Mitotane (o, p'-DDD) treatment in a cat with hyperadrenocorticism

An 11-year-old male castrated Persian cat with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism was presented. Both adrenals were grossly enlarged and calcified. A diagnosis of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism was made. Signs of hyperadrenocorticism resolved with long-term mitotane treatment. Concurrent diabetes mellitus resolved after 220 days of therapy. No severe adverse drug reactions were noted.     

Systemic availability of o,p'-DDD in normal dogs, fasted and fed, and in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism

The systemic availability of o,p'-DDD was studied in 12 normal dogs and seven dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). The drug was given by mouth at 50 mg kg-1 and plasma o,p'-DDD concentrations were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. First, six normal dogs were given the drug three times at intervals of one week in a Latin square pattern. Systemic drug availability was found to be very poor from intact tablets in fasted dogs, better with pure drug dissolved in maize oil given by stomach tube, and best with ground tablets mixed in oil poured on dog food. Then six normal dogs and five with PDH were given one dose of o,p'-DDD as intact tablets in dog food. Systemic drug availability was good in the normal animals and, for unknown reasons, better in dogs with PDH. The half-time of elimination was shorter in dogs with PDH than in normal ones. There was evidence of a gradual rise in plasma o,p'-DDD concentrations in seven dogs with PDH treated with 25 mg kg-1 every 12 hours for 14 or 20 days. The interaction between food and o,p'-DDD probably contributes to the variation in clinical response of dogs treated with the drug. The efficiency of therapy with o,p'-DDD should be improved considerably by administering the drug with food.     

Hematological and coagulation profiles in dogs experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866).

Hematological and coagulation profiles were studied in crossbred dogs experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum. Two groups of five dogs were experimentally inoculated with 50 and 100 third stage infective larvae (L(3)) of A. vasorum per kilogram of body weight. A third group of five uninfected animals was used as control. One sample of 10 ml of blood was collected from each animal on the 10, 20, 30, and 45 days after inoculation (dai) and at 30-day intervals thereafter for the remainder of the 210-day experimental period. The blood sample was used for the complete hemogram and platelet count, as well as measurements of prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and factors V and VIII. Anemia was observed in infected dogs, 6 weeks after the infection. The eosinophils presented peaks in four periods after infection. Thrombocytopenia became accentuated on the 72 dai. Decreased prothrombin time activity and increased partial thromboplastin time were observed at the 6 and 9 weeks after infection and decreased of factors VIII and V activities occurred from 4 to 6 weeks after infection. It may be conclude that infection by A. vasorum in dogs may cause a discrete anemia during the acute phase which is probably regenerative. In addition, important hemostatic alterations due to the infection suggest a chronic intravascular consumption coagulopathy.     

Adverse haematological effects of vinblastine, prednisolone and cimetidine treatment: a retrospective study in fourteen dogs with mast cell tumours

Vinblastine toxicity is poorly documented in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the haematological alterations in dogs treated with vinblastine and prednisolone. Fourteen dogs with mast cell tumours (MCT) were selected on at least one of the following criteria: lymph node infiltration, surgical margin infiltration, grade II MCTs with Ki-67 >10%, and grade III MCTs. Starting 15 days after surgery, the dogs were given vinblastine (2 mg/m2 i.v. four times weekly, then twice monthly for 2 months) and prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day p.o.). An EDTA blood sample was collected weekly for complete blood count (CBC). A total of 98 doses of vinblastine were given to the 14 dogs and 114 CBC were performed. Abnormal haematological findings were observed in 12 CBCs from five dogs, which represent a prevalence of 20% of the total CBCs performed in these animals. The most prevalent abnormal finding was thrombopenia (9/12) most often with grade I toxicity (6/9). In conclusion, the risk of occurrence of adverse haematological effects resulting from vinblastine-prednisolone treatment seems limited in dogs with MCT and it should not be overestimated.     

Successful treatment of two dogs with allergic dermatitis by anti-allergic peptides (MS-antigen)

The effects of non-specific immunotherapy with anti-allergic peptides extracted from the urine of human allergic patients (MS-antigen), in two dogs with allergic dermatitis (AD) have been described. Clinically, severe pruritus accompanied by secondary bacterial pyoderma did not respond to conventional therapy with systemic antibiotics. The first clinical change appeared as a significant reduction in pruritus within 3 months, around the time of the 15th injection in both cases. The clinical condition was stabilized after 5 months, allowing the gradual withdrawal of concurrent therapies and an increase of injection intervals. The correlation between the results of intradermal skin tests before and after treatment and the improvement of clinical signs was not obvious.     

Treatment of dogs with osteosarcoma by administration of cisplatin after amputation or limb-sparing surgery: 22 cases (1987-1990).

Twenty-two dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma were treated by amputation (n = 17) or limb-sparing surgery (n = 5). All dogs were given cisplatin (60 mg/m2 of body surface, IV) at 3-week intervals, beginning 1 week after surgery. Number of cisplatin treatments ranged from 1 to 6. Survival data for the 22 dogs were compared with survival data from a historical control group consisting of 162 dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma treated by amputation alone. Median survival time for the 22 dogs given cisplatin was estimated to be 46.4 weeks, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were estimated to be 45.5 and 20.9%, respectively. Survival time was significantly (P less than 0.0001) longer for treated dogs than for control dogs. Statistically significant relation was not found between survival time and number of cisplatin treatments. Three dogs were alive with no evidence of disease at the time of reporting. Of the remaining 19 dogs, 14 (73.4%) were euthanatized for problems documented to be related to metastases. Nine (47.4%) dogs were euthanatized because of bone metastases, and 5 (26.3%) were euthanatized because of pulmonary metastases. The proportion of dogs euthanatized because of bone metastases was significantly (P less than 0.0001) higher for treated than for control dogs. Median survival times for dogs developing bone and lung metastases were estimated to be 51.2 weeks and 21.2 weeks, respectively; however, this difference was not statistically significant. One local tumor recurrence was observed among dogs that had limb-sparing surgery. Significant difference in survival time was not observed between dogs that had limb-sparing surgery and dogs that underwent amputation.     

Pituitary tumor size, neurologic signs, and relation to endocrine test results in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: 43 cases (1980-1990).

Pituitary neoplasm was identified in 43 dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism via necropsy (n = 33), diagnostic imaging with computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (n = 5), or diagnostic imaging and necropsy (n = 5). All dogs had clinical signs and clinicopathologic test results typical of hyperadrenocorticism. Thirty-seven dogs had grossly visible pituitary tumors, and 6 dogs had microscopic pituitary tumors. Fifteen dogs had developed neurologic signs typical of those resulting from an enlarging pituitary mass. Twenty-three dogs had pituitary tumors greater than or equal to 1 cm in diameter. Provocative testing of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis was performed on all dogs. Dogs with grossly visible pituitary tumors and dogs with neurologic signs had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher mean plasma endogenous ACTH concentrations, compared with values from dogs with microscopic tumors and dogs without neurologic signs, respectively. Dogs with grossly visible pituitary tumors and dogs with tumors greater than or equal to 1 cm in diameter had significantly (P less than 0.05) lower adrenocortical responsiveness to exogenous ACTH, compared with dogs with microscopic pituitary tumors and dogs with tumors less than 1 cm in diameter, respectively. Despite these differences, there was overlap between test results among dogs. On the basis of endocrine test results, it would appear difficult to distinguish dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and large pituitary tumors from those with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and microscopic pituitary tumors prior to onset of neurologic signs.     

Episioplasty for the treatment of perivulvar dermatitis or recurrent urinary tract infections in dogs with excessive perivulvar skin folds: 31 cases (1983-2000).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of episioplasty for the treatment of perivulvar dermatitis or chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) believed to be secondary to excessive perivulvar skin folds in dogs and to document whether a causal relationship exists between the presence of chronic or recurrent UTI and excessive perivulvar skin folds in female dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 31 female dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs with vulvar dermatitis (group 1; n = 15) or UTI (group 2; 16) were reviewed for history, signalment, physical examination findings, hematologic findings, results of urine or vaginal bacteriologic culture, and results of additional diagnostic procedures. RESULTS: 14 of 15 dogs in group 1 had complete resolution of perivulvar dermatitis and associated clinical signs following episioplasty. One dog had a relapse of clinical signs and vulvar dermatitis 2 years after surgery in association with a 9-kg (1 9.8-1b) weight gain. Sixteen of 16 dogs in group 2 had complete resolution of clinical signs of UTI following episioplasty. Urine samples were obtained via cystocentesis no earlier than 1 month after surgery to confirm resolution of UTI in 13 of 16 of dogs in group 2. Mild-to-moderate incisional swelling was the only surgical complication reported for either group, with the exception of 1 dog in group 2 that had wound dehiscence. All owners were satisfied with surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All owners reported complete resolution of clinical signs for both groups of dogs. Episioplasty is an effective low morbidity treatment for perivulvar dermatitis and chronic UTI associated with excessive perivulvar skin folds.     

Efficacy of a novel topical combination of fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene for treatment and control of induced infestations with four North American tick species (Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and Amblyomma maculatum) on dogs

Five laboratory studies were conducted to confirm that a single topical dose of the novel combination of fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene, CERTIFECT? (Merial Limited, GA, USA), is efficacious for the rapid control of pre-existing infestations and the prevention of new infestations with Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, Amblyomma americanum and Amblyomma maculatum for at least 28 days on dogs. In each study, 8 male and 8 female purpose-bred, laboratory beagles were randomly assigned to one of two study groups (treated and untreated). Starting on the day before treatment, each dog was infested weekly with about 30 or 50 ticks, depending on the study. Treatment with the novel combination rapidly eliminated pre-existing infestations and controlled weekly re-infestations for at least 28 days. Pre-existing infestations with all four tick species were rapidly and effectively reduced, with post-treatment therapeutic efficacies ranging from 91.7 to 99.5% within 18-48 h post treatment. Amblyomma maculatum numbers were significantly (p<0.05) reduced on treated dogs from the first tick counts as early as 6h post-treatment. All subsequent infestations with each of the 4 tick species were quickly disrupted, with prophylactic efficacies greater than 90% within 18-48 h post-infestation for at least a full month. Because the combination of fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene quickly starts disrupting and killing ixodid ticks within hours of treatment, with similar high levels of efficacy maintained for at least 28 days in these and other studies, the authors conclude that a single topical treatment with CERTIFECT may prevent the transmission of most infectious agents carried by ixodid ticks for at least one month.     

Clinical findings, treatment, and outcome of dogs with status epilepticus or cluster seizures: 156 cases (1990-1995)

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes of dogs admitted to the hospital for status epilepticus or cluster seizures and evaluate factors associated with outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 156 dogs admitted for status epilepticus or cluster seizures. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for seizure and medication history, diagnostic test results, types of treatment, hospitalization costs, and outcome of hospital visits. RESULTS: Dogs were admitted for seizures on 194 occasions. Of 194 admissions, 128 (66%), 2 (1%), 32 (16.5%), 2 (1%), and 30 (15.5%) were of dogs with a history of clusters of generalized seizures, clusters of partial complex seizures, convulsive status epilepticus, partial status epilepticus, and > 1 type of seizure, respectively. Underlying causes of seizures were primary epilepsy (26.8%; 52/194), secondary epilepsy (35.1%; 68), reactive epileptic seizures (6.7%; 13), primary or secondary epilepsy with low serum antiepileptic drug concentrations (5.7%; 11), and undetermined (25.8%; 50). One hundred and eighty-six hospital visits resulted in admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Treatments with continuous i.v. infusions of diazepam or phenobarbital were initiated during 66.8% (124/186) and 18.7% (35) of ICU hospital stays for 22.3 +/- 16.1 hours (mean +/- SD) and 21.9 +/- 15.4 hours, respectively. Of 194 admissions, 74.7% (145) resulted in discharge from the hospital, 2.1% (4) in death, and 23.2% (45) in euthanasia. A poor outcome (death or euthanasia) was significantly associated with granulomatous meningoencephalitis, loss of seizure control after 6 hours of hospitalization, and the development of partial status epilepticus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Granulomatous meningoencephalitis, loss of seizure control after 6 hours of hospitalization, or the development of partial status epilepticus may indicate a poor prognosis for dogs with seizures.     

Intracellular regulation of endometrial PGF(2a) and PGE(2) production in dairy cows during early pregnancy and following treatment with recombinant interferon-tau

Objectives were to examine how the conceptus and recombinant bovine interferon-tau (rbIFN-tau) regulate intracellular components of the PGF(2a) synthetic pathway and to determine if arachidonic acid (AA) is limiting in endometrial tissue of pregnant cows. In Experiment 1, uteri were collected from either cyclic or pregnant dairy cows on Day 17 post-estrus. Intercaruncular explants were dissected and incubated for 60 min to quantify PGF(2a) production in response to oxytocin (10(-6) M), A23187 (10(-5) M), melittin (10(-5) M), and phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDBu, 10(-6) M). Additional explants from the same cows were incubated for 24 h with and without AA. Oxytocin and A23187 did not stimulate PGF(2a) in explants from either cyclic or pregnant cows. Both PDBu, melittin, and A23187 + melittin stimulated PGF(2a) production in explants of cyclic cows, but not in explants of pregnant cows. The addition of AA to explant cultures for 24 hr did not increase PGF(2a) production during a subsequent 60-min incubation. In Experiment 2, explants were collected from cows that received intrauterine infusions of either BSA (1.9 mg/1.2 ml) or rbIFN-tau (0.2 mg rbIFN-tau + 1.7 mg BSA/1.2 ml) twice a day from Days 14 to 17 of the estrous cycle. Treatments of rbIFN-tau attenuated PGF(2a) secretion induced by in vitro PDBu and A23187 treatments. However, rbIFN-tau treatment in vivo had no effect on the in vitro induction of PGF(2a) secretion by melittin. IFN-tau may regulate the PGF(2a) synthetic pathway by reducing activity of PKC or PKC mediated events.     

Cataracts in 44 dogs (77 eyes): A comparison of outcomes for no treatment, topical medical management, or phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation

Outcomes for 77 cataractous eyes were compared after each eye underwent no treatment, topical medical treatment only, or phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Median follow-up time for all dogs was 2.3 y. Failure occurred in all untreated eyes and the rate of failure was 65 and 255 times higher than in medically and surgically treated eyes, respectively. The failure rate was 4 times higher in dogs receiving only medical treatment compared with dogs that received surgery. Across all groups, the success rate for mature and hypermature cataracts was lower than for immature cataracts. Regardless of cataract stage, the chance of success was higher for eyes undergoing phacoemulsification than for eyes that received medical management only. Results of this study support prompt referral for phacoemulsification when cataracts are diagnosed in dogs or, if referral is not possible, topical anti-inflammatory therapy.     

Potential risks,prognostic indicators,and diagnostic and treatment modalities affecting survival in dogs with presumptive aspiration pneumonia: 125 cases (2005–2008)

Objective – To evaluate a clinical population of dogs diagnosed with presumptive aspiration pneumonia (AP) and determine diagnostic and treatment modalities contributing to survival. Design – Retrospective study. Setting – A university veterinary teaching hospital in an urban setting. Animals – One hundred and twenty‐five dogs with presumed AP treated from 2005 to 2008. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – Dogs with presumptive AP identified by a review of medical records had an overall survival of 81.6% (102/125). Male large‐breed dogs (mean 24.9 kg; 82/125) were overrepresented and were more likely to develop AP in this study population. Recent anesthesia had been performed in 16% (20/125), and vomiting was reported in 64% (80/125). The most common radiographic findings were a predominantly alveolar pattern (187/272, [68.8%] total lung lobes) in the right middle lung lobe (80/115, [69.6%]). A mean of 2 lung lobes were involved radiographically, and the relationship between survival and the number of lung lobes affected was statistically significant (P=0.04). Neutrophilia with a left shift was common with no significant change on consecutive daily evaluations. The mean PaO₂ was 77.7 mm Hg (SD, 17.5 mm Hg) (range, 40.7–100 mm Hg) with a median alveolar‐arterial gradient of 41.1 mm Hg (range, 8.1–81.8 mm Hg). In this study population, 37.6% (47/125) of dogs had microbial cultures performed and of these, 76.6% (36/47) were positive for growth; Escherichia coli (38.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (21.3%), Pasturella spp. (19.1%), and Staphylococcus spp. (17%) were the most common isolates in either single or multiagent infections. No treatment modality was statistically associated with increased survival. Colloid therapy was a negative prognostic indicator. Conclusions – In this study the overall prognosis for AP was good. Patients with only 1 affected lung lobe appeared more likely to survive. Supportive treatment modalities are warranted for the hospitalized patient, although no individual treatment method was found to be clearly superior to others.     

Use of surgery and electron beam irradiation, with or without chemotherapy, for treatment of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats: 78 cases (1996-2000).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate responses of cats with vaccine-associated sarcomas to treatment with surgery and radiotherapy, with or without adjunctive chemotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 76 cats (78 tumors). PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed. Factors potentially associated with survival time, time to recurrence, and time to development of metastases were evaluated. RESULTS: Following excision, electron beam radiation, and, in some cases, chemotherapy, 32 (41%) cats experienced recurrence, and 9 (12%) cats developed metastases. One- and 2-year survival rates were 86 and 44%, respectively. Median survival time from onset of disease was 730 days (range, 30 to 2,014 days). Median disease-free interval was 405 days (range, 30 to 925 days). Cats that underwent only 1 surgery prior to radiotherapy had a lower recurrence rate than did cats that underwent > 1 surgery and had a significantly longer disease-free interval. Survival time and disease-free interval decreased as time between surgery and the start of radiotherapy increased. Cats that developed metastases had significantly shorter survival times and disease-free intervals than did cats that did not develop metastases. Castrated male cats had a significantly shorter survival time than did spayed female cats. Cats with larger tumors prior to the first surgery had shorter survival times. Twenty-six cats received chemotherapy in addition to surgery and radiotherapy. Whether cats received chemotherapy was not associated with recurrence rate, metastasis rate, or survival time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that excision followed by electron beam irradiation may be beneficial for treatment of cats with vaccine-associated sarcomas. Extent of excision prior to radiotherapy did not seem to be associated with recurrence rate.     

Efficacy and safety of imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on solution and fenbendazole in the treatment of dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866)

A randomized, blinded, controlled multicentre field trial study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% spot-on solution and fenbendazole in treating dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum. Dogs were randomly treated either with a single dose of 0.1 ml/kg bodyweight of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% spot-on solution or with 25 mg/kg bodyweight fenbendazole per os for 20 days. The study period was 42 days with dogs being examined on days 0, 7 and 42. The primary efficacy parameter was the presence of L1 larvae in faecal samples evaluated by a Baermann test from three consecutive days. Thoracic radiographs performed on each visit were being taken as a paraclinical parameter to support the results of the Baermann test. Twenty-seven dogs in the imidacloprid/moxidectin group and 23 dogs in the fenbendazole group completed the study according to protocol. The efficacies of the two treatment protocols were 85.2% (imidacloprid/moxidectin) and 91.3% (fenbendazole) with no significant difference between treatment groups. On radiographic evaluation pulmonary parenchyma showed similar improvement in each group. No serious adverse effects to treatment were recorded: most of the minor adverse effects were gastrointestinal such as diarrhea (nine dogs), vomitus (eight dogs) and salivation (three dogs). In general, these adverse effects were of short duration (1-2 days) within the first few days after treatment start and required little or no treatment. This prospective study demonstrates that both treatment protocols used are efficacious under field conditions, that treatment of mildly to moderately infected dogs with either of these protocols is safe and yields an excellent prognosis for recovering from the infection.