Acute phase protein response in dogs with experimentally induced gastric mucosal injury.

BACKGROUND: The acute phase response is part of the innate defense system of an animal against trauma, inflammation, and infection. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the acute phase response in dogs with acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastric mucosal injuries and to determine its potential diagnostic significance. METHODS: Ten, healthy, cross-breed dogs (6 females and 4 males) were given oral acetylsalicylic acid in a single oral dose of 200 mg/kg for the experimental model of acute gastric mucosal injury. Heparinized blood samples were collected before (day 0) and on days 1, 4, and 7 after acetylsalicylic acid administration to determine plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), haptoglobin, fibrinogen, total protein, albumin, and iron concentrations. Total WBC counts were done in whole blood. Endoscopy was done on each of the selected days, and gastric lesions were scored and localized. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic linear erosions were found in all dogs on day 1, concurrent with significant increases in CRP, SAA, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen concentrations, and in WBC counts; however, iron concentration was decreased. Peak haptoglobin and fibrinogen concentrations occurred on day 4, at which time only nonhemorrhagic lesions were observed endoscopically. On day 7, results for all analytes except haptoglobin had returned to baseline levels, along with resolution of most gastric lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that a rapid acute phase protein response occurs after induced gastric mucosal injury in dogs and may be potentially useful together with gastroscopy in the diagnosis and monitoring of gastric injury.

Efficacy of topical administration of eprinomectin for treatment of ear mite infestation in six rabbits.

Six rabbits naturally infested with Psoroptes cuniculi were treated topically on the skin at the base of the neck with 0.5 mg kg(-1) of 0.5% pour-on eprinomectin for cattle, twice at 14-day intervals. Efficacy of the drug was based on the disappearance of clinical signs and the absence of live mites for a period of 6 weeks. Clinical improvement was seen within 3 days of the first application; however, complete recovery of clinical signs and elimination of mites in 5/6 rabbits did not occur until the end of the study. No adverse reactions attributable to eprinomectin treatment were observed during the observation period. Results of this trial indicated that eprinomectin was partially effective in the treatment of psoroptic mange in rabbits.

Use of doramectin for treatment of sarcoptic mange in five Angora rabbits.

The efficacy of administering doramectin after moxidectin treatment, which has previously proved only partially effective, was evaluated in five Angora rabbits naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei mange. Evaluations included physical examination for clinical signs of sarcoptic mange and collection of skin scrapings for determination of mites. The rabbits first received two subcutaneous injections, 10 days apart, of moxidectin 1% injectable solution at a dosage of 0.2 mg kg(-1) of bodyweight. Although moxidectin treatment resulted in clinical improvement within 10 days post initial injection, on days 10 and 35 post initial treatment live mites were present in skin scrapings. Administration of doramectin 1% injectable solution using the same route and dosage and at similar intervals to moxidectin led to complete disappearance of signs of scabies and parasitological cure in all rabbits.

Serum concentration of some acute phase proteins in naturally occurring canine babesiosis: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Serum concentrations of acute phase proteins can provide valuable diagnostic information in the detection, prognosis, or monitoring of disease. Information available on the acute phase response in naturally occurring canine babesiosis is limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to retrospectively evaluate serum concentrations of haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and ceruloplasmin in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis. METHODS: Haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and ceruloplasmin concentrations were measured in serum samples from dogs with uncomplicated (n = 6) and complicated (n = 1) babesiosis and compared with 6 healthy dogs. RESULTS: Serum C-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with babesiosis; however, serum haptoglobin concentration was significantly lower compared with control dogs (P <.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that acute phase protein concentrations could be beneficial in the diagnosis and determination of the severity of babesiosis in dogs.