Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases in small animal practice. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only curative treatment for the disease, and oral, subcutaneous and intralymphatic administration of allergens are commonly employed. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of AIT following an induction phase with intralymphatic injections (ILIT) or rush immunotherapy (RIT). Animals: Fifty privately owned dogs with AD. Materials and Methods:In a double-blinded study, dogs were randomly assigned to either four monthly ILIT of allergen extract or RIT with five injections administered subcutaneously at hourly intervals on the first day. They were assessed by validated scores; Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) at the beginning of the study and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The latter were performed daily for 7 days before each revisit. Medication scores and a total clinical score were calculated and compared between each group and time point. Results: There was no significant difference in CADLI and PVAS scores, or CADLI and medication scores between groups at any of the time points. A significant improvement with both ILIT and RIT was seen in total and pruritus scores, respectively. An owner global assessment of good-to-excellent treatment efficacy was seen in 40% of the dogs; total scores improved by 27% and 35% in the RIT and ILIT group, respectively. Adverse effects were not seen. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Induction of AIT can be conducted either as RIT or ILIT with no loss in efficacy.

This publication describes the straightforward and redox‐neutral synthesis of 10‐bromophenylethynylcobalamin and its facile conversion to 10‐bromoaquacobalamin. In this approach, the phenylethynyl ligand acts as convenient light‐stable protecting group that is removed in quantitative yield under acidic conditions. The proteolytic cleavage at pH 2.0 was studied under pseudo‐first‐order conditions and is 1.5 times slower than that of phenylethynylcobalamin with a hydrogen instead of a bromine at C(10). Preliminary electrochemical studies of organometallic ethynyl‐Cbls (Cbl=cobalamin) are reported for the first time. A reduction potential Ep(normalCnormalonormalInormalInormalI/normalCnormaloI) of −0.94 V vs. Ag/AgCl was determined for the CoIII/CoI reduction of 10‐bromophenylethynylcobalamin. The positive potential shift of 180 mV compared to phenylethynylcobalamin is in agreement with earlier electrochemical studies of related cyanocobalamins.

Background Chronic otitis externa (OE) in dogs frequently requires anaesthetised ear flushing. Objectives To evaluate hypochlorous acid as an ear flushing and antimicrobial agent in dogs with chronic OE. Animals Twenty dogs with chronic OE caused by the same organisms bilaterally. Materials and Methods One ear was flushed under anaesthesia with hypochlorous acid, the other with saline solution. Subsequently, the ear flushed with hypochlorous acid was cleaned with the same solution twice daily for 2 weeks, the other ear with a commercial ear cleaner. An ear medication containing miconazole, polymyxin B and prednisolone was used once daily in both ears. Clinical scores were determined before the flush. Ear cytological results were obtained, a hearing test was conducted before and after the ear flush, and a culture was taken directly after flushing. Ears were evaluated after 2 weeks of therapy. Results Yeast was present in the ears of 11, cocci in one and a mixed infection in eight dogs. Five ears were negative on culture after flushing with hypochlorous acid, one after the saline flush. Clinical and cytological scores decreased significantly with both solutions after 2 weeks of treatment. There was no difference between treatments in any of the scores at any time point between treatments and in the results of the hearing test before and after the flushing procedure. Adverse effects were not seen. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Hypochlorous acid is a suitable cleaning solution for canine OE.

Background -Serum testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E is commonly employed to identify allergens used for allergen-specific immunotherapy in dogs, yet the reliability of results has been a matter of debate.Objective -The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of serum tests for environmental allergenspecific IgE in three European laboratories.Animals/Methods -Serum was obtained from 33 client-owned dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, divided into three aliquots and sent to the laboratories under different names. Two aliquots were sent simultaneously to one of the laboratories on the first day; the third sample was then sent to the same laboratory on the subsequent day. The laboratory for each patient was chosen according to a predetermined randomization list. The agreement between different samples from the same dog for each of the laboratories was calculated with a Cohen's Kappa test. Spearman's rank coefficients (r sp ) as well as the coefficients of variation (CV) additionally were calculated.Results -The intra-and interassay agreements for laboratories A, B and C were 0.79 and 0.75, 0.92 and 0.90, and 0.90 and 0.85, respectively. The CVs were 18.92% and 22.95%, 14.43% and 18.79%, and 15.38% and 18.75% (respectively) and the r sp 0.73 and 0.68, 0.95 and 0.92, and 0.82 and 0.74 (respectively). Conclusion and clinical relevance -The differences in reproducibility between laboratories complicate test interpretation and underline the importance of interpreting results of serum testing for allergen-specific IgE in the context of the patient's clinical history.

A 30-year-old, intact female Indian rhinoceros (Rhinocerus unicornis) was presented with ongoing erosive, ulcerative skin lesions over a 4-year-period. The lesions appeared to be non-pruritic and non-seasonal. A systemic antibiotic therapy had been unsuccessful. The dermatological examination showed 8 diffusely demarcated areas of erosion, focal ulceration, mild crusting, and moderate erythema ranging from 8 to 20 cm in diameter, bilaterally on the lateral edges of the torso armor plates. The patient had no other clinical abnormalities. Coccoid and rod-shaped bacteria were identified on cytology and a bacterial culture revealed Escherichia coli spp., Staphylococcus dysgalacticae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Corynebacterium spp. and Micrococus spp. A topical product line containing essential fatty acids and plant extracts was administered daily, using a spot-on, spray and balm. Within 3 weeks a substantial alleviation of clinical signs was observed. Multiple impression smears of the lesions and a bacterial culture were negative by day 21. The patient achieved complete remission within 4 months of treatment and maintained remission for the 2-year observation period with continued use of the medication. Topically administered therapeutics containing essential fatty acids and plant extracts may offer a viable treatment option for recurrent cases of bacterial infectious skin lesions in Indian rhinocerotidae.