A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF 140 DOGS WITH ORAL MELANOMA TREATED WITH EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION

Despite the early notion that canine oral malignant melanoma is radioresistant, recent data suggest that external beam radiotherapy is effective in local tumor control. However, optimal fractionation schedules have not been established. The high rate of regional and distant metastasis is another problem that has hindered long-term control. The role of chemotherapy in the management of canine oral melanoma has also not been determined. In this study, data from 140 dogs irradiated at North Carolina State University were evaluated with the following objectives: (1) to compare the efficacy of three radiation therapy protocols (36 Gy, 9 Gy x 4 fractions; 30 Gy, 10 Gy x 3 fractions; or >45 Gy, 2-4 Gy x 12-19 fractions) for the treatment of dogs with oral malignant melanoma, (2) to identify any host or tumor factors influencing prognosis, and (3) to determine the impact of systemic chemotherapy on treatment outcome. Information regarding response to therapy, disease progression, and survival were determined from the medical records or from information obtained by telephone or mail survey. Relationships between host, tumor, and treatment variables and outcome measures (response, time to first event, and survival) were evaluated using Fisher's exact test (response) and the Cox regression model (time to first event and survival). The median time to first event for the 140 dogs was 5.0 months (95% C.I., 4-6 months) and the median survival was 7.0 months (95% C.I., 6-9 months). In the univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with increased time to first event and survival: (1) rostral tumor sublocation; (2) lack of bone lysis observed on skull imaging, and (3) microscopic tumor burden. In a multivariate analysis of 111 dogs with complete data for these variables, tumor sublocation, bone lysis, and tumor volume were identified as joint predictors of time to first event (p < .001, p < .001, and p = .04, respectively) and survival (p < .001, p < .001, and p = .05, respectively). There were no differences in response, time to first event and survival between the three radiation therapy protocols used. Systemic chemotherapy had no impact on the development of metastatic disease, time to first event, or survival, although the dosages used in this study were suboptimal. External beam radiation therapy is effective in local disease control of canine oral malignant melanoma; however, the optimal fractionation scheme has yet to be determined. The high metastatic rate observed with this disease and the inefficacy of systemic chemotherapy indicate that further investigation into novel therapies is warranted.     

Short-term compatibility of furosemide with crystalloid solutions

Parenteral veterinary furosemide is a 50-mg/mL solution with a pH of 8.0-9.3. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a commonly used veterinary formulation of 50 mg/mL of furosemide solution could be diluted in vitro without precipitation. Furosemide 50 mg/mL was diluted to concentrations of 10 and 5 mg/mL with 5% dextrose in water (D5W), 0.9% saline, lactated Ringer solution (LRS), and sterile water. Acidic sterile water and basic sterile water solutions were made by the addition of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, respectively, for use as controls to assess the effect of pH extremes for each concentration. After furosemide dilution, the final pH of each sample was measured, and samples were grossly and microscopically examined for clarity and crystal formation immediately and 1, 3, 5, and 8 hours after dilution. Gross precipitation and microscopic crystals were immediately observed in the acidic controls. Solutions of 5 mg/mL in LRS and 0.9% saline became slightly cloudy immediately, but no crystals were observed microscopically for 8 hours. Solutions of 10 mg/mL in D5W, 0.9% saline, LRS, and sterile water and solutions of 5 mg/mL in D5W and sterile water and the basic control were grossly clear, and no microscopic crystals were observed for 8 hours. On the basis of the results obtained in this in vitro investigation, this veterinary formulation of furosemide 50 mg/mL can be diluted without precipitation to a concentration of 10 mg/mL with D5W, 0.9% saline, LRS, or sterile water and to 5 mg/mL with D5W or sterile water and held for 8 hours.     

Evaluation of serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentration after administration of ACTH in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) concentration measurement after administration of ACTH for use in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 110 dogs. PROCEDURE: Serum 17-OHP concentrations were measured before and after ACTH stimulation in 53 healthy dogs to establish reference values for this study. Affected dogs had pituitary-dependent (n = 40) or adrenal tumor-associated (12) hyperadrenocorticism or potentially had atypical hyperadrenocorticism (5; diagnosis confirmed in 1 dog). In affected dogs, frequency interval and borderline and abnormal serum 17-OHP concentrations after ACTH stimulation were determined. Serum cortisol concentrations were assessed via low-dose dexamethasone suppression and ACTH stimulation tests. RESULTS: In healthy dogs, serum 17-OHP concentration frequency intervals were grouped by sex and reproductive status (defined as < 95th percentile). Frequency intervals of serum 17-OHP concentrations after ACTH stimulation were < 77, < 2.0, < 3.2, and < 3.4 ng/mL (< 23.3, < 6.1, < 9.7, and < 10.3 nmol/L) for sexually intact and neutered females and sexually intact and neutered males, respectively. In 53 dogs with confirmed hyperadrenocorticism, serum cortisol concentrations after ACTH stimulation and 8 hours after administration of dexamethasone and serum 17-OHP concentrations after ACTH stimulation were considered borderline or abnormal in 79%, 93%, and 69% of dogs, respectively. Two of 5 dogs considered to have atypical hyperadrenocorticism had abnormal serum 17-OHP concentrations after ACTH stimulation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum 17-OHP concentration measurement after ACTH stimulation may be useful in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs when other test results are equivocal.     

Metrics for quantifying antimicrobial use in beef feedlots

Accurate antimicrobial drug use data are needed to enlighten discussions regarding the impact of antimicrobial drug use in agriculture. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perceived accuracy and clarity of different methods for reporting antimicrobial drug use information collected regarding beef feedlots. Producers, veterinarians, industry representatives, public health officials, and other knowledgeable beef industry leaders were invited to complete a web-based survey. A total of 156 participants in 33 US states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 8 other countries completed the survey. No single metric was considered universally optimal for all use circumstances or for all audiences. To effectively communicate antimicrobial drug use data, evaluation of the target audience is critical to presenting the information. Metrics that are most accurate need to be carefully and repeatedly explained to the audience.     

Different isolates from Leishmania braziliensis complex induce distinct histopathological features in a murine model of infection

The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological features in tissues of mice infected by human isolates (I, II, and III) or the reference M2903 strain of Leishmania braziliensis complex. BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice were infected in the hind footpad with 10⁶ stationary-phase promastigotes of L. braziliensis complex. The evolution of lesions was observed for 10 weeks and the animals were then euthanized and liver, spleen and popliteal lymph nodes were collected. Tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay. Increased thickness of infected footpads was observed in all animals, lesions were nodular and non-ulcerated. Mice infected with isolate I presented inflammatory infiltrates consisting predominantly of mononuclear cells in all tissues examined, and also a great number of megakaryocytes, compared with other isolates. Infection with isolate II led to an infected footpad enlargement not seen in other isolates. In addition, mononuclear infiltrates in the liver and hemosiderin in spleen were noted. Conversely, mice infected with either isolate III or M2903 strain only showed an increased number of megakaryocytes in spleen. All tissues examined had detectable amastigote forms of Leishmania by immunohistochemistry in all groups. Taking together, our results showed an unforeseen behavior of different isolates of L. braziliensis complex that led to diverse pathological findings.