A thromboelastogram viscoelastic monitor (the TEG 6s) has recently become available for use in veterinary patients. It is therefore necessary to establish reference intervals for the new device in each species where it is employed. This study aimed to establish accurate and acceptable reference intervals for the TEG 6s in dogs. The goal of this study was to establish dog reference intervals (RIs) for the TEG 6s by sampling healthy adult dogs from a variety of breeds. One hundred and thirty dogs (130) aged 1-9 years old were enrolled in this study. Inclusion criteria included healthy adult dogs with no previously reported coagulopathies, no medications that are known to alter coagulation, and normal CBC, biochemistry, and physical exam. TEG 6s measurements were performed using a Haemonetics Global Hemostasis cartridge and citrated blood sample. One hundred and twenty-three (123) dogs were included in the TEG 6s RIs. The determined RIs for the citrated kaolin activated were reaction time (R) 2.1-5.6 min, kinetic time (K) 1.1-2.5 min, alpha angle 64.6°-74.9°, and maximum amplitude 47.3-62.0 mm. The determined RIs for citrated Rapid TEG (CRT) maximum amplitude and reaction for the kaolin-heparinase activated were 40.0-59.3 mm and 2.1-5.6 min, respectively. RIs were established in a large group of normal dogs, which can assist small animal veterinarians with the interpretation of a newer viscoelastic testing method.

A 3-year-old female-intact German Shepherd presented for the evaluation of progressive shifting leg lameness, carpal swelling, and weight loss with a poor appetite since adoption about three months prior. Routine blood smear evaluation, lymph node, and synovial fluid cytologies all revealed rare neutrophils with cytoplasmic inclusions consistent with "Lupus Erythematosus (LE) cells" and "ragocytes". The combination of clinical signs, cytologic findings, and high antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer in the absence of identifiable triggers were consistent with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Dirofilariosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, is associated with cardiovascular damage and systemic inflammation in dogs. This study aimed to present preliminary data on the evaluation of serum haptoglobin (Hp) concentration as a potential biomarker of inflammation in dogs naturally infected with D. immitis, with and without microfilaremia. Thirty dogs were categorized into three groups: microfilaremic seropositives (G1, n = 10), amicrofilaremic seropositives (G2, n = 10), and negative controls (CG, n = 10). Serum Hp concentrations were measured using a colorimetric assay and analyzed via one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-test. Median Hp levels were 10.0 mg/dL (G1), 9.1 mg/dL (G2), and 13.7 mg/dL (CG), with no significant differences among groups. Additionally, no significant correlation was found between microfilarial burden and Hp levels (p = 0.651). Despite D. immitis infection, Hp concentration did not provide evidence of an inflammatory response in G1 and G2. While previous studies reported decreased Hp in microfilaremic dogs, our findings did not confirm this trend. The seropositive dogs in this study did not show clinical signs, indicating they had relatively mild infections, which may at least in part explain these results. The small sample size and lack of other acute-phase protein assessments restrict the generalizability of our findings and, thus, this study provides limited information about acute phase response dynamics. Nevertheless, these preliminary results highlight the complexity of Hp behavior in D. immitis infection and emphasize the need for further research.

The periparturient period in dairy cows is marked by negative energy balance (NEB), resulting in metabolic stress and an increased risk of postpartum diseases. Accurate assessment of NEB through blood β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) levels is essential for effective herd management. Point-of-care (POC) devices, such as the CentriVet blood ketone monitoring system, offer a practical alternative to laboratory methods for measuring β-OHB. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and analytical performance of the CentriVet blood ketone monitoring system compared to a laboratory reference method for measuring blood β-OHB concentration in postpartum dairy cattle. A total of 105 postpartum dairy cows from two farms were included. Blood samples were analyzed for β-OHB using both CentriVet and a reference enzymatic method. Passing-Bablok regression, Bland-Altman plots, and kappa statistics were used to assess agreement. Diagnostic accuracy metrics (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy) were calculated at a cut-off value of ≥ 1.2 mmol/L. An optimized cut-off value was determined via ROC curve analysis. CentriVet demonstrated a moderate correlation with the reference method (Spearman's r = 0.701, p < 0.001). Passing-Bablok regression revealed proportional bias, and Bland-Altman analysis indicated a mean bias of -0.4 mmol/L. Diagnostic metrics at ≥ 1.2 mmol/L showed 100% sensitivity, 68.09% specificity, and 71.4% accuracy. ROC analysis yielded an optimized cut-off of > 1.5 mmol/L, improving specificity (95.7%) but reducing sensitivity (81.8%). While CentriVet offers practical benefits, its diagnostic performance is limited for accurately identifying hyperketonemia in postpartum dairy cattle.

ABSTRACTBackgroundAn 8.8‐year‐old male neutered Persian cat was presented with a history of recent intermittent mild lethargy, hyporexia, and weight loss. Physical examination revealed pale mucous membranes, an enlarged right mandibular lymph node, and organomegaly suspected to be an enlarged spleen. A CBC showed an extreme leukocytosis composed almost exclusively of small lymphocytes and a moderate, microcytic, slightly regenerative anemia.ObjectivesWe aimed to diagnose the cause of the extreme leukocytosis, to classify the circulating leukocytes, and to determine the response to therapy.MethodsBlood film review, biochemical and iron analysis, abdominal ultrasound, flow cytometric evaluation of leukocytes, serum and urine protein electrophoresis, and polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) were performed.ResultsLeukocytes were mostly small lymphocytes with scant pale basophilic cytoplasm, and round or convoluted nuclei with coarse to finely clumped chromatin. There was hyperglobulinemia and iron deficiency. Imaging showed splenomegaly and multiple enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. On flow cytometry, the lymphocytes were positive for CD18, CD21, and MHC II, consistent with B‐cell lymphocytic leukemia. The cat had mild hyperglobulinemia and 2+ proteinuria, and serum electrophoresis results were interpreted as a polyclonal gammopathy. PARR showed clonal rearrangement of IGH2 and IGH3 loci. Treatment with oral prednisolone and chlorambucil resulted in resolution of the clinical signs and reduction in the leukocytosis.ConclusionsB‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL) was diagnosed, which in cats is much less frequent than T‐CLL. There was a favorable response to alkylating therapy, and the cat survived for 19 months.

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn humans, deficiency of a disintegrin‐like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motifs, number 13 (ADAMTS13), a von Willebrand factor (vWF) cleaving protease, is an underlying mechanism for thrombosis. The role of ADAMTS13 in canine thromboembolic disease is largely unknown.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to evaluate plasma ADAMTS13 activity in healthy adult dogs using a commercially available human ADAMTS13 activity ELISA kit and to establish its reference interval (RI).MethodsForty healthy adult dogs were prospectively enrolled. Normal health status was confirmed using physical examination findings, history, and the results of hemogram, biochemical profile, screen test for vector‐borne diseases, and urinalysis. Plasma ADAMTS13 activity was assessed using the Diapharma RUO Technozym ADAMTS13 Activity ELISA. The assay's precision, accuracy, and detection limits were also evaluated.ResultsThe canine reference population was comprised of 21 spayed females, 14 castrated males, 3 intact females, and 2 intact males. The median plasma ADAMTS13 activity in healthy dogs was 0.76 IU/mL (range 0.45–1.04). The RI lower limit was 0.45 IU/mL (90% confidence interval 0.45–0.47). The upper limit, although calculated (1.04 IU/mL, 90% CI 1.04–1.04), likely does not reflect the true RI upper limit but a technical limitation of the assay; therefore, rendering an RI of > 0.45 IU/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐assay precision and accuracy range were 9.6%, 11.5%, −8.8% to 3.4%, respectively.ConclusionsThe commercially available human ADAMTS13 activity ELISA kit was suitable to analyze canine samples, and the RI for adult dogs was established.

Lymph node (LN) aspirates are often obtained to distinguish large-cell lymphoma (LCL) from non-lymphoma (NL) in dogs with enlarged lymph nodes. Images from cytology slides tested the effects of magnification, image type, and number on a convolutional neural network (CNN) differentiating canine LCL from NL. Three hundred images of LCL and NL were used to train a CNN and interrogate the effects of image magnification, type, and number on the model's performance. Identified cases were imaged at 200×, 500×, and 1000× magnification in color and gray-scale and then used to train and identify optimal magnification and image type. The impact of the image number per cohort (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300) on the top model's performance was then assessed. The highest performance with color images was achieved at 1000× magnification, with an accuracy of 95.8%, a Receiving Operating Characteristic (ROC) area of 0.997, and an F-measure of 0.958. Similarly, the best results with gray images, also at 1000× magnification, showed an accuracy of 96.67%, a ROC area of 0.994, and an F-measure of 0.967. Performance improvements were most significant and plateaued as the number of images per class approached 150, with an accuracy of 95%, ROC area of 0.939, and F-measure of 0.95. The analysis across models suggests that color versus greyscale did not significantly impact overall performance to distinguish LCL or NL. Optimal magnification was 1000×. A minimum of 150 images per class is recommended for pilot CNN studies in this 2-class problem.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.