Evaluation of Prognostic Factors and Sequential Combination Chemotherapy With Doxorubicin for Canine Lymphoma

Fifty-five dogs with lymphoma were treated using a doxorubicin-based sequential combination chemotherapy protocol. Complete response, partial response, and no response were seen in 46, 4, and 5 dogs, respectively. The overall median remission duration and survival times were 36 and 51 weeks, respectively. Age, sex, weight, World Health Organization stage, World Health Organization substage (i.e., a = not ill, b = ill), serum calcium concentration, blood urea nitrogen concentration, breed, and protocol alteration secondary to toxicity were evaluated for prognostic significance. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors identified sex, World Health Organization substage, and serum calcium as statistically significant ( P ≤ .05) variables for both survival and remission duration. Upon multivariate analysis, only substage ( P = .036) was a significant prognostic factor for remission duration, whereas, both substage ( P = .006) and sex ( P = .005) were significant prognostic factors for survival. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1993; 7:289–295. Copyright © 1993 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)     

Establishment of a Salmonella-Free Guinea Pig Colony

Salmonellosis due to Salmonella typhimurium was enzootic in a guinea pig breeding colony for over 25 years. A Salmonella-free auxiliary colony was established by removing weanlings from the infected colony to a clean area, and preventing infection. Examination of agglutinin titers and necropsy specimens indicated that the auxiliary colony was still free from Salmonella 18 months after its establishment while 24% of the guinea pigs dying in the infected colony yielded Salmonella typhimurium.     

Termite (Isoptera) fauna of jarrah forest in the Wagerup-Willowdale region,Western Australia: Relevance to the rehabilitation of Bauxite minesites

Fourteen species of termites are recorded from the Wagerup-Willowdale region, Western Australia. Nine species known to occur in the northern jarrah forest, which were rare or absent in this study, occur more commonly on the coastal sand plain or further inland.Of those species of termites which are widespread in this region, two are considered to be of particular importance to the rehabilitation of bauxite mined areas. These are Amitermes obeuntis Silvestri and Coptotermes acinaciformis raffrayi Wasmann. Both of these species have been found in rehabilitated areas.No obvious associations of termite species with either upland or lowland jarrah forest were found.     

Perirenal edema and toxic nephrosis in cattle, associated with ingestion of pigweed.

Twenty-two young cows died or were euthanatized after intoxication associated with ingestion of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) growing in marginal grass pasture. After several days of weakness and posterior incoordination, the cattle became recumbent but remained alert. Pertinent clinical laboratory findings included increased blood urea nitrogen content and marked proteinuria. At necropsy, perirenal edema and toxic tubular neprosis were seen.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF SPONTANEOUS CANINE NEOPLASMS*

Five spontaneous extracranial canine neoplasms studied by a computed tomography whole body scanner are presented: an undifferentiated sarcoma of the scapula, a mast cell sarcoma of the hip, a mast cell sarcoma of the neck, a fibrosarcoma of the neck, and a malignant melanoma of the gingiva. Computed tomography enables accurate detection and definition of tumor size and extent and is, therefore, an aid to diagnostic evaluation, therapy, and prognosis.     

Überreiter's Syndrome (chronic superficial keratitis) in dogs in the Rocky Mountain area—A study of 463 cases

ABSTRACT
The characteristics of 463 cases of Überreiter's Syndrome are presented. Over 80% of the diagnoses were made in German Shepherds. A treatment regimen utilizing combinations of corticosteroids, irradiation, superficial keratectomy and partial penetrating keratoplasty is outlined. An hypothesis that ultraviolet radiation is involved in the pathogenesis of this syndrome is proposed for further testing.     

The first-year veterinary student and mental health: the role of common stressors

The present study evaluated the impact of academic and non-academic stressors on depression levels in a longitudinal investigation of 78 first-year veterinary medical students enrolled at Kansas State University (KSU). Students completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale during their first and second semesters to evaluate the dependent variable, depression. Students provided information about specific stressors and relevant demographic variables that yielded independent variables. One-third of veterinary medical students surveyed in their first and second semesters reported depression levels above the clinical cut-off; 15% of the sample experienced an increase in depression of at least one standard deviation, despite the apparent stability of the proportion of students experiencing significant depressive symptoms. Students whose depression scores increased by one standard deviation or who maintained scores above the clinical cut-off score were identified as struggling. Struggling students reported more first-semester homesickness and academic concerns, along with difficulty fitting in with peers and poorer perceived physical health during the second semester. This study helped to identify those students most prone to develop or maintain concerning depression scores. The discussion section addresses specific suggestions for intervening with struggling students.     

Clinical and clinicopathologic features of dogs that consumed foodborne hepatotoxic aflatoxins: 72 cases (2005-2006)

OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical signs, clinicopathologic features, treatments, and survival in dogs with naturally acquired foodborne aflatoxicosis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 72 dogs that consumed aflatoxin-contaminated commercial dog food. PROCEDURES: Medical records of affected dogs were reviewed. Between December 2005 and March 2006, dogs were identified as having foodborne aflatoxin hepatotoxicosis on the basis of the history of consumption of contaminated food or characteristic histopathologic lesions (subject dog or a recently deceased dog in the same household or kennel). Recorded information included signalment, clinical features, clinicopathologic test results, treatments, and survival. Data were analyzed by survival status. RESULTS: Most dogs were of large breeds from breeding kennels. No significant differences were found in age or weight between 26 (36%) survivor dogs and 46 (64%) nonsurvivor dogs. Severity of clinical signs varied widely; 7 dogs died abruptly. In order of onset, clinical features included anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea (melena, hematochezia), abdominal effusion, peripheral edema, and terminal encephalopathy and hemorrhagic diathesis. Common clinicopathologic features included coagulopathic and electrolyte disturbances, hypoproteinemia, increased serum liver enzyme activities, hyperbilirubinemia, and hypocholesterolemia. Cytologic hepatocellular lipid vacuolation was confirmed in 11 dogs examined. In comparisons of clinicopathologic test results between survivor and nonsurvivor dogs, only granular cylindruria (7/21 dogs) consistently predicted death. Best early markers of aflatoxicosis were low plasma activities of anticoagulant proteins (protein C, antithrombin) and hypocholesterolemia. Despite aggressive treatment, many but not all severely affected dogs died. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum liver enzyme activities and bilirubin concentration were unreliable early markers of aflatoxin hepatotoxicosis in dogs. Hypocholesterolemia and decreased plasma protein C and antithrombin activities may function as exposure biomarkers.