Administration of combined vincristine and prednisone is associated with more rapid increase in platelet numbers and shortened duration of hospitalization in dogs with IMT, compared with use of prednisone alone. Early use of vincristine seems warranted in dogs with severe primary IMT.

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies occur commonly in dogs. The objective of the study was to describe the acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities identified in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies and determine if these abnormalities are related to the site or type of foreign body present. Medical records of 138 dogs were reviewed, and information on signalment, initial venous electrolyte and acid-base values, surgical findings, relevant historical information, imaging modalities used, cost of hospital visit, intra-or postoperative complications, and survival was obtained. The site of the foreign body was recorded in 94.9% of cases and the most common site was the stomach (50%), followed by the jejunum (27.5%). The foreign bodies were linear in 36.2% of cases. The most common electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities regardless of the site or type of foreign body were hypochloremia (51.2%), metabolic alkalosis (45.2%), hypokalemia (25%), and hyponatremia (20.5%). No significant association was found between electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities and the site of foreign body. Linear, as opposed to discrete, foreign bodies were more likely to be associated with a low serum sodium concentration (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.95). Hyperlactatemia (Ͼ2.4 mmol/L) was seen in 40.5% of dogs. A wide variety of electrolyte and acid-base derangements are found in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies. Hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis are common in these dogs. Hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis is seen with both proximal and distal gastrointestinal foreign bodies.Key words: Alkalosis; Hypochloremia; Hypokalemia; Hyponatremia; Linear. Dogs with clinical signs resulting from gastrointestinal foreign bodies are common in small-animal veterinary practice.1 Dogs ingest a large variety of objects that either pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or cause a complete or partial obstruction. Other ingested objects act as linear foreign bodies and cause plication of the small intestine.2 Animals with GI disease frequently have acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities.3 Large volumes of fluid and electrolytes are secreted and reabsorbed by the healthy GI tract daily. In a 20-kg dog, approximately 2.5 L of fluid enters the GI tract from diet and normal gastrointestinal secretions and over 98% is reabsorbed daily. 4 Experimental studies of GI obstruction in dogs have revealed that, after an obstruction has been present for over 24 hours, there is secretion of sodium, potassium, and water rather than absorption in the bowel proximal to the obstruction. Gastrointestinal function is also abnormal distal to the obstruction. 5 Thus, disturbances in normal GI tract function secondary to complete or partial obstruction can rapidly result in disturbances of fluid balance, acid-base status, and serum electrolyte concentrations. Protracted or profuse vomiting and diarrhea with reluctance to consume adequate volumes of food and fluid can also affect the intravascular volume and hydration

Results suggest that a small percentage of dogs with cervical spinal disorders may require perioperative ventilatory support. With prolonged PPV and aggressive management, a good outcome may be achieved in dogs similar to those described in the present study.

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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a dimeric glycosylated polypeptide growth factor with potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability-enhancing properties specific for endothelial cells. In humans, VEGF seems to play a major role in tumor growth, and plasma concentrations correlate with tumor burden, response to therapy, and disease progression. This study compared plasma VEGF concentrations in healthy client-owned dogs (n = 17) to dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA; n 16). Dogs with HSA were significantly more likely to have detectable concentrations of plasma VEGF (13/17) compared to healthy dogs (1/17; P < .001). The median plasma VEGF concentration for dogs with HSA was 17.2 pg/mL (range, < 1.0-66.7 pg/mL). Plasma VEGF concentrations in dogs with HSA did not correlate with stage of disease or tumor burden, but 1 dog had undetectable VEGF during chemotherapy that subsequently increased with disease progression.