The accuracy of urine analyzers used for dogs and cats has remained uncertain. This study examines the agreement between results of urine analysis obtained using two devices marketed for animals and ...for humans and the results of quantitative biochemical analysis. The degrees of concordance for bilirubin and ketones in the same category were ~80%, but for pH these were only ~60% in dogs and cats. Degrees of concordance for protein and the UP/C ratio clearly differed between the devices for animals and humans. We found that values for bilirubin and ketones obtained using urine analyzers may be reliable, but pH is unlikely to be accurate enough to be clinically useful for dogs and cats.
Recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a lower pressure and oxygen concentration (L-HBOT) than previous methods has been used for dogs in Japan; however, the influences of L-HBOT on dogs have not ...been clarified. To verify the influences of L-HBOT on physiological mechanism in dogs, we investigated blood gas parameters, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, heart rate variability, stress-related hormones and skin conductance (SC) in 4 clinically normal beagle dogs with catheters in their carotid arteries and jugular veins when they were quiet, after running, after receiving L-HBOT (30% oxygen concentration, 1.3 atmospheres absolute, 30 min) or after not receiving L-HBOT. The results showed there were no changes in blood gas parameters, heart rate variability and catecholamine levels after L-HBOT. GPx activity was significantly higher, and the SC and cortisol level were lower in dogs that received L-HBOT than those when they were quiet. These results suggested that L-HBOT may have a small influence on oxygenation dynamics, activate antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, restrain autonomic nervous activity and control the balance between oxidation and antioxidation inside the body.
A 7-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever was admitted to our hospital, because of cough with sputum. She was diagnosed as having canine eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) based on blood eosinophilia, ...bronchial pattern and infiltrative shadow observed on thoracic radiography, bronchiolar obstruction and air-space consolidation predominantly affecting the right caudal lung lobe, as revealed by computed tomography (CT), predominant eosinophils in CT-guided fine needle aspiration and the clinical course. She exhibited a good response to steroid therapy, and the cough disappeared. The serum surfactant protein (SP)-A level increased with the aggravated symptom and decreased markedly with improvement compared with the C-reactive protein level and the number of eosinophils. We propose that serum SP-A level is a good biomarker in CEP.
To investigate the pharmacokinetics and chemoembolization efficacy of irinotecan-loaded QuadraSphere microspheres (QSMs) in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.
Fourteen rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were ...divided into two groups. In the irinotecan-loaded QSM group (n = 7), 3 mg of QSMs (30-60 μm) containing 12 mg of irinotecan (0.6 mL; 20 mg/mL) were injected into the left hepatic artery. In the control group (hepatic arterial infusion HAI and QSMs; n = 7), 3 mg of QSMs suspended in ioxaglic acid were injected following a bolus injection of 0.6 mL of irinotecan solution (20 mg/mL). Sequential irinotecan, SN-38, and SN-38G concentration changes were measured in plasma within 24 hours and at 1 week and in tissues at 1 week. The VX2 tumor growth rates at 1 and 2 weeks were calculated from computed tomographic images.
All rabbits underwent successful embolization. Plasma irinotecan, SN-38, and SN-38G concentrations in the irinotecan-loaded QSM group showed significantly sustained release compared with the control group (P = .01). Compared with the control group, the irinotecan-loaded QSM group had significantly higher irinotecan concentration in liver tumors (P = .03) and a tendency toward higher SN-38 concentration in liver tumors (P = .29). The SN-38G tissue concentrations were below the limits of quantification. The tumor growth rate was significantly lower and the tumor necrosis rate significantly higher in the irinotecan-loaded QSM group (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively).
Chemoembolization via irinotecan-loaded QSMs more effectively suppresses tumor growth than chemoembolization with unloaded QSMs after HAI. A clinical feasibility study is warranted.
A 4-year-old Shih-Tzu, referred for an enlarged left carpus, was diagnosed with a unicameral bone cyst. A customized titanium device was inserted into cystic lesion and fixed by titanium screws. ...Sufficient strength of the affected bone with the device inserted to maintain limb function was established after resection of contents of cystic lesion. There was no deterioration of the lesion of bone cyst, and acceptable function of the affected limb with no clinical signs of lameness was maintained during 36 months follow-up. The results of this study demonstrated that bone cyst curettage and use of a customized titanium device could provide an effective alternative treatment of huge lesion of unicameral bone cysts with the intent of preventing pathologic fractures.
To verify availability of skin conductance (SC) as an indicator for the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in dogs, the changes in SC and blood levels of stress-related hormones induced by ...drugs were compared. SC and cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were measured in 5 dogs on 4 occasions with or without drug-induced sedation at 7-day intervals (no treatment, intramuscular medetomidine 0.01 mg/kg, intramuscular acepromazine 0.1 mg/kg and intravenous fentanyl 0.02 mg/kg). The fentanyl treatment produced significantly higher levels of SC and plasma cortisol and adrenaline compared with the other 3 treatments. The plasma noradrenaline level also tended to be higher following the fentanyl treatment. These results indicate that SC may reflect changes in the SNS activities in dogs.
This report involves a 10-year-old male mixed-breed cat with a B-cell central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. The cat presented with ataxia progressing to left hemiparesis. While haematological ...findings were normal, serum biochemistry showed a high creatine phosphokinase concentration. MRI revealed a homogeneously enhancing well-demarcated extra-axial lesion involving the region of the left lateral aperture with oedema in left flocculus and left medulla oblongata. On diffusion-weighted imaging, the lesion margins showed marked hyperintensity relative to the right cerebellar hemisphere. On an apparent diffusion coefficient map, the lesion appeared hypointense, with an apparent diffusion coefficient value of 0.57 ± 0.01 × 10−3 mm2/s. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and cytology, and genetic analysis of CSF lymphoblasts confirmed a diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma. The owner opted for palliative treatment with prednisolone (1 mg/kg q12h); however, the cat died of dyspnoea 10 days after presentation. CNS lymphomas, which are the second most common intracranial tumours in cats, are highly infiltrative lesions and radical surgical excision is not recommended. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is crucial. However, contrast-enhanced MRI cannot always differentiate these lesions from other conditions, including other CNS tumours and strokes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to document the diffusion-weighted imaging features and apparent diffusion coefficient value for a feline CNS lymphoma. These findings are expected to improve the diagnostic accuracy of these lesions in cats.
A 19-year-old female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) was presented with hind limb weakness, ataxia and respiratory distress. Computed tomography revealed a mass between the left side of the T7 ...vertebra and the base of the left 7th rib. The tiger then died, and necropsy was performed. Grossly, the vertebral mass was 6 × 5.7 × 3 cm, and invaded the adjacent vertebral bone and compressed the T7 spinal cord. Histologically, the mass was composed of large, clear, vacuolated and polygonal cells with osteochondral matrix. Cellular and nuclear atypia were moderate. The vacuolated cells stained positively for cytokeratin and vimentin and negatively for S-100. Based on these findings, the present case was diagnosed as a vertebral chordoma; the first report in a tiger.
Prohibitin is an antiproliferative protein that is a product of a putative tumor suppressor gene. However, there is little information on prohibitins in companion animals. In this study, we cloned ...canine prohibitin mRNA using RT-PCR and 3′-RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends). The sequence was well conserved compared with those of other mammals, including human. The deduced amino acid sequence translated from the open reading frame completely corresponded to the human sequence. Canine prohibitin mRNA was expressed in all normal mammary and tumor samples examined. These results suggest that this protein plays a vital role in cell growth mechanisms and may be related to the occurrence of canine mammary tumors.
To determine the arterial distribution and ischemic effects of various particle sizes after transcatheter embolization of the small bowel in a dog model.
In 10 dogs, selective microsphere ...embolization was performed in six branches of the superior mesenteric artery. Microspheres were allocated into three size ranges (100-300 μm, 300-500 μm, and 500-700 μm) and four volume concentrations (0.625%, 1.25%, 2.5%, and 5%). For each size and volume concentration, embolization was performed of five branches at the origin of the last arcade. The distribution of microspheres and the range of ischemic changes of mucosa were evaluated histologically. Angiograms were categorized into two groups: group A, only the vasa recta nonopacified; group B, the last arcade or more proximal branches nonopacified.
Microspheres sized 100-300 μm penetrated into intramural arteries and 500-700 μm microspheres mainly blocked arteries in the mesentery. There was a significant difference among three sizes in terms of the locations within the vasculature (P < .0001). The larger volume and the smaller size resulted in more ischemia. The range of ischemic changes among three sizes and among four volume concentrations was significantly different (P = .004 and P < .0001, respectively). The range of ischemic changes with 500-700 μm microspheres in group B was significantly greater than in group A (0% in group A vs 83% in group B, P = .001).
In a dog model, embolization of the small bowel limited to the vasa recta with the use if 500-700 μm microspheres reduced the range of ischemic changes.
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