Ilaria Lippi

Redox status evaluation in dogs affected by mast cell tumour.

Oxidative stress status has been evaluated in depth in human medicine and its role in carcinogenesis has been clearly established. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate antioxidant concentrations and oxidative stress in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs) that had received no previous treatments, and to compare them to healthy controls. In 23 dogs with mast cell tumour and 10 healthy controls, oxidative status was assessed using the Reactive Oxygen Metabolites-derived compounds (d-ROMs) test, antioxidant activity was measured by the Biological Antioxidant Potential (BAP) test, and α-tocopherol levels were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet analysis. At baseline, dogs with MCT had significantly higher d-ROMs (P < 0.00001) and lower BAP (P < 0.0002) compared with healthy controls. However, no significant difference was observed for α-tocopherol (P = 0.95). Results suggest that oxidative stress pattern and oxidative defence barrier are altered in dogs with newly diagnosed MCT compared with control dogs. Future studies are needed in order to assess the prognostic role of oxidative stress and to evaluate the impact of different therapeutic approaches.

Prognostic role of the product of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in dogs with chronic kidney disease: 31 cases (2008–2010)

OBJECTIVE To investigate serum calcium-phosphorus concentration product (sCaPP) as a predictor of mortality rate in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 31 dogs with definitive CKD and 35 apparently healthy dogs. PROCEDURES All dogs had been referred for nephrological consultation between December 2008 and December 2010. Dogs with CKD had stable disease for ≥ 3 months. On the basis of glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/m(2), 13 of the 35 apparently healthy dogs were subsequently classified as having early CKD. Disease stage among dogs was determined on the basis of plasma creatinine concentration as follows: stage 1, < 123.7 μmol/L (n = 13), stage 2, 123.7 to 176.8 μmol/L (7); stage 3, 185.6 to 442 μmol/L (13); or stage 4, > 442 μmol/L (11). For each dog, serum concentrations of ionized and total calcium and phosphorus were evaluated once; the latter 2 variables were used to determine sCaPP. RESULTS The sCaPP differed significantly between the 22 healthy dogs and dogs with stage 3 or stage 4 CKD. The proportion of dogs with sCaPP > 70 mg(2)/dL(2) increased with stage of disease. Mortality rate among the 24 dogs with sCaPP > 70 mg(2)/dL(2) was higher than that among the 42 dogs with sCaPP ≤ 70 mg(2)/dL(2). Dogs with sCaPP > 70 mg(2)/dL(2) had a comparatively lower survival rate, and risk of death was 4.2 times as high as risk for dogs with sCaPP ≤ 70 mg(2)/dL(2). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE For dogs with CKD, sCaPP > 70 mg(2)/dL(2) appeared to be a negative prognostic indicator, which was not influenced by the concomitant serum concentrations of phosphorus and total or ionized calcium.

Canine Chronic Kidney Disease: Retrospective Study of a 10-Year Period of Clinical Activity

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive, pathological disease with a higher prevalence in geriatric patients. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of dogs affected by CKD at the Department of Veterinary Clinics over a 10-year period of clinical activity, according to gender, age, breed, and IRIS stage. Males showed a prevalence of 60.17%, while females showed a prevalence of 39.82%; 28.40% of dogs were younger than 6 years, 42.12% were between 6 and 10 years, and 29.46% were older than 10 years. Mixed breed patients showed a prevalence of 31.38%, followed by Boxer (9.36%), German shepherd (7.76%), and setter (5.42%). The prevalence of CKD was 24.25% in IRIS 2, 52.97% in IRIS 3, and 22.76 in IRIS 4. The results showed that CKD represents a more frequent reason for consultation in canine patients than in the past. It is not clear whether the high prevalence of CKD is due to an actual increase in the disease or an increased frequency of early diagnosis.

Elevated serum creatinine and hyponatraemia as prognostic factors in canine acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate prognostic factors for canine acute pancreatitis (AP) based on clinical and laboratory data that can be easily assessed in veterinary practice. DESIGN Retrospective study between January 2010 and December 2013. METHODS The diagnosis of AP was based on clinical signs and an abnormal SNAP® cPL™ test result, concurrently with an ultrasound pattern suggestive of pancreatitis. Dogs were divided into survivors and non-survivors. We evaluated 12 clinical and laboratory parameters: respiratory rate, rectal temperature, white blood cells, haematocrit, total serum proteins, albumin, creatinine, cholesterol, total and ionised calcium, sodium and potassium. Clinical and clinicopathological data were statistically compared between survivors and non-survivors. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant and P < 0.01 as highly significant. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated. RESULTS The study enrolled 50 client-owned dogs with a diagnosis of AP. Serum creatinine (P = 0.017) and sodium (P = 0.004) correlated significantly with the outcome. Serum sodium < 139.0 mmol/L (139.0 mEq/L) and serum creatinine > 212 μmol/L (2.4 mg/dL) were associated significantly with poor prognosis. Azotaemia (OR 12.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-118.48) and hyponatraemia (OR 4.9; 95% CI 1.36-17.64) were associated with increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS In dogs with AP, hyponatraemia and azotaemia seem to be significantly associated with an increased risk of death.

Correction to: Plasma alpha-tocopherol determined by HPLC in dogs at different stages of chronic kidney disease: a retrospective study

The above article originally published with an error present in the article title, “Plasma alpha-tochopherol determined by HPLC in dogs at different stages of chronic kidney disease: a retrospective study” this should instead have read, “Plasma alpha-tocopherol determined by HPLC in dogs at different stages of chronic kidney disease: a retrospective study” [bold text used to highlight problem area].

Double filtration plasmapheresis in the treatment of hyperproteinemia in dogs affected by Leishmania infantum

Three dogs were evaluated for severe hyperproteinemia and hyperglobulinemia secondary to Leishmania infantum. Double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) was performed in two dogs at days 1, 2, and 6 after presentation. The third dog received DFPP at days 1 and 3 after presentation and eleven hemodialysis treatments. Significant reduction in serum total protein (p < 0.0001), alpha-1 (p = 0.023), alpha-2 (p = 0.018), gamma globulins (p = 0.0105), and a significant increase in albumin/globulin ratio (p = 0.0018) were found. DFPP may be a promising therapeutic technique for rapid resolution of signs of hyperproteinemia in dogs affected by L. infantum.

Plasma alpha-tochopherol determined by HPLC in dogs at different stages of chronic kidney disease: a retrospective study

The aim of the present study was to investigate retrospectively the plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol in dogs with naturally acquired chronic kidney disease (CKD), at different stages of severity. Forty dogs (CKD group) with different stages of CKD (IRIS 1 n=12, IRIS 2 n=8, IRIS 3 n=11, IRIS 4 n=9) and 20 clinically healthy dogs were considered. Plasma alpha-tocopherol was assessed in both groups through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Dogs of CKD group showed significantly lower (p=0.0002) levels of plasma alpha-tocopherol compared with clinically healthy dogs. A significant difference (p<0.04) in the number of patients with plasma alpha-tocopherol > or ≤ 21.5 ppm was found in CKD patients at different stages of severity. No significant correlation between plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol and plasma creatinine was found. In the present study, dogs affected by spontaneous CKD showed significantly lower plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol compared with clinically healthy dogs. Plasma alpha-tocopherol deficiency seems to be more severe in IRIS stage 1 and 4, compared with IRIS stage 2 and 3. The finding of marked alpha-tocopherol deficiency in patients in IRIS stage 1 should encourage further studies on the early use of prescription renal diet and antioxidant in this group of patients.

Renal Measures in Healthy Italian Trotter Foals and Correlation Between Renal and Biometric Measures: Preliminary Study

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasonographic renal measures in healthy foals aged 1–6 weeks and to verify the correlation between biometric measures to ultrasonographic renal ones. A total of nine Italian trotter foals born in the same stud farm and underwent similar management conditions were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were normal gestation time, unassisted delivery, and normal physical examination at all evaluation times. Length and height of both kidneys were measured by ultrasound weekly from 1 to 6 weeks of life, along with the thoracic and the middle third of the metacarpal area circumferences. Data were expressed as mean and standard deviation, and distribution was evaluated. One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to verify differences related to time. The Pearson correlation test was carried out to evaluate the linearity between time versus all the parameters measured. Students t test was used to verify differences in ultrasound measures between right and left kidney at all recorded times. The Pearson test was applied to a mean‐variance matrix to verify the correlation between each biometrical versus all renal measures. Significance level was set at P < .05. One‐way ANOVA showed differences in biometric and renal measures related to time. Correlation test revealed a linear growth. Differences in ultrasound renal measures between right and left kidney were obtained. Correlation was found between biometrical parameters versus kidney measures. Renal measures and differences between left and right kidneys were in line with literature. Correlation test revealed a linear growth. Renal growth is correlated with age and biometric measures.

Pet's diseases and owner's anxiety: is the leash an umbilical cord?

Nowadays domestic animals take part to the family system and represent a fundamental element of its equilibrium. Therefore, pet’s symptoms or diseases may become stressors for owners. The aims of the present study were to evaluate if the management of a pet, especially when affected by a disease, may influence the anxiety of the owner and if some pathologies or symptoms may affect owner’s anxiety more deeply. 85 owners of dogs and cats presented at the Department of Veterinary Clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pisa for dermatologic, gastro enteric and nephrological disorders were enrolled in the study through the administration of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Test (STAI). The questionnaire was anonymous and in accordance to privacy laws. Data were statistically analysed through the t-test and ANOVA test. Both men and women showed significantly higher values of feature anxiety compared with state anxiety but men presented significantly higher scores than women. No significant differences were found in owners concerning age and educational level. Cat’s owners showed significantly lower levels of anxiety than dogs ones and owners of nephropatic patients were less anxious than owners of gastroenteric and dermatologic subjects were. The present data showed that owner’s anxiety could be affected more or less deeply by pet’s disease according to the evidence pet species kind of disease, seriousness of symptoms and owner’s gender.