This study evaluated the effects of an anesthetic protocol using intravenous ketamine and midazolam, and intramuscular buprenorphine on hematologic variables in cats. Twelve healthy adult cats had blood collected for a complete blood count before and after the induction of anesthesia. There were significant decreases in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrits after the induction of anesthesia. On average, red blood cell counts and hematocrits decreased by 25%, and hemoglobin concentrations decreased by 24%. Based on hematocrit, 3/12 samples (25%) taken while the cats were anesthetized would have been interpreted as belonging to anemic patients while none of the cats would have been considered anemic before anesthesia. This study suggests that a complete blood count performed on blood taken under anesthesia with this anesthetic protocol should be interpreted cautiously in order to not make a false diagnosis of anemia.

Malignant pulmonary neoplasia associated with cystic airspaces is a well-recognised disease entity in humans. Two elderly dogs, previously diagnosed with a solitary emphysematous bulla, presented with non-specific clinical signs. At presentation, pulmonary auscultation was unremarkable. In both cases, thoracic CT demonstrated the transformation of the cystic airspace lesions characterised by a progressive increase of the solid component and reduction of the air component. Cytological evaluation and subsequent surgical excision followed by histopathology confirmed pulmonary carcinoma in both cases. These two cases represent the first demonstration of possible malignant transformation of pulmonary cystic airspace in dogs. Veterinarians should consider neoplastic transformation as a differential diagnosis in cases of cystic airspaces, particularly cases with features including thickening or irregularity of the wall, associated soft-tissue nodules or solid and non-solid tissue intermixed within clusters of multiple cystic airspaces. Ongoing monitoring of cystic airspace lesions through diagnostic imaging is recommended.

Case summaryA 5-year-old male neutered Persian cat was referred for investigation of a 4 week history of weight loss, inappetence and intermittent vomiting. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and inflammatory bowel disease were diagnosed, and despite immunosuppressive therapy and assisted enteral nutrition, the cat experienced persistent anorexia, vomiting and severe weight loss. After 2 additional weeks of treatment, the cat developed acute-onset neurological signs associated with severe hyperammonaemia and was euthanased. Plasma amino acid assessment revealed deficiency of several amino acids involved in the urea cycle, including arginine.Relevance and novel informationTo our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an acquired urea cycle amino acid deficiency without nutritional deprivation in a cat. Several contributing factors were suspected, including intestinal malabsorption and CKD. This case demonstrates the importance of urea cycle amino acids in feline metabolism and possible necessity for parenteral supplementation, particularly in the context of persistent weight loss despite adequate enteral nutrition.

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of congenital FXIII deficiency in a dog. In addition to more common inherited coagulopathies, FXIII deficiency should be a differential diagnosis for dogs with episodes of excessive bleeding and apparently normal results of standard coagulation tests.

Crenosoma vulpis is a nematode lungworm found in wild and domestic canids in some parts of North America and Europe. Reported radiographic findings are nonspecific and consist of a combination of bronchial and interstitial changes of variable severity. This retrospective, case series study aimed to describe thoracic computed tomographic (CT) findings for a group of dogs with confirmed crenosomosis. Selection criteria were presentation with a chronic cough during the period of January 2016 to February 2017, evaluation by thoracic CT, and final diagnosis of C. vulpis infection based on bronchoscopic findings, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Medical records and CT images were retrieved and reviewed by a board-certified veterinary internist, a veterinary internal medicine resident, two board-certified veterinary radiologists, and a veterinary radiology intern, and findings were recorded. Three dogs met inclusion criteria. Thoracic CT findings for all dogs included the following: diffuse bronchial wall thickening, multifocal peribronchial ground glass attenuation, consolidation of the pulmonary parenchyma, and cylindrical bronchiectasis. In two dogs, the bronchial wall thickening was irregular to nodular, which was consistent with the bronchoscopic findings. Two dogs showed pulmonary parenchymal bands. Thoracic computed tomographic changes in dogs with C. vulpis are consistent with those seen on thoracic radiographs and crenosomosis should be considered in dogs with these findings.