The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Long-term tapering regimen use of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus in an atopic dog

Piyarat Chansiripornchai — 2024-02-07

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a genetically predisposed inflammatory skin disease with a global distribution, yet it is incurable. A key clinical sign of CAD is pruritus. Oclacitinib has proven effective in managing pruritus in atopic dogs. This case report details the long-term administration of oclacitinib every other day for controlling pruritus in an atopic dog. An 8-year-old atopic Bangkaew dog presented with pruritus, alopecia, and recurrent Malassezia pachydermatis infection. To control the pruritus, the dog received oclacitinib at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 30 weeks. The pruritus visual analog scale (PVAS) decreased from 8/10 to 4/10 by week 2, and the skin lesions improved by week 18. After 30 weeks, with improved skin lesions and a stable PVAS at 2/10, the dosing frequency of oclacitinib was reduced to every other day, supplemented with hydroxyzine on the days without oclacitinib. This adjustment maintained the PVAS and skin condition at levels comparable to before the tapering of oclacitinib. No clinical abnormalities were observed during the 12 months of treatment under the tapered regimen of oclacitinib at 0.4 mg/kg orally every other day. This is the first report of successful pruritus management in an atopic dog using a tapering regimen of oclacitinib.

An Undetermined Osteoporotic Disease Managed with IM Rod in a Dog

Hyejong Oh — 2024-04-01

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disorder characterized by decreased bone density, which can weaken bone strength and increase the risk of fractures. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), one of the main causes of osteoporosis in children, results in fragile bones and multiple fractures. The present study documented the case of a dog with an undetermined osteoporotic disease managed with intramedullary rod fixation. A 3-month-old intact male Alaskan Malamute dog, weighing 11.6 kg, was presented with lameness in the left pelvic limb. Radiography revealed left pelvic and femoral fractures, and the cortex of the long bones was thin. On CT scanning, a significant decrease in trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) was observed compared with normal dogs. Hyperparathyroidism was ruled out on the basis of blood tests and ultrasonography. Histopathological examination of the fragmented bone revealed remodeling with no evidence of neoplasia. Genetic testing could not differentiate OI in the dog, therefore an undetermined osteoporotic disease was tentatively diagnosed. Fractures were managed using multiple intramedullary rods. Although the trabecular BMD further decreased and additional surgery was required due to the migration of inserted rod and additional fracture, body weight of the dog was increased from 11.6 kg to 28.6 kg during the follow-up. The clinical symptoms, including pain and lameness, improved. Taken together, rodding surgery might be a viable option for dogs with pathological fractures due to osteoporotic disease by distributing weight and preventing bending force.

Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli Associated with Antimicrobial Use in captive wild animals

Montira Yossapol — 2024-03-18

Antimicrobial agents are a cause of the increase in antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in captive wild animals before and after exposure to antimicrobial agents. Sixty-six fecal samples were collected from captive animals (spotted deer, Rusa deer, geese, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs) at the Mahasarakham University Mini Zoo in Thailand on three sampling occasions: October 2021, January 2022, and April 2022. Using MacConkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime, ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) was isolated and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests and genetic analysis. The results showed a high prevalence of ESBL-Ec in the captive wild animals, with 86.4% of the samples tested positive. After deer were exposed to antimicrobials (i.e., oxytetracycline and streptomycin), the resistance rates of tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim were increased as the prevalence of ESBL-Ec was increasing. ESBL-Ec isolates from some captive animals were resistant to multiple drug classes over time. CTX-M subfamily ESBL genes were found in all isolates, with the CTX-M-1 group (i.e., CTX-M-15, CTX-M-55, and CTX-M-79 genes) being the most prevalent. In conclusion, this study found a high prevalence of ESBL-Ec in captive wild animals and observed variations in AMR profiles and ESBL gene distributions. The findings highlight the potential impacts of antimicrobial use on the emergence and spread of ESBL-producing bacteria in captive animal populations and emphasize the need for targeted interventions and management practices to mitigate this issue.

Outcomes in dogs undergoing surgical correction for septic peritonitis: A retrospective study in 61 cases (2019-2022)

Krishaporn Kradangnga — 2024-03-18

This retrospective study described clinical parameters, evaluated the chance of death (hazard ratio) and compared outcomes until hospital discharge in septic peritonitis dogs that underwent surgery in 61 cases at a single academic referral hospital population. The surgical records of 223 dogs with suspected septic peritonitis requiring surgical intervention were reviewed and a total of 61 dogs, primarily mixed breed (34.43%), with intraoperative gross lesions and cytology confirmed septic peritonitis were included in the study. The gastrointestinal tract was the most common source of septic peritonitis (52.46%). The overall survival to hospital discharge was 52.46%. Admission time until surgery, drain placements and preoperative antimicrobial selection corresponded to minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), which did not affect survival nor median survival time (MST). However, dogs with septic peritonitis from a biliary source had 5 times higher chances of death until hospital discharge compared to non-biliary sources with MST 2.5 days vs 12 days, respectively (P = 0.032). Older dogs had 2.35 times higher chances of death than younger dogs (P = 0.037). This study suggested that specific septic peritonitis sources affect survival until hospital discharge. Meanwhile, admission time until surgery, closed abdominal drain placement and correct antimicrobial selection did not alter survival and MST. Despite advanced treatment protocols, the overall survival rate remained poor to guarded similar to previous reports.

Development of a preliminary clinical approach for detecting insulin resistance for normoglycemic control in canine diabetes

Chutirat Torsahakul — 2024-03-18

Consistent and effective blood glucose (BG) control is crucial in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and insulin resistance (IR). In this study, the surrogate indices for monitoring insulin sensitivity and the preliminary clinical approach for detecting IR were established. Fasting serum C-peptide was measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and utilized as an endogenous insulin representation. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was then calculated. To detect the IR, the relationship between HOMA-IR and fasting serum C-peptide in each individual subject was analyzed, and designed cut-off values. The results revealed that the HOMA-IR of the DM group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (p < 0.001). Based on the designed cut-off values, the preliminary clinical approach for detecting IR (CUVET DM-IR grid I) was proposed. The subjects could be categorized based on CUVET DM-IR grid I into four categories: 1) non-IR DM group, 2) IR DM group or non-IR DM group with the risk of IR development, 3) normal group, and 4) uncategorized group. When combined, a preliminary clinical strategy for detecting IR based on CUVET DM-IR cut-off values may be considered and applied in cases of newly diagnosed diabetes, uncontrolled diabetes, and other underlying factors. In diabetic situations, the therapy intervention for insulin sensitivity enhancement may play a supporting role in achieving normoglycemic management.

Comparison between surgical and non-surgical treatments of concomitant cranial cruciate ligament rupture and medial patellar luxation in small-breed dogs

Ekkapol Akaraphutiporn — 2024-03-15

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) and medial patellar luxation (MPL) are common problems that cause hindlimb dysfunction, lameness and pain in dogs. Although surgical intervention is recommended for these conditions, it may not be suitable for an individual with some underlying diseases. The objective of the present study was to compare the outcomes between surgical and non-surgical treatments for concomitant CrCLR and MPL in small-breed dogs. Seven stifles from five small-breed dogs with concomitant CrCLR and MPL were enrolled and divided into two groups. Four limbs (three dogs) in Group 1 were treated conservatively, and three limbs (two dogs) in Group 2 were treated surgically with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Both groups received rehabilitation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and dietary supplements. In Group 1, two limbs had fully recovered within 24 weeks of conservative treatment, whereas the other two limbs showed a gradually improved limb function but did not return to normal after 32 weeks. All three limbs in Group 2 returned to normal limb function without lameness within 8 weeks after surgery. In conclusion, the TPLO surgery in dogs with concomitant CrCLR and MPL is considered an effective treatment with rapid recovery and limb function restoration compared to non-surgically conservative treatment.

Bioinformatics analysis and comparison of the S protein of canine coronavirus and feline coronavirus

Bo Dong — 2024-04-04

The Coronavirus S protein induces neutralizing antibodies, specific receptor binding, and membrane fusion between the virus and host cells. These changes are crucial to understanding the mechanism, genetic correlates, and prophylactic treatment of viral infection. In this study, the spike (S) protein structure and phylogenetic association of CCoV and FcoV were analyzed using bioinformatics. The results showed that the S proteins of CCoV and FCoV contained transmembrane regions and signal peptides. The S proteins of these coronaviruses were soluble. The S proteins of these strains also contained two functional domains and two motifs, i.e., corona_S1 and corona_S2. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CCoV-I and FCoV-I were included in the same clade, while CCoV-IIb, FCoV-II, and TGEV formed another clade. Our findings can provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the function of coronavirus S proteins and the design of antiviral drugs and vaccines.

Exploring Breed-Related Patterns and Diagnostic Factors in Canine Hypothyroidism: Unveiling Novel Paradigms

Narinthip Buckland — 2024-04-12

Canine primary hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrinopathy diseases in dogs affecting various body systems. In veterinary practice, the measurement of total thyroxine together with canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was suggested to have high accuracy for diagnosing this disease. However, the changes in these recommended diagnostic parameters can be distinguished only in a hypothyroid dog with progressive deterioration or later in the disease. This study investigated the relevant predicting factors of canine primary hypothyroidism from animal characteristics and blood chemistry. Among the 672 dogs that met the inclusion criteria, 77 dogs had hypothyroidism and 179 had non-hypothyroidism. Age at diagnosis was significantly lower in the hypothyroid group (P = 0.01). Packed cell volume and serum albumin were significantly lower, while serum cholesterol and serum creatinine were significantly higher in the hypothyroid group (P < 0.001). Thai Bangkaew dogs had the highest risk for hypothyroidism (31.2%). Multivariable logistic regression identified 5 risk factors. Dogs of the Thai Bangkaew breed with skin lesions, anemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia had 4,272 times greater risk of canine hypothyroidism. The potential association of risk factors, including anemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and skin lesions, suggests a strong diagnostic characteristic for canine hypothyroidism. Evaluation of serum cholesterol and triglyceride in health programs for Thai Bangkaew dogs would be advisable before investigating the thyroid profile, indicating that it is a common genetic risk factor (OR 8.21, [95% CI, 2.21-30.45]) in a variety of breeds.