Mycoplasma infection of the middle ear in three cats.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma spp. are commensal organisms found in association with the mucus membranes of all mammalian species and are implicated in bacterial infections of many different locations. Mycoplasma spp. as a primary pathogen associated with otitis media in cats has not been reported. OBJECTIVES: To describe three cats with Mycoplasma infection of the middle ear associated with various underlying disease processes. ANIMALS: Three client-owned cats. METHODS: Clinical examination, aerobic culture of the middle ear and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the skull. RESULTS: Mycoplasma spp. were grown on aerobic culture from the middle ear of three cats. In Case 1, concurrent neoplasia of the bulla was identified. Mycoplasma alone was cultured in Case 2 and Mycoplasma was grown in addition to Bordetella in Case 3. Case 1 was euthanized, Case 2 responded to Mycoplasma targeted therapy and Case 3 responded to Bordetella targeted therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Mycoplasma infections of the middle ear may be clinically important and require targeted treatment in some cases.

Use of mycophenolate mofetil to treat immune-mediated skin disease in 14 dogs - a retrospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a lymphocytotoxic immunosuppressive agent used in human and companion animal medicine for the treatment of immune-mediated disease. Mycophenolate mofetil is reported to have reduced myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity when compared to azathioprine. OBJECTIVES: It was hypothesized that treatment with MMF as a secondary agent with glucocorticoids would be effective in treating immune-mediated skin disease. In addition, adverse effects associated with the drug are reported. ANIMALS: Fourteen dogs from a hospital population diagnosed with immune-mediated skin disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records from 2010 to 2015 was used to identify dogs with immune-mediated skin disease that were treated with MMF. RESULTS: All dogs were treated with MMF (mean dose 14.7 mg/kg twice daily) in conjunction with glucocorticoids. Ten of 14 cases showed positive results, with complete remission in eight cases and partial remission in two cases. Mean time to remission was 5.7 weeks. Therapy was discontinued in one case (perianal fistula) due to lack of response. Adverse events were noted in six cases and included diarrhoea (n = 6), haematochezia (n = 2), vomiting (n = 3) and papilloma formation (n = 1). Therapy was discontinued in two cases with diarrhoea. Mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued in an additional case because of a diagnosis of neoplasia. All other adverse events were self-limiting or easily medically managed. No hepatotoxicity or bone marrow suppression was noted. CONCLUSION: This study supports the use of MMF as a second-line immunotherapeutic in immune-mediated skin disease in dogs.

Erythema multiforme associated with zonisamide in a dog.

This report describes a dog that developed erythema multiforme in temporal association with administration of the sulphonamide-based anticonvulsant drug zonisamide. Similar adverse drug reactions have been associated with sulphonamide antimicrobial drugs. Caution should be exercised when prescribing this medication for dogs with known hypersensitivity to sulphonamides.