BackgroundThe sensitivity, specificity, and agreement of 4 diagnostic assays (SNAP canine pancreatic lipase (cPL), specific cPL (Spec cPL), VetScan cPL Rapid Test, and Precision PSL) for pancreatitis in dogs have not been directly compared.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine the level of agreement among each of the 4 assays and a clinical suspicion score, level of agreement among the assays, and sensitivity and specificity of each assay in a clinically relevant patient group.AnimalsFifty client‐owned dogs with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease.MethodsProspective study. History, physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, abdominal ultrasound examination, and the 4 diagnostic assays for pancreatitis were performed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine the level of agreement between each assay and a clinical suspicion score determined by a panel of 5 board‐certified veterinary internists.ResultsThe ICC between the clinical suspicion score and the 4 assays were SNAP cPL, 0.61; Spec cPL, 0.68; VetScan cPL Rapid Test, 0.68; and Precision PSL, 0.60. The sensitivities of the assays ranged from 73.9 to 100.0%, whereas the specificities were SNAP cPL, 71.1–77.8%; Spec cPL, 74.1–81.1%; VetScan cPL Rapid Test, 76.9–83.8%; and Precision PSL, 64.0–74.3%.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceA good to excellent level of agreement was demonstrated among the 4 assays. The previously unreported sensitivity and specificity of the VetScan cPL Rapid Test were 73.9–83.3% and 76.9–83.8%, respectively. Results of any of the 4 diagnostic assays alone, in the absence of supporting clinical findings, are insufficient to establish a diagnosis of clinical pancreatitis in dogs.

RESULTS: A total of 176 dogs had linear and 323 had non-linear foreign bodies. Dogs with a linear foreign body were more likely to have a history of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and pain on abdominal palpation. They were also more likely to have the foreign body anchored in the stomach and continuing into the small intestine, experience intestinal necrosis, perforation and peritonitis, and require intestinal resection and anastamosis. The duration of hospitalisation was longer for dogs with linear foreign body (3 versus 2 days), and the cost of treatment was 10% higher. However, in both groups, 96% of dogs survived to hospital discharge.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dogs with a linear foreign body had more severe clinical signs and gastrointestinal pathology, and an increased duration of hospitalisation and cost of care. However, overall survival rates were not different in dogs with linear and non-linear foreign bodies.

Abnormal extrusion of canine teeth is often noted in middle-aged and geriatric domestic cats. The same age group of cats also is commonly affected by tooth resorption (TR). This study explored the relationship between these two phenomena of unknown etiology. Using digital radiography, the distance between the alveolar margin (AM) and cementoenamel junction (CEJ), referred to as the AM-CEJ distance, was measured in clinically and radiographically healthy maxillary canine teeth of 24 TR-affected and 29 TR-free cats. The mean AM-CEJ distance of maxillary canine teeth of cats with and cats without TR was 2.68-mm and 2.22-mm, respectively. An analysis of covariance adjusting for age revealed a significant correlation (p = 0.02) between tooth extrusion and TR. Extrusion of the maxillary canine teeth became clinically apparent when an AM-CEJ distance of 2.5-mm or greater was evident in the absence of horizontal or vertical alveolar bone loss. Based on this criterion, 15 of 24 cats with TR (63.0 %) exhibited extrusion of maxillary canine teeth, compared to 9 of 29 cats without TR (31.0 %). Four extruded and five non-extruded maxillary canine teeth were evaluated histologically. Cementum of extruded teeth was significantly thicker compared to that of non-extruded teeth. Four of 4 canine teeth with extrusion (100 %) showed histological evidence of resorption, compared to 1 of 5 canine teeth without extrusion (20.0 %). These results suggest that tooth extrusion is linked to or may be caused by similar factors responsible for the development of TR.

Objective: To determine the effect of gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination on the incidence of prolonged prothrombin time (PT) in dogs after anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Urban emergency room. Animals: One hundred and fifty‐one client‐owned dogs. Measurements: Dogs presented to the emergency room within 6 hours of ingestion of an anticoagulant rodenticide and had a PT measured within 2–6 days of toxicant ingestion before initiating vitamin K therapy were included. Dogs were categorized as treated or untreated based on the institution of vitamin K therapy following PT testing. The signalment, body weight, type of rodenticide ingested, time elapsed between ingestion and initial presentation, method(s) of GI decontamination, and the times elapsed between both toxicant ingestion and initial hospital presentation until determination of PT were recorded. The PT results were recorded as well as any treatment received following the recheck examination. Any reported incidents of bleeding or untoward effects between exposure and reexamination were recorded. Main results: Of 151 dogs, only 11 dogs (8.3%) developed prolonged PT requiring vitamin K supplementation. None of the 11 dogs with prolonged PTs exhibited signs of bleeding or required transfusion therapy. No differences in age, weight, or time elapsed between treated and untreated patients were found. Conclusions: The incidence of prolonged PT is low in dogs receiving GI decontamination within 6 hours of anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion. Delaying vitamin K therapy until a PT has been assessed 48–72 hours after initial exposure appears to be safe and sensitive in dogs following anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion.

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