In the present study, 13 clinical cases of canine mammary adenocarcinoma were evaluated in order to understand the effect of Tarantula cubensis extract (TCE) on tumor tissue. Punch biopsies were taken from the tumors before treatment with TCE. Subcutaneous injections of TCE were administered three times at weekly intervals (3 mL per dog). Between days 7 and 10 after the third injection, the tumor masses were extirpated by complete unilateral mastectomy. Pre- and post-treatment tumor tissues were immunohistochemically assessed. The expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was found to be higher in pre-treatment compared to post-treatment tissues (p < 0.01) whereas Ki-67 expression was lower in post-treatment tissues (p < 0.01). No significant differences in fibroblast growth factor or vascular endothelial growth factor expression were observed between pre- and post-treatment tissues (p > 0.05). The apoptotic index was determined to be low before treatment and increased during treatment. These results suggest that TCE may be effective for controlling the local growth of canine mammary adenocarcinoma by regulating apoptosis.
Adenocarcinoma/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Dogs ; Female ; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Mitosis/drug effects ; Spiders/*chemistry

Insulin resistance (IR) in dogs is suspected when hyperglycemia is present despite administration of insulin doses greater than 1.0 to 1.5 UI/kg. IR is caused by increases in counter regulatory hormones concentrations (glucagon, glucocorticoids, catecholamines and growth hormone). This study was conducted to investigate the use of aglepristone (RU 46534), a P4 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of IR diabetes mellitus in bitches during the luteal phase. All animals were treated with porcine insulin zinc suspension (Caninsulin) and aglepristone (Alizin) 10 mg/kg subcutaneously at day 1, 2, 9 and 17 from diagnosis. At day 5, no significant variation in glycemia was shown. At day 12 and 20, serum glucose concentrations were significant lower (p < 0.05). From day 12 the insulin dose was reduced to 0.8 IU BID. Insulin was reduced in the following weeks and glycemia was controlled.
Animals ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy/etiology/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/etiology ; Dogs ; Estrenes/*therapeutic use ; Estrous Cycle ; Female ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Pregnancy ; Radioimmunoassay/veterinary ; Receptors, Progesterone/*antagonists & inhibitors

Sixteen cases of malignant soft tissue sarcoma (STS; 10 canines and six felines) were treated with a novel triple therapy that combined photodynamic therapy, hyperthermia using indocyanine green with a broadband light source, and local chemotherapy after surgical tumor resection. This triple therapy was called photodynamic hyperthermal chemotherapy (PHCT). In all cases, the surgical margin was insufficient. In one feline case, PHCT was performed without surgical resection. PHCT was performed over an interval of 1 to 2 weeks and was repeated three to 21 times. No severe side effects, including severe skin burns, necrosis, or skin suture rupture, were observed in any of the animals. No disease recurrence was observed in seven out of 10 (70.0%) dogs and three out of six (50.0%) cats over the follow-up periods ranging from 238 to 1901 days. These results suggest that PHCT decreases the risk of STS recurrence. PHCT should therefore be considered an adjuvant therapy for treating companion animals with STS in veterinary medicine.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Cat Diseases/drug therapy/surgery/*therapy ; Cats ; Combined Modality Therapy/veterinary ; Dog Diseases/drug therapy/surgery/*therapy ; Dogs ; Hyperthermia, Induced/veterinary ; Indocyanine Green/*therapeutic use ; Photochemotherapy/veterinary ; Photosensitizing Agents/*therapeutic use ; Sarcoma/drug therapy/surgery/therapy/*veterinary

The prevalence, virulence potential, and antibiotic resistance of ophthalmic Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) isolated from dogs were examined. Sixty-seven Staphylococcus species were isolated from ophthalmic samples and surveyed for species-specific sequences in the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) nuclease gene (SInuc), exfoliative toxin gene for SIG (siet), and antibiotic resistance genes (blaZ and mecA). PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the pta gene was also performed. Fifty isolates were identified as SIG strains, all of which were found to be SP. The blaZ gene was detected in 42 of the 50 SP strains and mecA gene was observed in 18 of the 50 SP strains. The 50 SP strains were most susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (94%) and chlorampenicol (70%), and highly resistant to tetracycline (94%) and penicillin (92%). It was also found that 16 (88.9%) mecA-positive SP strains were resistant to oxacillin, tetracycline and penicillin. All mecA-positive SP were resistant to more than four of the eight tested antibiotics and therefore considered SP with multi-drug resistance (MDR). Our results indicate a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in ophthalmic SP along with a close relationship between MDR SP strains and the mecA gene. Based on our findings, judicious administration of antibiotics to companion dogs is necessary.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use ; Dog Diseases/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Dogs ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Eye Infections, Bacterial/drug therapy/microbiology/*veterinary ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/veterinary ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy/microbiology/*veterinary ; Staphylococcus/*drug effects/isolation & purification

In humans, skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens. Similar to conditions seen in humans, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by derangement of corneocytes and disorganization of intercellular lipids in the stratum corenum (SC) with decreased ceramide levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moisturizer containing ceramide on dogs with CAD. Dogs (n = 20, 3~8 years old) with mild to moderate clinical signs were recruited and applied a moisturizer containing ceramide for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pruritus index for canine atopic dermatitis (PICAD) scores, and canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores of all dogs were evaluated. Skin samples from five dogs were also examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using ruthenium tetroxide. TEWL, PICAD, and CADESI values decreased (p < 0.05) and skin hydration increased dramatically over time (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that the skin barrier of all five dogs was partially restored (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that moisturizer containing ceramide was effective for treating skin barrier dysfunction and CAD symptoms.
Animals ; Ceramides/*therapeutic use ; Cholesterol/*therapeutic use ; Dermatitis, Atopic/complications/drug therapy/physiopathology/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology ; Dogs ; Emollients/*therapeutic use ; Epidermis/drug effects/physiopathology/ultrastructure ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary ; Pruritus/drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology/veterinary ; Republic of Korea ; Ruthenium Compounds/chemistry ; Water Loss, Insensible/drug effects

Cancer stem cell (CSC) research has increased exponentially to gain further insight into the mechanisms underlying both carcinogenesis and chemotherapy resistance. The present study was performed to explore the potential value of a side population (SP) assay for identifying and characterizing putative CSCs among canine lymphoma cells. Canine lymphoma cells from cell lines and clinical samples were subjected to the SP assay consisting of Hoechst 33342 staining and subsequent flow cytometric analysis. The SP assay revealed various amounts of a SP fraction among the canine lymphoma cells. The percentages of SP were not affected by inhibitors of membrane transporters, verapamil hydrochloride, or fumitremorgin C. Most of the canine lymphoma cells expressed high levels of Bmi-1 and membrane transporter proteins such as ABCG2 and phosphorylated (p)-glycoprotein. This investigation lays the groundwork for further studies of the biological behaviors and molecular characteristics of CSCs in cases of canine lymphoma.
Animals ; Benzimidazoles/*metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dog Diseases/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Dogs ; Flow Cytometry/*methods/veterinary ; Fluorescent Dyes/*metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Lymphoma/diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology/*veterinary ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology ; Side-Population Cells/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a modified silk ligature twisted with wire for inducing advanced periodontitis. Periodontitis was induced in five premolars and one molar of 20 healthy dogs over a 60-day period. The dogs were divided into four groups according to the ligature-inducing materials used: soft moistened food only, wire ligature (WL), silk ligature (SL) and twisted ligature with silk and wire (SWL). Periodontal indices were recorded, and dental radiographs were taken before and after 60 days of ligation. The ligatures were checked daily and the day the ligature fell out was noted. The period during which the ligatures were maintained was significantly shorter for the SL group compared to the SWL group (p < 0.05). Results of the clinical examination showed that almost all periodontal status parameters including the plaque index, gingival index, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing were significantly exacerbated in the SWL group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Radiographic evaluation demonstrated that alveolar bone levels were significantly lower in the SWL group than the other groups on day 60 (p < 0.05). These results suggested that experimental periodontitis induced by SWL could be an effective method for investigating periodontitis in canine models.
Alveolar Bone Loss/veterinary ; Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Dog Diseases/*pathology ; Dogs ; Ligation/instrumentation/methods/*veterinary ; Materials Testing/veterinary ; Pain/drug therapy/veterinary ; Periodontitis/pathology/*veterinary ; Tramadol/therapeutic use

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a topical spray containing 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate (HCA) on canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and to evaluate the skin barrier function during the treatment of CAD. Twenty-one dogs that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for CAD were included in this study. The HCA spray was applied once a day to the lesions of all dogs for 7 or 14 days. Clinical assessment was performed before (day 0) and after treatment (day 14), and clinical responses were correlated with changes in skin barrier function. CAD severity significantly decreased after 14 days of HCA treatment based on the lesion scores (p < 0.0001), which were determined using the CAD extent and severity index (CADESI-03) and pruritus scores (p < 0.0001) calculated using a pruritus visual analog scale. Transepidermal water loss, a biomarker of skin barrier function, was significantly reduced compared to baseline (day 0) measurements (p = 0.0011). HCA spray was shown to be effective for significantly improving the condition of dogs suffering from CAD. This treatment also significantly improved cutaneous hydration and skin barrier function in the animals.
Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy/pathology/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/pathology ; Dogs ; Female ; Hydrocortisone/administration & dosage/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Male

In this study, we measured the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels and evaluated the serum protein profiles of diabetic, insulin-treated, and healthy cats and dogs. The total IGF-I concentrations were 33.74 +/- 3.4 ng/mL for normal, 25.8 +/- 4.5 ng/mL for diabetic, and 180.4 +/- 31.4 ng/mL for insulin-treated cats. IGF-I concentrations were 46.4 +/- 6.6 ng/mL for normal, 25.1 +/- 4.1 ng/mL for diabetic, and 303.0 +/- 61.3 ng/mL for insulin-treated dogs. Total serum protein profiles were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Fourteen bands ranging from 25 to 240 kDa in size were observed for cats, and 17 bands ranging from 25 to 289 kDa were observed for dogs. The densities of the bands differed among control, diabetic, and insulin-treated animals. In conclusion, we found that serum protein profiles and IGF-I concentrations were altered in both diabetic and insulin-treated animals. When judiciously interpreted in the light of other clinical and laboratory data, the techniques used in our study provide a valuable modality for measuring the severity of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Proteins/*metabolism ; Cat Diseases/blood/drug therapy/*metabolism ; Cats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood/drug therapy/metabolism/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/blood/drug therapy/*metabolism ; Dogs ; Insulin/therapeutic use ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/*metabolism

An 8-year-old male Austrian Pinscher and a 14-year-old male Golden Retriever were presented for evaluation due to unexplainable high fructosamine values despite euglycemia and epistaxis in combination with polydipsia/polyuria, respectively. Blood analysis revealed severe hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia and markedly elevated fructosamine concentrations in both dogs. Multiple myeloma with IgA-monoclonal gammopathy was diagnosed by serum and urine electrophoresis including immunodetection with an anti-dog IgA antibody and bone marrow aspirations. Diabetes mellitus was excluded by repeated plasma and urine glucose measurements. Fructosamine values were positively correlated with globulin, but negatively correlated with albumin concentrations. These cases suggest that, as in human patients, monoclonal IgA gammopathy should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis for dogs with high fructosamine concentrations.
Animals ; Blood Proteins/analysis ; Dog Diseases/*blood/drug therapy ; Dogs ; Fructosamine/*blood ; Immunoglobulin A/*metabolism ; Male ; Melphalan/therapeutic use ; Multiple Myeloma/complications/drug therapy/*veterinary ; Myeloablative Agonists/therapeutic use ; Paraproteinemias/blood/complications/drug therapy/*veterinary