Factors affecting the occurrence, duration of hospitalization and final outcome in canine parvovirus infection

The objectives of this matched case-control study in a veterinary teaching hospital were to investigate the influence of signalment and historical data on the odds of occurrence of canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis and the potential usefulness of the clinical signs and clinicopathologic abnormalities recorded on admission as prognostic indicators of mean duration of hospitalization (DOH) and outcome of the disease. Ninety-four puppies with natural CPV enteritis and 188 age-matched controls were studied. The odds to develop CPV enteritis were higher in purebreds compared to mixed-breed puppies. Vomiting and depression at the time of admission were associated with a prolongation of DOH by 2 and 1.75 days, respectively. The lymphopenic and hypoalbuminemic dogs were hospitalized for 1.9 and 2.5 more days, respectively, compared to those without these abnormalities. The odds of non-survival were higher in those puppies with evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) at the time of admission.     

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.     

Breed-related risk factors for canine parvovirus enteritis

Case records of 305 dogs with canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis, seen at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from July 1, 1981 to Aug 31, 1982, were selected on the basis of admitting diagnoses or signs of diarrhea and vomiting. The case records were subdivided into 3 diagnostic categories, based on final diagnoses and laboratory test results. There were 96 dogs with definite CPV enteritis, 139 with possible CPV enteritis, and 70 with unlikely CPV enteritis. These cases were then stratified by animal's age (less than or equal to 6 months or greater than 6 months) and specific hospital service (medicine or emergency). A control group was selected from all canine case records from the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for conditions other than the criteria used in selecting the case group. Approximately 2 hospital patients were selected for each CPV enteritis case by frequency matching for hospital service and age. The proportion of dogs with definite CPV enteritis that had each of the clinical signs that were studied was greater than that of dogs in the other CPV enteritis diagnostic categories. The overall survival rate for dogs with definite CPV enteritis was 64.0%; survival was not associated with any given clinical sign of disease. Odds ratios (OR) for the risk of CPV enteritis were calculated for breeds with 3 or more dogs with definite CPV enteritis. The Doberman Pinschers (OR = 3.1), Rottweilers (OR = 6.0), and English Springer Spaniels (OR = 8.1) had a significantly increased risk of CPV enteritis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin-6 in dogs with pyometra and SIRS

Objective: To determine the frequency of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in canine pyometra and to evaluate the relationship between C‐reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and SIRS. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Fifty‐three clinical cases of canine pyometra and 19 healthy control bitches. Interventions: Upon admission to the veterinary hospital, history and physical examination findings, including previously defined clinical SIRS parameters, were documented. Blood samples were obtained for hematology and biochemical tests and for CRP, TNFα, and IL‐6 analysis. The diagnosis of pyometra was confirmed by histopathology of the uterus after ovariohysterectomy. After surgery, clinical SIRS parameters, length of hospitalization, and mortality were recorded. Measurements and main results: Pyometra dogs were grouped as SIRS positive (30/53; 57%) or SIRS negative (23/53; 43%). Logistic regression showed that CRP was the only parameter that significantly related to SIRS apart from the clinical criteria that define this syndrome. The mortality rate was low (2/53; 3.8%), and conclusions regarding association with SIRS could not be drawn. A positive SIRS status, high plasma CRP concentration, and high body temperature were variables that related to increased morbidity reflected by the length of hospitalization. Conclusions: SIRS was seen in 57% of canine pyometra cases and a positive SIRS status showed a positive association with prolonged hospitalization. The mortality rate was low (3.3%) among SIRS positive dogs, indicating that progression to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) rarely occurs in surgically treated cases of pyometra. CRP was associated with SIRS and with prolonged hospitalization. Further studies of plasma CRP may be warranted in canine intensive care cases susceptible to development of SIRS and MODS.     

Development of antimicrobial drug resistance in rectal Escherichia coli isolates from dogs hospitalized in an intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether duration of hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a veterinary teaching hospital was associated with prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among rectal Escherichia coli isolates from dogs, whether antimicrobial treatment was associated with prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, and whether there were associations among antimicrobial drugs to which isolates were resistant. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 116 dogs hospitalized in an ICU for >or= 3 days. PROCEDURES: Rectal swab specimens were obtained every 3 days and submitted for bacterial culture for E coli. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents by means of disk diffusion. RESULTS: For each additional day that a dog was hospitalized in the ICU, the odds of being colonized with an E coli isolate resistant to 1 or more of the 12 antimicrobials tested increased by a factor of 1.5, independent of antimicrobial treatment. Dogs that were treated with enrofloxacin were 25.6 times as likely to be colonized by a quinolone-resistant E coli strain as were dogs that did not receive any antimicrobials. Significant correlations were found for resistance to agents in the extended-spectrum cephalosporin group and the quinolone group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that the proportion of rectal E coli isolates obtained from dogs housed for >or= 3 days in a veterinary teaching hospital ICU that were resistant to antimicrobial agents increased as the duration of hospitalization in the ICU increased. Thus, ICU hospitalization time should be as short as possible to prevent development of antimicrobial resistance among rectal E coli isolates.     

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.     

Signalment and clinical features of diskospondylitis in dogs: 513 cases (1980-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine signalment, clinical features of the disease, and treatment in dogs with diskospondylitis. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 513 dogs with diskospondylitis (cases) and 236,109 canine hospital accessions (controls) from 12 veterinary teaching hospitals. PROCEDURE: Information retrieved from the medical records of 123 dogs with diskospondylitis at the Louisiana State University veterinary teaching hospital between 1980 and 2001 included sex, age, breed, primary complaint, neurologic status, location of lesions, causative organism, treatment, and outcome. The signalment of 390 additional cases from 11 other veterinary teaching hospitals was accessed from the Veterinary Medical Database. Comparisons were made with controls from the same time periods. RESULTS: Male dogs were twice as likely as female dogs to be affected (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 2.4). Dogs were significantly more likely to be affected as age increased. Purebred dogs, especially Great Danes, were more likely than mixed-breed dogs to be affected (OR, 73; CI, 4.3 to 12.6). For dogs from Louisiana State University, Staphylococcus spp, Brucella spp, Streptococcus spp, and Escherichia coli were isolated most often; multiple organisms were detected via microbial culture in 11 dogs. The mean duration of treatment was 53.7 weeks. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Male dogs, older dogs, and Great Danes appeared more likely to be affected with diskospondylitis than female dogs, dogs < 1 year of age, and mixed-breed dogs, respectively. Long-term administration of antimicrobial drugs for treatment of diskospondylitis may be expected. Identification of the causative organism and early treatment are recommended.     

Ionized Hypocalcemia in Critically Ill Dogs

Background: Ionized hypocalcemia (iHCa) is a common electrolyte disturbance in critically ill people, especially those with sepsis. The cause of the iHCa is not entirely understood and is likely multifactorial. Critically ill people with iHCa have longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates compared to people with normocalcemia. There are no published clinical studies evaluating the incidence and impact of iHCa in critically ill dogs.
Hypothesis: iHCa occurs in critically ill dogs, is more prevalent in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis, and is associated with longer hospital stays and higher mortality.
Animals: One hundred and forty-one client-owned dogs admitted to a companion animal intensive care unit (ICU) in a veterinary teaching hospital.
Methods: Prospective observational study of sequentially enrolled dogs. Blood was collected and analyzed within an hour of admission from all dogs presented to the ICU that met study inclusion criteria.
Results: The incidence of iHCa (iCa < 1.11 mmol/L) was 16%. The presence of iHCa was associated with longer ICU ( P = .038) and hospital ( P = .012) stays but not with decreased survival ( P = .60). Dogs with sepsis as defined by ≥3 SIRS criteria and a positive culture were more likely to have iHCa ( P = .050).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: In dogs not previously treated with fluids or blood products intravenously, the finding of iHCa upon admission to the ICU predicted a longer duration of ICU and hospital stay. Septic dogs with positive cultures were more likely to have iHCa.     

Canine parvoviral enteritis: a review of diagnosis, management, and prevention

Objective: To review and summarize current information regarding epidemiology, risk factors, and pathophysiology associated with canine parvoviral infection, and to outline diagnostic and treatment modalities for this disease. Preventative and vaccination strategies will also be discussed, as serologic documentation of immunocompetence and adoption of safe and effective vaccination protocols are crucial in limiting infection and spread of canine parvoviral enteritis. Etiology: Parvoviruses (Parvoviridae) are small, nonenveloped, single‐stranded DNA viruses that replicate in rapidly dividing cells. Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV‐2) remains a significant worldwide canine pathogen and the most common cause of viral enteritis in this species. Diagnosis: Classic presentation of CPV infection includes acute‐onset enteritis, fever, and leukopenia. Definitive diagnostic tests include detection of CPV in the feces of affected dogs, serology, and necropsy with histopathology. Therapy: Standard therapeutic practices for both mildly and severely affected puppies will be discussed. The ability of this virus to incite not only local gastrointestinal injury, but also a significant systemic inflammatory response has recently been reviewed in the literature, and novel innovative experimental and clinical therapeutic strategies, such as antagonism of proinflammatory cytokines and immunostimulation, are introduced in this article. Prognosis: CPV remains a significant worldwide canine pathogen. In experimentally affected dogs, mortality without treatment has been reported as high as 91%. However, with prompt recognition of dogs infected with CPV‐2, and aggressive in‐hospital supportive therapy of severely affected puppies, survival rates may approach 80–95%.     

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)     

Retrospective Study: Trends in plasma transfusion at a veterinary teaching hospital: 308 patients (1996–1998 and 2006–2008)

Objectives – To describe changes in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) utilization over a 10‐year period at a veterinary teaching hospital. To evaluate the effect of FFP administration on specific laboratory parameters. Design – Retrospective observational study. Setting – University teaching hospital. Animals– Two hundred and eighty‐three dogs and 25 cats. Interventions – A hospital database search was performed for all animals receiving FFP during the study periods. Measurements and Main Results – Medical records of patients receiving plasma transfusions from 2006 to 2008 and from 1996 to 1998 were reviewed. Data collected included indications for transfusion, transfused volume, concurrent therapies, clinicopathologic data pre‐ and post‐transfusion, transfusion reactions, days of hospitalization, and outcome. FFP was administered to 112 dogs and 23 cats from 2006 to 2008 and to 171 dogs and 2 cats from 1996 to 1998. Significantly fewer patients received FFP for the treatment of hypoalbuminemia (2006–2008: 15% versus 1996–1998: 53%; P<0.001) or pancreatitis (2006–2008: 2% versus 1996–1998: 13%; P=0.001) and significantly more patients received FFP for coagulopathy (2006–2008: 80% versus 1996–1998: 31%; P<0.001) in the 2006–2008 group compared with the 1996–1998 group. For all patients receiving FFP, there was no difference in mean serum albumin concentration pre‐ and post‐transfusion. Median prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly decreased post FFP administration. No association was found between the volume of plasma administered and outcome. Conclusions – FFP utilization has changed significantly over a 10‐year period. FFP was used most commonly in 2006–2008 for the correction of coagulopathy. FFP administration was associated with significant reduction in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time but did not significantly alter albumin concentration when administered at median doses of 15–18 mL/kg.     

Factors associated with Salmonella shedding among equine colic patients at a veterinary teaching hospital

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors potentially associated with fecal Salmonella shedding among equine patients hospitalized for colic at a veterinary teaching hospital and to determine the effects of probiotic treatment on fecal Salmonella shedding and clinical signs. DESIGN: Longitudinal study and controlled trial. ANIMALS: 246 equine colic patients. PROCEDURE: History and medical information were obtained from patient records. Fecal and environmental samples were submitted for aerobic bacterial culture for Salmonella enterica. Fifty-one patients were treated with a commercially available probiotic; 46 were treated with a placebo. Logistic regression was used to evaluate data. RESULTS: Salmonella organisms were detected in feces from 23 (9%) patients at least once during hospitalization. Patients were more likely to shed Salmonella organisms if diarrhea was evident < or = 6 hours after hospitalization and duration of hospitalization exceeded 8 days (odds ratio [OR], 20.3), laminitis developed during hospitalization (OR, 12.0), results of nasogastric intubation were abnormal (OR, 4.9), leukopenia was evident < or =6 hours after hospitalization (OR, 4.6), or travel time to the teaching hospital exceeded 1 hour (OR, 3.5). Horses treated with the probiotic did not differ from control horses in regard to likelihood of fecal Salmonella shedding (OR, 1.5) or prevalence of clinical signs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that certain risk factors are associated with fecal shedding of S enterica among equine patients hospitalized at a veterinary teaching hospital because of colic and that pathogen monitoring in patients and the hospital environment and use of barrier nursing precautions for equine colic patients are beneficial.     

Serum α-1-acid glycoprotein concentrations in 26 dogs with pyometra

Background: The acute phase protein, α‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP), has been proposed to have a role in immunomodulation and to be a nonspecific antimicrobial agent. We suggest that AGP may be increased in dogs with pyometra and possibly to a greater extent in dogs also manifesting signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Objectives: Our objectives were to evaluate serum AGP concentrations in dogs diagnosed with pyometra compared with clinically healthy female dogs and to determine if AGP concentrations were correlated with severity of disease. Methods: Twenty‐six dogs with pyometra and 18 clinically healthy intact female dogs were included in this prospective study. A diagnosis of pyometra was verified by histopathologic examination after ovariohysterectomy in the pyometra group. A commercially available single radial immunodiffusion test was used for AGP analysis. Clinical findings, laboratory variables, and hospitalization times were compared. Results: Mean AGP concentration in dogs with pyometra (1943 ± 913 mg/L, mean ± SD), was significantly higher (P<.001) than in healthy dogs (495 ± 204 mg/L). Mean AGP concentration in dogs in the pyometra group with (n=18) or without (n=8) SIRS did not differ. Animals with a prolonged hospital stay had higher AGP concentrations. Conclusions: Pyometra was associated with increased serum concentrations of the acute phase protein AGP. AGP concentrations were associated with severity of disease as measured by duration of hospitalization. As AGP binds basic drugs, further studies of its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic propreties in cases of pyometra may be of clinical interest.     

Aspects of the diagnosis, pathogenesis and epidemiology of canine parvovirus

Between 18 July 1980 and 2 January 1981, 188 samples (145 faeces and 43 intestinal contents) were submitted from dogs with suspected canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis. CPV was demonstrated in 56 (30%) of these samples; the weekly rate of positive CPV identification was remarkably constant at approximately 30% even though clinical and often post-mortem findings strongly supported a diagnosis of CPV enteritis. The simplest, most sensitive and most rapid method for detection of virus was haemagglutination (HA) which was twice as sensitive as isolation of virus and 8 times as sensitive as electron microscopy (EM). Forty nine of 56 (88%) samples positive for CPV were from dogs less than 1 year old and 44 (79%) CPV-positive samples were from pups less than 6 months old; only one sample from a pup less than 2 months old (pup was 7 weeks old) was positive. An additional 68 samples (53 faeces and 15 intestinal contents) were submitted from Beagle dogs that were part of a colony of approximately 1200 dogs. Epidemiological data pinpoints the entry of CPV into the colony in November 1978 at which time most dogs including pups less than 6 months of age developed antibody to CPV without developing clinical disease. From these data an overview of some aspects of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of CPV is constructed.     

Use of human immunoglobulin in addition to glucocorticoids for the initial treatment of dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia

Objective – To determine the utility of human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) for the initial treatment of canine immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA).
Design – Blinded, randomized, clinical trial.
Setting – Veterinary teaching hospital.
Animals – Twenty-eight, client-owned dogs with primary IMHA.
Interventions – At enrollment, after diagnosis of IMHA, dogs were randomly assigned to receive either hIVIG or placebo, in a blinded fashion. For the next 14 days, all dogs received glucocorticoids as the sole immunosuppressant agent. All dogs received low-molecular-weight heparin as an anticoagulant. D-dimer concentrations were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study protocol to monitor for thromboembolic complications.
Measurements and Main Results – Twenty-five of 28 dogs (89%) were discharged from the hospital. Thirteen of those received hIVIG and 12 received placebo. Twenty-four dogs (86%) were alive 14 days after enrollment, and of these 13 received hIVIG and 11 received placebo. D-dimer concentrations were elevated in 86% of all dogs at the time of diagnosis.
Conclusions – For initial treatment of dogs with IMHA, the addition of hIVIG to corticosteroid treatment did not improve initial response, nor did it shorten hospitalization.     

Postoperative pulmonary complications in dogs undergoing laparotomy: anesthetic and perioperative factors

Objective: To define the peri‐anesthetic risk factors that are associated with the development of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in dogs following laparotomy. Study design: Retrospective study. Animals: One hundred and sixty‐two dogs that underwent laparotomy at a veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Cases were evaluated for factors including signalment, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status (PS) score, duration of fast, duration of anesthesia, anesthetic and analgesic protocols, fluid and blood product therapy, animal positioning, and postoperative temperature. Results: Statistically significant differences between dogs that developed PPCs and those that did not (nPPCs) were identified in the following categories: ASA PS score≥III (P=0.041), emergent surgery (P=0.038), longer duration of anesthesia (P=0.0462), and use of butorphanol or oxymorphone instead of hydromorphone for postoperative medication (P=0.04 and 0.015, respectively). Dogs that received transfusions of stored blood products (fresh frozen plasma or packed red blood cells) during their hospital stay were also more likely to develop PPCs (P=0.035 and 0.005, respectively). Dogs that developed PPCs were also more likely to have received antagonists for potent opiates or benzodiazepines postoperatively and to have recovered in the intensive care unit (ICU) (P=0.03 and 0.009, respectively). Conclusions: Dogs with ASA PS scores≥III, or those requiring longer or emergency anesthesia are at a higher risk of developing PPCs. Additionally, dogs receiving stored blood products in the perioperative period may be at risk for pulmonary complications. Dogs fitting criteria for the above risk factors should be monitored closely postoperatively for development of pulmonary complications.     

Retrospective evaluation of partial parenteral nutrition in dogs and cats

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the use of partial parenteral nutrition (PPN) in dogs and cats. The medical records of all dogs and cats receiving PPN between 1994 and 1999 were reviewed to determine signalment, reasons for use of PPN, duration of PPN administration, duration of hospitalization, complications, and mortality. Complications were classified as metabolic, mechanical, or septic. One hundred twenty-seven animals (80 dogs and 47 cats) were included in the study, accounting for 443 patient days of PPN. The most common underlying diseases were pancreatitis (n = 41), gastrointestinal disease (n = 33), and hepatic disease (n = 23). Median time of hospitalization before initiation of PPN was 2.8 days (range, 0.2-10.7 days). Median duration of PPN administration was 3.0 days (range, 0.3-8.8 days). Median duration of hospitalization was 7 days (range, 2-20 days). In the 127 animals receiving PPN, 72 complications occurred. These included metabolic (n = 43), mechanical (n = 25), and septic (n = 4) complications. The most common metabolic complication was hyperglycemia (n = 19), followed by lipemia (n = 17) and hyperbilirubinemia (n = 6). Most complications were mild and did not require discontinuation of PPN. Ninety-three (73.2%) of the 127 patients were discharged. All 4 animals with septic complications were discharged from the hospital. The presence, type, and number of complications did not impact the duration of hospitalization or outcome. However, animals that received supplemental enteral nutrition survived more often than those receiving PPN exclusively. Although PPN seems to be a relatively safe method of providing nutritional support, future studies are warranted to determine its efficacy.     

Use of modified live feline panleukopenia virus vaccine to immunize dogs against canine parvovirus

Modified live feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) vaccine protected dogs against canine parvovirus (CPV) infection. However, unlike the long-lived (greater than or equal to 20-month) immunity engendered by CPV infection, the response of dogs to living FPLV was variable. Doses of FPLV (snow leopard strain) in excess of 10(5.7) TCID50 were necessary for uniform immunization; smaller inocula resulted in decreased success rates. The duration of immunity, as measured by the persistence of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody, was related to the magnitude of the initial response to vaccination; dogs with vigorous initial responses resisted oronasal CPV challenge exposure 6 months after vaccination, and hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies persisted in such dogs for greater than 1 year. Limited replication of FPLV in dogs was demonstrated, but unlike CPV, the feline virus did not spread to contact dogs or cats. Adverse reactions were not associated with living FPLV vaccination, and FPLV did not interfere with simultaneous response to attenuated canine distemper virus.     

Administration of acepromazine maleate to 31 dogs with a history of seizures

Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the incidence of seizures in dogs presenting with a history of seizures that were treated with acepromazine (ACE) during hospitalization. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Privately owned emergency and referral hospital. Animals: Thirty‐one client‐owned dogs. Interventions: Administration of ACE. Measurements and main results: The medical records from dogs with an acute or chronic seizure history that received ACE were reviewed. Factors evaluated included presenting complaint, seizure history, ACE dosage, duration of observation, seizure activity, and other medications used. Thirty‐one dogs qualified for the study: 20 males and 11 females. Age range was 3 months to 14.9 years. Presenting complaint was seizure in 28/31 dogs. There was a prior history of seizures in 22/31 dogs, and 15/22 were currently on antiseizure medication. ACE was given 1–5 times per dog. Mean ACE dose was 0.029 mg/kg IV (range: 0.008–0.057 mg/kg; n=46), 0.036 mg/kg IM (range: 0.017–0.059 mg/kg; n=14), 0.53 mg/kg PO (n=2). Twenty‐seven dogs did not seizure after administration of ACE within the observation period (mean: 16.4 hours, range: 0.25–66 hours). Twenty‐five dogs received antiseizure medication before ACE. Eight seizure episodes occurred in 4 dogs (all of whom presented for seizures) within 0.3–10 hours after ACE administration. Conclusions: There was no observed correlation between ACE administration in dogs with a seizure history and the recurrence of seizure activity during hospitalization. The time from ACE administration to seizure activity was greater than expected for measurable effects to be seen in 1 dog (10 hour). Further studies with a larger group and alternative ACE doses are needed to more thoroughly evaluate the safety of short‐term ACE use in dogs with a seizure history.     

Assessment of serum antibody titers against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type II, and canine parvovirus in Alaskan sled dogs before and after a long-distance race

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum antibody titers against canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type II (CAV-2), and canine parvovirus (CPV) in trained sled dogs prior to and after completion of a long-distance race. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 195 Alaskan sled dogs (from 18 kennels) that participated in the 2006 Iditarod Trail Race. PROCEDURES: All 1,323 dogs participating in the race had been vaccinated against the 3 viruses at 19 to 286 days prior to initial blood sample collection (obtained within the month preceding the race). Within 12 hours of race completion, blood samples were collected from 195 dogs (convenience sample) and matched with each dog's prerace sample. Serum antibody titers (90% confidence intervals [CIs]) were determined via serum neutralization assays. RESULTS: After racing, geometric mean titers against CDV and CPV were significantly higher (2,495 [90% CI, 321 to 16,384] and 6,323 [90% CI, 512 to 32,768], respectively) than prerace values (82 [90% CI, 11 to 362] and 166 [90% CI, 32 to 1,024], respectively). Sixty-one of 194 (31.4%) dogs had > or = 4-fold increases in anti-CPV antibody titers after racing. Prerace serum antibody titers against CDV, CPV, and CAV-2 varied significantly by sled team but were not associated with time since vaccination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Postrace increases in serum anti-CDV and anti-CPV antibody titer might reflect exposure of dogs to these agents immediately before or during racing. Dogs had no clinical signs of CDV-, CAV-2-, or CPV-associated disease; therefore, the clinical importance of these titer changes is uncertain.