The traditional veterinary classification (TVC) of effusions based on cell count and total protein (TP) does not adequately reflect the aetiology. Light’s criteria (LC) (activity of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] in the effusion [LDHef], effusion/serum LDH ratio [LDHr], effusion/serum TP ratio [TPr]), serum–effusion albumin gradient (ALBg), acute phase proteins (APPs) [serum amyloid A (SAA), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), haptoglobin] might aid classification. The aim was to evaluate the utility of these parameters except LDHr in differentiating exudates from transudates. Sixty-five cats with effusions (33 peritoneal, 31 pleural, 1 pericardial), with 18 transudates and 47 exudates based on aetiological classification (AC), were included. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of several parameters to identify exudates (based on AC) was assessed. APPs were compared between exudates and transudates based on AC and TVC, with receiver operating characteristics analysis identifying the best APP to recognise exudates. Simplified LC (LDHef, TPr) had an accuracy of 79% and TVC of 48%. ALBg had the highest sensitivity (98%) and LDHef the highest specificity (83%) in identifying exudates in cats. All APPs but effusion SAA could differentiate exudates from transudates based on AC (effusion AGP had the largest area under the curve 0.79) but not TVC. All parameters were better than TVC in identifying exudates. The conformity of APPs with AC but not TVC favours the use of AC to classify effusions.

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ZusammenfassungEine 2 Jahre alte Mischlingshündin wurde aufgrund von akutem Erbrechen und zunehmender Apathie vorgestellt. Die Hündin hatte etwa 1–3 Stunden vor Vorstellung das Gichtmittel ihres Besitzers (0,35 mg/kg Colchicin) aufgenommen.Während des stationären Aufenthaltes durchlief die Hündin alle beschriebenen Stadien (gastrointestinale Phase, Multiorganphase, Erholungsphase) einer Colchicinvergiftung, wobei der Verlauf durch das Vorliegen eines Multiorgandysfunktionssyndroms (MODS) und zahlreicher negativ prognostischer Faktoren verkompliziert wurde.Diese Kasuistik beschreibt die klinischen und labordiagnostischen Auswirkungen einer Colchicinvergiftung bei einem Hund und stellt die erste erfolgreiche Behandlung einer solchen in Europa dar.