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- Author or Editor: Stephen D. Gilson x
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Abstract
Objective—To determine response rate and reduction in tumor burden and effect of dose on tumor response in dogs treated with neoadjuvant prednisone for cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs).
Design—Combined prospective clinical study and retrospective case series.
Animals—49 dogs with MCT.
Procedures—Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for dogs with primary untreated cutaneous MCT managed with neoadjuvant prednisone administration and surgery. Tumor characteristics and response to treatment were recorded. A subset of dogs assigned to low-dose (LD) treatment with neoadjuvant prednisone (1.0 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) or high-dose (HD) treatment (2.2 mg/kg [1.0 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) was used to determine the effects of dose.
Results—The overall objective response rate was 70% for dogs treated with neoadjuvant prednisone; prednisone dose was not significantly associated with response. Prospectively, the median sum maximal diameter (MaxD) reduction was 45.2%, and reduction in tumor volume was 80.6%. In both treatment groups, the mean percentage MaxD reduction and tumor volume reduction were significant. The difference in response between the LD and HD groups was not significant. The LD group had mean MaxD and tumor volume reductions of 35.4% and 52.5%, respectively, compared with mean reductions of 48.8% in MaxD and 78% in tumor volume in the HD group.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Treatment with neoadjuvant prednisone appears to be useful for inducing reduction of MCTs and may facilitate resection when adequate surgical margins cannot be confidently attained because of mass location or size or both.
Abstract
Objective—To determine the history, clinicopathologic findings, and results of surgery for effusive-constrictive pericarditis associated with Coccidioides immitis infection in dogs.
Design—Retrospective study.
Animals—17 client-owned dogs that underwent a subtotal pericardectomy and epicardial excision.
Procedure—Hospital records from May 1999 to June 2003 were reviewed. Data collected included history, clinicopathologic findings, treatments, and outcome. Follow-up information was obtained via recheck examination and by use of standardized telephone interviews with referring veterinarians and owners.
Results—All dogs were of large breeds, and most were male (mean age, 4.66 years). Ten dogs had no prior history of C immitis infection, and 7 dogs had chronic infection with C immitis. Having a chronic C immitis infection reduced the odds of survival, compared with no previous infection. All dogs had clinical signs of right-sided heart failure. All dogs had serum titers (range, 1:8 to 1:256) for antibodies against C immitis prior to surgery, and titers were not significantly associated with outcome. Predominant echocardiographic findings were thickened pericardium, reduced right ventricular filling, and pleural or pericardial effusion. All dogs underwent a subtotal pericardectomy and epicardial excision and had fibrosing pyogranulomatous pericarditis in biopsy specimens obtained during surgery. The perioperative mortality rate was 23.5%, and the 2-year postdischarge survival rate was 82%.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Surgical treatment via subtotal pericardectomy and epicardial excision is successful at relieving right-sided heart failure in dogs with effusive-constrictive pericarditis secondary to C immitis infection, but long-term treatment with antifungal agents may still be required. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;227:435–440)
