This is an observational retrospective study on 85 client-owned dogs, 60 with IBD and 25 clinically healthy dogs. This study aims to assess the clinical relevance of some easy to obtain and cost-effective hematological parameters including red blood cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in dogs with IBD. Comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters between dogs with IBD and control dogs was carried out and the ability to distinguish between these two groups of dogs was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUCROC). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis estimated the odds ratio (OR) of developing IBD with a 95% confidence interval (CI). MLR and monocytes count had the highest accuracy in facilitating the discrimination of dogs with IBD from control dogs with an AUCROC of 0.839 and 0.787 at the cut-off of >0.14% and >3.7 cells*10²/µL, respectively. According to two multivariable models, monocytes count (OR = 1.29; p = 0.016), NLR (OR = 1.80; p = 0.016), and MLR > 0.14 (OR = 8.07; p < 0.001) and PLR > 131.6 (OR = 4.35; p = 0.024) were significant and independent predictors of IBD for models one and two, respectively. Monocytes count and the hematological ratios MLR, NLR, and PLR can be useful in the diagnostic work-up of dogs with IBD.

Esophageal and gastric foreign bodies (FBs) commonly occur in small animal practices, and their endoscopic removal has been previously reported. However, few studies reported the endoscopic instruments used for the retrieval attempt and the time spent for endoscopic removal. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the factors that can influence the success rate and timing of the endoscopic retrieval of FBs. The medical records of 92 animals undergoing endoscopic removal of esophageal (n = 12) and gastric (n = 84) FBs have been reviewed. Two dogs had FBs in both the esophagus and stomach. From medical records and video recordings, there were extrapolated data on signalment, clinical signs, endoscopic devices used, success of retrieval, and duration of endoscopy. Endoscopic removal of FBs was successful in 88% cases, and the mean time spent for the extraction was 59.74 min (range, 10–120 min). The success rate and timing for the removal of endoscopic foreign bodies (EFBs) are influenced by several factors in our population: medium-breed dogs, adult animals, and localization of FBs in the body of the stomach increased the probability of failure during the endoscopic retrieval attempt. Conversely, the success and timing of the retrieval of EFBs were higher in puppies and with increasing operator’s experience. Moreover, the use of combination devices such as polypectomy snare and grasping forceps negatively influenced the success of extraction of FBs. Further prospective and comparative studies in a large and multicentric population of patients can be useful to create interventional endoscopic guidelines, as in human medicine.

The D-enantiomer of lactic acid (D-lactate) is normally produced from bacterial fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract in mammals. In humans, increased D-lactate concentrations are related to gastrointestinal disease, including short bowel syndrome and malabsorptive syndrome. Similarly, increased D-lactate concentrations have been described in calves affected by diarrhea, in cats with gastrointestinal diseases, and in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. The purpose of the present study was to measure the serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We retrospectively reviewed data from the database of the VTH of Perugia University, and dogs affected by IBD with serum samples stored at −80 °C were considered eligible for inclusion. A total of 18 dogs with IBD and 10 healthy dogs were included in the study. The dogs with IBD were divided into three subcategories based on the severity of the disease. Serum D-lactate concentrations (μM) were determined using a commercially available colorimetric assay kit (D-Lactate Colorimetric Assay Kit; Catalog #K667-100, BioVision Inc., Milpitas, CA, USA). Our results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum concentrations of D-lactate between dogs with various degrees of IBD and healthy dogs. However, the wide variability of the D-lactate concentrations in dogs with IBD and evidence of increased serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs with confirmed dysbiosis encourage further studies on this topic to understand potential factors influencing the serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs affected by IBD.

Veterinary literature on epiglottic disorders and their treatment in dogs is limited. The objective of this study is to report the clinical features, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and outcomes of dogs with epiglottic conditions treated using diode laser epiglottidectomy (DLE). This was a single-institution observational prospective study. Thirty-five dogs diagnosed with epiglottic disease underwent DLE. In all cases, an epiglottic disease was documented with combined laryngoscopic examination, when needed, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT) scan, and biopsy. Sub-total (SDLE) and total (TDLE) diode laser epiglottidectomy was performed under endoscopic guidance according to the diagnosis. Follow-up was performed by a re-examination visit and endoscopy, and telephone follow-up with the owner. The most common epiglottic disorder was epiglottic retroversion (ER) (57.1 %). SDLE was performed in 32/35 (91.4 %) dogs, while 3/35 (8.6 %) dogs underwent TDLE. Intraoperative complications occurred in 11.4 % surgeries, primarily involving bleeding. Postsurgical complications were reported in 8.5 % cases post-SDLE and were represented by transient airway obstruction caused by local edema. Follow-up (median 18 months, minimum 3 months - maximum 21 months) consultations revealed prolonged resolution of upper airway obstruction without signs of respiratory tract compromise or dysphagia. The surgical techniques described in this study have proven to be effective and minimally invasive for the treatment of epiglottic-related airway obstruction.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic yield of endobronchial Wang™ needle aspiration to that of bronchial brushing and forceps biopsy for canine tracheal and endobronchial masses and submucosal infiltrations examined by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Materials and Methods: Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope‐guided bronchial brushing, forceps biopsy, and endobronchial Wang™ needle aspiration were performed consecutively in dogs with exophytic airway masses or submucosal infiltrations. The diagnostic performances of the three techniques were compared to surgical or necropsy histopathology, as the gold standard. We determined the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and 95% confidence interval of each technique. Results: Twenty‐one dogs were included. Endobronchial Wang™ needle aspiration accurately identified malignancy in 90.48% of cases, forceps biopsy in 80.95%, and bronchial brushing in 52.38%. Of the 21 cases, agreement in the final morphological tumour type was obtained in 19 (90%), 15 (71%), and 8 (38%) using endobronchial Wang™ needle aspiration, forceps biopsy, and bronchial brushing, respectively. Endobronchial Wang™ needle aspiration had the highest sensitivity and accuracy (94% and 90%, respectively; 95% CI: +0.99/−0.89) when used both alone and in combination with the other techniques. Clinical Significance: Endobronchial Wang™ needle aspiration alone or in combination with other techniques may be promising for obtaining the highest diagnostic yield for canine tracheal or bronchial mucosal abnormalities.

A 7-month-old, 3.6-kg, intact male Dachshund was presented with a lifelong history of chronic respiratory signs. Multiple courses of antimicrobial therapy resulted in partial or complete clinical improvement, followed by recurrence after treatment discontinuation. To investigate the underlying cause of the persistent respiratory disease, rhino-tracheobronchoscopy was performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and respiratory mucosal biopsy specimens were collected for cytological, histopathological, and ultrastructural evaluation. Cytological examination of BAL fluid revealed septic neutrophilic inflammation, and bacterial culture yielded P. aeruginosa. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) identified ultrastructural abnormalities of the ciliary axoneme in 50% of the examined respiratory cilia. Based on these findings, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) was diagnosed. PCD is a rare congenital disorder characterized by structural and functional abnormalities of motile cilia, resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance and recurrent respiratory infections. This case highlights the diagnostic value of a detailed clinical history, endoscopic examination, and TEM in dogs with suspected PCD.