Journals

Question 1

What were the primary findings of a study by Kemp et al comparing liver sampling techniques in dogs?

JVIM 2015 29.

Answer 1

• Liver specimens collected by punch, cup and needle were compared to samples collected at necropsy
• Diagnosis in 66% of needle samples, 60% of cup samples and 69% of punch samples were in agreement with necropsy samples; no significant difference between the modalities
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Question 2

What were the primary findings of a study by Wallisch and Trepanier regarding the incidence, timing and risk factors of azathioprine hepatotoxicosis in dogs?

JVIM 2015 29.

Answer 2

• Hepatotoxicosis was seen in 15% of dogs, with median onset of 14 days
• Median 9-fold increase in ALT and 8-fold increase in ALP which stabilized or resolved with drug discontinuation/dose reduction
• Thrombocytopenia/neutropenia seen in 8% of dogs with CBC follow-up, with median onset time of 53 days

Question 3

What were the findings of a study by Lidbury et al regarding putative precipitating factors for hepatic encephalopathy in dogs (118 cases)?

Javma 2015 247

Answer 3

• Looked for an association between SIRS, GI hemorrhage, dietary indiscretion, constipation, furosemide treatment, azotemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, alkalosis and hyperammonemia–none identified
• Treatment for presumed HE prior to hospital admission were significantly less likely to have clinical signs of disease at admission

Question 4

What were the findings of a study by Greenhalgh et al regarding long term survival and quality of life in dogs with clinical signs associated with a congenital portosystemic shunt after surgical or medical treatment?

JAVMA 2014 245.

Answer 4

• Surgical treatment of CPSS in dogs resulted in significantly improved survival rate and lower frequency of ongoing clinical signs compared to medical management
• Age at diagnosis did not affect survival rate and should not influence treatment choice