Human dirofilariasis.

Although canine dirofilariasis has been recognized for over 300 years human dirofilariasis has received relatively little attention. Although human beings are dead-end hosts they can become infected and develop lesions associated with infection. Although these lesions are typically benign they may be misdiagnosed as more important disease and prompt unnecessary diagnostic procedures with attendant cost, discomfort and morbidity. In heavily endemic areas human dirofilariasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for solitary pulmonary "coin" lesions. More widespread serologic screening and epidemiologic surveys are necessary to ascertain the importance of human dirofilariasis.

Use of human recombinant erythropoietin and prednisone for treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome with erythroid predominance in a dog.

A 7-year-old German Shepherd dog was referred for evaluation of severe nonregenerative anemia (PCV, 10%; reticulocyte fraction, 0.2%). Cytologic examination of a bone marrow aspirate indicated erythroid predominance and dyserythropoiesis, and a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with erythroid predominance was made. The dog was given a single blood transfusion and was treated with prednisone and recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). Eight weeks later, anemia had resolved. The dog remained clinically normal 30 months after treatment, with a PCV of 45%. Results suggest that EPO may be useful in the treatment of dogs with MDS with erythroid predominance or erythroleukemia. Additional studies are required to confirm the benefit of EPO to manage MDS-associated anemia in dogs.

Mescalbean (Sophora secundiflora) toxicity in a dog.

Mescalbean (Sophora secundiflora) toxicity is reported in a dog. Mescalbean toxicity causes intolerance to exercise, muscle rigidity and collapse upon exercise, with a rapid recovery upon resting in dogs. Mescalbean toxicity is a rare cause of the periodic weakness/syncope class of diseases in dogs in areas of the habitat of Sophora secundiflora.

Evaluation of accuracy of pulse oximetry in dogs.

The accuracy of a pulse oximeter was evaluated over a wide range of arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions, using 2 probes (finger probe and ear probe) and 2 monitoring sites (tongue and tail) in anesthetized dogs. The arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO2) measured directly with a multiwavelength spectrophotometer was compared with saturation estimated by pulse oximetry (SpO2). Linear regression analysis of the pooled data from 399 simultaneous measurements of SpO2 and SaO2 indicated a highly significant correlation of SpO2 with SaO2 (r = 0.97; P less than or equal to 0.0001). Although the mean difference (+/- SD) between SpO2 and SaO2 for pooled data was small (-0.06 +/- 6.8%), SpO2 tended to underestimate high SaO2 values (greater than or equal to 70%) and to overestimate low SaO2 values (less than 70%). When SaO2 values were greater than or equal to 70%, the ear probe applied to the tail was less accurate (produced a significantly greater SpO2-SaO2 difference) than the ear probe on the tongue, or the finger probe at either site. When SaO2 values were less than or equal to 50%, the finger probe applied at the tail was more accurate (produced significantly smaller SpO2-SaO2 differences) than the ear probe at either site. When SaO2 values were less than or equal to 70%, high arterial carbon dioxide tension (greater than or equal to 60 mm of Hg) was associated with greater overestimation of SaO2.

Milrinone. A clinical trial in 29 dogs with moderate to severe congestive heart failure.

Milrinone, a positive inotropic drug with vasodilating properties, was administered at doses of 0.5 to 1 mg/kg orally twice daily to 29 dogs with moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF). Significant echocardiographic improvement in ventricular systolic function was observed after 3 days of administration of milrinone and at the patients' last echocardiographic observation (day 21 in 25 subjects, day 7 in 2 subjects, and day 3 in 2 subjects). Echocardiographic shortening fraction at the initial measurement had a median increase of 6.14% (P less than 0.001), and for the last observation a 2.83% increase (P less than 0.005). Most patients also showed improvement in their clinical signs as assessed by the veterinarian (72%) and by owner's evaluation (81%). No consistent problem or adverse reaction to milrinone was observed, except for a small number of clinically manageable ventricular dysrhythmias. Milrinone appears in this trial to be effective for the treatment of advanced CHF in dogs.

Echocardiography: principles of interpretation.

Doppler echocardiography allows the serial, noninvasive collection of quantitative hemodynamic information. When coupled with the results of physical examination, thoracic radiographs, ECG, and routine cross-sectional and M-mode echocardiogram, DE helps identify the nature as well as the severity of cardiac disease. As more experience is gained with DE, more applications will be discovered and the indications for more invasive diagnostic tests including cardiac catheterization will diminish.

Echocardiographic and clinical effects of milrinone in dogs with myocardial failure.

Milrinone is a recently synthesized bypyridine compound with positive inotropic and arteriolar dilating properties in persons and experimental animals. To examine the efficacy and safety of milrinone to treat myocardial failure in dogs, dogs with myocardial failure were selected from the patient populations of 3 veterinary hospitals. Progressively increased dosages of milrinone, from 0.05 to 1.0 mg/kg of body weight, were administered over 14 days, and cardiac responses, as determined by M-mode echocardiography, and clinical responses were recorded. An effective dosage of milrinone was identified for each dog and administered for 4 weeks to evaluate the stability of the cardiac response. A randomized blinded study of drug vs nondrug capsule or nondrug elixer (designated placebo) was performed at the end of 4 weeks to eliminate possible effects of investigator bias or spontaneous regression of the disease. The duration of drug effect was determined by evaluating echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular function for 12 hours after drug administration. Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function improved in dogs given milrinone. The effective dosage was between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg. Tolerance to milrinone did not develop during the 4-week study. In dogs given placebo during the randomized blinded study, echocardiographic values decreased significantly. Dogs that were given milrinone remained echocardiographically stable. During the study, 6 dogs improved clinically, 5 remained the same, 1 had a decrease in exercise tolerance, 1 died of severe heart failure, and 1 died of hypoadrenocorticism. Ventricular tachydysrhythmia was exacerbated in 2 dogs, but was not treated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multiple atrial dysrhythmias in a horse.

A variety of atrial dysrhythmias including paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, atrial tachycardia with 2nd-grade atrioventricular block, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter developed in a 5-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Quinidine and propranolol were not successful in restoring normal sinus rhythm. Sinus rhythm was re-established during digoxin therapy, but later reverted to atrial dysrhythmia. At necropsy, multiple, discrete pale areas were found on both atria and the interatrial myocardium. Histologic examination of these lesions demonstrated myocytolysis and replacement by fibrous connective tissue.

Hepatozoon canis infection in dogs: clinical, radiographic, and hematologic findings.

Hepatozoon canis gametocytes were identified in circulating neutrophils of 3 dogs from different parts of Texas. Clinical signs included intermittent fever, stiffness, and inappetence. The dogs had marked neutrophilic leukocytosis (35,000--51,000/mm3). Parasitemia varied from less than 1% to 60% of the circulating neutrophils. Two of the dogs had periosteal new born reaction on the vertebrae, ilia, ribs, and bones of the limbs proximal to the carpus and tarsus. There was no evidence that specific drug therapy was of value, although use of corticosteroids, aspirin, and antimicrobial agents was accompanied by clinical improvement.