Neocortical Astrocytoma in a Dog: Behavioural and Clinico-Pathological Findings

Abstract— —An astrocytoma in a 9-year-old Boxer dog was found on postmortem to have invaded the sensory and motor regions of the neocortex in the right cerebrum. The limbic lobe, internal capsule and corpus callosum were also involved. Clinical symptoms included hyperaesthesia on left side of the body, poor placing response in left fore-leg, convulsions and circling away from the affected side. EEG revealed focal spike discharges which were localized around the cortical area affected.
Résumé— —Chez un chien boxer âgé de 9 ans, un astrocytome a été trouvéà l'autopsie, ayant invadé les régions sensorielle et motrice du néocortex dans le cerveau droit. Le lobe limbique, la capsule interne et le corps calleux étaient également impliqués. Les symptomes cliniques incluaient l'hyperesthésie de la région droite, mauvaise réaction de placement de la patte antérieure gauche, convulsions et tournement de côté de la région affectée. EEG révéla des décharges pointues focales localisées autour de la région corticale affectée.
Zusammenfassung— — Ein Astrocytom bei einer 9 Jahre alten Bulldogge wurde bei der Sektion gefunden. Dieses war in die sensorischen und motorischen Regionen des Neopallium im rechten Gehirn eingedrungen. Der limbische Lappen, die innere Kapsel und das Corpus callosum waren ebenfalls beteiligt. Die klinischen Symptome bestanden in Hyperaesthesie der linken Kärperhölfte, schlechte Bewegungen im linken Vorderbein, Konvulsionen und Fortbewegungen von der betroffenen Seite. EEG zeigte fokale Aehren-Entladungen, die in der betroffenen Rindenzone lokalisient wurden.     

Vancomycin for multi-drug resistant Enterococcus faecium cholangiohepatitis in a cat

A 12-year-old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated with a life-long history of intermittent, predominantly small bowel diarrhea and a 3 day history of hematochezia. At presentation, the cat had increased liver enzyme activities and an inflammatory leukogram. Histopathology demonstrated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cholangiohepatitis and pancreatitis. The cholangiohepatitis was associated with a multi-drug resistant Enterococcus faecium. Gallbladder agenesis was also documented. Treatment with vancomycin was safely instituted for 10 days. Clinical signs resolved, however, cure of the bacterial cholangiohepatitis was not achieved. The risk of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in human and veterinary medicine is discussed.     

Response rates and survival times for cats with lymphoma treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol: 38 cases (1996-2003)

OBJECTIVE: To determine response rates and survival times for cats with lymphoma treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 38 cats with lymphoma. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information on age, sex, breed, FeLV and FIV infection status, anatomic form, clinical stage, and survival time was obtained. Immunophenotyping was not performed. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age of the cats was 10.9 +/- 4.4 years. Overall median survival time was 210 days (interquartile range, 90 to 657 days), and overall duration of first remission was 156 days (interquartile range, 87 to 316 days). Age, sex, anatomic form, and clinical stage were not significantly associated with duration of first remission or survival time. Eighteen of the 38 (47%) cats had complete remission, 14 (37%) had partial remission, and 6 (16%) had no response. Duration of first remission was significantly longer for cats with complete remission (654 days) than for cats with partial remission (114 days). Median survival time for cats with complete remission (654 days) was significantly longer than median survival time for cats with partial remission (122 days) and for cats with no response (11 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that a high percentage of cats with lymphoma will respond to treatment with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol. Age, sex, anatomic form, and clinical stage were not significantly associated with duration of first response or survival time, but initial response to treatment was.