Secretion of sex hormones in dogs with adrenal dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adrenal sex hormone concentrations in response to ACTH stimulation in healthy dogs, dogs with adrenal tumors, and dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 11 healthy control dogs, 9 dogs with adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (adenocarcinoma [ACA] or other tumor); 11 dogs with PDH, and 6 dogs with noncortisol-secreting adrenal tumors (ATs). PROCEDURE: Hyperadrenocorticism was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs; physical examination findings; and results of ACTH stimulation test, low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, or both. Dogs with noncortisol-secreting ATs did not have hyperadrenocorticism but had ultrasonographic evidence of an AT. Concentrations of cortisol, androstenedione, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were measured before and 1 hour after i.m. administration of 0.25 mg of synthetic ACTH. RESULTS: All dogs with ACA, 10 dogs with PDH, and 4 dogs with ATs had 1 or more sex hormone concentrations greater than the reference range after ACTH stimulation. The absolute difference for progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and testosterone concentrations (value obtained after ACTH administration minus value obtained before ACTH administration) was significantly greater for dogs with ACA, compared with the other 3 groups. The absolute difference for androstenedione was significantly greater for dogs with ACA, compared with dogs with AT and healthy control dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs with ACA secrete increased concentrations of adrenal sex hormones, compared with dogs with PDH, noncortisol-secreting ATs, and healthy dogs. Dogs with noncortisol-secreting ATs also have increased concentrations of sex hormones. There is great interdog variability in sex hormone concentrations in dogs with ACA after stimulation with ACTH.     

Evaluation of cisplatin combined with piroxicam for the treatment of oral malignant melanoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of cisplatin administered with piroxicam, the antitumor activity and toxicity of cisplatin combined with piroxicam in dogs with oral malignant melanoma (OMM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and the effects of piroxicam on the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin in dogs with tumors. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: 25 dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs were treated with a combination of cisplatin (escalating dose with 6 hours of diuresis with saline [0.9% NaCI] solution) and piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg 10.14 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h).The initial cisplatin dose (50 mg/m2) was increased by 5 mg/m2 until the MTD was reached. Tumor stage and size were determined at 6-week intervals during treatment. The pharmacokinetics of cisplatin were determined in dogs receiving a combination of cisplatin and piroxicam during the clinical trial and dogs that were treated with cisplatin alone. RESULTS: 11 dogs with OMM and 9 dogs with SCC were included in the clinical trial. The MTD of cisplatin when administered in combination with piroxicam was 50 mg/m2. Tumor remission occurred in 5 of 9 dogs with SCC and 2 of 11 dogs with OMM. The most common abnormality observed was renal toxicosis. Clearance of cisplatin in dogs that were treated with cisplatin alone was not significantly different from that in dogs treated with a combination of cisplatin and piroxicam. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cisplatin administered in combination with piroxicam had antitumor activity against OMM and SCC. The level of toxicity was acceptable, although renal function must be monitored carefully.     

Outcome and subsequent fertility of sheep and goats undergoing cesarean section because of dystocia: 110 cases (1981-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome and subsequent fertility of sheep and goats undergoing a cesarean section because of dystocia. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 85 sheep and 25 goats. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information was obtained on signalment, history, physical examination findings, anesthesia protocol, surgical technique, number of lambs or kids delivered, pre- and postoperative treatments, duration of hospitalization, and postoperative complications. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone conversations with owners. RESULTS: The proportion of sheep admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital during the study period that underwent a cesarean section (4.4%) was significantly higher than the proportion of goats that did (2.2%). Pygmy goats were overrepresented, compared with the hospital population. The most common reason for cesarean section was inadequate dilatation of the cervix. The most common surgical approach was via the left paralumbar fossa. Two hundred one lambs and kids were delivered, of which 116 were dead at delivery or died shortly afterward. Forty-two of the 65 dams with 1 or more dead fetuses had been in stage-2 labor for > 6 hours, and fetal death was significantly associated with a prolonged duration of dystocia. The most common complication following surgery was retained placenta (n = 49). Use of antimicrobials was associated with a lower rate of complications. All 16 dams that were rebred became pregnant and had no problems with dystocia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that cesarean section is an effective method of resolving dystocia in sheep and goats and does not adversely affect subsequent fertility.     

Staphylococcus aureus exosecretions and bovine mastitis

The role of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcal exosecretions in bovine udder infection was tested by monitoring the cows' response to in vivo inoculation of bacterial exosecretions into udder quarters. Twenty Israeli-Holstein dairy cows were included in the study; two or three of the udder quarters of each cow were intracisternally inoculated with 0.04-0.05 mg/quarter (total proteins) of the various sterile bacterial exosecretions in a sterile pyrogen-free saline. Each udder was inoculated with two or three different bacterial exosecretions or placebo (Columbia Broth). Cows were monitored for 96 h post-inoculation for rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates, alimentary tract activity (rumen contraction), udder temperature, pain, oedema and udder size. Milk samples were examined bacteriologically and for somatic cell count, N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity and somatic cell differentiation. No enterotoxins (beta-G) or toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 were detected in response to any of the bacteria tested. Control quarters or those inoculated with Columbia Broth, showed similar NAGase and somatic cell count values throughout the experiment. Twelve of the 18 strains tested, induced inflammation in the inoculated quarters while six did not. Of the 12 strains causing local inflammation, only six were found significantly different from the control and were considered as high response (group 1). The other six that caused a local inflammation did not differ significantly from the control, and were considered to be moderate response (group 2). The six S. aureus isolates that did not cause an inflammatory response were considered to have low response (group 3). In all quarters inoculated with S. aureus bacterial exosecretions belonging to groups 1 and 2, the polymorphonuclear cells and macrophages were proportionally increased while CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte populations decreased. One-dimensional NuPAGE (7%) Tris-acetate gel electrophoresisof the bacterial exosecretions revealed four different bands appearing between 36 and 31 kDa, marked from top to bottom as A, B, C and D. An association was found between the combinations of expressed bands and the cow responses: the majority of the cases could be linked to the expression of bands B and C.     

Time trends and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in dogs: analysis of veterinary medical data base records (1970-1999)

The objectives of the study were to identify recent trends in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs and to identify host risk factors. Veterinary Medical Data Base (VMDB) electronic records of 6860 dogs with a diagnosis of DM (VMDB code 870178500) between 1970 and 1999 were evaluated to determine time trends. Records of 6707 dogs with DM and 6707 frequency matched dogs with any diagnosis other than DM from the same teaching hospitals in the same year, selected as controls, were evaluated for risk factor analysis. The prevalence of DM in dogs presented to veterinary teaching hospitals increased from 19 cases per 10,000 admissions per year in 1970 to 64 cases per 10,000 in 1999, while the case-fatality rate decreased from 37% to 5%. The hospital prevalence of DM was consistently greater over time in older compared with younger dogs with the highest prevalence occurring in dogs 10-15 years of age. Dogs weighing <22.7 kg had a significantly (P<0.001) greater risk of DM compared with heavier dogs. Female dogs had an increased risk of DM compared with males (P<0.001).     

Carboplatin and piroxicam therapy in 31 dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

Invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder responds poorly to medical therapy. Combining platinum chemotherapy with a cyclooxygenase (cox) inhibitor has shown promise against canine TCC, where the disease closely mimics the human condition. A phase II clinical trial of carboplatin combined with the cox inhibitor, piroxicam, was performed in 31 dogs with naturally occurring, histopathologically confirmed, measurable TCC. Complete tumour staging was performed before and at 6‐week intervals during therapy. Tumour responses in 29 dogs included 11 partial remissions, 13 stable disease and five progressive disease. Two of the 31 dogs were withdrawn prior to the re‐staging of the tumour. Gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in 23 dogs. Hematologic toxicity was noted in 11 dogs. The median survival was 161 days from first carboplatin treatment to death. In conclusion, carboplatin/piroxicam induced remission in 40% of dogs providing evidence that a cox inhibitor enhances the antitumour activity of carboplatin. The frequent toxicity and limited survival, however, do not support the use of this specific protocol against TCC.     

Evaluation of piroxicam for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of piroxicam for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: 17 dogs with measurable oral squamous cell carcinoma. PROCEDURE: Dogs were treated with piroxicam at a dosage of 0.3 mg/kg (0.14 mg/lb) of body weight, PO, every 24 hours until progressive disease or unacceptable signs of toxicosis developed or the dog died. RESULTS: One dog had a complete remission (maxillary tumor), and 2 dogs had partial remissions (lingual tumor and tonsillar tumor). An additional 5 dogs had stable disease, including 1 with a maxillary tumor, 2 with mandibular tumors, and 2 with tonsillar tumors. Variables associated with tumor response were not identified. Median and mean times to failure for the 3 dogs that had a remission were 180 and 223 days, respectively. Median and mean times to failure for the 5 dogs with stable disease were 102 and 223 days, respectively. Time to failure was positively associated with tumor response and negatively associated with tumor size. One dog had mild adverse gastrointestinal tract effects that resolved with the addition of misoprostol to the treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that piroxicam may be useful in the treatment of dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma; response rate was similar to that reported for other cytotoxic treatments. Larger-scale studies are warranted to determine what role piroxicam may have, alone or in combination with other treatments, for the treatment of dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma.     

Diet-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs of high-risk breeds

A nested case-control study was conducted among 1634 dogs with complete diet information in a 5-year prospective study to determine diet-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Cases included 106 dogs that developed GDV; controls included 212 dogs without GDV that were frequency matched to cases by year of GDV onset. Proportionate energy consumed from major food types and from carbohydrates was determined. Dogs were categorized as consuming either a low volume or high volume of food based on the median number of cups of food fed per kg of body weight per meal. Dogs fed a larger volume of food per meal were at a significantly (P<0.05) increased risk of GDV, regardless of the number of meals fed daily. For both large- and giant-breed dogs, the risk of GDV was highest for dogs fed a larger volume of food once daily.     

Milk leucocyte populations in heifers free of udder infection

Improvement of udder health through a process of genetic selection is related to heritability and the role of the specific trait in the probability of an individual cow developing an infection. It was suggested that different patterns of leucocyte population of the healthy gland are a significant factor in mastitis. Thus, in order to analyse the heritability of a trait and its correlation with udder health, the present study examined the leucocyte populations of uninfected mammary glands, their variability among quarters in a particular cow, and the changes that occur during lactation. Each one of the 20 cows examined was tested on average 3.06 times during lactation. The somatic cell count (SCC)/ml ranged from 12,000 to 151,000, the coefficients of determination (R2) were higher than 0.5 for SCC. No significant differences were found in the dependent variables between the sampled times (test) nor any interaction between the slopes calculated for the cows over time. No significant differences were found among quarters within a cow for any of the dependent variables including SCC. The effect of the cow trait was found to be significant for polymorphonuclear (PMN), macrophage (MO), and T-lymphocyte-bearing CD4+. The number of lymphocytes labelled with the anti-B monoclonal antibodies was negligible. In conclusion the patterns of leucocyte populations in milk together with the variance among cows should enable an analysis of the heritability of this trait and its correlation with udder health in a future study.