Spontaneous hepatic haematoma in a cat

A male 2.5-year-old American short hair cat was admitted to the animal hospital with the primary complaints of abdominal distension and depression for several days. Ultrasound revealed a large hypoechoic cavity with a well demarcated thin wall on a liver lobe. On exploratory laparotomy, a hepatic haematoma was observed. Subsequently, hepatic lobectomy was performed. Histologically, an eosinophilic substance stained with Congo red was deposited in the cyst wall which showed an optical property of apple green birefringence under polarized light. Based on immunohistochemical staining, amyloid A was diagnosed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a spontaneous hepatic haematoma with an amyloid A deposition in a cat.     

Haematology, cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of blood cells in leopard (Panthera pardus)

The leopard (Panthera pandus) is an endangered Asian big cat found in Thailand and also listed in the CITES, Appendix 1. Blood samples from 17 leopards (six males and 11 females) were collected from the cephalic vein for haematology, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies. Red blood cells (RBCs) were slightly anisocytosis, ranged 5–6.5 μm with 5.6 μm mean diameter. They were easy to form rouleaux, blunt end crenation and some RBCs contained Heinz bodies. The male leopards had a significantly higher packed cell volume (39.3 ± 7.5%) values and absolute eosinophil number (1.658 ± 1.483 × 10⁹/l) than the females (30.7 ± 3.2%; 0.965 ± 0.611 × 10⁹/l). The cytochemical results were: sudanophilia and myeloperoxidase in neutrophils and some monocytes; nonspecific esterase (alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, ANAE) in the granules of eosinophils, some lymphocytes, some monocytes and platelets; beta-glucuronidase (βG) in granules of basophils, monocytes and some lymphocytes. The ANAE and βG reaction were detected inter-granular of eosinophils. More detailed morphological aspects of all blood cells were observed by means of scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The many round granules and homogeneous content under TEM were characteristics of leopard eosinophils. The engulfed RBCs by neutrophils were detected under TEM in one male leopard. This study provides a guide for the haematology, identification of the morphology, cytochemistry and ultrastructure of blood cells in leopards that is useful for zoological veterinarians in leopard conservation.     

Alteration of some natural anticoagulants in dogs with chronic renal failure

The diagnosis of hypercoagulation is essential for the identification of individuals at high risk for thrombosis and for early treatment of thrombotic disorder. The objective of the study was to evaluate some parameters for assessing the prothrombotic state in dogs with chronic renal failure (CRF). Some natural anticoagulants, protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and antithrombin III (AT III), as well as fibrinogen concentration and clinical chemistries, were concentrated. The study groups consisted of 42 dogs with CRF and 34 age- and sex-matched clinically healthy control dogs. The level of AT III in the CRF group was significantly lower (P < 0.05), but the fibrinogen concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the control group. Additionally, the cholesterol level in the CRF group was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05) and was positively correlated to creatinine (R = 0.5, P < 0.05). Elevated levels of PC and PS were exhibited in eight dogs with subcutaneous edema. The increased levels of PC and PS may counterbalance the reduction of AT III and may be related to the magnitude of hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria. These seem to be preventive mechanisms against thromboembolic phenomena. Simple correlations among parameters were determined for the CRF group. The fibrinogen concentration was correlated inversely with the AT III level (R = −0.63, P < 0.05). A negative correlation between AT III and azotemic parameters (creatinine: R = −0.68, P < 0.05; blood urea nitrogen (BUN): R = −0.65, P < 0.05) was observed also. In contrast, the fibrinogen concentration was positively correlated to creatinine (R = 0.66, P < 0.05) and BUN (R = 0.67, P < 0.05). The study concluded that there was a significant reduction in AT III and hyperfibrinogenemia, which were predictable parameters for thrombotic tendency in the dogs with CRF. Hypercholesterolemia was the other risk factor.     

Characterisation of blood cells in jungle cat, Felis chaus (Carnivora, Felidae)

The jungle cat (Felis chaus subsp. fulvidina) of Thailand is a protected animal. Haematological and morphological characteristics of blood cells in eight captive jungle cats (three males and five females) were investigated using complete blood cell counts, cytochemical stains and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Haematological results were reported as mean, median and range (minimum–maximum). Neutrophils stained strongly positive for Sudan black B (SBB) and peroxidase (PO). Basophils were strongly positive for α-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and β-glucuronidase (BG) while eosinophils were negative for all cytochemical stains. Monocytes were negative for SBB and had fine granular reactivity for PO, ANAE and BG. The ultra-structure of eosinophils and basophils were different from that reported for other wild cats in Southeast Asia. The haematology, cytochemistry and ultra-structure of blood cells in the jungle cat may be useful in evaluating and monitoring the health of this species in captivity.     

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in a dog with acute monoblastic leukemia

A 10-year-old, female, mixed breed dog was admitted to the animal hospital with signs of jaundice, pigmenturia, depression, and splenomegaly. Hematology revealed non-regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia with numerous spherocytes, and a few undifferentiated blasts on a blood smear. A bone marrow examination indicated high M:E ratio with increased number of leukemic cells. Based on cytochemistry and protein electrophoresis, the patient was diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia with acute monoblastic leukemia.