prospective studies evaluating their sensitivity and specificity are lacking. Objectives To compare the results of the Spec fPL and the DGGR assays with a standardized histologic assessment of the pancreas. Animals Sixty client-owned cats presented for necropsy. Methods Prospective study: Spec fPL concentrations and serum DGGR lipase activity were measured from the same blood sample. The pancreas was removed within 3 hours after euthanasia; serial transverse sections were made every 0.5 cm throughout the entire pancreas and reviewed using a histologic grading scheme. Sensitivity and specificity for the Spec fPL and DGGR assay results were determined. Results The sensitivity and specificity for the Spec fPL assay (cutoff value ≥5.4 μg/L) was 42.1 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 29.4-55.9%] and 100% (95% CI, 31.0-100.0%). The sensitivity and specificity for the DGGR assay (cutoff value >26 U/L) was 36.8 (95% CI, 24.7-50.7%) and 100% (95% CI, 31.0-100.0%). When lymphocytic inflammation up to 10% of a section was considered normal, the sensitivity and specificity for Spec fPL assay (cutoff value ≥5.4 μg/L) was 61.1 (95% CI, 36.1-81.7%) and 69.0% (95% CI, 52.8-81.9%) and the sensitivity and specificity for the DGGR assay (cutoff value >26 U/L) was 66.7 (95% CI, 41.2-85.6%) and 78.6% (95% CI, 62.8-89.2%). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Both lipase assays performed similarly well, but their agreement with histologic pancreatic inflammation was limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Exenatide extended release ( ER) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue that increases insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon secretion and induces satiation in humans with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The use of exenatide ER is safe and stimulates insulin secretion in healthy cats. Objectives The objective of this study is to assess the safety of exenatide ER and its effect on body weight, remission and metabolic control in newly diagnosed diabetic cats receiving insulin and a low-carbohydrate diet. Animals Thirty client-owned cats. Methods Prospective placebo-controlled clinical trial. Cats were treated with exenatide ER or 0.9% saline, administered SC, once weekly. Both groups received insulin glargine and a low-carbohydrate diet. Exenatide ER was administered for 16 weeks, or in cats that achieved remission it was given for 4 weeks after discontinuing insulin treatment. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Cats in the exenatide ER and placebo groups had transient adverse signs including decreased appetite (60% vs. 20%, respectively, P = .06) and vomiting (53% vs. 40%, respectively, P = .715). Body weight increased significantly in the placebo group ( P = .002), but not in cats receiving exenatide ER. Cats on exenatide ER achieved remission or good metabolic control in 40% or 89%, respectively, whereas in control cats percentages were 20% or 58% ( P = .427 and P = .178, respectively). Conclusion and clinical importance Exenatide ER is safe in diabetic cats and does not result in weight gain. Our pilot study suggests that, should there be an additional clinically relevant beneficial effect of exenatide ER in insulin-treated cats on rate of remission and good metabolic control, it would likely approximate 20% and 30%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatitis has been described in cats with diabetes mellitus, although the number of studies currently available is very limited. In addition, ketoacidosis has been hypothesized to be associated with pancreatitis in diabetic cats. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether diabetic cats have pancreatitis and to determine if pancreatitis is more frequent with ketoacidosis. Samples of pancreas were collected postmortem from 37 diabetic cats, including 15 with ketoacidosis, and 20 control cats matched for age, sex, breed, and body weight. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, double-labeled for insulin/CD3, insulin/CD20, insulin/myeloperoxidase, insulin/PCNA, and glucagon/Ki67, and single-labeled for Iba1. A previously proposed semiquantitative score was used to characterize pancreatitis, along with counts of inflammatory cells. Scores of pancreatitis and the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes in the exocrine pancreas did not differ between diabetic and control cats or between diabetic cats with and without ketoacidosis. Of note, PCNA-positive acinar cells were increased (P = .002) in diabetic cats, particularly near islets (P < .001). Ki67-positive acinar cells were increased only near islets (P = .038). Ketoacidosis was not linked to proliferation. The results suggest that histopathologic evidence of pancreatitis may not be more frequent in diabetic cats and that ketoacidosis may not be associated with it at the time of death. Augmented PCNA-positive acinar cells might indicate increased proliferation due to chronic pancreatitis. The reason behind the prevalent proliferation of acinar cells surrounding pancreatic islets deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]