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PubMedDate not supplied

Suppurative, nonseptic polyarthropathy in dogs.

The goals of this study were to determine the historical, physical examination, and clinicopathologic findings in dogs with suppurative, nonseptic polyarthropathy and to identify concurrent disorders associated with this syndrome. Medical records of 52 dogs with cytologic evidence of suppurative inflammation in two or more joints were examined retrospectively. Age of dogs was 4.8 years (median, range: 0.5-12 years). There was no clear breed or sex predilection, but most were large-breed dogs (body weight > or = 20 kg [44.4 lbs] in 40/52). Body temperature was 103.0 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) (median, range: 100.0-105.9 degrees F), with 29 of 52 dogs having a body temperature > or = 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C). Lameness was identified in 42 of 52 dogs. Erosive changes were found in only 1 of 37 dogs that had radiography performed. A clear underlying disease process was not identified in 34 of 52 dogs. Seven dogs had evidence of infectious or inflammatory processes at extra-articular sites; 4 dogs were diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); 2 dogs had gastrointestinal disease; 2 dogs had been vaccinated within 1 month before onset of polyarthritis; 1 dog had cancer; 1 dog had polyarthritis and meningitis; and 1 dog had erosive polyarthritis. Of the 44 dogs tested, 25 had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, detected by an ELISA assay, which was significantly greater than the general hospital population (P = .007). Antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsiae and Ehrlichia canis were not definitively identified in the sera of any dog tested in this study (45 and 44 dogs, respectively). We conclude that an underlying disease process is not identified in most cases of suppurative polyarthropathy in dogs and that intestinal disease, neoplasia, and SLE are uncommon causes of polyarthritis. While seropositivity against the causative agent of Lyme disease was common and possibly a cause of polyarthritis in some dogs of our study, evidence of other vector-borne infection was not identified.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Secretion of sex hormones in dogs with adrenal dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adrenal sex hormone concentrations in response to ACTH stimulation in healthy dogs, dogs with adrenal tumors, and dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 11 healthy control dogs, 9 dogs with adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (adenocarcinoma [ACA] or other tumor); 11 dogs with PDH, and 6 dogs with noncortisol-secreting adrenal tumors (ATs). PROCEDURE: Hyperadrenocorticism was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs; physical examination findings; and results of ACTH stimulation test, low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, or both. Dogs with noncortisol-secreting ATs did not have hyperadrenocorticism but had ultrasonographic evidence of an AT. Concentrations of cortisol, androstenedione, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were measured before and 1 hour after i.m. administration of 0.25 mg of synthetic ACTH. RESULTS: All dogs with ACA, 10 dogs with PDH, and 4 dogs with ATs had 1 or more sex hormone concentrations greater than the reference range after ACTH stimulation. The absolute difference for progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and testosterone concentrations (value obtained after ACTH administration minus value obtained before ACTH administration) was significantly greater for dogs with ACA, compared with the other 3 groups. The absolute difference for androstenedione was significantly greater for dogs with ACA, compared with dogs with AT and healthy control dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs with ACA secrete increased concentrations of adrenal sex hormones, compared with dogs with PDH, noncortisol-secreting ATs, and healthy dogs. Dogs with noncortisol-secreting ATs also have increased concentrations of sex hormones. There is great interdog variability in sex hormone concentrations in dogs with ACA after stimulation with ACTH.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1999

Frequency and severity of mastocytemia in dogs with and without mast cell tumors: 120 cases (1995-1997).

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate frequency of detection on blood smears and severity on quantitative buffy coat evaluation of mastocytemia between dogs without mast cell tumors (MCT) and dogs that had MCT, and to expand the list of diseases associated with mastocytemia in dogs without MCT. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 94 dogs without MCT and 26 dogs with MCT. PROCEDURE: Medical records of all dogs with mast cells detected on blood or buffy coat smears during a 2-year period were reviewed. Dogs with mastocytemia were grouped by disease into dogs with MCT and dogs without MCT. Twenty-five of the dogs without MCT that had mast cells detected on blood smears also had evaluations of buffy coat smears. Quantitative buffy coat results of the 25 dogs without MCT were compared with those of the 26 dogs with MCT. RESULTS: 95.5% of blood smears with mast cells detected during CBC determination were from dogs without MCT. For these dogs, diagnoses included inflammatory disease (28.2%), regenerative anemia (27%), neoplasia other than MCT (25.9%), and trauma (11.8%). Dogs with MCT had a mean of 71.4 mast cells/buffy coat smear, whereas dogs without MCT had a mean of 276.2 mast cells/buffy coat smear. The 2 highest counts of mast cells/buffy coat smear were for dogs without MCT. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of results of quantitative buffy coat evaluations, severity of mastocytemia in dogs without MCT often exceeds that detected during tumor staging in dogs with MCT. Random detection of mast cells in blood smears during CBC determination in dogs is usually not secondary to MCT.

Anemia↗

PubMed1988

The histological appearance of peroral gastric biopsies in clinically healthy and vomiting dogs.

A survey of the histology of gastric biopsies in 501 dogs, consisting of 19 clinically healthy dogs and 482 vomiting dogs is presented. Whole stomachs of four young clinically healthy laboratory dogs were used as controls. Eleven percent of forceps biopsies were unsuitable for examination; all suction biopsies were of good quality. Slight to severe gastritis was found in 168 vomiting dogs (35%), whereas five dogs (26%) of the clinically healthy group showed a mainly slight gastritis. Superficial and diffuse gastritis were the most prominent findings in the 168 dogs with gastritis. A single type of gastritis was found in 114 dogs, a combination of different types in 54 dogs. Gastric atrophy was seen in 23 (5%) vomiting dogs and in three (15%) clinically healthy dogs, atrophy with a slight to severe fibrosis in 21 (4%) vomiting dogs, and in 84 (17%) vomiting dogs and two (11%) healthy dogs, gastric fibrosis was present. Carcinomas were seen in 26 vomiting dogs, of which 17 also had gastritis. A differential diagnosis of granulomatous gastritis/carcinoma had to be made in one case. Seven dogs showed a lymphosarcoma, and in six other dogs a differential diagnosis of lymphosarcoma and/or gastritis was made. One adenomatous polyp was seen. In one clinically healthy dog an adenomyoma was diagnosed. Ulceration was found in 24 dogs, but only five of these lacked other lesions. Other biopsy findings were pseudopyloric metaplasia, hyperplasia, cysts, calcification and edema. Some dogs showed "antralization".

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Pretreatment clinical and laboratory findings in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism: 225 cases (1979-1993).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and laboratory findings in 225 dogs with naturally occurring hypoadrenocorticism diagnosed over a 14-year period. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 220 dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism and 5 dogs with secondary hypoadrenocorticism (primary ACTH deficiency). PROCEDURE: We reviewed medical records of all dogs with naturally occurring hypoadrenocorticism examined at The Animal Medical Center between 1979 and 1993 or at Tufts University, Foster Hospital for Small Animals, between 1987 and 1993. RESULTS: Dogs ranged from 4 months to 14 years old. Most (71%) were female, and female dogs had a significantly higher relative risk of developing hypoadrenocorticism than did males. Great Danes, Portuguese Water Dogs, Rottweilers, Standard Poodles, West Highland White Terriers, and Wheaton Terriers had a significantly higher relative risk of developing hypoadrenocorticism than did dogs of other breeds. Common owner complaints included lethargy, poor appetite, and vomiting, whereas lethargy, weakness, and dehydration were common abnormalities detected on physical examination. Serum biochemical testing at the time of diagnosis revealed moderate-to-severe azotemia and hyperphosphatemia in most dogs. In 99 of 172 (57.6%) dogs that had a pretreatment urinalysis performed, urine specific gravity was < 1.030 even though dogs were azotemic. Serum electrolyte changes included hyperkalemia (n = 215), hyponatremia (183), hypochloremia (94), and hypercalcemia (69). Five of the 220 dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism and the 5 dogs with secondary hypoadrenocorticism did not have hyperkalemia at time of diagnosis. In all dogs, ACTH stimulation testing revealed a low to low-normal baseline serum cortisol concentration with little to no rise after ACTH administration. Endogenous plasma ACTH concentration measured in 35 dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism was markedly high; whereas ACTH concentration was undetectable to low in the 5 dogs with secondary hypoadrenocorticism. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: hypoadrenocorticism is a rare disease in dogs, most commonly affecting young to middle-aged females; some breeds are at greater risk of developing the disease than others. In general, clinical signs are nonspecific and similar to manifestations of more common diseases. Serum electrolyte disturbances of hyperkalemia and hypernatremia are characteristic in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism, but concentrations may be normal in dogs with early or mild primary or secondary hypoadrenocorticism. Diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism is best confirmed by demonstration of a low baseline serum cortisol concentration with a subnormal or negligible response to ACTH administration. Determination of endogenous plasma ACTH concentrations is valuable in differentiating primary from secondary hypoadrenocorticism, particularly in dogs with normal serum electrolyte concentrations.

Adrenal Insufficiency↗

PubMed2000

Anti-sperm antibodies and seminal characteristics after testicular biopsy or epididymal aspiration in dogs.

A study was performed to determine if performing testicular biopsies or epididymal aspirates in dogs would induce sperm-bound anti-sperm antibodies (ASA), affect long-term sperm production or semen quality. Semen was collected from 8 mature dogs 3 times a week before and after hemicastration and then 3 times a week after testicular biopsy (n=3 and 1 control) or epididymal aspiration (n=3 and 1 control). Detection of anti-sperm IgG (ASA) on sperm cells was performed by flow cytometry analysis using a flow cytometer. Two dogs with testicular biopsies became positive for ASA 16 d after testicular biopsy and remained positive for 7 and 9 d, respectively. One dog that had an epididymal aspirate became positive 13 d after epididymal aspiration and remained positive for 35 d. One dog became positive 21 d after hemicastration and remained positive for 28 d. Sperm output declined significantly in 7 of 8 dogs after hemicastration. A control epididymal aspirate treatment dog had decreased sperm output, and a testicular biopsy treatment dog had increased sperm output. None of the dogs with ASA had significant changes in sperm output after treatment. Sperm motility declined significantly in 3 dogs after hemicastration. An epididymal aspiration treatment dog had a decrease in sperm motility, a control epididymal aspirate treatment dog and a control testicular biopsy treatment dog each had increases in sperm motility. None of the dogs with ASA had significant changes in motility. The percentage of normal spermatozoa significantly decreased in 3 dogs and significantly increased in 1 dog after hemicastration. Two dogs that had testicular biopsies and 1 dog that had an epididymal aspiration had decreases in percent normal sperm. Two of 3 dogs with decreases in percent normal sperm after treatment had ASA, but 2 dogs with ASA had no change in motility. Hemicastration, epididymal aspiration, and testicular biopsy can induce ASA production within 2 wk of the procedure, but ASA are transient and do not have a predictably negative effect on total sperm output or motility. Testicular biopsy and epididymal aspiration are safe diagnostic procedures, but further work investigating post-treatment fertility must be done before final conclusions can be made.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Biological effects of 137CsCl injected in beagle dogs of different ages.

The toxicity of 137Cs in the beagle dog was investigated at the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute (ITRI) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) as part of programs to evaluate the biological effects of both radionuclides in atomic bomb fallout and internally deposited fission-product radionuclides. In the ITRI study, young adult dogs were exposed once by intravenous injection to a range of 137Cs concentrations; the results have recently been published (Nikula et al., Radiat. Res. 142, 347-361, 1995). The purpose of the present report is to summarize the ANL study and to compare the results of the two studies. At ANL, 63 dogs in three age groups (15 juveniles, 142-151 days old; 38 young adults, 388-427 days old; and 10 middle-aged dogs, 1387-2060 days old) were given 137Cs intravenously at levels (61-162 MBq/kg) near those expected to be lethal within 30 days after injection. There were 17 control dogs from the same colony. Twenty-three of the dogs injected with 137Cs, including all middle-aged dogs, died within 52 days after injection due to hematopoietic cell damage resulting in severe pancytopenia that led to fatal hemorrhage and/or septicemia. The other significant early effect was damage to the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules of all male dogs. These early effects are the same as those reported for the dogs injected with 137Cs at ITRI. In addition, the design of the ANL study revealed an age- and gender-related differential radiosensitivity for early effects: The middle-aged dogs died significantly earlier due to complications of hematological dyscrasia compared to the juvenile and young adult dogs, and the middle-aged females died significantly earlier than the middle-aged males. The most significant non-neoplastic late effects in the 137Cs-injected dogs from ANL and ITRI were atrophy of the germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules with azoospermia, and a significant dose-dependent decrease in survival. However, the survival of the ANL dogs was decreased more than that of the ITRI dogs at similar radiation doses from 137Cs. Numerous neoplasms occurred at many different sites in the dogs injected with 137Cs at ANL and ITRI. Two differences in the findings of the two studies were that (1) there was an increased risk for malignant thyroid neoplasms in the ANL male dogs injected with 137Cs, but not the ITRI dogs of either gender, and (2) there was an increased relative risk for benign neoplasms excluding mammary neoplasms in the ITRI dogs injected with 137Cs, but not the ANL dogs. In both groups, there were dose-related increased incidences of malignant neoplasms, malignant neoplasms excluding mammary neoplasms, all sarcomas considered as a group, all non-mammary carcinomas considered as a group and malignant liver neoplasms. In summary, the similarity of the findings between the two studies and the dose-response relationships for survival and for large groupings of neoplasms suggests that these results are consistent findings in 137Cs-injected dogs and might be dose-related late effects in humans exposed to sufficient amounts of internally deposited 137Cs.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Immediate sensitivity of asthmatic children to dog allergens].

The occurrence of dog hypersensitivity in 203 unselected asthmatic children was investigated by means of skin prick test, provocation test and RAST. The history of past and present exposure to dogs, symptoms in contact with dogs, and the effects of dog avoidance were recorded. The amount of dog dander antigens was measured from dust samples from 67 homes using counter-immunoelectrophoresis. A history of past or present dog hypersensitivity was obtained for 120 subjects (59%). The skin prick test was found to be a sensitive method for diagnosing dog hypersensitivity, when a standardized allergen extract was used. The results of the skin prick test correlated well with the provocation test (r = 0.832) and the RAST (r = 0.777). A positive (greater than or equal to ++) skin reaction was observed in 56% of the subjects, a positive (class greater than or equal to 1) RAST in 69%, and a positive provocation test with the same extract in 41% of the subjects. The occurrence of dog hypersensitivity was not significantly associated with past or present exposure to dog at home. However, the children who were exposed to a dog at home during early childhood developed dog hypersensitivity symptoms significantly earlier and had dog hypersensitivity slightly more often than the subjects with a later exposure or no exposure to dog. Significant amounts of dog dander antigens were found even in dust samples from homes where dogs had never been kept. The effect of dog avoidance on dog dander-specific IgE levels was studied from sera obtained from 24 subjects. Steadily high and even rising levels were observed in cases when a strict avoidance of dogs was reported by the patient. Dog saliva was found to be a more potent and more species-specific source of dog allergens, in comparison with a commercial dander extract, according to skin prick test and RAST inhibition studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Vaccination coverage and epidemiological parameters of the owned-dog population in Thungsong District, Thailand.

Canine rabies vaccination is delivered in Thungsong District, Thailand, as an annual campaign between March 1 and 31, and also at other times through private veterinary clinics, para-veterinarians and health-care staff residing in the villages. The current questionnaire-interview survey was conducted between June 23 and July 18, 2002 to determine: rabies-vaccination coverage amongst the owned-dog population; basic dog-population information; and community awareness about rabies. The modified expand programme on immunization cluster-survey method was used to collect information about dog demography and management characteristics. Household knowledge about rabies and sources of rabies information were assessed. Vaccinated dogs were identified from vaccine certificates or owner reports confirmed by vaccinators. Seventy percent (95%CI 62-78) of 364 eligible owned dogs were vaccinated within the 6 months prior to data collection. Of these 255 vaccinated dogs, 44, 21, 13, 17 and 5% were vaccinated through the annual vaccination campaign, veterinary clinics, para-veterinarians, other vaccinators and owners, respectively. Fifty-four percent of households owned dogs. The sex ratio in dogs was 2 males per female; the dog: human ratio was 1: 4.6 with an average of 0.9 dogs per household (1.7 dogs per dog-owning household). Most dogs roamed freely and these were less likely to be vaccinated compared to dogs being kept on premises or on a leash. Almost all households were aware of rabies and the need for dog rabies vaccination as a control method. Seventy-six percent believed that rabies only occurred in summer. There was little awareness about cat rabies amongst households. Vaccination coverage in the total dog population clearly has not yet reached the 80% target level set by Thailand's official rabies-control programme. Improved effectiveness of the owned-dog rabies-vaccination campaigns in each community is needed-perhaps by more community education about dog management or by better management of ownerless dogs.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pneumonia after intracranial surgery in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with the occurrence of pneumonia after intracranial surgery in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Animals-Forty-nine client-owned dogs. METHODS: The medical records of 49 dogs with space-occupying intracranial disease that underwent craniotomy were reviewed. Development of pneumonia after surgery was considered highly likely in 12 dogs (affected dogs) based on clinical signs, including acute dyspnea or coughing in association with typical radiographic findings or abnormal transtracheal wash results. Pneumonia was confirmed in 6 dogs based on necropsy findings. Affected dogs were compared with 37 dogs that did not develop pneumonia (unaffected dogs) subsequent to intracranial surgery. Based on the medical records of affected dogs, determinations were made regarding time between development of pneumonia and surgery, surgical procedure, intracranial lesion type, and intracranial lesion location. Risk factors examined for both affected and unaffected dogs included level of consciousness, body position during the postoperative recovery period, duration of anesthesia, occurrence of vomiting or regurgitation, presence of seizures, cranial nerve deficiencies, and the presence of megaesophagus before and after surgery. We also compared the feeding protocol after surgery for each group. RESULTS: Pneumonia typically occurred within the first week after surgery (median, 6.5 days); however, this was variable (range, 1-96 days). Of the factors that were present within 24 hours before the clinical signs of pneumonia, vomiting or regurgitation and megaesophagus were found to be significant risk factors. Dogs that vomited or regurgitated were 2.71 times more likely to develop pneumonia than dogs that did not. Vomiting or regurgitation occurred in 63% of the dogs that developed pneumonia in this cohort. Dogs with megaesophagus were 9.25 times more likely to develop pneumonia than dogs without megaesophagus. Seven dogs with pneumonia died. Five of these 7 dogs appeared to have died as a direct sequel to pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Dogs undergoing craniectomies for space-occupying intracranial disease may be at higher risk for development of pneumonia due to several factors, including vomiting, regurgitation, and megaesophagus.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Protection of dogs from bites of phlebotomine sandflies by deltamethrin collars for control of canine leishmaniasis.

Dog collars made of PVC plastic impregnated with the pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin at 40 mg/g were investigated for their protective efficacy against phlebotomine sandflies. Collared dogs were kept separately (two untreated control dogs lived together) in outdoor enclosures, each with a kennel, in the Cévennes, southern France. To measure sandfly mortality and anti-feeding effects due to the deltamethrin-impregnated collars worn continuously by the dogs for up to 8 months, each dog was periodically sedated and exposed for 2h to 150-200 laboratory-reared Phlebotomus perniciosus females (plus c. 25 males) inside a net (1.2 m square, 1.8 m high) indoors. After dogs were removed from the nets, allowed to recover and returned to their kennels, any dead sandflies were collected from inside the net and counted. Surviving flies were kept overnight, then scored according to whether they were still alive or dead, unfed or blood-fed. From tests 2, 3, 4, 13, 20, 26 and 34 weeks after the dogs began wearing collars, the overall numbers of blood-fed female sandflies recaptured were 75 from two dogs with collars, compared with 1911 from two collarless dogs. Thus, for every 100 flies which fed on collarless dogs, only 4 fed on collared dogs, i.e. the collars protected dogs from 96% of the bites and this activity was maintained for up to 34 weeks. During the same period, the percentage of recaptured female sandflies that had fed on collared dogs was 0-12% compared to 55-95% on collarless dogs. Immediately after dogs were taken out of the nets, 21-60% of flies confined with the collared dogs were found dead, compared to 0-12% with the controls. It is concluded that, at least in the Mediterranean subregion, this insecticidal collar would protect a dog from the majority of sandfly bites and retain a killing effect for a complete sandfly season. Moreover, it seems likely that the use of collars on all dogs in a focus of Leishmania infantum would reduce contact between sandfly vectors and canine reservoir hosts sufficiently to diminish the risk of infection for humans as well as dogs.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Detection of Anaplasma platys and Babesia canis vogeli and their impact on platelet numbers in free-roaming dogs associated with remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To detect Anaplasma platys and Babesia canis vogeli infection, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, in free-roaming dogs associated with eight Aboriginal communities in remote areas of Australia and to determine the impact of infection through the assessment of platelet numbers. PROCEDURES: Blood samples from 215 dogs were screened by PCR for A platys and B canis vogeli using established genus-specific DNA primers for the 16S and 18S rRNA genes respectively. Both A platys DNA and B canis vogeli DNA were confirmed from the screening PCR either by sequencing or by the use of species-specific primers. Peripheral blood films from 92 of the 215 dogs were used to estimate platelet numbers through an indirect method. RESULTS: Of 215 dogs, 69 (32%) were positive for A platys, 22 (10%) for B canis vogeli and 24 (11%) for both. The two organisms were detected singularly and as coinfection in all communities. For the 92 dogs in which peripheral blood films were examined, the mean estimated platelet counts for the non-infected dogs was 318 x 10(9)/L, those infected with A platys alone was 256 x 10(9)/L, those with B canis vogeli alone was 276 x 10(9)/L and those infected with both parasites was 169 x 10(9)/L. In young dogs, infection produced significantly decreased mean platelet counts when compared to uninfected dogs. Thrombocytopenia (< 200 x 10(9)/L) was detected in 18 (51%) dogs infected with A platys alone, 3 (33%) dogs infected with B canis vogeli alone, 13 (72%) dogs coinfected, and 8 (27%) uninfected dogs. CONCLUSIONS: A platys and B canis vogeli infection, either singularly or together, was widespread in free roaming dogs associated with remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and north-western New South Wales. Moreover, both A platys and B canis vogeli infections were associated with a reduction in mean platelet numbers in dog populations, particularly in young dogs. The fact that 51% of dogs infected with A platys alone and 72% dogs coinfected were thrombocytopenic compared to 27% of uninfected dogs suggests that the organism alone or in combination with B canis vogeli has the potential to cause thrombocytopenia and perhaps contribute to a clinical bleeding disorder in infected dogs.

Anaplasma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of a urine cortisol:creatinine ratio as a screening test for hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.

The authors collected urine specimens in 31 normal dogs, 25 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, 21 dogs in which hyperadrenocorticism was suspected but was not present, and 28 dogs with a variety of severe, nonadrenal diseases. Cortisol and creatinine were measured in unextracted urine by radioimmunoassay and spectrophotometry, respectively, and the cortisol:creatinine ratio was calculated for each specimen. The mean +/- SD urine cortisol:creatinine concentration ratio in the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (103.1 +/- 100.7) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that in the normal dogs (13.1 +/- 7.0). The mean urine cortisol:creatinine ratio in dogs initially suspected of having hyperadrenocorticism (16.3 +/- 7.0) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the ratio in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, but was not significantly different than that in the normal dogs. The mean urinary cortisol:creatinine ratio in the dogs with nonadrenal disease (82.8 +/- 97.7) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that in both the normal dogs and dogs in which hyperadrenocorticism was initially suspected, but was not different than the ratio in the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. The sensitivity of the urine cortisol:creatinine ratio as a diagnostic test for hyperadrenocorticism was 0.92. The specificity was high in the normal dogs (0.97) and the dogs initially suspected of having hyperadrenocorticism (0.95), with < or = 5% having false-positive results. However, the specificity was very low (0.21) in the dogs with moderate to severe nonadrenal disease, with 79% having false-positive results. Similarly, both positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic efficiency were high in the normal dogs and dogs suspected of having hyperadrenocorticism but were low in the dogs with nonadrenal illness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenocortical Hyperfunction↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dexamethasone, melphalan, actinomycin D, cytosine arabinoside (DMAC) protocol for dogs with relapsed lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: In general, treatment of relapsed lymphoma is associated with a lower probability of response and shorter duration of remission. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the combination chemotherapy protocol DMAC (dexamethasone, melphalan, actinomycin D, and cytosine arabinoside) for reinduction of remission in dogs with relapsed lymphoma. HYPOTHESIS: That DMAC would be an effective reinduction protocol for dogs with relapsed lymphoma. ANIMALS: Fifty-four dogs. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of the dogs achieved remission (44% complete remission [CR] and 28% partial remission [PR]), 11% had stable disease (SD), and 17% had progressive disease (PD). The median remission duration was 61 days (range, 2-467+ days). The median remission durations for dogs with CR, PR, and SD were 112, 44, and 27 days, respectively. Factors that affected the response rate were previous treatment with doxorubicin and an inability to achieve remission with the previous protocol. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 56% of the dogs (grade 1 in 3 dogs, grade 2 in 6 dogs, grade 3 in 7 dogs, and grade 4 in 7 dogs) and neutropenia in 17% of the dogs (grade 2 in 1 dog, grade 3 in 2 dogs, and grade 4 in 4 dogs). Gastrointestinal toxicosis occurred in 22% of the dogs (grades 1 in 5 dogs, grade 2 in 3 dogs, and grade 3 in 1 dog). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The DMAC protocol is an effective rescue protocol for dogs with relapsed multicentric lymphoma. Although thrombocytopenia is a common manifestation of toxicity, in general, the protocol is well tolerated.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of disease severity and outcome of dietary, antibiotic, and immunosuppressive interventions by use of the canine IBD activity index in 21 dogs with chronic inflammatory bowel disease].

Recently, the canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI) was developed for evaluation of the severity of illness, therapeutic strategies, and efficacy of therapy. The aim of the present study was to assess the severity of illness and the therapeutic strategy in dogs with IBD by the use of CIBDAI, serum albumin concentration, and histologic score (HPEG). Furthermore the use of CIBDAI and the efficacy of therapy in a prospective study during a 3 month treatment period were evaluated. Twentyone dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis and enterocolitis) were examined in this study. In 11 dogs with IBD the severity of illness was assessed as low, according to CIBDAI and HPEG (CIBDAI score 4 or between 5 and 10 with HPEG score between 1 and 1.5). Six dogs were treated with hypoallergenic diet (Group D), five dogs were treated with hypoallergenic diet and metronidazole (15.6-22,3 mg/kg/day) (Group M). In 10 dogs with IBD the severity of illness was assessed as high (CIBDAI <10, or CIBDAI between 5 and 10 with HPEG score between 2 and 3 or hypoalbuminemia (< or = 2.5 g/dl)). This group (Group I) was treated with immunosuppressive therapy. Treatment consisted of prednisolone (n=10; 0.9-2 mg/kg/day), azathioprine (n=5; 0.9-2.3 mg/kg/day), sulfasalazine (n=4; 18.2-25 mg/kg/day) and hypoallergenic diet (n=10). Efficacy of therapy was evaluated prospectively 3 times in a 12 weeks treatment period. Remission (CIBDAI score < 4) indicated good therapeutic response, chronic or recurrent disease (CIBDAI score persistent or recurrent > or =4) indicated poor therapeutic response. Age, CIBDAI score and HPEG score were significantly different in IBD dogs with low severity of illness (age: median 60 months; CIBDAI score: median 5; HPEG score: median (1) and IBD dogs with high severity of illness (age: median 90 months; CIBDAI score: median 9.5; HPEG score: median 2.25) (p = 0.0101 and p = 0.0099, respectively). The presence of hypoalbuminemia was not significantly different between these two groups (p = 0.3108). There was no significant correlation between CIBDAI score and serum albumin concentration (r = 0.0394; p = 0.0802) or between CIBDAI score and HPEG score (r = 0.2587; p = 0.2574). In the treatment groups, HPEG score was only significantly different between D-group and group I (p < 0.01). The CIBDAI score decreased significantly in group I after 4 weeks of treatment (median 4th week: 3; p < 0.05), and in the D-group after 8 weeks of treatment (median 8" week 1; p < 0.05). No significant decrease of CIBDAI score was seen in the M-group (median 12th week: 1.75; p > 0.05). All dogs in group D, four of five dogs in group M, and six from ten dogs in group I went into remission. Poor therapeutic response (1 dog in group M and 5 dogs in group I; one dog died) was seen in 6 dogs, where as 15 dogs showed good therapeutic response. There was no significant association between efficacy of therapy and age (p = 0.8455), CIBDAI score (p = 0.3293), or serum albumin concentraton (p = 0.8455). Poor therapeutic response was weekly associated with HPEG score > or =2 (p = 0.0635). Using CIBDAI in dogs with IBD as a single parameter to assess the severity of illness and the therapeutic response, misinterpretations are possible. The assessment of the severity of illness by the combination of CIBAI, HPEG, and serum albumin concentration is leading to adaequate therapeutic results. Dogs with low grade IBD benefit from hypoallergenic diet, whereas dogs with high grade IBD benefit from immunosuppressive therapy. The effect of antibiotic treatment is questionable.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Clinical and pathologic features of thyroid tumors in 26 dogs.

Thyroid tumors were diagnosed in 26 dogs between 1977 and 1984. A total of 23 of the 26 tumors were carcinomas, and 3, detected as incidental findings at necropsy, were adenomas. The median patient age was 9.5 years. Dogs of the Beagle breed were affected most commonly (5 dogs). The most common physical abnormalities in carcinoma patients were cervical swelling, dyspnea, and coughing. A total of 25 of 26 dogs were clinically euthyroid. Aspiration cytology provided diagnostic information in 8 of 17 cases. In dogs with thyroid carcinoma, a cervical soft tissue lesion was identified consistently by use of radiography and scintigraphy with sodium pertechnetate. Pulmonary metastases were detected radiographically in 8 of 21 dogs with thyroid carcinoma. Thoracic nuclear imaging confirmed the radiographic findings in 11 of 14 dogs. Surgical excision of the thyroid mass was the primary treatment for 17 dogs with carcinoma. Eight dogs died within 2 years (median, 7 months) of surgery because of primary tumor regrowth or metastases. Four dogs were alive at a range of 3 to 48 months after surgery, and 4 dogs died from unrelated causes. Necropsy of 7 dogs with thyroid carcinoma revealed neoplastic infiltration of the cervical blood vessels and pulmonary metastases in each dog. The most common histologic patterns of thyroid carcinoma were solid or compact cellular (11 dogs) and mixed solid-follicular tumors (8 dogs). Dogs with a solid carcinoma had a median survival time of 10.5 months (6 dogs), and dogs with a mixed solid-follicular tumor had a median survival time of 8 months (3 dogs).

Adenoma↗

PubMed1993

Cholelithiasis in dogs: 29 cases (1980-1990).

Medical records of 29 dogs with cholelithiasis were reviewed. Aged female small-breed dogs were overrepresented. Mean age was 9.5 years, and mean weight was 12 kg. Vomiting, anorexia, weakness, polyuria/polydipsia, weight loss, icterus, fever, and signs of abdominal pain were the most common clinical signs. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia with left shift, monocytosis, high activity of serum hepatic enzymes, hypoalbuminemia, and high concentrations of serum total bilirubin were common. Radiopaque choleliths were evident on abdominal radiography of 13 of 27 dogs. Microbial culturing of bile isolated organisms in 15 of 20 dogs. Gram-negative bacteria were most common. Surgery was performed in 22 dogs. Four dogs were treated medically, and 3 dogs were euthanatized without treatment. Surgical treatment consisted of cholecystectomy in 11 dogs, choledochotomy in 5 dogs, cholecystotomy in 4 dogs, and cholecystojejunostomy in 1 dog. Sphincter of Oddiotomy was performed in 1 dog. Five dogs had concurrent generalized peritonitis attributable to bile. Multiple choleliths were detected in most of the dogs. Choleliths were located in the gallbladder in 20 dogs and in the bile ducts in 14 dogs. The most common abnormalities of the gallbladder, identified histologically, were chronic cholecystitis, mucosal hyperplasia, and pericholecystic inflammation. The most common abnormalities of the liver were cholestasis, hepatocellular degeneration, and periportal fibrosis. Survival rate of dogs that underwent cholecystectomy tended to be higher (86%) than that of dogs treated via cholecystotomy (50%) or cholecystectomy in combination with choledochotomy (33%). Dogs that underwent medical treatment, abdominal exploratory, cholecystojenunostomy, choledochotomy, and sphincter of Oddiotomy died or were euthanatized because of redevelopment of clinical signs associated with cholelithiasis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Respiratory function and treatment in dogs with acute respiratory distress syndrome: 19 cases (1985-1993).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize respiratory function and treatment in dogs with findings compatible with those of human adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to evaluate the application in dogs of clinical for diagnosis of ARDS. DESIGN: Retrospective review of medical records. ANIMALS: 19 dogs with acute respiratory distress syndrome. RESULTS: Arterial blood pH was 7.30 +/- 0.59 (mean +/- SD). Nine dogs had metabolic acidosis. In nonmechanically ventilated dogs, PaCO2 was 15.0 to 54.9 mm of Hg. Respiratory acidosis developed in 2 mechanically ventilated dogs. Hypoxemia was observed in 4 of 5 dogs breathing room air. In 4 mechanically ventilated dogs, oxygenation was inadequate, despite use of > 60% inspired O2 and positive end-expiratory pressure in 3 dogs. Alveolar-to-arterial oxygen tension gradients were widened in 4 dogs breathing room air and in 6 dogs ventilated with 100% O2. Ten dogs were mechanically ventilated; ventilatory rate was 18 to 60 breaths/min. Tidal volume was 12 +/- 3.8 ml/kg of body weight in 4 dogs, minute ventilation > 400 ml/kg/min in 2 dogs, and peak airway pressures > 25 cm of H2O in 6 dogs. Positive end-expiratory pressure was used in 8 dogs. Pneumothorax was detected in 5 ventilated dogs. Human clinical criteria for diagnosis of ARDS were fulfilled in 7 dogs. Fluid treatment consisted of IV crystalloids and synthetic colloids. Drugs most often administered were antibiotics and loop diuretics. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Human clinical criteria for identification of ARDS may be helpful in diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome in dogs.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗