OBJECTIVE:To evaluate partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fractional percentage of inspired oxygen (PaO2 /FiO2 ) and SaO2 /FiO2 ratios (where SaO2 is percentage of oxyhemoglobin saturation in arterial blood), and the correlation between PaO2 /FiO2 and SaO2 /FiO2 , in healthy dogs recovering postoperatively on room air versus nasal oxygen insufflation.DESIGN:Retrospective study.SETTING:University veterinary teaching hospital.ANIMALS:Nineteen dogs.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:Medical records were retrospectively evaluated for data from a previous prospective study of dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy, subsequently randomized to receive 100 mL/kg/min of nasal oxygen insufflation (estimated 37% FiO2 , n = 9) or room air (estimated 21% FiO2 , n = 10) for 2 hours postoperatively. Baseline information was obtained 1 hour intraoperatively, followed by three postoperative time points (10, 60, and 120 min). Data recorded for each time point included FiO2 , PaO2 , SaO2 , PaO2 /FiO2 , SaO2 /FiO2 , partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2 ), rectal temperature, and arterial blood pH. The PaO2 /FiO2 in dogs recovering on supplemental oxygen was significantly higher compared to dogs recovering on room air (516 ± 28 vs. 359 ± 10, P < 0.0001), whereas the SaO2 /FiO2 ratio in dogs recovering on supplemental oxygen was significantly lower compared to dogs recovering on room air (268 ± 0.5 versus 448 ± 1.4, P < 0.0001). The PaO2 /FiO2 and SaO2 /FiO2 ratios demonstrated excellent correlation for both groups at each postoperative time point. In dogs breathing room air, PaO2 /FiO2 and SaO2 /FiO2 correlation coefficients were 0.90, 0.95, and 0.93 (P < 0.001). In dogs receiving supplemental oxygen, PaO2 /FiO2 and SaO2 /FiO2 correlation coefficients were 0.94, 0.93, and 0.90 (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:In this population of postoperative dogs breathing either room air or with nasal oxygen insufflation, PaO2 /FiO2 and SaO2 /FiO2 had excellent correlation. Further evaluation into the correlation between SaO2 /FiO2 or pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (SpO2 )/FiO2 with PaO2 /FiO2 in both healthy dogs, and dogs with pulmonary dysfunction is warranted.

Cytokine abnormalities have been described previously in dogs with varied immune mediated and inflammatory conditions such as IMHA and sepsis. The purpose of this study was to establish references ranges for cytokine levels in dogs and to compare cytokine levels in normal dogs and dogs with two common inflammatory diseases (sepsis and IMHA). We hypothesized that cytokine response profiles in dogs with sepsis would be significantly different from those in dogs with IMHA due to the very different etiologies of the two diseases. Concentrations of 14 different cytokines in serum were measured and values grouped according to cytokine function. Serum from clinically normal dogs was used to establish cytokine concentration reference ranges. Rank values for each of the 4 cytokine groups were then compared statistically between healthy control, septic and IMHA dogs. This analysis revealed differences in cytokine groups between dogs with sepsis and IMHA when compared to healthy control dogs but no difference between dogs with either of these conditions. In conclustion, dogs in the early stage of sepsis and IMHA have similar circulating cytokines despite different etiologies suggesting activation of common immunologic pathways. This may have implications for immunotherapy of immune mediated diseases in dogs of varying etiology.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate differences in pulse rate, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and systolic arterial blood pressure in dogs between the home and veterinary hospital environments.DESIGNProspective observational study.ANIMALS30 client-owned healthy dogs.PROCEDURESStudy dogs had respiratory rate, pulse rate, rectal temperature, and systolic arterial blood pressure measured in their home environment. Dogs were then transported to the veterinary hospital, and measurements were repeated.RESULTSSignificant differences in blood pressure, rectal temperature, and pulse rate were observed between measurements obtained in the home and hospital environments. Mean blood pressure increased by 16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8% to 24%), rectal temperature increased by < 1% (95% CI, 0.1% to 0.6%), and pulse rate increased by 11% (95% CI, 5.3% to 17.6%). The number of dogs panting in the hospital environment (19/30 [63%]) was significantly higher than the number of dogs panting in the home environment (5/30 [17%])CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCEResults of the present study suggested that practitioners should consider stress from transportation and environmental change when canine patients have abnormalities of vital signs on initial examination, and the variables in question should be rechecked before a definitive diagnosis of medical illness is reached or extensive further workup is pursued.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of administration of a single 12-mL dose of canine parvovirus (CPV)-immune plasma for treatment of CPV enteritis.DESIGNProspective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.ANIMALS14 dogs with naturally occurring CPV enteritis.PROCEDURESDogs were assigned to treatment groups on the basis of randomization tables and were administered a single i.v. dose of CPV-immune plasma (treatment group) or an equivalent volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (placebo group) within 18 hours after admission to the hospital. Treatment and outcome variables evaluated included neutrophil, monocyte, and CPV counts; number of days of hospitalization; changes in body weight; and cost of treatment.RESULTSWhen dogs treated with CPV-immune plasma were compared with dogs treated with saline solution, there were no significant differences detected among neutrophil or monocyte counts, magnitude of viremia, weight change, number of days of hospitalization, or cost of treatment.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCEAdministration of a single 12-mL dose of immune plasma soon after the onset of CPV enteritis in dogs was not effective in ameliorating clinical signs, reducing viremia, or hastening hematologic recovery.

OBJECTIVETo describe the clinical presentation and resultant metabolic disturbances following retroperitoneal administration of hyperphosphate enemas in alpaca crias.CASE OR SERIES SUMMARYTwo crias presented to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital after inadvertent transvaginal retroperitoneal hyperphosphate enema administration. The first cria developed an acute onset of neurologic signs, severe hypernatremia, and died soon after presentation. The second cria developed severe hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and acidemia. The metabolic derangements normalized within 24 hours of intensive treatment with calcium supplementation and IV crystalloid fluid diuresis. The cria was discharged after 1 week in the hospital.NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDEDThis report provides a description of electrolyte disturbances secondary to inadvertent transvaginal retroperitoneal administration of hyperphosphate enemas in 2 crias and attendant clinical signs of these disturbances. Management of hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia in 1 cria via aggressive fluid therapy with calcium supplementation led to a rapid and sustained normalization of phosphorus, calcium, and acid-base balance.