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Abstract Background Hypocalcemia is a relatively common complication after parathyroidectomy for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. Objectives To retrospectively evaluate clinical variables in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism to determine whether or not an association exists between pre-surgical variables and the development of post-surgical hypocalcemia. Animals One hundred three dogs diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism and treated by parathyroidectomy in seven referral hospitals between 2010 and 2021. Material and Methods Data collected from medical records included signalment, physical examination findings, concurrent illnesses, ongoing medications, and clinicopathologic test results (including serum ALP activity, iCa, plasma phosphate and PTH concentrations). Dogs were assigned into groups based on lowest iCa post-surgery: Group1 ≥ 1.1 mmol/L, Group2 < 1.1 mmol/L. The Mann–Whitney U test assessed associations between several variables of interest and the occurrence of post-surgery hypocalcemia. ROC analyses were performed to identify variables that had the potential to predict the development of hypocalcemia after surgery. Results The median plasma PTH concentration pre-surgery in dogs which developed hypocalcemia after surgery was significantly higher (232 pg/mL {[IQR] 108–421}) than in dogs which did not develop hypocalcemia after surgery (81.5 pg/mL {IQR 58.5–145.0}; p < 0.001). Plasma PTH concentration had a fair to good ability to predict the development of post-surgery hypocalcemia, with AUC being 0.78 [95% confidence interval 0.67–0.89]. Using a cut-off of ≥ 75 pg/mL, pre-surgery plasma PTH concentration had a sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 42.3% for the development of post-surgery hypocalcemia. Dogs that developed hypocalcemia after surgery were older and had lower body weights. Conclusion Pre-surgery plasma PTH concentrations might be helpful in predicting those dogs at risk of developing hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy.

Background Ticks derived from cats have rarely been evaluated for the presence of pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Bartonella spp . , haemoplasma species and Hepatozoon spp. in ticks collected from cats in the UK. Methods Five hundred and forty DNA samples extracted from 540 ticks collected from cats presenting to veterinarians in UK practices were used. Samples underwent a conventional generic PCR assay for detection of Hepatozoon spp. and real-time quantitative PCR assays for detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and three feline haemoplasma species and a generic qPCR for detection of Bartonella spp. Feline 28S rDNA served as an endogenous internal PCR control and was assessed within the haemoplasma qPCR assays. Samples positive on the conventional and quantitative generic PCRs were submitted for DNA sequencing for species identification. Results Feline 28S rDNA was amplified from 475 of the 540 (88.0%) ticks. No evidence of PCR inhibition was found using an internal amplification control. Of 540 ticks, 19 (3.5%) contained DNA from one of the tick-borne pathogens evaluated. Pathogens detected were: A. phagocytophilum ( n = 5; 0.9%), Bartonella spp. ( n = 7; 1.3%) [including Bartonella henselae ( n = 3; 0.6%) and Bartonella clarridgeiae ( n = 1; 0.2%)], haemoplasma species ( n = 5; 0.9%), “ Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” ( n = 3; 0.6%), Mycoplasma haemofelis ( n = 1; 0.2%), “ Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” ( n = 1; 0.2%), Hepatozoon spp. ( n = 2; 0.4%), Hepatozoon felis ( n = 1; 0.2%) and Hepatozoon silvestris ( n = 1; 0.2%). Conclusion These data provide important information on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks infesting cats, with the identification of haemoplasma species, A. phagocytophilum , H. felis and Bartonella spp. (including B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae ). This study also documents the first report of H. silvestris in ticks collected from domestic cats.

Haematochezia is defined as the passing of fresh blood in the stools, and is a commonly encountered problem in dogs and, more rarely, in cats seen in first-opinion veterinary practice. This clinical sign causes anxiety to owners and can also indicate a more severe underlying disease, although this is often benign. Thorough history taking is key to narrowing down an extensive list of differential diagnoses; this should include dietary exposure and a thorough clinical examination, including digital rectal examination. This article gives guidelines on the approach to haematochezia as well as on the diagnosis and treatment of the most commonly encountered conditions for which it is a clinical sign.