Tetramine cupruretic agents: a comparison in dogs

The cupruretic effects of 2 tetramine (N,N'-bis (2-aminoethyl) alkane diamine) chelators were examined in healthy dogs fed a commercial dog food containing 12.2 micrograms of copper/g of dry diet. Two groups of 3 dogs each were given either 300 mg of 2,2,2-tetramine tetrahydrochloride or 2,3,2-tetramine tetrahydrochloride for 23 consecutive days. Serum and 24-hour urine samples obtained before drug administration and during therapy were analyzed for copper, zinc, and iron concentrations. Both tetramines produced a significant cupruresis without significant changes in serum copper or in serum or urine zinc and iron concentrations. The 2,3,2-tetramine tetrahydrochloride produced a 4- to 9-fold greater cupruresis than did 2,2,2-tetramine tetrahydrochloride and resulted in a daily loss of more than 2 mg of copper in the urine. The dogs had no laboratory or clinical evidence of toxic side effects to either cupruretic agent during the treatment period. The results of the present study indicate that 2,3,2-tetramine should be an effective decoppering drug for use in dogs.     

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage for identification of blastomycosis in a dog with peritoneal involvement

A 6-year-old castrated male Dalmatian was evaluated because of hematemesis. The dog had lived its entire life in South Dakota and Wyoming and had never traveled outside of these states. Results of laboratory testing were compatible with iatrogenic acute renal failure and gastrointestinal tract ulceration secondary to previous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and corticosteroid administration. Differential diagnoses for clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities that existed prior to these treatments included multisystemic infectious or inflammatory disease and neoplasia. Four-quadrant abdominocentesis did not yield any fluid, but because intra-abdominal disease was still suspected, diagnostic peritoneal lavage was performed. Fluid that was obtained was markedly cellular, and there were numerous extracellular structures with a round to oval shape; a 1-microm-thick, clear-staining capsule; a basophilic interior; and broad-based budding. Organisms were consistent with Blastomyces spp, and fungal culture yielded Blastomyces dermatitidis. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole was recommended but could not be initiated because of the client's financial constraints. At necropsy, disseminated blastomycosis involving the stomach, small intestines, urinary bladder, omentum, mesentery of the small intestine, and abdominal wall musculature was seen. To our knowledge, peritoneal involvement has not been reported in dogs with blastomycosis, and gastrointestinal tract involvement has only rarely been reported. Findings in this dog suggest that diagnostic peritoneal lavage may be a useful technique in determining the cause of infectious peritonitis when the amount of abdominal fluid is below the limit of detection for abdominocentesis.     

Snake bites recorded by veterinary practices in Australia

Objective To determine the extent of the snake bite problem in domestic animals, its regional significance and the effects of antivenom treatment.
Design A questionnaire was designed seeking information on the number and type of domestic animals referred, whether treated or untreated, type of snakes and management of the bite.
Procedure The survey form was sent to 10% of veterinary surgeons, selected at random throughout Australia.
Results The response of 106 veterinary surgeons revealed that snake bite in domestic animals is frequent, with an estimated 6200 cases reported annually. Bites were more prominent in rural (78%) than urban areas (22%) with brown, tiger and black snakes accounting for 76%, 13% and 6% of cases, respectively. Cats and dogs were the most frequently reported victims. Ninety-one percent of cats and 75% of dogs survived following the administration of antivenom whereas 66% of cats and 31% of dogs survived without antivenom. Overall, in 33% of cases antivenom was not used, and venom detection kits were used in only 1% of cases. A number of drugs were used in various combinations with or without antivenom and intravenous fluids in the treatment of animals with snake bite, but their role in reducing the severity of envenomations was not assessed.
Clinical implications Antivenom significantly improves the chances of survival of domestic animals bitten by snakes.     

Gastric emptying of liquids in the dog: serial test meal and modified emptying-time techniques

A serial test meal technique was used in the dog to evaluate the gastric emptying of a liquid test meal. On separate days, a phenol red test meal was placed in the stomach and completely aspirated at different times. A composite representation of the gastric emptying pattern was obtained for each dog, and a set of normative data was generated. Three emptying determinants (emptying time, half-life, and starting index) were calculated. The basic pattern of canine gastric emptying was linear and declined exponentially or as a function of the square root of the gastric volume. A modified emptying-time technique (METT) correlated well with the serial test meal and a set of normative values was determined. The METT was performed by aspirating test meal from the stomach 30 minutes after instillation. The METT was a simple and inexpensive technique that could be performed in 1 short testing period. With the METT, the half-life of gastric emptying was calculated, using the log of the percentage of retention of test meal; gastric emptying time was calculated, using the square root of the percentage of retention of test meal. Acetylpromazine was shown not to alter gastric emptying of a liquid test meal.     

Computed Tomographic Angiography under Sedation in the Diagnosis of Suspected Canine Pancreatitis: A Pilot Study

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is highly accurate for diagnosing pancreatitis in humans. The diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs is based on clinical signs, laboratory findings, and ultrasonographic (US) changes. There are, however, inherent limitations in relying on laboratory and ultrasound findings for the clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized that CT angiography would be a rapid and reliable method to confirm pancreatitis in dogs compared to ultrasonography. The aim was to describe the CT characteristics and compare them to ultrasound findings and correlate the CT appearance to the severity of the patients'' clinical course.

Animals

A prospective pilot case series; 10 dogs with pancreatitis were enrolled if the history, clinical signs, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings were indicative of pancreatitis.

Methods

A 3‐phase angiographic CT was performed under sedation. Afterward, each dog had US‐guided aspirates of the pancreas collected and blood drawn for cPLi assay. Images were evaluated for portion of visible pancreas, pancreatic size and margin, pancreatic parenchyma, presence of peripancreatic changes and contrast enhancement pattern. The results were compared with outcome.

Results

An enlarged, homogeneously to heterogeneously attenuating and contrast‐enhancing pancreas with ill‐defined borders was identified in all dogs. CT identified more features characterizing pancreatic abnormalities compared to US. Thrombi were found in 3/10 dogs. Three dogs with heterogeneous contrast enhancement had an overall poorer outcome than those with homogenous enhancement.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

CT angiography under sedation was used in dogs to confirm clinically suspected pancreatitis and identified clinically relevant and potentially prognostic features of pancreatitis in dogs.