BackgroundLong‐term microscopic agglutination test (MAT) results after vaccination with 4‐serovar Leptospira vaccines are not available for all vaccines used in client‐owned dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine antibody responses of client‐owned dogs given 1 of 4 commercially available Leptospira vaccines.AnimalsHealthy client‐owned dogs (n = 32) with no history of Leptospira vaccination for at least the previous year.MethodsDogs were given 1 of 4 Leptospira vaccines on week 0 and then approximately on week 3 and week 52. Sera were collected before vaccine administration on week 0 and then within 3 days of week 3, within 2 days of week 4, and approximately on weeks 7, 15, 29, 52, and 56. Antibody titers against Leptospira serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohemorrhagiae, and pomona and were determined by MAT.ResultsWhen compared among vaccines, MAT results varied in maximal titers, the serovars inducing maximal titers, and the time required to reach maximal titers. Each vaccine induced at least some MAT titers ≥1 : 800. Most dogs were negative for antibodies against all serovars 1 year after vaccination, and anamnestic responses were variable.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDogs vaccinated with Leptospira vaccines have variable MAT titers over time, and antibodies should not be used to predict resistance to Leptospira infection. MAT titers ≥1 : 800 can develop after Leptospira spp. vaccination, which can complicate the clinical diagnosis of leptospirosis.

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified hypoalbuminemia as a risk factor for negative outcome in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE), but it has not been determined whether histopathology differs between CE dogs with and without hypoalbuminemia.ObjectiveTo compare histopathologic findings in dogs with biopsy‐diagnosed inflammatory CE with and without hypoalbuminemia.Animals83 dogs that had intestinal biopsy performed between January 2010–July 2015. Dogs had signs compatible with CE of at least 3‐weeks' duration and no evidence of clinically relevant extra‐gastrointestinal (GI) disease or potential non‐GI causes of hypoalbuminemia. Dogs had primary diagnosis of inflammatory enteritis based on histopathology.MethodsDogs were grouped into CE with normoalbuminemia (CEN; serum albumin concentration ≥3.0 g/dL, N = 46) or chronic enteropathy with hypoalbuminemia (CEH; serum albumin concentration <3.0 g/dL, N = 37). A pathologist (SLP) blinded to the groups reviewed biopsy samples and applied the World Small Animal Veterinary Association scoring system to all samples.ResultsIntestinal biopsy samples from dogs in the CEH group were significantly more likely to display villous stunting, epithelial injury, crypt distension, and lacteal dilatation, and were more likely to have intraepithelial lymphocytes and lamina propria neutrophils than biopsy samples from dogs in the CEN group. Additionally, higher scores for each of the above listed histopathologic criteria were associated with a lower serum albumin concentration.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceHistopathologic features of chronic inflammatory enteropathy differ between dogs that are hypo‐ versus normoalbuminemic. Additional work is needed to elucidate the clinical relevance of these differences.

Background The cause of low serum vitamin D concentrations in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) is not well understood. Objective Improve understanding of pathogenesis of low serum vitamin D concentrations in dogs with CIE by comparing several clinical, clinicopathologic, and histologic variables between CIE dogs with low and normal serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (25[OH]D). Animals Fifteen dogs with CIE and low serum 25[OH]D concentrations; 15 dogs with CIE and normal serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Methods Prospective cohort study. Clinical and clinicopathologic variables were compared between groups. Correlations between serum 25(OH)D concentration and histopathologic variables were assessed. Results Dogs with CIE and low serum 25(OH)D concentrations had higher canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index scores (P = .003), lower serum α‐tocopherol (P < .001), cholesterol (P < .001), and albumin (P < .001) concentrations and higher serum C‐reactive protein (P = .004) concentrations compared to CIE dogs with normal serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Serum concentrations of vitamin D‐binding protein (VDBP) were not different between groups (P = .91). Duodenal morphologic and inflammatory histopathological scores (P = .002 and P = .004, respectively) and total histopathological scores in duodenum and combined duodenum and ileum negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D concentration. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The pathogenesis of low serum vitamin D concentrations in dogs with CIE is likely multifactorial. Fat malabsorption deserves further study in dogs with low serum vitamin D concentration and CIE. Loss of VDBP does not appear to be an important cause of low serum vitamin D concentration in dogs with CIE.

Objective: To describe the clinical effect of dietary alteration as a sole change to therapy in dogs with steroid-resistant protein-losing enteropathy.Materials and MethOds: Prospective study. Eligible enrolled dogs received dietary alteration as sole change to their therapeutic plan. Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index and serum albumin were monitored for the 3-month study period. Long-term follow-up data were also available for some of the study participants.results: Fifteen dogs were eligible for enrollment over the study period. Twelve were enrolled, 10 remained in the study at 30 days, nine completed the 3-month study period. Following dietary alteration, eight of 10 dogs achieved complete remission, one dog achieved partial remission and one dog had no response.Seven of eight dogs achieving complete remission have remained in remission up to 4 years following study.In dogs with complete remission, median Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index score was 11.5 and 4, and median serum albumin concentration was 15 g/L and 26 g/L at 0 and 14-28 days, respectively. clinical significance: Dogs with protein-losing enteropathy with previous lack of response to a combination of dietary therapies, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive medications can achieve remission following a dietary change. Improvement is likely to be seen within 14 to 30 days. A change in dietary approach may be an alternative to further immunosuppression or anti-inflammatory strategies in some dogs with difficult to treat protein-losing enteropathy.

Objectives To detect and localise bacteria in gallbladder mucoceles using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). To report clinical signs, clinicopathologic abnormalities, sonographic findings and histopathological findings in FISH+ and FISH− dogs with gallbladder mucoceles. Materials and Methods Retrospective review of signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic and sonographic findings of 25 cases of histopathologically confirmed gallbladder mucocele. Histopathological sections of gallbladder mucocele were evaluated for cystic mucinous hyperplasia, cystic mucinous hyperplasia with cholecystitis and rupture. The number and spatial distribution of bacteria was determined by eubacterial FISH. Gallbladder contents were cultured in 21 dogs. Results Bacteria were detected within or adherent to the gallbladder wall in eight of 25 (32%) cases. Bacterial culture was positive in one dog. Cystic mucinous hyperplasia with concurrent cholecystitis was found in 17 of 25 (68%) of dogs with gallbladder mucocele. Clinical Significance FISH was more sensitive for detection of bacteria in gallbladder mucoceles when compared to bacterial culture of bile. Cholecystitis was common in dogs with gallbladder mucocele. Further study is required to elucidate the relationship of cystic mucinous hyperplasia, bacteria and cholecystitis in the aetiopathogenesis and progression of gallbladder mucocele.