Treatment of zinc toxicosis in a dog with chelation using d-penicillamine.

OBJECTIVE: To describe chelation therapy with d-penicillamine for treatment of zinc toxicosis in a dog. CASE SUMMARY: A 1.5-year-old intact female Maltese dog weighing 2.7 kg was presented with acute, progressive anorexia, lethargy, pigmenturia, and melena. The owner reported that the dog had ingested a hook from a dog leash made of a zinc-based alloy 9 days prior. A blood transfusion was administered and an abdominal radiograph revealed a metal-dense foreign body in the stomach. Laboratory findings revealed a serum zinc concentration of 1845.12 µg/dL (reference interval, 70-200 µg/dL) and a decreased hematocrit that remained low despite removal of the zinc foreign body. On day 3, another blood transfusion was performed and d-penicillamine therapy was instituted. After the administration of d-penicillamine, the clinical signs and hemogram progressively improved and the dog was discharged 2 days later. On day 9 after initial presentation, the hematocrit and platelet values were within normal limits and the serum zinc concentration was 280.16 µg/dL. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case demonstrates the use of d-penicillamine in the treatment of zinc toxicosis. Serum zinc concentration appeared to decline more rapidly after administration of d-penicillamine than before chelation therapy. This is the first report to evaluate serial serum zinc concentrations before and during chelation therapy with d-penicillamine.

Antibiotic resistance and molecular characterization of ophthalmic Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from dogs.

The prevalence, virulence potential, and antibiotic resistance of ophthalmic Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) isolated from dogs were examined. Sixty-seven Staphylococcus species were isolated from ophthalmic samples and surveyed for species-specific sequences in the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) nuclease gene (SInuc), exfoliative toxin gene for SIG (siet), and antibiotic resistance genes (blaZ and mecA). PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the pta gene was also performed. Fifty isolates were identified as SIG strains, all of which were found to be SP. The blaZ gene was detected in 42 of the 50 SP strains and mecA gene was observed in 18 of the 50 SP strains. The 50 SP strains were most susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (94%) and chlorampenicol (70%), and highly resistant to tetracycline (94%) and penicillin (92%). It was also found that 16 (88.9%) mecA-positive SP strains were resistant to oxacillin, tetracycline and penicillin. All mecA-positive SP were resistant to more than four of the eight tested antibiotics and therefore considered SP with multi-drug resistance (MDR). Our results indicate a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in ophthalmic SP along with a close relationship between MDR SP strains and the mecA gene. Based on our findings, judicious administration of antibiotics to companion dogs is necessary.

Clinical signs, MRI features, and outcomes of two cats with thiamine deficiency secondary to diet change.

Two cats were presented with vestibular signs and seizures. Both cats were diagnosed with thiamine deficiency. The transverse and dorsal T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed the presence of bilateral hyperintense lesions at specific nuclei of the midbrain, cerebellum, and brainstem. After thiamine supplementation, the clinical signs gradually improved. Repeated MR images taken 3 weeks after thiamine supplementation had started showed that the lesions were nearly resolved. This case report describes the clinical and MR findings associated with thiamine deficiency in two cats.

Hypertension after ingestion of baked garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog.

A 6-year-old, intact male Schnauzer was referred 2-days after accidental ingestion of baked garlic. Regenerative anemia (Hematocrit 22%) and the elevated methemoglobin (8.7%) concentration were detected upon hematological examination. Eccentrocytes, Heinz bodies and ruptured red blood cells were also noted on blood smear films, which were the results from the oxidative injury of the Allium species. The dog was hypertension (systolic mean 182 mmHg) concurrent with other clinical signs, such as vomiting and dark brown urination. Treatment with continuous oxygen, antioxidant drugs and antihypertensive therapy resulted in good progress. The dog was discharged 4 days after hospitalization. There were no remarkable findings in the follow up hematologic examination 24 days after discharge, but the dog still had a high blood pressure and continued on antihypertensive therapy. No recurrence was noted and the blood pressure returned to normal levels 4 months later.

A case of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in a Siberian tiger cub.

A three-month-old female Siberian tiger cub with hindlimb ataxia was referred to the veterinary teaching hospital of Konkuk University. The patient was fed only beef without supplementation of calcium and vitamins after weaning. The tiger was presented with ataxia and back pain on digital palpation. In addition, abnormal gait, reluctance to move, and depressed withdrawal reflex were noted at the neurological examination. The overall osteodystrophic change of the lumbosacral vertebrae was observed on the lateral and ventrodorsal view of radiographic examination. And also PTH level was increased in hormonal assay when compared to that of cat reference range. Based on the results of examinations, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Clinical signs of this patient were improved after administration of vitamin D and calcium. This case demonstrates that nutritional hyperparathyroidism could be occurred in wild animals raised on a meat diet containing imbalanced calcium and phosphate.