Description and outcome of dogs with primary immune-mediated polyarthritis: 73 cases (2012-2017).

OBJECTIVES: To provide a description of primary idiopathic immune-mediated polyarthritis, including long-term outcome and relapse rates, for dogs starting treatment with corticosteroids alone or corticosteroids with a second immunosuppressant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were reviewed between January 2012 and December 2017 to identify dogs diagnosed with primary immune-mediated polyarthritis. Data including signalment, clinicopathological findings, type and duration of treatment, relapse and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-three dogs were included. Fifty-four dogs were started on corticosteroid monotherapy (an additional immunosuppressant was introduced later in 27/54 dogs) and 19 dogs were treated with multi-modal immunosuppression from the outset. Ninety-five percent (69/73) of dogs responded favourably to therapy although death was attributed to immune-mediated polyarthritis in 19% (14/73) of dogs. Relapse of clinical signs was reported in 53% (39/73) dogs (31/39 while on treatment), with multiple relapses observed in 17 dogs. Complete cure (permanent withdrawal of immunosuppressive medication) was achieved in 46 dogs (63%). Overall, 81% of dogs had a well-managed disease for an extended timeframe (≥1131 days). Fourteen of 19 (74%) dogs that started treatment with multi-modal immunosuppression and 32 of 54 (59%) started on corticosteroids alone achieved a complete cure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides extended follow-up information for a large cohort of dogs with primary immune-mediated polyarthritis. Immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued in the majority of dogs but disease-associated mortality remains high.

Outcome and prognostic factors in medically treated canine prostatic carcinomas: A multi-institutional study.

Literature describing medical treatment of canine prostatic carcinoma (PC) is sparse. The aims of this study were to assess outcomes, including time to progression (TTP) and median survival time (MST), of canine PC treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or chemotherapy, and to identify prognostic factors. Records from 8 institutions were searched for dogs with cytologically or histologically confirmed PC without bladder involvement: 67 dogs were included. Presenting signs were urinary (25), gastrointestinal ([GI], 11) and systemic (3); 16 dogs had GI and urinary signs, 7 dogs had systemic signs with concurrent GI or urinary signs and in 5 dogs the tumour was an incidental finding. Out of 27 dogs, 9 (33%) had positive urine culture. Metastases were identified in 26 dogs to lymph nodes (19), lungs (10), bone (2) and liver (1). Treatment included NSAIDs and chemotherapy (32), NSAIDs alone (31) and chemotherapy alone (4). The overall MST was 82 days (range 9-752) and median TTP was 63 days (range 9-752). Dogs receiving NSAIDs combined with chemotherapy experienced a significantly longer MST (106 vs 51 days; P = .035) and TTP (76 vs 44 days; P = .02) compared to dogs receiving NSAIDs alone. Intact dogs and those with metastatic disease had significantly shorter MST (31 vs 90 days, P = .018 and 49 vs 109 days, P = .037, respectively); intact dogs also had significantly shorter TTP (25 vs 63 days, P = .0003). This study suggests that a combination of NSAIDs and chemotherapy may improve outcomes in canine PC. Metastatic disease and being entire negatively influenced prognosis.