Effect of telmisartan, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, or both, on proteinuria and blood pressure in dogs.

BACKGROUND: The use of telmisartan (TEL), an angiotensin-receptor blocker, for the control of systemic hypertension and proteinuria in dogs has not been reported extensively in a clinical setting. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) alone, ACEi in combination with TEL, or TEL alone on systolic blood pressure and proteinuria in dogs with protein losing nephropathy (PLN). ANIMALS: Forty-two client-owned dogs being treated for PLN. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of medical records of dogs at a university teaching hospital from 2012 to 2018 with the use of benazepril or enalapril alone, TEL alone, or both modalities for the management of PLN. Noninvasive blood pressure and urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) were compared among the treatment groups over time. A multivariable mixed-effects linear regression model followed by post hoc analysis was used to estimate the marginal means and differences between the treatment groups. RESULTS: In comparison to group ACEi alone, combination treatment of an ACEi with TEL significantly reduced (P = .007) systolic blood pressure by 13 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 4-22 mm Hg). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor + TEL in comparison to ACEi alone showed significant (P = .01) reduction in UPC of 2.5 (95% CI: 0.6-4.4). The UPC of group ACEi + TEL was significantly lower (P = .01) in comparison to TEL alone by 3.8 (95% CI: 0.8-6.8). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Telmisartan can be used to treat systemic hypertension and proteinuria in dogs.

Ecological level analysis of primary lung tumors in dogs and cats and environmental radon activity.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies suggest residential radon exposure might increase the risk of primary lung cancer in people, but these studies are limited by subject mobility. This limitation might be overcome by evaluating the association in pets. HYPOTHESIS: Primary pulmonary neoplasia (PPN) rate is higher in dogs and cats residing in counties with a high radon exposure risk (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] zone 1) compared to zones 2 (moderate radon exposure risk) and 3 (low radon exposure risk). ANIMALS: Six hundred ninety client-owned dogs and 205 client-owned cats with PPN. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records at 10 veterinary colleges identified dogs and cats diagnosed with PPN between 2010 and 2015. Each patient's radon exposure was determined by matching the patient's zip code with published county radon exposure risk. County level PPN rates were calculated using the average annual county cat and dog populations. The PPN counts per 100 000 dog/cat years at risk (PPN rates) were compared across radon zones for each species. RESULTS: The PPN rate ratio in counties in high radon zone (1) was approximately 2-fold higher than in counties in lower radon zones for dogs (rate ratio zone 1 to 2, 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-4.00; rate ratio zone 1 to 3, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.46-3.59) and cats (rate ratio zone 1 to 2, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.95-4.79; zone 1 to 3, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.9-3.61). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Exposure to household radon might play a role in development of PPN in dogs and cats.