Outcomes in dogs with uncomplicated, presumptive bacterial pneumonia treated with short or long course antibiotics.

This is a prospective, observational investigation without a placebo arm to evaluate the resolution rate of pneumonia when using 14 days or less of antibiotic therapy compared to longer therapy in dogs. There was no significant difference in radiographic resolution or relapse rates between the 2 treatment groups.

Résultats chez les chiens atteints d'une présumée pneumonie bactérienne sans complication traitée à l'aide d'un traitement aux antibiotiques de courte ou de longue durée. Il s'agit d'une enquête prospective observationnelle sans groupe placebo pour évaluer le taux de résolution de la pneumonie lors du recours à 14 jours ou moins de traitement antibiotique comparativement à des thérapies plus longues chez les chiens. Il n'y avait aucune différence significative dans la résolution radiographique ou les taux de rechute entre les 2 groupes de traitement.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Use of 20% intravenous lipid emulsion for the treatment of loperamide toxicosis in a Collie homozygous for the ABCB1-1∆ mutation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful treatment of loperamide toxicosis in a dog using intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE). CASE SUMMARY: An 8-month-old male neutered Rough Collie weighing 20.0 kg was given a total dose of 0.75 mg/kg loperamide over 3 days as treatment for diarrhea. The dog was subsequently evaluated for signs of dull mentation, anxiety, ptyalism and ataxia, thought to be a result of loperamide intoxication. The dog was treated with a 1.5 mL/kg IV bolus of 20% ILE solution followed by 0.25 mL/kg/min of the same solution for 2 hours. The dog's mentation improved rapidly following ILE infusion, and he was neurologically normal 3 hours after initiation of ILE treatment. The dog was subsequently found to be homozygous for the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene (ABCB1-1∆) mutation. There were no adverse effects noted during or following ILE infusion. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: ILE was successful in the treatment of loperamide toxicosis in a Collie with the ABCB1-1∆ mutation. ILE may be of benefit for treatment of other intoxications in dogs with ABCB1-1Δ mutations.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa associated with abdominal abscess formation, hypotension, and acute abdominal pain in a puppy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the presence of heterotopic gastric mucosa forming an abscess associated with acute abdominal pain and shock in a puppy. CASE SUMMARY: A 7-month-old male intact Shih-Tzu was presented to the emergency service for evaluation of a 12-hour history of vomiting and lethargy progressing to weakness. On presentation, the puppy was obtunded and hypotensive. Radiographs revealed an ill-defined mid-ventral abdominal mass. Ultrasound revealed an echogenic, fluid-filled mass associated with the jejunum. The puppy had an exploratory celiotomy and a 2 × 4 cm oval fluid-filled soft tissue mass was found to be intimately associated, but not communicating with, a section of the mid-jejunum. The mass and associated jejunum were removed via enterectomy. Histopathology of the resected mass revealed heterotopic gastric mucosa; bacterial culture of the fluid contained in the mass revealed heavy growth of Escherichia coli. The puppy recovered from surgery, was discharged from the hospital, and has had no further complications from this episode. UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Heterotopic gastric mucosa is commonly found incidentally on necropsy. When it has been associated with acute gastrointestinal signs, mechanical intestinal obstruction with or without perforation was noted. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of heterotopic gastric mucosa leading to abscess formation and acute abdominal pain in the dog.

Use of thromboelastography in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia: 39 cases (2000-2008).

OBJECTIVE: To analyze thromboelastograms (TEGs) of naturally occurring cases of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in order to identify whether a hypercoagulable state was present and whether its presence was associated with differences in survival. DESIGN: Retrospective study spanning January 2000 to June 2008. Medical records of dogs were evaluated. Endpoints were considered death or discharge from the hospital. SETTING: Academic teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Thirty-nine dogs with a diagnosis of IMHA and at least one TEG performed during hospitalization were included. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Four values were evaluated from the TEG: the R time (R), K time (K), alpha angle (alpha), and maximum amplitude. From these values, a coagulation index (CI) was calculated to classify patients as normocoagulable, hypercoagulable, or hypocoagulable. Thirty-three of 39 patients were hypercoagulable based on the CI. The 6 remaining dogs were normocoagulable. The patients with a normocoagulable CI had an increased mortality rate (100%) when compared with the hypercoagulable patients using Fisher's exact test (P=0.02). Additionally, prolongation of partial thromboplastin time did not preclude hypercoagulable TEG values. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of dogs with IMHA were hypercoagulable as measured by TEG. A normal CI was associated with a worse outcome in this patient population. TEG may provide additional and complementary information to prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time relating to coagulation status in dogs with IMHA and may help predict prognosis and potentially guide clinical decisions to utilize anticoagulant drugs.