Today's Veterinary Practice

SEP-OCT 2015

Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.

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tvpjournal.com | September/October 2015 | TOday'S VeTerinary PracTice canine PediaTricS: The VOmiTing PuPPy Peer reviewed 33 magnification. Approximately 10 platelets per high power field were seen on 1000×; this was estimated to be a platelet count of 100,000 to 150,000 (cells/mcL). • High numbers of Toxocara canis eggs were identified in the stool. • Doppler blood pressure measurement was attempted, but proved difficult due to the small size of the puppy (pediatric [6- to 8-weeks old] reference range, approximately 112 mm Hg). 1 Further Analysis After initial treatment, blood was collected in low-volume tubes for routine complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemical profile (Table 2, page 34). CBC Results • Marked lymphopenia and neutropenia were seen, typical of parvoviral enteritis. • Relative hemoconcentration was likely due to severe dehydration. Low PCV due to age and/or anemia due to gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding may become evident after fluid therapy. Biochemistry Results • JP's hypoglycemia was more severe than could be attributed to age, cachexia, and decreased food intake. • Cholesterol is often lower in puppies than adult dogs. • Electrolyte depletion was attributed to vomiting and diarrhea. • Low albumin and total protein levels were most likely caused by protein loss through the GI tract, including via GI bleeding. • Hypocalcemia was at least partially related to severe hypoalbuminemia. • Increased alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and phosphorus were most likely related to a combination of age and illness. DIAGNOSIS Cormorbidities In this patient, canine parvovirus infection had been diagnosed before referral. Additional comorbid conditions may include infection with another virus (eg, coronavirus), intestinal parasitism, intestinal bacterial infection or overgrowth (eg, Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Campylobacter species, Clostridia species), intussusception, or foreign body. Sepsis & Hypovolemic Shock The presence of hypovolemic shock and sepsis— caused by dehydration, leukopenia, and intestinal bacterial translocation—is the most life-threatening condition present in JP. Associated hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, and electrolyte or acid–base disturbances must be addressed. Levels of Diagnostic Evaluation GoLD Blood analysis • Complete blood count, with smear evaluation • Serum biochemical profle • Venous blood gas (eg, acid–base, electrolytes) Fecal analysis • Fecal fotation • Direct fecal smear • Parvoviral fecal antigen* imaging • Abdominal radiography/ultrasonography other • Colloid osmotic pressure • Blood pressure SiLvER Blood analysis • Complete blood count, with smear evaluation • Serum biochemical profle • Venous blood gas (eg, acid–base, electrolytes) Fecal analysis • Fecal foatation • Parvoviral fecal antigen other • Blood pressure BR o NZE Blood a nalysis • Packed cell volume and total solids • Blood smear evaluation • Serum biochemical profle or venous blood gas (eg, acid–base, electrolytes), along with blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen Fecal a nalysis • Parvoviral fecal antigen * If result is negative but parvovirus is still suspected, perform polymerase chain reaction on feces.

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