Exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus in German shorthaired pointer dogs: disease development,progression and evaluation of three immunomodulatory drugs (ciclosporin,hydroxychloroquine, and adalimumab) in a controlled environment

Six German shorthaired pointer dogs (two females, four males) with exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ECLE) were studied in a controlled setting until disease progression necessitated euthanasia. During investigations into the heredity of disease, five dogs received immunomodulatory drugs to alleviate clinical signs (lameness, erythema, scaling, erosions/ulcers). One dog served as a control and received only baths and oral fatty acids. Four dogs received ciclosporin (5–10 mg/kg once daily) for 4.5 months to 2 years. Ciclosporin decreased erythema and arthralgia, but did not halt worsening of lesions. Three dogs received hydroxychloroquine (5–10 mg/kg once daily) for 8 weeks, 7 months, and 9 months, respectively, with no side effects. Hydroxychloroquine appeared to slow clinical progression in two dogs on extended treatment and normalized globulin levels in all three dogs while receiving the drug. Four dogs, including the control dog, were euthanized between 1 and 4.5 years of age. Two remaining male dogs received a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α antagonist, adalimumab, at 0.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 8 weeks then weekly for 8 weeks. Serum TNF‐α levels were not significantly altered nor were quantifiable changes seen in skin lesions or lameness. Subsequently, the dogs were maintained on hydroxychloroquine for another year. This is the first study to evaluate the use of a TNF‐α inhibitor for canine lupus and the first to address the safety of long‐term administration of hydroxychloroquine, albeit in a small number of dogs. The study documents the progression of ECLE and generally poor response to therapy.     

Use of a point-of-care beta-hydroxybutyrate sensor for detection of ketonemia in dogs

The urine test strip is the most common test used to detect ketones in veterinary patients, but it can underestimate the degree of ketonuria and hence, ketonemia. Additionally, adequate urine samples for analysis may be difficult to obtain from dehydrated animals. The standard method used to detect and monitor ketonemia in human medicine is measurement of serum or whole blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHOB). A point-of-care (POC) analyzer has been validated for this purpose in humans. This study compared the accuracy of the POC device to an enzymatic reaction laboratory method for measurement of βHOB in dogs. Although the POC sensor tended to overestimate βHOB concentrations, there was good correlation (R(2) = 0.96) and good agreement between the 2 methods with a bias +/- precision of 0.0860 +/- 0.3410 mmol/L βHOB. The POC βHOB sensor can be useful for assessing ketonemia in dogs.     

In-Laboratory Diffraction-Enhanced X-Ray Imaging of an Equine Hoof

We describe and demonstrate the first application of a laboratory-based diffraction-enhanced X-ray imaging instrument for noninvasive equine imaging. A formalin-preserved disarticulated forelimb from a near-term aborted miniature horse fetus was imaged with diffraction-enhanced X-ray imaging. The resultant calculated images—absorption, extinction, refraction, and scattering—are presented, and soft-tissues such as the dorsal digital extensor tendon, articular cartilage, as well as various joint, tendon sheath, and bursa recesses are observed in simultaneous registration with the adjacent dense bone tissue. Radiation dose calculations were performed and a calculated surface dose of 0.6 mGy for the soft muscular tissue was determined for the imaging experiment.     

Development and evaluation of a high-fidelity canine patient simulator for veterinary clinical training

High-fidelity human patient simulators have been used for decades in medical education to provide opportunities for students to practice technical skills, diagnostic and therapeutic planning, and communication skills in a safe environment. A high-fidelity canine patient simulator (CPS) was developed using components from a human patient simulator and a low-fidelity foam core canine mannequin. Ninety-six veterinary students participated in cardiopulmonary arrest scenarios in groups of three to five students. Afterwards, participants were asked to complete an anonymous online survey describing their experiences. A total of 70 students (73%) completed the survey. All of the students (100%) felt that the simulator session expanded their cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge base, and 97% responded that their skills and abilities had improved. Students also expressed positive opinions about the CPS, with 89% agreeing or strongly agreeing that the CPS was realistic and 73% agreeing or strongly agreeing that the scenarios generated emotions similar to real clinical situations. Most participants (98.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that the simulator was an engaging learning experience. Students commonly commented that the simulations allowed them to practice communication and teamwork skills and were more effective than paper-based, problem-oriented learning opportunities and lecture. Students also commented that they wanted more opportunities to participate in simulation exercises. These results suggest that high-fidelity veterinary simulation is an engaging educational methodology that addresses some limitations of other forms of problem-based learning. More studies are needed to quantitatively determine the effectiveness of this novel veterinary educational technology in comparison with more traditional approaches.     

Effectiveness of aquaflor (50% florfenicol) to control mortality associated with Streptococcus iniae in freshwater-reared subadult sunshine bass

We conducted a field trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Aquaflor (50% florfenicol) for controlling mortality associated with Streptococcus iniae in freshwater-reared subadult sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops X male striped bass M. saxatilis). Bacterial samples collected from moribund fish representing a reference population were presumptively identified microbiologically and were later confirmed to be S. iniae by biochemical characterization and polymerase chain reaction. The trial comprised a 1-d acclimation period, 10-d treatment period, and 14-d posttreatment period. During the treatment period, Aquaflor-medicated feed was administered to treated tanks (N = 3) at a target dose of 10 mg of florfenicol x kg of fish(-1) x d(-1), and nonmedicated feed was administered to control tanks (N = 3). At the end of the posttreatment period, mean (+/- SD) cumulative mortality in treated tanks (9 +/- 11%) was significantly (P = 0.040) less than that in control tanks (52 +/- 13%). Analysis of medicated feed samples revealed that treated tanks had received an actual dose of 8.3 mg florfenicol x kg fish(-1) x d(-1) (83% of target). No florfenicol was detected in control feed samples. Although the actual florfenicol dose administered to treated tanks was less than the target dose, the trial was accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine as demonstrating the efficacy of Aquaflor to control mortality associated with S. iniae in cultured sunshine bass populations.