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  • Author or Editor: Nicole M. Ponzio x
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Abstract

Objective—To establish reference ranges for indices of urine N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and G-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activities in clinically normal adult dogs.

Animals—38 dogs.

Procedures—Each dog underwent a physical examination, CBC, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, and serologic testing for heartworm antigen and antibodies against Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi. Activities of NAG and GGT in urine were evaluated, and values of the respective indices were determined as urine NAG or GGT activity (U/L) divided by urine creatinine concentration (g/L).

Results—All dogs were considered clinically normal. A 90% prediction interval based on the 5th and 95th percentiles for GGT and NAG index values from both sexes was used to establish the reference ranges for dogs: 1.93 to 28.57 U/g and 0.02 to 3.63 U/g, respectively. Between males and females, urine NAG index differed significantly, whereas urine GGT index did not. When accounting for sex differences, reference ranges for the urine NAG index in males and females were 0.02 to 3.65 U/g and 0.02 to 2.31 U/g, respectively. Changes in urine pH significantly affected the urine GGT index but not the urine NAG index. Neither index changed significantly with changes in body surface area.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Data suggest that increases in urine NAG and GGT indices allow for earlier detection of renal tubular damage in dogs. Such early detection would enable adjustment of the clinical management of affected dogs to decrease morbidity and death rates associated with acute tubular injury and acute tubular necrosis.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To identify Doppler echocardiographic (DE) variables that correlate with left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP).

Animals—7 healthy dogs (1 to 3 years old).

Procedures—Dogs were anesthetized and instrumented to measure left atrial pressure (LAP), left ventricular pressures, and cardiac output. Nine DE variables of LVFP derived from diastolic time intervals, transmitral and pulmonary venous flow, and tissue Doppler images were measured over a range of hemodynamic states induced by volume loading and right atrial pacing. Associations between simultaneous invasive measures of LVFP and DE measures of LVFP were determined by use of regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to predict increases in mean LAP on the basis of DE variables.

Results—Mean LAP was correlated with several DE variables: the ratio between peak velocity during early diastolic transmitral flow and left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (peak E:IVRT) during sinus rhythm and during right atrial pacing, IVRT, the ratio between late diastolic transmitral flow velocity and pulmonary venous flow duration, and the interval between onset of early diastolic mitral annulus motion and onset of early diastolic transmitral flow. Cutoff values of 2.20 and 2.17, for peak E:IVRT in dogs with sinus rhythm and atrial pacing predicted increases in mean LAP (≥ 15 mm Hg) with sensitivities of 90% and 100% and specificities of 92% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Doppler echocardiography can be used to predict an increase in LVFP in healthy anesthetized dogs subjected to volume loading.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research