Intraoral acrylic splints for maxillofacial fracture repair

Maxillofacial fractures in dogs and cats occur secondary to vehicular trauma, falls, kicks, gunshots, and fights with other animals. Pathologic mandibular fracture may occur secondary to periodontal disease, neoplasia, and metabolic diseases. The primary objective for repair of maxillofacial fractures in small animals is return to normal function. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain occlusal alignment while providing adequate stability for bony union. Basic principles of maxillofacial fracture repair include anatomic reduction and restoration of occlusion, application of a stable fixation to neutralize negative forces on the fracture, gentle handling of soft tissues, avoidance of iatrogenic dental trauma, extraction of diseased teeth within the fracture line, and minimizing excessive soft tissue elevation. This review article will describe the application of intraoral acrylic splints for maxillofacial fracture repair.     

Malocclusions in guinea pigs,chinchillas and rabbits

The types of malocclusions encountered in rodents and lagomorphs are classified. Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are reviewed. Some malocclusions are curable, whereas others can only be controlled. The need to perform a complete oral examination and to find a cause for the condition is stressed, as it will seriously affect the prognosis.     

Blastomycosis in cats: five cases (1979-1986)

Medical records of 5 cats with blastomycosis examined at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1979 to 1986 were reviewed. Clinical signs of blastomycosis varies depending on the organ(s) affected, but respiratory tract disease was most common, followed by CNS signs and ocular problems. A definitive diagnosis was made by identification of characteristic fungal organisms in biopsy or necropsy specimens. Two cats treated with amphotericin B did not respond to treatment and died or were euthanatized. The lungs, brain, eyes, and lymph nodes commonly were affected, but one cat had only cutaneous and regional lymph node involvement. The respiratory tract appeared to be a common primary site of infection, with dissemination to other organ systems. The typical host response was a pyogranulomatous cellular infiltrate with numerous fungal organisms evident.     

Treatment of Blastomycosis With Itraconazole in 112 Dogs

One hundred twelve client-owned dogs with blastomycosis were treated with itraconazole, 5 or 10 mg/kg/d. The first group of 70 dogs treated in 1987 and 1988 received 10 mg/kg/d (group 1), and the second group of 42 dogs treated after October 1988 received 5 mg/kg/d (group 2). Even though the groups were treated at different times, the dogs were similar in age and gender distribution, number of sites involved, and percent and severity of pulmonary involvement. The proportion of dogs cured with a 60–day course of itraconazole was similar for both groups (53.6% versus 54.3%) and for a second historical control group treated with amphotericin B (57%); the recurrence rate was also similar, 20%, 21.4%, and 20%, respectively. Dogs treated with itraconazole had similar mortality rates (25.7% at 5 mg/kg/d; 25% at 10 mg/kg/day) to those treated with amphotericin B (23%). Seventeen of the 23 dogs that died (74%), did so during the first week of treatment; these early deaths were usually attributed to respiratory failure. The only site of infection that was significantly associated with failure (death or recurrence) was the brain. There was a marked difference in survival times between dogs without lung disease or with mild lung disease compared with dogs with moderate or severe lung disease. Serum itraconazole concentrations reached steady state by 14 days of treatment. Dogs receiving 5 mg/kg/d of itraconazole (group 2) had mean serum concentrations of 3.55 ± 2.81 mg/mL (range, 0.67 to 10.8 μg/mL), whereas dogs receiving 10 μg/kg/d (group 1) had mean concentrations of 13.46 ± 8.49 μg/mL (range, 1.8 to 28 μg/mL) (P ≤ .001). There was no association between cure and serum itraconazole concentrations. Dogs in group 1 had significantly more adverse effects than dogs in group 2 (P= .046). Anorexia was the most common adverse effect, occurring in 14.9% of dogs in group 1. Only 8% of dogs in group 2 had adverse effects. Serum concentrations of itraconazole were positively correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Our findings indicate that itraconazole administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg/d is the drug of choice for blastomycosis in dogs.     

Migration-inhibition response of peripheral leukocytes to tuberculin in cats sensitized with viable Mycobacterium bovis (BCG).

Delayed hypersensitivity reactions to antigens injected intradermally are reported as not occurring in the cat. Cats infected with viable Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) organisms developed a transient migration-inhibition response of their leukocytes to tuberculin. The migration-inhibition response subsided in 6 weeks in spite of the persistance of viable BCG. Significant intradermal reactions to tuberculin 60 days after BCG injection did not occur. The response of the cat differs from that of many mammalian species in which strong in vivo and in vitro delayed hypersensitivity type reactions persist with mycobacterial infections. Despite the lack of continued measurable delayed hypersensitivity, the cat appears to have adequate resistance to mycobacterial infections.     

Ultrasonographic and cytopathological diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma in the dog and cat

This study describes the ultrasonographic and cytopathological characteristics of malignant neoplasms of the exocrine pancreas and their value in making an antemortem diagnosis. The medical records of eight dogs and five cats were reviewed. The clinical presentations were variable and at times mimicked pancreatitis. Overall, cytopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies or fine-needle aspirates, or impressions from surgical biopsies were helpful in establishing the diagnosis in 10 of 12 animals where it was performed. Histopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies provided a diagnosis in five of six cases where it was performed.     

Molecular characterisation of canine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene (NAG-1)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene (NAG-1), a divergent member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, was previously identified as a gene induced by several anti-tumorigenic compounds, including NSAIDs and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands in humans. In this study, canine NAG-1 was characterised from a canine genomic database. Gene induction by some NSAIDs and PPARgamma ligands was demonstrated in canine osteosarcoma cell lines. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that canine NAG-1 is more homologous with the corresponding mouse and rat genes than with human NAG-1. Expression of canine NAG-1 was increased by treatment with piroxicam and SC-560 (NSAIDs) and the PPARgamma ligand rosiglitazone. This study demonstrates that canine NAG-1 is up-regulated by some anti-tumorigenic compounds in osteosarcoma cell lines and may provide an important target of chemotherapy in canine cancer.