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Background: Serum bile acids (SBAs) are frequently measured in dogs. However, there is limited data comparing SBAs in different liver diseases diagnosed according to standardized histological criteria.Objectives: To compare resting and postprandial SBAs, and determine their sensitivity and specificity, for various liver diseases in dogs.Animals: Three hundred and forty-one client-owned dogs with suspected liver disease that had a liver biopsy and SBAs measured.Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Cases were classified according to standardized histological criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of resting and postprandial SBAs for the diagnosis of each liver disease, and all liver diseases combined, were calculated. Results:The median resting SBAs were highest in dogs with cirrhosis (98.8 μmol/L; range, 6-135) and congenital circulatory anomalies (CCa; 79.45 μmol/L; 0.3-705). The highest median postprandial concentrations were found in CCa (126 μmol/L; 0-726) and chronic hepatitis (CH; 54.3 μmol/L; 0-260). Using the cut-off value of 10 μmol/L, the highest sensitivities of resting SBAs were recorded in dogs with CCa (87.5%; 95% confidence interval, 76.8-94.4) and CH (81.1%;). The sensitivities of postprandial SBAs were the highest in cholangitis (100%; 47.8-100.0) and CCa (91.1%; 78.8-97.5). The specificities of resting and postprandial SBAs for all diseases were 49.3% (37.6-61.1) and 29.7% (15.9-47.0), respectively.

51Angiostrongylus vasorum (A. vasorum) is an important emerging disease of canidae. 52Cardiorespiratory signs are common in affected dogs, therefore thoracic imaging is critical 53 for diagnosing and monitoring disease. Descriptions of thoracic computed tomography (CT) 54 findings in dogs naturally infected with A. vasorum are currently lacking. Aims of this 55 multicentre, retrospective study were to findings in a group of dogs with confirmed disease, 56 determine whether any changes were consistent among dogs, and propose standardized terms 57 for describing thoracic CT findings. Nine UK-based referral centers' clinical and imaging 58 databases were searched for dogs that had a confirmed diagnosis of A. vasorum, and had 59 undergone thoracic CT examination. Eighteen dogs, from seven of the centers, fulfilled the 60 inclusion criteria. The lung lobes were divided into the following three zones and the CT 61 changes described in each: pleural (zone 1), subpleural (zone 2) and peribronchovascular 62 (zone 3). The predominant abnormality was increased lung attenuation due to poorly defined 63 ground glass opacity or consolidation. There were regions of mosaic attenuation due to 64 peripheral bronchiectasis (6/18). Nine/18 (50%) dogs showed hyper attenuating nodules of 65 varying sizes with ill-defined margins. The distribution always affected zone 1,2 with varied 66 involvement of zone 3; this resulted in clear delineation between zones 2 and 3. 67Tracheobronchial lymphadenomegaly was frequently noted. Findings were non-specific and 68there was considerable overlap with other pulmonary conditions. However, authors 69 recommend that A. vasorum be considered a likely differential diagnosis for dogs with a 70 predominantly peripheral distribution of ground glass opacity or mosaic attenuation.

BackgroundEnglish springer spaniels (ESS) show an increased risk of chronic hepatitis (CH). In a previous study of 68 ESS with CH, in which only one dog received corticosteroids, a median survival time of 189 days was noted. Some ESS with CH appear to improve with prednisolone treatment; therefore, we aimed to investigate the response to prednisolone in this breed.ParticipantsESS with histologically confirmed idiopathic CH were treated with prednisolone 1–2 mg/kg/day. Nine female and three male ESS were enrolled (median age at diagnosis of five years). Patients were monitored clinically and had biochemistry samples taken to assess markers of hepatocellular damage and function.ResultsThe mean starting dose of prednisolone was 1.1 mg/kg/day. All symptomatic patients showed an initial clinical improvement. Two cases were euthanased while receiving prednisolone. The median time since diagnosis is 1715 days (range: 672–2105 days) and the remaining patients are clinically well, with seven patients still receiving a mean dose of 0.4 mg/kg prednisolone every other day. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant (P<0.05) reductions in serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin following 2–4 weeks of prednisolone treatment.ConclusionThis study demonstrates improved clinical and biochemical parameters when some ESS with CH are managed with prednisolone and standard supportive treatments.

Objectives To describe the history, clinicopathological abnormalities, diagnostic imaging findings, lymph node cytological/histological appearance, treatment and outcome of English springer spaniels diagnosed with idiopathic pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis. Materials and Methods In this retrospective UK‐based multicentre study, 64 dogs were recruited from 10 referral centres, 32 first‐opinion practices and three histopathology/cytology laboratories, between 2010 and 2016. Results The median age at presentation was 6 years (range: 0.17 to 11.75). Neutered females were frequently affected. Pyrexia (83.8%), peripheral lymphadenomegaly (78.4%), dermatological lesions (72.9%), lethargy (67.6%), hyporexia (54%), diarrhoea (29.7%), coughing (24.3%), epistaxis, sneezing or nasal discharge (21.6%), ocular signs (21.6%) and vomiting (16.2%) were reported in dogs for which the history and physical examination records were available. Popliteal (45.3%), superficial cervical (35.9%) and submandibular (37.5%) lymphadenomegaly were frequently reported. Haematology and serum biochemistry revealed non‐specific changes. When undertaken, testing for infectious diseases was negative in all cases. Lymph node cytology, histopathology or both demonstrated mixed inflammatory (27%), pyogranulomatous (24%), neutrophilic (20%) or granulomatous (11%) lymphadenitis. Treatment details were available for 38 dogs, with 34 receiving prednisolone for a median duration of 15 weeks (range: 1 to 28 weeks). A good to excellent clinical response was reported in all but one case. Ten dogs relapsed after discontinuing prednisolone. Clinical Significance Idiopathic pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for lymphadenopathy and pyrexia in English springer spaniels. The characteristics of the disease, absence of identifiable infectious aetiology and response to glucocorticoid therapy suggest an immune‐mediated aetiology.