Photodynamic therapy for companion animals with cancer.

Photodynamic therapy is an emerging form of cancer therapy in veterinary medicine, which capitalizes on a photochemical reaction to kill malignant cells. Photodynamic therapy has been used to successfully treat a variety of veterinary cancers, with documented efficacy similar to radiation therapy. However, equipment expense and availability of photosensitizer have limited the widespread use of photodynamic therapy by veterinarians.     

Parvovirus infection in domestic companion animals.

Parvovirus infects a wide variety of species. The rapid evolution, environmental resistance, high dose of viral shedding, and interspecies transmission have made some strains of parvovirus infection difficult to control within domestic animal populations. Some parvoviruses in companion animals, such as canine parvovirus (CPV) 1 and feline parvovirus, have demonstrated minimal evolution over time. In contrast, CPV 2 has shown wide adaptability with rapid evolution and frequent mutations. This article briefly discusses these three diseases, with emphasis on virus evolution and the challenges to protecting susceptible companion animal populations.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in body cavity effusions in dogs

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability enhancing properties specific for endothelial cells. VEGF is present in high concentrations in inflammatory and neoplastic body cavity effusions and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neoplastic and inflammatory effusion formation. In this study, VEGF was quantitated by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) in samples of pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal effusions (N = 38) from dogs (N = 35) with neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. VEGF was detected in 37 of 38 effusions (median, 754; range, 18-3,669 pg/mL) and was present in much higher concentrations than in previously established normal concentrations for canine plasma (median, < 1 pg/mL; range, < 1-18 pg/mL) or in those previously noted in the plasma of dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA; median, 17 pg/mL; range, < 1-67 pg/mL). In 4 dogs with HSA, the concurrent plasma VEGF concentration was much lower than in the abdominal effusion (P = .029). No significant correlation was demonstrated between VEGF effusion concentration and effusion total protein content or nucleated cell count. Mean VEGF concentrations were significantly higher in pericardial (median, 3,533; range, 709-3,669 pg/mL) and pleural effusions (median, 3,144; range, 0-3,663 pg/mL) compared to peritoneal effusions (median, 288; range, 18-2,607 pg/mL; P < .05). There was no marked difference demonstrated between effusions associated with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of VEGF in body cavity effusion formation in dogs.     

Neurologic conditions causing lameness in companion animals.

Animals presented with non-weight-bearing lameness are a diagnostic challenge for the veterinarian. It is extremely important to distinguish between orthopedic and neurologic causes of lameness, because the diagnostic and therapeutic plans can be quite different. Myopathies can be confused with orthopedic disease because of gait abnormalities and associated muscle pain. Common myopathies seen in companion animal medicine include polymyositis, muscular dystrophy, endocrine and infectious myopathies, and myasthenia gravis. Lameness caused by disease of the nerve root or nerve is confused with orthopedic disease because of the disturbances of a nerve's sensory distribution (nerve-root signature) or disruption of the motor innervation. The diseases of the nerve root or nerve discussed are lateralized intervertebral disk disease, spinal cord neoplasia, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and traumatic neuropathies. The diagnosis of these diseases requires careful attention to the signalment, a complete history, and a thorough physical examination focusing on the neurologic and orthopedic components. Ancillary testing should be selected based on these results and a minimum database. Electrodiagnostic testing, radiography, and advanced imaging may help to localize the lesion more precisely and sometimes to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical exploration and histopathology often provide the definitive diagnosis. These cases of non-weight-bearing lameness are a diagnostic challenge, but when successful resolution can be reached, it is gratifying to the clinician, client, and patient.     

Vaccines for emerging and re-emerging viral diseases of companion animals.

It is likely that new viral diseases may continue to emerge in companion animals. It is more likely that genetic or antigenic virus variants or geographically translocated viruses may emerge or re-emerge in companion animals, however. This latter possibility represents the greater risk. Because this represents an ongoing threat, research and development should continue to maximize broad efficacy and effectiveness in addition to safety. To achieve these goals, the research and development effort should evaluate newer available technologies that may also reduce any barriers to use and availability.     

Ethical issues in the ownership of companion animals: an empirical and normative analysis.

This article deals with the ethical aspects of companion animal ownership. Research was done by means of interviews (n = 40) and questionnaires (n = 871). Respondents were randomly chosen from Dutch telephone directories. Euthanasia, docking tails, ear clipping and sterilisation are discussed on the basis of the opinions of respondents. Owners of companion animals very often seem to have insufficient knowledge about animal behaviour. Companion animal owners as a group differ rather strongly in their moral opinions about the acceptability of certain actions towards animals. At the individual level also people are not always consequent in their reasoning as was illustrated by their opinions about ear clipping and the stopping of tail docking and vice versa. Respondents live in a community with animals and usually use a utilitarian balancing model. The different outcomes of the uses of this balancing model indicate how far the respondents are willing to adapt their life style to the needs of an animal; in other words to what extent intrinsic values and integrity are taken into account within the process of (re)creating a living community.     

Babesiosis of companion animals and man

Babesiosis is caused by numerous organisms and is seen in a wide range of vertebrate hosts. The spectrum of disease is broad and ranges from asymptomatic carrier states to fulminant disease that results in rapid death. The importance of babesiosis in companion animals is well-recognized in parts of the world where virulent strains exist and where the diagnosis and treatment of both typical and atypical presentations is part of the everyday course of events for the small animal clinician. In parts of the world such as the United States where less virulent strains are found, diagnosis is more difficult. Diagnosis requires an astute eye examining the blood smear and a keen mind willing to "consider the zebras without forgetting the horses." Babesiosis is not uncommon in the United States; it is merely uncommonly diagnosed. The small animal clinician needs to be aware of the disease and its myriad possible presentations. A clearer understanding of the disease will lead to a truer picture of its importance not only in the United States but also worldwide.     

Protocol for diagnosis of seizure disorders in companion animals

An algorism for diagnosis of the problem of seizures was used to develop a diagnostic plan. The plan was structured in stages for: (1) primary evaluation in the general practice and (2) specialized evaluation in difficult cases.     

Antimicrobial use in food and companion animals

The vast literature on antimicrobial drug use in animals has expanded considerably recently as the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis in human medicine leads to questions about all usage of antimicrobial drugs, including long-term usage in intensively managed food animals for growth promotion and disease prevention. Attention is also increasingly focusing on antimicrobial use and on bacterial resistance in companion animals, which are in intimate contact with the human population. They may share resistant bacteria with their owners, amplify resistant bacteria acquired from their owners, and act as a reservoir for human infection. Considerable effort is being made to describe the basis of AMR in bacterial pathogens of animals. Documentation of many aspects of use of antimicrobials in animals is, however, generally less developed and only a few countries can describe quantities of drugs used in animals to kg levels annually. In recent years, many national veterinary associations have produced 'prudent use guidelines' to try to improve antimicrobial drug use and decrease resistance, but the impact of guidelines is unknown. Within the evolving global movement for 'antimicrobial stewardship', there is considerable scope to improve many aspects of antimicrobial use in animals, including infection control and reduction of use, with a view to reducing resistance and its spread, and to preserving antimicrobial drugs for the future.     

Occurrence and management of obesity in companion animals

Obesity is the most common malnutrition of pet animals. Risk factors include the pet's age, gender, activity level, owner attitudes toward obesity, and alterations in intrinsic and extrinsic controls of feeding behaviour and differences in resting metabolic rate. The power of clinical nutrition in veterinary practice can be expressed through careful client and pet evaluation and by dispensing proper advice on diet selection and feeding quantity. A weight management programme should be conducted under the direction of the professional veterinarian using scientifically formulated weight reduction diets and a programme of exercise deemed medically appropriate.     

Diagnostic investigation of emerging viruses of companion animals.

In this article, the authors are specifically concerned with the timely and accurate detection of emerging diseases of small animals that are viral in origin. Veterinarians are bound to encounter emerging viruses in their practice. The problem is unavoidable, because viruses are highly mutagenic. Even the immune response dictates the nature of virus that evolves in a host. If the clinical signs and diagnostic methods fail to correlate, the veterinarian should work with the diagnostic laboratory to solve the diagnostic puzzle.     

Reversal of neuromuscular block in companion animals

ObjectiveTo review the evidence regarding the reversal of neuromuscular block (NMB) in companion animals with emphasis on the development and use of newer agents.Database usedData sources include scientific reviews and original research publications in both human and veterinary literature using Pubmed and Scopus as search data bases. Unpublished and locally published data on reversal of NMB are presented.ConclusionsResidual NMB has been shown to increase morbidity and mortality in humans and needs to be avoided. It can be detected only by adequate neuromuscular monitoring. The proper use of reversal agents avoids residual NMB and recurarization should not occur. Anticholinesterase inhibitors, such as edrophonium and neostigmine have been used to reverse NMB when the need for this has been established. Reversal is influenced by several factors and a number of undesirable side- effects of these drugs have been reported. Sugammadex, a γ-cyclodextrin, which was designed specifically to encapsulate rocuronium, is more rapid in its actions, has fewer side effects and can reverse profound NMB induced by aminosteroidal muscle relaxants.