Effect of recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone on radioactive iodine uptake by thyroid carcinoma in dogs.

BACKGROUND: The high doses of radioiodine-131 (131I) and, subsequently, the high radioactive burden for dog and environment warrants optimization of 131I therapy in dogs with thyroid carcinoma (TC). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a revised protocol with recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH) on tumor radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) in dogs with TC. ANIMALS: Nine client-owned dogs diagnosed with TC. METHODS: A prospective cross-over study in which tumor RAIU was calculated and compared at 8 hours (8h-RAIU) and 24 hours (24h-RAIU) after injection of radioactive iodine-123 (123I), once with and once without rhTSH (ie, 250 µg, IM, 24 and 12 hours before 123I) in each dog. Simultaneously, serum total thyroxine (TT4) and TSH were measured at baseline (T0), and 6 (T6), 12 (T12), 24 (T24), and 48 hours (T48) after the first rhTSH administration. RESULTS: Tumor RAIU was significantly higher at 24 hours with rhTSH compared to no rhTSH (mean difference = 8.85%, 95% CI of [1.56; 16.14]; P = .03), while this was non-significant at 8 hours (mean difference = 4.54%, 95% CI of [0.35; 8.73]; P = .05). A significant change of serum TT4 (median difference T24 - T0 = 35.86 nmol/L, interquartile range [IQR] = 15.74 nmol/L) and TSH (median difference T24 - T0 = 1.20 ng/mL, IQR = 1.55 ng/mL) concentrations occurred after administration of rhTSH (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Recombinant human TSH could optimize 131I treatment in dogs with TC by increasing tumor RAIU and thus 131I treatment efficacy.

Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy in dogs with thyroid carcinoma.

Currently, a histological diagnosis of highly vascularized canine (c) thyroid carcinoma (TC) is primarily obtained following excisional biopsy (EB) through thyroidectomy. Non-EBs are contraindicated in unresectable invasive cTCs due to their highly vascularized nature, which subsequently, lack histological diagnosis. We hypothesised ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (UGCNB) to be a safe biopsy technique to obtain an accurate histological diagnosis in unresectable TCs. Nine client-owned dogs with suspected naturally occurring TC, presented for surgical excision, were included. First, a UGCNB was taken from the cervical tumour, followed by EB. Haemorrhage following UGCNB was evaluated preoperatively and once the tumour was surgically exposed by visual inspection and ultrasonography. Histological analysis, including cell organisation, tumour capsular and vascular invasion, and immunohistochemistry were performed and compared between both biopsy specimens (i.e., UGCNB and EB) of the same dog. Pre- and peroperative visual inspection revealed minor, localised haemorrhage, subsequent to the UGCNB, in 7/9 dogs. Histology of the EBs confirmed TC in 8/9 dogs and was inconclusive in 1/9 dogs. Histology of the UGCNBs revealed neoplastic thyroid tissue in 7/9 UGCNBs and was inconclusive in 1/9 UGCNBs. The remaining UGCNB contained no mass related tissue and was, therefore, excluded. Histological parameters (i.e., cell organisation, tumour capsular and vascular invasion) were not concordant between 6/8 included UGCNBs and their respective EB. Immunolabelling for thyroglobulin and calcitonin was concordant between all eight included UGCNBs and their respective EB. The remaining evaluated immunohistochemical markers (i.e., cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2], P-glycoprotein and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were concordant between the included UGCNBs and the EBs in 6/8 dogs. To conclude, UGCNBs can be safely obtained in suspected cTCs and enable a reliable diagnosis of the thyroid origin, thyroid cell origin and potential therapeutic markers such as COX-2, P-glycoprotein and VEGF. Subsequently, UGCNB enables clinicians to establish an individually tailored treatment plan in dogs with unresectable TC.

Comparison of serum tryptase as a diagnostic oncological marker in canine versus human mast cell neoplasms.

Canine mast cell tumors (MCTs) are a promising translational model for human mast cell neoplasms with striking similarities such as the Darier's sign and mutations in the KIT gene. Whereas mast cell neoplasms are rare in humans, MCTs are the most frequent malignant neoplasms of the skin in dogs. In human systemic mastocytosis, serum tryptase is an important diagnostic criterion. Surprisingly, serum tryptase levels were not yet investigated in dogs with MCTs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether serum tryptase levels in dogs with cutaneous MCTs were elevated compared to those of a non-MCT control group. As a secondary aim, it was investigated whether surgical manipulation caused an increase in serum tryptase in canine MCT patients. A total of 48 serum samples were collected from dogs with different grades of cutaneous MCTs (n = 24) and non-MCT controls (n = 24). In dogs with cutaneous MCTs, blood was collected prior to and within 1 h after surgery. Serum tryptase levels were measured using a commercially available canine-specific ELISA kit. No significant difference in serum tryptase levels was found between cutaneous MCT patients and non-MCT controls, nor in these levels before versus after surgery. Our findings in canine cutaneous MCTs are in accordance with human cutaneous mastocytosis, where serum tryptase levels tend to remain within the normal range. However, despite various similarities between aggressive mast cell tumors in dogs and humans, serum tryptase cannot be considered a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with cutaneous MCTs as part of a comparative oncologic strategy.

Persecution of Birds of Prey in Flanders: A Retrospective Study 2011-19.

For decades birds of prey have been under the protection of European law, but deliberate or unintentional killing is still a large-scale problem in Europe. In an effort to monitor illegal practices, the Flemish government established several bird of prey hotlines in 2006. Since then, every suspicious death of a bird of prey has been investigated. This retrospective study reviews the necropsy results of every bird of prey submitted for investigation from January 2011 to December 2019, with a focus on illegal practices. In 36.7% (83/226) of all necropsy cases, an illegal cause of death was found, with poisoning being demonstrated in 88% (73/83) of these cases. Cholinesterase inhibitors were the most commonly used toxins, despite being prohibited in Europe. With a prevalence of 82.5% (260/315) of all cases, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) was the species most submitted for necropsy.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in drug-resistant idiopathic epilepsy of dogs: A noninvasive neurostimulation technique.

BACKGROUND: Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been assessed in epileptic humans, clinical trials in epileptic dogs can provide additional insight. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the potential antiepileptic effect of rTMS in dogs. ANIMALS: Twelve client-owned dogs with drug-resistant idiopathic epilepsy (IE). METHODS: Single-blinded randomized sham-controlled clinical trial (dogs allocated to active or sham rTMS) (I) and open-labeled uncontrolled clinical trial (dogs received active rTMS after sham rTMS) (II). Monthly seizure frequency (MSF), monthly seizure day frequency (MSDF), and number of cluster seizures (CS) were evaluated for a 3-month pre-TMS and post-rTMS period and safety was assessed. The lasting effect period of rTMS was assessed in each dog treated by active stimulation using the MSF ratio (proportion of post-TMS to pre-rTMS MSF) and treatment was considered effective if the ratio was <1. RESULTS: No adverse effects were reported. In trial I, MSF and MSDF decreased significantly (P = .04) in the active group (n = 7). In the sham group (n = 5), no significant changes were found (P = .84 and .29, respectively). Cluster seizures did not change significantly in either group. No significant differences were detected between the groups. In trial II, previously sham-treated dogs (n = 5) received active rTMS and significant decreases in MSF and MSDF were noted (P = .03 and .008, respectively). The overall effect of rTMS lasted for 4 months; thereafter, the MSF ratio was >1. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be a safe adjunctive treatment option for dogs with drug-resistant IE, but large-scale studies are needed to establish firm conclusions.