Electrocardiographic changes and cardiac pathology in canine babesiosis.

The main purpose of this study was to describe electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in canine babesiosis, and to relate these to clinical severity, outcome and cardiac pathology. Four groups of dogs with babesiosis were studied: mild to moderate anemia, severe anemia, concurrent autoagglutination and concurrent complications. Lead II ECG was recorded at admission for 1 minute in all dogs (121). A six lead ECG was recorded in 88 dogs. Full necropsy was performed on 16 dogs (5 died on arrival, 11 had ECG recording). The following ECG changes were recorded in relatively high prevalence: sinoatrial blocks or sinus arrest (7%), ventricular premature complexes (7%), low R-amplitude (23%), prominent Q (13%), axis deviations (40%), prolonged QRS (32%), ST depression and coving (28%), large T (42%), and notched R (28%). Differences between groups were minor. There was a significantly higher prevalence of sinus bradycardia and irregular rhythm in the non-survivors. Gross pathological changes were pericardial effusion and hemorrhages. Histological changes were hemorrhages, necrosis, inflammation and fibrin microthrombi. The only correlation between pathology and ECG was low R-amplitude and pericardial effusion. The ECG changes were similar to the pattern described for myocarditis and myocardial ischemia, and together with the histopathological findings indicated that the heart suffers from the same pathological processes described in other organs in canine babesiosis, namely inflammation and hypoxia. As the clinical application of the ECG changes found in this study was limited, cardiovascular assessment should be based on functional monitoring rather than ECG.

Cardiac troponins in canine babesiosis.

This study compared the sensitivity of ECG and cardiac troponins to predict cardiac histopathological changes, clinical severity, and survival in canine babesiosis. One control group (n = 9) and 4 groups of dogs with mild uncomplicated babesiosis (n = 8), severe uncomplicated babesiosis (n = 9), complicated babesiosis (n = 8), and babesiosis and concurrent immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (n = 9) were studied. A 1-minute lead II ECG was recorded, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) concentrations in plasma were measured. cTnI concentrations were significantly higher in the complicated (mean, 9.9; SE, +/-5.76) and concurrent IMHA (mean, 6.53; SE, +/-4.32) groups and in the 3 dogs that died of the disease (mean, 22.17; SE, +/-12.85) than in the control dogs (concentration below detection limit of test, -0.3 ng/mL). The 3 nonsurvivors had the most severe cardiac histopathological changes, but no arrhythmia and minimal other ECG changes. Dogs with babesiosis developed a variety of ECG abnormalities, but the abnormalities were not associated with disease severity, outcome, or plasma cardiac troponin concentrations. The exception was the presence of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), which were associated with high cardiac troponin concentrations. This study showed an association between cTnI concentration and histological changes, clinical severity, and survival and no correlation between ECG abnormalities and histological changes or biochemical evidence of myocardial damage as reflected by cTnI concentrations. From this study, it was concluded that the analysis of plasma cTnI is a feasible and sensitive test and is superior to cTnT in diagnosing cardiac involvement in dogs with babesiosis.

Efficacy of a topical antimicrobial-anti-inflammatory combination in the treatment of pyotraumatic dermatitis in dogs.

Abstract The efficacy of a topical antimicrobial-corticosteroid combination for the treatment of pyotraumatic dermatitis in dogs, was investigated. An open-ended, double-blind, randomized trial design was used. Forty dogs were divided into two vehicle-treated control groups and three treatment groups. The dogs in the respective treatment groups were treated with emulsions of either neomycin, prednisolone or a neomycin-prednisolone combination. Lesions were shaved and cleaned before treatment commenced, whereafter the allocated emulsion was applied twice daily for 7 days. Lesions were evaluated for surface area and degree of pruritus and inflammation. Skin biopsy specimens for bacterial culture and histopathological examination were taken. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism isolated. The antimicrobial-corticosteroid combination emulsion resulted in the quickest recovery, followed by the antimicrobial drug alone. Prednisolone alone gave significantly poorer results. Dogs in all groups, including the control groups, recovered completely within 7 days. Résumé L'efficacité d'un topique associant antimicrobien et corticoide dans le traitement de la dematite pyotraumatique du chien a étéétudiée. Une étude randomisée, ouverte, en double aveugle, a été réalisée. Quarante chiens ont été divisés en deux groupes controles traités seulement à l'aide du véhicule et trois groupes traités respectivement soit par l'émulsion de néomycine seule, de prednisolone seule ou par l'association néomycine-prednisolone. Les lésions ont été tondues et nettoyées avant la mise en place du traitement, après quoi l'émulsion a été appliquée deux fois par jour pour sept jours. Les lésions ont étéévaluées quant à leur extension et le degré de prurit et d'inflammation. Des biopsies cutanées ont été réalisées pour culture bactériologique et examen histopathologique. Le principal agent isolé est le staphyloccoque doré. L'émulsion associant antimicrobien et corticoide a entrainé la guérison la plus rapide, suivi par l'antimicrobien utilisé seul. La prednisolone utilisée seule a donné les plus mauvais résultats. Les chiens de tous les groupes, y compris les groupes controles, ont été complètement guéris en sept jours. [Schroeder, H., Swan, G. E., Berry, W. L., Pearson, J. Efficacy of a topical antimicrobial-anti-inflammatory combination in the treatment of pyotraumatic dermatitis in dogs (Efficatité d'un topique associant antimicrobien et antiinflammatoire dans le traitement de la dermatite pyotraumatique du chien). Veterinary Dermatology 1966; 7: 163-170.] Résumén Se investigó la eficacia de un preparado tópico combinado antimicrobiano-corticoesteroideo en el tratamiento de la dermatitis piotraumática canina. Se utilizó un ensayo de final abierto, doble-ciego y al azar. Cuarenta perros se dividieron en dos grupos control tratados con un vehiculador y tres grupos a los que se aplicó el tratamiento. Los perros en los respectivos grupos de tratamiento fueron tratados con emulsiónes de en neomicina o prednisolona o con una combinación de neomicina-prednisolona. Se afeitaron y lavaron las lesiones antes del inicio del tratamiento, y después se aplicó la emulsión asignada dos veces al día durante 7 días. Se evaluaron las lesiones según el área afectada y el grado de prurito e inflamación. Se tomaron biopsias cutáneas para cultivo bacteriano y examen histopatológico. Staphylococcus aureus fue el organismo que predominó en los aislamiento. La emulsión con combinación de antibiótico-corticoesteroide fue la que cursó con una recuperación más rápida, seguido del antimicrobiano solo. El tratamiento unicamente con prednisolona dio resultados significativamente peores. Los perros de todos los grupos, incluyendo los de los grupos control, se recuperaron dentro de los 7 días de tratamiento. [Schroeder, H., Swan, G. E., Berry, W. L., Pearson, J. Efficacy of a topical antimicrobial-anti-inflammatory combination in the treatment of pyotraumatic dermatitis in dogs (Eficacia de un tratamiento antimicrobiano-antiinflamatorio topico combinado en la dermatitis piotraumatica canina). Veterinary Dermatology 1966; 7: 163-170.] Zusammenfassung Die Wirksamkeit einer lokalen Antibiotikum-Kortikoid-Kombination für die Behandlung der pyotraumatischen Dermatitis des Hundes wurde untersucht. Es wurde das Modell einer offenen, randomisierten Doppelblindstudie verwendet. 40 Hunde wurden in zwei Vehikel-behandelte Kontroll-und drei Behandlungsgruppen eingeteilt. Die Hunde der drei Behandlungsgruppen wurden mit Emulsionen von Neomycin, Prednisolon oder einer Neomycin-Prednisolon-Kombination behandelt. Die Hautveränderungen wurden geschoren und gereinigt bevor die Behandlung begann. Dann wurde die entsprechende Emulsion zweimal täglich sieben Tage lang aufgetragen. Die Hautveränderungen wurden nach Größe der Oberfläche und Grad des Juckreizes und der Entzündung beurteilt. Es wurden Hautbioptate für bakteriologische Kulturen und histopathologische Untersuchungen entnommen. Als vorherrschender Keim wurde Staphylococcus aureus isoliert. Die Antibiotikum-Kortikoid-Kombination brachte die schnellste Abheilung, gefolgt von der ausschließlich antibiotischen Therapie. Prednisolon als Monotherapie ergab signifikant schlechtere Resultate. Die Hunde in alien Gruppen, einschließlich der Kontrollgruppen, gesundeten innerhalb von 7 Tagen vollständig. [Schroeder, H., Swan, G.E., Berry, W.L., Pearson, J. Efficacy of a topical antimicrobial-antiinflammatory combination in the treatment of pyotraumatic dermatitis in dogs (Wirksamkeit einer lokalen antimikrobiellen-entzündungshemmenden Kombination bei der Behandlung der pyotraumatischen Dermatitis des Hundes). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 163-170.].