Positive effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a cat with cutaneous nocardiosis.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been beneficial in treating people with nocardiosis. This report describes Nocardia spp. affecting a cat, with lesions confined to the skin. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of HBOT, combined with amikacin, used to successfully treat feline cutaneous nocardiosis.

Le traitement à l'oxygène hyperbar (HBOT) a été bénéfique pour le traitement de la nocardiose chez l'homme. Cet article décrit un chat atteint par Nocardia spp. avec des lésions cantonnées à la peau. A la connaissance des auteurs, ceci est la première description de HBOT, combinée à l'amikacine, utilisée pour traiter avec succès une nocardiose féline.

La terapia con oxígeno hiperbárico (HBOT) ha sido beneficiosa para el tratamiento de personas con nocardiosis. Este informe describe un caso de infección cutánea con Nocardia spp. que afectaba a un gato, con lesiones limitadas a la piel. A entender de los autores, este es el primer informe de HBOT, combinado con amikacina, utilizado para tratar con éxito la nocardiosis cutánea felina.

A oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (OHB) tem sido benéfica no tratamento de pessoas com nocardiose. Este relatório descreve um caso Nocardia spp. afetando um gato, com lesões limitadas à pele. De acordo com o conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro relato do uso de OHB, combinado com amicacina, para tratar com sucesso a nocardiose cutânea felina.

Successful treatment of otodemodicosis due to Demodex cati with sarolaner/selamectin topical solution in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 10-year-old spayed female Russian Blue cat was presented with a 3-month history of excessive otic discharge and scratching, only involving the right ear. Other than a moderate amount of ceruminous exudate present within the right ear on video-otoscopic examination, there were no other cutaneous abnormalities. The cat was deemed to be otherwise in good health based on physical examination and several laboratory profiles. A diagnosis of otodemodicosis was determined due to the presence of a large number of Demodex cati mites retrieved from cerumen. Treatment consisted only of monthly topical application of sarolaner/selamectin to the nape of the neck with a marked reduction in mite counts and otic pruritus after a single dose. Complete resolution was achieved after a total of four doses. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This is the first report to describe the resolution of mite infestation owing to D cati after treatment with a sarolaner-containing spot-on product. In addition, to the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of any isoxazoline product used in the successful treatment of demodicosis affecting the ear canal. In general, there is a lack of reports describing safe and effective treatments for feline otodemodicosis. Topically applied sarolaner/selamectin resulted in resolution of mites while avoiding any potential ototoxic events from medications applied directly into the ear, and provided a treatment that was easier to apply than oral or injectable macrocyclic lactones.

Probable cutaneous adverse drug reaction due to a cannabidiol-containing hemp oil product in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD) in hemp oil has become a widely used product in veterinary medicine. To date, there have been no reports of cutaneous adverse events associated with CBD-containing oil in the veterinary literature. CLINICAL SUMMARY: A 4-year-old castrated male Labrador retriever presented with pad sloughing and rapidly progressive cutaneous and mucosal ulceration within five days of administering an oral CBD oil product. Histopathological findings in combination with cutaneous signs were consistent with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. All lesions completely resolved after discontinuation of the hemp oil in addition to a 12 day course of cephalexin and prednisone. Given the lack of alternative causes including other medications, an adverse drug event was deemed probable according to the Naranjo algorithm. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of suspected cutaneous adverse drug reaction to a CBD-containing hemp oil product.

A retrospective analysis of the use of lokivetmab in the management of allergic pruritus in a referral population of 135 dogs in the western USA.

BACKGROUND: Lokivetmab neutralizes IL-31, a cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs. OBJECTIVE: To review experience of one year of treatment with lokivetmab for the control of pruritus in dogs with allergic dermatitis. ANIMALS: Eighty dogs diagnosed with AD, ten with concurrent adverse food reaction and AD and 45 with allergic dermatitis of undetermined cause. Three dogs were lost to follow- up. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of dogs with allergic dermatitis treated with lokivetmab from November 2015 to October 2016. Treatment success for owner-assessed pruritus was empirically defined as ≥2 cm reduction in Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) from baseline. A ≥50% reduction in pVAS also was recorded. RESULTS: Pruritus improvement was achieved in 116 of 132 dogs (87.8%) following initial lokivetmab administration at 1.8 to 3.7 mg/kg (P < 0.001). A pVAS reduction of ≥50% was recorded in 104 dogs (77.0%). Dogs with severe/very severe pruritus prior to treatment and large/giant sized dogs, had 2.7 and 2.8 times higher odds of treatment success, respectively. There were no significant associations between treatment success and age of onset of clinical signs, disease chronicity, lokivetmab dosage or age at initial lokivetmab administration. Dogs that did not previously respond to oclacitinib were less likely to respond to lokivetmab. Adverse effects including lethargy, vomiting, hyperexcitability, pain at injection site and urinary incontinence were reported in 11 of 132 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Lokivetmab at labelled dosages was a fast, safe and efficacious therapy for the control of pruritus in dogs with allergic dermatitis.

The frequency of urinary tract infection and subclinical bacteriuria in dogs with allergic dermatitis treated with oclacitinib: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Oclacitinib is a selective Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of canine allergic pruritus and atopic dermatitis in dogs. Glucocorticoids and ciclosporin increase urinary tract infection (UTI) frequency in dogs with inflammatory skin disease. OBJECTIVE: Prospective study to evaluate the frequency of UTI and subclinical bacteriuria in dogs with allergic dermatitis receiving oclacitinib. METHODS: Client-owned dogs ≥2 years of age with a history of allergic dermatitis without apparent history of urinary tract disease or predisposition to UTI were included. Prior to enrolment, urinalysis and quantitative urine culture were performed after a washout period of at least 14 days from systemic antimicrobial drugs and 28 days for ciclosporin and systemic glucocorticoids. Dogs received oclacitinib at labelled dosing for an intended period of 180-230 days with a follow-up urinalysis and urine culture performed regardless of urinary tract signs. Systemic antimicrobial and immune-modulating drugs were not administered during the study. RESULTS: None of the 55 dogs in this study developed UTI while receiving oclacitinib based on follow-up urinalysis and urine culture performed during a range of 58-280 days (mean 195 days). Two dogs developed self-limiting abnormal urinary tract signs without urine culture or urinalysis findings consistent with UTI. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These findings indicate that bacteriuria is not an expected adverse effect in dogs treated with oclacitinib without a prior history of UTI or predisposing condition during this treatment period. Therefore, routine urine culture is not indicated for such dogs in the absence of abnormal urinalysis or clinical signs of urinary tract disease.

Safety and tolerability of 0.1% tacrolimus solution applied to the external ear canals of atopic beagle dogs without otitis.

Tacrolimus is a nonsteroidal alternative to treat noninfectious otitis externa (OE) in people. This 21-day study investigated whether twice daily application (0.2 mL/dose) of sterile olive oil based 0.1% tacrolimus suspension in ears of atopic beagle dogs without OE was associated with adverse local reactions, development of OE, change in otic cytology, vestibular dysfunction, or hearing loss detected by brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER). The study was randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled. Twenty-two dogs matched for age and sex were randomized to tacrolimus or vehicle control treatment groups. Two investigators independently evaluated dogs for signs of adverse effects including OE the first 4 days of treatment, then every 3 days. A logistic regression model was fit for each investigator's clinical scores (SAS, 9.2, 2008). Time (P = 0.0032) and group (P = 0.0167) were always significant for OE. Inter-observer reliability of clinical scores was strong, measured using Kappa coefficients and proportion of agreement. All nine exclusions (7/10 control- and 2/12 tacrolimus-treated dogs) were excluded for yeast OE. Inter-observer agreement to exclude was 100%. All dogs not excluded had normal BAER assessments before treatment, weekly during treatment, and after 21 days of treatment. None showed vestibular abnormalities at these times. Tacrolimus blood concentrations (Abbott IMx Tacrolimus II) were below detection limits (3 ng/mL) at baseline and after 21 days of treatment. Results suggest otic application of olive oil based tacrolimus suspension to canine ears with intact tympanic membranes is unlikely to result in hearing loss or vestibular dysfunction but yeast OE is a possible risk.

Systemic hypertension in a dog with a functional thyroid gland adenocarcinoma.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 12-year-old 21.9-kg (48.48-lb) spayed female Alaskan Malamute with a long-term history of panting, polydypsia and polyuria, weight loss, hind limb weakness, and a decrease in appetite was evaluated for hypertension. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Use of Doppler sphygmomanometry revealed a systolic blood pressure of 250 mm Hg (mean value for 5 consecutive measurements). Palpation of the ventral cervical region revealed a fixed asymmetric mass in the area of the lobes of the thyroid gland. The portion of the mass on the right side was approximately 2 x 2 cm, whereas the portion of the mass on the left side was approximately 1 x 1.5 cm. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed on the basis of high serum thyroxine concentrations. Thyroidectomy of both lobes of the gland was performed. Histologic examination revealed a bilateral, multilobulated, and encapsulated thyroid gland adenocarcinoma. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Thyroidectomy of both lobes of the gland was performed with clinical resolution of hypertension. The dog was treated postoperatively with chemotherapeutics, including doxorubicin and carboplatin, and external beam radiation. Calcium and thyroxine homeostasis fluctuated; however, the dog finally achieved concentrations within the respective reference ranges through the administration of calcitriol, calcium carbonate, and levothyroxine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This report describes concurrent hypertension in a dog with a functional thyroid gland adenocarcinoma with subsequent return of blood pressure values to within reference ranges after thyroidectomy.