BackgroundDesert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations have continued to decline due to infectious and other diseases, predation, and habitat alteration. The potential contribution of minerals and heavy metals to tortoise health and susceptibility to disease remains uncertain.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the results of elemental analysis on trace minerals, macrominerals, and heavy metals in scute keratin, kidney, and liver from ill and dying desert tortoises salvaged for necropsy between 1993 and 2000.MethodsSalvaged tortoises were categorized by size (adult, juvenile), geographic location, and primary disease based on necropsy findings. A subset of tortoises that were injured or killed by vehicular trauma or predation but with no notable pathologic abnormalities was used for comparison with diseased tortoises. The panel of elements was analyzed in scute keratin, kidney, and liver samples by inductively-coupled plasma spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry.ResultsNecropsies were done on 46 tortoises, including 9 juveniles, salvaged from 5 regions in the Colorado and Mojave Deserts of California. Primary diseases were cutaneous dyskeratosis (n = 9), infection/inflammation (n = 8), malnutrition (n = 7), mycoplasmosis (n = 5), and urolithiasis (n = 3); 14 tortoises died of trauma. Concentrations of elements differed by tissue, size, desert region, and disease status (p < 0.05). Tortoises with cutaneous dyskeratosis had higher Se concentrations, primarily in keratin and liver, than tortoises with other diseases (p < 0.001). Juveniles were more likely than adults to have high Pb, Sn, and Zn levels (p < 0.05). All tortoises had detectable levels of more than one potentially toxic heavy metal, including As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn, and V.ConclusionPotentially toxic elements are frequently found in tissues from tortoises in desert regions of California, with higher concentrations in diseased tortoises. Metal exposure from soils, mining, historic and ongoing military activities, and other human activities could increase susceptibility to disease in desert tortoises.

Background:Domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) are a food, fiber and companion animal. Abnormal erythrocyte shapes (poikilocytes) are considered normal in young goats, but their association with disease is not well described. Likewise, there is little information on the significance of poikilocytosis in adult goats. Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, severity and type of poikilocytosis in young and adult goats and its association with age, sex, breed, laboratory results, and underlying disease. Methods:We retrospectively examined clinical and laboratory data from 1254 goats presented at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from 1997 to 2019. We analyzed 313 blood smears from goats with moderate or marked (MOD-MKD) poikilocytosis on initial blood smear evaluation. Number and type of poikilocytes per 1000 red blood cells (RBCs) were enumerated. Laboratory values and primary disease categories were compared with the severity and type of poikilocytosis. Results:Kids (<6 mos) and juveniles (>6 mos to <1 year) had a higher prevalence of MOD-MKD poikilocytosis (95/210, 45.2% kids; 27/59, 45.8% juveniles) than adult goats (≥1 year; 190/982, 19.3%) (p < 0.001). Kids had a higher percentage of elliptocytes, dacryocytes, and schistocytes and a lower percentage of polygonal and spiculated RBCs than juvenile and adult goats (p < 0.001). Of goats with MOD-MKD (vs NONE-SLIGHT) poikilocytosis, kids had lower HGB and MCH, and higher RDW (p ≤ 0.02); juveniles and adult goats had lower HCT, MCV, MCH, and albumin concentration (p ≤ 0.01), and all age groups had lower total CO2 concentration and higher PLT counts (p < 0.03). Adult goats with MOD-MKD poikilocytosis also had higher BUN:Cr ratios (p = 0.005). Gastrointestinal parasitism, Johne's disease, diarrhea/enteritis, lice, hepatic disease and renal disease (but not urolithiasis) were significantly associated with MOD-MKD poikilocytosis (p < 0.001). Goats with hepatic and renal disease had a higher prevalence and percentage of spiculated cells (p = 0.001). Goats with Johne's disease had a higher prevalence of polygonal cells (93.3%) and dacryocytes (66.7%) than other diseases, and elliptocytes predominated in a higher proportion (36.0%) of adult goats with GI parasitism vs other diseases (p < 0.05). Conclusion:These findings suggest that iron deficiency is an important pathophysiologic mechanism of poikilocytosis in juvenile and adult goats, and possibly in kids, whether due to iron-restricted erythropoiesis, chronic hemorrhage, functional iron deficiency, or a combination of these mechanisms. Further investigation into the detection and monitoring of iron deficiency and the value of poikilocytosis as a diagnostic marker of iron status in goats is warranted.

Background Retractions are a key proxy for recognizing errors in research and publication and for reconciling misconduct in the scientific literature. The underlying factors associated with retractions can provide insight and guide policy for journal editors and authors within a discipline. The goal of this study was to systematically review and analyze retracted articles in veterinary medicine and animal health. A database search for retractions of articles with a veterinary/animal health topic, in a veterinary journal, or by veterinary institution-affiliated authors was conducted from first available records through February 2019 in MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Retraction Watch, and Google Scholar. Annual frequency of retractions, journal and article characteristics, author affiliation and country, reasons for retraction, and retraction outcomes were recorded. Results Two-hundred-forty-two articles retracted between 1993 and 2019 were included in the study. Over this period, the estimated rate of retraction increased from 0.03/1000 to 1.07/1000 veterinary articles. Median time from publication to retraction was 478 days (range 0-3653 days). Retracted articles were published in 30 (12.3%) veterinary journals and 132 (81.5%) nonveterinary journals. Veterinary journals had disproportionately more retractions than nonveterinary journals ( P = .0155). Authors/groups with ≥2 retractions accounted for 37.2% of retractions. Authors from Iran and China published 19.4 and 18.2% of retracted articles respectively. Authors were affiliated with a faculty of veterinary medicine in 59.1% of retracted articles. Of 242 retractions, 204 (84.3%) were research articles, of which 6.4% were veterinary clinical research. Publication misconduct (plagiarism, duplicate publication, compromised peer review) accounted for 75.6% of retractions, compared with errors (20.6%) and research misconduct (18.2%). Journals published by societies/institutions were less likely than those from commercial publishers to indicate a reason for retraction. Thirty-one percent of HTML articles and 14% of PDFs were available online but not marked as retracted. Conclusions The rate of retraction in the field of veterinary and animal health has increased by ~ 10-fold per 1000 articles since 1993, resulting primarily from increased publication misconduct, often by repeat offenders. Veterinary journals and society/institutional journals could benefit from improvement in the quality of retraction notices.

OBJECTIVES:To assess the impact of aspiration on cytologic quality of fine-needle specimens obtained from lymph nodes of dogs and to compare the level of agreement of the cytologic diagnosis between the two sampling techniques.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Fifty-three client-owned dogs were prospectively enrolled. Client-owned dogs were prospectively enrolled in the study if cytologic examination of lymph nodes was indicated in the course of their clinical diagnostic work-up. In each dog, two superficial, palpably accessible lymph nodes were sampled: one by fine-needle aspiration and the other by fine-needle non-aspiration, using a 21-Gauge needle with or without a 5-mL syringe. Cytologic quality was assessed in duplicate smears assessed by two observers who rated cellularity, blood contamination, thickness, cell preservation and cytoplasmic fragmentation using a predefined scoring system.RESULTS:Fifty-three client-owned dogs were included in the study. No significant difference was found in rating scores between the two sampling techniques for any of the cytologic quality parameters assessed. Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.84 (95% confidence interval 0.68-1.00), indicating diagnostic agreement between the sampling techniques.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:In this study, both fine-needle aspiration and fine-needle non-aspiration techniques yielded lymph node specimens of comparable cytologic quality and with acceptable agreement in cytologic diagnosis.

A 9-y-old, spayed female rabbit was presented for evaluation of hypoglycemia and lateral recumbency. The patient was hypothermic and had diffuse muscle wasting; weight loss since a previous visit was also noted. Hematologic abnormalities included progressive nonregenerative anemia and severe heteropenia. Evaluation of a bone marrow aspirate sample revealed active hematopoiesis with abundant pink matrix. The matrix material stained positively with periodic acid-Schiff and alcian blue, and a diagnosis of gelatinous transformation of the bone marrow (GTBM, serous atrophy of fat) was made. Although its precise prevalence remains to be determined, GTBM should be suspected in rabbits with persistent cytopenias following prolonged starvation or gastrointestinal disease.

Teaching approaches to veterinary clinical pathology in the final (clinical) year of veterinary school are often different than those for other specialties. Anecdotally, many schools teach these rotations separately from the routine diagnostic service, but minimal published data are available on this topic or on approaches to teaching and assessment in these rotations. An online survey of 69 veterinary institutions around the world was conducted in 2019. A total of 30 completed surveys were received from 10 countries; 22 completed responses were from North American institutions (73.3%). Survey question categories included information on basic rotations, including microscopy format, personnel involved in instruction, and assessment methods; information on advanced rotations; and challenges and successes with clinical pathology instruction. Data were analyzed and, when appropriate, compared with results from a similar survey conducted in 1997. Formats and content varied greatly among institutions. Several shifts in teaching strategies and rotation format over time were found since the 1997 survey, including increased use of projection microscopy and decreased use of multiheaded microscopy in 2019. More teaching by medical technologists and residents, less teaching by faculty, and a significant increase in the number of students per rotation were seen in 2019 compared with 1997. Several free-text comments referred to challenges related to increasing class size. These data and the comparison with the prior survey highlight common challenges and potential solutions to final-year clinical pathology instruction. Creation of specific, measurable objectives for clinical pathology competence may aid future development and refinement of clinical pathology teaching.

Dear Editors, Thank you for the opportunity to address Dr Giger's and Dr Christopher's letter. We appreciate the excellent literature review provided by Drs Giger and Christopher regarding polycythemia vera (PV), although our case involved a cat diagnosed with primary erythrocytosis (PE), a similar but distinctly different disease that does not share the same features. Their review of the literature reiterated several points discussed in our manuscript, including the difficulty in definitively diagnosing PV or PE in animals. However, Drs Giger and Christopher's critique makes several false claims that clinicopathologic data (eg, total protein, urinalysis) were not reported and that the animal was potentially misdiagnosed with PE after only one phlebotomy. These data are described as unremarkable (ie, normal) or explicitly provided in the manuscript and we reported that three phlebotomies were performed on the animal before a diagnosis of PE was made. It concerns us that the manuscript was not read carefully and that the supplemental information may have been overlooked. Drs Giger and Christopher argue that not all primary causes of erythrocytosis were completely excluded in this case and that the resolution was likely spontaneous and independent of treatment. Specifically, they suggest that the renal changes observed on ultrasound (small cysts) could have been responsible for secondary erythrocytosis. While we cannot completely exclude this possibility, we find it irrelevant because transient causes were excluded, making onion powder treatment the most likely cause of resolution of the persistent erythrocytosis in this cat. This is supported by the fact the cat's hematocrit (HCT) increased when the onion powder treatment was withdrawn, and decreased again when treatment was reinstated. Moreover, Drs Giger and Christopher remind us that “the reticulocyte count of the cat was never increased, indicating normal rather than increased erythroid production.” Interestingly, reticulocytosis was not a consistent feature found in a case series of PE in cats and as such the importance of this feature is debatable. Drs Giger and Christopher suggest that an HCT of >48% is to be considered abnormal “in any cat” and take issue with the use of >65% HCT as a cutoff in our report. When carefully read, it is plainly stated that we have used the cutoff of >65% HCT in the context of diagnosing PE in accordance with the veterinary oncology literature. Moreover, at the institution where this case was seen, the reference interval (RI) is 30% to 50% for HCT in cats, which also makes this claim futile, especially considering that RI represent 95% of a population and normal animals may fall outside these parameters. Additionally, Drs Giger and Christopher discuss at length the low count of Heinz bodies present in this cat's bloodwork. We agree that this was an unexpected finding, and address it in our discussion, including alternative ways onions may interfere with erythropoiesis. We also expected high numbers of Heinz bodies considering that onion powder consisted of approximately 1.2% of the cat's diet. However, claiming with certainty that 1.2% of onion powder would cause “approximately 15% Heinz bodies within 2 weeks” is an overreach in our opinion, as this calculation is based on one small study in a small number of healthy purpose-bred specific pathogen-free cats. It is highly unlikely that the full range of biological responses would be represented by this small cohort of cats with uniform genetic and environmental backgrounds. We agree with Drs Giger and Christopher that “regular phlebotomies with sedation ... every two weeks to two months” can be used to treat PE. However, this treatment modality has limitations that must be considered, including the substantial cost to the owner, which we emphasized was the motivation for alternative treatment in our case. For owners who cannot afford frequent phlebotomy, onion powder treatment might be a reasonable alternative to euthanasia. Additionally, Drs Giger and Christopher suggest that “blaming leeches for causing seizures, as stated in [our] case report, is far-fetched.” This is a gross misrepresentation of what is written in our manuscript, and when closely read, it is clear that we discussed and cited what was reported by others as a possible reaction to this therapy. Regardless, Drs Giger and Christopher's claim that phlebotomy is a “desirable” treatment and implication that it is somehow better or safer compared to onion powder, chemotherapeutics like hydroxyurea, leeches, or any other treatment, is not substantiated by evidence and is completely anecdotal. Lastly, Drs Giger and Christopher conclude that “while onions are an integral part of human diets, they can be toxic to companion animals and livestock and are not a treatment.” Yes, we agree that onion powder can be toxic. However, any drug Received: 13 October 2021 Accepted: 13 October 2021

BACKGROUND There is disagreement in the literature about the proportion of neutrophils expected in canine transudates. A cutoff of <30% neutrophils has been recommended for distinguishing transudates from exudates, but its validity has not been established. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate differential cell counts in canine effusions and analyze the percentage and number of neutrophils in transudates and exudates. METHODS Effusion data were obtained retrospectively from 263 dogs with pleural or peritoneal effusion. Low-protein transudates, high-protein transudates, and exudates were classified using the total protein (TP) concentration and total nucleated cell count (TNCC). Differential percentages and absolute neutrophil counts were compared by the effusion type and underlying etiology. RESULTS Low-protein transudates (n = 63), high-protein transudates (n = 84), and exudates (n = 77) had a median (range) of 35% (0%-100%), 59% (0%-100%), and 90% (50%-98%) neutrophils (P < .0001). All effusions with <50% neutrophils were transudates, but 53% of transudates had ≥50% neutrophils, and 69% had ≥30%. Median neutrophil counts were 62/µL (0-892/µL), 538/µL (0-4550/µL), and 45 590/µL (5400-496 800/µL) in low-protein transudates, high-protein transudates, and exudates, respectively (P < .0001). Neutrophil counts correlated with TNCC (r2  = 0.99), such that using neutrophil cutoffs did not affect effusion classifications in most cases. Neutrophil percentages and counts were higher in effusions from dogs with uroabdomen and sepsis (P < .01); neutrophil counts were lower in dogs with hepatic insufficiency (P < .0001). Uroabdomen usually caused low-protein, high-neutrophil exudates. CONCLUSIONS Although effusions with <50% neutrophils are transudates, most transudates and exudates have ≥50% neutrophils, limiting the diagnostic usefulness of % neutrophils for classifying effusions. Absolute neutrophil cutoffs did not notably improve effusion classification but could warrant future studies.

Babesiosis caused by the virulent tick-borne hemoprotozoan, Babesia rossi, results in a marked systemic inflammatory host response in dogs. Neutrophils form part of the innate immune response and contains myeloperoxidase (MPO) as the predominant component of the neutrophil lysosomal protein in azurophilic granules. The neutrophil myeloperoxidase index (MPXI), determined on the ADVIA hematology analyzer, is a quantitative estimate of intracellular MPO content. Objectives of this study were to: (a) compare MPXI in dogs with babesiosis with healthy control dogs; (b) compare MPXI in dogs that died from babesiosis with dogs that survived and controls; and (c) correlate the MPXI with the previously determined segmented and band neutrophil count and cytokine concentrations in dogs with babesiosis. Data for 140 dogs naturally infected with B. rossi and 20 healthy control dogs were retrospectively evaluated. Neutrophil counts and MPXI were determined on an ADVIA 2120 analyzer. Cytokine concentrations [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1)] were determined using a canine-specific multiplex immunoassay. The mortality rate of the Babesia-infected dogs was 11% (15/140). MPXI was significantly higher in Babesia-infected dogs (P = 0.033), and in Babesia-infected non-survivors (P = 0.011), compared with healthy control dogs. In Babesia-infected dogs a significant positive correlation was found between MPXI and IL-10 (r = 0.211, P = 0.039) and a significant negative correlation was found between MPXI and IL-8 (r = -0.350, P < 0.001). In Babesia-infected non-survivors, significant positive correlations were found between MPXI and IL-2 (r = 0.616, P = 0.033), IL-6 (r = 0.615, P = 0.033), IL-18 (r = 0.613, P = 0.034), GM-CSF (r = 0.630, P = 0.028), and MCP-1 (r = 0.713, P = 0.009). In Babesia-infected survivors, a significant negative correlation was found between MPXI and IL-8 (r = -0.363, P = 0.001). MPXI was correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines in Babesia-infected dogs that died. The potential of MPXI as a novel marker of inflammation and prognosis in dogs infected with B. rossi, thus warrants further investigation.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow aspirate assessments provide valuable information about hematopoietic status and hematologic disease. Hematopoietic cell differentials and morphologies have been anecdotally described in psittacines, but quantitative studies are lacking.OBJECTIVES:We aimed to determine differential cell counts and calculate granulocyte:erythroid (G:E) ratios in bone marrow aspirates from Hispaniolan Amazon parrots and report representative morphologies of the hematopoietic cells.METHODS:Bone marrow aspirates were collected from 32 clinically healthy, captive, parrots. Peripheral blood was obtained for CBCs. Bone marrow differential cell counts (%) were determined by counting 500 cells on modified Wright's-stained smears. G:E ratios were calculated. Representative images of hematopoietic cells at all stages of development were taken.RESULTS:Of the 32 parrots sampled, 17 bone marrow samples were of sufficient cellularity and quality for evaluation. Erythroid cells comprised 68.9 ± 8.6% (total ± SD) of the hematopoietic cells and consisted primarily of early- and late-stage polychromatophilic rubricytes (43.6 ± 2.1% of total erythroid cells). Granulocytic cells comprised 28.1 ± 3.8% of the hematopoietic cells and consisted primarily of mature and band heterophils (11.9 ± 5.2% and 6.5 ± 3.4%, respectively, of total granulocytic cells). A unique morphologic finding in avian progranulocytes was the presence of multiple different granules. The G:E ratio was 0.4 ± 0.2 (median 0.4, range 0.1-0.9). Thrombocyte lineage cells could not be reliably identified and were not counted. CBC results were largely within expected limits.CONCLUSIONS:The low G:E ratios observed could be normal in this species; however, these ratios could be affected by factors related to sampling and cell identification. These findings will be a valuable resource for the diagnostic evaluation of clinical bone marrow samples from Hispaniolan Amazon parrots and could serve as a general reference for psittacine bone marrow evaluation.

Abstract Background Babesia canis infection induces a marked acute phase response (APR) that might be associated with alteration in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and disease prognosis. Hypothesis Dogs with B. canis‐induced APR develop dyslipidemia with altered lipoprotein concentration and morphology. Animals Twenty‐nine client‐owned dogs with acute B. canis infection and 10 clinically healthy control dogs. Methods Observational cross‐sectional study. Serum amyloid A (SAA) was measured using ELISA. Cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides were determined biochemically. Lipoproteins were separated using agarose gel electrophoresis. Lipoprotein diameter was assessed by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis; correlation with ApoA‐1 (radioimmunoassay) and SAA was determined. Results Dogs with B. canis infection had a marked APR (median SAA, 168.3 μg/mL; range, 98.1‐716.2 μg/mL) compared with controls (3.2 μg/mL, 2.0‐4.2 μg/mL) (P < .001). Dogs with B. canis infection had significantly lower median cholesterol (4.79 mmol/L, 1.89‐7.64 mmol/L versus 6.15 mmol/L, 4.2‐7.4 mmol/L) (P = .02), phospholipid (4.64 mmol/L, 2.6‐6.6 mmol/L versus 5.72 mmol/L, 4.68‐7.0 mmol/L) (P = .02), and α‐lipoproteins (77.5%, 27.7%‐93.5% versus 89.2%, 75.1%‐93.5%) (P = .04), and higher ApoA‐1 (1.36 U, 0.8‐2.56 U versus 0.95 U, 0.73‐1.54 U) concentrations (P = .02). Serum amyloid A correlated with high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) diameter (rho = .43; P = .03) and ApoA‐1 (rho = .63, P < .001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Major changes associated with B. canis‐induced APR in dogs are related to concentration, composition, and morphology of HDL particles pointing to an altered reverse cholesterol transport. Parallel ApoA‐1 and SAA concentration increase is a unique still unexplained pathophysiological finding.

Background: Descriptive probability modifiers are used often to convey the uncertainty of a pathology diagnosis, but they also contribute to ambiguity in communication between pathologists and clinicians. Objectives: Our goal was to determine the frequency and use of probability modifiers in canine and feline lymph node cytology diagnoses, and to determine the actual likelihood of neoplasia for diagnoses with and without modifiers, based on the histologic outcome. Methods: Canine and feline lymph node cytology and histology reports over an 11-year period (2001-2011; n = 367) were evaluated retrospectively. Diagnoses were categorized as neoplastic/malignant (lymphoma, metastatic) or non-neoplastic/benign. The frequency and type of modifier, and the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for neoplasia were determined for modified and unmodified diagnoses using histology as the gold standard. Results: Ninety-one of 367 (24.8%) cytology diagnoses were modified by probability terms, including 25/204 (12.2%) diagnoses of non-neoplastic lesions and 66/163 (40.5%) diagnoses of neoplasia. In addition, 26 unmodified diagnoses of neoplasia were followed by a probability phrase indicating specific tumor type. Based on the histologic outcome, modified diagnoses had higher sensitivity (87.3%, confidence interval [CI] 75.5, 94.7%) but lower specificity (50.0%, CI 32.9, 67.1%) for neoplasia than did unmodified diagnoses (60.6 and 100%, respectively; P < 0.0001, Chi square). Modified phrases indicating the probability of a specific tumor type were accurate in 22/26 (84.6%) cases. Positive predictive values for neoplasia were 100% (CI 96.2, 100%) for unmodified and 72.7% (CI 60.4, 83.0%) for modified diagnoses. Negative predictive values were 65.9% (CI 58.5, 72.8%) for unmodified and 72.0% (CI 60.4, 83.0%) for modified diagnoses. No significant difference was found in the likelihood of neoplasia for individual terms used to modify a cytologic diagnosis except for "cannot rule out" (P = 0.0368). Conclusions: Most modified diagnoses of cancer in canine and feline lymph node cytology have a 60-83% likelihood of neoplasia based on histologic outcome, compared with 96-100% for unmodified diagnoses. Non-neoplastic lesions, regardless of modifiers, have a 12-49% likelihood of neoplasia. A limited number of risk categories based on these likelihoods may be a more effective and accurate way to communicate the risk of malignancy in lymph node cytology.

Case summary A 6-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented with non-regenerative macrocytic anemia of 2 years’ duration and minimally ambulatory paraparesis. Neurologic examination suggested an upper motor neuron paresis or T3–L3 myelopathy. The cat was positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), neutropenic, had polyclonal gammopathy and was euthanized following a hemolytic crisis. At autopsy, multifocal bilateral dark red masses were observed subpleurally around the costochondral junctions, extradurally and paraspinally in the spinal canal, and paravertebrally, on the lateral and ventral subpleural surfaces of the T4–11 vertebrae. Histologic examination of the masses revealed extramedullary hematopoietic tissue composed primarily of erythroid precursors and megakaryocytes, with occasional myeloid precursors and blood-filled sinuses. Bone marrow findings supported ineffective granulopoiesis, and decreased erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis, with probable myelodysplasia as the underlying cause of the hematologic abnormalities. Relevance and novel information Thoracic, paraspinal and paravertebral extramedullary hematopoietis presenting as masses has not been described previously in cats with chronic anemia. This is a unique case of a thoracic–spinal–epidural extramedullary hematopoietic masses resulting in possible spinal cord compression and paraparesis in a cat.

BACKGROUND:Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a major acute phase protein in horses. A new point-of-care (POC) test for SAA (Stablelab) is available, but studies evaluating its analytical accuracy are lacking.OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the analytical performance of the SAA POC test by 1) determining linearity and precision, 2) comparing results in whole blood with those in serum or plasma, and 3) comparing POC results with those obtained using a previously validated turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA).STUDY DESIGN:Assay validation.METHODS:Analytical validation of the POC test was done in accordance with American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines using residual equine serum/plasma and whole blood samples from the Clinical Pathology Laboratory at the University of California-Davis. A TIA was used as the reference method. We also evaluated the effect of haematocrit (HCT).RESULTS:The POC test was linear for SAA concentrations of up to at least 1000 μg/mL (r = 0.991). Intra-assay CVs were 13, 18 and 15% at high (782 μg/mL), intermediate (116 μg/mL) and low (64 μg/mL) concentrations. Inter-assay (inter-batch) CVs were 45, 14 and 15% at high (1372 μg/mL), intermediate (140 μg/mL) and low (56 μg/mL) concentrations. SAA results in whole blood were significantly lower than those in serum/plasma (P = 0.0002), but were positively correlated (r = 0.908) and not affected by HCT (P = 0.261); proportional negative bias was observed in samples with SAA>500 μg/mL. The difference between methods exceeded the 95% confidence interval of the combined imprecision of both methods (15%).MAIN LIMITATIONS:Analytical validation could not be performed in whole blood, the sample most likely to be used stall side.CONCLUSION:The POC test has acceptable accuracy and precision in equine serum/plasma with SAA concentrations of up to at least 1000 μg/mL. Low inter-batch precision at high concentrations may affect serial measurements, and the use of the same test batch and sample type (serum/plasma or whole blood) is recommended. Comparison of results between the POC test and the TIA is not recommended.

BackgroundInflammation has important effects on lipid metabolism, but the relationship between hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and disease remains unknown in rabbits. While rabbits are sensitive to dietary hypercholesterolemia, the etiology of hyperlipidemia when fed non‐atherogenic diets is uncertain.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the association between hypercholesterolemia and patient characteristics, diseases, and select CBC and biochemistry analytes in rabbits, and to measure plasma lipoprotein lipid fractions in rabbits with inflammatory and other diseases.MethodsComplete blood count and plasma biochemistry data, including total cholesterol concentrations, were evaluated in 531 companion rabbits. Lipoprotein cholesterol fractions (non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol [non‐HDLc] and high‐density lipoprotein [HDLc]) and triglycerides were measured using a colorimetric enzymatic assay in archived plasma from a subset of 267 rabbits. Rabbits were categorized by age, sex, spay/neuter status, breed, diet status (fed atherogenic dietary components or not), the organ system affected by disease, and the pathologic process.ResultsCholesterol was associated with fibrinogen (P = 0.01), globulins (P < 0.01), and heterophil (P < 0.01) concentrations. Adjusting for diet, rabbits with severe infection or sepsis (odds ratio [OR] = 13.25, 95% CI = 5.83‐30.12), renal failure (OR = 14.42, 95% CI = 5.69‐36.54), and hepatopathy (OR = 8.55, 95% CI = 3.55‐20.62) had increased risks of hypercholesterolemia. Increased non‐HDLc and triglyceride concentrations were also associated with these three disease states (P < 0.05).ConclusionsHyperlipidemia is associated with biochemical and CBC markers of inflammation, and with severe infection or sepsis, renal failure, and hepatopathy. Independent of diet, increased cholesterol, non‐HDLc, and triglycerides are indicators of disease in companion rabbits.

Hummingbirds are specialized nectarivores and important ecological pollinators that are the focus of conservation efforts as well as scientific investigations of metabolism and flight dynamics. Despite their importance, basic information is lacking about hummingbird blood cells. We aimed to establish reference intervals for total and differential leukocyte counts from healthy free-ranging hummingbirds in northern California. Hummingbirds were captured in four counties in spring and summer of 2012. A drop of blood was used to prepare smears for total white blood cell estimate and 200-cell differential leukocyte counts. Reference Value Advisor was used for descriptive statistics and calculation of reference intervals. Blood smears from 42 Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) and 33 Blackc-hinned Hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) were included. The only significant differences in leukocyte counts were due to age, and juvenile hummingbirds had significantly higher lymphocyte counts than adult hummingbirds (P < 0.0001). These reference intervals provide robust baseline data to evaluate health status and disease in free-ranging hummingbirds.

BACKGROUND Follicular tumors and cysts are common skin lesions in dogs. Both are distinguished based on their cellular origin (matrical, isthmus, or infundibular cells) and the type of keratin they produce. Typically, differentiation requires histopathology, as all these lesions often have similar cytologic features. OBJECTIVES The goal of this retrospective study was to identify unique cytologic features that may assist differentiation of canine benign follicular tumors and cysts at cytology, using histopathology as gold standard. METHODS Electronic medical records of the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were searched for diagnoses of follicular tumors and cysts in dogs that had both histopathologic and cytologic diagnoses between January 2000 and December 2013. Cytologic specimens were reassessed in a blinded manner for the presence and type of background, cells, noncellular elements, and inflammation. RESULTS Forty-six samples were included in the study. Follicular cysts (n = 25) and infundibular keratinizing acanthomas (n = 5) contained sheets of keratinized anucleate to nucleated squamous cells. Trichoepitheliomas (n = 8) had 2 primary cytologic presentations: those with primarily basaloid cells that appeared to be undergoing keratinization (3/8; 38%) and those with keratinizing anucleate to nucleated squamous cells (5/8; 63%). Trichoblastomas (n = 8) had pink matrix with spindle cells and contained cohesive clusters of basaloid cells. CONCLUSION Trichoblastomas, and to a lesser extent, trichoepitheliomas, have unique cytologic features with the potential to distinguish them from other benign follicular tumors and cysts. These results are an important first step toward improving the diagnostic specificity of cytologic examination of cutaneous follicular lesions.

Bartonellae are blood-borne and vector-transmitted pathogens, some are zoonotic, which have been reported in several Mediterranean countries. Transmission from dogs to humans is suspected, but has not been clearly demonstrated. Our objectives were to determine the seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, Bartonella clarridgeiae, and Bartonella bovis (as a proxy for Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii) in stray dogs from Tunisia, identify the Bartonella species infecting the dogs and evaluate potential risk factors for canine infection. Blood samples were collected between January and November 2013 from 149 dogs in 10 Tunisian governorates covering several climatic zones. Dog-specific and geographic variables were analyzed as potential risk factors for Bartonella spp. seropositivity and PCR-positivity. DNA was extracted from the blood of all dogs and tested by PCR for Bartonella, targeting the ftsZ and rpoB genes. Partial sequencing was performed on PCR-positive dogs. Twenty-nine dogs (19.5%, 95% confidence interval: 14-27.4) were seropositive for one or more Bartonella species, including 17 (11.4%) for B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, 14 (9.4%) for B. henselae, 13 (8.4%) for B. clarridgeiae, and 7 (4.7%) for B. bovis. Statistical analysis revealed a few potential risk factors, mainly dog's age and breed, latitude and average winter temperature. Twenty-two (14.8%) dogs, including 8 of the 29 seropositive dogs, were PCR-positive for Bartonella based on the ftsZ gene, with 18 (81.8%) of these 22 dogs also positive for the rpoB gene. Partial sequencing showed that all PCR-positive dogs were infected with Candidatus B. merieuxii. Dogs from arid regions and regions with cold average winter temperatures were less likely to be PCR-positive than dogs from other climatic zones. The widespread presence of Bartonella spp. infection in Tunisian dogs suggests a role for stray dogs as potential reservoirs of Bartonella species in Tunisia.

Captive waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) that appear clinically healthy have been noted to have high serum bilirubin concentrations compared with other ruminants; however, questions remain about the physiologic factors affecting bilirubin concentration and its potential association with underlying disease and icteric serum or mucous membranes. Serum bilirubin concentrations of healthy and diseased waterbuck housed at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park from 1989 to 2012 were retrospectively analyzed to determine any link between icteric serum, total bilirubin concentration (tBili), and disease entities in this species. Total bilirubin and direct (dBili) bilirubin concentrations and the prevalence of icteric serum were compared by subspecies, age group, and health status; associations with complete blood count and biochemical results and clinical diagnosis were assessed. No significant differences were found in tBili or dBili between Ellipsen (n = 32) and Defassa (n = 29) subspecies or in juveniles (n = 22) versus adults (n = 39). Clinically healthy waterbuck (n = 40) had significantly higher tBili (mean +/- 2SD, 7.9 +/- 1.2 mg/dl; P < 0.001) and dBili (3.7 +/- 1.0 mg/dl; P < 0.001) than did diseased waterbuck (n = 21; tBili: 4.9 +/- 2.56 mg/dl; dBili: 2.2 +/- 0.8 mg/dl). No waterbuck had icteric tissues on physical examination. Twelve (19.7%) waterbuck (six healthy, six diseased) had icteric serum. Few minor correlations were seen between tBili or dBili and clinical, laboratory, or necropsy evidence of disease, though an inverse correlation between dBili and blood glucose was noted. Of the 40 healthy animals, reference intervals were calculated for tBili (5.5-10.3 mg/dl), dBili (1.7-5.7 mg/dl), and indirect bilirubin (2.2-6.2 mg/dl). These results suggest healthy waterbuck have relatively high tBili and dBili compared with related species. Icteric serum may be seen in up to 15% of healthy animals in the absence of icteric tissues.

BACKGROUND:Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is one of the most important tick-borne diseases worldwide. Cytopenias have been observed in both acute (nonmyelosuppressive) and chronic (myelosuppressive) CME; however, leukocyte abnormalities and indices have been incompletely described in dogs with acute CME.OBJECTIVES:The aims of this study were to analyze temporal changes in differential leukocyte counts, leukocyte morphology, myeloperoxidase index (MPXI), and lobularity index (LI) in dogs with experimental and naturally occurring acute CME.METHODS:Differential leukocyte counts and morphology were evaluated in archived blood smears from 13 Beagle dogs experimentally infected with Ehrlichia canis and evaluated weekly for 42 days postinfection (DPI); 20 dogs with naturally occurring acute CME also were evaluated. MPXI and LI were obtained from ADVIA reports. Wilcoxon tests were used to assess changes over time; leukogram results in natural cases were assessed in comparison with reference intervals.RESULTS:In experimental dogs, significant decreases in neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts, and a mild left shift occurred within 14 DPI. The MPXI decreased significantly between 14 and 21 DPI and remained low, while LI increased from 14 to 35 DPI. Lymphocyte counts rebounded at 21 DPI, normalizing total WBC counts. Neutrophil toxicity was seen rarely, but reactive lymphocytes were observed frequently. Dogs with natural infection had variable patterns of leukocyte changes.CONCLUSIONS:Acute CME is associated with several discrete quantitative and qualitative leukogram changes indicative of concurrent inflammation, antigenic stimulation, and stress. Changes in MPXI and LI warrant further investigation in dogs with CME and other diseases.