Canine circovirus (CanineCV) has been detected in some dogs with severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea, b... more Canine circovirus (CanineCV) has been detected in some dogs with severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea, but its pathogenic role is unclear. This study evaluated a suspected association between the presence of CanineCV and acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS) in dogs. The prevalence of CanineCV in dogs with AHDS was compared with that in healthy dogs and those infected with canine parvovirus (CPV). Additionally, time to recovery and mortality rate were compared between CanineCV-positive and CanineCV-negative dogs. Faecal samples of dogs with AHDS (n=55), healthy dogs (n=66) and dogs infected with CPV (n=54) were examined by two real-time TaqMan PCR assays targeting the replicase and capsid genes of CanineCV. CanineCV was detected in faecal samples of two dogs with AHDS, three healthy controls and seven dogs infected with CPV. Among the three groups, there was no significant difference in prevalence of CanineCV. CPV-infected animals that were coinfected with CanineCV had a significantly higher mortality rate compared with those negative for CanineCV. CanineCV does not appear to be the primary causative agent of AHDS in dogs, but might play a role as a negative co-factor in disease outcome in dogs with CPV infection.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
ZusammenfassungAkuter blutiger Durchfall tritt beim Hund sehr häufig auf. Verschiedene Ursachen k... more ZusammenfassungAkuter blutiger Durchfall tritt beim Hund sehr häufig auf. Verschiedene Ursachen kommen infrage. Zur Diagnose einer extraintestinalen Krankheit als Ursache für eine gastrointestinale Blutung helfen Anamnese (z. B. Intoxikation), klinische Untersuchung (z. B. Ikterus), hämatologische, Serum- und Urinuntersuchung (z. B. Hypoadrenokortizismus, Nieren-, Leberversagen). Bei einem Patienten mit gastrointestinalen Blutungen sollte als Erstes eine Hämostasestörung ausgeschlossen werden. Die Verdachtsdiagnose eines „hämorrhagischen GastroenteritisSyndroms” lässt sich aufgrund der typischen klinischen Befunde, einer Hämatokriterhöhung (> 50–55%) und einer schnellen klinischen Besserung auf adäquate Infusiontherapie stellen. An infektiös oder parasitär bedingten hämorrhagischen Durchfall sollte man denken, wenn junge und immuninkompetente Hunde erkrankt sind, wenn Diarrhö bei mehreren Tieren gleichzeitig auftritt oder Durchfallpatienten mit Anzeichen einer Sepsis vorgestellt werden. In diesen Fällen sollten neben einer parasitologischen Kotuntersuchung auch eine Kot- und eine Blutkultur eingeleitet werden. Eine Parvovirus-Infektion sollte bei Patienten (vor allem bei jungen und ungeimpften Tieren) mit akutem Erbrechen und blutigem Durchfall differenzialdiagnostisch Berücksichtigung finden, insbesondere bei vorliegender Leukopenie. Zur Diagnostik stehen Antigen-ELISA für Kotproben zur Verfügung, die als sensitiv und spezifisch gelten. Akuter hämorrhagischer Durchfall kann lebensbedrohlich sein. Deshalb sollte bei jedem dieser Patienten frühzeitig mit einer unterstützenden symptomatischen Therapie begonnen, ein sorgfältiges Monitoring auf Anzeichen einer systemischen Komplikation durchgeführt und spezifische Tests zur ätiologischen Diagnose eingeleitet werden. Dieser Artikel liefert dem praktischen Tierarzt einen Überblick über Ursachen, deren Pathogenese und Möglichkeiten der diagnostischen Aufarbeitung von akuten hämorrhagischen Durchfallerkrankungen beim Hund.
Highlights Adverse food reaction (AFR) is a frequent differential diagnosis for dogs and cats w... more Highlights Adverse food reaction (AFR) is a frequent differential diagnosis for dogs and cats with skin and gastrointestinal disease. Feeding a protein and a carbohydrate previously not fed is needed to diagnose AFR in dogs and cats. Home-cooked as well as commercial hydrolysed diets are recommended. Laboratory tests for adverse food reaction are not helpful for diagnosis of AFR.
Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie war herauszufinden, ob zwischen jungen (< 6 Monate) un... more Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie war herauszufinden, ob zwischen jungen (< 6 Monate) und älteren Katzen (≥ 6 Monate) mit feliner Panleukopenie Unterschiede bezüglich klinischer Symptome, Laborwertveränderungen, Haltungsbedingungen, Impfstatus und Überlebensrate bestehen. Material und Methode: Die retrospektive Studie erfasst die Krankenakten von 244 Katzen, bei denen an der Medizinischen Kleintierklinik der Ludwig- Maximilians-Universität München zwischen 1990 und 2007 feline Panleukopenie diagnostiziert worden war. Der Nachweis erfolgte mittels Elektronenmikroskopie, ELISA zum Nachweis von Antigen des felinen Parvovirus (FPV), PCR-Untersuchung von Kot oder Blut oder durch histopathologische Untersuchung. Ausschlusskriterium war eine Impfung gegen Panleukopenie innerhalb 3 Wochen vor Erstvorstellung. Ergebnisse: 43,3% der Katzen mit feliner Panleukopenie waren älter als 6 Monate. Zwischen den beiden Altersgruppen ergaben sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede hinsichtlich Überlebensrate, Rasse, Geschlecht, Haltungsbedingungen, Impfstatus, klinischen Symptomen und Laborparametern mit Ausnahme des Hämatokrits. Katzen < 6 Monate wie- sen bei Erstvorstellung einen signifikant niedrigeren Hämatokrit auf als Katzen ≥ 6 Monate. Schlussfolgerungen und klinische Relevanz: Die feline Panleukopenie kommt vorwiegend bei jungen Katzen vor, aber auch ältere Katzen können erkranken.Wenngleich Jungtiere ein höheres Erkrankungsrisiko haben, sterben klinisch erkrankte Katzen mit einem Alter von unter 6 Monaten nicht mit höherer Wahrscheinlichkeit. Prognose, Krankheitsverlauf und klinische/labordiagnostische Präsentation waren in den beiden Altersgruppen vergleichbar.
Introduction: Vomiting is a common sign in dogs presenting to emergency services. It can be self-... more Introduction: Vomiting is a common sign in dogs presenting to emergency services. It can be self-limiting, a sign of a life-threatening extraintestinal, or intestinal disorder. Reasonable diagnostics should be performed to determine the underlying cause. This study aimed to assess the utility of diagnostic tests in vomiting dogs, and its correlation with patient history, and physical examination results. Additionally, parameters to di erentiate uncomplicated vomiting from complicated vomiting were investigated. Methods: In this prospective, observational, clinical study, data from client-owned dogs with vomiting, presenting as first opinion cases, were evaluated. History, physical examination, duration of clinical signs, overall number of episodes of vomiting, appetite, and additional clinical signs were recorded. The standardized diagnostic evaluation of all patients included venous blood gas analysis, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, canine pancreatic lipase, abdominal radiographs, ultrasound, and urinalysis. Follow-up was performed-days later. Based on severity of disease and clinical course, dogs were categorized to "uncomplicated vomiting" (UN), or "complicated vomiting" (COM). The utility of each test for diagnosing the cause of vomiting was evaluated. Spearman correlation coe cient, Chi-squared-, unpaired t-, and Mann-Whitney U-test were used. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤. . Results: Out of the dogs, had uncomplicated courses of disease (UN). In / cases, a diagnosis was obtained, and in / cases, the cause for vomiting remained unknown. Longer duration of clinical signs, and reduced appetite were associated with higher utility of abdominal ultrasound. A poor mentation was associated with a higher utility of blood examinations and abdominal radiographs. Dogs presenting with an impaired mentation or with additional clinical signs other than diarrhea, were more likely to be in the COM group. Discussion: Based on this investigation, general recommendations concerning the diagnostic approach for patients with vomiting could not be provided. For dogs who have exclusively vomiting as a clinical sign, and present in good mentation, further investigations might not be beneficial, and these dogs may recover with symptomatic treatment alone. Additional diagnostics could be indicated in dogs with additional clinical signs other than diarrhea.
BackgroundCulture‐based assessment of the fecal microbiome using fecal culture profiles frequentl... more BackgroundCulture‐based assessment of the fecal microbiome using fecal culture profiles frequently is performed in dogs with chronic diarrhea, but the diagnostic value of this approach has not been determined.ObjectivesTo compare the reported results of fecal culture profiles and the polymerase chain reaction‐based dysbiosis index (DI) between dogs with chronic diarrhea and healthy dogs; to assess interlaboratory variability in bacterial and fungal cultures among 3 veterinary diagnostic laboratories (diagnostic laboratory 1 [L1], diagnostic laboratory 2 [L2], diagnostic laboratory 3 [L3]); and to compare the reported interpretation of culture profiles (normobiosis versus dysbiosis) with those of the DI.AnimalsEighteen dogs with chronic diarrhea (CDG) and 18 healthy control dogs (HG).MethodsIn this prospective, case‐control study, fecal samples were submitted to 3 commercial laboratories for fecal culture. The microbiota was assessed using PCR assays. Dogs receiving antimicrobials we...
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2020
The role of type A Clostridium perfringens in canine acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and foal... more The role of type A Clostridium perfringens in canine acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and foal necrotizing enteritis is poorly characterized. However, a highly significant association between the presence of novel toxigenic C. perfringens and these specific enteric diseases has been described. These novel toxigenic strains produce 3 novel putative toxins, which have been designated NetE, NetF, and NetG. Although not conclusively demonstrated, current evidence suggests that NetF is likely the major virulence factor in strains responsible for canine acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and foal necrotizing enteritis. NetF is a beta–pore-forming toxin that belongs to the same toxin superfamily as CPB and NetB toxins produced by C. perfringens. The netF gene is encoded on a conjugative plasmid that, in the case of netF, also carries another putative toxin gene, netE. In addition, these strains consistently also carry a cpe tcp-conjugative plasmid, and a proportion also carry a separat...
The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between young cats (< 6 months) and adult ca... more The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between young cats (< 6 months) and adult cats (≥ 6 months) with feline panleukopenia with respect to clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities, environmental conditions, vaccination status, and outcome. Medical records of 244 cats diagnosed with panleukopenia between 1990 and 2007 at the Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany, were evaluated retrospectively. Cats that tested positive for feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) via electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (blood, faeces), antigen ELISA (faeces), or that had histopathological lesions consistent with panleukopenia at necropsy were included. Cats were excluded if they had been vaccinated against FPV within 3 weeks before admission. In total 43.3% of cats were older than 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two age groups regarding outcome, breed, sex, environmental conditions, vaccination sta...
The therapeutic possibilities in veterinary cardiology have developed rapidly in the past few yea... more The therapeutic possibilities in veterinary cardiology have developed rapidly in the past few years. Whereas until recently cardiac intervention in dogs could only be performed by thoracotomy, new minimally invasive techniques are adopted. Procedures like balloondilatation of pulmonic stenosis, coil embolisation of patent ductus arteriosus, pacemaker implantation in symptomatic bradyarrhyhtmia, and palliative balloon pericardiotomy are becoming more and more established. These alternative interventional methods are attractive, because no postsurgical pain and no complications potentially associated with thoracotomy ensue. The knowledge of such new treatment modalities and particularly the indications for an intervention are prerequisites to apply them optimally and broadly.
Canine circovirus (CanineCV) has been detected in some dogs with severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea, b... more Canine circovirus (CanineCV) has been detected in some dogs with severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea, but its pathogenic role is unclear. This study evaluated a suspected association between the presence of CanineCV and acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS) in dogs. The prevalence of CanineCV in dogs with AHDS was compared with that in healthy dogs and those infected with canine parvovirus (CPV). Additionally, time to recovery and mortality rate were compared between CanineCV-positive and CanineCV-negative dogs. Faecal samples of dogs with AHDS (n=55), healthy dogs (n=66) and dogs infected with CPV (n=54) were examined by two real-time TaqMan PCR assays targeting the replicase and capsid genes of CanineCV. CanineCV was detected in faecal samples of two dogs with AHDS, three healthy controls and seven dogs infected with CPV. Among the three groups, there was no significant difference in prevalence of CanineCV. CPV-infected animals that were coinfected with CanineCV had a significantly higher mortality rate compared with those negative for CanineCV. CanineCV does not appear to be the primary causative agent of AHDS in dogs, but might play a role as a negative co-factor in disease outcome in dogs with CPV infection.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
ZusammenfassungAkuter blutiger Durchfall tritt beim Hund sehr häufig auf. Verschiedene Ursachen k... more ZusammenfassungAkuter blutiger Durchfall tritt beim Hund sehr häufig auf. Verschiedene Ursachen kommen infrage. Zur Diagnose einer extraintestinalen Krankheit als Ursache für eine gastrointestinale Blutung helfen Anamnese (z. B. Intoxikation), klinische Untersuchung (z. B. Ikterus), hämatologische, Serum- und Urinuntersuchung (z. B. Hypoadrenokortizismus, Nieren-, Leberversagen). Bei einem Patienten mit gastrointestinalen Blutungen sollte als Erstes eine Hämostasestörung ausgeschlossen werden. Die Verdachtsdiagnose eines „hämorrhagischen GastroenteritisSyndroms” lässt sich aufgrund der typischen klinischen Befunde, einer Hämatokriterhöhung (&gt; 50–55%) und einer schnellen klinischen Besserung auf adäquate Infusiontherapie stellen. An infektiös oder parasitär bedingten hämorrhagischen Durchfall sollte man denken, wenn junge und immuninkompetente Hunde erkrankt sind, wenn Diarrhö bei mehreren Tieren gleichzeitig auftritt oder Durchfallpatienten mit Anzeichen einer Sepsis vorgestellt werden. In diesen Fällen sollten neben einer parasitologischen Kotuntersuchung auch eine Kot- und eine Blutkultur eingeleitet werden. Eine Parvovirus-Infektion sollte bei Patienten (vor allem bei jungen und ungeimpften Tieren) mit akutem Erbrechen und blutigem Durchfall differenzialdiagnostisch Berücksichtigung finden, insbesondere bei vorliegender Leukopenie. Zur Diagnostik stehen Antigen-ELISA für Kotproben zur Verfügung, die als sensitiv und spezifisch gelten. Akuter hämorrhagischer Durchfall kann lebensbedrohlich sein. Deshalb sollte bei jedem dieser Patienten frühzeitig mit einer unterstützenden symptomatischen Therapie begonnen, ein sorgfältiges Monitoring auf Anzeichen einer systemischen Komplikation durchgeführt und spezifische Tests zur ätiologischen Diagnose eingeleitet werden. Dieser Artikel liefert dem praktischen Tierarzt einen Überblick über Ursachen, deren Pathogenese und Möglichkeiten der diagnostischen Aufarbeitung von akuten hämorrhagischen Durchfallerkrankungen beim Hund.
Highlights Adverse food reaction (AFR) is a frequent differential diagnosis for dogs and cats w... more Highlights Adverse food reaction (AFR) is a frequent differential diagnosis for dogs and cats with skin and gastrointestinal disease. Feeding a protein and a carbohydrate previously not fed is needed to diagnose AFR in dogs and cats. Home-cooked as well as commercial hydrolysed diets are recommended. Laboratory tests for adverse food reaction are not helpful for diagnosis of AFR.
Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie war herauszufinden, ob zwischen jungen (&amp;lt; 6 Monate) un... more Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie war herauszufinden, ob zwischen jungen (&amp;lt; 6 Monate) und älteren Katzen (≥ 6 Monate) mit feliner Panleukopenie Unterschiede bezüglich klinischer Symptome, Laborwertveränderungen, Haltungsbedingungen, Impfstatus und Überlebensrate bestehen. Material und Methode: Die retrospektive Studie erfasst die Krankenakten von 244 Katzen, bei denen an der Medizinischen Kleintierklinik der Ludwig- Maximilians-Universität München zwischen 1990 und 2007 feline Panleukopenie diagnostiziert worden war. Der Nachweis erfolgte mittels Elektronenmikroskopie, ELISA zum Nachweis von Antigen des felinen Parvovirus (FPV), PCR-Untersuchung von Kot oder Blut oder durch histopathologische Untersuchung. Ausschlusskriterium war eine Impfung gegen Panleukopenie innerhalb 3 Wochen vor Erstvorstellung. Ergebnisse: 43,3% der Katzen mit feliner Panleukopenie waren älter als 6 Monate. Zwischen den beiden Altersgruppen ergaben sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede hinsichtlich Überlebensrate, Rasse, Geschlecht, Haltungsbedingungen, Impfstatus, klinischen Symptomen und Laborparametern mit Ausnahme des Hämatokrits. Katzen &amp;lt; 6 Monate wie- sen bei Erstvorstellung einen signifikant niedrigeren Hämatokrit auf als Katzen ≥ 6 Monate. Schlussfolgerungen und klinische Relevanz: Die feline Panleukopenie kommt vorwiegend bei jungen Katzen vor, aber auch ältere Katzen können erkranken.Wenngleich Jungtiere ein höheres Erkrankungsrisiko haben, sterben klinisch erkrankte Katzen mit einem Alter von unter 6 Monaten nicht mit höherer Wahrscheinlichkeit. Prognose, Krankheitsverlauf und klinische/labordiagnostische Präsentation waren in den beiden Altersgruppen vergleichbar.
Introduction: Vomiting is a common sign in dogs presenting to emergency services. It can be self-... more Introduction: Vomiting is a common sign in dogs presenting to emergency services. It can be self-limiting, a sign of a life-threatening extraintestinal, or intestinal disorder. Reasonable diagnostics should be performed to determine the underlying cause. This study aimed to assess the utility of diagnostic tests in vomiting dogs, and its correlation with patient history, and physical examination results. Additionally, parameters to di erentiate uncomplicated vomiting from complicated vomiting were investigated. Methods: In this prospective, observational, clinical study, data from client-owned dogs with vomiting, presenting as first opinion cases, were evaluated. History, physical examination, duration of clinical signs, overall number of episodes of vomiting, appetite, and additional clinical signs were recorded. The standardized diagnostic evaluation of all patients included venous blood gas analysis, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, canine pancreatic lipase, abdominal radiographs, ultrasound, and urinalysis. Follow-up was performed-days later. Based on severity of disease and clinical course, dogs were categorized to "uncomplicated vomiting" (UN), or "complicated vomiting" (COM). The utility of each test for diagnosing the cause of vomiting was evaluated. Spearman correlation coe cient, Chi-squared-, unpaired t-, and Mann-Whitney U-test were used. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤. . Results: Out of the dogs, had uncomplicated courses of disease (UN). In / cases, a diagnosis was obtained, and in / cases, the cause for vomiting remained unknown. Longer duration of clinical signs, and reduced appetite were associated with higher utility of abdominal ultrasound. A poor mentation was associated with a higher utility of blood examinations and abdominal radiographs. Dogs presenting with an impaired mentation or with additional clinical signs other than diarrhea, were more likely to be in the COM group. Discussion: Based on this investigation, general recommendations concerning the diagnostic approach for patients with vomiting could not be provided. For dogs who have exclusively vomiting as a clinical sign, and present in good mentation, further investigations might not be beneficial, and these dogs may recover with symptomatic treatment alone. Additional diagnostics could be indicated in dogs with additional clinical signs other than diarrhea.
BackgroundCulture‐based assessment of the fecal microbiome using fecal culture profiles frequentl... more BackgroundCulture‐based assessment of the fecal microbiome using fecal culture profiles frequently is performed in dogs with chronic diarrhea, but the diagnostic value of this approach has not been determined.ObjectivesTo compare the reported results of fecal culture profiles and the polymerase chain reaction‐based dysbiosis index (DI) between dogs with chronic diarrhea and healthy dogs; to assess interlaboratory variability in bacterial and fungal cultures among 3 veterinary diagnostic laboratories (diagnostic laboratory 1 [L1], diagnostic laboratory 2 [L2], diagnostic laboratory 3 [L3]); and to compare the reported interpretation of culture profiles (normobiosis versus dysbiosis) with those of the DI.AnimalsEighteen dogs with chronic diarrhea (CDG) and 18 healthy control dogs (HG).MethodsIn this prospective, case‐control study, fecal samples were submitted to 3 commercial laboratories for fecal culture. The microbiota was assessed using PCR assays. Dogs receiving antimicrobials we...
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2020
The role of type A Clostridium perfringens in canine acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and foal... more The role of type A Clostridium perfringens in canine acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and foal necrotizing enteritis is poorly characterized. However, a highly significant association between the presence of novel toxigenic C. perfringens and these specific enteric diseases has been described. These novel toxigenic strains produce 3 novel putative toxins, which have been designated NetE, NetF, and NetG. Although not conclusively demonstrated, current evidence suggests that NetF is likely the major virulence factor in strains responsible for canine acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and foal necrotizing enteritis. NetF is a beta–pore-forming toxin that belongs to the same toxin superfamily as CPB and NetB toxins produced by C. perfringens. The netF gene is encoded on a conjugative plasmid that, in the case of netF, also carries another putative toxin gene, netE. In addition, these strains consistently also carry a cpe tcp-conjugative plasmid, and a proportion also carry a separat...
The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between young cats (< 6 months) and adult ca... more The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between young cats (< 6 months) and adult cats (≥ 6 months) with feline panleukopenia with respect to clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities, environmental conditions, vaccination status, and outcome. Medical records of 244 cats diagnosed with panleukopenia between 1990 and 2007 at the Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany, were evaluated retrospectively. Cats that tested positive for feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) via electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (blood, faeces), antigen ELISA (faeces), or that had histopathological lesions consistent with panleukopenia at necropsy were included. Cats were excluded if they had been vaccinated against FPV within 3 weeks before admission. In total 43.3% of cats were older than 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two age groups regarding outcome, breed, sex, environmental conditions, vaccination sta...
The therapeutic possibilities in veterinary cardiology have developed rapidly in the past few yea... more The therapeutic possibilities in veterinary cardiology have developed rapidly in the past few years. Whereas until recently cardiac intervention in dogs could only be performed by thoracotomy, new minimally invasive techniques are adopted. Procedures like balloondilatation of pulmonic stenosis, coil embolisation of patent ductus arteriosus, pacemaker implantation in symptomatic bradyarrhyhtmia, and palliative balloon pericardiotomy are becoming more and more established. These alternative interventional methods are attractive, because no postsurgical pain and no complications potentially associated with thoracotomy ensue. The knowledge of such new treatment modalities and particularly the indications for an intervention are prerequisites to apply them optimally and broadly.
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