EFFECTS OF DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE, ONE PERCENT POLIDOCANOL, AND ABSOLUTE ETHANOL ON THE CUTANEOUS AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUES OF CHICKENS (GALLUS GALLUS DOMESTICUS) AND THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS IN TREATING CERVICOCEPHALIC DIVERTICULA RUPTURE.

The objective of this pilot study was to examine the histologic effects associated with three known sclerosing agents and their ability to induce fibrosis in the subcutaneous space between the cervicocephalic air sac and skin. In the future, these drugs may prove useful in treating birds experiencing cervicocephalic diverticula rupture. The agents used were 1% polidocanol, absolute ethanol, and doxycycline hyclate. Twelve healthy adult chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were used in this study. The chickens were randomly allocated into three groups denoting day of euthanasia (day 4, 7, or 14). On day 0, all agents were injected (0.2 ml) subcutaneously, in a four-point grid fashion, in both the cervical and pectoral region of each bird. After euthanasia, the skin and subcutaneous tissues corresponding to the injection sites were harvested for histologic assessment. Tissue sections were assessed for fibrosis and lymphocytic and histiocytic inflammation. A scoring system was established to rank sclerosing agents by fibrosing and inflammatory ability. In the cervical region of chickens, 1% polidocanol induced the greatest inflammatory changes by day 7. Data suggest that doxycycline hyclate may produce the greatest cutaneous and subcutaneous fibrosis overall among all groups of birds. No adverse reactions were associated with any injection. Sterile saline produced the least amount of inflammation when assessed with the scoring system. Further investigation is needed to determine the safety of injections of larger volume with these chemicals and whether these findings can be extrapolated to birds with disease.

Effects of therapeutic plasma exchange on serum immunoglobulin concentrations in a dog with refractory immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 9-year-old 8.3-kg (18.3-lb) neutered male Miniature Schnauzer was referred for diagnosis and treatment of a sudden onset of lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, and pallor. CLINICAL FINDINGS On physical examination, the dog was lethargic with pale mucous membranes and a capillary refill time ≥ 2 seconds. Skin and sclera were mildly icteric. Signs of pain were elicited during abdominal palpation, and an enlarged spleen was noted. Results of agglutination testing and cytologic findings were consistent with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). No contributing factors for development of IMHA were identified. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Initial treatment included management with immunosuppressant medications. Three packed RBC transfusions were administered, but clinical signs continued to progress. Therefore, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was performed 5 and 9 days after admission. Following each TPE procedure, the dog had an appreciable clinical improvement and decrease in RBC autoagglutination, and the Hct stabilized. Serum IgG and IgM concentrations were measured during and after both TPE procedures. Despite anticoagulative treatment, the dog developed a thrombus in the splenic vein, necessitating a splenectomy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The decrease and rebound in serum IgG and IgM concentrations following TPE provided evidence that TPE may have the same immunomodulatory effects in dogs as have been proposed to occur in people. Further, findings suggested that TPE may be a useful alternative in dogs with refractory IMHA when traditional treatments fail.

Reproductive Disorders in Parrots.

Disease affecting the reproductive tract of the companion parrot is often impacted by physiologic and environmental stimuli. In conjunction with appropriate medical management, some birds diagnosed with reproductive disorders may be successfully treated. Once the bird is diagnosed with a disease condition affecting the reproductive tract, therapeutic measures are focused on stabilizing and supporting the patient, and surgical intervention is required only in the most severe cases. Hormonal therapy with synthetic, long-acting GnRH agonists should be considered for chronic reproductive disease conditions in which decreasing ovarian activity can help alleviate certain disease processes.