FIG 1: Adult fluke of Nasitrema species from a bottle-nosed dolphin seen by (a) scanning electron microscopy and (b) histology. Haematoxylin and eosin. Bar= 1 mm strand, as demonstrated in the Pacific coast strandings described by Dailey and Walker (1978) and Morimitsu and others ( 1992). Moreover, the high incidence of this parasite in cetaceans stranded on the Canary Islands widens the area of its distribution to the North Atlantic. The anatomical arrangement of the paraotic sinuses, ear complex, eighth cranial nerve and brain supports the idea of the fluke migration route through the nerve as suggested by Ridgway and Dailey (1972) and Morimitsu and others (1992). From a pathological perspective, the absence of parasitic forms does not rule out its participation in nervous lesions, such as non-purulent leptomeningitis, thus supporting the present results which clearly indicate a higher incidence of this parasite than reported previously, possibly because it has been overlooked in most necropsies. This study also reports new cetacean species (pygmy sperm whale, rough-toothed dolphin and Atlantic spotted dolphin) parasitised by Nasitrema species, showing the broad spectrum of odontocetes infected by this parasite.

This study was aimed at the evaluation of the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis. Blood samples were collected from 37 dogs infected with B. canis and showing clinical signs consistent with the disease. The sick animals were classified as dogs with physiologic and decreased red blood cell (RBC) values. Twenty-five healthy dogs formed the control group. The concentrations of total proteins and protein fractions were measured in blood serum. The values of total proteins, albumin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio in dogs with babesiosis were significantly lower than in healthy ones (P < 0.001). In the globulin fractions, significantly higher relative concentrations of α1-, β1- and β2-globulins (P < 0.01), and non-significantly higher values of α2- and γ-globulins were found in dogs with babesiosis with a double α2-zone in six out of 37 animals. Marked differences were observed also between the two groups of sick animals, with significantly lower values of albumin and A/G ratio (P < 0.05), and significantly higher values of α1- and β1-globulins in dogs with decreased RBC (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Presented results indicate marked alterations in the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs with babesiosis suggesting its usefulness for the evaluation of pathophysiological changes caused by the disease and for diagnostic of disease severity.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common diagnosis in older cats, and its prevalence increases with age. Conventional indirect biomarkers of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) have their limitations, and are not efficient in detecting early decreases in glomerular filtration rate. Recently, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations have been proposed as a novel biomarker of GFR for the early detection of CKD. This study discusses the relationship between SDMA, FGF 23 and previously used indicators of kidney function, mainly creatinine, urea and phosphate. Ninety-nine cats were included in this study. Based on their SDMA values, 48 cats had CKD and the remaining 51 cats were used as a healthy control group. Serum of these cats was assayed for creatinine, urea and phosphate concentrations as well as FGF 23 values, and correlations between them were evaluated. Cats with CKD had higher FGF 23 concentrations than healthy cats, and no correlation was found between FGF 23 and SDMA, nor between FGF 23 and phosphate. On the other hand, phosphate strongly correlated with SDMA, urea and creatinine, making it a possible independent factor of CKD progression.

Urine contains a variety of compounds including a number of natural fluorophores. Fluorescence spectroscopy has proven to be a useful tool in analytical science. Fluorescence detection has three major advantages over other light-based investigation methods: high sensitivity, speed, and safety. Our work presents the newest approach to analysis of dog urine. Fluorescent fingerprint can very quickly reveal differences between complicated mixtures without adding any reagents. We describe autofluorescence characteristics of the urine of healthy dogs and of those with various disorders using fluorescent fingerprint. Fluorescent analysis has given good results to distinguish between pathological urine and the healthy standard in dogs. Our results suggest that this method can be used to characterize fluorescent properties of canine urine and to reveal some pathological changes in dogs.