Volume 41: Issue 1

Dear Dr. Roush,

Thank you for your interest and comments on our paper entitled “Proximal Radial and Distal Humeral Osteosar-coma in 12 Dogs,” published in the November-December issue of the

Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (2004;40:461–467)

The reported median survival time and median metastasis-free interval are correct, and no mistake has been made by either the authors or the reviewers. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis is the standard statistical test to calculate outcome in animals and humans with oncologic disease. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis includes animals that have died from tumor-related causes or

Twenty-five cats exhibiting at least four episodes of vertical urine marking per week were assessed. Following a medical workup, a 4-week clomipramine trial was instituted, using a mean dose of 0.54 mg/kg per os q 24 hours. No concurrent behavioral or environmental modifications were applied. There was a statistically significant (P<0.0001) decrease in urine spraying when the cats were on clomipramine, with 20 of 25 cats having a ≥75% reduction in spraying within 4 weeks. Side effects were mild. Twenty cats were followed for an additional 5 months. Fifteen cats required medication to control the spraying, often at a reduced dose.

The purpose of this 2-week, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of topical amino acid-complexed zinc gluconate formulated with boric acid (ZGB) or acetic acid (ZGA) versus a topical placebo in the treatment of yeast otitis externa in dogs. Included in the study were dogs with otitis externa and a cytopathological finding of yeast organisms in the affected ear. Ears were treated with the placebo, ZGA, or ZGB medications. Yeast counts as well as clinical appearance of the ears were monitored. Results revealed that ZGB significantly reduced the number of yeast organisms in cases of otitis externa.

The medical records of 31 dogs treated for envenomation by the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) were reviewed. Twenty-four of 25 dogs that survived were hospitalized for an average of 4.3 days. The most common presenting signs were tachycardia, swelling/edema, depressed mentation, tachypnea, and bleeding puncture wounds. Thirteen (42%) of the 31 dogs were presented with or developed cardiac arrhythmias, predominantly ventricular premature contractions. Hematological disorders, including defibrination, elevated fibrin split products, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and prolonged clotting times, were recorded in 81% of the dogs. Polyvalent crotalid antivenin was administered (mean of 4.0 vials per dog) to 88% of the surviving dogs and 50% of the nonsurviving dogs.

Severe Neurological Signs and Hypernatremia Secondary to Polyethylene Glycol Paintball Ingestion in a Dog

Bruce GravesDVM,

Jessica KielbDVM, DACVECC, and

Nolan ChalifouxDVM, MSTR, DACVECC

Letters to the Editor

Response

Effects of Clomipramine on Cats Presented for Urine Marking

Efficacy of Boric-Complexed Zinc and Acetic-Complexed Zinc Otic Preparations for Canine Yeast Otitis Externa

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) Envenomation of Dogs: 31 Cases (1982–2002)

Percutaneous Drainage and Alcoholization of Hepatic Abscesses in Five Dogs and a Cat

Trends in the Frequency of Calcium Oxalate Uroliths in the Upper Urinary Tract of Cats

Partial Foot Amputation in 11 Dogs

Comparison of Normograde and Retrograde Intramedullary Pinning of Feline Tibias

The Effects of Heated and Room-Temperature Abdominal Lavage Solutions on Core Body Temperature in Dogs Undergoing Celiotomy

Heinz Body Hemolytic Anemia With Eccentrocytosis From Ingestion of Chinese Chive (Allium tuberosum) and Garlic (Allium sativum) in a Dog

Intracranial Epidural Mucocele in a Cat

Bilateral Stifle Osteochondritis Dissecans in a Cat

Table of Contents

Severe Neurological Signs and Hypernatremia Secondary to Polyethylene Glycol Paintball Ingestion in a Dog

The Effect of Time of Antimicrobial Administration on the Outcome of Septic Dogs

Hyperechoic Retroperitoneal Fat in a Cat with Systemic Coagulopathy

Myocarditis in a Dog Positive for Brucella canis

A Retrospective Study on Boar-Induced Trauma in 42 Dogs

Soft-Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs: A Review

Vascular Encephalopathy Associated With Bacterial Endocarditis in Four Dogs

The Use of Carbon Dioxide Laser for the Ablation of Meibomian Gland Adenomas in Dogs

Outcomes of Dogs Presented for Cataract Evaluation: A Retrospective Study

Nutritional Myths