Serum concentrations of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity and C-reactive protein for monitoring disease progression in dogs with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Reliable biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and management in dogs with acute pancreatitis have not been described. OBJECTIVE: To determine if serum concentrations of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used as biomarkers for disease progression in hospitalized dogs with acute pancreatitis. ANIMALS: Thirteen hospitalized dogs with acute pancreatitis diagnosed based on clinical signs, serum cPLI concentrations, and imaging findings were enrolled. METHODS: Serum cPLI and CRP concentrations were determined before and then daily during hospital management and 1 week after hospital discharge. Modified canine activity index (MCAI) and canine acute pancreatitis clinical severity index (CAPCSI) scores were calculated daily for each patient while hospitalized. RESULTS: The MCAI scores (P = .03) but not CAPCSI scores (P = .31) were significantly different between dogs that survived to discharge (n = 11) and those that did not (n = 2). Serum cPLI concentration was positively correlated with MCAI (rho = 0.42; P = .01). Serum CRP concentration also was positively correlated with the MCAI (rho = 0.42, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum cPLI and possibly CRP could be used as objective biomarkers for clinical changes in hospitalized dogs with acute pancreatitis. Additional studies involving larger numbers of dogs would be warranted to evaluate the broader impact of these findings.

Case report: Endoscopic removal of a nasal Cuterebra larva from a puppy.

Cuterebriasis in small animals is caused by infestation by, and internal migration of, a larva of the Cuterebra fly. This article presents a case of nasal cuterebriasis in a puppy seen at the Louisiana Veterinary Referral Center and reviews the clinical signs and diagnosis of, and treatment options for, Cuterebra infestations. It also describes an unusual treatment plan to successfully remove the larva.

Effects of oral administration of controlled-ileal-release budesonide and assessment of pituitary-adrenocortical axis suppression in clinically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of oral administration of controlled-ileal-release (CIR) budesonide on the pituitary-adrenal axis in dogs with a normal gastrointestinal mucosal barrier. ANIMALS: 10 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: 5 dogs received CIR budesonide orally once daily for days 1 through 28, and 5 dogs received placebo. Treatment group dogs that weighed < 18 kg received 2 mg of CIR budesonide; treatment group dogs that weighed > or = 18 kg received 3 mg of CIR budesonide. In the treatment and placebo groups, there were 3 and 2 dogs, respectively, that weighed > 18 kg. Plasma cortisol concentration before and after ACTH stimulation, basal plasma endogenous ACTH concentration, and body weight were measured on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Serum biochemical analysis, CBC determination, and urinalysis were performed on days 0, 28, and 35. On days 7, 14, and 21, serum ALP and ALT activities, serum glucose concentration, and urine specific gravity were obtained in lieu of a full hematologic evaluation and urinalysis. RESULTS: Basal and post-ACTH stimulation plasma cortisol concentrations and plasma endogenous ACTH concentration were significantly suppressed by treatment. No other variables were altered over the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Budesonide suppresses pituitary-adrenal function in dogs with normal gastrointestinal integrity, whereas other variables often affected by glucocorticoids were not altered by a 4-week treatment course. Budesonide may be a good alternative to traditional cortico-steroids if used short-term for acute exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease.