Treatment with rivaroxaban and monitoring of coagulation profiles in two dogs with venous thromboembolism.

Two dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia complicated with thromboembolism were presented. Both of the dogs were initially treated with immunosuppressive therapy in conjunction with dalteparin and clopidogrel. Although the immunosuppressive therapy was effective, peritoneal effusion due to thromboembolism was observed during the course of the disease in these dogs. After initiation of rivaroxaban treatment, peritoneal effusion decreased immediately in parallel with the normalization of D-dimer, antithrombin (AT), and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT). Hematochezia, cutaneous hemorrhage, and hematuria were observed as adverse events after administration of rivaroxaban in one case. Rivaroxaban was effective for the control of thromboembolism secondary to immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and D-dimer, AT, and TAT were useful to monitor the status of thromboembolic disease in dogs.

Evaluating the effect of metronidazole plus amoxicillin-clavulanate versus amoxicillin-clavulanate alone in canine haemorrhagic diarrhoea: a randomised controlled trial in primary care practice.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the benefit of supplementing amoxicillin-clavulanic acid therapy with metronidazole in dogs presenting to a primary care veterinary practice with severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective randomised blinded trial on dogs presenting with haemorrhagic diarrhoea of less than 3 days duration to a primary care veterinary hospital and also requiring intravenous fluid therapy. Cases were randomised to receive either metronidazole or saline, in addition to standard supportive therapy consisting of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, intravenous fluid therapy, buprenorphine and omeprazole. Treatment efficacy was measured by duration of hospitalisation and daily scoring of disease severity. RESULTS: Thirty-four cases successfully completed the trial. There was no significant difference in hospitalisation time between treatment groups (mean for dogs receiving metronidazole was 29.6 hours and for controls was 26.3 hours) nor in daily clinical scores. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study strongly suggests that addition of metronidazole is not an essential addition to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid therapy for treatment of severe cases of haemorrhagic diarrhoea in dogs.

Surgical findings and outcome for dairy cattle with jejunal hemorrhage syndrome: 31 cases (2000-2007).

OBJECTIVE: To describe signalment; surgical findings; short-, medium-, and long-term outcome; and recurrence rate for cattle undergoing celiotomy because of jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (JHS) and to analyze risk factors associated with outcome and recurrence. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 31 dairy cattle with JHS. PROCEDURES: Medical records were analyzed. Follow-up information was obtained from owners of cattle surviving until discharge. RESULTS: 18 of 31 (58%) cattle undergoing celiotomy survived to initial discharge. Fifteen (48%) and 13 (42%) were alive 6 and 12 months after discharge, respectively. All 5 deaths within 12 months after discharge were attributed to JHS recurrence. Survival time was 12 to 85 months for the 13 long-term survivors. Six of 7 that died > 12 months after celiotomy did so for reasons unrelated to JHS. Recurrence rate among short-term survivors was 7 of 18; 1 of these survived long-term. A significant proportion of affected cattle were Brown Swiss, compared with proportions for other breeds. Manual massage of the bowel to break down clots was associated with a significantly higher short-term survival rate than was enterectomy or enterotomy. Medium- and long-term survival rate was higher in cattle referred 24 to 48 hours after onset of signs. Length of obstructing blood clots was not associated with outcome. Other factors were not significantly associated with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Survival rates were higher than those in other reports. Prompt celiotomy and resolution by use of manual massage were associated with higher survival rates. In this population, JHS recurred in 7 of 18 short-term survivors.

Early enteral nutrition in young dogs suffering from haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical and metabolic effects of combined parenteral and oral nutrition compared with parenteral nutrition in young dogs with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a prospective clinical study. Dogs with acute gastroenteritis received either parenteral nutrition (group PN, n = 9) or combined parenteral and early enteral nutrition (group EN, n = 10). Infusions were compounded from amino acids, lipids, glucose and electrolyte/glucose solutions [149 g/l glucose, 20 g/l triglycerides, 40 g/l amino acids and 4009 kJ metabolizable energy/l (957 kcal ME/l)], and supplemented with potassium, phosphate and trace elements. Group EN received additionally a hydrolysed diet (74 kJ/kg BW(0.75) on day 2 and 148 kJ/kg BW(0.75) on days 3 and 4). Glucose, triglycerides, protein, albumin, fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase were measured before and during the infusions, haematological traits only before the infusions. Statistics included two-factorial anova and subsequent t-test or Wilcoxon test (P < 0.05). All dogs of group EN survived compared with seven of nine patients in group PN. Most dogs in the EN group vomited within half an hour after introduction of oral feeding on day 2 but tolerance for food increased on days 3 and 4. The general health status and faecal and blood parameters of the surviving dogs were similar (P > 0.05) between the groups. In all dogs leucocytes increased during the treatment period, haematocrit and haemoglobin levels declined. Infusions increased blood glucose and triglycerides (P < 0.05); however, no adverse signs were observed. Early enteral nutrition was possible after a short period of adaptation, however, vomiting can be a severe problem. The evaluation of clinical benefits of early enteral nutrition in young dogs with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis requires further investigations.

[Life threatening intestinal bleeding in a Bearded Collie associated with a food supplement for horses]. / Lebensbedrohliche intestinale Blutungen bei einem Bearded Collie im Zusammenhang mit einem Futterzusatz für Pferde.

In a Bearded Collie with acute weakness, hematemesis, melena, painful abdomen and pale mucous membranes a hematocrit of 13% and panhypoproteinemia were found. This combination of findings was the manifestation of severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Despite intensive laboratory and imaging investigations no systemic or local cause could be identified. After repeated client interrogation it was found that the dog had been receiving a food supplement for equines. It was further detected that this supplement besides a shell extract also contained willow (Salicaceae) and meadowsweet (Filipendula, Spiraea ulmaria) which contain salicin.Thus, the administration of this supplement was considered a possible cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Even though measurement of toxic metabolites in the blood was not obtained and a cause-and-effect relationship not definitively proven, on principle it must be taken into consideration that any natural and so-called harmless agent supposed to have a positive effect may be associated with adverse effects in a predisposed individual.

Suspected herbicide toxicosis in a dog.

An 8-year-old 38-kg spayed female Golden Retriever was admitted for vomiting, signs of abdominal pain on palpation, ataxia, anorexia, and generalized weakness of 2 days' duration. Ten hours prior to onset of clinical signs, the dog was found standing in and drinking from large pools of an accidentally spilled herbicide that contained an octanoic acid ester of bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) and an isooctyl ester of (2-methyl-4-chloro) phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Appendicular muscles were firm on palpation and persistent muscle contraction (myotonia > 1 minute duration) was found on muscle percussion, using a reflex hammer. Electrical activity indicative of myotonia was identified on electromyographic evaluation. With supportive treatment, the dog eventually recovered from suspected MCPA toxicosis. Although rare, MCPA toxicosis should be considered as a cause of acquired myotonia in dogs.

Experimental selenium poisoning in Nubian goats.

The toxicity of sodium selenite was studied in 28 Nubian goats, 20 of which died or were killed in extremis 2 h to 21 d after dosing. Single or repeated daily oral doses of 160, 80, 40, 20 and 5 mg sodium selenite/kg were toxic to goats while daily doses of selenite ranging from 0.25 to 1 mg/kg/d for 225 d were not toxic to this species of animals. The main signs of poisoning were uneasiness, inappetence, dyspnea, salivation, diarhea, paresis of the hind limbs, arching of the back, and recumbency. The main lesions were hemorrhages in the rumen, reticulum, osmasum and abomasum, hemorrhagic or catarrhal abomasitis and enteritis, fatty change and necrosis of the centrilobular hepatocytes and of the cells of the renal convoluted tubules, splenic hemosiderosis, pulmonary congestion, haemorrhage, edema and emphysema, accumulation of lymphocytes in the vital organs, and straw-colored fluid in the serous cavities.

Comparison of an orally administered gastrointestinal lavage solution with traditional enema administration as preparation for colonoscopy in dogs.

Forty dogs were randomly assigned to be given either multiple enemas (group A) or orally administered lavage solution (group B) before colonoscopy. Dogs of group A (n = 20) were given 3 large-volume warm-water enemas 6 hours apart, with the last enema given 9 to 15 hours before colonoscopy. Dogs of group B (n = 20) were given a total dose of 50 ml of the lavage solution/kg of body weight through an orogastric tube. The lavage solution was administered in 2 doses of 25 ml/kg given 1 hour apart, 12 to 18 hours before colonoscopy. Dogs were monitored for changes in body weight and in serum sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and total CO2 concentrations. Colonoscopy was performed on dogs under general anesthesia by an investigator blinded as to the method of preparation, and the quality of preparation was subjectively evaluated. The quality of colon preparation was significantly (P less than 0.005) better after administration of oral lavage solution, compared with that after multiple enemas. There were minimal changes in laboratory values, side-effects were minimal, and biopsy specimen artifacts were not seen. Because proper patient preparation is necessary for complete colonoscopic examination, results suggested that an orally administered polyethylene glycol-containing electrolyte solution is preferable to administration of multiple enemas in preparing dogs for colonoscopy.

Crotalus horridus: observations / Crotalus horridus: clinical observations

Elles sont rares dans la litterature homeopathique. Nous ne ferons que donner les references de celles que nous avons pu retrouver: -Annales Homeopathiques de l'Hopital St-Jacques, 1932, tome 2, p.189(Dr.Letellier). -L'Homeopathie Francaise n.1/1975 (Dr.Robert). -Fondements Scientifiques de l'Homeopathie (Dr.Clerbaux, 1964) Obs: du Dr. R.Zissu. Par contre, nous reproduisons integralement celle du Dr. H.-J.Barlee parue dans l'Homeopathie Francaise, n.3, mars, 1925. Un cas de Crotalus et une observation de Medecine Veterinaire parue dans les Annales HomeopathiquesFrancaises (n.5, 1983)