Hyo-Mi Jang

Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma application on cutaneous wound healing in dogs.

This study was conducted to identify the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and efficacy of intralesional injection as a method of application to acute cutaneous wounds in dogs. Healthy adult beagles (n = 3) were used in this study. Autologous PRP was separated from anticoagulant treated whole blood in three dogs. Cutaneous wounds were created and then treated by intralesional injection of PRP in the experimental group, while they were treated with saline in the control group on days 0, 2 and 4. The healing process was evaluated by gross examination throughout the experimental period and histologic examination on day 7, 14 and 21. In PRP treated wounds, the mean diameter was smaller and the wound closure rate was higher than in the control. Histological study revealed that PRP treated wounds showed more granulation formation and angiogenesis on day 7, and faster epithelialization, more granulation formation and collagen deposition were observed on day 14 than in control wounds. On day 21, collagen deposition and epithelialization were enhanced in PRP treated groups. Overall, PRP application showed beneficial effects in wound healing, and intralesional injection was useful for application of PRP and could be a good therapeutic option for wound management in dogs.

Canine model of ischemic stroke with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion: clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.

The purpose of this study was to identify time-related changes in clinical, MRI, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings associated with ischemic stroke in dogs. Additionally, the association of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-6 with clinical prognosis was assessed. Ischemic stroke was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in nine healthy experimental dogs. The dogs were divided into three groups according to survival time and duration of the experimental period: group A (survived only 1 day), group B (1-week experimental period), and group C (2-week experimental period). Neurologic status was evaluated daily. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed according to a predetermined schedule. Concentration of IL-6 in CSF was measured serially after ischemic stroke. Postmortem examination was performed for all experimental dogs. During histopathological examination, variable degrees of cavitation and necrosis due to neuronal cytopathic effects, such as pyknotic nuclei and cytoplasmic shrinkage, were observed on the affected side of the cerebral cortex in all dogs. Immunohistochemistry specific for IL-6 showed increased expression in the ischemic lesions. CSF IL-6 concentrations and ischemic lesion volumes 1 day after ischemic stroke were significantly higher in group A compared to groups B and C.

Imatinib Mesylate plus Hydroxyurea Chemotherapy for Cerebellar Meningioma in a Belgian Malinois Dog

ABSTRACT An 8-year-old intact male Belgian Malinois, weighing 37.2 kg, was referred for evaluation due to right side facial paresis, ataxia and a 2-month history of decreased cognitive ability. Physical and neurological examinations revealed mild depression, left-sided head tilt, right-sided facial paresis and ataxia. A well-demarcated, broad-based cerebellar mass and hyperostosis were found on CT imaging of the brain. Based on these CT findings, a cerebellar meningioma was strongly suspected. Hydroxyurea and prednisolone were administered; after 4 weeks, there was reduction in mass size as compared to initial CT results. However, the mass size was found to have grown 6 weeks after hydroxyurea treatment. We then prescribed a combination of imatinib mesylate and hydroxyurea. Two weeks following combination treatment, the mass size had reduced significantly. The mass continuously decreased in size until the patient died during anesthesia. Cerebellar transitional meningioma was confirmed by histopathologic examination. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first reported case of imatinib mesylate plus hydroxyurea therapy for the treatment of meningioma in veterinary medicine.

Clinical and Echocardiographic Findings for Dilated Cardiomyopathy Induced by Taurine Deficiency in a Cat

A 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was referred to Gyeongsang National University Animal Medical Center for labored breathing. According to the patient’s history, the client had fed him commercial dog foods. The patient’s hematological, radiographic, and echocardiographic examinations were evaluated for diagnosis. Echocardiography results showed marked dilations of ventricles and atriums and mitral regurgitation. A systolic dysfunction was detected. Plasma taurine concentration was lower than the reference range. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with feline dilated cardiomyopathy associated with taurine deficiency. Treatment included feline commercial foods, taurine, digoxin, furosemide, and clopidogrel. Digoxin was changed to pimobendan when normal blood pressure was achieved. Clinical signs improved gradually and no abnormalities were detected on echocardiograms at 10 weeks following onset of treatment.

Response Rates and Survival Times for Dogs with Lymphoma Treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Chemotherapy Protocol

Medical records of 10 dogs with newly diagnosed lymphoma between February 2009 and October 2011 were reviewed in this study. All dogs were treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM) chemotherapy protocol. For all dogs, overall median survival time was 277 days (ranged from 9 to 1094 days). The overall response rate of dogs with lymphoma to treat the UWM chemotherapy protocol was 80%; 4 of the 10 (40%) dogs had a complete remission, 4 of the 10 (40%) dogs had a partial remission, and 2 of the 10 (20%) dogs had a no response. This study demonstrates that the clinical findings, diagnostic examination results, response to chemotherapy in canine lymphoma cases. The dog is structurally and functionally very similar to the human. Thus, we hope that this study could help to develop the canine hematopoietic tumor model.