Background: Identifying biomarkers to aide in the diagnosis and prognostication of sepsis in dogs would be valuable to veterinarians.Objective: To compare plasma inflammatory mediator concentrations among dogs with sepsis, noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (NSIRS), and healthy dogs.Animals: Dogs with sepsis (n = 22), NSIRS (n = 23), and healthy dogs (n = 13) presenting to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a veterinary teaching hospital.Methods: Prospective observational study. Clinical parameters were recorded for each dog and plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) bioactivity and concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)-8 and IL-10 were determined at ICU presentation.Results: Dogs with sepsis and NSIRS were significantly more likely to have measurable TNF activity (sepsis 20/22; NSIRS 19/20; healthy 0/13) and IL-6 concentration (sepsis 12/22; NSIRS 15/23; healthy 2/13), than healthy dogs. Healthy dogs (9/13) were significantly more likely to have measurable plasma IL-10 concentrations than dogs with sepsis (4/19), but not NSIRS (7/20). None of the inflammatory mediators evaluated had optimal sensitivity or specificity for the diagnosis of sepsis. Twelve of 22 dogs with sepsis and 15/23 dogs with NSIRS survived to discharge; none of the measured biomarkers correlated with survival to discharge.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Sepsis and NSIRS are associated with increased production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6. In addition, sepsis is associated with decreased production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Despite this, plasma TNF, IL-6, CXCL-8, and IL-10 measured at ICU presentation do not appear to be valuable biomarkers to differentiate sepsis from NSIRS, or predict hospital outcome.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common myocardial disorder of dogs, typically affecting large and giant breeds. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features of DCM in standard schnauzers. Medical records for 15 standard schnauzers diagnosed with DCM were reviewed. The median age at diagnosis of DCM was 1.6 yr, with all dogs developing left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF). The median age of onset of CHF was 1.6 yr, and was significantly shorter in males (1.5 yr) than for females (2.35 yr). The median survival time after diagnosis of CHF was 22 days, and was shorter in males (13 days) than females (62 days). The occurrence of early onset DCM in multiple closely related standard schnauzers suggests a familial predisposition in this breed. Pedigree analysis confirmed common ancestry for all DCM affected dogs with a most likely autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

BackgroundDoxorubicin is a common antineoplastic agent with dose‐dependent cardiotoxic adverse effects, and pre‐existing myocardial dysfunction is a contraindication to its use.ObjectivesTo systematically define the hemodynamic and biochemical alterations in dogs undergoing chemotherapy for newly diagnosed lymphoma and assess the reversibility of these alterations with fluid administration.AnimalsTwenty‐one client‐owned dogs with newly diagnosed lymphoma were evaluated 1 week after induction of chemotherapy. Underlying degenerative valve disease was exclusionary. Eighteen healthy age‐ and weight‐matched dogs were used as controls.MethodsPhysical examination, blood pressure by Doppler, echocardiography, and biochemical evaluation (routine serum biochemistry, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentrations, plasma and urine osmolalities, and urine electrolyte concentrations) were measured in dogs with lymphoma and compared to controls. Dogs with lymphoma received crystalloids IV at 6 mL/kg/h for 24 hours. All variables were reassessed at 4 and 24 hours. Deuterium oxide dilution and bromide dilution were used to determine total body water and extracellular water space, respectively.ResultsBaseline echocardiograms showed significantly smaller chamber dimensions in dogs with lymphoma compared to controls. These changes were reversed by fluid administration. Systolic blood pressure and urine sodium concentration were significantly increased, and bromide dilution space, PCV, urine specific gravity, and urine potassium concentration were significantly decreased compared to controls.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceEchocardiographic and biochemical abnormalities in dogs with lymphoma appear consistent with volume depletion, and may be the result of systemic hypertension and subsequent pressure natriuresis.