Retrospective characterisation of solitary cutaneous histiocytoma with lymph node metastasis in eight dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a small subset of canine solitary cutaneous histiocytoma in which lymph node metastasis has been documented. METHODS: Cases of dogs with solitary cutaneous histiocytoma lesions and regional lymph node metastasis diagnosed via histopathology were found through a retrospective search of the databases of IDEXX Laboratories and the University of California, Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories. Information on signalment, history and clinical follow-up was obtained from the submittal form and/or via a questionnaire to the submitting veterinarian. Slides were available for review in seven cases and when possible immunohistochemistry was reviewed or performed by a single pathologist. RESULTS: Eight cases met the inclusion criteria. The neoplasms had the typical appearance of histiocytomas. All tested samples were immunoreactive for CD18 and lacked immunoreactivity for other lymphocyte markers and CD11d. Immunoreactivity for E-cadherin varied among the neoplasms tested. Outcome was known for five dogs and at the time of manuscript preparation three of those dogs were alive 1682 days, 570 days and 318 days post-diagnosis. Of the other two dogs with known outcome, one was euthanased shortly after diagnosis and another was hit by a car. Of the dogs that were eventually lost to follow-up, one was reported to be disease-free 1003 days after diagnosis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Metastatic histiocytoma is rarely reported and distinction from aggressive disease processes such as histiocytic sarcoma may be difficult. Based upon a small number of cases with known outcomes, some dogs with solitary metastatic histiocytoma may experience favourable outcomes.

Morphometry of the heart of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Alisterus parrots (Alisterus s scapularis) and common buzzards (Buteo buteo).

In order to establish data and reference values for the thickness of the myocardium and the length of the left and the right ventricle of the avian heart, the hearts of 14 budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), five Alisterus parrots (Alisterus s scapularis) (also known as Australian king parrot) and 10 common buzzards (Buteo buteo) of both sexes were examined according to a standard protocol. In order to compare the results of birds of different sizes all data were related to the size of the bird's body (length of the sternum) and the results of the measurements of the myocardial thickness in relation to the length of the heart. Results of different zones were compared by means of statistical methods within one species. Besides that a comparison between the different species was performed. Only minor significant differences were noted.

Parental expectations regarding discussions on psychosocial topics during pediatric office visits.

Parents from urban (n=67) and suburban (n=76) primary care settings responded to a survey determining the extent to which 9 common psychosocial concerns have affected their children. Parents also reported their expectations of their pediatrician to discuss such topics during a health care visit. Within both settings, discipline was the most frequently experienced (41%), commonly discussed (34.3%), and frequently expected (75.4%) topic to be discussed. The frequency of discussions on psychosocial topics was less than half that of the actual reported occurrence of the psychosocial concern. When discussions on psychosocial topics did occur, however, most parents (87.3%) perceived pediatricians as helpful.

Lamotrigine therapy of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis.

PURPOSE: Lamotrigine (LTG), a newer antiepileptic drug (AED), has activity against both partial-onset and generalized seizures. Its reported benefits for behavior, and its effectiveness in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and other forms of refractory epilepsy, make it a logical choice for treatment of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). We present our experience with LTG therapy of epilepsy in 57 patients with TSC. METHODS: Patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for clinically definite TSC. LTG was initiated and increased until improvement in seizure frequency was noted, intolerable side effects occurred, or maximal doses were reached. Seizure frequency and behavioral changes were recorded during LTG therapy and compared with those prior to the introduction of LTG. RESULTS: Twenty-four (42%) were seizure free, and 21 (37%) had a >50% reduction in seizure frequency. Eighteen (32%) had subjectively improved behavior and/or alertness with daily activities. Thirty-eight (67%) had no change in this regard, whereas one (2%) became worse. Responders were more likely to not have a history of infantile spasms, and to have experienced only partial seizures (p < 0.05). Otherwise no phenotypic correlations with response were apparent. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with TSC and epilepsy, LTG was effective and well tolerated, including as initial monotherapy. Improved alertness and behavior were apparent in many patients. The incidence of side effects is similar to that reported for other pediatric populations with symptomatic partial epilepsy. The usefulness of LTG in TSC may relate to an underlying defect of glutamatergic neurotransmission in partial epilepsy.

Hematological toxicity of doxorubicin-containing protocols in dogs with spontaneously occurring malignant tumors.

The medical records of 49 dogs with spontaneously occurring malignant tumors treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy protocols were evaluated for hematological toxicity. Protocols included vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC); 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FAC); doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC); and doxorubicin and dacarbazine (ADIC). Prevalence of Grades 1, 2, or 3 toxicities were less than 30%, and the prevalence of Grade 4 toxicity alone was less than 5%. The frequency of sepsis was less than 2.5% in dogs treated with VAC, FAC, or AC, and it was 15% in dogs treated with ADIC. There were no significant differences in the prevalence or severity of hematological toxicity caused by VAC or AC. Five-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide caused significantly more severe neutropenia than VAC or AC. The low prevalence of hematological complications makes these protocols acceptable for use in practice.

Effects of dietary cysteine on blood sulfur amino acid, glutathione, and malondialdehyde concentrations in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of dietary cysteine on blood sulfur amino acids (SAA), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in cats. ANIMALS: 12 healthy adult cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were fed diets with a nominal (0.50 g/100 g dry matter [DM]), moderate (1.00 g/100 g DM), or high (1.50 g/100 g DM) cysteine content in a 3 X 3 Latin square design with blocks of 8 weeks' duration. Venous blood samples were collected after each diet had been fed for 4 and 8 weeks, and a CBC and serum biochemical analyses were performed; poikilocyte, reticulocyte, and Heinz body counts were determined; and MDA, GSH, GSSG, and SAA concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Blood cysteine and MDA concentrations were not significantly affected by dietary cysteine content. Blood methionine, homocysteine, and GSSG concentrations were significantly increased when cats consumed the high cysteine content diet but not when they consumed the moderate cysteine content diet, compared with concentrations obtained when cats consumed the nominal cysteine content diet. Blood GSH concentrations were significantly increased when cats consumed the moderate or high cysteine content diet. CONCLUSIONS: Increased dietary cysteine content promotes higher blood methionine, homocysteine, GSH, and GSSG concentrations in healthy cats. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Supplemental dietary cysteine may be indicated to promote glutathione synthesis and ameliorate adverse effects of oxidative damage induced by disease or drugs.

Comparison of the effects of asparaginase administered subcutaneously versus intramuscularly for treatment of multicentric lymphoma in dogs receiving doxorubicin.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness and safety of asparaginase administered s.c. versus i.m. for treatment of multicentric lymphoma in dogs receiving doxorubicin. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 49 dogs with multicentric lymphoma. PROCEDURE: Dogs were treated with doxorubicin every 3 weeks, for a total of 5 treatments, and were given 3 weekly treatments of asparaginase, s.c. or i.m. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, mean plasma asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, and glutamic acid concentrations were determined in dogs before and during treatment with asparaginase (10,000 U/m2 of body surface area, once a week for 3 weeks). Asparaginase was administered s.c. in 23 dogs and i.m. in 26 dogs. Variables evaluated included time to response to chemotherapy, remission and survival times, and clinical and serum biochemical indicators of toxicoses. RESULTS: Using the World Health Organization's staging system for lymphoma, 30 dogs were in clinical stage III and 19 were in clinical stage IV. One week after asparaginase treatment, plasma asparagine concentrations were low and plasma aspartic acid, glutamine, and glutamic acid concentrations were high. Differences in plasma amino acid concentrations were not found between s.c. and i.m. groups. For dogs in clinical stage IV, i.m. administration of asparaginase significantly decreased the number of days to complete remission, compared with s.c. administration (8 vs 17 days, respectively). For dogs in clinical stage III, i.m. administration favorably increased the duration of first remission (191 vs 103 days) and survival time (289 vs 209 days). Overall, dogs treated i.m. had a faster response to chemotherapy (9 vs 15 days), a longer remission (191 vs 109 days), and a longer survival time (286 vs 198 days), compared with all dogs treated s.c. Asparaginase toxicoses were not observed regardless of the route of administration. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: For dogs with multicentric lymphoma that are receiving doxorubicin, i.m. treatment with asparaginase is more effective than s.c. treatment.

CT-assisted versus silicone rubber cast morphometry of the lower respiratory tract in healthy amazons (genus Amazona) and grey parrots (genus Psittacus).

The objective of this study was to examine the normal respiratory tract of grey parrots and amazons by using two different methods. The lower respiratory tract of five amazons and four grey parrots, all healthy, were investigated applying computerised tomography (CT). Volumes and densities of the body, the body cavities, the normal lungs, and the airsacs in the living animals were defined as reference values of healthy birds to give a basis for future CT-diagnosis of respiratory diseases and their precise locations in parrots. In a parallel study, the lung and air sac volumes of six amazons and two grey parrots were measured using silicone rubber casts produced after the method described by H.-R. Duncker. Values for identical respiratory structures gained by these different methods were compared.

Adenomatous polyps and carcinoma in situ of the canine colon and rectum: 34 cases (1982-1994).

The medical records of 34 dogs (median age, eight years) with colorectal mucosal lesions were reviewed. Hematochezia was the most common (82%) presenting sign. Most dogs (79%) presented with solitary masses located in the rectum. After histological review, 12 masses were classified as adenomatous polyps and 22 as carcinoma in situ. Recurrence of clinical signs were common (41%), and malignant transformation of the tumor was documented in 18% of the cases. A higher recurrence rate and malignant transformation occurred in dogs presented with multiple masses or diffuse disease and in dogs initially diagnosed with carcinoma in situ.

Doxorubicin alone or in combination with asparaginase, followed by cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone for treatment of multicentric lymphoma in dogs: 121 cases (1987-1995).

OBJECTIVE: To determine response rate and remission as well as survival times for dogs with multicentric lymphoma treated first with doxorubicin alone or in combination with asparaginase and then with cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone (CVP) and to identify prevalence of toxicoses associated with this protocol and factors associated with prognosis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 121 dogs. PROCEDURE: Variables evaluated for prognostic value were initial response rate to chemotherapy, age, breed, sex, body weight, histologic grade, clinical stage and substage, previous corticosteroid treatment, and serum calcium concentration. RESULTS: Median overall remission and survival times for all 121 dogs were 205 and 237 days, respectively. Response rate (complete or partial response) was 88%. Ten dogs were hospitalized because of toxicoses associated with doxorubicin, and 19 dogs were hospitalized because of toxicoses associated with CVP. Asparaginase favorably influenced the initial response rate, but did not significantly influence overall remission of survival times. Initial response rate to chemotherapy, body weight, clinical substage, and serum calcium concentration was found to have prognostic value. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: For dogs with multicentric lymphoma, treatment with doxorubicin alone or in combination with asparaginase and then with CVP resulted in an acceptable response rate and low prevalence of toxicoses.

Size-dependent morphology of the conductive bronchial tree in four species of myomorph rodents.

Size-dependent structural patterns in the conductive bronchial tree of four species of myomorph rodents of different body weight were determined by lung casts. The lungs of the harvest mouse, Micromys minutus, body weight 5-7 g, the house mouse, Mus musculus, body weight 35-45 g, the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, body weight 200-400 g, and the African giant pouched rat, Cricetomys gambianus, body weight 1,200-1,800 g, were inflated to 20 cm H2O, frozen, freeze-dried, hardened, and filled with silicone rubber. The casts were pruned, and branching pattern, diameter, and volume of the conductive bronchial tree were determined using a binocular magnifier. All four species have four lobes on the right lung and an undivided left lung, and the central bronchial tree on either side shows an identical monopodial branching pattern. Although the ramification of the central conductive bronchi is not size-dependent, the diameter and volume are. The diameter of the left main bronchus equals 1.24% of body length in Micromys and 0.6% in Cricetomys, and the conductive bronchial tree makes up 13% of the total lung volume in Micromys and 6% in Cricetomys. Relatively wider airways and a decline in airway resistance with declining body mass in small mammals compared to large ones result in a high ventilatory dead space, which is compensated for by a higher breathing frequency.