Probable cutaneous hypersensitivity to carboplatin single-agent chemotherapy in a dog

Carboplatin is usually a well-tolerated drug and has many applications in veterinary oncology. The side effects of carboplatin described in the veterinary literature include myelotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, digestive and appetite disorders. In 114 dogs treated by single-agent chemotherapy with carboplatin, we observed a rate of non-haematological toxicities of 19·3% (personal observation). This case report describes the first case of cutaneous delayed-hypersensitivity to carboplatin in a dog, diagnosed according to the official ABON-system, which determines a causal association between a suspected product and a reported reaction (A=probable, B=possible, O=unclassifiable and N=unlikely), and an experimental intradermal skin test. Antihistamines were used to treat the reaction, and future carboplatin treatments were adjusted by premedication with corticosteroids, prolonged infusion and a reduction of 20% of the first dose of carboplatin. No further reactions were noted during the following treatments.     

Management of eyelid neoplasms in the dog and cat

Eyelid neoplasms are common in the older dog and typically benign. Eyelid neoplasms in the cat are less common and more often malignant. Resection of eyelid masses may be curative; however, restoration of the eyelid structure after mass excision is essential for maintaining long-term ocular surface health. Surgical techniques and instrumentation for eyelid surgery are reviewed. Indications, benefits. and limitations of sharp excision, cryotherapy, and laser excision and ablation are discussed. Neoplasia of the third eyelid is also discussed.     

Cytosolic 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in spontaneous neoplasms in the dog and cat.

Steroid-producing tissues such as ovary, placenta, testis and adrenal gland and non-steroid-producing cells including lymphocytes are known to contain 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD). In the present study, we measured and partially characterized the 20 alpha-HSD in 11 neoplastic tissues surgically removed from dogs and a cat. The tissues were pathologically classified as 4 benign and 7 malignant. The enzyme activities in the cytoplasmic fraction were positive in 6 of the 7 malignant tissues and 2 of the 4 benign ones. Following DEAE chromatography analysis of 2 malignant tumour samples, multiple forms of enzyme activities with different electric charges were detected. Furthermore, 20 alpha-HSD activity in the cytosol fraction from malignant tumours was increased dramatically by passage through the DEAE column, suggesting that the enzyme is present in the cytosol as an inactive or sequestered form.     

Long-term survival after combination chemotherapy for bilateral renal malignant lymphoma in a dog

CASE HISTORY: A 6-year-old, entire male Flat-coated Retriever was presented with a history of lethargy, polydipsia and seizures. Clinical chemistry had shown marked azotaemia. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Radiography and ultrasonography revealed bilateral renomegaly, and cytology of fine needle aspirates from the kidneys was diagnostic of malignant lymphoma. The dog was treated with a modified high-dose cyclophosphamide-, vincristine-, and prednisolone-based chemotherapy protocol, achieved remission, and returned to normal quality of life. Survival time was 346 days from the time of diagnosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Malignant lymphoma in the kidneys of dogs has been considered to carry a uniformly poor prognosis. Long-term remission after medical treatment has not previously been reported. The favourable outcome in this case illustrates the limitations of clinical staging in determining the outcome for individual patients.     

Long-term survival after combination chemotherapy for bilateral renal malignant lymphoma in a dog

CASE HISTORY: A 6-year-old, entire male Flat-coated Retriever was presented with a history of lethargy, polydipsia and seizures. Clinical chemistry had shown marked azotaemia.

CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Radiography and ultrasonography revealed bilateral renomegaly, and cytology of fine needle aspirates from the kidneys was diagnostic of malignant lymphoma. The dog was treated with a modified high-dose cyclophosphamide-, vincristine-, and prednisolone-based chemotherapy protocol, achieved remission, and returned to normal quality of life. Survival time was 346 days from the time of diagnosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Malignant lymphoma in the kidneys of dogs has been considered to carry a uniformly poor prognosis. Long-term remission after medical treatment has not previously been reported. The favourable outcome in this case illustrates the limitations of clinical staging in determining the outcome for individual patients.     

Ventricular parasystole in a dog and a cat

In human beings, ventricular parasystole usually is a benign arrhythmia with an ectopic focus that fires independently from the rest of the heart. The specific electrocardiographic criteria used to diagnose this condition are variable coupling intervals with the preceding beat; interectopic intervals, all multiple of the same number; and fusion beats. Ventricular premature beats having those characteristics were identified in a dog and a cat, both free of detectable, structural heart disease. In these cases, the arrhythmia was refractory to treatment, but the animals were clinically normal. Recognition of this kind of arrhythmia is important because it may help in avoiding unnecessary concerns and treatment.     

Lymphangiosarcoma in a dog treated with surgery and chemotherapy

A large subcutaneous mass at the left cervical site in a 9-year-old male Siberian husky was removed surgically. Histopathologically, the mass was mainly consisted of a proliferation of spindle-shaped neoplastic cells arranging in solid sheath and partially vascular channels containing few blood cells. The tumor cells exhibited highly invasive activity to the surrounding tissues. In addition, the tumor cells were immunopositive for Factor VIII-related antigen. On the basis of these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as lymphangiosarcoma. Recurrent mass was noticed 3 weeks after surgery but completely disappeared after the doxorubicin treatment. Neither recurrence nor metastasis was observed for 9 months after the remission.     

Utility of 5-aminolaevulinic acid fluorescence-guided endoscopic biopsy for malignant mesothelioma in a cat and dog

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is uncommon in cats and dogs and can be challenging to diagnose. Adequate tissue sampling is required for superior diagnostic accuracy. Protoporphyrin IX, a metabolite of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA), is a photosensitiser for photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). To the best of our knowledge, no study has reported the use of 5-ALA-PDD to detect MM in veterinary medicine. The present study describes the use of 5-ALA-PDD for MM diagnosis in a cat and dog, as well as the effectiveness of intracavitary chemotherapy. We evaluated the use of PDD with 5-ALA hydrochloride (5-ALA-PDD) in two cases of MM. A 12-year-old cat presented with a 1-month history of respiratory distress, and a 9-year-old dog presented with a 3-month history of mild abdominal distention. We endoscopically biopsied lesions in both the cases using 5-ALA-PDD. Histopathological examination revealed mesothelioma, and immunohistochemical staining was positive for calretinin. Both patients were treated with carboplatin. The cat died of respiratory failure. Although, the dog's condition improved 21 days after the first chemotherapeutic drug administration, the dog died on day 684 owing to cardiac-related issues. 5-ALA-PDD is thus, safe and feasible for the diagnosis of MM in veterinary medicine.     

Transarticular pinning as a treatment for hip luxation in the dog and cat

A transarticular pinning technique is described for the treatment of coxo-femoral luxation in the dog. It provides an alternative technique in recurrent luxation cases and in cases complicated by other factors which render more conservative methods inapplicable.     

Primary malignant lymphoma of the urinary bladder in a dog: longterm remission following treatment with radiation and chemotherapy

Primary (extranodal) malignant lymphoma limited exclusively to the urinary bladder is an extremely rare disorder in both humans and animals and has to be differentiated from malignant lymphoma cases where a systemic (multicentric) lymphoma has spread to the bladder. We report a case of a 3-year old female spayed mixed breed dog presenting with gross haematuria and dysuria and diagnosed with a primary B-cell high-grade lymphoma of the urinary bladder without involvement of any other site. After treatment with a combination of hypofractionated external beam radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy, rapid and complete remission of the tumor occurred. At present the dog is alive and has been in remission for 52 months.     

Paraquat poisoning in a dog and cat.

Paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride) has in the last decade gained popularity as an effective weedicide. It is marketed for commercial use as a liquid concentrate Gramoxone ICI (20% paraquat). Accidental or intentional ingestion of Gramoxone has caused 232 human deaths between 1964 and 1973 (Anon 1974). Most human patients suffer transient renal and hepatic insufficiency and pulmonary oedema followed after a latent period by progressive pulmonary fibrosis leading to death from respiratory failure (Harrison 1972). The clinical features of non-fatal paraquet poisoning in a cat and the clinical and pathological findings in fatal poisoning in a dog are reported.     

Palliative radiation therapy in a dog with malignant trichoepithelioma

An 11-year-old male Bearded Collie was brought to the Gifu University Animal Medical Centre with a skin mass on the lateral right thigh. Physical examination revealed a 30 × 65-mm oval mass with an alopecic and ulcerated surface. Histopathology of the surgically excised sample confirmed malignant trichoepithelioma. Five months after the surgery, the dog experienced lumbar pain resulting from metastasis to the lumbar vertebrae. Radiation therapy (RT) was performed and it alleviated the lumbar pain. Nine months after the surgery, multiple skin metastases were identified. RT was performed at each occurrence, which reduced the size of each tumour and resulted in a partial response; however, systemic metastasis occurred and the dog died 17 months after the initial surgery. Canine malignant trichoepithelioma is a rare tumour, so an effective treatment has not been determined. Data from our case study indicate that RT has potential for pain control of primary and metastatic malignant trichoepithelioma.