Volume 42: Issue 4

JAAHA is proud to present two papers in this issue that herald significant advances in the treatment of two common clinical diseases in dogs: namely, chronic valvular disease and pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Reports on the efficacy of pimobendan (for certain cardiac diseases) and trilostane (for hyperadrenocorticism) have been filtering into the United States for several years.

In the cardiology section of this issue, readers will find a multicenter report from Europe on the use of pimobendan for congestive heart failure secondary to chronic atrioventricular valvular disease in dogs. Results of this study are very promising and fuel hope that pimobendan

Acupuncture has been used for over 2000 years to treat a variety of diseases. It is safe and effective, especially for conditions such as pain, geriatric diseases, and exercise-related diseases. There are 361 acupuncture points located throughout the body on meridians. Meridians are the energetic channels that connect all the points to each other. These points are stimulated by various means to produce a physiological effect in the body. All points have various functions throughout the body that can be used to treat different diseases. Certain precautions must be taken when treating weak, debilitated, or pregnant animals.

Seventy-six dogs with clinical acquired atrioventricular valvular disease were evaluated to determine the efficacy of pimobendan (n=41) versus benazepril hydrochloride (n=35) in a randomized, positive-controlled, multicenter study. The study was divided into 56-day and long-term evaluation periods. In a subgroup of dogs with concurrent furosemide treatment (pimobendan [n=31], benazepril [n=25]), the Heart Insufficiency Score improved in favor of pimobendan (P=0.0011), equating to a superior overall efficacy rating (P<0.0001) at day 56. Long-term median survival (i.e., death or treatment failure) for dogs receiving pimobendan was 415 days versus 128 days for dogs not on pimobendan (P=0.0022).

Heart rate and systolic, diastolic, and mean pressures were measured in two groups of dogs during treatment of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias either with intravenous (IV) 2% lidocaine hydrochloride or procainamide hydrochloride. Hemodynamic parameters were not significantly changed after IV administration of either drug. Additionally, changes in hemodynamic parameters for dogs treated with 2% lidocaine were not significantly different from those of dogs treated with procainamide. When dosed appropriately in the clinical setting, one bolus of IV procainamide was safe for the treatment of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias.

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

Bruce GravesDVM,

Jessica KielbDVM, DACVECC, and

Nolan ChalifouxDVM, MSTR, DACVECC

Letter from the Editor

What Acupuncture Can and Cannot Treat

Clinical Efficacy of Pimobendan Versus Benazepril for the Treatment of Acquired Atrioventricular Valvular Disease in Dogs

Comparison of Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Lidocaine and Procainamide for Postoperative Ventricular Arrhythmias in Dogs

Long-Term Efficacy of Trilostane Administered Twice Daily in Dogs With Pituitary-Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism

Aseptic Suppurative Meningitis in Juvenile Boxer Dogs: Retrospective Study of 12 Cases

A Retrospective Study on the Use of Acepromazine Maleate in Dogs With Seizures

Stenotic Nasopharyngeal Dysgenesis in the Dachshund: Seven Cases (2002–2004)

Acute Hepatopathy Associated With Mitotane Administration in a Dog

Use of Posaconazole in the Management of Invasive Orbital Aspergillosis in a Cat

Gallbladder Agenesis in a Maltese Dog

Treatment of Severe Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions With Human Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Two Dogs

Dealing With Chemotherapy Extravasations: A New Technique

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