Abstract. Tissue factor (TF)-and kaolin-activated thromboelastography (TEG) have been performed in a small number of healthy dogs, but reference intervals have not been assessed in a larger number of dogs. The goal of the current study was to establish reference intervals and assess intra-assay repeatability for kaolinactivated TEG in dogs. Additionally, the impact of sex and the influence of anticoagulant (native blood vs. recalcified citrate anticoagulated blood) were evaluated. Thromboelastography analyses were performed in 56 healthy dogs including German Shepherd Dogs (n 5 19), Beagles (n 5 15), and others (n 5 22). Median age was 2 years (range: 1-6 years) and sex was evenly distributed (31 males and 25 females). To establish reference intervals, citrated whole-blood samples were collected, and TEG was performed 1 hr after sampling. Five TEG variables (R 5 reaction time; K 5 clot formation time; a 5 angle a; MA 5 maximal amplitude; G-value reflecting clot stability) were evaluated, and reference intervals were defined as the mean 6 1.96-fold standard deviation. Intra-assay repeatability was assessed by calculating the pooled variance estimate in duplicate measurements of 6 healthy dogs. The effect of anticoagulant was assessed in 17 specimens. Reference intervals were as follows: R 5 1.8-8.6 min; angle a 5 36.9-74.6 degrees; K 5 1.3-5.7 min; MA 5 42.9-67.9 mm, and G 5 3.2-9.6 Kdyn/cm 2 . Coefficients of variation for R, K, angle a, MA, and G were 7.6%, 17.7%, 7.4%, 2.9%, and 6.6%, respectively. There was no significant impact of sex or anticoagulant on results. Interindividual variation was higher in native samples than in citrated whole blood. A limitation of the current study was that most of the samples were obtained from Beagles and German Shepherd Dogs. This study provides useful reference intervals for kaolin-activated TEG.

The magnitude of the increase in serum acute-phase proteins in dogs with parvoviral enteritis could be a useful indicator of the prognosis of the disease. In acute-phase proteins, C-reactive protein is a potent predictor of mortality in dogs with parvoviral enteritis.

No abstract

We conclude that among type 1 DM patients with similar level of glycemia, iron deficiency anemia is associated with higher concentrations of HbA1c. In addition, iron replacement therapy leads to a drop in HbA1c in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The iron status of the patient must be considered during the interpretation of HbA1c concentrations in type 1 DM.

Abstract. Reference intervals for coagulation parameters have been rarely determined in dogs for the STA CompactH automated coagulation analyzer, so it is the aim of the current study to validate assays and establish reference ranges for its use in canine specimens. Coagulation parameters were assessed in 56 healthy dogs with a median age of 2 years and evenly distributed sex. The 95% reference intervals were as follows: 1-stage prothrombin time 5 5.7-8.0 sec; activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) 5 10.0-14.3 sec; thrombin time (TT) 5 11.9-18.3 sec; fibrinogen 5 1.3-3.1 g/l; antithrombin (AT) 5 107.9-128.0%; D-dimer 5 0.023-0.65 mg/ml; anti-factor Xa 5 0.04-0.26 IU/l; and activated protein C (APC) ratio 5 2.0-3.0. Protein C and S activity was markedly below (,220%) and factor VIII was 2-to 11-fold above the human calibration standard, so a standard curve had to be prepared from canine pooled plasma. Reference intervals for protein C, protein S, and factor VIII were 75.5-118.9%, 74.4-160.5%, and 70.9-136.4%, respectively, compared with a canine standard curve. Streptokinase-activated plasminogen assay was not suitable for dogs. There was no significant impact of sex on hemostasis test results. Factor VIII activity, AT, protein C, protein S, and APC ratio were overestimated in hemolytic plasma, whereas fibrinogen, TT, and APTT were underestimated. Lipemia resulted only in false-high D-dimers. This study provided useful reference intervals for dogs, but some human tests (i.e., protein C, protein S, factor VIII, and plasminogen) required modification.