Inter-observer agreement of canine and feline paroxysmal event semiology and classification by veterinary neurology specialists and non-specialists.

BACKGROUND: Advances in mobile technology mean vets are now commonly presented with videos of paroxysmal events by clients, but the consistency of the interpretation of these videos has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of agreement between vets (both neurology specialists and non-specialists) on the description and classification of videos depicting paroxysmal events, without knowing any results of diagnostic workup. An online questionnaire study was conducted, where participants watched 100 videos of dogs and cats exhibiting paroxysmal events and answered questions regarding: epileptic seizure presence (yes/no), seizure type, consciousness status, and the presence of motor, autonomic and neurobehavioural signs. Agreement statistics (percentage agreement and kappa) calculated for each variable, with prevalence indices calculated to aid their interpretation. RESULTS: Only a fair level of agreement (κ = 0.40) was found for epileptic seizure presence. Overall agreement of seizure type was moderate (κ = 0.44), with primary generalised seizures showing the highest level of agreement (κ = 0.60), and focal the lowest (κ =0.31). Fair agreement was found for consciousness status and the presence of autonomic signs (κ = 0.21-0.40), but poor agreement for neurobehavioral signs (κ = 0.16). Agreement for motor signs ranged from poor (κ = ≤ 0.20) to moderate (κ = 0.41-0.60). Differences between specialists and non-specialists were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low levels of agreement described here highlight the need for further discussions between neurology experts regarding classifying and describing epileptic seizures, and additional training of non-specialists to facilitate accurate diagnosis. There is a need for diagnostic tools (e.g. electroencephalogram) able to differentiate between epileptic and non-epileptic paroxysms.

Combined Rostrolateral Rhinotomy for Removal of Rostral Nasal Septum Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Outcome in 10 Dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report a surgical technique for combined rostrolateral rhinotomy (vestibulotomy) and long-term outcome for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rostral nasal septum in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Medium sized, mixed breed dogs (n = 10), aged 7-12.5 years, with SCC of the rostral nasal septum that did not invade the superficial nasal planum. METHODS: Disease extent was assessed with computed tomography and tumor resection achieved solely with central nasal planum elevation and lateral rhinotomy. Owners were interviewed 60-2,555 days (median, 548 days) postoperatively to determine outcome and survival time. RESULTS: Vestibulotomy facilitated full-thickness resection of the nasal septum and tumor mass in 10 dogs and nasal floor resection in 4 dogs. There were no major intraoperative complications and all dogs had an excellent cosmetic outcome. Tumor removal was complete in 8 dogs and incomplete in 2 dogs. There was no recurrence in 6 dogs. Of the 4 dogs with recurrence, 3 had required nasal floor resection at initial surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A combined rostrolateral rhinotomy technique may be used to achieve complete resection of SCC limited to the nasal septum with acceptable cosmetic results. This technique may not be suitable for tumors extending into the nasal floor.

Blend of cellulose ester and enteric polymers for delayed and enteric coating of core tablets of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.

The focus of this work was to explore feasibility of using blends of cellulose esters (CA 320S, CA 3980-10 or CAB 171-15) and enteric polymers (C-A-P, Eudragit® L100 or HPMCP HP-55) for delayed and enteric coating of tablets containing either diclofenac sodium (DFS, high dose) or prednisone (PDS, low dose) drug. The core tablets of DFS or PDS were coated with polymer blends to achieve approximate weight gain of 5% and 10%. The coated tablets were characterized for dissolution (0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer pH 6.8) and surface morphology. The surface morphology of CA 398-10 or CAB 171-15 based polymer blends was rough and fibrous. Less than 0.5% drug was dissolved in 120 min from 5% w/w coated tablets in acid-phase dissolution testing. The dissolution in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 medium varied from 16.2 ±â€¯0.2 to 98 ±â€¯2.1%, and 30.1 ±â€¯0.5% to 101.7 ±â€¯3.4% in 120 min from DFS and PDS coated tablets, respectively. Dissolution was less in CA 320S based blends compared to CA 398-10 or CAB 171-15 blends in phosphate buffer medium. Furthermore, there were no significant differences observed in dissolution profiles of coated tablets of DFS or PDS. This can be explained by dose of the drugs. Additionally, dissolution was higher in tablets coated with enteric polymer alone compared with the blends. In conclusion, core tablets can be coated with cellulose ester and enteric polymers blend to impart both delayed and enteric release feature to the tablets containing hydrophilic or hydrophobic drug.