[Acquired transient Fanconi syndrome after feeding jerky treats in dogs - A case series]. / Erworbenes transientes Fanconi-Syndrom nach Fütterung von Trockenfleisch als Leckerchen beim Hund.

Between April 2018 and August 2019, 6 dogs with laboratory diagnostic evidence of Fanconi syndrome were presented to the Tierklinik Hofheim. The presumptive diagnosis was confirmed via urine amino acid analysis in all dogs. In 5 of the 6 dogs an alimentary origin was suspected, in 3 dogs the course of the disease could be followed. Supportive therapeutic measures and elimination of jerky treats from the dogs' diet improved the clinical symptoms in all dogs with known follow-up. This is the first case series of dogs with alimentary acquired Fanconi syndrome in Germany. The frequency of occurrence of the disease in that short period of time in only one small animal clinic suggests a significantly higher incidence than currently assumed.

[Therapy of primary hypoadrenocorticism in dogs with low dose desoxycorticosterone pivalate]. / Therapie des primären Hypoadrenokortizismus beim Hund mit niedrig dosiertem Desoxycorticosteronpivalat.

OBJECTIVE: Since 2016 the only approved drug for the treatment of primary hypoadrenocorticism (Addisons disease) in dogs in Germany is desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP), namely Zycortal®. The initial dose recommended by the manufacturer is 2.2 mg/kg. Our own experience and select publications raise the suspicion that a distinctly lower initial dose would be sufficient. Mainly cost reduction motivates for dose reduction and with it comes a higher owner motivation and compliance. It was the objective of our retrospective study to show that an initial dose of 1.5 mg/kg DOCP is sufficient for controlling canine hypoadrenocorticism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism were included if the initial starting dose was 1.5 mg/kg DOCP subcutaneously. The first, second and the last known dose of DOCP were documented. Electrolyte concentrations at the time of diagnosis as well as 10-14 days after the first injection, on the day of the second injection as well as at the last known injection were recorded. A dog was considered medically well-regulated when clinically healthy, sodium and potassium concentrations within the reference ranges, and when the responsible veterinarian did not recommended a dose alteration. RESULTS: All 13 included dogs were clinically healthy after the first or second injection. One dog received 1.6 mg/kg DOCP as last documented dose, all other dogs received ≤ 1.5 mg/kg (median: 1.3, range: 0.4-1.6) DOCP. Eleven dogs were injected once monthly, 2 dogs received injections every 60 days. The dogs were followed at least 7 months (median: 20 months, range: 7-26 months). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We were able to show that a starting dose of 1.5 mg/kg DOCP (Zycortal®) is sufficient for controlling primary hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. Adjustments of the dose are needed in some dogs. Regular measurement of electrolyte concentrations 10 days after treatment initiation and at the monthly DOCP injection is required for a correct disease management with DOCP.

[Etiology, therapy and prophylaxis of bovine parturient paresis (hypocalcaemia)]. / Wesen, Ursachen, Therapie und Prophylaxe der hypokalzämischen Gebärparese beim Rind.

Due to the sudden increase of calcium demand at the onset of lactation many high yielding dairy cows experience a certain level of hypocalcaemia following parturition. The incidence of hypocalcaemia (parturient paresis) increases with age but also depends on many other factors such as the acid-base status and the availability of calcium as well as other minerals and trace elements. Hypocalcaemia can easily be treated by supplementation of calcium parenterally or orally, nonetheless, prophylaxis of the condition should be the main focus in modern dairy farming, in order to avoid its negative effects. Oral administration of calcium around parturition is the simplest way of prophylaxis, but results in a high work load and requires exact knowledge of the date of parturition. The latter also applies for the parenteral administration of vitamin D3, which should be injected 1 week before parturition. Additionally, repeated treatment with vitamin D increases the risk for calcinosis. Reducing the calcium concentration of the ration fed during the late dry period also decreases the risk for hypocalcaemia by activating the mechanisms for calcium homeostasis within the body. The induction of a mild (compensated) metabolic acidosis to increase the sensitivity of parathormone receptors and enhance intestinal calcium uptake may also be employed to prevent milk fever. For this purpose, a DCAD (dietary cation anion difference) diet is fed during the late dry period, in which the concentrations of strong cations (potassium and sodium) as well as strong anions (sulfate and chloride) are altered. This may either be achieved by reducing the potassium concentration (partial-DCAD) or by adding anionic salts (full-DCAD). This method, especially the full-DCAD variant, requires a substantial level of surveillance and monitoring. Suitable prophylactic measures for the prevention of hypocalcaemia must be chosen individually for each farm, depending on the incidence of hypocalcaemia as well as personnel and structural resources.