Understanding and managing obesity in dogs and cats.

Treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease, and nutrition has become an integral part of management. This article focuses on the role of nutrition and dietary ingredients in OA, evaluating current evidence for obesity management, omega-3 fatty acids, and chondromodulating agents. Additionally, Keeping an animal in optimal to slightly lean body condition has been shown to decrease the risk of development of OA and to aid in management of dogs with OA.     

Practical application of holter monitoring in dogs and cats

Holter monitoring is a valuable noninvasive tool for the monitoring of the cardiac rhythm over a prolonged period during normal daily activities. The advent of this diagnostic test has demonstrated that the incidence of serious arrhythmias is much greater than previously determined using routine electrocardiography. A resting electrocardiogram is typically recorded for several seconds to several minutes and is likely to miss or underestimate the underlying arrhythmia. This article will present the clinical indications, equipment, technical application, and assessment of holter monitoring.     

The management of oral tumours in dogs and cats

Successful management of oral tumours must achieve the dual needs of continued oral function and total destruction of often massive tumours. The most effective treatments currently available are radiation therapy and radical surgical excision involving partial mandibulectomy or maxillectomy, but the size of a tumour, its location, biological behaviour and the availability of treatment facilities will influence the mode of therapy chosen.     

Antihistamines in the management of allergic pruritus in dogs and cats

Antihistamines clearly have a place in the management of pruritus in the atopic dog and cat and, in this paper, important aspects of pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, adverse effects and precautions, and clinical use of these compounds are reviewed. Successful use of antihistamines is dependent on, among other considerations, the adherence to recommended doses and frequencies of administration, the recognition and control of concurrent and secondary factors, the willingness to try several different compounds, and the realisation that these agents are best employed in a preventive fashion.     

Diagnosis and management of compulsive disorders in dogs and cats.

This article discusses the presenting signs, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of compulsive disorder. Problems with the diagnosis and heterogeneity of the condition are discussed. Likely causes, development, and pathophysiology of the condition form the basis for the clinical approach to the treatment of the condition. Treatment includes environmental and management changes, behavioral modification, and drugs.     

Diagnosis and management of food allergy and intolerance in dogs and cats

SUMMARY This paper reviews food allergy and intolerance in dogs and cats. Adverse reactions to ingested food components can affect many systems and can produce signs involving the skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and central nervous system, and these clinical signs are reviewed. Most basic food ingredients have the potential to induce an allergic response, although most reactions are caused by proteins. In particular, dogs and cats can become sensitive to cow's milk, beef, fish or cereal. Food allergy and intolerance is rare in dogs and cats, although the incidence in practice is difficult to establish. Clinical signs are quite variable, depending on the individual response, although the major clinical sign is pruritus. Diagnosis can be difficult, as there is no single test available to help the clinician to confirm or refute the presence of food sensitivity. Diagnosis is based on dietary investigation in the form of elimination diets and test meals. Elimination diets for dogs include lamb, chicken, rabbit, horse meat and fish as sources of protein, with rice or potatoes. Successful elimination diets for cats include lamb, chicken, rabbit or venison, with rice. Improvement in clinical signs while on the elimination diet is suggestive of food allergy. The diagnosis should be confirmed by feeding the original diet, with the development of clinical signs within 7 to 14 days of feeding.     

Nutritional management of chronic renal disease in dogs and cats.

Chronic renal disease is a leading cause of death in dogs and cats. Recent clinical studies show that nutrition plays a key role in improving quality of life and life expectancy of these patients. Typical nutritional interventions include modifying the protein, phosphorus, and lipid concentrations. Nutritional therapy, however, does not simply mean changing the diet; consideration must also be given to ensuring adequate caloric intake and to the method of feeding. Monitoring the effects of the dietary therapy is also crucial to ensure that the patients are responding appropriately to the selected nutritional modifications. Nutritional management must be coordinated with medical management for long term successful treatment.     

AAHA/AAFP pain management guidelines for dogs and cats

Pain management in dogs and cats has undergone a dramatic evolution in the past decade. Current approaches focus on anticipation and prevention of pain, as well as both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management techniques. The veterinary team plays an essential role in educating pet owners about recognizing and managing pain in their pets.     

Histoplasmosis in dogs and cats

Histoplasma capsulatum is endemic throughout most of the United States with a high prevalence of infections in the Midwest and South. Histoplasmosis is the second most common systemic fungal disease in cats that may be more susceptible than dogs. Infection occurs by inhalation of conidia from the mycelial phase, which subsequently convert to the yeast form. Histoplasma capsulatum is phagocytized and harbored by cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Infection may be subclinical or cause clinical pulmonary granulomatous disease or dissemination. Disseminated disease predominantly affects the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, bone and bone marrow, integument, and eyes. Primary gastrointestinal histoplasmosis also occurs. Clinical signs of histoplasmosis often are nonspecific, including chronic wasting, fever, anorexia, respiratory signs, and lameness. Gastrointestinal signs (eg, diarrhea with hematochezia or melena) are common in dogs. The definitive diagnosis is made by identification of the yeast in tissue samples. Itraconazole is the treatment of choice.     

Ringworm in dogs and cats

Ringworm is an uncommon disease of dogs, but cats, especially the longhaired breeds, are more frequently infected. Of the several dermatophytes involved, Microsporum canis causes 94 per cent of ringworm in cats and 65 per cent in dogs. This species is highly contagious for man but the true incidence of human infection is unknown. Ringworm caused by M canis usually responds readily to treatment, but when the infection establishes in a colony of cats, eradication can be difficult and expensive. Other forms of ringworm in dogs and cats are caused by dermatophytes acquired from wild animals, mainly small rodents such as mice and voles. This is an uncommon and trivial disease of cats, but some infections in dogs can be remarkably persistent and difficult to resolve.