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Canine chronic enteropathies (CEs) are inflammatory processes resulting from complex interplay between the mucosal immune system, intestinal microbiome, and dietary components in susceptible dogs. Fatty acids (FAs) play important roles in the regulation of physiologic and metabolic pathways and their role in inflammation seems to be dual, as they exhibit pro–inflammatory and anti–inflammatory functions. Analysis of red blood cell (RBC) membrane fatty acid profile represents a tool for assessing the quantity and quality of structural and functional molecular components. This study was aimed at comparing the FA membrane profile, determined by Gas Chromatography and relevant lipid parameter of 48 CE dogs compared with 68 healthy dogs. In CE patients, the levels of stearic (p &lt, 0.0001), dihomo–gamma–linolenic, eicosapentaenoic (p = 0.02), and docosahexaenoic (p = 0.02) acids were significantly higher, and those of palmitic (p &lt, 0.0001) and linoleic (p = 0.0006) acids were significantly lower. Non-responder dogs presented higher percentages of vaccenic acid (p = 0.007), compared to those of dogs that responded to diagnostic trials. These results suggest that lipidomic status may reflect the “gut health”, and the non–invasive analysis of RBC membrane might have the potential to become a candidate biomarker in the evaluation of dogs affected by CE.

A 14-y-old spayed female Labrador Retriever was presented with an 8-mo history of chronic vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound and gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a mass protruding into the gastric lumen, with cytologic features suggestive of sarcoma. A partial gastrectomy was performed; the gastric body and antrum were thickened, with a cerebriform appearance of the mucosal surface. Histologic examination revealed a submucosal neoplastic proliferation of fusiform cells variably arranged in irregular bundles and scattered whorls. Fusiform cells strongly reacted to antibodies against vimentin, S100, and neuron-specific enolase; glial fibrillary acidic protein was moderately and multifocally expressed. Pancytokeratin, KIT, α–smooth muscle actin, and desmin were nonreactive. Histologic and immunohistochemical findings suggested a diagnosis of gastric sarcoma with features referable to a non-GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor), non–smooth muscle NIMT (non-angiogenic, non-lymphogenic intestinal mesenchymal tumor). The overlying gastric mucosa was thickened by elongated and dilated gastric glands, predominantly lined by intensely periodic acid-Schiff–stained mucous cells. This altered mucosal architecture was suggestive of Ménétrier-like disease. Although this disease has been hypothesized to predispose to gastric adenocarcinoma in dogs, an association with gastric sarcoma has not been documented previously in the veterinary literature, to our knowledge.

Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine cream (EMLA cream; Astra Pharmaceuticals) in reducing pain and reaction to venepuncture during jugular blood sampling in cats after a 30-min topical application time. Methods The study was a prospective, blind, controlled clinical trial. Eighteen healthy client-owned cats were randomly allocated to two study groups. All cats were clipped on the left jugular groove region and then, depending on the study group, either the placebo (liquid paraffin) or EMLA cream was applied to the region. The area was then kept protected for the next 30 mins. Except for the operator who administered the product, all operators were blinded to the study groups. Blood sampling was performed by an experienced operator and a stress score was assigned to each cat according to the reactions observed during the venepuncture. Also, the procedure was classified as being ‘easy’ or ‘difficult’ by the same operator. Results A significantly reduced stress score was observed in cats that received the EMLA cream compared with those belonging to the placebo group ( P = 0.048); withdrawal movements were observed in 1/9 cats treated with the EMLA cream vs 7/9 cats of the placebo group ( P = 0.015). The jugular venepuncture was defined as easy in 1/9 cats that received the placebo and in 8/9 cats in the EMLA group ( P = 0.015). Conclusions and relevance The present study provides evidence for the efficacy of the EMLA cream after a 30-min application time for jugular venepuncture in cats, together with significantly reduced stress for patients. Therefore, this study supports the routine use of EMLA cream as good practice to enhance the welfare of cats and to simplify venepuncture procedures.

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is a newly discovered paramyxovirus infecting domestic cats and its role in the pathogenesis of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been suggested, however not confirmed. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the renal damage associated with FeMV infection in cats. In this retrospective study, clinical and clinicopathological data were compared among 14 FeMV naturally infected, 21 CKD and 22 healthy cats. FeMV positive cats had serum chemistry analytes and main urine chemistry results similar to the healthy subjects. FeMV positive cats had significantly decreased urine specific gravity (median 1054, range 1022&ndash, 1065) and urine creatinine (median 227.23 mg/dL, range 83.02&ndash, 489.75) when compared with healthy cats (median 1067, range 1040&ndash, 1080, P &lt, 0.001, median 406.50 mg/dL, range 195.32&ndash, 575.58, P &lt, 0.001, respectively). Urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) results of FeMV and CKD were not different (median 0.20, range 0.08&ndash, 1.03, median 0.23, range 0.10&ndash, 0.80, respectively), however UPC results were significantly increased in both groups, if compared with healthy cats (median 0.1, range 0.04&ndash, 0.250, P &lt, 0.01). Based on clinical data, serum creatinine concentration, urine specific gravity and UPC results, CKD was suspected by clinicians in 3/14 FeMV cats. Urine protein sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in 10/13 (77%) FeMV cats indicated a tubular pattern, with a decrease of uromodulin and an increase in the number and intensity of low molecular weight proteins. FeMV infection can be associated with different grades of renal dysfunction ranging from mild tubular proteinuria with less concentrated urine to azotemia in cats younger than those typically affected by CKD.

Objectives This study has compared clinical and imaging features in 52 cats naturally infected by respiratory nematodes Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Troglostrongylus brevior and Capillaria aerophila, and in both monospecific and mixed infections. Methods Medical records of cats with a lungworm disease were retrospectively reviewed. Cats with clinical examination findings, haematobiochemical analysis and thoracic radiography were included in the study and clinical and radiographic scores were assigned. For eight cats CT of the thorax was also available and analysed. A statistical analysis was performed to investigate the potential correlation between clinical and radiographic score, and to evaluate the effect of age, sex and infection on clinical and radiographic severity. Results Monospecific infections by A abstrusus (32/52), T brevior (6/52) and C aerophila (5/52) and coinfections by T brevior/ A abstrusus (7/52), T brevior/ C aerophila (1/52) and A abstrusus/ C aerophila (1/52) were diagnosed. Cats with mixed infections showed higher clinical scores compared with cats with monospecific parasitoses ( P s = 0.50), and these scores were not affected by patient age or sex. CT, performed on cats infected with A abstrusus, T brevior or A abstrusus/T brevior, provided additional information in cats with mild radiographic signs. Conclusions and relevance This study indicates that clinical parameters may be more severe in mixed infections than in monospecific parasitoses. A significant correlation between clinical and radiographic score was not detected, while several subclinically infected cats showed radiographic changes. In cats with mild-to-moderate lung patterns, the ventrodorsal/dorsoventral projection showed lesions that are not visible in the lateral projections, especially in the caudal lobes.

The aim of this study was to develop a real-time RT-PCR to detect and quantitate feline morbillivirus (FeMV) RNA in biological samples. Primers and probe were targeted on a conserved region of FeMV P/V/C gene. To validate the assay with field samples, a total number of specimens of cats have been recruited including 264 urine and blood samples and compared with a generic RT-PCR targeting the L protein encoding gene of morbilliviruses. In addition, 385 tissue samples from 35 carcasses of cats have been also employed. RNA titres were low in all tested samples. Results also indicated the absence of cross-reaction with related morbilliviruses and existing pathogens of cats. In tissues with low levels of FeMV RNA, the presence of viral antigen was also evidenced by immunohistochemistry targeting the N viral protein. This newly described assay allows for a rapid, accurate and reliable quantitative detection of FeMV RNA that can be applied for diagnostics and research studies.

Simple Summary This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of AB blood groups in non-pedigree domestic cats in Central Italy. The presence of natural alloantibodies in the feline blood group system can cause life-threatening transfusion reactions due to mismatched transfusion and, depending on the parents’ blood type, can also account for hemolytic reactions in newborn kittens. Based on the frequency of the AB blood groups found in the 483 cats studied, a potential risk (6.5%) of acute hemolytic transfusion or neonatal reactions was calculated. Therefore, determining the blood group in non-pedigree domestic cats from Central Italy before transfusion is strongly recommended, as has been reported for other geographical areas. Moreover, particular attention should be paid to the mating of non-purebred cats. Abstract Blood transfusion reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis are common events in the feline population due to the presence of natural alloantibodies in the AB blood group system. It is known that the frequency of feline blood types varies according to the geographic region and breed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of AB blood groups in non-pedigree domestic cats in Central Italy and estimate the risk of a life-threatening transfusion reaction and neonatal isoerythrolysis, caused by mismatched transfusion or incompatible random mating, respectively. The AB blood group was determined on non-pedigree domestic feline patients and potential blood donors submitted at the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals of the Universities of Teramo (Abruzzo Region, Teramo, Italy) and Perugia (Umbria Region, Teramo, Italy), and visited at veterinary practitioners in Rome (Lazio Region, Teramo, Italy) using commercial immunochromatographic cartridges and commercial agglutination cards. There were four hundred and eighty-three cats included in the study. The frequencies of the blood types were: 89.9% type A, 7.0% type B, and 3.1% type AB. The probability of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction or a neonatal isoerythrolysis was 6.5%. Although the frequency of type B in non-pedigree domestic cats living in Central Italy was relatively low, to reduce the risk of fatal transfusion reactions, blood group typing is recommended before each transfusion.

Background Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most important nematode affecting the respiratory tract of cats in terms of prevalence and clinical relevance. The aim of this randomised controlled field study was to confirm the efficacy of the spot-on containing emodepside/praziquantel (Profender, Bayer Animal Health) in the treatment of aelurostrongylosis. Methods Seventeen cats with aelurostrongylosis and presenting with clinical and/or radiographic signs were included in the study. Eight cats received two biweekly doses of emodepside/praziquantel, while nine cats were allocated to a control group and received a rescue treatment at the end of the study. Clinical response was the primary outcome, while the secondary end point was the reduction of larval shedding in faeces. Results Two weeks after the first application, the cats showed a significant, though partial, recovery of clinical signs with complete clinical and parasitological resolution. The resolution of inflammatory leucogram and a significant reduction of radiographic lesions were observed two weeks after the second treatment. Red blood cells and albumin values significantly increased after eight weeks from the second application, together with the complete regression of radiographic patterns. Conclusion Two applications of this spot-on solution two weeks apart assured complete cessation of larval shedding and led to a complete clinical, clinicopathological and radiographic recovery.

The cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a cause of lower respiratory tract disease worldwide. Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are important tools for diagnosing respiratory diseases in cats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of bronchoscopy and BAL in the diagnosis of A. abstrusus. Findings from bronchoscopic examination and BAL of 24 naturally infected cats were evaluated and compared with those of 12 cats with idiopathic Feline Bronchial Diseases (FBDs). Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney or Fisher's exact tests. No significant bronchoscopic differences were detected between cats with aelurostrongylosis and FBDs in bronchial mucus, nodular lesions, and airway collapse. On the other hand, airway hyperemia, epithelial irregularities, and bronchial stenosis were observed more frequently in cats affected by FBDs than aelurostrongylosis, while bronchiectasis was found only in cats infected by A. abstrusus. Neutrophilic, eosinophilic, lymphocytic, and mixed inflammation were recorded in both groups. Bacteria or bacterial DNA was identified regardless of the presence or absence of A. abstrusus with no significant differences between groups. Larvae of A. abstrusus were cytologically detected in 5 of the 24 cats (20.8%) with aelurostrongylosis. These results indicate that, although some findings on bronchoscopic examination (i.e., bronchiectasis) can be described more frequently in cats infected by A. abstrusus, bronchial alterations and cytological findings in aelurostrongylosis are not specific unless larvae are observed and overlap with those of other feline airway diseases.

Highlights • The whole genome sequence of feline morbillivirus (FeMV) Piuma/2015 has been obtained by the combination of SISPA and NGS starting from the infected urine sample of a cat suffering of chronic kidney disease. • The highest sequence identity was detected with early FeMVs from Hong Kong. • Sequence heterogeneity exists within European FeMVs as for the existence of FeMVs in Germany and Turkey divergent from Piuma/2015., Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) has been recently identified by RT-PCR in the urine sample of a nephropathic cat in Italy. In this report, we describe the whole genome sequence of strain Piuma/2015 obtained by combination of sequence independent single primer amplification method (SISPA) and next generation sequencing (NGS) starting from RNA purified from the infected urine sample. The existence in Germany and Turkey of FeMVs from cats divergent from Piuma/2015, suggests the presence of FeMV heterogeneity in Europe as it has been described previously in Japan and China.

Objective—To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of radiographically derived measurements of vertebral heart score (VHS) and sphericity index (SI) in the detection of pericardial effusion (PE) in dogs. Design—Retrospective case-control study. Animals—51 dogs with PE associated with various cardiac disorders, 50 dogs with left- or right-sided cardiac disorders without PE, 50 dogs with bilateral cardiac disorders without PE, and 50 healthy dogs. Procedures—Measurements of VHS on lateral (lateral VHS) and ventrodorsal (ventrodorsal VHS) radiographs, SI on lateral (lateral SI) and ventrodorsal (ventrodorsal SI) radiographs, and global SI (mean of lateral SI and ventrodorsal SI) were obtained. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the radiographic indexes at differentiating dogs with PE from those with other cardiac disorders without PE. Results—Measurements of lateral and ventrodorsal VHS were significantly higher in dogs with PE, compared with values for all dogs without PE. Measurements of lateral, ventrodorsal, and global SI were significantly lower in dogs with PE, compared with values for all dogs without PE. Cutoff values of > 11.9, > 12.3, and ≤ 1.17 for lateral VHS, ventrodorsal VHS, and global SI, respectively, were the most accurate radiographic indexes for identifying dogs with PE. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cardiac silhouettes of dogs with PE were larger and more rounded, compared with those of dogs with other cardiac disorders without PE. Objective radiographic indexes of cardiac size and roundness were only moderately accurate at distinguishing dogs with PE from dogs with other cardiac disorders without PE.

Objective—To noninvasively assess the influence of ingestion of a standard meal on gallbladder volume (GBV) in healthy cats. Animals—10 healthy adult domestic shorthair cats (4 neutered females, 5 neutered males, and 1 sexually intact male). Procedures—Nonsedated cats were positioned in dorsal and left lateral recumbency to obtain ultrasonographic measurements of the gallbladder via the subcostal and right intercostal acoustic windows, respectively. Gallbladder volume was calculated from linear measurements by use of an ellipsoid formula (volume [mL] = length [mm] × height [mm] × width [mm] × 0.52). Measurements were recorded after food was withheld for 12 hours (0 minutes) and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 minutes after cats were fed 50 g of a standard commercial diet (protein, 44.3%; fat, 30.3%; and carbohydrate, 15.6% [dry matter percentage]). Results—Agreement between gallbladder linear measurements or GBV obtained from the subcostal and right intercostal windows was good. Feeding resulted in linear decreases in gallbladder linear measurements and GBV. Via the subcostal and intercostal windows, mean ± SD GBV was 2.47 ± 1.16 mL and 2.36 ± 0.96 mL, respectively, at 0 minutes and 0.88 ± 0.13 mL and 0.94 ± 0.25 mL, respectively, at 120 minutes. Gallbladder width most closely reflected postprandial modification of GBV. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that ultrasonographic assessment (via the subcostal or right intercostal acoustic window) of postprandial changes in GBV can be used to evaluate gallbladder contractility in cats. These data may help identify cats with abnormal gallbladder emptying.

Adult stages of Dirofilaria repens (Nematoda, Filarioidea) reside in the subcutaneous tissues of the definitive or occasional host as dogs, other animals, and humans, and it is transmitted by mosquitoes. Canine infections with adults and circulating larvae of D. repens are often considered asymptomatic, although in some cases, the parasite causes subcutaneous nodules, diffused dermatitis, skin lesions, and itching. This report provides a complete clinical description of an unusual case of allergic diffused dermatitis caused by D. repens in a naturally infected dog and its successful treatment with the use of a spot-on solution containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5%. The dog presented multiple pustules and alopecic areas with lichenification, hyperpigmentation, and erythematous scaling margins without pruritus. Histological examination was compatible with allergic dermatitis. After being unsuccessfully managed for suspected food hypersensitivity, with a significantly worsening of the lesions, a Knott’s analysis detected nematode larvae in the blood. Morphological and molecular identification showed them to be D. repens. The dog was then treated with a single administration of a spot-on formulation containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5%, and the dermatological signs completely resolved within 2 months after treatment. The dog showed no recurrence of the lesions, and no circulating microfilariae were found upon microscopic and molecular examination for six consecutive months after treatment. This report indicates the apparent primary role of D. repens in causing hypersensitivity-like skin disease without pruritus in a dog. It also confirms, as recently shown elsewhere, the efficacy of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% in the treatment of dermatitis caused by D. repens.

In the past decade reports of canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis, caused by the mosquito-transmitted nematode Dirofilaria repens , increased in number in several countries in Europe, along with a rise of human cases. Given the merit to the new approaches for the control and treatment of this infection, the present study evaluated the efficacy of a single application of the spot-on formulation containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% (Advocate ® , Bayer Animal Health) in the elimination of D. repens microfilariaemia in naturally infected dogs. In September 2009, 18 dogs with a natural infection by D. repens were enrolled in the study. In October 2009 all the dogs were treated once with Advocate ® and the presence/absence of circulating MF and skin lesions after treatment was evaluated monthly until April 2010. From November 2009 to April 2010 15 dogs scored negative for D. repens while one dog remained negative till March 2010 when it died. Two dogs had a recurrence of microfilariaemia in December 2009 and January 2010 respectively. Nine infected dogs showed skin lesions at the beginning of the trial, which disappeared after treatment in 7 dogs, whereas the other two symptomatic dogs did not show any dermatological improvement until the end of the trial even though they scored negative for D. repens microfilariae. This study demonstrated that a single dermal administration of Advocate ® is effective in eliminating microfilariae of D. repens and likely has a certain degree of activity in killing subcutaneous adult worms as well. This study demonstrates the efficacy of Advocate ® in the treatment of dermatitis caused by D. repens . Also, these results are of importance towards further control programs aiming to reduce the number of bites infectious for mosquitoes and the risk of infection for both humans and dogs.

Objective—To evaluate radiographic distribution of pulmonary edema (PE) in dogs with mitral regurgitation (MR) and investigate the association between location of radiographic findings and direction of the mitral regurgitant jet (MRJ). Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—61 dogs with cardiogenic PE and MR resulting from mitral valve disease (MVD; 51 dogs), dilated cardiomyopathy (9), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (1). Procedures—Thoracic radiographs of dogs with Doppler echocardiographic evidence of MR were reviewed for location (diffuse, perihilar, or focal) of PE. Also, direction (central or eccentric) of the MRJ, as evaluated by Doppler color flow mapping (DCFM), and distribution (symmetric or asymmetric) of radiographic findings were evaluated. Results—Diffuse, perihilar, and focal increases in pulmonary opacity were observed in 11 (18.0%), 7 (11.5%), and 43 (70.5%) of 61 dogs, respectively. Radiographic evidence of asymmetric PE in a single lung lobe or 2 ipsilateral lobes was found in 21 dogs, with involvement of only the right caudal lung lobe in 17 dogs. Doppler color flow mapping of the MRJ was available for 46 dogs. Of 31 dogs with a central MRJ, 28 had radiographic findings indicative of symmetric PE. Of 15 dogs with eccentric MRJ, 11 had radiographic evidence of asymmetric PE, and all of these dogs had MVD. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In dogs with cardiogenic PE, a symmetric radiographic distribution of increased pulmonary opacity was predominantly associated with a central MRJ, whereas an asymmetric radiographic distribution was usually associated with eccentric MRJ, especially in dogs with MVD.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the vertebral heart score (VHS) in coughing dogs with chronic degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD). Survey thoracic radiographs of 90 dogs with a history of cough and clinical and echocardiographic evidence of MVD were evaluated by 2 independent observers. The observers were asked to first determine the origin of the cough as cardiac, non-cardiac or mixed and then to measure the VHS. Agreement regarding diagnosis of the origin of cough was obtained (kappa=0.64) in 69 dogs. Of these 69 dogs, 28 (41%), 32 (46%) and 9 (13%) had a cough of cardiac, non-cardiac and mixed origin, respectively. The dogs with a cough of non-cardiac origin had a significantly lower VHS (mean +/- SD, 11 +/- 0.9) compared with those of dogs with a cough of cardiac or mixed origin (12.8 +/- 1 and 12.9 +/- 0.9, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a VHS < or = 11.4 is fairly accurate for exclusion of a cough of cardiac origin in dogs with MVD. The results indicate that the VHS may be an additional tool for differentiating the origin of cough in dogs with MVD.

A 7-year-old Dachshund was clinically examined because of a 10-day history of lameness in the left hind limb. On the basis of radiological and cytological findings, an osteosarcoma of the left acetabular region was suspected. The dog underwent a hemipelvectomy and osteosarcoma was diagnosed by subsequent histopathological examination. An immovable subcutaneous mass was noted on the left chest wall during the physical examination and non-septic neutrophilic inflammation was diagnosed by cytology. Forty days later, the dog showed signs of respiratory distress with an in-diameter increase of the subcutaneous mass up to 4 cm. Thoracic radiography and ultrasonography revealed pleural effusion and a lytic process in the fourth left rib. Furthermore, ultrasound examination revealed a mixed echogenic mobile structure with a diameter of around 2 cm floating within the pleural fluid of the left hemithorax close to the pericardium. The dog underwent surgery for an en bloc resection of the subcutaneous mass together with the fourth rib and the parietal pleura. Moreover, the left altered lung lobe, corresponding to the mobile structure detected by ultrasound, was removed. Based on cytological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations, an invasive epithelioid pleural malignant mesothelioma was diagnosed.