Characterisation of lipid profiles in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the lipid profiles in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. METHODS: Blood was collected before treatment from 30 dogs that fulfilled the criteria for severe sepsis including hypo- or hyperthermia, hypotension, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and evidences of organ dysfunction. Canine parvovirus was detected by haemagglutination and indirect fluorescence antibody tests in the faeces. Twenty control dogs were also enrolled on the basis of normal physical examination results, complete blood count and serum biochemistry profiles. RESULTS: Tachycardia, tachypnoea, hypotension, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and increased serum markers of tissue injury (alanine aminotransferase, creatinine kinase myocardial isoenzyme [CK-MB], blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) were observed in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower, but serum triglyceride level was higher in dogs with parvoviral enteritis than those in control dogs (P<0.001). Circulating tumour necrosis factor alpha correlated negatively with total cholesterol (r=-0.979; P<0.001) but positively with triglyceride (r=0.953; P<0.001) in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in non-survival (n=9) dogs than in survival dogs (n=21, P<0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased, but serum triglyceride level increased in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Low serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels may be used as an index of the severity of parvoviral enteritis.     

Treatment of canine parvoviral enteritis with interferon-omega in a placebo-controlled challenge trial

Canine parvoviral enteritis continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide, and efficacious antiviral therapies are lacking. The present trial was aimed at evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of a recombinant feline interferon (type omega) preparation in the treatment of parvoviral enteritis in dogs. A double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge trial was performed in beagle pups (8-9 weeks); clinical signs, body weight, hematologic parameters, and mortality were monitored for a period of 14 days after challenge. Fourteen animals were inoculated with virulent canine parvovirus; 10 animals that developed clinical signs thereby meeting the inclusion criteria were admitted to the treatment phase in two randomly selected groups (placebo and IFN) of equal size. The IFN group received daily intravenous injections of rFeIFN-omega (2.5 MU/kg) for three consecutive days. The placebo group received daily injections of saline without IFN. Both groups of animals received individual supportive treatment consisting of adjusted diet and electrolyte solution.All five dogs in the placebo group developed fulminating enteritis with typical clinical signs and died within 10 days post-inoculation (or 6 days post-treatment). In the IFN-treated group, one animal died on day 2 after the treatment was started, whereas the other four dogs survived the challenge and gradually recovered. Our data confirm that the rFeIFN-omega can exert a significant therapeutic effect on dogs with parvoviral enteritis by improving clinical signs and reducing mortality.     

Use of oseltamivir in the treatment of canine parvoviral enteritis

Objective – To determine if oseltamivir with standard therapy for canine parvoviral enteritis ameliorates disease morbidity, mortality, or both; to document significant adverse effects associated with its use.
Design – Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Setting – University veterinary teaching hospital.
Animals – Thirty-five dogs.
Interventions – Standard therapy was administered to all dogs. Treatment dogs also received oseltamivir, while control dogs received an equivalent volume of placebo.
Measurements and Main Results – Dogs were monitored daily according to a clinical scoring system, physical parameters, and diagnostic evaluations. Dogs in the treatment group gained a significant percentage of weight during hospitalization (mean, +2.6%; SD, 7.1%) versus the control dogs (mean, −4.5%; SD, 6.9%) ( P =0.006). Treatment dogs did not have any significant changes in their white blood cell (WBC) count, while control dogs experienced a significant drop in their WBC counts during their initial stay. In addition, it did not appear that oseltamivir use was associated with any major adverse clinical effects.
Conclusions – While a clear advantage to the use of oseltamivir was not established, a significant weight loss during hospitalization, as well as a significant decrease in WBC count were documented in the control group. No major adverse effects were identified that could be associated with oseltamivir administration. Based on these results, the true role of oseltamivir in the treatment of parvoviral enteritis remains speculative, although it is believed that further investigation is warranted.     

Prognostic value of serum acute-phase proteins in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

Objective : To evaluate the acute-phase protein response in dogs with parvoviral enteritis as predictor of the clinical outcome. Methods : Canine parvovirus infection was diagnosed based on the compatible clinical findings and confirmed by the canine parvovirus antigen test in 43 dogs of less than six months of age. Blood samples for complete blood cell count and acute-phase proteins (C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and albumin) were collected before treatment. Twenty-three dogs died during or after treatment (non-survival) and the rest recovered (survival). Five healthy dogs were enrolled as control. Results : Serum C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin levels in dogs with parvoviral enteritis were higher (P<0·001, P<0·01 and P<0·001, respectively), but serum albumin was lower (P<0·001) than those in controls. Mean C-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin values in non-survival were higher (P<0·01) than those for survival dogs. C-reactive protein was found to be superior to ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and albumin for distinguishing survival from non-survival dogs. Values higher than 92·4 mg/l for C-reactive protein had a sensitivity of 91% to predict mortality. Clinical Significance : The magnitude of the increase in serum acute-phase proteins in dogs with parvoviral enteritis could be a useful indicator of the prognosis of the disease. In acute-phase proteins, C-reactive protein is a potent predictor of mortality in dogs with parvoviral enteritis.     

Effect of parvoviral enteritis on plasma citrulline concentration in dogs

Background: Plasma citrulline concentration is a reliable marker of global enterocyte mass in humans and is markedly decreased in diffuse small intestinal diseases. However, the relationship between acute intestinal damage and plasma citrulline concentration in dogs has never been documented. Hypothesis: That dogs with parvoviral enteritis have a lower plasma citrulline concentration than healthy dogs and that plasma citrulline concentration is a predictor of death in puppies with parvoviral enteritis. Animals: Sixty‐one dogs with spontaneous parvoviral enteritis and 14 healthy age‐matched control dogs. Methods: Observational cohort study. Plasma citrulline concentration was measured by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry in blood samples collected at admission and each day until death or discharge from the hospital. Parvovirus enteritis was confirmed by electron microscopy on a fecal sample. Results: Median (interquartile range) plasma citrulline concentrations at admission were 2.8 μmol/L (range: 0.3, 49.0; P < .001 versus controls) in survivors (n = 49), 2.1 μmol/L (range: 0.5, 6.4, P < .001 versus controls) in nonsurvivors (n = 12) and 38.6 μmol/L (range: 11.4, 96.1) in controls (n = 14), respectively. There was no significant difference in plasma citrulline concentration between survivors and nonsurvivors within the parvovirus‐infected puppies, and plasma citrulline concentration was not significantly associated with outcome in parvoviral enteritis. There were no significant changes in plasma citrulline concentration over the 8‐day follow‐up period. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Parvovirus enteritis is associated with a severe decrease in plasma citrulline concentration that does not appear to have any significant prognostic value.     

Efficacy and safety of cefovecin (Convenia) for the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of cefovecin (Convenia); Pfizer Animal Health) in the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs. METHODS: A multi-centre, blinded, randomised study was conducted in 129 dogs with urinary tract infections. Cephalexin (Rilexine) administered twice daily at 15 mg/kg bodyweight orally for 14 days was compared with a single, subcutaneous injection of cefovecin (Convenia) in dogs. The primary efficacy parameter assessed was bacterial elimination of the pretreatment uropathogen. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine dogs were included in efficacy assessments. Escherichia coli was eliminated in 90.5 per cent of cefovecin-treated dogs compared with 52.9 per cent of cephalexin-treated dogs (P=0.0004). Overall cure rates for dogs with Escherichia coli infections were 79.1 per cent for cefovecin and 36.4 per cent for cephalexin-treated dogs (P=0.0003). There were no suspected adverse drug reactions attributed to treatment with cefovecin or cephalexin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cefovecin was shown to be an effective and safe treatment for urinary tract infections.     

Serum cortisol and thyroxine concentrations as predictors of death in critically ill puppies with parvoviral diarrhea

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of adrenal and thyroid hormones in the prediction of death in a population of critically ill puppies with parvoviral diarrhea by measuring serial daily serum concentrations of cortisol and thyroxine. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. ANIMALS: 57 critically ill puppies with parvoviral diarrhea admitted to the hospital and 17 clinically normal control puppies. PROCEDURES: Basal serum cortisol and thyroxine concentrations were measured for each dog with parvoviral diarrhea at admission (prior to treatment) and daily until death, euthanasia, or discharge. RESULTS: Median time between admission and death was 48 hours (ie, on day 3). Median serum cortisol concentration on day 1 (admission) in all dogs with parvoviral diarrhea (248 nmol/L) was significantly higher than in control dogs (77 nmol/L). No significant difference was found in the day 1 median serum cortisol concentration of 11 dogs that died (302 nmol/L) and 46 dogs that survived (238 nmol/L). A significantly higher median serum cortisol concentration was, however, found in nonsurvivor group dogs, compared with survivor group dogs, on days 2 and 3. Median serum thyroxine concentration on day 1 in dogs with parvoviral diarrhea was significantly lower than in control dogs (8.12 nmol/L vs 35 nmol/L, respectively). Median serum thyroxine concentration of nonsurvivor group dogs (4.4 nmol/L) was significantly lower than that of survivor group dogs (9.2 nmol/L) at admission and became even lower on days 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: High serum cortisol and low serum thyroxine concentrations at 24 and 48 hours after admission were associated with death in dogs with parvoviral diarrhea.     

Clinical and pathologic features of parvoviral diarrhea in pound-source dogs

From June 1980 through May 1982, 161 pound-source dogs that developed diarrhea while being used in research were evaluated to determine whether canine parvovirus (CPV) type 2 was the etiologic agent. Evaluation included notation of clinical signs, determination of serum CPV-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG titers, virus isolation attempts, and histologic examination of tissues. Criteria for diagnosis of canine parvoviral enteritis were serum CPV-specific IgM antibodies, isolation of CPV from feces, and histologic evidence of intestinal crypt cell necrosis. Upon arrival, 67 clinically normal pound-source dogs were evaluated to determine the prevalence of fecal shedding of CPV and to determine their antibody titers to CPV. Parvovirus was not isolated from any of these dogs, although 76% had IgG antibodies and 3% had IgM antibodies. Of the 161 dogs with diarrhea, 40 (25%) had parvoviral enteritis. Of dogs with parvoviral enteritis, 71% had IgG antibodies and 68% had IgM antibodies. Canine parvovirus was isolated from 18 dogs. Serum IgG antibodies were found in 85% of dogs with diarrhea due to other causes. The geometric mean titer of IgG antibodies to CPV was not significantly different among the 3 groups. Clinical signs that appeared significantly (P less than 0.05) more often in dogs with parvoviral enteritis included bloody diarrhea, anorexia, fever (greater than or equal to 39.4 C), and leukopenia (WBC less than 6,000/mm3). Cases occurred throughout the year, without apparent seasonal variation. The duration between arrival and onset of diarrhea was significantly (P less than 0.05) shorter for dogs with parvoviral enteritis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence of hypercoagulability in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dogs with naturally occurring canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis have laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability. DESIGN: Case-control study. Animals-9 dogs with naturally occurring CPV enteritis and 9 age-matched control dogs. PROCEDURE: Blood was collected from all dogs within 24 hours of admission for thromboelastography (TEG) and determination of activated partial thromboplastin time (aP-TT), prothrombin time (PT), antithrombin III (AT) activity, and fibrinogen concentration. Fibrin-fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) concentration, D-dimer concentration, and platelet count were obtained in dogs with CPV enteritis only. Records were reviewed for evidence of thrombosis or phlebitis. RESULTS: All 9 dogs with CPV enteritis had evidence of hypercoagulability, determined on the basis of significantly increased TEG maximum amplitude and decreased AT activity. Fibrinogen concentration was significantly higher in dogs with CPV enteritis than in control dogs. The aPTT was moderately prolonged in dogs with CPV enteritis, and FDP concentration was < 5 mg/ml in 7 of 9 dogs. No dogs had a measurable D-dimer concentration. Platelet counts were within reference range. Four of 9 dogs had clinical evidence of venous thrombosis or phlebitis associated with catheters. One dog had multifocal splenic thrombosis identified at necropsy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs with CPV enteritis have a high prevalence of clinical thrombosis or phlebitis and laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability without disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Thromboelastography may help identify hypercoagulable states in dogs.     

Endotoxemia and Tumor Necrosis Factor Activity in Dogs With Naturally Occurring Parvoviral Enteritis

A prospective, nonrandomized study was performed to evaluate the role of endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Seventeen dogs with naturally occurring parvoviral enteritis were enrolled in the study. Plasma samples were obtained for quantification of endotoxin and TNF on presentation and at 3 and 6 hours after therapy with either fluids prior to antibiotics, or fluids concurrently with antibiotics. All dogs received standard supportive therapy. Fourteen of 17 dogs had endotoxin in their plasma during the study period; 7 of 17 dogs had measurable TNF. No endotoxin or TNF was detectable in plasma from normal puppies. An increase in TNF activity was pre dictive of mortality ( P = .041). There was a trend for increasing endotoxin activity to predict mortality ( P = .0769). Animals that received antibiotics with fluids were significantly older than those that received fluids prior to antibiotics, and there was a trend for animals that received antibiotics with fluids to have a decrease in endotoxin activity after treatment ( P = .054). Endotoxin and activation of the cytokine cascade are integral to the pathophysiology of parvoviral enteritis. Measures to limit endotoxemia and the systemic inflammatory response may improve survival.     

Breed-specific pro-inflammatory cytokine production as a predisposing factor for susceptibility to sepsis in the dog

Objective: To determine whether 2 dog breeds with a high risk for parvoviral enteritis, a disease associated with sepsis, produce stronger pro‐inflammatory cytokine responses to a stimulus than dogs with a lower risk. Design: Blinded comparison. Setting: University outpatient clinic. Animals: Healthy, unrelated, purebred Doberman Pinschers (n=10) and Rottweilers (n=9) with age‐matched mixed‐breed dogs (n=7). Interventions: Heparinized, whole‐blood samples were collected from each dog and incubated for 6 hours with lipopolysaccharide. Plasma was collected, and bioassays were used to determine the concentrations of TNF‐α and IL‐6. The mean values obtained from the high‐risk breeds were compared with the mean obtained from the mixed‐breeds. Measurements and main results: The mean TNF‐α production from dogs with a high risk for parvoviral enteritis (1321±161 pg/mL; Doberman Pinscher and Rottweiler) was greater (P<0.05) than that from lower risk, mixed‐breed dogs (674±186 pg/mL). There were no differences in TNF‐α levels between Doberman (1128±247 pg/mL) and Rottweiler (1563±pg/mL) breeds or between any breeds with regard to IL‐6 production. Conclusions: The magnitude of TNF‐α production by peripheral blood monocytes was the greatest in the dogs with breed‐related risk for parvoviral enteritis. However, additional studies are needed to prove a causal relationship between high TNF and predilection for parvoviral enteritis. Regardless, breed appears to be a predisposing factor for variations in cytokine production that could impact the host response to infection and other inflammatory insults.     

The anti-emetic efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia) in the treatment of ongoing emesis caused by a wide range of underlying clinical aetiologies in canine patients in Europe

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia; Pfizer Inc.) as an anti-emetic for use in dogs with ongoing emesis was evaluated in a two-phase multi-centric study conducted at veterinary clinics in France, Italy, Slovakia and the UK. METHODS: In phase I, dogs with ongoing emesis were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either maropitant (32 dogs) or metoclopramide (34 dogs). In phase II, dogs were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to maropitant (77 dogs) or metoclopramide (40 dogs). Maropitant was administered subcutaneously at 1 mg/kg/day for up to five days. Metoclopramide was administered as recommended on the product labels as licensed at 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day subcutaneously or orally with the daily dose divided over two to three administrations per day for up to three to five days. RESULTS: In phase I, 97 per cent of dogs treated with maropitant and 71 per cent of dogs treated with metoclopramide did not vomit after treatment (P<0.01). The mean number of emetic events after maropitant treatment was significantly reduced compared with that after metoclopramide treatment (P=0.01). In phase II, the occurrence of emesis was lower for maropitant during the first 24 hours (P<0.0001) and for each day thereafter. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A single daily dose of maropitant was more effective than metoclopramide administered two or three times daily in the treatment of emesis caused by various aetiologies in dogs.     

Prognostic usefulness of blood leukocyte changes in canine parvoviral enteritis

BACKGROUND: Despite treatment, many dogs still die of complications related to canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis. Effective prognostication would be beneficial in managing this disease. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that the occurrence of leukocytopenias at admission and at 24 and 48 hours after admission, and changes in absolute leukocyte counts over time, could be used to predict outcome. ANIMALS: Sixty-two puppies with confirmed CPV. METHODS: A prospective study was performed. CBC was performed daily until discharge or death (in which case a postmortem examination was performed). RESULTS: Of the nonsurvivors (10/62; 16%), 9 died because of complications of the disease and 1 was euthanized because of a poor prognosis. There was a statistical significant difference in the occurrence of leukocytopenias between groups at 24 and 48 hours postadmission. The survivors showed a significant increase over time in certain leukocyte types (specifically lymphocytes) compared with values at admission. The positive predictive value for survivors was high. Nonsurvivors had marked thymic and lymphoid atrophy and marked bone marrow hypocellularity. CONCLUSION: An accurate prognosis could be obtained at 24 hours after admission by evaluating the change in total leukocyte, band neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts.     

Treatment of canine parvoviral enteritis with interferon-omega in a placebo-controlled field trial

The clinical efficacy of a recombinant feline interferon (IFN) (type omega) was evaluated under field conditions for the treatment of dogs with parvoviral enteritis. In this multicentric, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 94 dogs from one to 28 months old were randomly assigned to two groups which were treated intravenously either with IFN (2.5 million units/kg) or placebo once a day for three consecutive days, and monitored for clinical signs and mortality for 10 days. Each dog received individual supportive treatment The data from 92 interpretable cases (43 IFN-treated and 49 placebo) showed that the clinical signs of the IFN-treated animals improved significantly in comparison with the control animals, and that there were only three deaths in the IFN group compared with 14 deaths in the placebo group (P = 0.0096) corresponding to a 4.4-fold reduction. Alternative analyses of the data taking into account the prior vaccination status of the dogs against canine parvovirus suggested that the IFN therapy resulted in a 6.4-fold reduction in mortality (P = 0.044) in the unvaccinated cohort, a significant reduction when compared with the vaccinated cohort.     

Inability of Short-duration Treatment with a 5-Lipoxy-genase Inhibitor to Reduce Clinical Signs of Canine Atopy

Abstract— Products of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway may be important mediators of inflammation in canine skin. Pharmacologic blockade of this pathway may therefore decrease clinical signs associated with canine atopy. To test this hypothesis, 31 dogs were entered on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial to assess the efficacy of an investigational oral 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (WY-50295) in treating canine atopy. Dogs were treated for 11 days with the drug and 11 days with the placebo, in random order, with a 3-day washout period between the treatment periods. Clinical signs were assessed daily by the owner in all 31 dogs, using a subjective scoring scale. Twelve of the dogs were additionally evaluated at intervals by the investigators and similarly scored. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in owner or investigator scores assigned during placebo treatment, drug treatment, and no treatment periods. In an end-of-study evaluation, 24.1 per cent of owners reported satisfactory response to placebo capsules and 17.2 per cent reported satisfactory response to the drug, demonstrating a strong placebo effect. Short-duration treatment with WY-50295 did not appear to be effective in reducing clinical signs of atopy.     

Prevalence of Campylobacter and four endoparasites in dog populations associated with Hearing Dogs

OBJECTIVES: This study established the prevalence of four gastrointestinal parasites (Isopora species, Giardia species, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis) and one bacterial infection (Campylobacter jejuni/coli) in dogs associated with the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. METHODS: Dogs' faeces were routinely sampled from dogs according to whether they were in Socialising, Kennelling or Visiting the Hearing Dogs site. A further group consisted of dogs with diarrhoea. RESULTS: Prevalence rates for dogs in Socialising (n=326), Kennelling (n=117), Visiting (n=106) and Diarrhoea (n=59) groups, respectively, were as follows: Campylobacter- 26, 21, 15 and 31 per cent; Coccidia - 3, 0, 0 and 2 per cent; Giardia- 13, 3, 2 and 10 per cent; hookworm - 1, 1, 4 and 5 per cent; and Toxocara- 4, 2, 3 and 2 per cent. There were significant differences in the levels of Giardia and hookworm found between the four different groups of dogs. No significant gender differences were found, and dogs that were positive for Campylobacter in the Visiting group were significantly younger. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides current information on the infection rates in specific dog populations in the UK. This is relevant to the veterinary health of dogs and the possible risk of zoonotic infection to humans.     

The effect of omeprazole on oesophageal pH in dogs during anaesthesia

O bjectives : Intra-operative, gastro-oesophageal reflux may be associated with post-anaesthestic complications such as oesophagitis and oesophageal stricture in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative administration of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, on oesophageal pH in anaesthetised dogs.
M ethods : Forty-seven dogs undergoing elective pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery were enrolled into the study. These were randomly allocated to treatment group (n=22) or control group (n=25). The treatment group received one dose of omeprazole (1 mg/kg po) at least 4 h before anaesthesia. All dogs were anaesthetised by the same standardised protocol. A pH probe was inserted into the distal oesophagus after induction of anaesthesia and oesophageal pH was continuously monitored.
R esults : In the treatment group, four animals (18 per cent) showed a sudden decrease in oesophageal pH (<4). In the control group the same phenomenon was detected in 13 animals (52 per cent). Gastro-oesophageal reflux occurred more frequently in the control group compared with the omeprazole group (odds ratio 4·7, 95 per cent C.I. 1.1 to 24.7, P=0.032).
C linical S ignificance : This study suggests that the preoperative administration of omeprazole is effective in reducing the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux during anaesthesia in dogs.     

Comparison of a chlorhexidine and a benzoyl peroxide shampoo as sole treatment in canine superficial pyoderma

The clinical and antibacterial efficacy of two shampoos used as a sole antibacterial treatment in dogs with superficial pyoderma were investigated and compared. In a randomised, partially blinded study, a 3 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate shampoo (Chlorhex 3; Leo Animal Health) was compared against a 2.5 per cent benzoyl peroxide shampoo (Paxcutol; Virbac) in 22 dogs with superficial pyoderma. Dogs were washed two to three times weekly with a 10-minute contact time over 21 days. Clinical scores and bacterial counts were assessed on days 1, 8 and 22 and compared within and between treatment groups; overall response was assessed at the end of the study. Twenty dogs completed the study; 15 (68.2 per cent) showed an overall clinical improvement and the clinical signs resolved in three chlorhexidine-treated dogs. In the chlorhexidine-treated group, scores for papules/pustules (P<0.001), investigator-assessed pruritus (P=0.003), total bacterial counts (P=0.003) and counts for coagulase-positive staphylococci (P=0.003) were reduced after three weeks. Scores and bacterial counts did not vary significantly in the benzoyl peroxide-treated group.     

Clinical efficacy and safety of cefovecin in the treatment of canine pyoderma and wound infections

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of cefovecin in the treatment of bacterial skin infections in dogs. METHOD: Dogs with superficial or deep pyoderma or wounds/abscesses were enrolled in three separate studies. Dogs (354) were randomised to treatment and received either cefovecin administered by subcutaneous injection at 14 day intervals, as clinically necessary, or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid as oral tablets twice daily for 14 days. Courses of treatment were repeated at 14 day intervals up to a total of four courses. Clinicians responsible for assessing lesions were masked to treatment allocation. Only animals where the presence of a pretreatment bacterial pathogen was confirmed were included in the analysis of efficacy. Cases were evaluated for clinical efficacy at 28 days after initiation of the final course of treatment. Clinical efficacy was assessed by scoring the clinical signs typical of skin infections. RESULTS: Cefovecin demonstrated statistical non-inferiority compared with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for all three clinical diagnoses; for cefovecin, up to 96.9 per cent efficacy was observed versus 92.5 per cent for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cefovecin was shown to be as effective as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid administered orally in the treatment of bacterial skin infections in dogs. Cefovecin offers the additional benefit of eliminating owner non-compliance.     

Safety and efficacy of mid-term pregnancy termination using aglepristone in dogs

O bjectives : To investigate effects and side effects of aglepristone in terminating pregnancy in bitches.
M ethods : Twenty-two bitches were treated in mid-pregnancy with subcutaneous injections of aglepristone at a total dose of 20 mg/kg. Short-term follow-up (one to two weeks after treatment) included clinical examination and abdominal ultrasonography in 18 of the dogs. Long-term telephone follow-up was recorded for all 22 dogs.
R esults : Pregnancy was terminated in 21 bitches (95 per cent). Signs of abortion occurred one to eight days after treatment. Vaginal discharge was evident in 17 (77 per cent) dogs. Obvious signs of parturition were seen in nine (41 per cent) dogs. Eight dogs (36 per cent) developed anorexia, and in two (9 per cent) of the dogs a local reaction at the injection site was evident. Two dogs developed pyometra two and four years after treatment, respectively.
C linical S ignificance : Aglepristone, when administered in mid-gestation, is effective in terminating pregnancy. Side effects are few and transient.