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Background Currently, the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats is not fully understood. Objective To identify novel biomarkers for CHF in cats caused by primary cardiomyopathy, particularly related to cardiovascular-renal axis disorder and systemic inflammatory response. Animals Twenty-five cats in CHF caused by primary cardiomyopathy, 12 cats with preclinical cardiomyopathy, and 20 healthy controls. Methods Case control and observational case series. The following serum biomarkers were compared among the 3 cat groups: a cardiorenal profile that included N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and creatinine and an inflammatory profile that included 7 acute-phase proteins (APPs). Survival analyses and longitudinal studies were performed in CHF cats. Results All cardiorenal biomarkers were positively correlated and higher in CHF cats, and high NT-proBNP and SDMA were associated with poor clinical outcome. Cats with CHF had significantly higher leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1, serum amyloid A, and ceruloplasmin, and these APPs were positively correlated with NT-proBNP and left atrial size. In a multivariable survival analysis, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentration (P = .01), body weight (P = .02) and left atrial-to-aortic root ratio (P = .01) were independent prognostic factors for CHF in these cats. Conclusions and clinical importance In cats, CHF is an inflammatory disorder and outcome in CHF may be determined by the extent of inflammation and possibly the amount of residual renal function. These novel biomarkers have potential use for the clinical management, prognosis, and future research into CHF and cardiomyopathy in cats.

The effects of α-2 agonists on echocardiographic findings in great apes are not well documented, and knowledge of these effects would expand the understanding of cardiac examinations of chimpanzees under anesthesia with protocols using these drugs. Ten adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), four males and six females, underwent echocardiographic examinations after anesthesia with dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and ketamine (phase 1). Four animals required isoflurane to achieve an adequate plane of anesthesia. Atipamezole was used to antagonize dexmedetomidine, and all remaining animals were placed on isoflurane (phase 2), and then a second echocardiogram was performed. Direct arterial blood pressure was monitored during the anesthetic event. Measurements and recordings were assessed for statistically significant differences between the two phases and sex. There were no significant differences between phases or sex for any two-dimensional echocardiographic measurement of systolic function, although interventricular septum thickness at end systole approached a significant decrease from phase 1 to phase 2 (P = 0.058) when sex was considered a between-subject factor. Left ventricular outflow tract (P = 0.017) and pulmonary artery (P = 0.028) velocities increased after reversal of the dexmedetomidine. Diastolic transmitral flow was consistent with grade 3 diastolic dysfunction (median early to late ventricular filling velocities (E/A) of 2.02, interquartile range [IQR], 1.53–2.13) with a nonsignificant decrease of E velocity and increase in A velocity and decreased E/A after reversal. Trace mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were common findings in the sample population. Arterial blood pressure significantly decreased between phase 1 and phase 2 (P < 0.01). All chimpanzees entered a hypotensive state (mean arterial pressure < 60 mm Hg) during phase 2. Although limited by the small number of chimpanzees, this study showed an increase in afterload, potential diastolic dysfunction, and a decrease in blood pressure after the antagonism of dexmedetomidine. Additional studies to further assess the effects of α-2 agonists in chimpanzees are warranted.

Heart rate variability (HRV), the variability between subsequent heart beats, is a measure of autonomic tone, influenced by psychophysiological factors, neurohormonal mechanisms and cardiac disease. Auditory stimulation, specifically classical music, has been documented to benefit well-being in a number of animal species. The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to classical music improved HRV in dogs used in training during veterinary education for practical laboratories teaching canine clinical examination skills. Sixteen dogs, institutional kenneled dogs and student-owned dogs, were recruited in a cross-over study with a seven-day washout period. Dogs were fitted with a Polar® wearlink strap and HRV data were collected using a Polar® RS800CX human heart rate monitor attached to the dog's collar during the procedure. There were significant differences (P value

The effects of α-2 agonists on echocardiographic findings in great apes are not well documented, and knowledge of these effects would expand the understanding of cardiac examinations of chimpanzees under anesthesia with protocols using these drugs. Ten adult chimpanzees (

The first case of human babesiosis was reported in the literature in 1957. The clinical disease has sporadically occurred as rare case reports in North America and Europe in the subsequent decades. Since the new millennium, especially in the last decade, many more cases have apparently appeared not only in these regions but also in Asia, South America, and Africa. More than 20,000 cases of human babesiosis have been reported in North America alone. In several cross-sectional surveys, exposure to Babesia spp. has been demonstrated within urban and rural human populations with clinical babesiosis reported in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent humans. This review serves to highlight the widespread distribution of these tick-borne pathogens in humans, their tick vectors in readily accessible environments such as parks and recreational areas, and their phylogenetic relationships.

OBJECTIVE To determine if there is an association between the concentration of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in dogs measured at the time of admission with the severity of critical illness and short-term mortality. DESIGN This prospective observational study recruited critically ill dogs with heterogeneous diagnoses and then classified their disease severity using the acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation complete score as having either a good (

Herpestes auropunctatus, the small Indian mongoose, is an invasive omnivore introduced to the Caribbean, including the island of St. Kitts over 150 years ago. It has played a role in changing native fauna and can carry zoonotic pathogens of public health importance. The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of parasites harbored by mongooses. In total, 87 mongooses trapped from April to July 2015 were examined for parasites using (1) hair plucks (N = 79), ear swabs (N = 79), and general coat and skin examination (N = 87) for mites, ticks, lice, and fleas; (2) dissection of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs for lungworms and flukes (N = 76); (3) a double centrifugation fecal flotation method for parasites of the gastrointestinal tract (N = 75); and (4) PCR of heart homogenates for Toxoplasma gondii (N = 60). The only ectoparasite seen was Ctenocephalides felis (79.3%; 69/87), with most mongooses having > 10 fleas (based on a subjective assessment) but insufficient numbers to result in signs of pruritus or anemia. On fecal flotation, coccidial oocysts were found with a prevalence of 69.3% (52/75). Neither T. gondii, lungworm, nor fluke infections were detected with the methods used. The high number of C. felis-infested mongooses and the infestation level of the individual mongooses suggest that they could serve as a reservoir for these potential vectors of pathogens. No evidence was found to support that mongooses are a component of T. gondii cycles on St. Kitts, although this finding needs to be confirmed with a larger sample size from other geographic locations.

Cased-based studies (CBS) is defined as a student-centered approach that prepares students for clinical practice using real clinical cases in the pre-clinical curriculum. CBS supports development of students’ clinical reasoning skills, which requires knowledge, understanding and integration of basic sciences and clinical information using a problem-solving approach. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) offers CBS I-IV in semesters 2 through 5, respectively. This study compared CBS in developing clinical reasoning skills through assessment and time spent between two cohorts of first year veterinary students. Thirty-one students enrolled in CBS, and 46 students served as the control. All students processed a clinical case and individually submitted three clinical reasoning assignments. A seven-item rubric was used to grade each assignment and these were scored overall using a scale from 0 to 4 with a maximum result of 28. Descriptive statistics for clinical reasoning assignment scores based on the rubric for enrolled students in CBS versus the control cohort were [m = 13.3; SD = 3.8], [m = 14.6; SD = 4.5], respectively. The control cohort had a significantly higher score on the explanation of the diagnosis (p = 0.02). Additionally, time spent for both cohorts resulted in higher scores of specific rubric items of prioritizing patient’s problems (r = 0.27, p = 0.02), identifying differential diagnoses (r = 0.23, p = 0.04) and ranking differential diagnoses (r = 0.23, p = 0.04). Lastly, the total rubric score of both cohorts was significantly associated with the time spent completing assignment 2 (r = 0.22, p = 0.05). Overall, the outcomes for the intervention cohort did not reflect the predicted effectiveness of CBS. Study outcomes reinforced the importance of student engagement that is pivotal in adult learning theory and self-directed learning.

Medical education and clinical practice support the development of clinical reasoning competency. Traditionally, the process of clinical reasoning is taught through small group discussions in pre-clinical and clinical medical training, and the need exists to explore further teaching and learning approaches that develop clinical reasoning. This study compared teaching and learning the clinical reasoning process through the virtual platform of Second Life (SL) with the traditional classroom setting. Participants were first semester veterinary students; 34 participated virtually through SL, and 41 experienced traditional classroom interactions. Students and one facilitator engaged in three small group meetings to process a clinical case. A seven-item clinical reasoning rubric guided the teaching, learning, and assessment. Clinical reasoning assignments were scored on a grading scale from 0 to 4 with a maximum result of 28. Descriptive statistics for clinical reasoning assignment scores were (m = 14.0; SD = 2.6) and (m = 12.2; SD = 2.6) in SL and classroom interaction, respectively. Results indicated positive associations for all participants between the rubric item score of gathering historical information with (1) gathering physical examination information (p

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded species including humans. The definitive hosts of T. gondii are felid vertebrates including the domestic cat. Domestic cats shed oocysts for approximately two weeks in their feces after the primary infection. It has been shown that feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive cats have a higher prevalence of and a higher titer of antibodies to T. gondii than those of FIV-negative cats. The main purposes of this study were to determine FIV prevalence and to investigate the oocysts shedding in FIV-positive and FIV-negative feral cats on St. Kitts. Fecal samples were collected from feral cats while their FIV statues were determined using a commercial SNAP kit. Total fecal DNA of each cat was tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) consistently detecting one genome equivalent. A FIV-positive status was detected in 18 of 105 (17.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.9%−24.3%) feral cats sampled. Furthermore, males were three times more likely to be FIV positive than females (p = 0.017) with an odds ratio of 3.93 (95% CI: 1.20–12.89). Adults were found to have at least twice the prevalence of FIV compared to cats younger than one year of age (p = 0.056) with an odds ratio of 3.07 (95% CI: 0.94–10.00). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was not detected in the feces of any of the 18 FIV-positive (95% CI: 0%−0.18%) and 87 FIV-negative cats (95% CI: 0%−0.04%). A follow-up study with a much bigger sample size is needed to prove or disprove the hypothesis that FIV-positive cats have a higher prevalence of shedding T. gondii oocysts than FIV-negative cats.

Objectives For over two decades, feline trichomonosis caused by Tritrichomonas foetus has been recognized as a large-bowel protozoan disease of the domestic cat. It has a wide distribution, but no reports exist in the Caribbean. The objectives of this study were to detect the presence of T foetus and its prevalence in the domestic cat on St Kitts, West Indies. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed between September 2014 and December 2015. This study recruited 115 feral cats from a trap-neuter-return program and 37 owned cats treated as outpatients at the university veterinary clinic. Fresh feces were inoculated in InPouch culture medium, as per the manufacturer's instructions. In addition, PCR was performed using primers for T foetus. DNA extraction with amplification using primers of a Feliscatus NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 was used as a housekeeping gene for quality control. Results Only two owned cats had reported diarrhea in the preceding 6 months. None of the 152 samples were positive on InPouch culture microscopic examination. Only 35/69 feral cat fecal DNA samples were positive for the housekeeping gene, of which none tested PCR positive for T foetus. Conclusions and relevance T foetus was not detected by culture and PCR in feral cats and owned cats on St Kitts. A high proportion of PCR inhibitors in the DNA samples using a commercial fecal DNA kit can lead to underestimating the prevalence, which should be taken into consideration when a survey on gastrointestinal pathogens depends exclusively on molecular detection.

Canine babesiosis is a common tick transmitted disease of dogs worldwide. A number of Babesia sp. can infect dogs and the spectrum is increasing as molecular methods are devel- oped to differentiate organisms. Clinical signs are generally attributed to hemolysis caused by the organisms in the erythrocytes but in some animals with some Babesia spp. there can be an immune mediated component to the anemia and/or a severe inflammatory reaction associated. This complicated form of canine babesiosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. A variety of clinical markers has been investigated to enable clinicians to provide more accurate prognoses and adapt their treatments which vary according to the infecting species. In this review, we discuss the taxonomy, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, clinical biomarkers, treatment, and prophylaxis of one of the most common and important diseases of dogs worldwide.

Background: As there is little data on vector-borne diseases of cats in the Caribbean region and even around the\ud world, we tested feral cats from St Kitts by PCR to detect infections with Babesia, Ehrlichia and spotted fever group\ud Rickettsia (SFGR) and surveyed them for antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii and Ehrlichia canis.\ud Results: Whole blood was collected from apparently healthy feral cats during spay/ neuter campaigns on St Kitts in\ud 2011 (N = 68) and 2014 (N = 52). Sera from the 52 cats from 2014 were used to detect antibodies to Ehrlichia canis\ud and Rickettsia rickettsii using indirect fluorescent antibody tests and DNA extracted from whole blood of a total of\ud 119 cats (68 from 2011, and 51 from 2014) was used for PCRs for Babesia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. We could not\ud amplify DNA of SFG Rickettsia in any of the samples but found DNA of E. canis in 5% (6/119), Babesia vogeli in 13%\ud (15/119), Babesia gibsoni in 4% (5/119), mixed infections with B. gibsoni and B. vogeli in 3% (3/119), and a poorly\ud characterized Babesia sp. in 1% (1/119). Overall, 10% of the 52 cats we tested by IFA for E. canis were positive while\ud 42% we tested by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) for R. rickettsii antigens were positive.\ud Conclusions: Our study provides the first evidence that cats can be infected with B. gibsoni and also indicates that\ud cats in the Caribbean may be commonly exposed to other vector-borne agents including SFGR, E. canis and B.\ud vogeli. Animal health workers should be alerted to the possibility of clinical infections in their patients while public\ud health workers should be alerted to the possibility that zoonotic SFGR are likely circulating in the region.

Some veterinary students experience elevated stress, anxiety, and depression resulting in disease and psychological changes. Elevated arousal, negative moods, and lack of interest can negatively affect performance and learning. Psychoacoustic music promotes calming effects using simple and slow piano sounds and can positively impact well-being and functioning. This pilot study assessed the effects of music on blood pressure, pulse, arousal, and mood during a canine physical examination laboratory. In an AB/BA crossover study, 17 students were randomly allocated to practice physical examination skills while listening to Through a Dog's Ear, Volume 1. Psychological and physiologic data were collected. Nonparametric methods were used to test for significant differences in psychological and physiologic data and a linear mixed models approach was used to test for physiological differences. There were no significant baseline differences between the music and no music groups for DASS-21 depression, anxiety, or stress scores; however, there were significant time differences between pretest and posttest on arousal and mood as measured by the Profile of Mood Sates (POMS) Depression, Fatigue-Inertia, and Tension Anxiety subscales. Linear mixed models revealed no significant treatment effect on the pulse and diastolic blood pressure; however, there was a significant systolic blood pressure treatment effect. Future indications include repeating the study with a larger sample to examine longitudinal psychological and physiological benefits.

Objectives Platynosomum species are cat-specific parasitic trematodes that parasitize the biliary ducts and gall bladder. Due to the common connection to the major duodenal papilla of the pancreas and common bile ducts in addition to the periductal proximity of the pancreas, it is possible that platynosomosis could cause pancreatitis. The objective of this study was to determine whether platynosomosis, a commonly diagnosed parasitic disease in cats on St Kitts, has any association with pancreatic disease. Methods To investigate this possibility, the pancreas of free-roaming cats with naturally acquired platynosomosis were evaluated via ultrasound, serum concentrations of feline pancreatic lipase (fPL), cobalamin, folate and feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) and histopathology. Twenty free-roaming, young adult, feral cats, positive for feline immunodeficiency virus, and diagnosed with Platynosomum species infection via fecal analysis were recruited. The liver, biliary system and pancreas were evaluated via ultrasonography during a short duration anesthesia. Serum concentrations of fPL, fTLI, folate and cobalamin were measured. Sections of the right limb, left limb and body of the pancreas were evaluated histopathologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. Results None of the cats had sufficient criteria to fulfill the ultrasonographic diagnosis of pancreatitis. One cat had an elevated fPL concentration in the range consistent with pancreatitis. Four cats had cobalamin deficiencies and 11 had abnormal folate concentration. The fTLI concentration was equivocal for the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in one cat. With a single exception, histopathology changes, when present (n = 12), were mild, non-specific and predominantly characterized by lymphocytic infiltrates and fibrosis. The exception was a cat that presented a chronic interstitial and eosinophilic pancreatitis of slightly increased severity, likely the result of platynosomosis. Conclusions and relevance The results of this study suggest that platynosomosis rarely induces pancreatic damage in cats. With only one exception, chronic pancreatitis diagnosed in cats with fluke-induced cholangitis and cholangiohepatitis was subtle and interpreted as an incidental background lesion unrelated to platynosomosis.

Liza S Köster,1 Robert M Kirberger2 1Section of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Integrative Mammalian Research (IMR) Center, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies; 2Diagnostic Imaging Section, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa Abstract: This paper describes 35 Pekingese dogs with a syndrome characterized by dyspnea, cyanosis, episodic syncope, soft pulmonary “Velcro” crackles, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and computed tomography and radiographic changes consistent with pulmonary parenchymal disease. The medical data base was searched with the criteria “Pekingese” and “syncope” or “dyspnea” or “tachypnea” or “pulmonary hypertension”, over a 36-month period. Inclusion criteria were echocardiographic changes consistent with noninvasive diagnosis of PH, either subjectively by B-mode or objectively by Doppler. Dogs were excluded (n=106) if there were insufficient or poor-quality radiographic or echocardiographic records or if diseases other than chronic pulmonary disease were found to be the etiology. The records of 35 dogs met these criteria and presented with a respiratory crises preceded by a history of chronic exercise intolerance and episodic syncope. The average age was 14.5 years (range: 7–19 years), with 21 males and 14 females. Most of the dogs had an interstitial lung pattern with radiographic evidence of right heart enlargement. There was a 77% (n=27) mortality and a median survival of 60 days (interquartile range: 9–210 days). This study highlights a cor pulmonale syndrome from PH due to chronic pulmonary parenchymal disease, with a grave prognosis, in middle-aged to geriatric population of Hong Kong Pekingese. Keywords: computed tomography, interstitial lung disease, dog, syncope

A 9-y-old, colony-bred, female vervet monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) presented with a 6-y history of open-mouth breathing, tachypnea, and sibilant wheezing. These symptoms did not significantly affect her activity or quality of life. Thoracic radiographs and results of bronchoalveolar lavage supported the diagnosis of asthma. Treatment comprising intramuscular prednisolone (tapered over 2 mo from twice daily to every other day), inhaled salmeterol–fluticasone (25 µg–250 µg per actuation twice daily) by mask, and a metered dose inhaler was successful in restoring a normal respiratory pattern. Despite the availability of several primate models of human asthma, this case represents the first report of spontaneous asthma in a NHP.

Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia. Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being 66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.

Case series summary Infection of the domestic cat by Tritrichomonas blagburni, previously referred to as T foetus, may lead to a disease called feline trichomonosis, which manifests clinically as large bowel diarrhoea. The disease has a wide geographical distribution, including numerous countries in Europe, North America and Australia/Oceania. Nevertheless, it has occasionally been reported in Asia, South Korea and Japan. A retrospective study was carried out to include all domestic cats with diarrhoea, presented to two veterinary clinics in Hong Kong, China, between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2014. A total of 29 cats with diarrhoea were diagnosed with Tritrichomonas species infection by means of quantitative PCR and direct microscopy. Tritrichomonas species was more frequently found in young (median age 10 months), male (66%) and purebred cats (86%). Giardia species was found in 31% of Tritrichomonas species-positive cats. The recommended dose of ronidazole (30 mg/kg q24h for 14 days) resolved clinical signs in 83% of diagnosed cats. Relevance and novel information This case series describes Tritrichomonas species as a cause for feline chronic diarrhoea in cats in China. The high rate of failure (17%) in those cats receiving a standard regimen of ronidazole might be due to owner or patient compliance rather than protozoal resistance to the drug.

Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EME) has been described in various species of animals and in humans. In dogs it has been associated with protozoal infections, cuterebral myiasis and various other aetiologies. Ten cases of idiopathic eosinophilic meningoencephalitis have been reported in dogs and one in a cat where the origin was uncertain or unknown. The dogs were all males, of various breeds but with a predominance of Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers; they generally had a young age of onset. Two cases with no apparent underlying aetiology were diagnosed on post mortem examination. The 18-month-old, male Boerboel presented with sudden onset of cerebellar ataxia, as well as various asymmetrical cranial nerve deficits of 2 weeks' duration and without progression. Haematology revealed a peripheral eosinophilia. Necropsy showed extreme generalised congestion especially of the meninges and blood smear and histological sections of various tissues showed intravascular erythrocyte fragmentation with the formation of microcytes. Histopathology revealed severe diffuse cerebrocortical subarachnoidal meningitis and submeningeal encephalitis, the exudate containing variable numbers of eosinophils together with neutrophils and mononuclear cells. There was also deeper white matter and hippocampal multifocal perivascular mononuclear encephalitis and multifocal periventricular malacia, gliosis and phagocytosis of white matter. The cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord showed only mild multifocal oedema or scattered occasional axon and myelin degeneration respectively, with no inflammation. Immunohistochemical staining of central nervous tissue for Toxoplasma gondii failed to show any antigen in the central nervous tissue. Ultrastructure of a single submeningeal suspected parasitic cyst showed it to be chromatin clumping within a neuron nucleus indicating karyorrhexis. Gram stain provided no evidence of an aetiological agent. The 3-year-old Beagle bitch had a Caesarian section after developing a non-responsive inertia 8 days prior to presentation. This animal's clinical signs included status epilepticus seizures unrelated to hypocalcaemia and warranted induction of a barbiturate coma. She died 4 hours later. Post mortem and histopathological findings in the brain were almost identical to those of the Boerboel and she also showed histological evidence of recent active intravascular haemolysis with microcyte formation. Rabies, distemper and Neospora caninum immunohistochemical stains were negative in the brains of both dogs. Immunohistochemical staining of the cerebral and meningeal exudates of the Beagle for T- and B-lymphocyte (CD3 and CD79a) markers showed a predominance of T-lymphocytes with fewer scattered B lymphocytes. A possible allergic response to amoxicillin / clavulanate is considered, as this appeared to be the only feature common to the recent history of both animals. An overview of EME in humans, dogs and cats is given and the previously published cases of idiopathic EME in dogs and the single published cat case are briefly reviewed.

Babesia rossi is the cause of a highly virulent multisystemic disease with a variable outcome, which is a reliable model of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of canine pancreatic-specific lipase (cPL) in a population of dogs with naturally acquired B. rossi infection. In addition, the associations between serum cPL and death and SIRS status were examined. An observational study recruited 87 dogs diagnosed with B. rossi infection and serum cPL concentrations were measured daily until discharge or death. The median concentration of serum cPL was 124.0 µg/L (interquartile range: 51.0 µg/L – 475.5 µg/L) on admission (n = 87) and 145.5 µg/L (62.3 µg/L – 434.0 µg/L) on day two of hospitalisation (n = 40). Twenty-four dogs (28%) had a serum cPL concentration within the diagnostic range for pancreatitis ( 400 µg/L) at admission with 13 dogs (32.5%) presenting as such on the second day of hospitalisation. The median concentration of serum cPL in dogs with SIRS was 158 µg/L (interquartile range: 52.5 µg/L – 571.5 µg/L; n = 53), which was significantly higher than in those without SIRS (75 µg/L; 50.3 µg/L – 131.8 µg/L; n = 32) (P = 0.018). This study demonstrated that an unexpectedly high number of dogs diagnosed with naturally acquired canine babesiosis had a serum cPL concentration within the diagnostic range for acute pancreatitis and a significantly higher serum cPL concentration was found in dogs that were classified as having SIRS.

A six-month-old male basset hound was referred for intermittent malaise and pyrexia that repeated every 10–11 days. Sequential blood counts and bone marrow aspirates demonstrated severe neutropenia and increased myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow from day 2 of each cycle. By day 5, the bone marrow had predominantly mature neutrophils and band cells, and by day 10 the myeloid precursors had decreased with a myeloid:erythroid of 0.4:1. During the same period, the blood neutrophils had rebounded to normal counts by day 5 and were declining by days 9 and 10. The monocytes and platelets were oscillating in an opposite phase to the neutrophils. The age of onset, regular cycle length, oscillations of neutrophil, platelet and monocyte counts and characteristic bone marrow cytology were diagnostic for cyclic neutropenia. This syndrome has never before been described in any breed other than the grey collie. The grey collie gene mutation was not found in this dog. However, based on the clinical signs and haematological and bone marrow results, it can be deduced that cyclic neutropenia may develop as a result of other mutations in neutrophil elastase expression.

Two dogs had a history of persistent pyrexia, reduced exercise tolerance, inappetence and coughing and failed to respond to repeated courses of antibiotics. Clinical examination detected adventitious lung sounds, pyrexia and submandibular lymphadenopathy. Haematology revealed an inflammatory leucogram. Both dogs had radiological abnormalities consistent with a multifocal interstitial lung pattern. CT performed in one dog had characteristic changes of cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP), an extremely rare idiopathic interstitial lung disease. Findings included several parenchymal bands, multifocal patchy ground-glass opacities and multifocal subpleural and peribronchial hyperattenuating poorly defined nodular opacities throughout the lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a sterile suppurative exudate, excluding eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. There was rapid resolution of clinical and radiological signs, with corticosteroids and relapse in one dog after discontinuation of steroids supporting the diagnosis of this rare condition. Lung biopsy, which was not performed in either case, is definitive but considered invasive with major complications reported including death.

Serum cortisol response was assessed in 8 captive cheetahs, of varying ages, after the intravenous administration of 500 µg of tetracosactide (Synacthen Depot(R), Novartis, Kempton Park) while maintained under general anaesthesia. In addition, 8 cheetahs were anaesthetised and given an equal volume of saline in order to establish baseline cortisol concentrations at similar stages of anaesthesia. A significant difference in the median cortisol concentration measured over time was found following ACTH administration in the ACTH group (P 0.001). There was no difference between the median cortisol concentrations in the ACTH group at time-points 120, 150 and 180 min after ACTH stimulation (P = 0.867). Thus it appears appropriate to collect serum 120 to 180 min after tetracosactide administration to assess maximal stimulation of the adrenal in the cheetah. No statistically significant rise was seen in the anaesthetised control group following the injection of saline (P = 0.238).

International audience; AbstractTritrichomonas foetus is a very intriguing trichomonad protozoan with respect to its varied choice of residence in the different host species. It is an obligate parasite of the reproductive and the gastrointestinal tract of bovine and feline host respectively, leading to trichomonosis. Bovine trichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease whereas feline trichomonosis is a disease with a purported fecal-oral route of spread. Further, the trichomonad is a commensal in the nasal passages, stomach, cecum and colon of swine host. Advances have been exponential in understanding the trichomonad biology and specifically feline trichomonosis since late 1990s and early 2000s when T. foetus was soundly determined to be a causative agent of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat. It is a challenging task, even for a skilled investigator not to mention the busy clinical veterinarian, to keep up with the vast volume of information. Here we comprehensively reviewed the trichomonad biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, host immunity, world map of distribution, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. Risk factors associated with T. foetus-positive status in the domestic cat include young age, purebred, history of diarrhea, co-infections with other enteral pathogens. In addition, molecular similarity of bovine and feline isolates of T. foetus in DNA sequence was concisely discussed. The data presented serve as an information source for veterinarians, and investigators who are interested in biology of T. foetus and feline trichomonosis.