Comparison of gastric adverse effects of aspirin and celecoxib before and after eradicating Helicobacter spp. infection in dogs

The present study was carried out to determine whether Helicobacter spp. infection in dogs could affect lesions caused by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], aspirin and celecoxib. Thirty asymptomatic mixed-breed dogs were used for this study. Gastric biopsies were taken via gastroscopy and evaluated by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and rapid urease tests [RUT]. Helicobacter spp. was detected in all specimens. The infection was completely eradicated in 15 dogs by a three-drug regimen for 21 days [amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole]. Each Helicobacter-positive and -negative group was then divided into three subgroups treated with aspirin, celecoxib and placebo for 14 days. Dogs in the different subgroups were compared by sequential gastroscopy on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 [a week after drug cessation]. The results show that selective COX-2 inhibitors are better tolerated than conventional non-selective NSAIDs in dogs in terms of their side effects; however, these drugs should be administered with caution. Unlike what is advised in medical practices in humans, it seems that the eradication of non-pylori Helicobacter spp. from the stomach is not necessary prior to administrating NSAIDs in dogs

Effect of dexamethasone in combination with acetylcysteine at different times on corneal wound healing in dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different time combinations of dexamethasone and acetylcysteine on experimentally induced corneal ulcers in dogs. Experimental corneal wounds were created surgically to the anterior one third of the cornea in the center of all eyes of 15 mixed breed dogs. The eyes were divided into five groups according to planned post-operative medications: group 1, one drop of N- acetylcysteine 3% and one drop of dexamethasone 0.1% immediately after surgery; group 2, two drops o N. acetylcysteine 3% from day 1, one drop of N-acetylcysteine 3% and one drop of dexamethasone 0.1% from day 15; group 3, two drops of N-acetylcysteine 3%; group 4, two drops of dexamethasone 0.1%; group 5 [control], two drops of normal saline. When applied immediately after corneal ulceration, dexamethasone 0.1% [group 4] decreased corneal haze significantly and did not delay corneal wound healing. Addition of dexamethasone 0.1% to N-acetylcysteine 3% from day 15 [group 2] significantly suppressed opacity at two months after the beginning of the study, but when dexamethasone 0.1% associated to N-acetylcysteine 3% immediately after corneal ulceration [group 1], significant delay in corneal wound healing was induced. It is concluded that combination of dexamethasone 0.1% and NAC 3% immediately after surgery may delay corneal wound healing, also use of these drugs individually, has no obvious clinical effect on corneal haze. On the other hand, use of these drugs in combination with each other may reduce the corneal haze in later months after discontinuation of drugs. However, further studies using larger groups of animals are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of these pharmacological modulators following experimentally induced corneal wounds in dogs

Comparison of the effects of different doses of acepromazine-xylazine on the electrocardiogram in dogs

Seventy seven adult large mixed breed dogs of either sex were included in this study. The animals were randomly divided into four groups and received the following drug combinations intramuscularly: Group 1 xylazine [0.5 mg/kg] and acepromazine [0.05 mg/kg], Group 2 xylazine [0.8 mg/kg] and acepromazine [0.03 mg/kg], Group 3 xylazine [0.3 mg/kg] and acepromazine [0.08 mg/kg] and Group 4 xylazine [0.5 mg/kg] acepromazine [0.05 mg/kg] and atropine [0.04 mg/kg]. Results showed no significant differences in the P-wave and QRS complex durations, PR interval and R waves among the 4 groups. QT interval significantly decreased following drug administration in group 4 compared to groups 1 [P = 0.03] and 3 [P = 0.004]. There were significant increases in the QT interval in groups 1 [P = 0.001] and 3 [P = 0.01] after drug injections. Heart rate [HR] significantly decreased in groups 1, 2 and 3 after drug injections [P = 0.004, 0.01 and 0.03, respectively]. There was a significant negative correlation between HR, PR and QT intervals, and a positive correlation between HR and P-wave amplitude. There were no significant differences between all groups in the incidence of first and second degree AV blocks

[Identification and antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial isolates in faeces of healthy and diarrhoeic dogs in Shiraz]

In this study 77 and 86 bacterial strains were isolated from faeces of healthy and diarrhoeic dogs respectively. All Salmonella isolates were confirmed by PCR method using specific invA genes. Antibacterial activity of 8 routine antibiotics including tylosin, gentamycin, kanamycin, neomycin, tetracycline, oxy tetracycline, chloramphenicol and sulfadiazine on the isolated bacteria was evaluated by disk diffusion method. Isolated bacteria from faeces of healthy dogs were as follow: Escherichia coli [27.27%], Proteus mirabilis [23.38%], Lactobacilli [19.48%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [11.69%], Staphylococcus aureus [5.19%], Bacillus cereus [4.49%], Corynebacteria [3.90%], and Clostridium perfringens [2.60%]. Isolated bacteria from faeces of diarrheic dogs were as follows: Escherichia coli [25.58%], Proteus mirabilis [22.09%], Lactobacilli [13.95%], Bacillus cereus [11.63%], Staphylococcus aureus [8.14%], Salmonella [8.14%], Corynebacteria [4.65%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [4.65%], and Clostridium perfringens [1.16%]. The results showed that all isolated bacteria from diarrheal faeces were sensitive to sulfadiazine. However this antibiotic had weak antibacterial activity against gastrointestinal normal flora

[Multicentric lymphoma in a dog: a case report]

A case report of multicentric lymphoma in a dog. An eleven-year-old German Shepherd dog. Diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of clinical signs, laboratory and radiographic findings and histopathologic studies. An 11-year-old female German Shepherd dog was refered to Veterinary Clinic of University of Shiraz with signs of weakness, inappetance and weight loss. Clinical examinations revealed fever and generalized lymphoadenopathy. Hematologic findings showed lymphocytosis. Multicentric lymphoma was diagnosed using histopathological studies of lymph nodes, bone marrow and internal organs

Comparative study on the effects of a steroidal and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs on blood picture and biochemical factors of sheep

In this study, 10 sheep from Shiraz Veterinary School Animal Husbandary Unit were used. Animal's body weight ranged from 40 to 63 Kgs and their age was from 2-4 years old. Before the start of experiment, three blood samples were taken from the jugular vein. These animals were divided into two groups of 5 animals each. Group I was control and group II as experimental one. In experimental group non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug [phenylbutazone] was injected intramusculary for 5 days [4.4 mg/kg]. Blood samples were collected every day for 12 days and blood parameters were determined. Following 2 months rest, the same experiment was repeated with a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [isoflupredone acetate]. The drug was given [0.1 mg/kg] intramuscularly [IM]. All samples were analysed and the results were compared statistically. In phenylbutazone group WBC increased 12.5%, Hb 1.4%, MCHC 0.4% and cholesterol 10.5%, significantly [p<0.05]. In contrast, BUN decreased 1.3%, calcium 1.6%, inorganic phosphate 7.1%, sodium 2% and potassium 22.7%, significantly [p<0.05]. In isoflupredone acetate group W.B.C. increased 19.6%, neutrophil 17.9%, cholesterol 45.6%, calcium 45.8%, inorganic phosphate 11.9% and sodium 0.6%, significantly [p<0.05]. In contrast, monocytes decreased 34.3%, eosinophils 68.2%, lymphocytes 14.3%, total protein 4%, BUN 22.9% and potassium 6.6%, significantly [p<0.05]

Multifocal premature ventricular contractions in a dog

A five years old female German Shepherd dog with the complaint of vomiting with nonweight bearing lameness on the hind legs was brought to Shiraz University Teaching Hospital. Clinical examination ECG and radiograph indicated the involvement of the cardiovascular system. Symptomatic treatments were not effective and the dog died two days after admission. Autopsy showed vegetative endocarditis of the mirtral valve