Actinomycin D for Reinduction of Remission in Dogs With Resistant Lymphoma

Twenty-five dogs with malignant lymphoma refractory to chemotherapy were treated with actinomycin D at a median dose of 0.7 mg/m² (range, 0.5 to 0.9 mg/m²) every 3 weeks. The dogs treated had received between 2 and 8 chemotherapeutic agents (median 7), for a median of 266 days before being treated with actinomycin D. For 23 of the 25 dogs, previous chemotherapy included doxorubicin. No dog responded to actinomycin D chemotherapy.     

Coccidioidomycosis in 48 Cats: A Retrospective Study (1984–1993)

Coccidioidomycosis was diagnosed in 48 cats. Forty-one cases were identified within a period of 3 years. Coccidioides immitis was revealed by cytological or histopathological examinations, or culture in 70% of cats. The remaining 30% of cases were diagnosed by appropriate clinical signs, radiographic lesions, and serological test results. The average age of affected cats was 6.2 years with a median age of 5.0 years. Fifty-four percent (n = 26) were female and 46% (n = 22) were male. Domestic shorthaired and longhaired breeds comprised 89% (n = 41) of affected cats. Sixty-seven percent of cases were diagnosed during the 6-month period of December through May. Cats infected with C immitis were presented for evaluation of dermatologic (56%), respiratory (25%), musculoskeletal (19%), and neurological or ophthalmologic signs (19%). Fever, inappetence, and weight loss were present in 44% of the cats. Duration of clinical signs before diagnosis was less than 4 weeks in 85% (n = 42) of cats, with an average of 3.8 weeks and a median of 2 weeks. Agar gel immunodiffusion tests were positive in all 39 cats tested at sometime during the course of their disease. Hyperproteinemia (greater than 7.9 g/dL) was present in 52% (10/23) of cases. The majority of cats (n = 39) were negative for feline leukemia virus. Antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus were absent in the 19 cats tested. Ketoconazole was the most common antifungal agent used to treat cats with Coccidioidomycosis. Duration of treatment ranged from less than 1 week to 43 months. Thirty-two cats are currently asymptomatic, with or without treatment. Eleven cats died or were euthanized. Five cats were lost to follow-up. Ketoconazole likely is more suppressive than curative because relapses were common after discontinuing therapy.     

Second round of an interlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays used by 45 veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a continued public health challenge. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States use RT-rtPCR for animal testing, and many laboratories are certified for testing human samples; hence, ensuring that laboratories have sensitive and specific SARS-CoV2 testing methods is a critical component of the pandemic response. In 2020, the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) led an interlaboratory comparison (ILC1) to help laboratories evaluate their existing RT-rtPCR methods for detecting SARS-CoV2. All participating laboratories were able to detect the viral RNA spiked in buffer and PrimeStore molecular transport medium (MTM). With ILC2, Vet-LIRN extended ILC1 by evaluating analytical sensitivity and specificity of the methods used by participating laboratories to detect 3 SARS-CoV2 variants (B.1; B.1.1.7 [Alpha]; B.1.351 [Beta]) at various copy levels. We analyzed 57 sets of results from 45 laboratories qualitatively and quantitatively according to the principles of ISO 16140-2:2016. More than 95% of analysts detected the SARS-CoV2 RNA in MTM at ≥500 copies for all 3 variants. In addition, for nucleocapsid markers N1 and N2, 81% and 92% of the analysts detected ≤20 copies in the assays, respectively. The analytical specificity of the evaluated methods was >99%. Participating laboratories were able to assess their current method performance, identify possible limitations, and recognize method strengths as part of a continuous learning environment to support the critical need for the reliable diagnosis of COVID-19 in potentially infected animals and humans.     

Urethral conformation and position in relation to urinary incontinence in the bitch.

The conformation of the urethra, the position of the bladder neck and the distance between the external urethral orifice and the cranial pubic brim were compared in 30 continent and 30 incontinent bitches with incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism, using the measurements made from vagino-urethrograms. The bladder neck was significantly (P less than 0.001) further caudal in incontinent dogs than in continent dogs. Its position was not affected by neutering and could not be explained by the degree of urethral curvature. The distance from the external urethral orifice to the cranial pubic brim was correlated (P less than 0.001) with bodyweight but was not significantly different in the continent and incontinent bitches. In neutered animals, the distance between the cranial pubic brim and the external urethral orifice was significantly (P less than 0.05) shorter than in entire animals.     

Clinical Update on Testing Modalities for Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Clinically Sick Rabbits

This article describes the clinical presentation of rabbit patients infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi that present to veterinary hospitals. The difficulty in obtaining a definitive diagnosis with this disease, even in animals with severe clinical signs, is frustrating to veterinarians and owners alike. A detailed review of current diagnostic testing methodologies and recent advances should help with the interpretation of E. cuniculi test results to communicate and inform owners on treatment and prevention of this devastating disease.     

Evaluation of biochemical analytes in vitreous humor collected after death in West Indian manatees

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate biochemical analytes in vitreous humor collected after death in West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 73 West Indian manatees of various ages and both sexes. PROCEDURE: The condition of manatee carcasses submitted for routine postmortem examination was categorized as fresh, moderately autolyzed, or severely autolyzed. The eyes were removed, frozen for shipping, and thawed on arrival at the laboratory. Vitreous humor was extracted, and various biochemical analytes were measured. Values for each analyte were compared with published reference ranges for corresponding biochemical analytes in serum. Values were also compared among the carcass condition groups. RESULTS: Creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations in vitreous humor were significantly higher in severely autolyzed carcasses than in fresh carcasses. Potassium concentrations in vitreous humor were significantly higher in moderately autolyzed carcasses than in fresh carcasses but were highly variable in severely autolyzed carcasses. These data were consistent with those reported in other species. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that measurement of biochemical analytes in vitreous humor of manatees is feasible and has potential for assisting in the postmortem diagnosis of certain metabolic, renal, and nutritional diseases; determining severity of autolysis at time of necropsy; and determining the time of occurrence of human-induced trauma.