Clinical effects of diet and physical rehabilitation in dogs following cruciate surgery

Wendy Baltzerand others Oregon State University Corvallis

Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy is the most commonly used surgical procedure for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. Supportive care and physical rehabilitation are considered useful in improving muscle mass and speeding a return to normal function in these patients. The authors investigated the impact of a protein enriched diet containing omega-3 fatty acid on dogs receiving physiotherapy involving underwater treadmill exercise following a TPLO procedure. After six months treatment, limb function measurements of peak vertical force and vertical impulse were greater in those dogs given the test food than in control animals receiving a standard diet. Also the owners reported a lower frequency of lameness and fewer signs of pain in the dogs given the modified diet. Rehabilitation was associated with significantly more time spent in light to moderate activity irrespective of the diet used.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 252(6), 686-700

A synthetic feline pheromone in the prevention of unwanted scratching

Alexandra Beckand others CEVA Animal Health, Libourne, France

Scratching vertical and horizontal surfaces is part of the normal behavioural repertoire of cats but when directed against objects in the home, it is a major cause of dissatisfaction for their owners. The authors investigate the effectiveness of a synthetic analogue of a pheromone, the feline interdigital semiochemical, in redirecting this behaviour towards a designated scratching post. In 74% of cats with established scratching habits, this chemical was effective in eliminating the scratching activity in the home, other than on the treated post. This product also appears to have a preventive effect when applied in homes with a recently adopted cat.

International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine 16(1), 14-27

Safety and efficacy of a novel appetite stimulant for veterinary use

Linda Rhodesand others Aratana Therapeutics, Leawood, Kansas

Ghrelin is a hormone produced by cells in the stomach which binds to receptors in the hypothalamus and is involved in the regulation of food intake. Capromorelin is a ghrelin-receptor agonist which has been licensed in the United States as an appetite stimulant. The authors review the evidence on the activity of this compound in humans, cats, dogs and laboratory species. The drug appears to be safe and effective in stimulating the release of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1, building muscle mass and treating inappetence. It may therefore have clinical applications in controlling cachexia secondary to chronic renal disease, heart failure and cancer

Veterinary Medicine and Science 4(1), 3-16

Effects of turmeric root and rosemary leaf extract on canine cancer cells

Corri Levine and others Cornell University Ithaca, New York

Nutraceutical products are attracting increasing interest as potential treatments for cancer in human and veterinary patients. There is evidence that extracts of turmeric root and rosemary leaf work synergistically in reducing the growth of canine cancer cells in laboratory culture but the mechanism of action is still poorly understood. The authors carried out studies on the activity of these products against three different canine cancer cell lines. Their results indicate that rosemary leaf extract increases uptake into the cells of the active ingredient of turmeric root, curcumin. The latter compound appears to be capable of inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death in some tumour types.

BMC Veterinary Research 13:288 (Open Access)

Preliminary study on buprenorphine as an analgesic agent in guinea pigs

Miranda Sadarand others University of California, Davis

Controlling pain in exotic species may be challenging because of a lack of published data on the safety and efficacy of analgesic agents in these patients. The authors investigated the pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of buprenorphine after intravenous and oral transmucosal administration in guinea pigs. Their findings suggest that a dose of 0.2 mg/kg administered IV every seven hours, or OTM every four hours, would maintain a target plasma concentration of 1 ng/mL. At this dose, there were detectable sedative effects after dosing for up to six hours.

American Journal of Veterinary Research 79(3), 260-266

A novel immune thrombocytopenia bleeding score system for dogs

Kelly Makielskiand others Iowa State University, Ames

Immune thrombocytopenia is a condition in which antibodies attack platelet cells in the blood, leading to reduced platelet cell counts and an increased risk of bleeding. However, the expression and severity of clinical signs in affected animals is inconsistent and platelet counts are not considered an accurate predictor of the mortality risk. The authors developed an assessment tool called DOGiBAT which aims to standardise measurements of the severity of bleeding in dogs with this condition. In tests conducted by veterinarians and veterinary technicians, the tool was found to be easy and accurate method for assessing the severity of the disease and the patient's response to treatment.

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2018, 1-10

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 33 • July 2018