Novel Rickettsia Species Infecting Dogs, United States.

In 2018 and 2019, spotted fever was suspected in 3 dogs in 3 US states. The dogs had fever and hematological abnormalities; blood samples were Rickettsia seroreactive. Identical Rickettsia DNA sequences were amplified from the samples. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis showed the dogs were infected with a novel Rickettsia species related to human Rickettsia pathogens.

Bilateral patellar fractures and increased cortical bone thickness associated with long-term oral alendronate treatment in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 14-year-old cat presented with bilateral patellar fractures and radiographically thickened tibial cortices. This cat had been treated with alendronate for 8 years prior to presentation. To remove the subjectivity of the radiographic evaluation, tibial radiographs from 35 apparently healthy geriatric cats were used for comparison. Cortical and diaphyseal thickness were measured at the proximal and distal thirds of the tibia. Our cat had increased cortical bone thickness compared to that of the control cats. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Treatment with bisphosphonates can lead to brittle bones and fractures after prolonged use in humans. This is the first description of fractures and cortical bone changes that may have been associated with prolonged bisphosphonate use in a cat. Radiographic measurements of cortical bone thickness may identify cats that are at increased risk for bone pathology secondary to prolonged alendronate use.

Update on Feline Ionized Hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia in cats is recognized with increased frequency, especially idiopathic hypercalcemia, which is the most common cause. Idiopathic hypercalcemia seems to be unique to the cat, not occurring in the dog as a specific syndrome. There are many causes of hypercalcemia, and diagnosis relies on evaluation of clinical signs, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, and evaluation of calcium metabolic hormones. With an accurate diagnosis, treatment options can be tailored to the individual.

A Quick Reference on Hypocalcemia.

Primary hypoparathyroidism should be considered in dogs with vague signs, including tremors, facial rubbing, and seizures. Ionized hypocalcemia should be considered in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy, especially lymphangiectasia caused by hypovitaminosis D. Ionized hypocalcemia typically occurs only in advanced chronic kidney disease.

A Quick Reference on Hypercalcemia.

In dogs, neoplasia is the most common cause of hypercalcemia, followed by primary hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and hypoadrenocorticism. In cats, idiopathic hypercalcemia is the most common cause, followed by chronic kidney disease and then neoplasia. Prognosis and treatment ultimately depend on the cause of the hypercalcemia.

Effects of gemcitabine and gemcitabine in combination with carboplatin on five canine transitional cell carcinoma cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro effects of gemcitabine alone and in combination with carboplatin on canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines. SAMPLE: In vitro cultures of 5 canine TCC cell lines. PROCEDURES: Cells were treated with gemcitabine, carboplatin, or a combination of both at various concentrations. Cell proliferation was assessed via a fluorescence-based microplate cell proliferation assay. Cell cycle was evaluated via propidium iodide staining, and apoptosis was assessed by measurement of caspase 3 and 7 enzymatic activity. Synergy between gemcitabine and carboplatin was quantified via combination index analyses. RESULTS: Treatment of 5 canine TCC cell lines with gemcitabine or carboplatin decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were markedly increased when cell lines were treated with both gemcitabine and carboplatin simultaneously or sequentially. Order of administration during sequential treatment did not consistently affect cell proliferation results in TCC cell lines. When TCC cell lines were treated with gemcitabine and carboplatin in combination at therapeutically relevant concentrations (gemcitabine concentration, < 10µM; carboplatin concentration, < 250µM), a significant decrease in cell proliferation was observed, compared with cell proliferation following treatment with gemcitabine or carboplatin alone. In combination, the effects of gemcitabine and carboplatin were synergistic in 3 of 5 cell lines and additive in the other 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gemcitabine had antitumor effects on canine TCC cells in vitro, and the combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin had synergistic activity at biologically achievable concentrations.

Endoscopic diagnosis of a pylorogastric intussusception with spontaneous resolution.

A 7 mo old intact female golden retriever was evaluated for acute vomiting. Abdominal radiographs revealed a possible gastric foreign body. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an edematous, tubular antral mass, which on further evaluation was determined to be a pylorogastric intussusception based on radiographic, endoscopic, and surgical findings. Spontaneous resolution of the intussusception occurred upon surgical exploration of the abdomen. Histopathology of a full-thickness gastric biopsy revealed vascular congestion consistent with an intussusception, but did not indicate the primary cause. The dog recovered uneventfully from surgery and had no further vomiting during the 6 mo follow-up period. This case was significant as it was the first report of pylorogastric intussusception diagnosed using endoscopy. This description of the unique endoscopic appearance of pylorogastric intussusception will be useful for the veterinary endoscopist.

Metabolic complications of endocrine surgery in companion animals.

Metabolic complications of endocrine surgery occur commonly and precautions should be taken to avoid potentially life-threatening situations and to lessen expense associated with a more extended hospital stay. Common complications of endocrine surgery as well as prevention strategies will be reviewed for pancreatic, parathyroid, and adrenal surgery.