Randomized controlled trial demonstrates nutritional management is superior to metronidazole for treatment of acute colitis in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of dietary management of canine noninfectious acute colitis with or without concurrent oral administration of metronidazole using a randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 59 client-owned dogs with noninfectious acute colitis. PROCEDURES: Dogs with acute noninfectious colitis were enrolled in a 30-day diet trial after exclusion of parasitic infectious etiologies (fecal centrifugation floatation, Giardia/Cryptosporidium antigen testing) and systemic disease (CBC, biochemistry, urinalysis). Dogs were randomized into 3 placebo-controlled groups: group 1, easily digestible diet + placebo tablet; group 2, easily digestible diet + metronidazole tablet; and group 3, psyllium-enhanced easily digestible diet + placebo tablet. Dogs were evaluated serially using fecal scoring for time to remission, average fecal score, relapse after remission, and dysbiosis index. RESULTS: Median remission time was significantly different among the 3 groups (P < .01) with median times of 5 days (range, 4 to 10) for group 1, 8.5 days (range, 7 to 12) for group 2, and 5 days (range, 3 to 6) for group 3. Metronidazole addition affected the fecal dysbiosis index negatively at days 7 to 10. No adverse effects or complications were noted throughout the study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For canine noninfectious acute colitis, dietary management with an easily digestible diet with or without psyllium enhancement proved a superior management strategy compared to metronidazole. The omission of metronidazole reduced the adverse impact significantly on intestinal microbiota. Longitudinal clinical trials are necessary to compare the long-term response, stability, and complications associated with dietary management alone versus combined dietary and antimicrobial therapy for canine acute colitis.

Effects of calcifediol supplementation on markers of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in dogs is associated with hypovitaminosis D, increased parathyroid hormone (PTH), and increased fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) concentrations. Best practice for vitamin D metabolite supplementation in CKD-MBD remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To provide an extended-release calcifediol supplement to dogs with CKD and to measure its effects on variables indicative of CKD-MBD. ANIMALS: Ten dogs with International Renal Interest Society stages 2 and 3 CKD. METHODS: In a prospective study, dogs received a calcifediol supplement for 84 days. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2 D), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25[OH]2 D), creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, PTH, plasma FGF-23 concentrations, and urine profiles were measured monthly during supplementation. Urine calcium to creatinine (UCa/Cr) ratios and fractional excretion of calcium, phosphorus, and sodium were determined. RESULTS: All serum vitamin D metabolite concentrations increased significantly by day 84 (P < .001): [25(OH)D (median 249.9 ng/mL; range, 149.7-469.9 ng/mL) compared to baseline (median 50.2 ng/mL; range, 31.3-66.0 ng/mL); 1,25(OH)2 D (median 66.1 pg/mL; range, 56.9-88.1 pg/mL) compared to baseline (median 37.3 pg/mL; range, 29.3-56.7 pg/mL); 24,25(OH)2 D (median 81.4 ng/mL; range, 22.1-151.7 ng/mL) compared to baseline (median 15.4 ng/mL; range, 6.9-40.6 ng/mL)]. There were no significant differences in calcium, phosphorus, PTH concentrations, UCa/Cr or fractional excretion of calcium. No dog developed ionized hypercalcemia. Plasma FGF-23 concentrations increased by day 84 (median 1219 pg/mL; range, 229-8824 pg/mL) compared to baseline (median 798 pg/mL; range, 103-4.145 pg/mL) (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Calcifediol supplementation for 84 days was well-tolerated in dogs with IRIS stages 2 and 3 CKD. It remains to be determined how long-term supplementation would affect CKD progression and QOL.

Vitamin C in Health and Disease: A Companion Animal Focus.

Vitamin C is synthesized in the liver in most species, including dogs and cats, and is widely distributed through body tissues. Vitamin C has an important physiologic role in numerous metabolic functions including tissue growth and maintenance, amelioration of oxidative stress, and immune regulation. It is also a co-factor in the production of important substances such as catecholamines and vasopressin. Decreased vitamin C levels have been documented in a wide variety of diseases, and in critically ill human patients may be associated with increased severity of disease and decreased survival. Intravenous supplementation with vitamin C has been proposed as a potential life-saving treatment in conditions such as septic shock, and results of small some human trials are promising. Data in companion in animals is very limited, but the possible benefits and , seemingly low risk of adverse effects , and the low cost of this treatment make vitamin C therapy a promising area of future investigation in critically ill dogs and cats.

Resolution of esophageal dysmotility following treatment of nasal disease in a dog.

A 2-year-old Rottweiler dog was evaluated for cough, regurgitation, and nasal discharge, and was subsequently diagnosed with sinonasal aspergillosis and secondary esophageal disease. Following treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis, all clinical signs resolved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of resolution of esophageal dysfunction following treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis.

Résolution d'une dismotilité de l'oesophage suite au traitement d'une infection nasale chez un chien. Un chien Rottweiler, âgé de 2 ans est présenté avec une anamnèse de toux, régurgitations et jetage nasal, a été diagnostiqué avec une aspergillose naso-sinusale associée a dysmotilité oesophagienne. Le traitement médical de l'aspergillose naso-sinusale a entrainé une résolution complète des signes cliniques directement associés avec l'aspergillose ainsi qu'une résolution du dysmotilité oesophagienne. D'après les auteurs, c'est le premier cas de résolution spontanée d'un dysmotilité oesophagienne après traitement pour aspergillose naso-sinusale.(Traduit par les auteurs).