Effects of a high-protein, increased-fibre, dry diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids on quality of life in dogs undergoing chemotherapy.

Quality of life (QOL) in dogs with cancer is a key consideration in the assessment of cancer treatment options. Despite interest in dietary strategies to improve management of oncology patients, there have been very few clinical studies showing the impact of diet on adverse effects of chemotherapy in dogs. This study was a randomised, controlled, double-blinded, multicenter clinical trial to investigate a high-protein, increased-fibre diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, for dogs with cancer undergoing standard-of-care chemotherapy. Client-owned dogs with newly diagnosed grade 2 or higher mast cell tumours (or non-resectable/incompletely resected tumours) or multicentric lymphoma were randomised to receive the test diet (n = 24) or control diet (n = 21) for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were QOL assessments, faecal scores, and blood concentrations of C-reactive protein and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Of 12 QOL parameters, 10 significantly improved from baseline to Week 8 in the test group compared with one in the control group. However, differences between the two groups were only statistically significant for 'frequency of signs of illness' (P = .009). There were no significant differences in the incidence of any adverse events, including gastrointestinal adverse events or clinically significant differences in laboratory parameters or faecal scores between the two groups. The absence of an observed negative impact of the test diet, combined with the magnitude of QOL improvements associated with the diet, suggest that a larger trial is warranted.

Use of a canine melanoma vaccine in the management of malignant melanoma in an African penguin (Spheniscus demersus).

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 25-year-old 4.4-kg male aquarium-hatched African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) was evaluated because of a raised 1.5 × 0.5-cm pigmented mass extending from within the right naris noted 2 days earlier. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The penguin had a raised pigmented mass extending out from the right naris and onto the upper beak. Histologic examination of excisional biopsy specimens confirmed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. A treatment plan including administration of meloxicam, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy was initiated. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment with meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) was initiated and continued for a total of 45 weeks; however, the medication was discontinued for a period of 6 weeks because of the risk of toxic effects in the chick that the penguin was feeding at that time. The penguin underwent local hypofractionated radiation therapy and received 4 once weekly 8-Gy fractions of radiation (total radiation dose, 32 Gy). The penguin was administered a canine melanoma vaccine transdermally every other week for 4 doses, with a booster injection given 7 months after the first dose. Treatment with the vaccine appeared to have no adverse effects. The penguin's pre- and postvaccination tyrosinase-specific antibody titers were measured with an anti-human tyrosinase-specific ELISA, and a 3-fold titer increase indicated a positive humoral immune response to the canine melanoma vaccination. The penguin died of unrelated causes 54 weeks after initial diagnosis, and there was no evidence of metastasis on necropsy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These case findings suggested that vaccination with a canine melanoma vaccine may be a safe and useful adjunct treatment for management of malignant melanoma in penguins.

Development and validation of a multivariable model and online decision-support calculator to aid in preoperative discrimination of benign from malignant splenic masses in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a multivariable model and online decision-support calculator to aid in preoperative discrimination of benign from malignant splenic masses in dogs. ANIMALS: 522 dogs that underwent splenectomy because of splenic masses. PROCEDURES: A multivariable model was developed with preoperative clinical data obtained retrospectively from the records of 422 dogs that underwent splenectomy. Inclusion criteria were the availability of complete abdominal ultrasonographic examination images and splenic histologic slides or histology reports for review. Variables considered potentially predictive of splenic malignancy were analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve was created for the final multivariable model, and area under the curve was calculated. The model was externally validated with data from 100 dogs that underwent splenectomy subsequent to model development and was used to create an online calculator to estimate probability of splenic malignancy in individual dogs. RESULTS: The final multivariable model contained 8 clinical variables used to estimate splenic malignancy probability: serum total protein concentration, presence (vs absence) of ≥ 2 nRBCs/100 WBCs, ultrasonographically assessed splenic mass diameter, number of liver nodules (0, 1, or ≥ 2), presence (vs absence) of multiple splenic masses or nodules, moderate to marked splenic mass inhomogeneity, moderate to marked abdominal effusion, and mesenteric, omental, or peritoneal nodules. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the development and validation populations were 0.80 and 0.78, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The online calculator (T-STAT.net or T-STAT.org) developed in this study can be used as an aid to estimate the probability of malignancy in dogs with splenic masses and has potential to facilitate owners' decisions regarding splenectomy.

Retrospective evaluation of canine heart base tumours treated with toceranib phosphate (Palladia): 2011-2018.

Heart base tumours (HBT) occur commonly in older, brachycephalic dogs. A presumptive diagnosis is made based on location and appearance of the tumour via echocardiogram. Effective treatment options are limited to surgery (when feasible) or radiation therapy. Benefit of medical management is presently unknown. The goal of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of toceranib phosphate for dogs with HBT. Twenty-eight dogs with histologically, cytologically confirmed or presumed HBT were evaluated retrospectively. Twenty-seven dogs were treated with single agent toceranib. One dog received combination therapy with concurrent metronomic chemotherapy. This dog was not included in response or survival analysis. Factors assessed included clinical signs, hematologic/biochemical parameters and response to treatment. For the 27 dogs receiving single agent toceranib, an overall response rate of 10% was found. Overall median survival time was 823 days (range, 68-1190 days). The overall response rate for the dogs presenting with metastasis was 28.5%, with a median survival time of 532 days (range, 77-679 days). This was not significantly different than the median survival time of 796 days for dogs who did not present with metastasis. Of the dogs displaying clinical signs at the time of diagnosis, 90% had improvement and 81% had complete resolution of signs after starting toceranib. Toxicity was seen in 54% of dogs with gastrointestinal distress as the most common toxicity but dose reductions were infrequent required. Results demonstrate that toceranib phosphate is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for inoperable canine heart base tumours including dogs with advanced or metastatic disease.

Intestinal lymphoma in dogs: 84 cases (1997-2012).

OBJECTIVE To describe signalment, clinicopathologic features, and outcomes of dogs with confirmed primary intestinal lymphoma and assess factors associated with survival times in these patients. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 84 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records from 7 veterinary institutions were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs with primary intestinal lymphoma. Data collected included signalment, clinical signs, anatomic location of tumors, diagnostic procedures, treatment, outcome, and dates of diagnosis and death. RESULTS Overall median survival time (MST) was 62 days (range, 1 to 537 days). Factors associated with shorter survival time on univariate analysis included anorexia or septic peritonitis at the time of diagnosis and tumor location (intestinal tract only, intestinal tract and abdominal lymph nodes, or intestinal tract and extraintestinal organs). The most commonly noted changes in the intestinal tract were altered wall thickening with loss of layering (41 dogs) and presence of ≥ 1 discrete mass (24 dogs). Protocols based on cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone with or without l-asparaginase (48 dogs) or 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (14 dogs) were most commonly used as first-line treatment; the MSTs of dogs receiving these treatments (60 and 144 days, respectively) did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The MST of dogs with primary intestinal lymphoma was poor, regardless of first-line treatment used. Anorexia and septic peritonitis were associated with poor prognosis.

Survival time of dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma treated by splenectomy with or without adjuvant chemotherapy: 208 cases (2001-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To determine survival time for dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma treated with splenectomy alone, identify potential prognostic factors, and evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 208 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed, long-term follow-up information was obtained, and survival data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: 154 dogs were treated with surgery alone, and 54 were treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Twenty-eight dogs received conventional chemotherapy, 13 received cyclophosphamide-based metronomic chemotherapy, and 13 received both conventional and metronomic chemotherapy. Median survival time of dogs treated with splenectomy alone was 1.6 months. Clinical stage was the only prognostic factor significantly associated with survival time. When the entire follow-up period was considered, there was no significant difference in survival time between dogs treated with surgery alone and dogs treated with surgery and chemotherapy. However, during the first 4 months of follow-up, after adjusting for the effects of clinical stage, survival time was significantly prolonged among dogs receiving any type of chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.6) and among dogs receiving both conventional and metronomic chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.4). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical stage was strongly associated with prognosis for dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma. Chemotherapy was effective in prolonging survival time during the early portion of the follow-up period. Combinations of doxorubicin-based conventional protocols and cyclophosphamide-based metronomic protocols appeared to be more effective than either type of chemotherapy alone, but prolongations in survival time resulting from current protocols were modest.

Cutaneous lymphoma of the tarsus in cats: 23 cases (2000-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To determine features of lymphoma of the tarsus in cats. DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective study. ANIMALS: 23 cats with cutaneous lymphoma of the tarsus. PROCEDURES: Veterinary oncologists were requested to submit cases fitting the following criteria: histologically or cytologically confirmed lymphoma with a location at or near the tarsus and described as subcutaneous or mass-like. Data regarding breed, sex, age, FeLV and FIV status, and reason for evaluation were collected. Results of staging tests, location of the tumor, immunophenotype, and histopathologic description were recorded. Type of treatments, outcome, survival time, presence or absence of progressive disease, and cause of death or reason for euthanasia were also recorded. RESULTS: Most cats were older, with a median age of 12 years (range, 7 to 18 years). No association with positive retroviral status was found. Popliteal lymph node involvement at diagnosis was reported in 5 cats, and a suspicion of lymphoma at a different site on the basis of results of abdominal ultrasonography was reported in 4 cats. Treatments were variable and included corticosteroids alone (n = 2), chemotherapy (9), radiation and chemotherapy (7), or surgery with or without chemotherapy (5). Thirteen cats were reported to have lymphoma at a different site at the time of last follow-up, death, or euthanasia. Median survival time for all cats in the study was 190 days (range, 17 to 1,011 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that tarsal lymphoma is an uncommon manifestation of lymphoma in cats, and in this study was most commonly nonepitheliotropic and of high grade as determined on histologic evaluation. Systemic involvement was identified; therefore, thorough staging is recommended prior to initiating treatment. Future studies are warranted to evaluate effective treatment protocols.

Mast cell tumor invading the cornea in a horse.

A 3-year-old Marwari mare was presented for evaluation of an irregular, reddish mass protruding from behind the right third eyelid. The mass appeared to arise at the ventral limbal area, involved the perilimbal bulbar conjunctiva and widely extended into corneal tissue. No other ocular or systemic abnormalities were detected at the time of presentation. The mass was surgically removed by lamellar keratectomy, with defocused CO(2) laser used as adjunctive therapy to treat the surgical exposed area and its surroundings. Histopathologic evaluation showed sheets of densely packed, well-differentiated neoplastic mast cells separated by fibrovascular connective tissue. Nuclear staining for Ki-67 was performed, and an average of 370 cells were positive per 1000 counted cells. Two months postoperatively, the surgical site was filled with flat fibrovascular and pigmented tissue, while the surrounding cornea was transparent with no superficial vascularization around the fibrotic scar. Thirty-two months after treatment, no recurrence of the neoplasia was reported.

Doxorubicin and deracoxib adjuvant therapy for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma: a pilot study.

Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a highly malignant tumor for which standard chemotherapy has done little to substantially improve survival. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) plays a role in the formation, growth, and metastasis of tumors and inhibitors have demonstrated therapeutic benefit with certain canine cancers. In this prospective study, 21 dogs received adjuvant therapy combining the selective Cox-2 inhibitor deracoxib with doxorubicin, following splenectomy for HSA. The combination was well-tolerated with only low-grade gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicities noted. An overall median survival of 150 days (range; 21 to 1506 days) was noted. Although there was no significant difference in survival based upon stage of disease, dogs with stage III HSA (n = 11) had a median survival of 149 days, which appears to be longer than previously reported. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the potential benefit of Cox-2 inhibitors in the treatment of canine HSA.

Traitement adjuvant à la doxorubicine et au déracoxib pour l'angiosarcome splénique canin : étude pilote. L'angiosarcome canin est une tumeur hautement maligne pour laquelle la chimiothérapie standard a peu fait pour améliorer substantiellement la survie. La cyclooxygénase-2 (Cox-2) joue un rôle dans la formation, la croissance et la métastase des tumeurs et des inhibiteurs ont démontré des bienfaits thérapeutiques pour certains cancers canins. Dans cette étude prospective, 21 chiens ont reçu un traitement adjuvant combinant l'inhibiteur de la Cox-2 sélectif déracoxib avec la doxorubicine, après la splénectomie pour l'angiosarcome. La combinaison a été bien tolérée et seulement des toxicités gastro-intestinales et hématologiques de faible intensité ont été signalées. Une survie médiane globale de 150 jours (écart de 21 à 1506 jours) a été signalée. Même s'il n'y a pas eu de différence significative dans la survie si l'on se base sur le stade de la maladie, les chiens avec un angiosarcome de stade III (n = 11) ont eu une survie médiane de 149 jours, ce qui semble plus long que ce qui avait déjà été signalé. De nouvelles études sont justifiées afin d'évaluer le bienfait potentiel des inhibiteurs de la Cox-2 pour le traitement de l'angiosarcome canin.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Toxicity, dosage, and efficacy of vinorelbine (Navelbine) in dogs with spontaneous neoplasia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate short-term adverse effects and determine a safe dosage for vinorelbine (Navelbine)--a new semisynthetic vinca alkaloid--in dogs with malignant tumors. Nineteen dogs were treated with vinorelbine as a 5-minute IV infusion every 7 days at starting dosages ranging from 10 to 20 mg/m2. The median number of treatments per dog was 7 (range, 1-11). The maximum tolerated dosage varied between 15 and 18 mg/m2, and a starting dosage of 15 mg/m2 is recommended. Neutropenia was the dose-limiting toxicity. Although efficacy was a secondary endpoint of this dosage-finding study, 2 dogs with metastatic bronchoalveolar carcinoma experienced a partial response for an overall response rate of 12.5% in 16 dogs with gross measurable disease. Three dogs with microscopic disease were treated (incompletely excised bronchoalveolar carcinoma or lymph node metastatic disease). Two died of pulmonary metastatic disease 113 and 196 days posttreatment, and 1 is still alive after at least 730 days. The well-tolerated toxicity profile and clinical activity observed in dogs with bronchoalveolar carcinoma warrants further investigation.