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NT‐proBNP and cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus
Author(s) -
Nicolson GP,
McGrath ALH,
Webster RA,
Li J,
Kaye S,
Malik R,
Beijerink NJ
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12468
Subject(s) - medicine , troponin i , paralysis , creatinine , ixodes , natriuretic peptide , gastroenterology , cardiology , tick , surgery , veterinary medicine , heart failure , myocardial infarction
Objective The purpose of this study was to determine through measurement of cardiac biomarkers whether there was cardiac involvement in dogs infested with Ixodes holocyclus . Methods Dogs with tick paralysis and no–mild (group 1; n = 44) or moderate–severe respiratory compromise (group 2; n = 36) and a control group of dogs (n = 31) were enrolled. Plasma N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide ( NT‐proBNP ), serum cardiac troponin I ( cTnI ) and serum creatinine concentrations were determined. For most of the affected dogs SpO 2 was determined. Results SpO 2 readings did not differ between groups 1 and 2. Three animals in group 2 had an SpO 2 reading <90%. NT‐proBNP concentrations were lower in both groups 1 and 2 compared with the control group. There was no difference in cTnI concentrations among groups, although they were elevated in four dogs, including the three dogs in group 2 with SpO 2 readings <90%. Creatinine concentrations were within the reference interval for all dogs, but did differ among the groups, with control dogs having the highest values, followed by group 1 and then group 2. Conclusion This study did not detect significant cardiac involvement in dogs with tick paralysis induced by I. holocyclus . Evidence for reduced preload in dogs with tick paralysis was provided by lower NT‐proBNP concentrations compared with control dogs . Severe hypoxaemia may not be a significant component of the clinical picture in many of the dogs presenting with tick paralysis. Dogs with severe hypoxaemia may have loss of cardiomyocyte integrity, reflected by elevated cTnI concentrations.