Evaluation of weekly bathing in allergic dogs with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal colonization.

We evaluated the efficacy of weekly bathing in reducing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) colonization in canine allergic dermatitis in a pilot clinical trial. Six dogs with allergic dermatitis controlled by prescription medications were treated with weekly bathing for 1 month. The Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index version 3 (CADESI-03) and pruritus scores and frequency of mecA-positive Staphylococcus spp. isolated from three body sites between weeks 0 and 4 were compared. There was no significant difference in CADESI-03 scores with bathing, whereas the pruritus scores were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MRS frequency was decreased in four of the six dogs (p < 0.05). In conclusion, weekly bathing should be considered for reducing MRS colonization in canine allergic dermatitis.

Lipomatosis of the canine parotid gland: case report with a literature review.

In this report, we describe a case of lipomatosis in the left parotid gland of an eight-year-old female Shetland sheepdog and review the relevant literature. Preoperative diagnosis of lipomatosis with Tru-Cut biopsy presented difficulties in this case. The postoperative diagnosis was based on the gross appearance of a non-infiltrative, circumscribed swollen mass in the parotid gland and the histological appearance of normal adipocytes that infiltrated into the parotid gland without involving surrounding structures. Additionally, flotation of the whole parotid gland in formalin solution together with well-maintained residual lobulation and a well-maintained configuration on the cut surface were identified as subsidiary characteristics of lipomatosis of the parotid gland. Lipomatosis of the parotid gland has been rarely reported in dogs and is a poorly understood condition.

A NOVEL SUPPORT DEVICE FOR HEAD IMMOBILIZATION DURING RADIATION THERAPY THAT IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH CATS AND DOGS.

Repeatable head immobilization is important for minimizing positioning error during radiation therapy for veterinary patients with head neoplasms. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to describe a novel technique for head immobilization (Device II) and compare this technique with a previously described technique (Device I). Device II provided additional support by incorporating three teeth (vs. two teeth with Device I). Between 2011 and 2013, both devices were applied in clinically affected cats (Device I, n = 17; Device II, n = 11) and dogs (Device I, n = 85; Device II, n = 22) of various breeds and sizes. The following data were recorded for each included patient: variability in the angle of the skull (roll, yaw, and pitch), coordinates of the isocenter, and distance from the reference mark to the tumor. Devices I and II differed for skull angle variability during the treatment of dogs (roll, P = 0.0007; yaw, P = 0.0018; pitch, P = 0.0384) and for yaw of during the treatment of cats (P < 0.0001). In each case, Device II was superior to Device I. The distance from the reference mark to the center of the tumor was significantly decreased for Device II vs. Device I (dogs, P < 0.0001; cats, P = 0.0002). Device II also provided more accurate coordinates for the isocenter. Authors recommend the use of, Device II for future clinical patients.

Identification of tumor-initiating cells in a canine hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) or cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of tumor cells, are involved in tumor initiation, progression, recurrence and metastasis. In human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), TICs are enriched with cell surface markers and have the ability to self-renew and differentiate tumors at a high frequency. We established a canine HCC cell line, HCC930599, and analyzed it for stem and progenitor cell marker expression using flow cytometry. HCC930599 showed high CD44 and CD29, moderate CD90, and low CD133, CD34, CD24, CD117, and CD13 expression. CD90(+)CD44(+) and CD90(-)CD44(+) cells were characterized using the in vitro sphere assay and an in vivo transplant model. CD90(+)CD44(+) cells acquired enhanced self-renewal capacity, proliferative activity and tumourigenicity compared with CD90(-)CD44(+) cells, suggesting that TICs exist in the HCC930599 cell line and that CD90 is a marker for enriched TICs. Understanding TIC characteristics may help elucidate hepatic carcinogenesis and HCC therapy development.

Computed tomography and radiographic lymphography of the thoracic duct by subcutaneous or submucosal injection.

A simple method of lymphography of the thoracic duct was investigated. Using three female beagles, contrast media were administered rectally, vaginally and into the perianal tissue. The administration sites were gently massaged, and imaging was carried out at constant intervals using computed tomography and radiograph. Moreover, Indian ink was administered into the rectum mucous membrane in dogs for proof of this method of lymphography, and the lymph drainage routes were observed. The investigation showed that clear computed tomography and radiographic contrast images of the thoracic duct were obtained by subcutaneous and submucosa injection of angiography contrast medium and 3D processing of these images revealed the three-dimensional positions and course of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli.

Hyperbaric air therapy in dogs for clinical veterinary medicine: a basic study.

Hyperbaric air therapy (HBA) is a treatment in which an animal is exposed to air pressurized to about 1.3 atmosphere absolute (ATA). Although HBA has already been administered to humans in medical applications, it has not been reported in clinical veterinary medicine. Therefore, we aimed to determine a safe protocol for dogs. To elucidate oxygen dynamics during HBA, we measured partial pressure of arterial oxygen, oxygen saturation of tissue, and partial pressure of transcutaneous oxygen in dogs. HBA could be performed safely with a protocol of pressurizing speed up to 0.1 ATA/min, maximum chamber pressure of up to 1.3 ATA, and pressure duration of around 45 min per treatment. Under these conditions, tissue was adequately oxygenated during and after treatment.

Retrospective study of canine nasal tumor treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy.

The object of this study was to evaluate hypofractionated multiportal field and two-portion (rostral and caudal portions divided by the eyelid) radiation therapy for canine nasal tumors. Sixty-three dogs underwent multiportal hypofractionated radiation therapy. The radiation field was divided into rostral and caudal portions by the eyelid. Treatments were performed four times for 57 dogs. The median irradiation dose/fraction was 8 Gy (range, 5-10 Gy); the median total dose was 32 Gy (10-40 Gy). Improvement of clinical symptoms was achieved in 53 (84.1%) of 63 cases. Median survival time was 197 days (range, 2-1,080 days). Median survival times with and without destruction of the cribriform plate before radiotherapy were 163 and 219 days, respectively. There was no significant difference between them. No other factors were related to survival according to a univariate analysis. All radiation side effects, except one, were grade I according to the VRTOG classification. It was not necessary to treat any dogs for skin side effects. One dog (1.6%) developed an oronasal fistula 1 year after completion of radiation therapy. This radiation protocol may be useful in reducing radiation side effects in dogs with cribriform plate destruction.

Retrospective study of canine insulinomas: eight cases (2005-2008).

This retrospective study examined 8 cases of pathologically diagnosed insulinoma. Surgical intervention was performed in all cases, once insulinoma was suspected based on unique clinical signs, hypoglycemia, and/or findings on ultrasonography. At the same time, insulin and glucose concentrations were measured before surgery for clinical diagnosis. Although all cases displayed typical clinical signs and hypoglycemia, insulin concentrations varied with 3 of 8 cases showing levels within the reference interval. In addition, to confirm the reliability of measured values, we submitted serum samples from 4 cases to two commercial veterinary laboratories. Results differed considerably between laboratories, with no apparent correlations between the two. In Laboratory A, 3 of 4 cases were above the reference interval, and 1 case was in the middle of the reference interval. Conversely, in Laboratory B, 3 of 4 cases were above the reference interval, and 1 case was below the reference interval. Split decisions regarding the diagnosis of insulinoma were seen for 2 of the 4 cases.

Insulinoma with basal ganglion involvement detected by magnetic resonance imaging in a dog.

A West Highland White Terrier was brought to our veterinary hospital with the chief complaints of seizures and staggering gait. When cephalic Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, a symmetrical lesion was found in the basal ganglion. Suspecting a metabolic disorder, an abdominal ultrasonography was performed, and a tumor was found in the pancreas. The pancreatic tumor was surgically removed based on suspicion that it had induced the brain damage. The resected tumor was histopathologically diagnosed as an insulinoma. After removal, recurrence of neurological symptoms was not observed. MRI 3 months post-operation showed a reduction in the size of the brain lesion. Consequently, the tumor was thought to have induced the lesion in the basal ganglion, and this was verified by MRI. This case was considered to be extremely rare.

Examination of the utility of a bite block-type head immobilization device in dogs and cats.

We examined the utility of a bite block-type head immobilization device, hereafter referred to as "head immobilization device", in order to improve the ease of immobilization and accuracy when performing radiotherapy for cranial tumors in animals. The head immobilization apparatus was a rectangular-shaped bite block-type device. We examined 55 cases in 46 dogs that underwent head CT scans between June 2005 and May 2006. The head immobilization device was used for 26 cases (immobilization group) and was not used for 29 cases (control group). Head stability was maintained in the control group by placing a towel under the head. We measured the angle of rotation of the xy, yz and xz planes for each group. The angles of rotation of the xy plane for the control and immobilization groups were 3.69 +/- 2.28 (mean +/- SD) and 1.39 +/- 1.50, respectively. The t-test demonstrated that the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). These results indicate that there was reduced tilting to the left or right. We conclude that use of this head immobilization device was extremely easy and that it improved the accuracy of radiotherapy for cranial tumors in dogs and cats.

A case of atypical canine lymphoma with oral mass and multiple osteolysis.

An 8-year-old female Golden Retriever had an oral mass and lameness. Multiple osteolysis of the systemic skeleton without monoclonal gammopathy was shown on electrophoresis of serum and urine samples. Cytological and histopathological examinations of the oral mass revealed atypical polymorphic cells similar to myeloid cells, and bone marrow aspiration indicated that these abnormal cells also might have invaded the bone marrow. These cells were negative to peroxidase and non-specific esterase staining, and clonal expansion of B lymphocytes could be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for antigen receptor gene rearrangement. The case was diagnosed as atypical lymphoma and treated by multi-drug chemotherapy. On the 142nd day after the first admission, the case had remission and the oral mass and multiple osteolysis were improved.