Haematological and biochemical reference intervals in adult Maine Coon cat blood donors

Determination of age-specific reference intervals for selected serum and urinary biomarkers in elderly cats

OBJECTIVES

Annual health screening is recommended in elderly cats to allow the early detection of conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperthyroidism. Nevertheless, age-specific reference intervals (RIs) for renal and thyroid parameters in this population are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine age-specific RIs for selected serum and urine biomarkers related to CKD and hyperthyroidism, namely serum creatinine (sCr), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), phosphate (P), total calcium (tCa), total thyroxine (TT4), urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) and urine specific gravity (USG). These RIs were established for elderly cats (aged ⩾7 years) in general, as well as for mature adult cats (aged 7-10 years) and senior cats (aged >10 years) separately.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on client-owned cats aged ⩾7 years and considered healthy by their owners. The cats were screened to rule out metabolic and systemic diseases by means of a thorough history, complete physical examination, blood examination and urinalysis. The data from 206 healthy elderly cats (134 mature adult and 72 senior cats) were included. Age-appropriate RIs were determined following the guidelines of the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology and compared with existing laboratory RIs.

RESULTS

Clinically relevant differences between the age-specific RI and the laboratory RI were found for several variables. Compared with the laboratory RI, the upper limit of the RI for cats aged ⩾7 years was lower for sCr, TT4 and P, and higher for SDMA. The lower limit of the age-appropriate RI was lower for USG. The new RI was almost identical to the existing laboratory RI for tCa and UPC.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Using age-specific RIs for renal and thyroid biomarkers in mature adult and senior cats has important clinical consequences for the interpretation of health screening results in elderly cats. This confirms the need to adapt laboratory RIs to the specific animal population for which the RI will be used.

Evaluating the association between blood genotype or phenotype and haemoplasma infection in UK and Italian cats

BACKGROUND

In humans, blood groups are associated with varying prevalence of infections. The aim of this study was to determine if associations exist between the feline AB blood group system and haemoplasma infection.

METHODS

Data from two studies were combined. In the first study, DNA samples from 131 haemoplasma-infected and 132 haemoplasma-uninfected UK cats underwent pyrosequencing to determine their blood genotype as AA, Ab or bb. In the second study, blood samples from 160 Italian cats of known blood phenotype A, B or AB underwent PCR testing for feline haemoplasma species DNA.

RESULTS

Haemoplasma infection was demonstrated in cats of all phenotypes and genotypes. A significantly higher number of Ab genotype cats tested positive for overall haemoplasma infection status (p = 0.04) and for Mycoplasma haemofelis infection (p = 0.03).

LIMITATIONS

Haemoplasma-infected Italian cats were few, possibly increasing the chance of type II error, and the presence of purebred cats in the sample population may have had a confounding effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Feline haemoplasmas do not appear to preferentially use either blood type A or B antigens as attachment sites for erythrocyte colonisation. Further investigations in a larger number of haemoplasma-infected cats of known blood phenotype are warranted to explain the association between genotype Ab and haemoplasma infection.

'The Mercury Challenge': feline systolic blood pressure in primary care practice - a European survey

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to collect data from a substantial number of older cats having their systolic blood pressure (SBP) measured in a variety of clinical practices, to describe the findings and assess variables that affected the duration of assessment and the values obtained.

METHODS

An international (European-based) multicentre convenience sample survey of cats ⩾7 years of age attending veterinary clinics and having SBP measured as part of their clinical assessment. Information gathered included details of the cat, concomitant disease(s) or therapies, SBP results, device used, time taken to assess SBP and the demeanor of the cat.

RESULTS

Useable data were available from 8884 cats aged 7-26 years, from 811 clinics across 16 countries. The device used to measure SBP was Doppler in 47.4% and oscillometry in 48.5%. The demeanor of the cat was reported to be calm in 45.7%, anxious in 41.9% and nervous in 8.9%; and the duration of assessment was reported to be <5 mins in 50.4%, 5-10 minutes in 41.7% and >10 mins in 7.9%. Concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD) was reported in 21.8%, hyperthyroidism in 12.0% or both in 3.1%. The median SBP was 150 mmHg (range 80-310), with 18.6% classified as hypertensive (SBP 160-179 mmHg) and 21.1% as severely hypertensive (SBP ⩾180 mmHg). The measured SBP was significantly affected by the cat's demeanor, duration of SBP assessment, presence of CKD and/or hyperthyroidism, the cat's sex and age, and the presence of concomitant therapy. The duration of SBP assessment was significantly affected by the cat's demeanor.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In veterinary clinics, SBP can be measured in most cats within a short period of time using either Doppler or oscillometric equipment. The presence of CKD or hyperthyroidism was associated with significantly higher SBP values, and anxious or nervous cats had higher SBP values and took longer to obtain SBP assessments.

Haematological and biochemical reference intervals in healthy Ragdoll cats

OBJECTIVES

Breed-specific reference intervals (RIs) may be necessary to avoid misinterpretation of laboratory results. The main aim of this study was to establish haematobiochemical RIs for Ragdoll cats.

METHODS

Forty-two clinically healthy adult (0.8-10 years old) Ragdoll cats (Ragdoll population [RP]) and 60 non-Ragdoll cats as the control population (CP) were prospectively enrolled. Results of haematology, biochemistry and total thyroxine (TT4) were used to determine both Ragdoll-specific and general feline population RIs for each variable using Reference Value Advisor software according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines.

RESULTS

For each analyte, RIs of the RP were calculated and compared with those obtained from the CP. Haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte absolute count, platelet count and lymphocyte absolute number were statistically different from the CP. Biochemistry RIs revealed a statistical difference in creatinine kinase (CK), total protein, urea, creatinine, glucose, total calcium and iron.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Haematobiochemical RIs of the general feline population must be used with caution in Ragdoll cats when it comes to iron and glucose concentrations, CK activity and absolute lymphocyte number. For these parameters, the use of breed-specific RIs is suggested. The docile and more relaxed nature of this breed may explain these differences and further investigations are necessary to better understand the results. Furthermore, investigations are needed to evaluate the possible benefits of breed-specific urea RIs.

Comparison of point-of-care NOVA CCX blood gas analyzer to laboratory analyzer in a population of healthy adult cats

OBJECTIVE

To compare the level of agreement of measurement of analytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, urea nitrogen [UN], creatinine, glucose) in a population of healthy adult cats between the point-of-care (POC) analyzer and laboratory analyzer. To establish reference intervals for the POC analyzer in healthy adult cats.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

University teaching hospital.

ANIMALS

Fifty-five cats were screened. Seven cats were excluded due to aggression that prohibited phlebotomy, and 1 cat was excluded due to prolonged restraint; 47 cats were enrolled.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In this patient population, reference intervals for the POC analyzer were calculated: sodium 145-157 mmol/L; chloride 116-124 mmol/L; potassium 3.4-5.5 mmol/L; UN 5.71-13.9 mmol/L (16-39 mg/dl); creatinine 74.3-189.2 mmol/L (0.84-2.14 mg/dl); and glucose 4-11.8 mmol/L (72-213 mg/dl). Comparison between the POC analyzer and laboratory analyzer using the Bland-Altman method was performed. The bias for each analyte is as follows: sodium 1.55 mmol/L; chloride 0.99 mmol/L; potassium 0.21 mmol/L; UN -0.25 mmol/L (-0.7 mg/dl); creatinine 9.73 mmol/L (0.11 mg/dl); and glucose 0.5 mmol/L (9.79 mg/dl).

CONCLUSIONS

Reference intervals for each analyte were similar to other chemistry analyzers. There was no significant difference between the POC and laboratory analyzers in analysis of UN, with a statistically significant difference observed with sodium, potassium, chloride, creatinine, and glucose. However, the values are likely not sufficiently different to alter initial clinical decisions regarding patient care.

Wild Felids Blood Group System

Wild felids and domestic cats share the AB blood group. However, there have been few studies regarding the characterization and prevalence of the different blood types in wild animals. The erythrocyte membrane glycolipids of the wild cats correspond to the major disialoganglioside patterns observed in domestic cats. Like in domestic cats, type A blood seems to be the most common, although wild felid species seem to exhibit one single blood type. Of the species studied, the wild domestic cats, and the Panthera and ocelot lineages, all had type A blood; the Puma lineage showed almost exclusively type B blood. The prevalence of wild felids blood types show that there seems to be variation between species, but not within species, and no evidence of geographical variation has yet been found, showing apparently no genetic variability. The presence of alloantibodies has also been demonstrated, so the risk of life-threatening transfusion reactions due to mismatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis is a possibility. Like in other species, the recognition of wild felids blood groups is clinically relevant, as it can also be important in establishing phylogenetic relationships within the Felidae family. We will review the current knowledge on this topic and give insights into the wild felids blood groups potential for zoo transfusion medicine and phylogenetic studies in order to help support reintroduction projects and to preserve genetic diversity.

Frequency of Blood Types A, B and AB in a Population of Non-Pedigree Domestic Cats from Central Italy

Simple Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of AB blood groups in non-pedigree domestic cats in Central Italy. The presence of natural alloantibodies in the feline blood group system can cause life-threatening transfusion reactions due to mismatched transfusion and, depending on the parents’ blood type, can also account for hemolytic reactions in newborn kittens. Based on the frequency of the AB blood groups found in the 483 cats studied, a potential risk (6.5%) of acute hemolytic transfusion or neonatal reactions was calculated. Therefore, determining the blood group in non-pedigree domestic cats from Central Italy before transfusion is strongly recommended, as has been reported for other geographical areas. Moreover, particular attention should be paid to the mating of non-purebred cats.

Abstract

Blood transfusion reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis are common events in the feline population due to the presence of natural alloantibodies in the AB blood group system. It is known that the frequency of feline blood types varies according to the geographic region and breed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of AB blood groups in non-pedigree domestic cats in Central Italy and estimate the risk of a life-threatening transfusion reaction and neonatal isoerythrolysis, caused by mismatched transfusion or incompatible random mating, respectively. The AB blood group was determined on non-pedigree domestic feline patients and potential blood donors submitted at the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals of the Universities of Teramo (Abruzzo Region, Teramo, Italy) and Perugia (Umbria Region, Teramo, Italy), and visited at veterinary practitioners in Rome (Lazio Region, Teramo, Italy) using commercial immunochromatographic cartridges and commercial agglutination cards. There were four hundred and eighty-three cats included in the study. The frequencies of the blood types were: 89.9% type A, 7.0% type B, and 3.1% type AB. The probability of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction or a neonatal isoerythrolysis was 6.5%. Although the frequency of type B in non-pedigree domestic cats living in Central Italy was relatively low, to reduce the risk of fatal transfusion reactions, blood group typing is recommended before each transfusion.

Hematological and Biochemical Reference Intervals for 5 Adult Hunting Dog Breeds Using a Blood Donor Database

Simple Summary

Hematological and biochemical profiles are essential in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease in veterinary medicine, requiring optimal Reference Intervals (RIs) for accurate interpretation. The aim of this study is to determine hematobiochemical RIs for 5 hunting dog breeds from a blood donor database and to compare them with laboratory established and published RIs to identify possible breed and attitude-related differences. A total of 445 healthy adult hunting dogs (156 Ariégeois, A; 52 Bleu de Gascogne, B; 64 Bracco italiano, C; 123 Segugio italiano, D; 50 Briquet Griffon Vandeen, E) were included in the study. Significant differences in 12 hematologic and serum biochemical analytes, for which a breed-specific variation appears to be the most plausible explanation, were detected, and new RIs for these parameters are provided.

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown the importance of breed-related differences between hematological and biochemical results in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study is to determine hematologic and biochemical Reference Intervals (RIs) for 5 hunting dog breeds from a blood donor database, adopting an indirect sampling method, and to compare them with laboratory established and published RIs to identify possible breed and attitude-related differences. The study analyzed the blood parameters of 445 adults (222 females and 223 male, with age ranging from 2 to 8 years, mean age 5.3 years), client-owned, clinically healthy blood donor dogs of 5 breeds: 156 Ariégeois, 52 Bleu de Gascogne, 64 Bracco italiano, 123 Segugio italiano, and 50 Briquet Griffon Vandeen. Statistical analysis was performed as recommended by the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) guidelines. RIs for red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HB), main corpuscular volume (MCV), main corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), main corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red distribution widht (RDW), white blood cells (WBC), and differential leukocytes count, PLT, Albumin, Total Protein, Urea, Creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) for each of the 5 breeds were performed, and significant differences with the established RIs were detected. We found significant differences in 12 hematologic and serum biochemical analytes for which a breed-specific variation appears to be the most plausible explanation. New RIs for HCT, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Albumin, Urea, Creatinine, AST, and ALT are provided for at least 1 breed. Breed-specific RIs for adult hunting dogs will help avoid misinterpretation of laboratory results in these breeds.

Prevalence of Blood Types and Alloantibodies of the AB Blood Group System in Non-Pedigree Cats from Northern (Lombardy) and Southern (Sicily) Italy

Simple Summary

The most important blood group system in cats is the AB, in which cats are classified as type-A, B or AB. Cats have antibodies against the blood type they do not possess, called alloantibodies. The aims of this study were to update blood type prevalence in cats from Northern Italy and study for the first time the blood type in cats from an insular region of Southern Italy, Sicily; to detect alloantibodies in these feline populations; to compare results with previous studies performed in Italy and between regions in Northern and Southern Italy. Cats from Southern Italy had the highest prevalence of type-B and type-AB, and the lowest prevalence of type-A blood in Italy. In particular, type-AB prevalence was higher than all previous reports in non-pedigree cats in Europe and the Italian prevalence of anti-type-B alloantibodies in type-A cats was the lowest reported worldwide. These results highlight the usefulness of regional studies to report different prevalences in feline blood types. Compatibility tests such as blood typing and cross matching must be considered fundamental in cats of any origin to ensure safe and efficient blood transfusion and to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of A, B and AB blood types and alloantibodies in non-pedigree cats from two regions, one in Northern and one in Southern Italy (Lombardy and Sicily, respectively). A total of 448 samples (52.0% from Northern and 48.0% from Southern Italy) were blood typed. The prevalence of A, B and AB blood types in northern and southern cats were 91.0%, 5.2%, 3.8%, and 77.2%, 12.1% and 10.7%, respectively. The prevalence of type-A blood in southern cats was significantly lower (p = 0.0001) than in northern cats, while type-B and AB blood were significantly higher (p = 0.0085 and p = 0.0051, respectively) in Southern compared to Northern Italian cats. Alloantibodies against type-A blood were found in 94.1% of type-B cats, 11.2% of type-A cats had alloantibodies against type-B blood, while no type-AB cats had alloantibodies with no significant difference between the two Italian populations. Type-AB prevalence in non-pedigree cats in Southern Italy was the highest reported in Europe. Italian type-A cats had the lowest worldwide prevalence of alloantibodies against type-B blood. These results highlight the usefulness of regional studies to report different prevalences in feline blood types and reinforce the importance of blood typing cats before transfusions and mating.

Comparison of Conventional Tube and Gel-Based Agglutination Tests for AB System Blood Typing in Cat

Gel technology is widely used for blood typing in human medicine. It has a number of advantages over routine tube testing, including standardization, stability, smaller sample volume, ease of performance and analysis, and speed. The aim of this study was to evaluate feline blood typing using the gel column technique. TUBE agglutination typing was performed in 143 feline blood samples from blood donors and recipients, healthy and sick patients, and whole-blood units anticoagulated with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid or citrate phosphate dextrose adenine. Plasma from type B cats was used as anti-A reagent, Triticum vulgaris lectin as anti-B reagent, and the control was saline solution. Agglutination in backtyping of types B and AB samples with type A red blood cells (RBCs) was used to confirm whether the samples were type B (presence of alloantibodies) or type AB (absence of alloantibodies). Blood typing in a neutral gel column technique (GEL) using the same anti-A and anti-B reagents was performed on duplicate samples. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, overall accuracy, and Cohen κ coefficient (κ) for GEL were calculated, with TUBE considered the gold standard technique. Of 143 samples typed with TUBE, 98 (68.5%) were type A, 25 (17.5%,) type B, and 20 (14.0%) type AB. Backtyping confirmed the categorization of all types B and AB samples. Of these samples, gel testing produced 115 (80.4%) concordant results; a mixed-field agglutination pattern (layers of RBCs at both the top and at the bottom of the gel in either the A or B gel column) was seen in 27 samples, and one type B sample was misidentified as type AB. If the mixed-field pattern was interpreted as a negative result, 141/143 (98.6%) samples showed concordant results with an overall accuracy of the GEL of 100.0% for type A, 98.9% for type B, and 99.1% for type AB. Strength of agreement was very good (κ = 0.97). When the same anti-A and anti-B reagents are used, GEL is a sensitive and specific method for blood typing feline samples. Until additional studies have been performed, mixed-field patterns obtained in GEL testing should be classified as negative results.

New Tests in Feline Veterinary Medicine: When to Use Them and When to Stick with Tried-and-True Tests

The focus of this article is on how interpretations of laboratory data can utilize both population and individual reference intervals, while making the most of routine testing procedures coupled with some of the newer laboratory tests, which can complement the existing tests in diagnosing disease.

Metabolic and Biomolecular Changes Induced by Incremental Long-Term Training in Young Thoroughbred Racehorses during First Workout Season

Simple Summary

Sport training leads to adaptation to physical effort that is reflected by changes in blood parameters. The Thoroughbred racehorse is a valid animal model to investigate such changes. Twenty-nine clinically healthy, two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses were followed during their first 4-month sprint training. Blood collection was performed at rest, once a month, five times. For each sample, blood parameters were determined. Moreover, before the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, serum protein electrophoresis and genetic analysis to evaluate the expression of key genes related to inflammatory and immunity responses were performed on all samples. Significant modifications were identified compared with the beginning of training for numerous metabolites and genes related to immunity response. In conclusion, the first long-term training period induces fundamental systemic changes in untrained Thoroughbreds probably as the result of the onset of physiologic adaptation to training.

Abstract

Training has a huge effect on physiological homeostasis. The Thoroughbred racehorse is a valid animal model to investigate such changes for training schedule fine-tuning. As happens in human athletes, it is hypothesized that biochemical and immune response changes and related biomolecular variations could be induced by training programs. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the long-term metabolic and biomolecular modifications in young untrained Thoroughbred racehorses in the first 4-month timeframe training period. Twenty-nine clinically healthy, untrained, two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses were followed during their incremental 4-month sprint exercise schedule. Blood collection was performed once a month, five times (T-30, T0, T30, T60, and T90). For each sample, lactate concentration, plasma cell volume (PCV), and hematobiochemical parameters (glucose, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (Tbil), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin (Alb), total proteins (TPs), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁻), and chloride (Cl)) were determined. At T-30 and T90, serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), serum amyloid A (SAA), and real-time qPCR were performed on all samples to evaluate the expression of key genes and cytokines related to inflammatory and Th2 immunity responses: Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Octamer-Binding Transcription Factor 1 (OCT1), B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A). Statistical analysis was performed (ANOVA and t test, p < 0.05). Significant modifications were identified compared with T-30 for PCV, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, lactate, urea, creatinine, Tbil, ALP, LDH, Na⁺, K⁻, Ca²⁺, SAA, TPs, SPE, IL-6, IL-4, Oct-1, and BCL11A. In conclusion, the first long-term training period was found to induce fundamental systemic changes in untrained Thoroughbreds.

Feline non-regenerative anemia: Diagnostic and treatment recommendations

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

Non-regenerative anemia, or anemia with reticulocytopenia, is a daily diagnosis in feline practice.

CLINICAL CHALLENGES

The disease processes underlying non-regenerative anemia are many and diverse. A major diagnostic evaluation may be required to correctly diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

AUDIENCE

All veterinarians caring for cats will face the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge of non-regenerative anemia. Readers will benefit from the review of diagnostic testing and therapeutic options for non-regenerative anemia.

EVIDENCE BASE

This review summarizes the currently available literature informing diagnostic and treatment recommendations related to non-regenerative anemia. The evidence available to support the recommendations in this review is graded as low and includes predominantly expert opinion, case reports and cases series, on which the authors' interpretation/consensus is based.

Diagnostic performances of manual and automated reticulocyte parameters in anaemic cats

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performances of manual and instrumental measurement of reticulocyte percentage (Ret%), reticulocyte number (Ret#) and reticulocyte production index (RPI) to differentiate regenerative anaemia (RA) from non-regenerative anaemia (NRA) in cats. Methods Data from 106 blood samples from anaemic cats with manual counts (n = 74; 68 NRA, six RA) or instrumental counts of reticulocytes (n = 32; 25 NRA, seven RA) collected between 1995 and 2013 were retrospectively analysed. Sensitivity, specificity and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) were calculated using either cut-offs reported in the literature or cut-offs determined from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results All the reticulocyte parameters were significantly higher in cats with RA than in cats with NRA. All the ROC curves were significantly different ( P <0.001) from the line of no discrimination, without significant differences between the three parameters. Using the cut-offs published in literature, the Ret% (cut-off: 0.5%) was sensitive (100%) but not specific (<75%), the RPI (cut-off: 1.0) was specific (>92%) but not sensitive (<15%), and the Ret# (cut-off: 50 × 10³/µl) had a sensitivity and specificity >80% and the highest LR+ (manual count: 14; instrumental count: 6). For all the parameters, sensitivity and specificity approached 100% using the cut-offs determined by the ROC curves. These cut-offs were higher than those reported in the literature for Ret% (manual: 1.70%; instrumental: 3.06%), lower for RPI (manual: 0.39; instrumental: 0.59) and variably different, depending on the method (manual: 41 × 10³/µl; instrumental: 57 × 10³/µl), for Ret#. Using these cut-offs, the RPI had the highest LR+ (manual: 22.7; instrumental: 12.5). Conclusions and relevance This study indicated that all the reticulocyte parameters may confirm regeneration when the pretest probability is high, while when this probability is moderate, RA should be identified using the RPI providing that cut-offs <1.0 are used.