Retrospective evaluation of albuterol inhalant exposure in dogs: 36 cases (2007-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features, clinicopathological features, treatment, and outcome of dogs presented for albuterol exposure. DESIGN: Retrospective case series from January 2007 to December 2017. SETTING: Tertiary veterinary facility. ANIMALS: Thirty-six client-owned dogs presenting for known or suspected albuterol exposure secondary to chewing on albuterol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All dogs presented with clinical signs attributable to albuterol exposure. The most common physical examination abnormality was sinus tachycardia, noted in 34 of 36 (94%) dogs. Twenty-seven patients (75%) were admitted to the hospital for therapy, with a median length of hospitalization of 20.5 hours (16.75-24.5). Thirty-two of 36 dogs had serum electrolytes evaluated at admission, with 22 of 32 (69%) presenting with hypokalemia ([K+] < 3.62 mmol/L]). Hyperlactatemia ([lactate] > 2.80 mmol/L) was noted in 23 of 28 (82%) dogs. A negative correlation was found between serum lactate and potassium (r = -0.64, r2  = 0.40, P = 0.0003). Hyperglycemia ([glucose] > 6.44 mmol/L) was noted in 20 of 30 (67%) dogs. Beta antagonist therapy was utilized in 20 of 36 (56%) of dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, albuterol intoxication can lead to significant clinical and electrolyte abnormalities. Albuterol-induced hypokalemia and associated tachyarrhythmias can be successfully managed, and albuterol intoxication has an excellent prognosis for survival to discharge. A minimum database should be evaluated in all dogs presenting for suspected albuterol exposure, with lactate and glucose monitored carefully in dogs with moderate or severe hypokalemia given the correlation found.

Effect of peritoneal lavage on bacterial isolates in 40 dogs with confirmed septic peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bacterial isolates, antimicrobial drug susceptibility, and change in resistance among pre- and post-lavage culture samples in dogs with septic peritonitis. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Private practice referral hospital. ANIMALS: Forty client-owned dogs with confirmed septic peritonitis requiring surgical intervention. INTERVENTIONS: All dogs had perioperative abdominal lavage following source control with 200 to 300 mL/kg 0.9% sterile saline. Pre- and post-lavage aerobic and anaerobic culture samples were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-five of 40 dogs (87.5%) survived to hospital discharge. The likelihood of an aerobic organism to have multidrug resistance (resistance to 3 or more antimicrobial classes) post-lavage was a third of that pre-lavage (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% CI [0.17-0.68], P = 0.01). Thirty-nine of 40 dogs (97.5%) received appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy based on pre- and post-lavage culture results, of which 5 (12.8%) did not survive to discharge. The single dog with inappropriate antimicrobial therapy survived to discharge. The most frequent isolates detected included Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Enterococcus faecalis. The same organism based on species was isolated in pre- and post-lavage cultures in 32 dogs, accounting for 59 anaerobic and aerobic isolates. There was a new bacterial isolate detected in 20 dogs, accounting for 46 isolates and an overall total decrease of 14 isolates between pre- and post-lavage culture (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is a significant decrease in the likelihood of isolating a multidrug resistant organism following peritoneal lavage, and aerobic and anaerobic culture results have the potential to change following peritoneal lavage, although this cannot be confirmed without further studies. Overall survival rates were higher than previously reported in the literature for septic peritonitis.

Dynamic upper airway obstruction secondary to severe feline asthma.

A 2 yr old castrated male cat presented to an emergency referral facility for several episodes of gagging, nonproductive coughing, and increased respiratory effort. He was diagnosed with inspiratory stridor and referred to another emergency referral practice for further diagnostics. Three separate, sedated oral examinations, nasal computed tomography (CT), rhinoscopic biopsies, and tracheoscopy showed no structural causes for the cat's stridor. An endotracheal wash was consistent with feline asthma. Blood work showed a peripheral eosinophilia and exposure to Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis). The feline asthma was treated with albuterol, fluticasone, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and terbutaline. Despite aggressive therapy for feline asthma, the cat had several episodes of severe inspiratory respiratory distress and stridor secondary to an upper airway obstruction. After 3 days of hospitalization, a temporary tracheostomy was performed and no further episodes of respiratory distress were noted. The tracheostomy tube was removed 3 days later, and the cat was discharged on the fourth day. At a 14 mo follow-up examination, the client reported no further episodes of respiratory distress, coughing, or gagging. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of dynamic upper airway obstruction secondary to feline asthma.

Baclofen toxicosis in dogs and cats: 145 cases (2004-2010).

OBJECTIVE: To identify dogs and cats with baclofen toxicosis and characterize the patient population, clinical signs, and outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 140 dogs and 5 cats with baclofen toxicosis. PROCEDURES: An animal poison control center electronic database was reviewed from November 2004 through April 2010 to identify dogs and cats with baclofen toxicosis. Information on signalment, clinical signs, and amount of baclofen ingested was obtained. Clinical signs were categorized as CNS, gastrointestinal, general malaise, cardiovascular, respiratory, or urogenital. Follow-up communications were performed to determine overall outcome. RESULTS: Dogs had a median age of 0.67 years (range, 0.1 to 15 years) and cats of 1 year (range, 0.7 to 16 years). Of 145 patients, 133 (92%) developed clinical signs of baclofen toxicosis. A total of 259 signs fell within defined categories: CNS (121/259 [46.7%]), gastrointestinal (69/259 [26.6%]), general malaise (27/259 [10.4%]), cardiovascular (23/259 [8.9%]), respiratory (14/259 [5.4%]), and urogenital (5/259 [1.9%]). For 68 dogs with known survival status, survival rate was 83.8% (57/68); of these dogs, the amount of baclofen ingested was known for 53 (46 survivors and 7 nonsurvivors). Amount of baclofen ingested was significantly lower in survivor dogs (median, 4.2 mg/kg [1.91 mg/lb]; range, 0.61 to 61 mg/kg [0.28 to 27.7 mg/lb]), compared with nonsurvivor dogs (median, 14 mg/kg [6.4 mg/lb]; range, 2.3 to 52.3 mg/kg [1.04 to 23.77 mg/lb]. Of 5 cats, 2 survived, 1 died, and 2 had unknown outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical signs of baclofen toxicosis occurred in most patients, with the CNS being the system most commonly affected.

Myasthenia gravis in dogs with an emphasis on treatment and critical care management.

OBJECTIVE: To review the human and veterinary literature on the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis (MG) and describe treatment options for clinical use in people and animals. DATA SOURCES: Human and veterinary clinical reports, studies and reviews, textbooks, and recent research findings in MG from 1996 present, with a focus on treatment and patient management. HUMAN DATA SYNTHESIS: MG is a well-described condition in people with new research and treatment options available. Many of the newest therapeutic options available in veterinary medicine for MG are based on current strategies used in people with this condition. Seronegative MG is well described in people and provides insight to clinical cases encountered in veterinary medicine when the index of suspicion is high though serologic tests are negative. VETERINARY DATA SYNTHESIS: Previous studies in veterinary medicine focused on the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as the main form of treatment in canine MG. Recent studies, mainly case series and case reports, emphasize the use of immunomodulatory treatments as an alternative for long-term treatment. However, there are no randomized, controlled studies on treatment with immunomodulatory therapy for MG in dogs available to assess the efficacy of this treatment strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Although early recognition of clinical signs is most important in the outcome of patients with MG, further understanding the pathophysiology of MG may lead to earlier diagnosis and novel treatment strategies. The discovery of additional autoantibodies against striated muscle proteins in dogs, should enhance our understanding of diseases affecting the neuromuscular junction. In addition, clinical data for canine MG could be applied to other autoimmune disorders.