Retrospective evaluation of hyperosmolar hyperglycemia in 66 dogs (1993-2008).

OBJECTIVES: To clinically characterize a large group of dogs with the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) and to determine whether 2 HHS subgroups, dogs with hyperosmolar ketonuric (HK) diabetes mellitus (DM) and dogs with hyperosmolar nonketonuric (HNK) DM were clinically different from one another. DESIGN: Retrospective study. Records of 1,250 diabetic dogs that were examined between January 1993 and July 2008 were reviewed in order to identify dogs with HHS. Inclusion required a calculated serum osmolality ≥325 mOsm/kg, with or without ketonuria. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Sixty-six dogs with HHS including 34 dogs with HK, 25 dogs with HNK, and 7 dogs with unclassified HHS. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: HHS was diagnosed in 5% of dogs with DM. HK and HNK dogs were similar to one another in regard to most historical, physical examination, and clinicopathologic variables as well as outcome. Sixty-two percent of dogs with HHS survived to discharge from the hospital. Poor outcome of HHS dogs was associated with abnormal mental status (P = 0.03) and a low venous pH (P = 0.045). Dogs with HK were significantly more likely to have acute pancreatitis (P = 0.046), higher body temperature (P = 0.006), higher WBC count (P = 0.01), and a shorter duration of clinical signs (P = 0.02) compared to dogs with HNK. Dogs with HNK had significantly higher BUN and creatinine concentrations (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.008, respectively) and higher calculated osmolality (P = 0.001) compared to dogs with HK. CONCLUSIONS: HHS is a rare condition in which poor outcome is associated with abnormal mental status and low venous pH. Among dogs with HHS, the subgroup of dogs with HK has significantly more acute pancreatitis, shorter duration of clinical signs, and higher body temperature and WBC count compared to dogs with HNK, whereas dogs with HNK have more azotemia and higher calculated osmolality compared to dogs with HK.

Skin fragility syndrome in a cat with feline infectious peritonitis and hepatic lipidosis.

A 6-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat with a 3-week history of inappetence, weight loss, and hiding was examined. A palpable abdominal fluid wave, dehydration, and a small tear on the left flank were noted during initial examination. When the cat was gently restrained for blood sampling, the skin on the dorsal neck tore, leaving a 15 cm x 7 cm flap of skin. Clinicopathological abnormalities included nonregenerative anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, increased globulin concentration, and mildly elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Abdominal fluid was viscous and had a total protein of 5.3 g dL(-1) with 316 cells microL(-1), consistent with a modified transudate. Cytology of the abdominal fluid revealed 86% nondegenerate neutrophils, 13% macrophages, and 1% small lymphocytes. Histopathological evaluation and indirect immunohistochemistry confirmed a diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis, hepatic lipidosis and feline skin fragility syndrome. Feline skin fragility syndrome has not previously been reported in association with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Its inclusion as a clinical sign associated with FIP may facilitate a diagnosis.

Treatment of severe adverse cutaneous drug reactions with human intravenous immunoglobulin in two dogs.

Severe adverse cutaneous reactions were documented in two dogs with acute skin lesions and systemic signs after exposure to several oral and injectable drugs. Because of the high morbidity and mortality rates of many severe cutaneous drug reactions and a poor response to supportive care, wound management, and conventional immunosuppressive therapy, human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was infused on 2 consecutive days (1 g/kg per day) after informed consent was received. Human IVIG, with supportive care, resulted in rapid resolution of dermatological and systemic signs in both dogs; this treatment may be considered in other cases of severe cutaneous drug reactions.