BackgroundCanine heartworm infections were frequently diagnosed in Brazil before the new millennium. After the year 2000, the frequency of diagnosis showed a sharp decline; however, a few years later, new evidence indicated that the parasite was still present and that canine infection rates seemed to be increasing. Therefore, an updated survey of canine heartworm prevalence was conducted in several locations in south, southeast, and northeast Brazil.MethodsDogs from 15 locations having previously reported a high prevalence of heartworm infection were included in the survey according to defined criteria, including the absence of treatment with a macrocyclic lactone for at least 1 year. Blood samples from 1531 dogs were evaluated by an in-clinic immunochromatography test kit (Witness® Heartworm, Zoetis, USA) for detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. At each location, epidemiologic data, including physical characteristics and clinical signs reported by owners or observed by veterinarians, were recorded on prepared forms for tabulation of results by location, clinical signs, and physical characteristics.ResultsThe overall prevalence of canine heartworm infection was 23.1%, with evidence of heartworm-infected dogs detected in all 15 locations studied. There was a tendency for higher prevalence rates in environmentally protected areas, despite some locations having less-than-ideal environmental temperatures for survival of vector mosquitoes. Among physical characteristics, it was noted that dogs with predominantly white hair coats and residing in areas with a high (≥20%) prevalence of heartworm were less likely to have heartworm infection detected by a commercial heartworm antigen test kit than were dogs with other coat colors. In general, dogs older than 2 years were more frequently positive for D. immitis antigen than were younger dogs. Clinical signs of heartworm infections were rare or owners were unable to detect them, and could not be used for reliable prediction of the presence of heartworm.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the prevalence of D. immitis has increased in these areas of Brazil over the past few years. Small animal practitioners in these areas should include routine screening tests for heartworm infections in every dog’s annual evaluation protocol and make sure to have uninfected dogs on prevention.

Results suggest that serum CRP concentration is high in dogs with multicentric lymphoma but that serum CRP concentration is not a useful marker for relapse and that chemotherapy itself does not affect serum CRP concentration.

Background Oclacitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 enzyme inhibitor and blocks JAK1-dependent cytokines and is used to control pruritus. Studies available in cats are very limited and as there is a potential role for oclacitinib in the control of pruritus in this specie, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical effects of oral oclacitinib maleate in healthy cats. Results Thirty mixed-breed cats weighing from 2.1 to 5.3 kg each were randomly allocated to three treatment groups of 10 animals each. Cats in two groups received oclacitinib at 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg q 12 h orally for 28 days. Cats in the third group were given placebo tablets (cornstarch) q 12 h orally for 28 days. Oclacitinib maleate was well tolerated during the study and few adverse events were observed in treated cats. Clinical signs of toxicity were not observed in any animals treated at 1 mg/kg. Gastrointestinal clinical signs observed in the 2 mg/kg group included vomiting in two of the 10 cats and soft stools in two cats. One cat treated with placebo also exhibited soft stools. No significant differences were observed between the groups for hematologic analyses performed during the study. There was a slight increase in neutrophils and monocytes and a decrease in eosinophil mean counts in treated cats. Mean renal and liver enzymes remained normal throughout the entire study. A small, but significant increase in fructosamine levels was observed for both treated groups compared with placebo; however, values remained within the normal reference range. There were no significant difference between treated groups and the placebo group for urine specific gravity, pH, or urine protein to creatinine ratio mean values. Conclusions Oclacitinib maleate was well tolerated by cats at 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg and appeared to be safe for this species when administered orally twice daily for 28 days. More studies would be needed to demonstrate if oclacitinib maleate may be a suitable alternative to treat pruritic cats.

Background Dirofilaria immitis is a life-threatening nematode spreading globally. Arsenical treatment is currently recommended for removal of adult worms. However, arsenical treatment is not available in some countries, and there are dogs that cannot tolerate the rapid kill of adult worms; therefore, alternative adulticide slow-kill treatments are needed. Criticisms against the use of these alternative protocols include the potential for allowing disease to progress and for the development of ML-resistant worms. Methods The efficacy of a protocol that includes semi-annual doses (i.e. every 6 months) of commercially available extended-release injectable moxidectin suspension (ProHeart® SR-12) with 30-day oral administration of doxycycline was studied in 20 dogs with naturally occurring D. immitis infections. Each dog received treatment with ProHeart® SR-12 (0.5 mg moxidectin/kg) by subcutaneous injection and oral doxycycline (10 mg/kg/bid × 30 days) every 6 months until two consecutive negative antigen test results were obtained. Pulmonary and cardiac evaluations were performed by radiographic and echocardiographic parameters. Physical examinations, complete blood counts, clinical chemistry profiles, microfilariae and antigen tests were performed periodically. Results At enrollment, all dogs were positive for D. immitis antigen and 18 were microfilaremic. On day 30, microfilaremia counts decreased, and all dogs became amicrofilaremic by day 150. On day 180, 11 dogs were antigen-negative, and 7 more became negative by day 360. The two remaining antigen-positive dogs converted to negative by day 540 or 810. All antigen tests performed 180 days after the first negative test were negative. There was no decline in cardiac performance of the dogs throughout the study. Overall, pulmonary clinical conditions, presence of worms by echocardiography, and enlargement of caudal and main pulmonary arteries improved after treatment. Physical examinations, complete blood count results, and clinical chemistry profiles were within normal reference values. Respiratory conditions were improved, no damage to the heart was observed, and the treatment protocol was well tolerated by the animals. Conclusions This alternative adulticide treatment was efficacious and well tolerated in naturally infected dogs. The injectable formulation provides the advantage of having veterinarians able to administer, monitor, and assess the efficacy and condition of the dog throughout the treatment and post-treatment periods.

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