Measurement of thrombin generation using CAT appears to be repeatable in healthy dogs, and samples are stable for at least 12 months when stored at -80°C. Direct venipuncture sampling is recommended for CAT. Low indices of individuality suggest that subject-based reference intervals are more suitable when interpreting CAT results.

Background Predicted ionized calcium (piCa) can be calculated from routine biochemistry variables using a recently developed predictive model in dogs. However, it has not been evaluated with variables measured from multiple laboratories. Objectives We aimed to (a) externally validate piCa in dogs where biochemistry results were obtained from different analyzers, and (b) compare the diagnostic performances of piCa and total calcium (tCa). Methods A cross‐sectional multicentric study on 138 dogs from three different hospitals was performed. The sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), and diagnostic discordance of piCa and tCa were calculated using logistic regression for ionized hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. Diagnostic performance fluctuations across hospitals were also assessed. Results For ionized hypercalcemia, the Sen (81.8%), Spe (96.1%), PPV (69.2%), NPV (97.7%), and diagnostic discordance (5.1%) of piCa were not significantly different among hospitals or from those of tCa. For ionized hypocalcemia, the Sen (range: 9.7%‐53.8%) and Spe (range: 95.6%‐99.6%) of piCa and tCa (Sen range: 16.2%‐87.8%; Spe range: 58.3%‐98.1%) varied across hospitals, although to a lesser extent for piCa. The diagnostic discordances of piCa (20.3%) and tCa (25.4%) were close. The prediction interval (PI) of piCa demonstrated high Sen to screen for ionized hypercalcemia (100%) and hypocalcemia (range: 75%‐93.3%), and high Spe to diagnose ionized hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia (100% for both). Conclusions These results support the external validation of piCa in dogs. Its PI represents a notable advantage over tCa to help clinicians explore calcium‐related disorders when ionized calcium cannot be readily measured.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 12-year-old spayed female Chinese Crested was referred because of a mass detected in the gallbladder during ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen, which had been prompted by a history of high serum liver enzyme activities. CLINICAL FINDINGS Serum biochemical analysis revealed mild hypoglobulinemia and high alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed diffuse hepatopathy and multiple pedunculated mucosal structures within the gallbladder. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Following initial treatment with ursodiol (11.4 mg/kg [5.18 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) and S-adenosylmethionine (30 mg/kg [13.6 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) for 1 month to address possible cholestasis, no change was noted in ultrasonographic or serum biochemical findings. Consequently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed concurrently with laparoscopic liver biopsy. Histologic evaluation of resected gallbladder tissue and the liver biopsy specimen revealed evidence of multifocal to coalescing leiomyomas of the gallbladder and multifocal lipogranulomas of the liver. Eleven days after the dog was discharged from the hospital, it was taken to an emergency clinic because of anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea. Mild pancreatitis or gastroenteritis was suspected, supportive treatment was provided, and ursodiol and S-adenosylmethionine administration was reinitiated. At the time of follow-up telephone contact with the owner 234 days after surgery, the dog continued to receive ursodiol and S-adenosylmethionine and had no clinical signs associated with hepatobiliary disease. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Leiomyomas, although rare, can develop in dogs and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for intramural gallbladder lesions. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy served as a minimally invasive surgical treatment for this benign neoplasia.

Background Increased serum interleukin 17 (IL‐17) concentration has been associated with the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in humans. No data are available about IL‐17 in immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) of dogs. Objectives Monitor changes in serum IL‐17 concentration during the acute stages of IMHA in dogs, compared with results in healthy dogs, and its relationship with outcome. Animals Thirty‐one client‐owned dogs with primary IMHA and 27 healthy dogs. Methods Quantification of serum IL‐17 concentration using a commercially available ELISA kit at the time of admission (D0), after 48 hours (D2) and after 96 hours (D4) as compared to concentration in healthy dogs. The IMHA dogs were classified as survivors if discharged from hospital, or nonsurvivors for any cause of in‐hospital mortality. Results Mean serum IL‐17 concentration was higher in dogs with IMHA on admission compared with healthy dogs (D0), but this difference was not significant (mean, 19.52 pg/mL vs 10.52 pg/mL, respectively, P = .17). Throughout hospitalization, serum IL‐17 concentration significantly decreased in survivors. Serum IL‐17 concentration at D0 was not different between survivors and nonsurvivors, but surviving dogs had significantly lower serum IL‐17 concentration at D2 and D4 (P = .04 and P = .004, respectively) compared with nonsurviving dogs. No correlation was found between serum IL‐17 concentration and serum total bilirubin or lactate concentrations or CBC parameters. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Serum IL‐17 concentration remained significantly higher in nonsurviving IMHA dogs whereas it significantly decreased during hospitalization in survivors, making serum IL‐17 concentration a potential biomarker for severity and response to treatment in IMHA.