Real-time PCR assay in Leishmania-infected dogs treated with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol

A real-time PCR assay was exploited for monitoring the Leishmania DNA load in different tissues from 18 naturally-infected dogs before and after treatment with a combination of meglumine antimoniate (100mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) and allopurinol (10mg/kg/day, orally) for 30 days. After the combined therapy, allopurinol was continued at the same dose until the end of the observation period. Whole blood samples, lymph node aspirates, and skin biopsies were collected at the time of diagnosis, 1 month after starting therapy, and every 3 months for 2 years. In six dogs parasite load assessments continued every 6 months for a further 3 years. At each assessment, the dogs were examined for signs of disease and a clinical score was recorded. At diagnosis, the highest Leishmania DNA load was detected in lymph node aspirates. From 1-6 months post-therapy a general improvement in clinical conditions was recorded in all dogs, which correlated with a decrease in the parasite DNA load in all tested tissues, even though it was less pronounced in lymph node aspirates. In the period from 9-24 months post-therapy, a re-increase in parasite load was observed in the tissues of some dogs, concomitant with a disease relapse. The results show that the combined therapy with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol promoted a clinical improvement which was accompanied by a reduction in the parasitic load in the blood, skin and lymph nodes but, even after long period of allopurinol administration alone, Leishmania may persist in dog tissues.     

Factors influencing the survival of dairy cows after correction of left displaced abomasum

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that influenced culling or death of cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA) subsequent to correction by a roll-and-toggle (R&T) procedure or via laparotomy. DESIGN: Cohort study. ANIMALS: 810 Holstein dairy cows with LDA. PROCEDURES: Data regarding method of repair and risk factors for survival after correction of LDA were collected during a 1-year period. Outcomes were compared at days 14 and 60 after LDA correction for 3 groups of cattle (veterinarians performed R&T [V-R&T], herd personnel performed R&T [H-R&T], and veterinarians performed surgical repair via laparotomy [V-Surg]). RESULTS: Survival rates 14 days after LDA correction for the V-R&T, H-R&T, and V-Surg groups were 87% (286/329), 81% (327/403), and 85% (66/78), respectively. At 60 days after LDA correction, survival rates for the V-R&T, H-R&T, and V-Surg groups were 79% (260/329), 71% (286/403), and 73% (57/78), respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that factors positively associated with failure to remain in the herd at 60 days after LDA correction included current mastitis status, history of a previous LDA, high preoperative risk, and correction of LDA by herd personnel rather than by a veterinarian. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Correction of LDA by veterinarians via an R&T procedure yielded results that were generally comparable to those for correction by veterinarians via laparotomy. Although survival rates at days 14 and 60 after surgery differed significantly between the V-R&T and H-R&T groups, herd personnel in this study used the R&T procedure to correct LDA and achieved survival rates within the range for those of practicing veterinarians.     

Actinomycin D as rescue therapy in dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma: 49 cases (1999--2006)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate response rate and disease-free interval in dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma treated with actinomycin D, determine hematologic toxicoses, and identify prognostic factors associated with response to treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 49 dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for information regarding signalment, physical examination findings, results of diagnostic testing, substage, previous chemotherapy, previous treatment with prednisone, actinomycin D dosage, number of doses administered, response, disease-free interval, and results of CBCs performed after treatment. RESULTS: Actinomycin D was administered at a median dosage of 0.68 mg/m2 (range, 0.46 to 0.72 mg/m2), IV, every 3 weeks for 5 treatments or until disease progression. Twenty-six (53%) dogs received prednisone concurrently. Twenty (41%) dogs had a complete remission, and median disease-free interval in these dogs was 129 days. Thrombocytopenia was the most common hematologic toxicosis (n = 22 [45%]). Concurrent prednisone administration, a shorter duration of first remission, and an increased number of previous chemotherapy agents were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of responding to actinomycin D treatment. Concurrent prednisone administration and an increased number of previous chemotherapy agents were significantly associated with a shorter disease-free interval. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that administration of actinomycin D as a single agent was effective for rescue chemotherapy of dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma and that treatment was well tolerated, although mild thrombocytopenia developed commonly.     

Feline heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection: a statistical elaboration of the duration of the infection and life expectancy in asymptomatic cats

A study was conducted to assess the duration and the outcome (self-cure or death) of feline heartworm infection and the life expectancy of infected cats. To be included in the study, cats had to be positive for heartworm antibody (Ab) and heartworm antigen (Ag) and had to demonstrate the presence of worms by echocardiography. Self-cure was defined as (1) negative for heartworm Ag and (2) no further visualization of worms by echocardiography. Of the 1962 eligible cats, 364 (18.5%) were positive for heartworm Ag and 131 were positive for heartworm Ag and for echocardiography diagnosis (prevalence 6.7%). None of the cats was microfilaremic. Of 43 asymptomatic cats included into the follow-up study with owners' consent, 34 (79%) self-cured and nine (21%) died. Eleven (26%) cats remained asymptomatic and self cured within 21-48 months, 23 (53%) showed symptoms but self-cured within 18-49 months, 6 (14%) died within 8-41 months of follow-up and 3 (7%) suddenly died after 38-40 months, which was related to heartworm infection. The probability for death or sudden death increased significantly with age at diagnosis, but no difference was detected by gender, survival time after diagnosis, or the presence or absence of symptoms. The presence/absence of symptoms showed significant interaction with the age at diagnosis (i.e., symptomatic cats showed increasing duration of heartworm infection along with age at diagnosis compared to that for asymptomatic cats. Heartworm-infected cats survived significantly longer than heartworm-negative cats affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, chronic renal failure, or neoplastic diseases.     

Field efficacy and safety of a combination of moxidectin and imidacloprid for the prevention of feline heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection

Throughout the end of March to beginning of May 2006, 212 owned cats and 608 owned dogs from a heavy endemic area for canine heartworm (HW) disease in northern Italy have been examined to assess HW infection prevalence. Both cats and dogs were clinically examined and blood samples were taken from each animal to be examined for HW antibody (Ab). Ab-positive cats were further examined for circulating microfilariae, HW antigens (Ag) and by echocardiography (ECHO) to assess the presence of adult worms. Dogs were clinically examined and blood samples taken from each animal were examined for circulating microfilariae and for HW Ag. Ten cats (4.7%) were found Ab positive. Of these, 6 cats were Ag positive (2.6%) and in 4 (1.8%) the worms were visualized by ECHO. HW prevalence in dogs was 36% (221/608). One hundred and seventy-six (29%) were both microfilaraemic and Ag positive, 40 (7%) had occult infections (no circulating microfilariae) and 7 (1%) were microfilaraemic but Ag negative. Upon owners’ consent, 132 cats (including cats Ab and/or Ag and ECHO positive) were prophylactically treated against HW disease with an imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on combination (10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin) monthly administered for 6 months. Cats were re-examined for HW infection in November, 1 month after the last drug administration, and in May–June 2007, 7–8 months after the last treatment. All 122 cats found HW negative before treatment, were found negative at the two examinations at the end of study. The 4 cats Ab positive, 2 cats Ab and Ag positive and 1 Ab, Ag and ECHO positive at the beginning of treatment were found negative. Throughout the treatment, transitory hypersalivation and generic signs of annoyance were reported by owners in 6 cats (4.5%). All signs regressed spontaneously.     

Fungal Flora of Normal Eyes in Healthy Newborn Foals Living in the Same Stud Farm in Italy

The aim of this study was to assess the presence of fungal flora in conjunctiva of newborn foals revealed by means of repeated culture examinations and to compare prevalences in foals and their mares. Fifty-four healthy foals and their mothers were used. Ocular samples were collected from foals immediately after parturition (D0), and at days 2 (D2), 7 (D7), 14 (D14), and 28 (D28), and at D0 from mares. Samples were seeded onto Sabouroud dextrose agar and malt extract agar, incubated at 25°C and examined daily over a 10-day period. Twenty-two of 54 foals were positive for conjunctival fungi at D0, 13 of 54 at D2, 16 of 54 at D7, 19 of 54 at D14, and 13 of 54 at D28. The most frequently isolated fungi were Penicillium species and Aspergillus versicolor. Colony-forming units ranged from 1 to 5. One of 54 foals yielded the same fungus more than two times consecutively; 23 of 54 mares were positive for conjunctival fungi, and the most frequently recovered were Penicillium species, Aspergillus species, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Significant differences among prevalences, both at different sampling times in foals, and between mares and foals at D0, were not observed. A fungal contamination of conjunctival fornix in foals at birth and during their first month of life was reported. Fungal isolation in foals at D0 might be explained by the presence of fungal contamination within mares' genitalia, whereas positive cultures during the first month of life probably represent transient seeding from the environment. Only once was the same fungus isolated from the same foal more than two times consecutively.     

Rabbit metabolic response and selected meat quality traits: Evaluation of dietary PLX®23 and LycoBeads® feed supplement

Effects of dietary supplementation of verbascoside and lycopene, alone and in combination, on some blood parameters, plasma oxidative status and meat quality traits in intensively reared rabbits were investigated. The test lasted 60 days and was conducted on 200 weaned‐rabbits, divided into four groups of 50 animals each (5 animals each cage × 10 repetitions). The control group (CON) received a fattening feed without any feed supplements, whereas the experimental groups received the following: the first, an integration in 22 g of PLX^®23 (Lippia citriodora extract; VB group) per ton of feed; the second, an integration in 100 g of LycoBeads^® (Solanum lycopersicum extract; LIC group) per ton of feed; and the third, an integration of both feed supplements in combination at the same doses (LIC+VB group). The dietary supplementation with Lippia citriodora and Solanum lycopersicum resulted in an improvement of the blood lipid profile, oxidative plasma markers, and hepatic and renal activity of treated growing rabbits. Feed additives also produced meat with a lower content in SFA and an increased PUFA content, and inhibited the lipid oxidation improving the oxidative stability of rabbit meat. The dietary supplementation, even reporting no effects on productive parameters and carcass yield, showed an improvement on several blood parameters, as indicator of animal welfare, and on quality and healthy meat markers.     

Prolonged survival after craniectomy with skull reconstruction and adjuvant definitive radiation therapy in three dogs with multilobular osteochondrosarcoma

Multilobular osteochondrosarcoma is an uncommon canine tumor but presents a treatment challenge when arising on the skull. This retrospective case series study aimed to describe outcome of a multimodality treatment approach involving aggressive surgical resection and adjuvant definitive radiation therapy in a group of dogs with multilobular osteochondrosarcoma of the calvarium. Clinical, imaging, treatment, and outcome data were collected from retrospective review of medical records. Three dogs met inclusion criteria. The presenting clinical complaint was the presence of a mass effect of the skull in all three dogs and concurrent neurologic abnormalities in one dog. Advanced imaging revealed aggressive lytic and proliferative tumors arising from the calvarium in all three dogs. All dogs were treated surgically with a modified craniectomy, repaired with a titanium mesh—polymethyl methacrylate bone cement implant or a low prolife titanium mesh plate and followed by adjuvant definitive radiation therapy with 2.5 Gy per fraction for 22 daily fractions. There were no major immediate surgical complications and radiation was well tolerated overall. Neurologic improvement was seen in the patient that presented with neurologic disease. Survival times from surgery were 387, 422, and 730 days and from the time of radiation were 358, 397, and 677 days. Findings in this sample of three dogs supported the use of aggressive therapy with a combination of surgical craniectomy and cranioplasty utilizing a titanium mesh implant and high dose definitive radiation therapy for local control and prolonged survival times in dogs with multilobular osteochondrosarcoma of the skull.     

Management of an invasive and metastatic Sertoli cell tumor with associated myelotoxicosis in a dog

We describe the surgical and post-operative management of a large, invasive, and metastatic functional Sertoli cell tumor in a 9-year-old cryptorchid male Labrador retriever dog. Despite residual disease after surgery, bone marrow recovery occurred without administration of bone marrow stimulants and serum estradiol accurately predicted tumor recurrence.