2023 ACVIM Forum Research Report Program

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common feline heart disease; its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Micro-RNAs have been reported to play a role in human HCM pathogenesis. MicroRNA sequencing of feline HCM hearts was carried out, which identified known and novel microRNAs. Objective : Evaluate novel microRNAs identified in hearts from cats with HCM. Animals : Five left ventricles (LV) and 5 left atria (LA) from cats with HCM (group 1), and 7 LV and 5 LA from healthy cats (group 2). Methods : MicroRNAs from the LV and LA of group 1 and 2 were compared using miRDeep2. Novel microRNA sequences were evaluated to determine homologs (BLAST) and to assess their candidacy (RNAfold). Results : Comparing the LV with the LA in each group identified 33 differentially expressed novel microRNAs in group 1 and 46 in group 2. Fifteen were found in both the HCM and healthy LV, indicating chamber specificity. Fifty-five and 44 novel microRNAs were differently expressed comparing the LV and LA respectively from group 1 with group 2. Forty-four of the LV and 33 of the LA microRNAs were chamber specific. Eleven microRNAs (7 down-regulated, 4 up-regulated) were similarly expressed in both the LV and LA, suggesting chamber-independent involvement in HCM. Thirty microRNAs were homologs, 29 were orthologs, and for 29 microRNAs no species overlap was identified, indicating the discovery of microRNAs unreported so far. Conclusions : This study identified HCM and cardiac-chamber specific novel microRNAs. Further investigations into their role in feline HCM pathogenesis is required. Four

Conclusions: Humans and dogs with PS have similar morphology and response to BPV.Pre-procedural transpulmonary pressure gradients are higher in dogs compared to humans.Beta blockers are more commonly prescribed to dogs than humans.Regurgitant fraction and volume decreased from 64% ± 12% and 2.4 ± 0.9 mL/kg at baseline to 43 ± 26% (P < .0001)and 1.3 ± 1.1 mL/kg (P < .0001)at hospital discharge.Freedom from allcause and cardiac-related mortality at 9 months was 87.4% and 91.1%, respectively.4, 8, 12, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32, and 40 weeks.Placebo and velagliflozin groups were compared (Wk 0-20).A mixed model for repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess effects of treatment, time, and treatment Â time.

Conclusions
Significance was set at P = .05.
Results: Day 0 insulin concentrations did not differ significantly between placebo and velagliflozin groups (P = .Results: Timepoints were compared via paired t test to the baseline control (P < .05).Results are summarized in Table 1.
TABLE 1 Mean and SD of thermal thresholds determined in six horses at the withers (location A), cranial (location B) and caudal abdominal area (location C), the area over the tuber coxae (location D) and the hind limb dorsal pastern regions (location E) after administration of 0.2 mg/kg morphine and 0.2 mg/kg xylazine diluted to different volumes.Background: The etiology of hyperemic equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) remains poorly characterized.In people, reflux of bile into the stomach can cause bile gastropathy and has many parallels to hyperemic EGGD.
Hypothesis/Objectives: We hypothesize that there is an increase in bile acid concentrations with an increased proportion of conjugated bile acids in the pyloric gastric fluid associated with hyperemic EGGD.
Our specific objective is to compare the bile acid profiles of pyloric gastric fluid between horses with and without hyperemic EGGD.Results: Duodenal organoids were successfully cultured from endoscopically-guided biopsies from adult horses (Figure 1).Sufficient crypts for culture were obtained in 4/5 horses.R-spondin supplementation is required for duodenal organoid growth (Figure 2).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance:
This study demonstrates duodenal organoid establishment from live adult horses, allowing for personalized medicine approaches based on organoid assays.

FOOD ANIMAL
Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of pantoprazole in sheep after intravenous and subcutaneous administration Joe S. Smith 1 ; Kailee Bennet 2 ; Pierre-Yves Mulon   Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the pharmacokinetics of pantoprazole after intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration, as well as to determine the effect of abomasal pH after administration.
Methods: Ewes were administered a 1 mg/kg IV or SC dose of pantoprazole once daily for three consecutive days.Blood samples were collected from the ewes over 24 hours after the first administration, and abomasal fluid samples were collected over 96 hours.Plasma concentrations were analyzed via reversed-phase liquid chromatography.
Data was interpreted with commercial software.
Results: Pantoprazole was eliminated rapidly, with a 3.3-hour IV elimination half-life after IV.Both routes of administration had similar values for Area under the Curve: 17 766 h ng/mL (IV), 14 961 h ng/ mL (SC) with a SC bioavailability of 88%.The abomasal fluid pH was significantly (P < .05)higher than pre-pantoprazole pH levels up to 8 hours after dosing on all 3 days for both treatments.
Conclusions: Pantoprazole offers a potential therapy for gastroprotec-   We hypothesized that circulating miRNA reflects injury severity and cell type specificity in a severity-dependent manner.
Twenty serum samples of 13 dogs with SCI with various severity from a hospital population and seven healthy control dogs.
Retrospective study.The miRNA was isolated and used for library PCA demonstrated severity-dependent grouping of miRNA profiles.
Combined results indicate that circulating miRNAs are promising biomarkers to evaluate SCI injury severities.Further studies elucidating the role of cell type-specific miRNA biomarkers and their correlation with the long-term functional outcome will provide valuable knowledge to develop novel therapeutic approaches in the SCI.

NUTRITION
Starch:Protein ratio in energy expenditure and body composition in neutered and intact male cats Aulus C. Carciofi 1 ; Camila Goloni 2 ; Leticia Pacheco 1 ; Leticia Luis 1 ; Stephanie Theodoro 1 ; Lucas Scarpim 1 ; Celina Torres Methods: In a crossover design, cats were fed ad libitum for 4 months a high starch (HS; starch 40%, protein 38%) or high protein (HP: starch 20%, protein 55%) kibble diet.The BC and EE were evaluated by doubly labeled water method, and PA by 3-axyal accelerometer.Results were submitted to ANOVA in a 2 diets Â 2 sexual condition arrangement (P ≤ .05).
The EE was positively associated with PA (Figure 1).
Conclusions: IM had higher LM, EE, and PA than NM non-obese cats.
In NM, the HS diet maintained BW and improved BC.
Ionized hypercalcemia resolves with nutritional modification in cats with idiopathic hypercalcemia and chronic kidney disease Valerie J. Parker; Margot Ehrlich; Adam Rudinsky; Dennis Chew The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA Background: Idiopathic hypercalcemia (IHC) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are two common causes of ionized hypercalcemia in cats.
Various nutritional management strategies to address hypercalcemia have been described with little consensus about best practice.
Hypothesis: Feeding a diet with <200 mg calcium per 100 kcal (kcal) and a dietary calcium:phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio <1.4:1 can effectively manage hypercalcemia in cats.
Methods: Retrospective case series of cats with ionized hypercalcemia.
Cats with neoplasia, primary hyperparathyroidism, or those receiving medications known to affect calcium concentrations (eg, alendronate, corticosteroids, furosemide) were excluded.Cats were included if nutritional recommendations to address the hypercalcemia were provided and if follow-up ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations were obtained.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Cats with ionized hypercalcemia can return to normocalcemia when fed diets with <200 mg calcium/100 kcal as well as a dietary Ca:P ratio <1.4:1.
TABLE 1. Dietary calcium [mg per 100 kcal (kcal)] and calcium:phosphorus (Ca:P) ratios of diets fed to hypercalcemic cats at baseline and after modified dietary recommendations were made.Methods: Dogs between ages of 5.5 and 11.5 years and mixed breed or breeds at higher risk for cancer development were evaluated at three study sites.Physical examination with aspiration of dermal and subcutaneous masses, CBC, biochemical profile, urinalysis, 3-view thoracic radiographs, and abdominal ultrasound were performed to identify occult cancer in all patients prior to study enrollment.
Results: Twenty-three dogs were diagnosed with cancer, with another 11 dogs highly suspicious for cancer but not definitively confirmed, resulting in a 3.7% prevalence of undiagnosed cancer in this population of dogs.Twenty-two (65%) were diagnosed by physical examination through aspiration of cutaneous or subcutaneous masses, with mast cell tumors diagnosed most commonly (n = 10).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance:
The frequency of cancer diagnosis in this population of middle-aged to older higher risk breeds is low, however, routine physical examination was able to detect the majority of these malignant tumors.Results: Medians (Q1-Q3) for age and weight were 30 months (17-35.5)and 10.3 kg (8.9-12.2).BOAS severity was mild in 3, moderate in 3, and severe in 5 dogs.Medians (Q1-Q3) for AET and number of reflux events were 5.8% (2.2-7) and 114 (37-188).BOAS severity (P = .08)and esophagitis (P = .9)were not correlated with AET, but age was negatively correlated (P = .03).Median probability that owners observed regurgitation during reflux events was 73%, range 0% to 99%.In 3 of 4 dogs that underwent BOAS surgery, AET improved following surgery (Table 1).

SMALL ANIMAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Wireless pH monitoring documented acidic GER in French bulldogs with SHH, captured subclinical events, and showed improvements following BOAS surgery.
Gastrointestinal adverse effects of ophthalmic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in dogs Laura R. Van Vertloo

1 .
Determining the valve annular dimension by measuring the anterior leaflet 2. Utilizing the Triad Anchored chordae tendineae reconstruction method 3. Determining the appropriate position and number of chordae tendineae on the anterior and posterior leaflets 4. Determining the appropriate height The percentage of regurgitation (%Reg) was measured using the B-mode color Doppler flow of the atrium on the four-chamber left long-axis view.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The MI-4 surgical technique reduced the number of intraoperative decision points, eliminated dependence on the surgeon's experience, effectively controlled regurgitation, and prevented intraoperative complications.Additionally, the results could guide future research and aid veterinary surgeons in making more informed decisions when treating dogs with MI.Balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonary valve stenosis: Multicenter collaborative study across pediatric and veterinary cardiology centers Lauren E. Markovic 1 ; Brian Scansen 2 , DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology); Gurumurthy Hiremath 3 , MD, FACC, FSCAI, FPICS; Heidi Kellihan 4 , DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology); Amanda Coleman 5 , DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology); Sonja Tjostheim 4 , DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology); Caitlin Calkins 6 , NP; Katie Hodges 7 , RPhT; Erin Cahill 8 ; Brianne Tainter 9 , PA-C; Mary Carter 10 , DVM; Dennis Kim 11 , MD, PhD, FSCAI 1 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; 2 Professor, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; 3 Associate Professor, Masonic Children's Hospital, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; 4 Clinical Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin; 5 Associate Professor, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; 6 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Cardiac Cath Lab, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA; 7 Research Technician, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; 8 DVM Student, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; 9 Physician Assistant, Masonic Children's Hospital, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; 10 University of Wisconsin; Professor, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA Background: Transcatheter therapeutics have revolutionized treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) in children and animals.Further understanding of PS in humans and animals may help improve outcomes for both populations.Hypothesis/Objectives: To describe characteristics and outcomes of PS in patients that underwent balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) in pediatric and veterinary populations.Animals: Seventy-eight human patients from 2 pediatric cardiology centers, and 165 dogs from 3 veterinary cardiology centers.Methods: Multicenter, retrospective review analyzing PS patients between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2021.Demographics, procedural characteristics, and outcomes were assessed.Data are presented as mean ± SD.
dogs with mitral valve disease and heart failure: Long term outcome Kevin L. Phipps, DACVIM (Cardiology); Justin Allen, DACVIM (Cardiology); Kirstie Barrett, DACVIM (Cardiology) VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA Background: Left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the canine patient.Left atrial decompression (LAD) has been used to treat severely affected dogs who are failing standard medical therapy for a variety of reasons.No data has been published regarding the long-term outcome of dogs who have undergone LAD.Hypothesis/Objectives: The objective of our study was to determine incidence of atrial septal defect closure, frequency of right-sided congestive heart failure, frequency of hospitalizations after LAD, and survival times.Animals: A total of 111 client-owned dogs who were afflicted with ACVIM stage B2 (late), C, or D MMVD and underwent LAD.Methods: Retrospective cohort study enrolling patients with MMVD who had LAD performed between October 2018 and September 2021.Primary outcome variable was time to cardiac-related death or euthanasia.Secondary variables were time to right-sided CHF, artrial spetal defect closure, and number of hospitalizations for CHF post-LAD.Results: Closure of the iatrogenic atrial septal defect occurred in 22 dogs (20%).Iatrogenic atrial septal defect closure occurred most commonly in defects that were located caudally to the fossa ovalis.Forty dogs (36%) developed right-sided CHF as a sequela to the LAD, which occurred between 1 and 800 days post-operatively.25/111 (22.5%) patients had hospitalizations within their lifetime post-LAD as a result of cardiac disease.Median survival time post-LAD was 379 days with a range of 1 to 1282 days.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Left atrial decompression was associated with a satisfactory survival time, given the severity of disease in the patient population.Right-sided congestive heart failure is common after the procedure, though onset is variable.Closure of the iatrogenic atrial septal defect is uncommon, and incidence can be minimized by ensuring transseptal puncture occurs within the fossa ovalis.Feasibility clinical study of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in dogs with the canine mitral V-Clamp device Brianna M. Potter 1 ; E. Christopher Orton 2 , DVM, PhD, DACVS; I-Jung Chi 3 , DVM, MS; Brian Scansen 2 , DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology); Katie Abbott-Johnson 1 , DVM, MS; Lance Visser 4 , DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology); Ellen Shaub 5 , AS 1 Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; 2 Professor, Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; 3 Cardiology Resident, Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; 4 Associate Professor, Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; 5 Anesthesia, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA Background: Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) has been shown in pivotal studies to be an effective treatment for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) in humans.Hypothesis/Objective: Determine feasibility, acute safety, adverse device-related events, early efficacy, and freedom from all-cause and cardiac-related mortality of a canine-specific TEER device (V-Clamp) in dogs with degenerative MR.Animals: Initial inclusion criteria were dogs with stage C or D degenerative MR.During the study, stage B2 dogs were added if they met guidelines for severe MR.Methods: Prospective single-arm single-institution FDA feasibilitytype study.TEER was performed via a transapical approach under transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopic guidance.Results: Forty dogs were enrolled over a 2-year period (12 B2, 26 C, 2 D).Procedural feasibility was 95% based on successful delivery of at least one clamp in 38/40 dogs.There were no procedural deaths.Acute procedural safety was 95% based on survival to hospital discharge of 38/40 dogs.Most dogs were discharged by the 2nd day.Adverse device-related event rate was 6.2% based on 3 events (1 single-leaflet detachment, 1 clamp unlock, 1 clamp embolization) in 48 implanted clamps.All 3 events were nonfatal and successfully treated with a second clamp.

:
Initial feasibility results support continued development of TEER as a low-risk and effective treatment for degenerative MR in dogs.Electrocardiographic findings in clinical healthy adult Borzoi dogs with a normal echocardiogram Sonya R. Wesselowski 1 ; Blakeley Janacek 2 , DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology); K. Tess Sykes 1 , DVM; Ashley Saunders 3 , DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) 1 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; 2 Cardiologist, VCA Animal Diagnostic Clinic, Dallas, TX, USA; 3 Professor of Cardiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA Background: Borzoi dogs reportedly experience sudden death.Objectives: To report electrocardiogram (ECG) intervals, amplitudes, and frequency of ECG abnormalities in clinically healthy Borzoi.Animals: Eighty-two client-owned Borzoi.Methods: Clinically healthy Borzoi were prospectively recruited as part of a larger cohort study and underwent an echocardiogram and an ECG.Borzoi with structural cardiac abnormalities were excluded.Standard ECG measurements were obtained.QT interval was corrected (QTc) using the Van de Water formula.Results: Of 82 Borzoi with a structurally normal echocardiogram, ventricular arrhythmias were seen in six dogs and supraventricular premature complexes in one dog.Median P wave duration was 55 ms (range: 45-70 ms).Median PR interval was 125 ms (range: 80-175 ms), with 31 Borzoi (37.8%) having first degree atrioventricular block (PR interval >130 ms).Median QRS duration was 65 ms (range: 48-90 ms).The median QT interval was 235 ms (range: 43).Treatment (P = .01),time (P < .01),and treatment Â time (P < .01)effects were significant for plasma insulin concentrations when groups were compared Wk 0 to 20.Plasma insulin concentrations were significantly lower in the velagliflozin group, compared to the placebo group within 2 weeks (P = .03).All horses exhibited an increase in serum triglyceride concentrations during velagliflozin treatment, but development of hypertriglyceridemia was not accompanied by clinical abnormalities (lethargy, anorexia).Conclusions: Velagliflozin significantly decreased basal plasma insulin concentrations in horses with moderate to severe ID in this trial.Xylazine and morphine caudal epidural analgesia in horses: Influence of volume on location of effect Emma B. Gorenberg 1 ; Dario Floriano 2 , DVM, DACVAA; Klaus Hopster 3 , DrMedVet, PhD, DECVAA 1 New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 2 Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 3 Associate Professor of Large Animal Anesthesiology, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Background: Caudal epidural analgesia is an important modality in the treatment of pain in the horse, though the influence of dilution volume on the location of effect requires further elucidation.Hypothesis/Objectives: Objectives of the study were to describe the influence of dilution on the regional effects of xylazine and morphine epidural analgesia, with the hypothesis that increasing volumes produce different patterns and cranial spread of analgesia as determined by wireless thermal threshold (TT) testing.Animals: Six university-owned research/teaching horses (two mares, four geldings), aged 6 to 19 years and weighing 420 to 560 kg, that were deemed healthy on physical examination and basic lameness evaluation.Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded, cross-over experimental study.Following routine placement of a caudal epidural catheter, all animals were subsequently instrumented with a TT testing system at the left and right withers (location A) cranial (location B) and caudal (location C) abdominal area, over the tuber coxae (location D), and the hind limb dorsal pasterns (location E).All horses underwent five testing cycles with 0.2 mg/kg morphine and 0.2 mg/kg xylazine diluted to 20, 35, 50, 75, and 100 mL with a randomized order of treatment.TT testing was performed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours by a blinded investigator.

Animals:
FIGURE 1. Acquisition of duodenal crypts from endoscopically-guided biopsies.(A) Video endoscope image post-biopsy acquisition (2) in duodenum of a health horse.(B) Tissue size comparison of biopsy sample vs typical tissue sample used for crypt isolation, collected postmortem.(C) Hematoxylin and Eosin-stained cross section of duodenal biopsy demonstrating adequate tissue depth.Base of crypt epithelium indicated by dashed black line.Scale bar 500 μm.(D,E) stereomicroscopy images of duodenal biopsy pre-isolation, lamina propria post-isolation, and epithelium post-isolation, respectively (crypts, green arrowheads; villi, black arrows).

FIGURE 2 .
FIGURE 2. Optimization of media conditions for equine duodenal organoids.(A) representative images of organoid cultures after 5 days of treatment with the indicated concentrations of R-spondin, a Wnt signaling molecule.Magnification of 2Â.(B) Relative fluorescence units (RFU) of resazurin reduction, an indicator of viable cells.Resazurin assay performed 5 days after initial supplementation with indicated concentrations of R-spondin (mean ± SD, n = 3).

Methods:
All the dogs examined by the author and diagnosed with (myelo)meningocele were offered surgical management.All dogs operated on are included in this cohort.The surgical intervention and findings will be reviewed through step-by-step intra-operative images/ videos.Results: All dogs showed urinary/fecal incontinence, pelvic limbs deficits (most commonly sciatic nerve), and imaging ± clinical features of TCS.One dog (lipomyelomeningocele) died of a pulmonary fatty embolism within 72 hours of surgery, preventing follow-up (necropsy findings presented).Adhesions between the dural sac and laminae of adjacent vertebrae, or within the meningocele between nervous structures and meninges, are frequent and should be addressed surgically.Three dogs recovered urinary/fecal continence with improvement of pelvic limbs deficits; four showed only mild/no improvement of urinary/fecal incontinence (three with moderate improvement of pelvic limbs deficits, one unchanged).One dog is only 2 months postoperative at this time, all others >1 year follow-up.
preparation.Libraries were pooled and sequenced using NovaSeq SP-PE50 to generate 10 million sequences.Post-sequence pipeline was generated.Sample-to-sample distance map and principal component analysis (PCA) from each severity group were performed.Volcano plot analyses were performed to identify differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs.In silico analysis further categorized DE miRNAs by their potential cell type sources by cross-referencing with miRNA database obtained from rodent motor neurons (MN), astrocytes (ASC), and microglia (MG).
Methods: A pH capsule was endoscopically placed in the esophagus during a brief anesthesia.Up to 96 hours of data was acquired while the dog was awake and at home.The owner simultaneously logged clinical signs.In 4 dogs, pH monitoring was repeated 2 to 4 months following BOAS surgery.Spearman's correlation and Wilcoxon ranksum tests evaluated factors correlated with acid exposure time (AET).

1
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; 2 Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; 3 Associate Professor, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; 4 College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA; 5 Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; 6 Professor, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA Abomasal ulceration presents a morbidity in sheep, and currently there is a lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data for proton pump inhibitors reported for use in sheep.The proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole has been used in small animal and human patients for gastroprotection via decreasing acid secretion.
tion in sheep.Similarities in IV and SC administration parameters suggest that SC administration may be efficacious enough to allow for easier dosing for practitioners and clients.Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA; 5 Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; 6 Associate Professor, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; 7 Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; 8 Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA Background: Results: Esomeprazole was rapidly eliminated.Elimination half-life, area under the curve, initial concentration and clearance were 0.2 hour, 1197 h ng/mL, 4321 ng/mL, and 0.83 mL/h/kg, respectively.For the sulfone metabolite elimination half-life, area under the curve and maximum concentration were 0.16 hour, 22.5 h ng/mL, and 65.0 ng/mL, respectively.Abomasal pH was significantly elevated from 1 to 6 hour after administration and remained above 4 for at least 8 hours after administration.No adverse effects were noted in the study ewes.Conclusions: Esomeprazole was rapidly eliminated in sheep, similar to goats.Abomasal pH was increased, but future studies will be necessary to develop a clinical management approach to the use of esomeprazole in sheep. 6Postdoctoral Research Associate, Veterinary Education, Research and Outreach, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; 7 Professor and Department Head, Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, USA; 8 Professor and Department Head, Results: BRD morbidity was significantly lower in META (14.9%) animals than NO-META (29.3%) (P = .002)but there was no difference in WK3 or WK 10 MH isolation between groups.Odds of MDR MH recovery was significantly higher in META at WK3 and WK10 (WK3: OR = 12.62, 95% CI: 5.42-29.40,P < .0001;WK10: OR = 5.95, 95% CI: 1.35-26.27,P = .02)compared to NO-META, and treated animals at WK3 (OR = 6.00, 95% CI: 2.36-15.26,P = .0002)compared to healthy.AMR genes were identified in more META (100%, n = 75) compared to NO-META (52%, n = 31/60) isolates in WK3.Metagenomic assessment of swabs is underway.Conclusions: Tulathromycin metaphylaxis was associated with increased MDR MH isolation in high-risk heifers at WK3 and WK10.Isolation of MH was not decreased in META cattle.Metaphylaxis reduced morbidity, possibly through non-antimicrobial mechanisms; work investigating such mechanisms could guide approaches that decrease BRD without increasing AMR.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Surgery for congenital lumbosacral (myelo)meningoceles can be associated with neurological improvement.Review of the cases of this series and cases reported in the literature did not allow identification of prognostic factors (imaging, clinical or surgical) for urinary/fecal continence.
Blood pressure in hyperthyroid cats before and after radioiodine treatment Lisa Stammeleer 1 ; Pilar Xifra 2 , DVM; Sara Serrano 2 ; Sylvie Daminet 1 ; Ellen Vanden Broecke 1 ; Mark Rishniw 3 ; Mark Peterson 4 , DACVIM 1 Ghent University, Flanders, Belgium; 2 Iodocat, Leganés, Spain; 3 Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA;4Director, Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY, USA Background: Feline hyperthyroidism is commonly associated with systemic hypertension, with reported prevalence of 9% to 48%.Although hypertension might be expected to resolve once methimazole restores euthyroidism, it can persist or only first develop after treatment.Further, the effect of radioiodine treatment or iatrogenic hypothyroidism on resolution or development of hypertension has not been investigated.Objectives:To determine proportion of hyperthyroid cats with hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] >160 mm Hg); persistence or first development of hypertension after successful 131 I treatment, and correlation of post-treatment hypertension with azotemia or iatrogenic hypothyroidism.Hyperthyroid cats had SBP measured by Doppler; 257 had SBP rechecked 6 months after successful 131 I treatment.Conclusions/Clinical Importance: Hyperthyroid cats infrequently (27%) had SBP >160 mm Hg, half of which normalized after 131 I treatment.Cats rarely developed post-treatment hypertension.Persistent or newly diagnosed hypertension in these cats was unrelated to azotemia or iatrogenic hypothyroidism.Nervousness/anxiety in hypertensive cats suggests that many of these cats might have "white coat" situational hypertension.Evaluating acidic gastroesophageal reflux in french bulldogs with sliding hiatal herniation using Bravo pH monitoring Tarini V. Ullal 1 ; Stanley Marks 2 , BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM, Oncology), DACVN; Nuen-Tsang Yang 1 ; Sandra Taylor 1 1 University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA; 2 Faculty Professor, Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA Background: Sliding hiatal herniation (SHH) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) commonly occur in French bulldogs.Methods to quantify GER and the effect of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) surgery are lacking.Hypothesis/Objectives: Implement a wireless pH capsule (Bravo Calibration-free, Medtronic, MN) to measure acidic reflux in French bulldogs with SHH, pre-and post-BOAS surgery.

TABLE 1 .
Percent acid exposure time (AET) in 4 dogs that underwent surgical correction of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).Dog 4 underwent both BOAS and hiatal hernia surgery.