BackgroundThere is a growing interest in health care of elderly dogs; however, scientific information about physical and laboratory examination findings in this age group is limited.ObjectivesTo describe systolic blood pressure (SBP), and results of physical examination and laboratory tests in senior and geriatric dogs that were judged by the owner to be healthy.AnimalsHundred client‐owned dogs.MethodsDogs were prospectively recruited. Owners completed a questionnaire. SBP measurement, physical, orthopedic and neurologic examination, direct fundoscopy and Schirmer tear test were performed. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and urinalysis were evaluated.ResultsForty‐one senior and 59 geriatric dogs were included. Mean SBP was 170 ± 38 mmHg, and 53 dogs had SBP > 160 mmHg. Thirty‐nine animals were overweight. A heart murmur was detected in 22, severe calculus in 21 and 1 or more (sub)cutaneous masses in 56 dogs. Thirty‐two dogs had increased serum creatinine, 29 hypophosphatemia, 27 increased ALP, 25 increased ALT, and 23 leukopenia. Crystalluria, mostly amorphous crystals, was commonly detected (62/96). Overt proteinuria and borderline proteinuria were detected in 13 and 18 of 97 dogs, respectively. Four dogs had a positive urine bacterial culture. Frequency of orthopedic problems, frequency of (sub)cutaneous masses, and platelet count were significantly higher in geriatric compared with senior dogs. Body temperature, hematocrit, serum albumin, and serum total thyroxine concentration were significantly lower in geriatric compared with senior dogs.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePhysical and laboratory abnormalities are common in apparently healthy elderly dogs. Veterinarians play a key role in implementing health screening and improving health care for elderly pets.

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Disturbances in calcium and vitamin D homeostasis can cause neurological disturbances. Protein-losing enteropathies (PLEs) are an important cause of hypocalcaemia in dogs and can be associated with epileptic seizures. Hypocalcaemic epileptic seizures secondary to PLE has only been reported in Yorkshire terriers. This case report describes the presentatioon of an eight -year -old Cocker Spaniel that was referred following an epileptic seizure and diarrhoea. Biochemistry analysis revealed ionised hypocalcaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and severe hypovitaminosis D. Following diagnostic imaging, endoscopy and histological evaluation of intestinal biopsies, the dog was diagnosed with a PLE. Therapy included antibiotics, clopidogrel, hypoallergenic diet and immunosuppressive steroids, which resulted in the resolution of the diarrhoea and improved the hypocalcaemic and hypovitaminosis D abnormalities. Throughout the follow up period no more epileptic seizures were reported. The significance of this case is twofold. Firstly, that hypocalcaemia associated with PLE may cause neurological signs and secondly, that hypovitaminosis D associated with PLE can be improved following standard medical therapy alone.

Background After a strong epidemiological link to diet was established in an outbreak of pancytopenia in cats in spring 2021 in the United Kingdom, 3 dry diets were recalled. Concentrations of the hemato‐ and myelotoxic mycotoxins T‐2, HT‐2 and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) greater than the European Commission guidance for dry cat foods were detected in the recalled diets. Objectives To describe clinical and clinicopathological findings in cats diagnosed with suspected diet induced pancytopenia. Animals Fifty cats presenting with pancytopenia after exposure to a recalled diet. Methods Multicenter retrospective case series study. Cats with known exposure to 1 of the recalled diets were included if presented with bi‐ or pancytopenia and underwent bone marrow examination. Results Case fatality rate was 78%. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsy examination results were available in 23 cats; 19 cats had a bone marrow aspirate, and 8 cats had a biopsy core, available for examination. Bone marrow hypo to aplasia—often affecting all cell lines—was the main feature in all 31 available core specimens. A disproportionately pronounced effect on myeloid and megakaryocytic cells was observed in 19 cats. Myelofibrosis or bone marrow necrosis was not a feature. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Mycotoxin induced pancytopenia should be considered as differential diagnosis in otherwise healthy cats presenting with bi‐ or pancytopenia and bone marrow hypo‐ to aplasia.

A nine-month-old, female Border collie was referred to the clinic because of an acute persistent cough and hemoptysis after excitation. Thoracic radiographs revealed a diffuse interstitial to alveolar pattern, compatible with pulmonary hemorrhage. To stabilize the dog and because of a suspected complex coagulopathy and on-going bleeding evidenced by worsening anemia, a fresh frozen plasma transfusion (10 ml/kg over four hours) was administered. Fecal examination confirmed the clinical suspicion of Angiostrongylus vasorum as the underlying cause of all the observed clinical signs. The dog was treated with fenbendazole (50 mg/kg SID) during 21 days. One week after treatment initiation, the dog was clinically healthy and thoracic radiographs showed a marked improvement of the pulmonary lesions. This case illustrates that autochthonous canine A. vasorum infections can occur in Belgium and they should be taken into account in the diagnostic work-up of dogs with respiratory signs and bleeding disorders.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the dog. Although diagnostics are relatively straightforward, treatment and especially adequate long-term monitoring are challenging. To avoid complications, such as hypoglycemia, weight loss, diabetes ketoacidosis and urinary tract infections, adequate monitoring is indispensable. In this review different monitoring tools, such as history and clinical signs, single and serial blood glucose measurements, glycated blood products, continuous glucose measurements and urine glucose will be evaluated. Because each monitoring technique has its limitations, the challenge for the veterinarian is to use an adequate combination of these tools to obtain a good image of the patient’s glycemic status.

A three-month-old male entire Bouvier des Flandres was presented for acute onset dysuria, haematuria, lethargy and severe pain on palpation of the penis. Further investigation revealed a parcellar fracture of the cranial separate ossification centre of the os penis and associated urinary tract infection with presumed pyelonephritis. Fluoroscopic retrograde urethrography was performed revealing intermittent urethral obstruction caused by displacement of the cranial bone fragment of the separate ossification centre of the os penis. The urethra was catheterised to realign the fragments and to permit urination and antibiotic treatment was started. The urinary catheter was kept in place for five days. After its removal, normal urination was observed with complete resolution of the clinical signs. Follow-up radiographs and ultrasound examination confirmed resolution of mechanical obstruction with fusion of part of the separate ossification centre and realignment of the displaced bony fragment.