Hormone assessment is typically recommended for awake, unsedated dogs. However, one of the most commonly asked questions from veterinary practitioners to the endocrinology laboratory is how sedation ...impacts cortisol concentrations and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone are common sedatives for dogs, but their impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone on serum cortisol concentrations.
Twelve healthy beagles were included in a prospective, randomized, four-period crossover design study with a 7-day washout. ACTH stimulation test results were determined after saline (0.5 mL IV), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg IV), dexmedetomidine (4 µg/kg IV), and trazodone (3-5 mg/kg PO) administration.
Compared to saline, butorphanol increased basal (median 11.75 µg/dL (range 2.50-23.00) (324.13 nmol/L; range 68.97-634.48)
1.27 µg/dL (0.74-2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41-57.93);
< 0.0001) and post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (17.05 µg/dL (12.40-26.00) (470.34 nmol/L; 342.07-717.24)
13.75 µg/dL (10.00-18.90) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.96-521.38);
≤ 0.0001). Dexmedetomidine and trazodone did not significantly affect basal (1.55 µg/dL (range 0.75-1.55) (42.76 nmol/L; 20.69-42.76);
= 0.33 and 0.79 µg/dL (range 0.69-1.89) (21.79 nmol/L; 19.03-52.14);
= 0.13, respectively,
saline 1.27 (0.74-2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41-57.93)) or post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (14.35 µg/dL (range 10.70-18.00) (395.86 nmol/L; 295.17-496.55); (P = 0.98 and 12.90 µg/dL (range 8.94-17.40) (355.86 nmol/L; 246.62-480);
= 0.65), respectively,
saline 13.75 µg/dL (10.00-18.60) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.86-513.10).
Butorphanol administration should be avoided prior to ACTH stimulation testing in dogs. Further evaluation of dexmedetomidine and trazodone's effects on adrenocortical hormone testing in dogs suspected of HPA derangements is warranted to confirm they do not impact clinical diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the precision of an ELISA for measurement of serum cortisol concentration (SCC) in dogs, assess agreement between this ELISA and 2 validated chemiluminescence assays (CLAs), ...and evaluate the clinical implications of any bias associated with this ELISA when measuring SCC in dogs. DESIGN Evaluation study. SAMPLE 75 stored, frozen serum samples from client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay precision was evaluated by measuring SCC of pooled serum samples. Agreement with standard methods was evaluated with Spearman rank correlation, Passing-Bablok regression, and Bland-Altman analysis to compare SCCs obtained with the ELISA and the 2 CLAs. An error grid was used to evaluate identified bias. RESULTS Within-laboratory coefficients of variation for pooled serum samples with low, medium, and high SCCs were 21.4%, 28.9%, and 13.0%, respectively. There was a high correlation between ELISA results (for all samples combined) and results of the 2 CLAs (CLA 1, r = 0.96; CLA 2, r = 0.97), but constant and proportional biases between the ELISA and CLAs were present at all concentrations. Clinically important disagreement between ELISA results and CLA results occurred in 16 of 63 (25%) samples, particularly with low and high SCCs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that the rate of clinical disagreement between the ELISA and CLAs was sufficiently high to recommend that equivocal results obtained with the ELISA be confirmed by a reference laboratory. Further evaluation of analytic performance of the ELISA should focus on samples with very high and very low SCCs.
Alpacas are high quality fiber producing animals, kept for production purpose and as pets. Endocrine imbalances from adrenal glands, gonads, or thyroid gland may result in coat abnormalities in ...domestic animals and affect reproduction. Contrary to many domesticated animals, information on hormone concentrations in alpacas is scarce. The purpose of this study was to provide steroid and thyroid hormone values in domestic alpacas. Blood was collected from healthy male (35 intact, 2 castrated) and female (48 non-pregnant, 3 pregnant) alpacas from local farms in Tennessee. Adrenal, reproductive, and thyroid hormones were analyzed. There were no significant differences in median concentrations of progesterone, estradiol, thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) between intact male and female non-pregnant alpacas. Median concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and cortisol were significantly higher in intact male alpacas compared to female non-pregnant alpacas. This information provides adrenal, gonadal, and thyroid hormone concentrations in alpacas to help with diagnosis of endocrine disorders.
Blood analyte data are useful in health assessments and management of reptiles. There is a knowledge gap for blood analyte data of the endangered Louisiana pine snake (LPS;
Pituophis ruthveni
). The ...objectives of this study were to provide baseline hematology, plasma biochemical, and hormone data of captive LPS, to compare the data in juvenile and adult snakes and in adult snakes by sex, and to investigate methodological differences in hormone (serum vs. plasma) and protein analyses (total solids versus total protein). Blood samples from apparently healthy captive LPS were analyzed for hematology and plasma biochemistry (
n
= 11) and plasma and serum hormone analyses (
n
= 9). Packed cell volume (PCV) and absolute heterophils were significantly higher in adult compared with juvenile LPS, while PCV, white blood cell count, and absolute lymphocytes were higher in adult males compared with adult females. Significantly higher plasma concentrations were found in adults compared with juveniles for calcium, total protein, total solids, albumin, globulins, and bile acids. No significant differences were observed in 17β-estradiol measured in serum and plasma when comparing adults and juveniles and for 17β-estradiol in adult males and females. Plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol were significantly lower than in serum. Serum testosterone in two adult males was 8.33 and 35.53 nmol/L, respectively, while it was undetectable in females and juveniles (
n
= 5). This study is the first to provide baseline information on blood analytes in endangered LPS, which will be useful for individual animals in managed care and as baseline for future population-level assessments.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Background
The distinction between adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytoma can be challenging using clinical findings, diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests. Cytology might be a simple, ...minimally invasive method to reach a correct diagnosis.
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of cytology in differentiating cortical from medullary tumors of the adrenal glands in dogs and cats.
Methods
Cytologic key features of adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytoma were defined by one reference author. Cytologic specimens from primary adrenal tumors were submitted to 4 cytopathologists who were asked to classify the tumors based on the previously defined key features without knowledge of previous classification.
Results
Twenty specimens from histologically confirmed adrenal tumors (Group 1) and 4 specimens from adrenal tumors causing adrenal‐dependent Cushing's syndrome (Group 2) were evaluated by the 4 cytopathologists. Accuracy in differentiating cortical from medullary origin ranged from 90% to 100%, with a Kappa coefficient of agreement between cytopathologists of 0.95.
Conclusions
The origin of an adrenal tumor can be easily determined by cytology alone in many cases. However, cytology was not reliable in distinguishing benign from malignant neoplasia. Additional studies are needed to assess possible risks and complications associated with fine‐needle biopsy of adrenal tumors in dogs and cats.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Stress and diseases such as endotoxemia induce cortisol synthesis through a complex biosynthetic pathway involving intermediates (progesterone, and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP)) and suppression ...of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis.
To measure plasma concentrations of cortisol, progesterone, 17α-OHP, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in dogs experimentally injected with intravenous low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our hypothesis was that LPS treatment would elicit a significant increase in cortisol and its precursors, and a significant decrease in TSH concentration.
Hormone measurements were performed on blood samples left over from a previous investigation (2011) on the effect of low-dose LPS on hematological measurands. Five sexually intact female dogs, none in estrous at the time of the study, were administered saline treatment two weeks prior to LPS treatment. LPS was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.1 µg/kg. Blood was collected before (baseline, time -24 hours) and 3-, 6- and 24-hours post-injection. Mixed model analysis for repeated measures was used, with both treatment and time as the repeated factors. Ranked transformation were applied when diagnostic analysis exhibited violation of normality and equal variance assumptions. Post hoc multiple comparisons were performed with Tukey's adjustment. Statistical significance was defined as
< 0.05.
Significant differences relative to baseline values were detected following both treatments. Compared to baseline, dogs had significantly higher cortisol and 17α-OHP at 3-hours, and significantly lower TSH at 3- and 6-hours following LPS treatment. Dogs had significantly lower TSH at 6- and 24- following saline treatment. Though not statistically significant, the trend in progesterone concentrations was similar to cortisol and 17α-OHP, with an increase at 3-hours post-injection followed by a decrease close to baseline following both LPS and saline. Cortisol and 17α-OHP concentrations were higher after LPS treatment than after saline treatment at 3- and 6-hours post-injection, but differences were not statistically significant, and no significant differences between treatments were detected for any other hormone or timepoint.
Cortisol and its adrenal precursors are released in the bloodstream following a low dose of LPS, while TSH appears to decrease. Similar changes occurred following saline treatment, suggesting that even routine handling and saline injection in conditioned dogs can elicit alterations in the internal equilibrium with subsequent modification of both hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal and thyroid axes. Changes to adrenal and thyroid hormone concentrations must be interpreted in light of clinical information. Further studies are needed to elucidate mechanisms of adrenal steroidal hormone synthesis and secretion in response to various stressful stimuli in both neutered and intact animals.
Abstract
Background
Evidence‐based medical practices for pet pigs are needed. EldonCard is a human blood‐typing card shown to be rapid and reliable in identifying blood phenotypes of pet pigs. The ...objective of this study was to validate EldonCard by determining its reliability, reproducibility, and robustness for its routine use in the clinical setting.
Key Findings
Twenty‐four venous blood samples from pet pigs were collected for a prospective in vitro study. Blood genotypes (“EAA
A0
” and “EAA
00
”) were identified in 15 samples via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All samples were phenotyped (“A,” “A
weak
,” and “0” or “–”) via EldonCard. Kappa (
κ
) statistics measured the level of agreement between 2 raters, and between EldonCard and PCR. McNemar's test determined if an association between the blood types and EldonCard or PCR exists, with significance at
P
< 0.05. Agreement between raters and methods was perfect (60/60 100%,
κ
:1,
P
< 0.001; 15/15 100%,
κ
:1,
P
< 0.001). There was no difference in the proportions of blood groups based on method.
Significance
In conjunction with previous data, EldonCard is a rapid, accurate, reliable, precise, and robust in‐clinic blood‐typing method for the A0 system of pet pigs. EldonCard is now a validated blood‐typing tool for the A0 system of pet pigs and maybe used for pretransfusion screenings and identification of donors and recipients.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The American black bear (
) is an opportunistic and adaptable species with high rehabilitation success rates. Injured, ill, and orphaned bears across the southeastern United States are examined and ...treated at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine followed by rehabilitation at Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR). Hematology and biochemistry reference ranges exist for healthy adult black bears; however, most bears presenting to ABR are young and of variable health status. Thus, further investigation into the difference of blood values at varying ages and presentations is warranted. ABR records from 1996 to 2022 included 106 bears with completed hematology and plasma biochemistry panels (22 paired samples at intake and release, 84 at intake only). Intake-only samples consisted of 12 neonates (<3 mon old), 64 cubs (3-12 mon), and 30 yearlings (1-2 yr). Bears presented as orphaned neonates (22%), orphaned cubs (45%), malnourished yearlings (24%), and injured/ill (9%) during fall (16%), winter (13%), spring (32%), and summer (39%). Changes in hematology and plasma biochemistry results between intake and release included an increase in hematocrit and glucose. Injured/ill bears presented with higher total leukocyte count (WBC), absolute neutrophils (ABS segs), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatine kinase (
< 0.05). Positive correlation between ALT, AST, proteins, and blood urea nitrogen and negative correlation between absolute lymphocytes and alkaline phosphatase were noted with age. Both WBC and ABS segs were lower during winter (
< 0.05). Understanding what factors affect juvenile black bear blood values improves clinical expectations and evaluation upon intake, clinical evaluation, and treatment.
Analysis of steroid and thyroid hormones is often performed in blood serum. Occasionally though, plasma samples are submitted in lieu of serum for exotic species such as tigers. However, blood tube ...anticoagulants may affect hormone values. We compared serum and heparin plasma results for 7 hormones in tigers. Serum and plasma samples were collected from 25 tigers and analyzed for progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, and thyroxine. Using Lin concordance correlation, serum and heparin plasma measures agreed for all hormones except cortisol. However, Passing–Bablok regression only found agreement between serum and heparin plasma measures for androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol. Median values between the 2 sample types were significantly (p < 0.05) different for progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, and thyroxine. Our results suggest that, for the aforementioned hormones, serum and heparin plasma values may not always be comparable.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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