Evaluation and Clinical Characterization of Hypersensitivity Reactions Following Administration of 5% Human Serum Albumin in 73 Ill Dogs.

In this prospective study the presence of clinically detectable hypersensitivity reactions following intravenous administration of 5% human serum albumin (HSA) was evaluated in 73 critically ill dogs both during the infusion, within the initial 24 hours afterwards, and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. A dose range of 2.0-20.56 mL/kg of 5% HSA was administered at a standard rate of 2.0 ml/kg/h IV in the critically ill dogs. No clinical signs consistent with types I and III hypersensitivity reactions were noted at days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Previous studies have recorded types I and III hypersensitivity reactions following HSA infusion with variable concentrations, rates and volumes infused. This study demonstrated the safe administration of 5% HSA at a standard rate of administration with no reactions.

Prospective Review of Clinical Hypersensitivity Reactions After Administration of 5% Human Serum Albumin in 40 Critically Ill Cats.

This prospective study assesses the presence of immediate and delayed clinical hypersensitivity reactions in 40 hypoalbuminemic critically ill cats during and after an intravenous administration of 5% human serum albumin (HSA). Twenty hypoalbuminemic critically ill cats with no known exposure to HSA (control group) were also checked in order to highlight any clinical signs related to the underlying disease which could mimic hypersensitivity reactions. The administration of 10-20 mL/kg of 5% HSA at 2 mL/kg/h in critically ill cats did not lead to clinical signs of types I and III hypersensitivity reactions at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28, unlike previous findings with 25% HSA in this species.

A New and Easy Procedure to Place an Esophagostomy Tube into Dogs and Cats.

Enteral nutrition improves survival rates and hospitalization times. Some diseases affecting the oral cavity can hinder spontaneous nutrition; in these cases the use of an esophagostomic tube can resolve nutritional problems. The innovative method described in this study is easier and more rapid than those currently known because the end of the tube does not need to be extracted from the oral cavity and then be reinserted with a number of maneuvers into the esophagus. The procedure does not require specific instruments, endotracheal intubation, and nor does it require the head to be moved or lifted. In addition, it can be carried out without the support of an assistant even with big or giant dogs. The new method involves the introduction of hemostatic forceps into the oral cavity, which pass through the esophagus wall and skin, then the distal extremity of the tube is firmly held between the extremity of the forceps and oriented caudally. The forceps, holding the tube, need to be retracted in the esophagus and then pushed ventrally and aborally in order to pass the esophagus stoma, without needing to extract the tube from the oral cavity and thus the risk of tube kinking.