Background: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), when chronically activated, is harmful and RAAS-suppressive drugs are beneficial in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are widely used in the treatment of CHF in people.Hypothesis/Objectives: To determine if a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (spironolactone) is beneficial and safe in CHF due to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) of varying severity, we hypothesized that, when combined with furosemide, a combination product (S+BNZ) containing the ACE inhibitor (ACE-I), benazepril, and spironolactone, would be superior to benazepril alone. Animals: Five hundred and sixty-nine client-owned dogs, with MMVD and CHF (ACVIM Stage C) of ≤10-days' duration.Methods: After initial stabilization, dogs were randomized into a positive-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial, to receive furosemide plus S+BNZ or furosemide plus benazepril. The primary outcome variable was the percentage of dogs reaching cardiac endpoint before Day 360. Cardiac endpoint was defined as cardiac death or euthanasia, recurrence of pulmonary edema, necessity for nonauthorized cardiac drug(s) or a furosemide dosage >8 mg/kg/d.Results: A significantly lower percentage of dogs treated with S+BNZ reached the primary outcome variable by Day 360 (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.32-0.98; P = .04) and risk of dying or worsening from cardiac causes, was significantly reduced (HR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.59-0.89, P = .002) vs benazepril alone. Adverse events, potentially associated with treatment, were rare and equal between groups.

Background: Torasemide is a potent loop diuretic with potential to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs. Objective: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of torasemide compared to furosemide in dogs with first occurrence of CHF caused by degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). Animals: Three hundred and nineteen dogs with new onset CHF attributable to DMVD. Methods: Double-blinded randomized noninferiority study of PO torasemide vs furosemide in addition to standard CHF treatment. The primary efficacy criterion was decreased pulmonary edema and cough and no worsening of dyspnea or exercise tolerance at day 14. Secondary endpoints included clinical response at day 84 and time to death, euthanasia, or premature study withdrawal for cardiac reasons. Results: Torasemide q24h (n = 161) was noninferior to furosemide q12h (n = 158); percentage of dogs meeting primary efficacy criterion at day 14 was similar between groups (torasemide, 74.4% [95% confidence interval (CI), 66.8%-81.0%] vs. furosemide, 73.5% [95% CI, 65.7%-80.4%]; risk ratio [RR], 1.01; 95% CI, 0.89-1.15; P = .87). Efficacy at day 84 showed similar results (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.88-1.25; P = .6). Dogs receiving torasemide had a longer time to endpoint and were less than half as likely to experience death, euthanasia, or premature study withdrawal (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19-0.65; P = .001) than dogs receiving furosemide at any time during the study. Conclusion and Clinical importance: Torasemide was noninferior to furosemide as first line PO treatment for new onset CHF caused by DMVD. Torasemide significantly decreased risk of cardiac-related death or premature study withdrawal for cardiac reasons compared to furosemide.

BackgroundParturition and the initial postpartum period are important moments in the reproductive cycle of dogs.MethodsA study assessed the effect of ADAPTIL, a dog-appeasing pheromone, on maternal behaviour during peripartum. Bitches were continuously exposed to ADAPTIL (n=20) or placebo (n=21) in double-blinded conditions from an average of about seven days before parturition up to 21 days postpartum. Differences in maternal behaviour in relation to the treatment were evaluated by the observation of specific activities through video recordings, such as the time spent by the bitch in close contact with the puppies, oronasal interaction and nursing duration and position. Videos were recorded at four time points (W0: within the first 48 hours of whelping; W1: one week after parturition; W2: two weeks after parturition; and W3: three weeks after parturition). In addition, the perception of breeders in relation to the quality of maternal care, puppies’ wellbeing and overall relationship between the bitches and the puppies was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale at the same time points. Moreover, the daily activity of the bitches was measured by using an electronic device (FitBark dog activity trackers, Kansas City, Missouri).ResultsFor all observed maternal behaviours, there was a steady decrease in levels as the puppies developed, independently of treatment. However, bitches exposed to ADAPTIL tended to nurse significantly more in lying position, while those exposed to the placebo nursed more in a seated position, especially at W1 (P=0.06) and W3 (P=0.005). According to the breeders, the attention scores of bitches towards puppies were significantly higher in ADAPTIL than in the placebo group at each time point (P=0.01). Moreover, a difference according to parity was observed (P=0.004), with greater attention score displayed by primiparous bitches exposed to ADAPTIL compared with placebo on W0 (P=0.02), W1 and W3 (P<0.001). The global mother–puppies relationship was also perceived as significantly better (P=0.0002) by breeders of bitches exposed to ADAPTIL, with significant differences at W2 (P=0.01) and W3 (P=0.001). The bitches’ daily activity increased starting two days before the whelp, peaked during parturition and then gradually declined up until four days postpartum. There was a trend towards a difference in the activity level according to the treatment during the full study period (P=0.09) and at two days before parturition (P=0.07). Bitches exposed to ADAPTIL were more active compared with placebo in relation to the FitBark data.ConclusionThe use of ADAPTIL in maternity modulated maternal behaviours. Concerning the caregiver’s view, bitches under the influence of ADAPTIL had greater and extended attention towards the puppies and they were eager to stay with the puppies for a longer time.

Objectives The aim of this study was to collect data from a substantial number of older cats having their systolic blood pressure (SBP) measured in a variety of clinical practices, to describe the findings and assess variables that affected the duration of assessment and the values obtained. Methods An international (European-based) multicentre convenience sample survey of cats ⩾7 years of age attending veterinary clinics and having SBP measured as part of their clinical assessment. Information gathered included details of the cat, concomitant disease(s) or therapies, SBP results, device used, time taken to assess SBP and the demeanor of the cat. Results Useable data were available from 8884 cats aged 7–26 years, from 811 clinics across 16 countries. The device used to measure SBP was Doppler in 47.4% and oscillometry in 48.5%. The demeanor of the cat was reported to be calm in 45.7%, anxious in 41.9% and nervous in 8.9%; and the duration of assessment was reported to be <5 mins in 50.4%, 5–10 minutes in 41.7% and >10 mins in 7.9%. Concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD) was reported in 21.8%, hyperthyroidism in 12.0% or both in 3.1%. The median SBP was 150 mmHg (range 80–310), with 18.6% classified as hypertensive (SBP 160–179 mmHg) and 21.1% as severely hypertensive (SBP ⩾180 mmHg). The measured SBP was significantly affected by the cat’s demeanor, duration of SBP assessment, presence of CKD and/or hyperthyroidism, the cat’s sex and age, and the presence of concomitant therapy. The duration of SBP assessment was significantly affected by the cat’s demeanor. Conclusions and relevance In veterinary clinics, SBP can be measured in most cats within a short period of time using either Doppler or oscillometric equipment. The presence of CKD or hyperthyroidism was associated with significantly higher SBP values, and anxious or nervous cats had higher SBP values and took longer to obtain SBP assessments.

Topical formulations are key when managing skin conditions as they bring ingredients directly to the target organ. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a protocol combining applications of Ophytrium-based shampoo and mousse (DOUXO® S3 CALM) in atopic dogs presenting with a skin flare. Thirty-four atopic dogs were included in the analysis of this prospective, multicentric European and US field study. Dogs received a shampoo application on D0 then mousse applications every 48–72 hours for three weeks. CADESI-04 scores were assessed by a dermatologist and pruritus by the owners (Pruritus Visual Analogue Scale score (PVAS)) on a weekly basis. On D21, veterinarian and pet owner evaluations were collected through questionnaires. Mean CADESI-04 score decreased significantly from 24.2 on D0 to 11.9 on D21 (49.4% mean improvement, P < 0.001 at all timepoints), and 61.8% of dogs achieved a ≥ 50% decrease of their CADESI-04 score on D21. Mean PVAS scores also decreased significantly between D0 and D21 (30.8% mean improvement, P < 0.001 at all timepoints) and 44.1% of the dogs showed a ≥ 50% PVAS decrease on D21. Veterinarians considered the improvement as satisfactory, good or excellent in 66.7% of cases. Pet owners were satisfied with the performance of the protocol in 72.7% of cases. In conclusion, the protocol combining applications of Ophytrium-based shampoo and mousse resulted in a quick and significant improvement in both skin health and pruritus in atopic dogs presenting with a skin flare with a high level of pet owner satisfaction.