Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 1995
Twelve dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were treated with subcutaneous desoxycorticosterone pivalate... more Twelve dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were treated with subcutaneous desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP). Eight of these dogs were recently diagnosed and had not yet been treated. Four dogs previously had been diagnosed and treated (three with intramuscular DOCP, one with oral fludrocortisone acetate). History, physical examination, serum electrolytes, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were evaluated. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (2.2 mg/kg body weight) was administered every 25 days. On day 0, recently diagnosed dogs had a median serum sodium concentration of 131.5 mEq/L, median serum potassium concentration of 6.6 mEq/L, and median BUN of 41.5 mg/dl. All subsequent median serum electrolyte and BUN concentrations were normal. All previously treated dogs had normal blood values which were maintained throughout the study.
PATHOGEN INCUBATION PERIOD / COMMUNICABILITY ASSOCIATED FOODS/ TRANSMISSION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS TR... more PATHOGEN INCUBATION PERIOD / COMMUNICABILITY ASSOCIATED FOODS/ TRANSMISSION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS TREATMENT PUBLIC HEALTH (PH) RESPONSE Bacillus anthracis * (anthrax gastrointestinal) 3-7 days, although up to 60 days possible. Not communicable person-toperson. Ingestion of contaminated undercooked food. Nausea, vomiting, malaise, bloody diarrhea, acute abdominal pain followed by fever, septicemia. Ciprofloxacin is 1st line treatment. Alternatives are doxycycline and amoxicillin if susceptible. Begin therapy with two intravenous antimicrobials. Cephalosporins and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole should not be used. Anthrax is a potential bioterrorism agent.
To evaluate the effect of diet on results obtained by use of 2 commercial test kits for detection... more To evaluate the effect of diet on results obtained by use of 2 commercial test kits for detection of occult blood in feces, 5 dogs were fed 7 diets in randomized sequence. Dry and canned diets with various principal ingredients were evaluated. Each diet was offered twice over a 24-hour period, followed by a 36-hour nonfeeding period. Fecal specimens were collected twice daily, and tests for occult blood were performed within 12 hours. The dietary origin of fecal specimens was confirmed by use of colored markers fed with each diet, and was correlated with estimates of gastrointestinal tract transit time. A modified guaiac paper test and an o-tolidine tablet test were performed on each specimen. Of 59 specimens, 4 were positive for occult blood, using the o-tolidine tablet test. Three positive results were associated with a mutton-based canned diet, and 1 positive result was associated with a canned beef-based diet. Of 59 specimens, 11 were positive for occult blood, using the modifie...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) improve quality of life and extend the life span... more Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) improve quality of life and extend the life span of dogs with naturally acquired ISACHC class II-III congestive heart failure (CHF). However, their effects on asymptomatic heart disease remain controversial. Benazepril (BNZ), an ACEI, could have beneficial effects at the asymptomatic stage of degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD). Dogs with ISACHC class Ia MVD and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) assessed by the color Doppler mapping technique at entry (Day 0) were retrospectively included. Dogs were assigned to the treated group (BNZ group) if they received BNZ (and no other cardiac medication) from Day 0 or to the untreated group (UT group) if they did not receive any cardioactive treatment until occurrence of CHF. A total of 141 dogs were included in the study, 66 in the BNZ group (dosage: 0.30 +/- 0.13 mg/kg) and 75 in the UT group. In the population (n = 93) including all breeds except Cavalier (CKC) and King Charles Spaniels (KC), median survival time to all causes of death in the BNZ group (n = 34, 3.3 years) was significantly longer than in the UT group (n = 59, 1.9 years) as was time to cardiac event (P < .05). Conversely, no effect of the BNZ treatment was observed in the CKC and KC population. BNZ had beneficial effects in asymptomatic dogs other than CKC and KC affected by MVD with moderate-to-severe MR. Breed distribution should be taken into account for interpretation of clinical trials performed in dogs with cardiac disease.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Jan 15, 1998
To identify risk factors of pets affected by the 1991 Oakland, Calif fire for being lost, found, ... more To identify risk factors of pets affected by the 1991 Oakland, Calif fire for being lost, found, adopted, or reunited with owners. Retrospective cohort study. 1,075 cats and 197 dogs affected by the fire and 221 cats and 128 dogs not affected by the fire. Records compiled from 1991 to 1995 by the Oakland Firestorm Pet Hotline were analyzed. Peak activity for the hotline was on days 3 and 4 after the fire, but decreased to a low, steady rate by day 21. Many pets were found that had been abandoned or were part of a large free-roaming population that existed at the time of the fire. Many were missing after the fire and presumed killed. The longer owners delayed looking for their pet, the lower the chance of being reunited. Pets wearing collars with the owners' names and addresses had a more than 10-fold chance of being reunited, compared with pets without collars. Increasing odds for adoption of lost pets was associated with their proximity to the fire. Hotlines set up after sudden...
To the authors&am... more To the authors' knowledge, on the basis of sample type, storage condition, or hemolysis, differences in serum and plasma biochemical values have not been evaluated in orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica). The purpose of this study was to compare values for biochemical analytes in serum vs plasma, fresh vs frozen plasma, and nonhemolyzed vs hemolyzed samples in orange-winged Amazon parrots. We also compared differences in serum and plasma yield from whole-blood aliquots. Fifteen biochemical analytes were evaluated in paired serum and plasma, fresh and frozen plasma, nonhemolyzed and hemolyzed serum and plasma samples from orange-winged Amazon parrots (n = 10) using a wet reagent analyzer. Hemolysis was assessed qualitatively (visually) and quantitatively (hemoglobin [Hgb] measured spectrophotometrically). Serum and plasma yields from 500-microl whole-blood aliquots were determined from centrifuged samples. Analyte values significantly differed among sample groups, but were still within published reference intervals, with the exception of increases in potassium concentration in markedly hemolyzed serum and plasma samples. Clinically important changes in hemolyzed serum and plasma samples included increases in potassium, phosphorus, and albumin concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase activity. The degree of hemolysis assigned qualitatively did not correlate with quantitative Hgb concentration. A significantly greater yield of plasma (288 +/- 13 microL) than serum (241 +/- 44 microL) was obtained. Significant differences may occur in different sample types, however, only changes in potassium, phosphorus, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase values in hemolyzed samples were considered clinically relevant. Lack of agreement between qualitative and quantitative Hgb concentration indicates the unreliability of visual estimation. Based on higher sample yield, and lack of clinically relevant differences from serum, plasma is a better sample choice for clinical chemistry analysis in birds.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Trilostane medical treatment of naturally occurring hyperadrenocorticism (NOH) in dogs is common,... more Trilostane medical treatment of naturally occurring hyperadrenocorticism (NOH) in dogs is common, as is use of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test (ACTHst) in monitoring response to treatment. There is uncertainty regarding when the ACTHst should be started relative to time of trilostane administration. To compare ACTHst results in dogs being treated for NOH with trilostane when the test is begun 2 versus 4 hours after trilostane administration. Twenty-one privately owned dogs with NOH, each treated with trilostane for at least 30 days. Each dog had 2 ACTHst completed, 1 started 2 hours and the other 4 hours after trilostane administration. The second test was started no sooner than 46 hours and no later than 74 hours after the first. For all 21 dogs, the mean post-ACTH serum cortisol concentration from tests started 2 hours after trilostane administration (5.4 ± 3.7 μg/dL) was significantly lower (P = .03) as compared with results from the tests started 4 hours ...
Myelin-like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has been attributed to demyeli... more Myelin-like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has been attributed to demyelinating or myelomalacic conditions. In our experience, myelin-like material is observed frequently, especially in lumbar samples, and in a variety of disease conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if there are associations between the presence of myelin-like material and CSF collection site, body weight, underlying disease, and patient outcome. Wright-Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuged specimens of CSF from the cerebellomedullary cistern (n=51) and lumbar cistern (n=47) of 98 dogs with neurologic disease were evaluated retrospectively for the presence and amount of extracellular myelin-like material. Results were compared based on collection site, body weight, type of neurologic disease, and outcome. Myelin-like material was observed in 20/98 (20%) samples and was more frequently observed in lumbar (17/47, 36%) than cerebellomedullary samples (3/51, 6%) (P=.0028). Samples from dogs <10 kg were more likely to contain myelin (14/36, 39%) compared with dogs > or =10 kg (5/60, 8%) (P=.0052). Larger amounts of myelin-like material were observed in CSF from dogs with intervertebral disk disease compared with other diseases (P=.045). No association was found between myelin-like material and outcome. The association of extracellular myelin-like material in canine CSF samples with sampling site and body weight suggests it is more often an artifact of collection technique and anatomy rather than the result of neurologic disease. Myelin-like material in CSF is not associated with a poorer prognosis.
The Schirmer tear test (STT) I was performed to evaluate tear production in 12 captive Nubian ibe... more The Schirmer tear test (STT) I was performed to evaluate tear production in 12 captive Nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana), 10 captive Burchell's zebras (Equus burchelli) and five Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) at the Tel-Aviv Ramat-Gan Zoological Center (Israel). Mean (+/- standard deviation) STT values were 13.2 +/- 5.1 mm/min in the ibex, 23.4 +/- 3.4 mm/min in the zebra and 12.7 +/- 4.8 mm/min in the oryx. There were no significant effects of gender, age, weight, or side of the eye. There were no significant differences in STT values between ibex and oryx, but tear production in both species was significantly lower than in zebras. Knowledge of normal tear production values is important for the differential diagnosis of conjunctivitis and keratitis in these species.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2006
Objective—To determine the immediately antecedent cause of secondary glaucoma and the prevalence ... more Objective—To determine the immediately antecedent cause of secondary glaucoma and the prevalence of secondary glaucoma with anterior uveitis or lens dislocation in dogs. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—156 dogs with secondary glaucoma. Procedures—Cause of glaucoma was determined from records. Breed, age, sex, and neuter status of all dogs with secondary glaucoma were compared with the general hospital population. The prevalence of secondary glaucoma in dogs with a primary diagnosis of lens dislocation or anterior uveitis during the same period was determined. Results—Secondary glaucoma was diagnosed in 156 of 2,257 (6.9%) dogs examined because of ophthalmic disease and was bilateral in 33 (21.2%) of those dogs. In 31 (94%) bilaterally affected dogs, the antecedent cause was the same in both eyes. Common causes of secondary glaucoma were non-surgical anterior uveitis (44.9%), anterior uveitis associated with prior phacoemulsification (15.8%), and lens dislocation (15.2%). P...
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 1995
Twelve dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were treated with subcutaneous desoxycorticosterone pivalate... more Twelve dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were treated with subcutaneous desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP). Eight of these dogs were recently diagnosed and had not yet been treated. Four dogs previously had been diagnosed and treated (three with intramuscular DOCP, one with oral fludrocortisone acetate). History, physical examination, serum electrolytes, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were evaluated. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (2.2 mg/kg body weight) was administered every 25 days. On day 0, recently diagnosed dogs had a median serum sodium concentration of 131.5 mEq/L, median serum potassium concentration of 6.6 mEq/L, and median BUN of 41.5 mg/dl. All subsequent median serum electrolyte and BUN concentrations were normal. All previously treated dogs had normal blood values which were maintained throughout the study.
PATHOGEN INCUBATION PERIOD / COMMUNICABILITY ASSOCIATED FOODS/ TRANSMISSION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS TR... more PATHOGEN INCUBATION PERIOD / COMMUNICABILITY ASSOCIATED FOODS/ TRANSMISSION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS TREATMENT PUBLIC HEALTH (PH) RESPONSE Bacillus anthracis * (anthrax gastrointestinal) 3-7 days, although up to 60 days possible. Not communicable person-toperson. Ingestion of contaminated undercooked food. Nausea, vomiting, malaise, bloody diarrhea, acute abdominal pain followed by fever, septicemia. Ciprofloxacin is 1st line treatment. Alternatives are doxycycline and amoxicillin if susceptible. Begin therapy with two intravenous antimicrobials. Cephalosporins and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole should not be used. Anthrax is a potential bioterrorism agent.
To evaluate the effect of diet on results obtained by use of 2 commercial test kits for detection... more To evaluate the effect of diet on results obtained by use of 2 commercial test kits for detection of occult blood in feces, 5 dogs were fed 7 diets in randomized sequence. Dry and canned diets with various principal ingredients were evaluated. Each diet was offered twice over a 24-hour period, followed by a 36-hour nonfeeding period. Fecal specimens were collected twice daily, and tests for occult blood were performed within 12 hours. The dietary origin of fecal specimens was confirmed by use of colored markers fed with each diet, and was correlated with estimates of gastrointestinal tract transit time. A modified guaiac paper test and an o-tolidine tablet test were performed on each specimen. Of 59 specimens, 4 were positive for occult blood, using the o-tolidine tablet test. Three positive results were associated with a mutton-based canned diet, and 1 positive result was associated with a canned beef-based diet. Of 59 specimens, 11 were positive for occult blood, using the modifie...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) improve quality of life and extend the life span... more Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) improve quality of life and extend the life span of dogs with naturally acquired ISACHC class II-III congestive heart failure (CHF). However, their effects on asymptomatic heart disease remain controversial. Benazepril (BNZ), an ACEI, could have beneficial effects at the asymptomatic stage of degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD). Dogs with ISACHC class Ia MVD and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) assessed by the color Doppler mapping technique at entry (Day 0) were retrospectively included. Dogs were assigned to the treated group (BNZ group) if they received BNZ (and no other cardiac medication) from Day 0 or to the untreated group (UT group) if they did not receive any cardioactive treatment until occurrence of CHF. A total of 141 dogs were included in the study, 66 in the BNZ group (dosage: 0.30 +/- 0.13 mg/kg) and 75 in the UT group. In the population (n = 93) including all breeds except Cavalier (CKC) and King Charles Spaniels (KC), median survival time to all causes of death in the BNZ group (n = 34, 3.3 years) was significantly longer than in the UT group (n = 59, 1.9 years) as was time to cardiac event (P < .05). Conversely, no effect of the BNZ treatment was observed in the CKC and KC population. BNZ had beneficial effects in asymptomatic dogs other than CKC and KC affected by MVD with moderate-to-severe MR. Breed distribution should be taken into account for interpretation of clinical trials performed in dogs with cardiac disease.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Jan 15, 1998
To identify risk factors of pets affected by the 1991 Oakland, Calif fire for being lost, found, ... more To identify risk factors of pets affected by the 1991 Oakland, Calif fire for being lost, found, adopted, or reunited with owners. Retrospective cohort study. 1,075 cats and 197 dogs affected by the fire and 221 cats and 128 dogs not affected by the fire. Records compiled from 1991 to 1995 by the Oakland Firestorm Pet Hotline were analyzed. Peak activity for the hotline was on days 3 and 4 after the fire, but decreased to a low, steady rate by day 21. Many pets were found that had been abandoned or were part of a large free-roaming population that existed at the time of the fire. Many were missing after the fire and presumed killed. The longer owners delayed looking for their pet, the lower the chance of being reunited. Pets wearing collars with the owners' names and addresses had a more than 10-fold chance of being reunited, compared with pets without collars. Increasing odds for adoption of lost pets was associated with their proximity to the fire. Hotlines set up after sudden...
To the authors&am... more To the authors' knowledge, on the basis of sample type, storage condition, or hemolysis, differences in serum and plasma biochemical values have not been evaluated in orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica). The purpose of this study was to compare values for biochemical analytes in serum vs plasma, fresh vs frozen plasma, and nonhemolyzed vs hemolyzed samples in orange-winged Amazon parrots. We also compared differences in serum and plasma yield from whole-blood aliquots. Fifteen biochemical analytes were evaluated in paired serum and plasma, fresh and frozen plasma, nonhemolyzed and hemolyzed serum and plasma samples from orange-winged Amazon parrots (n = 10) using a wet reagent analyzer. Hemolysis was assessed qualitatively (visually) and quantitatively (hemoglobin [Hgb] measured spectrophotometrically). Serum and plasma yields from 500-microl whole-blood aliquots were determined from centrifuged samples. Analyte values significantly differed among sample groups, but were still within published reference intervals, with the exception of increases in potassium concentration in markedly hemolyzed serum and plasma samples. Clinically important changes in hemolyzed serum and plasma samples included increases in potassium, phosphorus, and albumin concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase activity. The degree of hemolysis assigned qualitatively did not correlate with quantitative Hgb concentration. A significantly greater yield of plasma (288 +/- 13 microL) than serum (241 +/- 44 microL) was obtained. Significant differences may occur in different sample types, however, only changes in potassium, phosphorus, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase values in hemolyzed samples were considered clinically relevant. Lack of agreement between qualitative and quantitative Hgb concentration indicates the unreliability of visual estimation. Based on higher sample yield, and lack of clinically relevant differences from serum, plasma is a better sample choice for clinical chemistry analysis in birds.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Trilostane medical treatment of naturally occurring hyperadrenocorticism (NOH) in dogs is common,... more Trilostane medical treatment of naturally occurring hyperadrenocorticism (NOH) in dogs is common, as is use of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test (ACTHst) in monitoring response to treatment. There is uncertainty regarding when the ACTHst should be started relative to time of trilostane administration. To compare ACTHst results in dogs being treated for NOH with trilostane when the test is begun 2 versus 4 hours after trilostane administration. Twenty-one privately owned dogs with NOH, each treated with trilostane for at least 30 days. Each dog had 2 ACTHst completed, 1 started 2 hours and the other 4 hours after trilostane administration. The second test was started no sooner than 46 hours and no later than 74 hours after the first. For all 21 dogs, the mean post-ACTH serum cortisol concentration from tests started 2 hours after trilostane administration (5.4 ± 3.7 μg/dL) was significantly lower (P = .03) as compared with results from the tests started 4 hours ...
Myelin-like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has been attributed to demyeli... more Myelin-like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has been attributed to demyelinating or myelomalacic conditions. In our experience, myelin-like material is observed frequently, especially in lumbar samples, and in a variety of disease conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if there are associations between the presence of myelin-like material and CSF collection site, body weight, underlying disease, and patient outcome. Wright-Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuged specimens of CSF from the cerebellomedullary cistern (n=51) and lumbar cistern (n=47) of 98 dogs with neurologic disease were evaluated retrospectively for the presence and amount of extracellular myelin-like material. Results were compared based on collection site, body weight, type of neurologic disease, and outcome. Myelin-like material was observed in 20/98 (20%) samples and was more frequently observed in lumbar (17/47, 36%) than cerebellomedullary samples (3/51, 6%) (P=.0028). Samples from dogs <10 kg were more likely to contain myelin (14/36, 39%) compared with dogs > or =10 kg (5/60, 8%) (P=.0052). Larger amounts of myelin-like material were observed in CSF from dogs with intervertebral disk disease compared with other diseases (P=.045). No association was found between myelin-like material and outcome. The association of extracellular myelin-like material in canine CSF samples with sampling site and body weight suggests it is more often an artifact of collection technique and anatomy rather than the result of neurologic disease. Myelin-like material in CSF is not associated with a poorer prognosis.
The Schirmer tear test (STT) I was performed to evaluate tear production in 12 captive Nubian ibe... more The Schirmer tear test (STT) I was performed to evaluate tear production in 12 captive Nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana), 10 captive Burchell's zebras (Equus burchelli) and five Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) at the Tel-Aviv Ramat-Gan Zoological Center (Israel). Mean (+/- standard deviation) STT values were 13.2 +/- 5.1 mm/min in the ibex, 23.4 +/- 3.4 mm/min in the zebra and 12.7 +/- 4.8 mm/min in the oryx. There were no significant effects of gender, age, weight, or side of the eye. There were no significant differences in STT values between ibex and oryx, but tear production in both species was significantly lower than in zebras. Knowledge of normal tear production values is important for the differential diagnosis of conjunctivitis and keratitis in these species.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2006
Objective—To determine the immediately antecedent cause of secondary glaucoma and the prevalence ... more Objective—To determine the immediately antecedent cause of secondary glaucoma and the prevalence of secondary glaucoma with anterior uveitis or lens dislocation in dogs. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—156 dogs with secondary glaucoma. Procedures—Cause of glaucoma was determined from records. Breed, age, sex, and neuter status of all dogs with secondary glaucoma were compared with the general hospital population. The prevalence of secondary glaucoma in dogs with a primary diagnosis of lens dislocation or anterior uveitis during the same period was determined. Results—Secondary glaucoma was diagnosed in 156 of 2,257 (6.9%) dogs examined because of ophthalmic disease and was bilateral in 33 (21.2%) of those dogs. In 31 (94%) bilaterally affected dogs, the antecedent cause was the same in both eyes. Common causes of secondary glaucoma were non-surgical anterior uveitis (44.9%), anterior uveitis associated with prior phacoemulsification (15.8%), and lens dislocation (15.2%). P...
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Papers by Philip Kass