Canine recurrent flank alopecia: a synthesis of theory and practice

Canine recurrent flank alopecia is a non-inflammatory, non-scarring alopecia of unknown etiology and has a visually striking clinical presentation. Although this disease entity is relatively common in the northern hemisphere, there is only scant information in the literature regarding case descriptions. The aim of this article was to review the literature and to describe clinical presentations recognized in practice, which are not always extensively documented in the literature

Canine lymphoma: a retrospective study (2009-2010)

This study reviews the medical records of 56 dogs diagnosed with lymphoma based on the cytological and/or histological results between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Most of the dogs were middle-aged to old, and were diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma (ML) (n=36). The majority of the dogs were presented in stages III to V (n=55) and substage b (n=43). A complete blood count and serum biochemistry, urinalysis, serum protein electrophoresis, thoracic radiographs and/or abdominal ultrasound were performed. The results correlated with previously described results in the literature. Therapy was initiated in 80% of the dogs (n=45). After diagnosis, the median survival time of 62% of these dogs (n=28) treated with only prednisolone was 32 days (range 3 - 224 days). For 24% of the dogs (n=11) treated with chemotherapy, the median survival time was 119 days (range 11 - 273 days). Surgical resection of the macroscopic tumor was performed in the remaining six dogs (13%). Three of these dogs received subsequent prednisolone therapy. The median survival time of these six dogs was 47 days (range 0 - 669 days). The dogs that received chemotherapy had significantly longer survival times than those treated with only prednisolone, although negative prognostic factors were present in all of the cases treated with chemotherapy

Hyperthyroidism in cats, part I : anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and imaging

In the first part of this review article, thyroid anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology are reviewed to continue more specifically on hyperthyroidism, the most common thyroid disorder in cats. The diagnostic work-up of this disorder is discussed with emphasis on thyroid gland imaging. Scintigraphy is most commonly used and best suited to assess thyroid function, which will be discussed extensively in the second part of this review article. All other available imaging modalities do not offer a functional assessment and are therefore of limited use in the diagnosis and evaluation of hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism in cats, part II : scintigraphic diagnosis and radioiodine treatment

In the second part of this review article, the diagnostic aspects of thyroid scintigraphy are discussed, with major emphasis on hyperthyroidism, followed by an overview of radioiodine treatment

Effect of sampling method and storage conditions on albumin, retinol-binding protein, and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase concentrations in canine urine samples

Urinary markers for renal dysfunction are gaining interest but effects of sampling method, storage conditions, and urinary tract inflammation or infection on these markers are unclear Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to determine the difference in urinary albumin (uALB), urinary retinol-binding protein (uRBP), and urinary N-acetyl-beta D-glucosaminidase (uNAG) concentrations in cystocentesis and voided samples and to investigate concentration changes after storage at -20 degrees C and at -80 degrees C Effects of a protease inhibitor were also assessed in samples stored at -80 degrees C for 12 months In a pilot experiment, influence of in vitro hematuria, pyuria, and bacteriuria on the urinary markers was evaluated A mixed model was used to calculate mean differences and 95% confidence intervals Urinary ALB, uNAG, and uRBP concentrations were similar in voided and cystocentesis samples After storage for 4 months at -20 degrees C, uALB concentration was not affected and uRBP concentration showed a mild and clinically irrelevant decrease, whereas uNAG activity was significantly lower compared with fresh samples After storage for 12 months at -80 degrees C, uALB and uRBP concentrations did not differ from fresh samples but uNAG activity was severely decreased Protease inhibitor addition did not preserve uNAG activity Experimental hematuria, pyuria, and bacteriuria did not seem to affect urinary markers although further research is neede