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Biomedical subjects

A R Dillon

Publications and source records attributed to A R Dillon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Treatment of dogs infected with Hepatozoon americanum: 53 cases (1989-1998).

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and pathologic findings before and after short-term (group 1) and long-term (group 2) treatment in dogs with Hepatozoon americanum infection. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 53 dogs with H. americanum infection. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs that were treated for hepatozoonosis diagnosed on the basis of meront or merozoite stages in skeletal muscle were reviewed. RESULTS: Circulating gametocytes of H. americanum were identified in 12 of 53 dogs. Dogs were treated with various drugs, including toltrazuril, trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, clindamycin, pyrimethamine, and decoquinate. Mean WBC counts prior to treatment were 85,700 and 75,200 cells/microl in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and 1 month after initiation of treatment were 12,600 and 14,600 cells/microl, respectively. Initial response to treatment was excellent in all dogs. Twenty-three of 26 dogs in group 1 relapsed at least once and died within 2 years; mean (+/- SD) survival time was 12.6+/-2.2 months. Twenty-two of 27 group-2 dogs survived; 11 dogs had no clinical signs and were still receiving decoquinate (mean duration of treatment, 21 months), 11 dogs had no clinical signs after treatment for 14 months (range, 3 to 33 months; mean survival time, 39 months [range, 26 to 53 months]), 2 dogs were lost to follow-up, and 3 dogs were euthanatized because of severe disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although no treatment effectively eliminated the tissue stages of H. americanum, treatment with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, clindamycin, and pyrimethamine followed by long-term administration of decoquinate resulted in extended survival times and excellent quality of life.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

ACE inhibitors in HF restore canine pulmonary endothelial function and ANG II vasoconstriction.

Chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) in dogs results in pulmonary congestion and increased cardiac angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin (ANG) II levels. ACE could contribute to altered pulmonary vasomotion in heart failure, and ACE inhibitor (ACEI) therapy may normalize pulmonary vasomotion. We evaluated pulmonary artery (PA) responses to ANG II and bradykinin (BK) in control dogs, in dogs with 4 mo of MR, in MR dogs treated with the ACEI ramipril (MR + R), and in control dogs treated with ramipril (C + R). Mean PA systolic pressure increased in MR dogs (21 +/- 4 mmHg) but was normal in MR + R dogs (13 +/- 1 mmHg). Constriction of PA rings to ANG II was depressed in MR dogs. ACEI treatment (MR + R) restored ANG II responsiveness, but peak ANG II response (3.6 +/- 0.2 g) in MR + R dogs remained lower than in C + R dogs (4.7 +/- 0.2 g). Endothelium-dependent relaxation to BK was decreased (-87 +/- 4% C, -65 +/- 4% MR; P < 0.05). Ramipril (MR + R) restored relaxation to BK. This demonstrates that pulmonary congestion results in impaired pulmonary vasomotion to ANG II and BK, which ACEIs could normalize, supporting the use of ACEIs in clinical management of chronic congestive heart failure.

Angiotensin II↗

Effect of alternate-day prednisolone administration on hypophyseal-adrenocortical activity in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effect of alternate-day oral administration of prednisolone on endogenous plasma ACTH concentration and adrenocortical response to exogenous ACTH in dogs. ANIMALS: 12 Beagles. PROCEDURE: Dogs were allotted to 2 groups (group 1, 8 dogs treated with 1 mg of prednisolone/kg of body weight; group 2, 4 dogs given excipient only). During a 30-day period, blood samples were collected for determination of plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations before, during, and after treatment with prednisolone. From day 7 to 23, prednisolone or excipient was given on alternate days. Sample collection (48-hour period with 6-hour intervals) was performed on days 1, 7, 15, 21, and 28; on other days, sample collection was performed at 24-hour intervals. Pre- and post-ACTH plasma cortisol concentrations were determined on days 3, 9, 17, 23, and 30. RESULTS: A significant difference was detected between treatment and time for group 1. Plasma ACTH concentrations significantly decreased for 18 to 24 hours after prednisolone treatment in group-1 dogs. At 24 to 48 hours, ACTH concentrations were numerically higher but not significantly different in group-1 dogs. Post-ACTH plasma cortisol concentration significantly decreased after 1 dose of prednisolone and became more profound during the treatment period. However, post-ACTH cortisol concentration returned to the reference range 1 week after prednisolone administration was discontinued. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Single oral administration of 1 mg of prednisolone/kg significantly suppressed plasma ACTH concentration in dogs for 18 to 24 hours after treatment. Alternate-day treatment did not prevent suppression, as documented by the response to ACTH.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Hepatozoonosis in dogs: 22 cases (1989-1994).

OBJECTIVE: To document hepatozoonosis in dogs from Alabama and Georgia and to report associated clinical signs, method of diagnosis, response to treatment, and course of disease. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 22 dogs in which Hepatozoon canis was identified by microscopic examination of skeletal muscle. PROCEDURE: We reviewed medical records of all dogs with a definitive diagnosis of hepatozoonosis that were referred to the Auburn University Small Animal Clinic between 1989 and 1994. RESULTS: Diagnoses were confirmed by microscopic identification of H canis schizont or merozoite stages in skeletal muscle. The gametocyte stage was not detected in smears of blood obtained from a peripheral vein, buffy-coat smears, or bone marrow evaluation. Common clinical signs included fever, cachexia, ocular discharge, pain, stiffness, and paresis. Laboratory abnormalities included marked leukocytosis, hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, mild anemia, hyperphosphatemia, and high alkaline phosphatase activity. Periosteal bone proliferation was evident radiographically in 18 of 22 dogs. Renal lesions included amyloidosis (1 dog), interstitial nephritis (3), and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (4). Treatment with the anticoccidial drug toltrazuril, despite an initial favorable response, failed to prevent relapse in all but 3 of 21 treated dogs. Mean survival time was 12.6 +/- 2.2 months, with a mean time of remission before recurrence of clinical signs of 6 months. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: H canis infection in dogs can be associated with a distinct clinical syndrome that involves chronic myositis, debilitation, and death. The dogs of this report represent the first substantial number of domestic dogs naturally infected with H canis in the United States outside of the Texas Gulf Coast. Hepatozoon canis appears to be a serious pathogen in the United States that is becoming more widespread geographically.

Alabama↗

Type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in a Great Pyrenees dog.

An 8-month-old female Great Pyrenees dog with chronic epistaxis and a history of gingival bleeding during shedding of deciduous teeth was evaluated for platelet function. Platelet morphology was normal at both the light and electron microscopic level. Platelet number and mean platelet volume were also normal. Platelet aggregation responses to adenosine diphosphate, collagen, platelet activating factor, and thrombin were markedly reduced, although shape change responses were normal. Clot retraction was markedly impaired. Monoclonal antibody (MoAb) Y2/51, a murine anti-human platelet beta 3 antibody that cross-reacts with canine platelet beta 3, and MoAb 5G11, a murine anti-dog platelet alpha IIb beta 3 antibody, bound minimally to affected dog platelets, as demonstrated by flow cytometry. Binding of MoAb Y2/51 was not detectable by immunoblot. MoAb CAP1, a murine anti-dog fibrinogen receptor-induced binding site antibody, failed to bind to affected dog platelets, as demonstrated by flow cytometry. A reduction in glycoproteins alpha IIb and beta 3 was demonstrated by two-dimensional protein electrophoresis. This is the first reported case of type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in the dog that closely resembles the clinical syndrome and the platelet morphology described in type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia of human beings.

Animals↗

Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol concentrations after corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation testing in cats administered methylprednisolone.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis was studied in 8 healthy cats after administration of supraphysiologic doses of methylprednisolone (MP). Ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) administration increased cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations. Significant (P < 0.05) suppression of cortisol and a trend toward suppression of ACTH was observed after 1 week of MP administration. The HPA axis quickly recovered from suppressive effects of MP 1 week after administration of the steroid was discontinued. Side effects of oCRH administration were minimal in 7 cats; however, 1 cat had a severe hypotensive reaction. Clinical abnormalities were not associated with MP administration. The HPA axis was suppressed by supraphysiologic doses of MP in all treated cats that lacked clinical signs consistent with iatrogenic HPA axis suppression. Despite the relatively active pars intermedia in cats, compared with human beings and dogs, feedback of MP on the HPA axis resulted in similar trends in oCRH-stimulated ACTH and cortisol concentrations as observed in human beings and dogs. Lack of consistent correlation between ACTH and cortisol concentrations was observed in 3 cats and possibly was related to the active pars intermedia in the cat.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Effects of lactated Ringer solution and prednisolone sodium succinate on dogs with induced hemorrhagic shock.

Hemorrhagic shock was induced in nonsplenectomized dogs by removing 41% of their blood volume over a 15-minute period. Hemodynamic and metabolic variables were determined prior to and for 3 hours after completion of hemorrhage. One group of 5 dogs was not treated. After the 30-minute sample was collected, a second group of 5 dogs was given lactated Ringer solution (LRS) at 88 ml/kg of body weight, IV. A third group of 5 dogs was given LRS (88 ml/kg, IV) and prednisolone sodium succinate (11 mg/kg, IV) 30 minutes after hemorrhage. The IV administration of LRS was completed within 15 minutes. The glucocorticoid was administered as an IV bolus after 500 ml of LRS had been given. The large volume and administration of LRS significantly (P = 0.05) improved many of the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of acute hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock. At one time or another during the 2.5-hour observation period after the initiation of treatment, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, heart rate, respiratory rate, lactate, glucose, and arterial and venous blood gas values were significantly (P = 0.05) improved, compared with baseline values. The addition of prednisolone sodium succinate to the treatment regimen improved the effectiveness of LRS alone only in some dogs at random sampling times. Significant trends were not observed except, possibly, the improvement of venous pH and A-V pH and PCO2 differences.

Acute Disease↗

Multi-enzyme catalyzed rapid ethanol lowering in vitro.

Ethanol was oxidized to acetate by an enzyme system using yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH), yeast aldehyde dehydrogenase (YALDH), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) recycling NAD in two model duodenal fluids and in canine duodenal aspirate in vitro. Sufficient enzyme activities were maintained to convert as much as 34% of the original ethanol to acetate with negligible acetaldehyde accumulation.

Acetaldehyde↗

Platelet function, antithrombin-III activity, and fibrinogen concentration in heartworm-infected and heartworm-negative dogs treated with thiacetarsamide.

Platelet aggregation and release, platelet number, mean platelet volume, antithrombin-III activity, and fibrinogen concentration were evaluated in heartworm-negative and heartworm-infected dogs at baseline and on days 3, 10, and 21 after treatment with thiacetarsamide. Platelet reactivity was enhanced in a group of dogs naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis, compared with 2 groups of heartworm-negative dogs, but platelet reactivity was not further enhanced after treatment with thiacetarsamide. A significant decrease in antithrombin-III activity was detected 21 days after treatment. The platelets from a group of laboratory Beagles implanted with 50 adult D immitis displayed enhanced reactivity 6 months after implantation, but by 18 months, platelet reactivity had returned to near, or less than, baseline. Platelet reactivity was enhanced after thiacetarsamide treatment in this group. Thiacetarsamide-associated changes were not observed in platelet number or size; antithrombin-III activity decreased, but the change was not significant. Fibrinogen concentration was increased significantly (P less than 0.05) on day 10. Enhanced adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation was observed on days 3, 10, and 21 after treatment in heartworm-negative dogs. This change was not observed in 6 control Beagles not treated with thiacetarsamide. Although antithrombin-III activity was decreased on day 3 and fibrinogen concentration was increased on day 10, paralleling changes observed in the heartworm-infected dogs, the changes were not statistically significant. In this study, thiacetarsamide was procagulatory in heartworm-negative dogs and may be an important contributing factor to the thromboembolism observed with adulticidal therapy.

Animals↗

Effects of treatment with aspirin or aspirin/dipyridamole combination in heartworm-negative, heartworm-infected, and embolized heartworm-infected dogs.

To determine the drug dose required to inhibit platelet reactivity by at least 50%, 2 drug regimens were evaluated in heartworm-negative, heartworm-infected, and heartworm-infected dogs embolized with dead heartworms. Aspirin, or a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole, were administered to 2 groups of Beagles (n = 5 each) for 5 to 9 days; a third group of 5 Beagles served as nontreated controls. For heartworm-negative dogs, mean (+/- SD) aspirin dosage that inhibited collagen-induced platelet reactivity by at least 50% was 6 (+/- 2) mg/kg of body weight given once daily. The aspirin/diphridamole combination dosage was 1 mg of each drug/kg given every 12 hours. All dogs (n = 15) were implanted with 7 adult heartworms each and remedicated (or not treated) beginning at 21 days after heartworm implantation. In heartworm-infected dogs, mean aspirin dosage required to inhibit collagen-induced platelet reactivity greater than or equal to 50% was 10 (+/- 6) mg/kg. Mean dosage of aspirin/dipyridamole combination was 1.6 +/- (0.5) mg of each drug/kg given every 12 hours. When platelet reactivity in response to collagen was determined to be inhibited by at least 50% in all medicated dogs, each dog (n = 15) was embolized with 7 dead adult heartworms to mimic heartworm adulticidal treatment. Platelet reactivity was monitored for 21 days after treatment, and drug dose was adjusted to maintain platelet inhibition by at least 50%. In embolized dogs, mean aspirin dosage was 17 (+/- 14) mg/kg given once daily. Mean dosage of the aspirin/dipyridamole combination was 2.8 (+/- 1.3) mg of each drug/kg given every 12 hours. All dogs (n = 15) were euthanatized 21 days after heartworm embolization. Each lung lobe was evaluated for severity of lesions and presence of organized or fibrinous thrombi. Lesion severity in the aspirin- and aspirin/dipyridamole-treated dogs was not significantly different from that in control dogs.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Effects of treatment with ticlopidine in heartworm-negative, heartworm-infected, and embolized heartworm-infected dogs.

Ticlopidine hydrochloride was evaluated for its effectiveness in inhibiting platelet aggregation and serotonin release in 5 laboratory Beagles before and after heartworm implantation with 7 adult Dirofilaria immitis, and after embolization with 7 dead heartworms to mimic what happens after heartworm adulticide treatment. Five other laboratory Beagles, similarly implanted and embolized with heartworms, were used as nonmedicated controls. During the heartworm-negative stage, the dosage of ticlopidine that inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation in 5 dogs by at least 50% after 5 days of treatment was 62 mg/kg of body weight once a day. In the same dogs implanted with 7 adult heartworms 21 days previously, mean (+/- SD) ticlopidine dosage required to obtain similar results was 71 (+/- 13) mg/kg given once daily. During the 21 days after dead heartworms were implanted in heartworm-infected dogs, mean ticlopidine dosage was 108 (+/- 35) mg/kg (range, 62 to 150 mg/kg). Ticlopidine treatment was associated with increased platelet numbers in all 5 dogs during the heartworm-negative stage and in 4 of 5 dogs during the heartworm implantation and heartworm embolization stages. Mean platelet volume tended to decrease as platelet numbers increased. At necropsy, gross and histologic pulmonary lesions were less severe in ticlopidine-treated dogs than in nonmedicated control dogs.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Enhanced platelet reactivity in heartworm-infected dogs.

Platelet number, mean platelet volume, and platelet function were evaluated in 34 clinically normal dogs and 28 heartworm-infected (HWI) dogs. Mean platelet numbers for dogs of the HWI group was not significantly lower than those for dogs of the control group (214,000 vs 254,000 cells/microliter); however, 6 (21%) HWI dogs had platelet numbers less than 150,000/microliter, compared with only 2 (6%) heartworm-negative dogs. The mean platelet volume was not significantly different (7.8 vs 7.7 fl) between the 2 groups of dogs. Mean platelet aggregation responses to intermediate and low concentrations of collagen (3.0 and 1.5 micrograms) and to high, intermediate, and low concentrations of ADP (25, 10, and 5 microM) were greater in dogs of the HWI group. Mean platelet 14C-serotonin release was also greater in HWI dogs in response to high concentration of ADP (25 microM) and to intermediate concentration of collagen (3.0 micrograms).

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Combined factors IX and XII deficiencies in a family of cats.

Combined factors IX and XII deficiencies were detected in a family of cats in which 2 male kittens had bleeding diathesis. The combination of factors IX and XII deficiencies in one male kitten did not appear to exacerbate bleeding when compared with a sole deficiency of factor IX in its male sibling. Neutering of carrier females and affected males was recommended. Blood transfusions before castration of affected males was advised.

Animals↗

Technique for percutaneous pulmonary arterial catheterization in conscious dogs.

A technique was developed to allow percutaneous placement and exchange of pulmonary arterial catheters in conscious dogs. Seven dogs were catheterized weekly for 5 weeks, using a 10-gauge over-the-needle cannula. A No. 7 F flow-directed catheter was passed through the cannula to measure right heart and pulmonary arterial pressures and to calculate cardiac output. The flow-directed catheter was removed and replaced with an arteriographic catheter, and a pulmonary arteriogram was performed. Placement in alternate jugular or saphenous veins each week resulted in successful catheterizations in all dogs evaluated.

Animals↗

The acute abdomen.

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Abdomen, Acute↗