Neutrophilic dermatitis and immune-mediated haematological disorders in a dog: suspected adverse reaction to carprofen

This report describes the clinical and pathological findings of a suspected idiosyncratic adverse drug reaction in a young dog. The patient presented with sudden onset, severe skin lesions together with episodes of collapse. Investigations revealed a neutrophilic dermatitis with vasculitis, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Similar pathology has been described in human cases of Sweet's syndrome. The chronology of events suggested an adverse drug reaction to carprofen, although two antibiotics had been prescribed within the dog's recent history. Lymphocyte transformation tests were performed and tended to exclude both antibiotics as the cause of the reaction. To the authors' knowledge, lymphocyte transformation tests have not previously been described with regard to drug hypersensitivity assessment in the veterinary literature, and this is the first peer-reviewed case report of neutrophilic dermatitis and vasculitis with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia occurring as a suspected adverse drug reaction to carprofen in the dog.     

Treatment of insulinoma in a springer spaniel with streptozotocin

An eight-year-old, female springer spaniel was treated for metastatic insulinoma with a single intravenous dose of 500 mg/m2 streptozotocin (SZN), and pre- and post-treatment diuresis. A tapering dose of corticosteroids was also administered over a 28 day period. SZN and corticosteroid administration resulted in resolution of hypoglycaemia and subsequent development of diabetes mellitus. Further metastases caused cervical spinal pain and the dog was euthanased 118 days after SZN administration. SZN can be safely used for the treatment of canine insulinoma, but, when compared with other published cases, a marked variation in clinical response to this drug exists and further study is warranted.     

Surgical repair of radial carpal bone fractures in two racehorses

A 3-year-old Standardbred gelding (Case 1) and a 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Case 2) were referred for surgical evaluation of a left radial carpal bone (RCB) fracture, sustained during training. Clinical findings at the time of initial examination included a palpable effusion within the left middle carpal joint in both horses and marked signs of pain and reduced range of motion on flexion of the affected carpus. In both horses, the RCB fracture was evident on the following radiographic views of the carpus: dorsolateral–palmaromedial oblique (30° off lateromedial) and flexed lateromedial. An additional loose wedge-shaped osteochondral fragment at the proximal articular surface of the RCB could be seen in Case 2. Both horses underwent surgical reduction and repair of the fracture between 1 and 2 days following the initial injury, which consisted of arthroscopic removal of any intra-articular osteochondral fragments, and arthroscopic assisted-interfragmentary compression via a standard dorsomedial and dorsolateral approach to the antebrachiocarpal joint (ACJ) and middle carpal joints (MCJ). The two horses returned to function as racehorses, 6 months (Case 1) and 16 months (Case 2) after surgery. The RCB is a relatively uncommon site for large carpal fractures in horses. The clinical presentation and findings from this report were similar to that of third carpal bone (C3) slab fractures, confirming that surgical repair is indicated in selected cases of RCB fractures.     

Effects of implants on daily gains of steers wintered on dormant native tallgrass prairie, subsequent performance, and carcass characteristics

Fall-weaned crossbred steer calves (n = 300; 184 +/- 2.9 kg) received either no implant (Control) or were implanted with Synovex-C (SC = 10 mg estradiol benzoate + 100 mg progesterone), Synovex-S (SS = 20 mg estradiol benzoate + 200 mg progesterone), or Revalor-G (RG = 8 mg estradiol-17beta + 40 mg trenbolone acetate) to determine the effects of implants on weight gain during winter grazing on dormant tallgrass prairie, subsequent grazing and finishing performance, and carcass characteristics. Steers grazed two dormant tallgrass prairie pastures from October 16, 1996, until March 29, 1997 (164 d), and received 1.36 kg/d of a 25% CP supplement that supplied 100 mg of monensin/steer. Following winter grazing, all steers were implanted with Ralgro (36 mg zeranol) and grazed a common tallgrass prairie pasture until July 17 (110 d). After summer grazing, all steers were implanted with Revalor-S (24 mg estradiol-17beta + 120 mg trenbolone acetate), and winter implant treatment groups were equally allotted to four feedlot pens. Steers were harvested November 17, 1997, after a 123-d finishing period. Daily gains during the winter grazing phase averaged .28, .32, .32, or .35 kg/d, respectively, for Control, SC, SS, or RG steers and were greater (P < .01) for implanted steers than for Controls. Summer daily gains were similar (1.05 +/- .016 kg/d; P > or = .61) for all treatment groups. Feedlot daily gains were also similar (1.67 +/- .034 kg/d; P > or = .21), with implanted steers weighing 14 kg more than Control steers (P = .05) at harvest, despite similar management during summer grazing and feedlot phases. Control steers tended (P = .06) to have lower yield grades. There were no differences (P = .99) in marbling between implanted and nonimplanted steers. Steers implanted during the wintering phase had increased skeletal and overall (P < .01) carcass maturities compared with nonimplanted steers, which resulted in more "B" and "C" maturity carcasses. Because carcass maturity score affects quality grade, the increased maturities of implanted steers resulted in a $9.04 decrease in carcass value/100 kg (P < .01) compared with Controls. The results of this study indicate that growth-promoting implants are efficacious for cattle wintered on dormant native range despite low daily gains. This increased weight is maintained through the summer grazing and feedlot phases; however, the benefit of the increased weight may be offset by decreased carcass quality grade and value due to increased carcass maturity.     

A retrospective study of canine house soiling: diagnosis and treatment

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the relative frequency and type of elimination problem seen in dogs at a university referral practice and to evaluate the efficacy of the suggested treatments. Cases presented to the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University between 1987 and 1996 were reviewed. Of 1,173 cases, 105 (9%) were house-soiling cases. Of these cases, the authors obtained outcome information from 70. Within the diagnosis of house soiling, incomplete housebreaking (n=59; 84%) were the most frequent referral cases, of which 48 cases (81%; 95% confidence interval, 69% to 90%) improved. Separation anxiety was considered the second most common underlying cause (n=27; 39%), of which 85% (n=23; 95% confidence interval, 66% to 96%) improved. Behavior modification was the most often suggested treatment (n=58), with 48 (83%) cases improving. Behavior modification consisted of accompanying the dog to the preferred elimination area, rewarding the dog for eliminating there, and punishing the dog only when caught in the act of house soiling. These results suggest that correct house training, behavior modification involving positive reinforcement, and appropriate punishment are essential to diminish house-soiling problems in dogs.     

Primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in a cat

A young female Somali cat was referred for investigation of chronic intermittent haematuria. Petechiae were found on the ears and ventral abdomen and further investigation revealed severe thrombocytopenia and megakaryocyte hyperplasia. Direct marrow immunohistochemistry detected anti-megakaryocyte autoantibody (Immunoglobulin G), but extensive investigation failed to find secondary causes of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, so a diagnosis of primary (autoimmune) immune-mediated thrombocytopenia was concluded. Thrombocytopenia persisted despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone, azathioprine and vincristine) but resolved after oral prednisolone was replaced with dexamethasone.     

Effect of intravenous infusion of a 7.2% hypertonic saline solution on serum electrolytes and osmotic pressure in healthy beagles.

The effect of an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of hypertonic saline solution (HSS; 7.2%, 2,400 mOsmol/kg.H2O) was evaluated by serum electrolyte concentrations and osmotic pressure in the anesthetized beagles. Sixteen beagles were assigned to 3 experimental groups (2.5, 5 or 15 ml/kg of HSS i.v. infusion) or a control group (5 ml/kg of isotonic saline solution (ISS) i.v. infusion) and were monitored for 120 min after the initiation of fluid infusion. The relative plasma volume (rPV) in the 5 ml/kg and 15 ml/kg HSS groups progressively expanded to 143.1 +/- 7.4% at 3 min and 156.4 +/- 5.9% at 5 min after the initiation of the fluid infusion, respectively. Significant increases were not produced by ISS and 2.5 ml/kg HSS infusion. The serum sodium and chloride concentrations in the ISS group were not altered. The 5 ml/kg HSS infusion induced transient high osmotic and sodium levels, and the serum sodium concentration remained under the 160 mM/l after the completion of the HSS infusion. However, the 15 ml/kg HSS infusion induced a constant high osmotic level (340.5-352.8 mOsmol/kg.H2O) and hypernatremia (161.4-174.5 mM/l) from 10 to 90 min after the initiation of the fluid infusion. The 15 ml/kg HSS infusion induced significant decreases in the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), reaching 63.7 +/- 8.0 mmHg at 120 min after the initiation of the fluid infusion compared with an immediately before fluid infusion value. On the basis of these findings, 5 ml/kg HSS infusion can be safely administered to healthy beagles for expanding the plasma volume without inducing hypernatremia. A 5 ml/kg HSS infusion is thus recommended for the initial field resuscitation of dogs.