Effectiveness of bromide in therapy resistant epilepsy of dogs

In therapy lasting between 8 and 79 (means = 31) months 22 epileptic dogs had been unsuccessfully treated with phenobarbital and/or primidone. Both drugs had been administered in their maximum dosages. In an add-on therapy, these dogs were given potassium bromide at a rate of 17 to 58 mg/kg daily for a period of 7 to 61 (means = 21) months. We could quantitatively evaluate the seizure data from 19 of the dogs: four became free of seizures; seven showed a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency; in two dogs, the seizures were reduced by greater than 50% but the number of seizure-days by less than 50%; in the remaining six dogs the therapy was unsuccessful. We achieved the best therapeutic results in animals that suffered only grand mal seizures. Grand mal in addition to other types of seizures and tonic seizures were affected to a lesser extent if at all. At the beginning of the therapy we saw temporary side effects--weakness in the hind limbs and sedation; these were temporary and dependent on the dosage. Serum concentrations differed even with the same dosage among individual dogs. The therapeutic range of bromide serum concentration was from 0.7 to 2.0 mg/ml. Most of the animals tolerated concentrations up to 1.5 mg/ml quite well. To begin an add-on therapy with potassium bromide we would recommend a daily dose of 30 to 40 mg/kg. During treatment, the dose should be determined for each individual dog.     

Multimorbidity in aged dogs and cats

As in humans, an increase in the incidence of concurrent diseases occurs in dogs and cats with age. To some extent considerable species specific differences occur; the dog is affected more than the cat. In advanced age more chronic diseases are observed as in humans. The following diseases show a particular predisposition in aged dogs and cats: The dog exhibits especially non-inflammatory skin diseases, cardiopathies, chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, oral cavity, liver, kidneys and urinary tract, diseases of the CNS, and tumours, whereas the cat suffers from the leukaemia complex, to a lesser extent from non-inflammatory skin and cardiac diseases, also from chronic diseases of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys and urinary tract, endocrine system, and tumours.     

Bronchoscopy in small animals]

Indications for bronchoscopy, the equipment and technique performance in dogs and cats are presented. The method is invasive, therefore exact indications such as chronic cough of noncardial origin, foreign bodies, parasitic invasion, paralysis of the larynx or tumours are required. Bronchoscopy enables the surgeon to take samples of bronchial discharge.     

Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis infestations of dogs and cats. Biology of the agent, epizootiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and control

A review is presented of the biology, epizootiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of canine and feline Ctenocephalides canis and C. felis infestation. Also data are given on the prevalence of fleas in dogs and cats during a year at the 1st Animal Medical Hospital, Munich Veterinary Faculty. 5.5% of the dogs and 18.9% of the cats were infested with fleas.     

Rhinoscopy in dogs and cats]

Rostral and caudal rhinoscopy in dogs and cats facilitates the investigation of the nasal cavity and accurate biopsy. Rostral rhinoscopy can be performed by rigid endoscopes; caudal rhinoscopy requires flexible endoscopes. Deep anaesthesia or additional analgesia with local anaesthesia is necessary. The nasal cavity is assessed by its form, colour, surface of the mucous membrane, hyperemia, plaques, lesions, and the secretion is assessed by its quantity, colour and viscosity. Foreign bodies and neoplasia must also be looked for. Case reports with abnormal findings are described.     

Diabetic neuropathy in dogs and cats--a bioptic electron microscopic study

Electron microscopic examination of peripheral nerves within dermal corium based upon skin biopsies (punch diameter = 6 mm) of chronic diabetic dogs and cats in comparison with normal controls revealed that more than 90% of the diabetic animals (31/34 dogs, 9/10 cats) had developed characteristic neuropathies. The main features were of axonal atrophy of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, demyelination and - to a lesser degree - intraaxonal accumulation of glycogen (about 25%). In contrast with human diabetic polyneuropathy vascular basement membranes were throughout of normal appearance. Thickening of the perineural basement membranes were observed in a few canine cases only. Diagnostic procedures as well as questions on pathogenesis are discussed in detail.     

Diseases of the prostate in the dog

BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is frequently observed in male dogs older than five years. Uncomplicated BPH is therefore regarded as a normal aging process. Only 1-2% of the males develop malign tumors, furthermore acute or chronic prostatitis, abscesses or cysts. The diagnosis of prostatic diseases requires special physical and laboratory examinations. For the treatment hormonal effective substances, antibiotics, antiphlogistics, analgesics and surgical procedures (prostatectomy, castration) are recommended. The author successfully uses a therapy in two phases starting with an intensive medication (Tardack plus antibiotics s.c./p.o. and local) for at least 10, up to 30 days, followed by surgery. Particularities in diagnosis and therapy are pointed out.     

Experiences with the intraocular silicon prosthesis as an alternative to enucleation in dogs and cats

The intraocular implantation of a silicone prosthesis fulfills all important requirements to be used in dogs and cats. Given the appropriate indication including glaucoma in the first place, this method should be preferred to enucleation. The operation procedure is described and clinical observations in 14 dogs and 6 cats are reported. All animals tolerated the implant well and appeared to be pain-free. The cosmetic results depended on the correct size of the implant and on the nature of the corneal response. Final evaluation of the cosmetic effect was only possible one year or even more after operation.     

Otodectes cynotis infestation of dogs and cats: biology of the agent, epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis and case description of generalized mange in dogs

A review on the biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of Otodectes cynotis in dogs and cats is presented. Additionally, three cases of generalized otodectic mange in dogs are described.     

Epizootiology, clinical aspects and therapy of Pasteurella multocida infection in bird patients after cat bite

Since early 1986, fatal cases of Pasteurella multocida infection following cat bites have been seen regularly among avian patients at our institute. The problems of the epizootiology of this infection are discussed on the basis of research during the last three and a half years. By evaluation of collected data from clinical examinations, autopsies, bacteriological and biochemical diagnosis of isolated strains from birds and cats the possibility of transmission via cat bite is discussed as well as the status of cats and birds in an epizootic chain. Even birds with trivial wounds caused by cats must be classified as emergency patients. The risk of an infection after a cat bite is about 56%. For treatment of a Pasteurella multocida infection Doxycycline should be used.     

Fluid therapy in the dog and the cat

Underlying principle for fluid therapy is the knowledge about distribution of body water (60% of body weight) into compartments: intra- and extracellular fluid (ICF, ECF) cover respectively one half, one sixth of the latter fills the intravascular system. According to the concentration of ions and molecules in the lost fluids, dehydration is classified into hypertone, hypotone and isotone. Clinical assessment and laboratory examination (PCV, hemoglobin, total protein, urine analysis, electrolyte and blood gas evaluation) are crucial features for determination of dehydration rate, acid-base and electrolyte imbalances. Derangements of body-fluid and electrolyte metabolism and their treatment are discussed. The quantity of fluids necessary for rehydration of the patient is calculated on the basis of clinical findings. Overhydration risk has to be considered more seriously in cats than dogs. Intravenous, subcutaneous, oral and intraperitoneal infusions are feasible. A survey to technical aspects and required instruments is presented in conclusion.     

Glomerulonephritis in dogs and cats

Immunohistology and special staining of plastic sections allow diagnosis and differentiation of subtypes of glomerulonephritis in dogs. Frequency and clinical importance of these forms of glomerulonephritis vary significantly. In cats, glomerulonephritis occurs frequently in FIV-positive cats but is rare in animals suffering from persistent FeLV infection or FIP.     

The dry chemical system Kodak Ectachem DT 60. Working methods, performance and suitability for laboratory diagnosis in dogs and cats

The Kodak Ektachem DT 60 Analyzer, a compact tabletop analyzer, which is based on the multilayer film technology, has been evaluated to assess its suitability for veterinary use. For a period of 6 months more than 400 serum samples from dogs and cats were analyzed for the following 11 analytes: ALT, CK, AP, alpha-amylase, total bilirubin, glucose, urea, total protein, creatinine, sodium, and potassium. Results obtained with the DT 60 Analyzer were compared with those gained from a Hitachi 705 autoanalyzer and from an Eppendorf flame photometer. Precision study results (within-run precision and between-run precision) were generally very good. Comparisons with other methods were quite satisfactory. Good to very good correlation was found for nearly all the parameters. The analyzer is easy to use and has proved to be reliable. It can be used successfully in the determination of serum-analytes in dogs and cats.     

The determination of creatinine in blood and plasma of small animals using the dry chemical system Reflotron

The reagent carrier Reflotron-Creatinine was tested for its suitability for whole blood and plasma samples of dogs and cats. It showed a very good correlation between the results of Reflotron-Creatinine and the reference method. Using plasma the results of both methods were extremely close. Using whole blood with a hematocrit of up to 50% good results could be achieved. If the hematocrit exceeded 50% large deviations could result.     

Dysphagia as the result of disorders of esophagus function in dogs and cats

Disturbances of the oesophageal function in dogs and cats lead to the clinical symptoms of dysphagia. An oesophageal dilatation of various degree can result from this and can be categorized as primary, i.e. idiopathic form, or secondary form, if its cause is known. This present study of our own patient population gives a survey of the symptomatology, diagnostic measures, incidence, pathogenesis, and therapy of oesophageal dilatation.     

Tissue concentrations of RNA and protein for juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): lagged responses to fluctuations in food availability

To be useful as short-term indices of nutritional status when food availability varies, wet weight-at-length and tissue concentrations of nucleic acids and protein must covary closely with a fish's recent feeding history. We measured changes in these indices for young brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) (fork length: 20–34 mm) reared under alternating, 4 to 5 d periods of food provisioning and food deprivation. Weight-at-length corresponded closely with current feeding conditions, being higher when the trout were fed than when they were deprived. Concentrations of RNA and protein, however, did not correspond closely with current feeding conditions. Instead, there were significant carry-over effects whereby responses to feeding conditions experienced in one treatment period were not exhibited until the following treatment period. Food provisioning had positive carry-over effects on concentrations of RNA and protein while food deprivation had negative carry-over effects. Consequently, food-deprived trout sometimes had higher concentrations of RNA and protein than well fed trout. Since wild fish may experience short-term fluctuations in food availability, lagged responses in concentrations of nucleic acids or protein like those reported here could hamper attempts to use these biochemical measures to assess the nutritional status of juvenile fish in the field.Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.     

Cellulose acetate electrophoresis, radial immunodiffusion and nephelometry--comparative methods for the determination of albumin]

Different methods for the determination of albumin in dogs and cats are compared. Nephelometry was found to be the method of choice, due to its excellent precision, the immediate test results and the wide measuring range. The advantage of the radial immunodiffusion method is that expensive equipment need not be acquired, which makes the test profitable for small amounts of samples. At the expense of accuracy, electrophoresis enables the simultaneous evaluation of all protein fractions.     

Antibiotic treatment of diarrhea in dogs and cats

The most important reason for diarrhea in dogs and cats are dietary errors. In addition there is a multitude of other influences which may lead to diarrhea. Bacteria play a minor role in diarrhea-associated disease. The so-called primary bacterial intestinal infections occur rarely as it is shown in the examinations presented. Except for the situation in which a specific bacterial activator is the cause of continuous diarrhea in general the administration of antibiotics is ineffective. The treatment of diarrhea should rather consist of food deprivation, oral or parenteral rehydration, use of antisecretory medicaments and of adsorbents, diet and, in case of spasms, administration of anti-cholinergics.     

Congenital portosystemic shunt in dogs and cats

An overview of the circulation of the liver and of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of portal vascular anomalies is given. Clinical signs associated with portal systemic shunts are described on the basis of 16 cases, 14 dogs and 2 cats. These animals ranged in age at the time of presentation from 4 months to 7 years. The predominant abnormality observed were central nervous signs, which differed in severity. The different techniques of contrast angiography allowing demonstration of a portal systemic shunt are presented along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each. Additionally the significance of making portal venous pressure measurements prior to each angiography is also explained. In most cases mesenteric portography was chosen. Based on their location the anomalies could be categorized as intrahepatic (4 dogs) or extrahepatic (10 dogs, 2 cats). In both groups breeds of various size are represented. The extrahepatic shunts could be further described as portal-caval (n = 5), portal-phrenic (n = 4) and portal-azygos (n = 3). In five of the older animals angiography showed in addition some hepatic perfusion by the portal vein. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased resting blood ammonia concentrations (greater than 200-912 micrograms/100 ml) in all animals. Seven dogs had definitely subnormal BUN concentrations (less than 10 mg%) and ten dogs low total plasma protein levels (less than 5.4 g%). Free amino acids (24) were determined in four dogs and a lowered hepatic encephalopathy index (less than 1.64) found. Medical palliative therapy to control the clinical signs is discussed. The only effective long term therapy is, however, surgery. The shunt vessel is narrowed so that a greater volume of portal blood reaches the liver. Experience gained from the surgical therapy of 14 animals is presented. Ten of these survived well without requiring further therapy at a later time. Finally the etiology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis are summarized.     

Hyperthyroidism in cats

20 cases of feline hyperthyroidism are reported. The examinations were performed during 13 years. The hyperthyroid cats were diagnosed of about 23,000 cats examined in two internal veterinary clinics Giessen und Munich). Diagnosis can be performed with RIA or ELISA methods. Scintigrams had been done for examination of localization and function. Treatments were performed with radioactive iodine, thyroidectomy or thyrostatic drugs.