Use of ketoprofen as an antipyretic in cats.

The antipyretic effectiveness of Ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was investigated in pyretic cats with a variety of bacterial and viral infections. Cats were randomly assigned to receive either a broad-spectrum antibiotic or a broad-spectrum antibiotic plus ketoprofen. Body temperature was monitored 3 times daily, and attitude and appetite were evaluated once daily. The treatment groups were compared with respect to mean body temperatures, using a one-way analysis of variance. Mean temperatures were significantly different (P < 0.05) during the 4 and 8 h post-treatment observations, with a reduction to normal temperatures in the ketoprofen group compared with no change in the group treated with antibiotics alone. The antipyretic effect of ketoprofen was rapid and persisted for at least 8 h, but for less than 24 h. The overall recovery period from pyrexia, depression, and inappetance was also shorter in cats treated with antibiotics and ketoprofen (3 d) than in cats treated only with antibiotics (5 d). Ketoprofen was a useful adjunct in the treatment of pyretic cats.

Clinical efficacy and safety of clenbuterol HCl when administered to effect in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A field study of 239 horses was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of clenbuterol HCl, a beta 2-adrenergic bronchodilator, when administered incrementally to effect in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The severity of COPD (heaves) and response to treatment was determined by clinical evaluation; an overall 'heaveiness rating' (OHR) was assigned at each observation. The horses were treated orally b.i.d. with clenbuterol (as Ventipulmin Syrup), beginning with the lowest dosage of 0.8 micrograms/kg. On day 10 of treatment at the effective dose (0.8, 1.6, 2.4 or 3.2 micrograms/kg), treatment was either withdrawn (Schedule A) or continued for an additional 20 days (Schedule B). Horses on Schedule A demonstrated a significant improvement in the mean OHR on treatment Day 10 compared to the baseline overall heaveiness rating (BOHR) and a significant increase in the mean OHR (relapse) after the drug was withdrawn. Schedule B horses showed significant improvement (compared to BOHR) on treatment Days 10, 20 and 30. Incremental dosing with clenbuterol provided clinical improvement in 75% of the horses with a lower 95% confidence limit of 71%. Twenty-five percent were nonresponders. A greater percentage of the more severely affected horses required the 3.2 micrograms/kg dosage or were nonresponders compared to horses with a lower BOHR. Side effects of sweating, muscle tremor, and nervousness were of low intensity (mild to moderate) and frequency (< 7% of all observations) due to the regimen of incremental dosing to effect.

The molecular weight of therapeutic hyaluronan (sodium hyaluronate): how significant is it?

Various molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) preparations have been injected into joints for the treatment of human and equine osteoarthritis. A therapeutic advantage has been claimed for commercial products with a molecular weight in the range found in normal synovial fluid (SF), compared to lower molecular weight products. But a correlation between molecular weight and efficacy is not borne out by an analysis of the available literature on clinical results. SF viscosity, HA concentration, HA molecular weight and rate of synthesis in joint disease. It is proposed that the beneficial effect of injected HA in joint disease may be due to pharmacological rather than to physical properties.