Twenty-five dogs were included in a randomized, double-blind trial to assess the efficacy of doxycycline (DOX) orally administered twice a day at 4 mg/kg/day (n = 12) for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. Chondroitin sulfate (CS; 525 mg/day) was used as a positive control (n = 13). Dogs were re-examined monthly for 6 months after initiation of treatment. The assessment protocol included clinical score, radiographic findings and serum osteoarthritis biomarkers. Dogs treated with DOX showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in lameness, joint mobility, pain on palpation, weight-bearing and overall score at 2, 6, 4, 4 and 4 months, respectively, after treatment. Biomarker levels of CS-WF6 epitope and hyaluronan were significantly increased and decreased (p < 0.05) at 2 and 3 months after treatment compared to pretreatment. These results showed that DOX had a positive therapeutic effect in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Animals ; Biological Markers/blood ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy ; Dogs ; Doxycycline/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Hyaluronic Acid/blood ; Joints/drug effects ; Lameness, Animal/drug therapy ; Male ; Osteoarthritis, Hip/drug therapy/*veterinary ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

This report explains typical radiographic features ofScottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia. Three Scottish Foldcats suffering from lameness were referred to theVeterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul NationalUniversity, Korea. Based on the breed predisposition,history, clinical signs, physical examination, and radiographicfindings, Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia was confirmedin three cases. Radiographic changes mainly includedexostosis and secondary arthritis around affected jointlesions, and defective conformation in the phalanges andcaudal vertebrae. The oral chondroprotective agents suchas glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate make the patientsalleviate their pain without adverse effects.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use ; Cat Diseases/drug therapy/*radiography ; Cats ; Female ; Lameness, Animal/drug therapy/radiography ; Osteochondrodysplasias/drug therapy/radiography/*veterinary ; Thiazines/*therapeutic use ; Thiazoles/*therapeutic use

A 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly was referred to the Equine Hospital, Korea Racing Association for evaluation of hematuria, inappetite, weight loss and depression. From 25 days prior to admission, the horse was treated for right carpal lameness with 20 mg intramuscular administration of triamcinolone acetonide per day for consecutive 10 days by a local veterinarian. Clinical and laboratory findings included vaginal hyperemia, flare in bladder wall, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, polyuria, polydipsia and laminitis in the end. High activities of aspartate transaminase and gamma glutamyltransferase and high concentration of total bilirubin indicated hepatopathy. Further hematology, serum biochemistry and urinalysis did not reveal any abnormalities. Medical history, physical and clinicopathologic findings suggest that the laminitis and hepatopathy in this horse were most likely induced by repeated administration of exogenous corticosteroid. However, guarded prognosis of treating laminitis undermined the benefit of improvement of hematuria following electroacupuncture stimulation. The combined stimulation of kidney related acupoints (Shen Peng, Shen Shu), lumber related acupoints (Yao Qian, Yao Zhong) and associate acupoints (Guan Yuan Shu, Bai Hui) at 5Hz, 1-2V, for 40 minutes was of value in the treatment of hematuria. This case shows that horses under steroids may exhibit laminitis and steroid hepatopathy. Early recognition and good management of laminitis are important in the limitation of complications.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture/veterinary ; Female ; Foot Diseases/chemically induced/pathology/*veterinary ; Forelimb/pathology ; Glucocorticoids/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Hoof and Claw/pathology ; Horse Diseases/*chemically induced/pathology ; Horses ; Lameness, Animal/*chemically induced/drug therapy ; Liver Diseases/chemically induced/*veterinary ; Triamcinolone Acetonide/*adverse effects/therapeutic use