Gastrointestinal small-cell lymphoma with gall bladder involvement in a cat.

A 13-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat presented for investigation of decreased appetite and increased serum liver enzyme concentrations. An abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple sessile hyperechoic structures along the luminal aspect of the gall bladder wall and a mildly enlarged liver with hyperechoic nodules. Cholecystectomy was performed and biopsies were obtained by laparotomy. Histopathologic examination with immunohistochemistry was consistent with a diagnosis of small-cell lymphoma of T cells within the gall bladder, liver and small intestine. Clonality testing confirmed the diagnosis. The cat remains clinically stable 23 months after institution of treatment with prednisolone, chlorambucil and ursodeoxycholic acid. This is the first report of small-cell lymphoma in the gall bladder of a cat.

Evaluation of the University of Florida lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone chemotherapy protocol for the treatment of relapsed lymphoma in dogs: 33 cases (2003-2009).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of a modification of a previously evaluated combination of lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (LOPP) as a rescue protocol for refractory lymphoma in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. Animals-33 dogs with a cytologic or histologic diagnosis of lymphoma that developed resistance to their induction chemotherapy protocol. PROCEDURES: Lomustine was administered on day 0 of the protocol. Vincristine was administered on day 0 and again 1 time on day 14. Procarbazine and prednisone were administered on days 0 through 13 of the protocol. This cycle was repeated every 28 days. RESULTS: Median time from initiation to discontinuation of the University of Florida LOPP protocol was 84 days (range, 10 to 308 days). Overall median survival time was 290 days (range, 51 to 762 days). Overall response rate with this protocol was 61% (20/33), with 36% (12) having a complete response and 24% (8) having a partial response. Toxicosis rates were lower than for the previously published LOPP protocol. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The University of Florida LOPP protocol may be an acceptable alternative to the mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone protocol as a rescue protocol for dogs with lymphoma.

Effects of diazepam or lidocaine premedication on propofol induction and cardiovascular parameters in dogs.

The effects of diazepam or lidocaine on the propofol induction dose and certain cardiovascular parameters were documented in this randomized, blinded study. Dogs received 0.9% saline (0.1 mL/kg intravenously [i.v.]), lidocaine (2 mg/kg i.v.), or diazepam (0.25 mg/kg i.v.) prior to propofol i.v. until loss of jaw tone was achieved (up to a maximum of 8 mg/kg). Propofol was followed by 0.3 mg/kg atracurium i.v. Direct arterial blood pressures and heart rates were recorded before premedication, induction, and intubation. No statistically significant differences were found among the groups for cardiovascular measurements or for the propofol dose required for intubation.