Dietary hypersensitivity in cats and dogs

Adverse reactions to food or dietary hypersensitivity are frequently seen problems in companion animal medicine and may be difficult to differentiate from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dietary hypersensitivity can be divided into two subgroups: immunological and nonimmunological problems. Non-immunological problems can be subdivided into food intolerance, food poisoning, and dietary indiscretion. The immunological group can be subdivided into true food allergy (IgE mediated) and anaphylaxis (non-IgE mediated). This article gives an outline of what dietary hypersensitivity is, and more specifically food allergy and how to deal with patients with possible dietary hypersensitivity.     

Diet and periodontal disease in dogs and cats

SUMMARY A review of relevant literature was undertaken because of concerns about a possible relationship between pet foods, development of periodontal disease, and secondary adverse effects on general health. It was concluded that, while changes in feeding methods in recent decades have arguably improved pet health by reducing or preventing diseases associated with nutritional deficiencies and excesses, periodontal disease remains a serious, diet-related problem. There is reasonable evidence that soft diets are associated with increased frequency and severity of periodontal disease, and that harder foods requiring vigorous prehension and mastication are preferable for dogs and cats. While it is plausible that periodontal disease could cause diseases in other organs and tissues, the evidence for this is limited at present. Further research is needed to better define the relationship between diet types and oral health. In the meantime, veterinarians and pet owners should pay attention to the physical qualities (textures, abrasiveness, ‘chewiness’) of foods they provide for dogs and cats, as well as to their nutrient content, and should consider additional methods to control plaque and prevent periodontal disease where necessary.     

Laparoscopy in dogs and cats.

Laparoscopic techniques have been developed in veterinary medicine for noninvasive evaluation of several organs, including liver, extrahepatic biliary system, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, bowel, and genitourinary tract. Biopsy procedures of these organs with minimal risk can be performed in most patients. This article reviews the equipment and technique necessary to perform laparoscopy in dogs and cats.     

Hemangiosarcoma in dogs and cats.

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA, including angiosarcoma and malignant hemangioendothelioma) is a highly malignant tumor derived from the endothelial cell line and is characterized by early and aggressive metastasis. HAS is a common tumor type in dogs, but is rare in other species. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and possibly radiation, but survival times are invariably short (usually < 1 year), except for patients with superficial dermal HSAs. Further options to treat this tumor type are currently being investigated.     

Thyroid surgery in dogs and cats.

Thyroid surgery is indicated for malignant and benign neoplasms or hyperplasia of the thyroid glands. A ventral midline cervical approach allows for bilateral thyroid exploration. Care should be taken to avoid the surrounding neurovascular structures and esophagus. Evaluation of both thyroids should be done before proceeding with partial or complete thyroidectomy. Complications of thyroid surgery include intraoperative hemorrhage and clinical signs associated with damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerves, parathyroid blood supply, or parathyroidectomy.     

Optic neuritis in dogs and cats.

The term "optic neuritis" compromises all diseases of the optic nerve that cause primary demyelination and usually manifest themselves as a sudden visual field defect or total loss of vision in one or both eyes. As in man, the cause of optic neuritis is often difficult to determine in the living animal. Neurologic examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and laboratory tests can be normal. Optic neuritis affects dogs far more frequently than other animal species. This article examines the causes of immune-mediated optic neuritis and etiologic differentials in dogs and cats, with comparisons to human beings and laboratory animal models.     

Thyroid tumors in dogs and cats.

The clinical presentation and biologic behavior of thyroid tumors vary widely among dogs, cats, and human beings. Although thyroid tumors in dogs are rare, they are most likely to be malignant. Clinical signs are usually the result of impingement on surrounding structures, and clinical hyperthyroidism is rare. In contrast, hyperthyroidism resulting from benign thyroid proliferation is relatively common among older cats. Malignant tumors are extremely uncommon but have high metastatic potential. Irrespective of the tumor's ability to produce functional thyroid hormone, scintigraphy is often helpful in the diagnosis and staging of thyroid tumors in all three species. Treatment with surgery is a reasonable treatment option for noninvasive tumors. Iodine 131 is a well-established treatment for thyroid nodules in cats, but its effectiveness in dogs is controversial. In dogs, external beam radiation therapy has produced more consistent results in affording local tumor control when surgery is not possible.     

Anticonvulsant therapy in dogs and cats.

This article reviews anticonvulsant therapies in current use for dogs and cats and briefly describes new modes of anticonvulsant therapy that are being investigated or pending publication. Most of the information contained within the article is based on published information. Some of the information, however, is based on the author's clinical experience and is identified as such.     

Effect of a new dental hygiene chew on periodontal health in dogs

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of a new dental hygiene chew on periodontal health in the dog. The textural properties of this chew are different from previously tested dental hygiene products. The accumulation of dental deposits, development of oral malodor, and development of gingivitis were assessed in two groups of dogs; one fed a dry diet only, and the other fed the same dry diet supplemented by the daily addition of the new dental hygiene chew. Daily addition of the chew to the dry diet was effective in reducing plaque and calculus accumulation on the tooth surfaces, and also reduced the severity of gingivitis and oral malodor as compared to feeding the dry diet only.     

Benefits of a 'dental hygiene chew' on the periodontal health of cats

A study was undertaken to determine the clinical efficacy of a chew designed to improve dental hygiene in the cat. The accumulation of dental deposits (plaque and calculus) and the effect on gingival inflammation were assessed in 15 client-owned cats while on two different regimens. In the first leg of the study, the cats were fed a nutritionally complete dry diet supplemented with one dental hygiene chew. In the second leg of the study, the same cats were fed only the nutritionally complete diet. This study demonstrated that the daily addition of the chew to the dry diet resulted in significantly less plaque and calculus accumulation on tooth surfaces. It was our experience that daily feeding of the chew helped maintain dental hygiene in cats; however, regular professional therapy is still indicated.     

Orthopedic problems in geriatric dogs and cats.

Senior dogs and cats with orthopedic injuries and diseases often require a treatment plan that differs from that of younger patients. Injured bone and soft tissues tend to heal more slowly in the geriatric patient. The older animal is likely to have a less competent immune system and may have compromised metabolic and endocrine function. Pre-existing musculoskeletal problems may make ambulation difficult for an animal convalescing from a new orthopedic problem. Special attention is often needed when treating these patients for fractures, joint instability, infection, and neoplasia. In general, issues that should be addressed in the geriatric patient include reducing intraoperative and anesthesia time, enhancing bone and soft tissue healing, return to early function, control of postoperative pain, physical therapy, and proper nutrition.     

Management of anorexia in dogs and cats.

The management of anorexia should center first on the urgent and emergent medical management of the patient and be followed by feeding of a highly palatable food in a low-stress environment and manner. Diet palatability can potentially be improved by increasing dietary moisture, fat, or protein, and, in the dog, by adding sugar or salt as well as by using a variety of fresh, pleasantly aromatic, and uncommon foods. Caution should be used when increasing or adding nutrients that may be harmful to patients with specific diseases. Concurrent drug therapy that may reduce appetite should be minimized, and physical barriers to eating should be removed. Patients that consume less than resting energy requirement of longer than 3 to 5 days with no trend toward improving should receive parenteral or enteral nutrition.     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma in dogs and cats.

Five soft tissue tumors of varied morphology in dogs and cats were classified as malignant fibrous histiocytomas on the basis of their histologic composition. All were composed of varying mixtures of histiocytes and fibroblasts and three contained large multinucleated cells. This giant cell variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma was seen only in cats. These tumors are comparable to those described in man as malignant fibrous histiocytoma on the basis of the malignant histiocyte and its varied morphology and function.     

Emerging viral encephalitides in dogs and cats.

Few viral pathogens resulting in encephalitis in dogs and cats have emerged over the past decade or so. All are the result of penetration through presumed species barriers and all are considered zoonoses or possible zoonotic pathogens. In all cases, encephalitis is a rare event that has low morbidity but high mortality. More viruses are likely to emerge as pathogenic in our domesticated carnivorous companions as our habitats continue to overlap with the shrinking wildlife habitats. Hopefully, however, none reach the level of distinction that was once held by rabies virus.