Veterinary Clinical Sciences - Research Publications
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ItemTreatment response and long term follow up in nineteen dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy in Australia(WILEY, 2019-09)Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs is common worldwide, but little data is available from Australia. The aim of this study was to describe treatment response and long-term outcome in a cohort of dogs with CE. Dogs were prospectively enrolled at Murdoch University and the University of Melbourne. After diagnostic investigation to rule out diseases other than CE, dogs underwent sequential therapeutic trials until achieving a clinical response (diet then antibiotics, and finally immunosuppressants). Success was defined as 75% reduction of clinical severity for a minimum of five weeks. A total of 21 dogs were enrolled, and 19 completed the study. One dog was euthanised for lack of response to treatment and one excluded for lack of owner compliance. Most dogs responded to diet (n = 10), followed by antibiotics (n = 7) and immunosuppressants (n = 2). Long-term remission (median 21.1 months, [3.0-44.7]) was achieved in eight out of ten dietary responders without additional treatment. In contrast, only two dogs with antibiotic response remained in long-term remission, of which one needed on-going antibiotic treatment. Longer term remission was achieved in the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants with on-going low dose therapy. This study concludes that most dogs referred for CE in Australia respond to dietary treatment (even after previous dietary interventions), and remission is long-term compared to dogs treated with an antibiotic. Furthermore, the need for long-term antibiotics in some dogs to maintain response may lead to antibiotic resistance. This study supports adequate dietary trials for CE in dogs, and a need for alternative second-line treatments.
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ItemMedical management of esophageal perforation secondary to esophageal foreign bodies in 5 dogs(WILEY, 2018-09)OBJECTIVE: To describe 5 cases of conservative management of substantial esophageal perforation in dogs. SERIES SUMMARY: Five dogs presented with an esophageal foreign body (EFB) and resultant esophageal perforation. Clinical signs at presentation included tachycardia, tachypnea, and increased respiratory effort. Thoracic radiography was performed in all cases, and in each case, pleural and mediastinal effusion was present, suggesting esophageal perforation prior to endoscope-guided removal. A full thickness esophageal defect was visualized after foreign body removal in 4/5 cases. Treatment included IV crystalloid fluid therapy, IV antimicrobials, analgesia, and proton pump inhibitors in all cases. Two dogs had a percutaneous endoscopically placed gastrostomy feeding tube placed and 1 dog received prednisolone sodium succinate IV because of marked pharyngeal inflammation. Complications after EFB removal included pneumothorax (n = 2) and pneumomediastinum (n = 4). Four of the 5 dogs survived to discharge and did not have complications 2-4 weeks following discharge. One dog was euthanized as result of aspiration pneumonia following EFB removal. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Traditionally, surgical management of esophageal perforations has been recommended. This can be a costly and invasive procedure and requires a high degree of surgical skill. In this report, conservative management of substantial esophageal perforation in 5 dogs is described; medical management may be a viable treatment option in dogs with perforation of the esophagus due to EFB.
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ItemPrevalence and risk factors for medical events following exercise at Australian Greyhound race meetings(WILEY, 2018-04)AIM: A prospective, observational study to determine the prevalence of post-exercise conditions at Australian Greyhound race meetings and to assess association with race performance and other environmental, race- and dog-related factors was undertaken. METHODS: A total of 4020 starters were observed (2813 Greyhounds, 1009 trainers, 536 races, 52 race meets, 48 race dates and 11 race tracks) following a race. The presence of diaphragmatic flutter (DF), ataxia, seizure, collapse or sudden death was recorded. Risk factors were screened by univariable logistic regression prior to multivariable backward stepwise model building. RESULTS: In this study, 962 starters (n = 768 dogs) had DF (23.9%), 16 starters were ataxic (0.4%) and there were no observed cases of collapse, seizure or sudden death. Race track location, increasing race distance, race grade based on increasing 1st place prize value, lower (earlier) race number at the meeting, age, a previous observation of DF at the last start, females, colour (white) and better finishing position were all associated with an increased risk of a Greyhound being observed with DF. However, when logistic regression assessing the random effect of dog was performed, the presence of previous DF was not significant. In this cohort, DF was common following strenuous exercise in Greyhounds and on its own does not appear to result in reduced performance or distress to the animal. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ataxia was low and collapse, seizure and sudden death were not observed. However, even though uncommon, ataxia has welfare concerns for racing Greyhounds that warrants further investigation.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableIn Vivo Histologically Equivalent Evaluation of Gastric Mucosal Topologic Morphology in Dogs By using Confocal Endomicroscopy(WILEY, 2014-05)BACKGROUND: Confocal endomicroscopy (CEM) is an endoscopic technology permitting in vivo cellular and subcellular imaging. CEM aids real-time clinical assessment and diagnosis of various gastrointestinal diseases in people. CEM allows in vivo characterization of small intestinal mucosal morphology in dogs. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of CEM to evaluate gastric mucosal morphology in dogs and to characterize the appearance in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Fourteen clinically healthy research colony dogs. METHODS: Experimental study. Under general anesthesia, dogs underwent standard endoscopic evaluation and CEM of the gastric mucosa. In the initial 6 dogs, fluorescent contrast was provided with the fluorophore acriflavine (0.05% solution), applied topically. Subsequently, 8 dogs were assessed using a combination of fluorescein (10% solution, 15 mg/kg IV), followed by acriflavine administered topically. For each fluorophore, a minimum of 5 sites were assessed. RESULTS: Confocal endomicroscopy provided high quality in vivo histologically equivalent images of the gastric mucosa, but reduced flexibility of the endoscope tip limited imaging of the cranial stomach in some dogs. Intravenous administration of fluorescein allowed assessment of cellular cytoplasmic and microvasculature features. Topical application of acriflavine preferentially stained cellular nucleic acids, allowing additional evaluation of nuclear morphology. Identification of Helicobacter-like organisms was possible in 13 dogs. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Confocal endomicroscopy provides in vivo images allowing assessment of gastric mucosal morphology during endoscopy, potentially permitting real-time diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableCentral diabetes insipidus in a cat with central nervous system B cell lymphoma(ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2011-10)A 6-year-old male neutered cat presented with blindness, lethargy, polydipsia, hyposthenuria and severe hypernatraemia. Central diabetes insipidus was demonstrated by means of a low measured anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) concentration in the face of hypernatraemia, and clinical response to supplementation with desmopressin. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a discrete mass in the region of the hypothalamus. The cat was euthanased and post-mortem histological examination demonstrated B cell lymphoma involving the brain, optic nerves, urinary bladder wall and diaphragm. To the authors' knowledge, this case report is the first to describe central diabetes insipidus caused by central nervous system lymphoma in the cat.
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ItemFaecal Microbiota of Cats with Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus(PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2014-10-03)Microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract significantly influence metabolic processes within their mammalian host, and recently several groups have sought to characterise the gastrointestinal microbiota of individuals affected by metabolic disease. Differences in the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota have been reported in mouse models of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as in human patients. Diabetes mellitus in cats has many similarities to type 2 diabetes in humans. No studies of the gastrointestinal microbiota of diabetic cats have been previously published. The objectives of this study were to compare the composition of the faecal microbiota of diabetic and non-diabetic cats, and secondarily to determine if host signalment and dietary factors influence the composition of the faecal microbiota in cats. Faecal samples were collected from insulin-treated diabetic and non-diabetic cats, and Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and quantitative PCR were performed on each sample. ANOSIM based on the unweighted UniFrac distance metric identified no difference in the composition of the faecal microbiota between diabetic and non-diabetic cats, and no significant differences in the proportions of dominant bacteria by phylum, class, order, family or genus as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing were identified between diabetic and non-diabetic cats. qPCR identified a decrease in Faecalibacterium spp. in cats aged over ten years. Cat breed or gender, dietary carbohydrate, protein or fat content, and dietary formulation (wet versus dry food) did not affect the composition of the faecal microbiota. In conclusion, the composition of the faecal microbiota was not altered by the presence of diabetes mellitus in cats. Additional studies that compare the functional products of the microbiota in diabetic and non-diabetic cats are warranted to further investigate the potential impact of the gastrointestinal microbiota on metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus in cats.
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ItemCharacterisation of the canine faecal virome in healthy dogs and dogs with acute diarrhoea using shotgun metagenomics(PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2017-06-01)The virome has been increasingly investigated in numerous animal species and in different sites of the body, facilitating the identification and discovery of a variety of viruses. In spite of this, the faecal virome of healthy dogs has not been investigated. In this study we describe the faecal virome of healthy dogs and dogs with acute diarrhoea in Australia, using a shotgun metagenomic approach. Viral sequences from a range of different virus families, including both RNA and DNA families, and known pathogens implicated in enteric disease were documented. Twelve viral families were identified, of which four were bacteriophages. Eight eukaryotic viral families were detected: Astroviridae, Coronaviridae, Reoviridae, Picornaviridae, Caliciviridae, Parvoviridae, Adenoviridae and Papillomaviridae. Families Astroviridae, Picornaviridae and Caliciviridae were found only in dogs with acute diarrhoea, with Astroviridae being the most common family identified in this group. Due to its prevalence, characterisation the complete genome of a canine astrovirus was performed. These studies indicate that metagenomic analyses are useful for the investigation of viral populations in the faeces of dogs. Further studies to elucidate the epidemiological and biological relevance of these findings are warranted.
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ItemVetCompass Australia: A National Big Data Collection System for Veterinary Science(MDPI, 2017-10)VetCompass Australia is veterinary medical records-based research coordinated with the global VetCompass endeavor to maximize its quality and effectiveness for Australian companion animals (cats, dogs, and horses). Bringing together all seven Australian veterinary schools, it is the first nationwide surveillance system collating clinical records on companion-animal diseases and treatments. VetCompass data service collects and aggregates real-time, clinical records for researchers to interrogate, delivering sustainable and cost-effective access to data from hundreds of veterinary practitioners nationwide. Analysis of these clinical records will reveal geographical and temporal trends in the prevalence of inherited and acquired diseases, identify frequently prescribed treatments, revolutionize clinical auditing, help the veterinary profession to rank research priorities, and assure evidence-based companion-animal curricula in veterinary schools. VetCompass Australia will progress in three phases: (1) roll-out of the VetCompass platform to harvest Australian veterinary clinical record data; (2) development and enrichment of the coding (data-presentation) platform; and (3) creation of a world-first, real-time surveillance interface with natural language processing (NLP) technology. The first of these three phases is described in the current article. Advances in the collection and sharing of records from numerous practices will enable veterinary professionals to deliver a vastly improved level of care for companion animals that will improve their quality of life.
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ItemScintigraphic Assessment of Deposition of Radiolabeled Fluticasone Delivered from a Nebulizer and Metered Dose Inhaler in 10 Healthy Dogs(WILEY, 2017-11)BACKGROUND: Aerosolized medications are increasingly being used to treat respiratory diseases in dogs. No previous studies assessing respiratory tract deposition of radiolabeled aerosols have been performed in conscious dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Assess respiratory tract deposition of radiolabeled, inhalant corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate labeled with 99m Tc) delivered from a nebulizer and metered dose inhaler (MDI) to healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Ten healthy Foxhounds. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, cross-over pilot study. Initial inhalation method (nebulizer or MDI) was randomly assigned. Treatments were crossed over after a 7-day washout period. Treatments initially were performed using sedation. Dogs were imaged using 2-dimensional planar scintigraphy, with respiratory tract deposition quantified by manual region-of-interest analysis. Deposition calculated as percentage of delivered dose. Six of 10 dogs were randomly selected and reassessed without sedation. RESULTS: Inhalation method had significant effect on respiratory tract deposition (P = 0.027). Higher deposition was achieved by nebulization with mean deposition of 4.2% (standard deviation [SD], 1.4%; range, 1.9-6.1%); whereas MDI treatment achieved a mean of 2.3% (SD, 1.4%; range, 0.2-4.2%). Nebulization achieved higher respiratory tract deposition than MDI in 7 of 10 dogs. No statistical difference (P = 0.68) was found between mean respiratory tract deposition achieved in dogs when unsedated (3.8%; SD, 1.5%) or sedated (3.6%; SD, 1.7%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Study confirms respiratory tract deposition of inhalant medications delivered from a nebulizer and MDI in healthy dogs, breathing tidally with and without sedation. Respiratory tract deposition in these dogs was low compared to reported deposition in adult humans, but similar to reported deposition in children.
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ItemEmergence of nasal chondrosarcoma in a dog with nasal polyposis(WILEY, 2018-05)Whilst the malignant transformation of nasal polyps or secondary development of nasal neoplasia after chronic inflammation is likely to be relatively rare, this potential complication should be considered, and the clinician should be vigilant for evidence of malignant transformation.