Effects of a single dose of orally administered gabapentin in dogs during a veterinary visit: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a single dose of orally administered gabapentin in alleviating stress at a veterinary visit in privately owned dogs. Animals: 22 healthy client-owned dogs (1.5 to 8.5 years old) were enrolled in this study. PROCEDURES: Each dog received a 50-mg/kg oral dose of either gabapentin or placebo 2 hours before the beginning of each visit protocol. The dog's behavioral responses were coded from recorded video clips during a 5-minute-long standardized physical examination and pre- and post-physical examination phases. The veterinary technician separately rated each greeting behavior at each visit. Physiological variables during veterinary visits (ie, eye surface temperature and salivary cortisol concentrations) were also compared between the pre- and post-physical examination phases. The owner was queried 24 hours after a visit to determine the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: The greeting test score, eye surface temperature, and cortisol concentrations did not differ substantially between the gabapentin and placebo treatment groups. Lip licking frequency during the physical examination phase was significantly lower in the gabapentin treatment group than in the placebo group (P = 0.001). Lip licking frequency during the pre- and post-physical examination phases was also significantly lower in the gabapentin treatment group than in the placebo treatment group (P = 0.004). No serious adverse events were reported by the owners following gabapentin treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results showed that the 50-mg/kg dose of gabapentin was well tolerated without serious adverse effects in healthy dogs. Further studies are recommended of dogs with documented stress in response to a veterinary visit.

Absorption of Transdermal Fluoxetine Compounded in a Lipoderm Base Compared to Oral Fluoxetine in Client-owned Cats.

The objective of this study was to compare serum concentrations of transdermal fluoxetine compounded in Lipoderm base versus commercially available oral fluoxetine tablets. Sixteen clinically healthy, client-owned cats that were at least one year of age were enrolled. Cats weighed between three and seven kilograms, had no comorbidities, and were behavior medication naïve. Cats were recruited from January 2016 through April 2016. Eight cats were assigned to each medication group based on owner preference. The cats received either oral (1 mg/kg) or transdermal (5 mg/kg; maximum 25 mg daily) fluoxetine compounded in a transdermal base (PCCA Lipoderm), administered daily for 60 days. Serum levels of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were assessed as a surrogate for relative efficacy. Serum was collected and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry at baseline and days 5, 10, 30, 45, and 60 post-drug start. Adverse effects were monitored during physical exams, speaking with owners, and laboratory analysis of liver function tests at baseline and days 5, 30, and 60 post-drug start. Serum fluoxetine concentrations significantly differed between the treatment groups at days 45 and 60 post-drug start. Norfluoxetine concentrations significantly differed at days 30, 45, and 60 post-drug start. Blood concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine significantly differed between oral and transdermal routes after 30 days of treatment. Oral fluoxetine concentrations were consistently higher. Transdermal fluoxetine appeared to be well-tolerated, but a lack of knowledge regarding effective blood levels makes it unclear if a clinical effective response would be obtained at the blood concentrations achieved.

Characteristics of commercially manufactured and compounded protamine zinc insulin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare characteristics of a commercially manufactured protamine zinc insulin (PZI) product and PZI products obtained from various compounding pharmacies. DESIGN: Evaluation study. SAMPLE: 112 vials of PZI (16 vials of the commercially manufactured product and 8 vials from each of 12 compounding pharmacies) purchased over an 8-month period. PROCEDURES: Validated methods were used to analyze 2 vials of each product at 4 time points. Appearance, endotoxin concentration, crystal size, insulin concentration in the supernatant, pH, total insulin and zinc concentrations, and species of insulin origin were evaluated. RESULTS: All 16 vials of commercially manufactured PZI met United States Pharmacopeia (USP) specifications. Of 96 vials of compounded PZI, 1 (1 %) contained a concentration of endotoxin > 32 endotoxin U/mL, 23 (24%) had concentrations of insulin in the supernatant > 1.0 U/mL, and 45 (47%) had pH values < 7.1 or > 7.4; all of these values were outside of specifications. Several vials of compounded PZI (52/96 [54%]) did not meet specifications for zinc concentration (0.06 to 0.1 mg/mL for 40 U of insulin/mL, 0.075 to 0.12 mg/mL for 50 U of insulin/mL, and 0.15 to 0.25 mg/mL for 100 U of insulin/mL), and total insulin concentration in 36 [38%] vials was < 90% of the labeled concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Only 1 of 12 compounded PZI products met all USP specifications in all vials tested. Use of compounded PZI insulin products could potentially lead to serious problems with glycemic control in veterinary patients.

Stability of 0.5% cidofovir stored under various conditions for up to 6 months.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of time, temperature and storage vial material on the antiviral activity of 0.5% cidofovir solution. PROCEDURES: Commercial 7.5% cidofovir solution for injection was diluted with normal saline to a 0.5% concentration. Aliquots were stored in plastic and glass vials at 4, -20, and -80 degrees C for 30, 60, 120, and 180 days. Antiviral activity against feline herpesvirus was evaluated in a virus titration assay at time zero (baseline) and at each subsequent time point. RESULTS: Cidofovir caused a fourfold log reduction in virus titer at baseline and at each time point and for each storage condition (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: 0.5% cidofovir demonstrated stable antiviral activity when stored for up to 6 months in glass or plastic, at 4, -20, and -80 degrees C.