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There are limited studies investigating the use of fecal microbial transplant (FMT) in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the feasibility of adding FMT to standard therapy (corticosteroids and a hypoallergenic diet) for dogs with IBD and to and to describe the changes in measured outcomes after 30 days of treatment. Thirteen client-owned dogs with IBD were enrolled in this double blinded, randomized clinical trial. All dogs received corticosteroid therapy and a hypoallergenic diet; dogs were randomized to receive either placebo or FMT. Measured outcomes included the canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) at 1 week and 1 month after enrolment. Fecal microbiota were analyzed after extracting DNA from fecal samples and profiling using 16S amplicon sequencing. Dogs in the placebo group not responding to treatment after 1 month were offered FMT. The CCECAI significantly decreased over time in both groups (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the CCECAI of the placebo and FMT group at each time point (F test from ANOVA, p = 0.40). No adverse effects were reported in the 30 days following FMT. The addition of FMT to standard therapy for IBD was feasible. No significant differences were observed in the CCECAI between groups at each time point. Large scale clinical trials can be performed using these methods to evaluate the longer term effect of FMT on clinical signs, microbial diversity, and other outcomes.

The endothelial glycocalyx (EG) appears to play a critical role in physiological vasculo-endothelial function. Sepsis, trauma, and hemorrhagic shock are associated with EG shedding and intravenous fluids have the potential to worsen EG degradation. There is little available research evaluating the relationship between intravenous fluids, inflammation, and EG degradation in critically ill dogs. To study EG degradation in critically ill dogs over their first 48 hours of hospitalization and characterize the influence of intravenous fluids and inflammation. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a biomarker of EG degradation, was measured in dogs with non-pulmonary sepsis, pulmonary sepsis, or spontaneous hemoperitoneum at five pre-defined time points over 48 hours. The concentration of HA was trended over time, compared between groups, and studied for associations with the cumulative volume of intravenous fluids administered, a pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6, IL-6), and a biomarker of hypervolemia (atrial natriuretic peptide, ANP). Concentration of HA was not significantly different between the groups at each time point. It increased over the first 24 hours of the study before reaching a plateau in patients with sepsis and spontaneous hemoperitoneum. Concentration of IL-6 had a significant positive association with HA concentration on presentation in all groups (p = 0.026). Cumulative fluid volume had a significant association with HA concentration during hospitalization in all groups (p = 0.0002). There was no significant effect of ANP on HA concentration. Concentration of HA was associated with disease severity but not with outcome. In the dogs studied, markers of inflammation and administration of larger volumes of intravenous fluids were associated with increasing HA concentration, and thus presumptive EG degradation. Further research is needed to explore the clinical impact of intravenous fluid therapy on the EG. These findings should be considered carefully by clinicians prescribing fluid resuscitation for critically ill dogs.

In the equine racehorse industry, reduced athletic performance due to joint injury and lameness has been extensively reviewed. Intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids are routinely used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Intra-articular injections of pharmaceutical agents require practice for precise needle placement and to minimize complications. Training on simulators or models is a viable alternative for developing these technical skills. The purpose of this study was to compare the qualitative ultrasonographic characteristics of three-dimensional (3D) printed models of equine cervical articular process joints to that of a dissected equine cervical spine (gold standard). A randomized complete block design study was conducted in which a total of thirteen cervical articular process joint models were printed using several materials, printers, and printing technologies. Ultrasound video clips with the models immersed in water were recorded. Two board certified veterinary radiologists and three veterinary radiology residents reviewed the videos and responded to a survey assessing and comparing the ultrasonographic characteristics of the 3D printed models to those of the gold standard. Six 3D printed models had ultrasonographic characteristics similar to the gold standard. These six models were (material, printer, printing technology): nylon PA 12, EOS Formiga P100, selective laser sintering (P = 0.99); Onyx nylon with chopped carbon fiber, Markforged Onyx Two, fused deposition modeling (P = 0.48); polycarbonate, Ultimaker 3, fused deposition modeling (P = 0.28); gypsum, ProJet CJP 660 Pro, ColorJet Printing (P = 0.28); polylactic acid, Prusa I3, fused deposition modeling (P = 0.23); and high temperature V1 resin, Form 2, stereolithography (P = 0.22). When assessed in water, it is possible to replicate the qualitative ultrasonographic characteristics of bone using three dimensional printed models made by combining different materials, printing technologies, and printers. However, not all models share similar qualitative ultrasonographic characteristics with bone. We suggest that the aforementioned six models be used as proxy for simulating bones or joints for use with ultrasound. In order to replicate the resistance and acoustic window provided by soft tissues, further work testing the ability of these models to withstand embedding in material such as ballistic gelatin is required.

Abstract Background Measurement of rivaroxaban efficacy using the rivaroxaban-specific anti-Xa assay (raXa) can be used for monitoring in veterinary medicine. Detection of rivaroxaban efficacy using other hemostatic tests would make monitoring timelier and more accessible. Objectives Compare results of raXa with prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen concentration, tissue factor (TF) and kaolin-activated thromboelastography (TEG), and thrombin generation (TG) in hypercoagulable dogs. Animals Twelve client-owned dogs, diagnosed with hypercoagulability or thromboembolic disease, and prescribed rivaroxaban, were recruited from a tertiary referral hospital from 2020 to 2022. Methods Prospective clinical trial. Jugular vein blood samples were collected before treatment, and 1 week and 1–3 months after initiation of rivaroxaban therapy. Hemostatic tests were performed at each visit (3 h after rivaroxaban dosing). TG curve parameters lag time, endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), peak, and time to peak (ttpeak) were assessed. Results There was a significant linear relationship between raXa and PT (r2 = 0.74, p < 0.001), ETP (r2 = 0.83, p < 0.001), lag time (r2 = 0.87, p < 0.001), peak (r2 = 0.86, p < 0.001), and ttpeak (r2 = 0.86, p < 0.001). There was a weak linear relationship between raXa and kaolin-activated TEG parameter reaction time (R) (r2 = 0.49, p = 0.026). There was no significant relationship between raXa and aPTT, fibrinogen concentration and the remainder of the TEG variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion and Clinical Importance PT and TG correlated with raXa. PT performed at a reference laboratory appeared to be a convenient method to monitor a small cohort of dogs receiving rivaroxaban therapy.

BackgroundThere are limited studies investigating the use of fecal microbial transplant (FMT) in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the feasibility of adding FMT to standard therapy (corticosteroids and a hypoallergenic diet) for dogs with IBD and to and to describe the changes in measured outcomes after 30 days of treatment.MethodsThirteen client-owned dogs with IBD were enrolled in this double blinded, randomized clinical trial. All dogs received corticosteroid therapy and a hypoallergenic diet; dogs were randomized to receive either placebo or FMT. Measured outcomes included the canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) at 1 week and 1 month after enrolment. Fecal microbiota were analyzed after extracting DNA from fecal samples and profiling using 16S amplicon sequencing. Dogs in the placebo group not responding to treatment after 1 month were offered FMT.ResultsThe CCECAI significantly decreased over time in both groups (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the CCECAI of the placebo and FMT group at each time point (F test from ANOVA, p = 0.40). No adverse effects were reported in the 30 days following FMT.ConclusionsThe addition of FMT to standard therapy for IBD was feasible. No significant differences were observed in the CCECAI between groups at each time point. Large scale clinical trials can be performed using these methods to evaluate the longer term effect of FMT on clinical signs, microbial diversity, and other outcomes.

Background In humans, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a biomarker of acute kidney injury that can be quantified in urine. Preliminary investigation in cats with experimentally induced acute kidney injury showed that KIM-1 urine concentration correlated with kidney injury histopathology scores. A lateral flow assay (LFA) has recently become available for patient-side feline KIM-1 measurement. In vitro parameters of the assay have not yet been determined. The objectives of this study were to determine detection of KIM-1 in urine stored at different temperatures over time, to establish the linear range of the LFA, and to assess the intra-assay repeatability of measurements.  Results Ten urine samples with a range of KIM-1 concentrations were stored at room temperature (22 o C), 4 o C or -20 o C, and tested with the LFA on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 30. The concentration of KIM-1 in samples was not significantly different from the day 0 value, except one sample that had been stored for 30 days at room temperature yielded a significantly higher value. The assay results had a correlation coefficient of 0.922. The mean coefficient of variation for all samples was 15.7%. The slope of the curve of expected versus measured values in samples diluted two-fold nine times was 0.908, and results were linear over all dilutions. Conclusions The LFA for feline KIM-1 yields consistent results from stored urine samples. These characteristics will allow for KIM-1 to be measured retrospectively if immediate testing is not feasible. Within assay precision was high, and linearity over 9 logs of dilution suggests suitability for a range of subclinical and clinical kidney injuries.

Abstract Background The performance of commercial point-of-care crossmatch (CM) tests compared to laboratory tube agglutination CM is unknown. Additionally, there is limited information regarding CM incompatibility in ill dogs. Objectives To determine if point-of-care major CM methods are accurate in detecting compatible and incompatible tests when compared to laboratory CM methods, and to identify factors associated with CM incompatibility in dogs. Animals Part 1 (prospective) included 63 client-owned dogs potentially requiring blood transfusion. Part 2 (retrospective) included all dogs from part 1, plus medical records of 141 dogs with major CM results. Methods For part 1, major CM was performed using a tube agglutination assay (LAB-CM), a gel-based point-of-care test (GEL-CM), and an immunochromatographic point-of-care test (IC-CM). For part 2, medical record data were collected to determine rates of and risk factors for CM incompatibility. Results Kappa agreement between the LAB-CM and GEL-CM methods could not be calculated due to a relative lack of incompatible results. Kappa agreement between the LAB-CM and IC-CM methods was 0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0-0.31, P = .007) indicating no agreement. The LAB-CM incompatibility in transfusion-naïve vs dogs that had a transfusion was 25% and 35%, (P = .3). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Compared to laboratory methods, point-of-care methods evaluated in our study lacked sensitivity for detecting incompatibilities. Dogs had similar rates of major CM incompatibility regardless of transfusion history. This suggests CM testing prior to transfusion be considered in all dogs however our study did not investigate clinical relevancy of incompatible LAB-CM.

Abstract Background Ambulatory wireless video electroencephalography (AEEG) is the method of choice to discriminate epileptic seizures from other nonepileptic episodes. However, the influence of prior general anesthesia (GA), sedation, or antiseizure drug (ASD) on the diagnostic ability of AEEG is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives The use of sedation/GA or ASD treatment before AEEG recording may affect the diagnostic ability of AEEG and the time to first abnormality on AEEG. Animals A total of 108 client-owned dogs undergoing ambulatory AEEG for paroxysmal episodes. Methods Retrospective cohort study. Proportions of diagnostic AEEG and time to first abnormality were compared between dogs that received sedation/GA or neither for instrumentation as well as dogs receiving at least 1 ASD and untreated dogs. Results Ambulatory EEG was diagnostic in 60.2% of all dogs including 49% of the sedation/GA dogs and 68% of dogs that received neither (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-5.00; P = .05). The AEEG was diagnostic in 51% of dogs receiving at least 1 ASD and 66% of untreated dogs (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.9-4.3; P = .11). No difference was found in time to first abnormality between sedation/GA or neither or ASD-treated or untreated dogs (P = .1 and P = .3 respectively). Ninety-five percent of dogs had at least 1 abnormality within 277 minutes. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Sedation/GA and concurrent ASD administration were not identified as confounding factors for decreasing AEEG diagnostic capability nor did they delay the time to first abnormality. A 4-hour minimal recording period is recommended.

Background This study aimed to determine if obese cats undergoing energy restriction for weight loss would meet the National Research Council’s (NRC) indispensable amino acid and vitamin recommendations when fed a purpose-formulated diet. Thirty cats were placed into one of two groups; obese (BCS 8 to 9/9; n  = 16) and lean (BCS 4 to 5/9; n  = 14) and included in a non-randomized retrospective observational study. Cats were fed a veterinary weight loss food during a 4-week period of weight maintenance. Obese cats (O-MAINT) refers to obese cats during this period, L-MAINT to lean cats. After this initial 4-week period, the lean cats finished the study at this time and the 16 obese cats continued and were energy restricted for a 10-week period (O-RESTRICT). Analysis for dietary concentrations of indispensable amino acid and vitamin contents were performed. Daily food intakes were used to determine minimum, maximum and average daily intakes of individual nutrients for all three groups and compared against NRC 2006 minimum requirements (MR), adequate intakes (AI) and recommended allowances (RA) for adult cats. Results Over 10 weeks, O-RESTRICT cats lost 672 g ± 303 g, representing a weight loss rate of 0.94 ± 0.28% per week. Daily intake of the majority of indispensable amino acids and vitamins was greater than the NRC 2006 recommended allowance (RA per kg ideal body weight ^0.67), except for arginine, choline, crude protein, phenylalanine plus tyrosine and threonine. All O-RESTRICT cats had minimum, average, and maximum arginine intakes less than the NRC AI. Minimum daily intake of choline was below NRC RA for all O-RESTRICT cats and below NRC MR for two. All, except one, O-RESTRICT cats had a maximum and average choline intake below RA. Conclusions All cats remained clinically healthy and showed no clinical signs of deficiency. Dietary choline and arginine requirements of obese cats as well as health risks associated with low dietary intake during energy restriction warrant further investigation.

This study's objective was to determine the accuracy of using current computed tomography (CT) scan and software techniques for rapid prototyping by quantifying the margin of error between CT models and laser scans of canine skull specimens. Twenty canine skulls of varying morphology were selected from an anatomy collection at a veterinary school. CT scans (bone and standard algorithms) were performed for each skull, and data segmented (testing two lower threshold settings of 226HU and -650HU) into 3-D CT models. Laser scans were then performed on each skull. The CT models were compared to the corresponding laser scan to determine the error generated from the different types of CT model parameters. This error was then compared between the different types of CT models to determine the most accurate parameters. The mean errors for the 226HU CT models, both bone and standard algorithms, were not significant from zero error (p = 0.1076 and p = 0.0580, respectively). The mean errors for both -650HU CT models were significant from zero error (p < 0.001). Significant differences were detected between CT models for 3 CT model comparisons: Bone (p < 0.0001); Standard (p < 0.0001); and -650HU (p < 0.0001). For 226HU CT models, a significant difference was not detected between CT models (p = 0.2268). Independent of the parameters tested, the 3-D models derived from CT imaging accurately represent the real skull dimensions, with CT models differing less than 0.42 mm from the real skull dimensions. The 226HU threshold was more accurate than the -650HU threshold. For the 226HU CT models, accuracy was not dependent on the CT algorithm. For the -650 CT models, bone was more accurate than standard algorithms. Knowing the inherent error of this procedure is important for use in 3-D printing for surgical planning and medical education.