Sofia Hanås

Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Urinary Catecholamines in Healthy Dogs Subjected to Different Clinical Settings

BACKGROUND Correct interpretation of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) recordings is important in a clinical environment, but little is known about effects of stress on BP and HR responses of dogs to different clinical settings. OBJECTIVE To investigate BP and HR responses in different clinical settings in dogs of 3 breeds, and to relate findings to urinary catecholamine concentrations measured by ELISA assays previously validated for use in human plasma and urine, after validation for use in dogs. ANIMALS Client-owned healthy dogs; 41 Labrador Retrievers, 33 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), and 15 Dachshunds. METHODS Prospective observational study. BP and HR were measured in 4 clinical settings with or without veterinarian and owner present. Urine samples were taken before and after examination. ELISA assays were validated for canine urine, and epinephrine/creatinine and norepinephrine/creatinine ratios were analyzed. RESULTS BP and HR were higher when measured by veterinarian alone than when owner was present (P < .020). Urinary catecholamine/creatinine ratios were higher after examination, compared with before, in all dogs (P < .0001). Labrador Retrievers had lower diastolic BP than Dachshunds in 2 settings (P ≤ .041), lower HR than CKCSs in 3 settings (all P < .0001), and lower catecholamine/creatinine ratios after examination than both other breeds (P ≤ .035). The in-house validation showed mean spiked recovery of 96.5% for epinephrine and 83.8% for norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE BP and HR responses were related to breed as well as clinical setting. Breed differences were detected in urinary catecholamine/creatinine ratios. Further studies on breed differences are warranted.

Breed Differences in Natriuretic Peptides in Healthy Dogs

Background Measurement of plasma concentration of natriuretic peptides (NPs) is suggested to be of value in diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs, but many factors other than cardiac status may influence their concentrations. Dog breed potentially is 1 such factor. Objective To investigate breed variation in plasma concentrations of pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide 31‐67 (proANP 31‐67) and N‐terminal B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in healthy dogs. Animals 535 healthy, privately owned dogs of 9 breeds were examined at 5 centers as part of the European Union (EU) LUPA project. Methods Absence of cardiovascular disease or other clinically relevant organ‐related or systemic disease was ensured by thorough clinical investigation. Plasma concentrations of proANP 31‐67 and NT‐proBNP were measured by commercially available ELISA assays. Results Overall significant breed differences were found in proANP 31‐67 (P < .0001) and NT‐proBNP (P < .0001) concentrations. Pair‐wise comparisons between breeds differed in approximately 50% of comparisons for proANP 31‐67 as well as NT‐proBNP concentrations, both when including all centers and within each center. Interquartile range was large for many breeds, especially for NT‐proBNP. Among included breeds, Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands had highest median NT‐proBNP concentrations with concentrations 3 times as high as those of Dachshunds. German Shepherds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels had the highest median proANP 31‐67 concentrations, twice the median concentration in Doberman Pinschers. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Considerable interbreed variation in plasma NP concentrations was found in healthy dogs. Intrabreed variation was large in several breeds, especially for NT‐proBNP. Additional studies are needed to establish breed‐specific reference ranges.

Infectious causes for feline upper respiratory tract disease – a case–control study

The aim of this case–control study was to investigate the prevalence of microorganisms in group-living cats with clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), in in-contact cats and in cats in groups without URTD problems. Samples were taken from the ventral conjunctival fornix for analysis of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV), Mycoplasma felis and Chlamydiaceae using a real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. The oropharynx was sampled for bacteriological culture and viral isolation. Specific infectious agents were identified in 11/20 (55%) of the case households, in 7/20 (35%) of the cats with clinical signs and in 3/20 (15%) of the control households, in 3/40 (7.5%) of the cats. Chlamydiae and M felis were only detected from case households, both from cats with URTD and from in-contact cats. The difference in prevalence between case and control households was statistically significant for M felis (P=0.047). The presence of M felis in cat groups was thus associated with clinical signs of URTD.

Twenty-four hour Holter monitoring of unsedated healthy cats in the home environment.

OBJECTIVE To determine the heart rate, rhythm, number of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) and atrial premature complexes (APCs) in unsedated cats using Holter monitoring. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-three healthy client owned cats were used. Clinical examination, blood pressure measurements, echocardiographic examination and serum biochemical analysis were performed. A lightweight Holter was used in the home environment. RESULTS Three-lead electrocardiographic registrations of good quality were obtained from all cats. Normal sinus rhythm was present in all cats. The median heart rate was 165 beats per minute (bpm), range 70-303 bpm. Mean heart rate varied significantly with age and gender. Sinus arrhythmia occurred intermittently in 18 cats (78%). Uncommon ventricular premature complexes occurred in 18 (78%) of the cats. The median number of VPCs per cat was 3 complexes/24 h period, range 0-146. Cats 7-15 years of age had significantly more VPCs than cats 1-6 years of age (median 6 versus 1 per 24 h period, p=0.04). A single APC occurred in one cat (4%). CONCLUSIONS Cats commonly have intermittent sinus arrhythmia. Many healthy cats have rare single VPCs per 24 h period. Old cats have significantly more VPCs than young cats. The heart rate varies significantly with age and gender.

Evaluation of cytologic findings in feline conjunctivitis

BACKGROUND Cytologic examination of smears prepared from ocular swabs of conjunctiva from cats with conjunctivitis permits identification of the type of inflammation and possibly specific microorganisms. Results of studies of the diagnostic utility of cytology for detection of infectious causes of feline conjunctivitis have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to describe cytologic findings in cats with conjunctivitis and to compare those findings with results of PCR analysis for feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), Chlamydophila felis (C felis), and Mycoplasma felis (M felis). METHODS Conjunctival smears from 88 cats with conjunctivitis and 10 healthy control cats were stained with a Romanowsky stain and evaluated for the type of inflammation and evidence of an infectious agent. PCR analysis for FHV-1, C felis, and M felis was performed. RESULTS Infectious agents identified by PCR analysis were FHV-1 in 9 cats (10%), C felis in 8 cats (9%), and M felis in 6 cats (7%). Inclusions interpreted as chlamydial inclusions were found in all cytologic smears from cats positive for C felis by PCR analysis and in 3 PCR-negative cats. Inclusions interpreted as Mycoplasma organisms were found in 3 of 6 cats that were PCR-positive for M felis and in 1 PCR-negative cat. FHV-1 inclusion bodies were not detected on cytologic examination. CONCLUSIONS Cytologic examination can be diagnostic for C felis infection when many typical inclusions are present. Cytologic examination was unreliable in diagnosing M felis infection, and viral inclusions of FHV-1 were not found in specimens stained with Romanowsky stains.

Assessment of cardiac function using global and regional left ventricular endomyocardial and epimyocardial peak systolic strain and strain rate in healthy Labrador retriever dogs.

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is based on tracking of natural acoustic myocardial markers. The study aimed at quantifying global and regional endomyocardial and epimyocardial left ventricular longitudinal, circumferential and radial peak systolic strain and strain rate, including feasibility and variability; and assessing synchronicity and torsion, in healthy dogs. Cineloops were acquired from left apical 4-chamber, basal and apical right parasternal short-axis views in 22 healthy Labrador retrievers. A general epimyocardial to endomyocardial strain gradient was found. Strain was higher at apex compared to base. A strain longitudinal base to apex gradient was found. Left ventricular synchronicity could be assessed in all dogs and torsion in 1/3. Short axis apical view had highest variability. Dog and operator contributed most to overall variance. In conclusion, STE allows assessment of myocardial function in healthy Labrador retrievers. A longitudinal base to apex gradient was found and a new synchronicity index for use in dogs was introduced.

The Shepherds' Tale: A Genome-Wide Study across 9 Dog Breeds Implicates Two Loci in the Regulation of Fructosamine Serum Concentration in Belgian Shepherds.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious health problem in both dogs and humans. Certain dog breeds show high prevalence of the disease, whereas other breeds are at low risk. Fructosamine and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) are two major biomarkers of glycaemia, where serum concentrations reflect glucose turnover over the past few weeks to months. In this study, we searched for genetic factors influencing variation in serum fructosamine concentration in healthy dogs using data from nine dog breeds. Considering all breeds together, we did not find any genome-wide significant associations to fructosamine serum concentration. However, by performing breed-specific analyses we revealed an association on chromosome 3 (pcorrected ≈ 1:68 × 10-6) in Belgian shepherd dogs of the Malinois subtype. The associated region and its close neighbourhood harbours interesting candidate genes such as LETM1 and GAPDH that are important in glucose metabolism and have previously been implicated in the aetiology of diabetes mellitus. To further explore the genetics of this breed specificity, we screened the genome for reduced heterozygosity stretches private to the Belgian shepherd breed. This revealed a region with reduced heterozygosity that shows a statistically significant interaction (p = 0.025) with the association region on chromosome 3. This region also harbours some interesting candidate genes and regulatory regions but the exact mechanisms underlying the interaction are still unknown. Nevertheless, this finding provides a plausible explanation for breed-specific genetic effects for complex traits in dogs. Shepherd breeds are at low risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The findings in Belgian shepherds could be connected to a protective mechanism against the disease. Further insight into the regulation of glucose metabolism could improve diagnostic and therapeutic methods for diabetes mellitus.

An investigation on the presence of Chlamydiaceae in Swedish dogs

BackgroundBacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae cause a broad spectrum of diseases in a wide range of hosts, including man, other mammals, and birds. Upper respiratory and genital diseases are common clinical problems caused by Chlamydiaceae. Very little is known about chlamydial infections in dogs. Few clinical reports on natural disease in dogs describe mainly conjunctival and upper respiratory signs, and the role of Chlamydiaceae in genital disease is unclear. The present study aimed at studying the prevalence of Chlamydiaceae in healthy dogs and in dogs with genital or upper respiratory disease, including conjunctivitis.MethodsA real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Chlamydiaceae was used to detect any chlamydial species within this family. Swab samples from the conjunctiva and the mucosal membranes of the oropharynx, rectum and genital tract were taken from 79 dogs: 27 clinically healthy dogs, 25 dogs with clinical signs from the genital tract and 28 dogs with conjunctivitis. There were 52 female and 27 male dogs. From 7 of the male dogs, additional semen samples were analysed.ResultsNo Chlamydiaceae were detected from any dog.ConclusionsAlthough the number of dogs that was included is limited, the results suggest that cases of Chlamydiaceae in dogs probably are related to infection from other species, and that dogs in general do not harbour Chlamydiaceae. Bacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae do not seem to be of major importance for genital or ocular disease in Swedish dogs.

Effect of Breed on Plasma Endothelin-1 Concentration, Plasma Renin Activity, and Serum Cortisol Concentration in Healthy Dogs

Background There are breed differences in several blood variables in healthy dogs. Objective Investigate breed variation in plasma endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) concentration, plasma renin activity, and serum cortisol concentration. Animals Five‐hundred and thirty‐one healthy dogs of 9 breeds examined at 5 centers (2–4 breeds/center). Methods Prospective observational study. Circulating concentrations of ET‐1 and cortisol, and renin activity, were measured using commercially available assays. Absence of organ‐related or systemic disease was ensured by thorough clinical investigations, including blood pressure measurement, echocardiography, ECG, blood and urine analysis. Results Median ET‐1 concentration was 1.29 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.97–1.82) pg/mL, median cortisol concentration 46.0 (IQR, 29.0–80.8) nmol/L, and median renin activity 0.73 (IQR, 0.48–1.10) ng/mL/h in all dogs. Overall, breed differences were found in ET‐1 and cortisol concentrations, and renin activity (P < .0001 for all). Pair‐wise comparisons between breeds differed in 67% of comparisons for ET‐1, 22% for cortisol, and 19% for renin activity, respectively. Within centers, breed differences were found at 5/5 centers for ET‐1, 4/5 centers for cortisol, and 2/5 centers for renin activity. Newfoundlands had highest median ET‐1 concentration, 3 times higher than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Dachshunds. Median renin activity was highest in Dachshunds, twice the median value in Newfoundlands and Boxers. Median cortisol concentration was highest in Finnish Lapphunds, almost 3 times higher than in Boxers. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Breed variation might be important to take into consideration when interpreting test results in clinical studies.

Evaluation of an ELISA for metanephrines in feline urine

Catecholamines can be used to evaluate neuroendocrine tumors, stress, and potentially pain, but catecholamines degrade rapidly. Their metabolites normetanephrine (NME) and metanephrine (ME) have better stability in urine. In cats, urine sampling in a home environment would be beneficial to reduce effects of clinical stress and simplify sampling. We evaluated a human urine ELISA for analysis of NME and ME in feline urine, and investigated the effects of acidification, cat tray pellets, and storage time at room temperature up to 8.5 h. In 26 feline urine samples, mean NME concentration was 192 ± 80 ng/mL, mean intra- and inter-assay CV was 6.5% and 4.2%, respectively, and spike recovery was 98–101%, but dilutional recovery was unsatisfactory. For ME, mean intra- and inter-assay CV was 10.2% and 4.1%, respectively. Mean urine ME concentration was 32.1 ± 18.3 ng/mL, close to the kit’s lowest standard, and spike recovery was 65–90%; the ELISA could not be validated for ME. The stability study, performed for NME on 12 urine samples, did not identify differences between acidified and non-acidified samples, cat tray pellets, or storage time, and no interaction effects. The ME ELISA was not suitable for feline urine; performance of the NME ELISA was acceptable, except for dilution recovery. For analysis of NME, feline urine can be sampled at home using cat tray pellets and stored at room temperature up to 8.5 h without acidification.