Fox2-year-old, 15-kg, male Chow Chow was referred to A the Oklahoma State University Veterinary MedicalTeaching Hospital for evaluation of ataxia that had progressed to an inability to stand. Eleven weeks before referral, the dog had been examined by the referring veterinarian for unilateral epistaxis of 1 day's duration. A CBC at that time revealed severe anemia (PCV 15.3%, reference range 33-55%; mean corpuscular volume [MCV] 71 fL, reference range 60-75 fL; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC] 28.8 g/dL, reference range 32-36 g/dL) and thrombocytopenia (20 X 103/pL, reference range 200-500 X 103/pL). Erythrocyte morphology did not suggest evidence of a bone marrow response, but a reticulocyte count was not obtained. The dog's serum was negative for Ehrlichia canis antibody. Treatment consisted of doxycycline (100 mg PO q24h for 5 days) and prednisone (30 mg q12h for 5 days, 20 mg q24h for 15 days, 15 mg q24h for 15 days, then 10 mg q24h for 15 days). The epistaxis and thrombocytopenia resolved within 48 hours after treatment began. Anemia persisted, but had improved (PCV 23.6%) after 6 days. The dog appeared clinically normal 6 weeks before referral and the only hematologic abnormality was a mild normocytic, normochromic anemia (PCV 27.3%, MCV 66 fL, MCHC 33 g/dL). Two days before referral, the dog presented for ataxia. Laboratory evaluation revealed severe normocytic, normochromic anemia (PCV 16%, MCV 65 fL, MCHC 3lg/dL), thrombocytopenia (37 X lOVpL), leukocytosis (23.3 X lOVpL, reference range 5-17 X 103/pL), and hyperglobulinemia (albumin 2.6 g/ dL, reference range 2.3-3.9 g/dL; globulin 6.3 g/dL, reference range 2.7-4.5 g/dL). Treatment with amoxicillin (250 mg PO q12h) was begun and the dog was referred for further evaluation.Abnormalities noted at physical examination included depressed mentation, generalized weakness, hyperreflexia of all 4 limbs, mild conscious proprioceptive deficits of the rear limbs, and evidence of cervical pain. Medicine 103/pL), and hyperproteinemia (7.8 g/dL, reference range 6.0-7.5 g/dL) resulting from hyperglobulinemia (5.5 g/dL). The dog was anesthetized for bone marrow aspiration, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection, and spinal radiography. No radiographic abnormalities were observed on spinal radiographs. The bone marrow aspirate yielded numerous marrow flecks of normal cellularity. Normal numbers of megakaryocytes were present. The myeloid (M) series was prominently represented and displayed orderly maturation. Cells of the erythroid (E) series also displayed normal maturation, but appeared quantitatively decreased. The (M:E) ratio was estimated to be approximately 3:l. One to 8 plasma cells were present per 50X field in cellular areas of the smears and hemosiderin-laden macrophages were abundant. These findings were interpreted as mild erythroid hypoplasia with mild plasmacytosis and increased iron stores. The CSF was cloudy and had pleocytosis (total nucleated cell count 590/pL, reference range 0-8/yL), increased protein concentration (3,400 mg/dL, refere...

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Sixty-nine HIV-seropositive women were surveyed with regard to the reproductive counseling they had received, contraception, safer sex practices, pregnancy histories, and pregnancy plans. Of the women surveyed, 84% and 90%, respectively, felt that they had access to the birth control and safer sex methods of their choice. Less than half felt that their physician had adequately counseled them about birth control. Women primarily cited social workers (46.4%) or nurses (34.8%) as the counseling source for birth control and safer sex. When informed about the reduced risk of vertical transmission with zidovudine (AZT), 33 women indicated that information regarding AZT would affect their future pregnancy decisions. Health care professionals need to be aware of this and counsel patients accordingly.

ZusammenfassungDie systemische Hypertension ist eine bei Hunden und Katzen zunehmend diagnostizierte Erkrankung, die häufig im Zusammenhang mit einer chronischen Nierenerkrankung auftritt. Zu den wichtigen Zielen bei der Behandlung solcher Patienten gehört, eine Schädigung von Organen wie Nieren, Gehirn, Herz und Augen zu verhindern. Dieser Artikel fasst die Empfehlungen für eine antihypertensive Therapie bei Hunden und Katzen zusammen, die an einer Nierenerkrankung leiden oder bei denen ein Risiko dafür besteht. Erläutert werden dabei auch die Einleitung der Behandlung sowie die aktuell empfohlene Medikation.