Total protein concentration and stability of Amb a 1 in glycerinated ragweed sublingual immunotherapy stored at room temperature and refrigerated cold temperature.

Background: Few studies have investigated optimal storage conditions or expiration dates for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) formulations prepared from glycerinated allergen extracts.

Hypothesis/objectives: The objective of this study was to compare concentrations of short ragweed major allergen (Amb a 1) and total protein in SLIT formulations stored at two different temperatures. It was hypothesised that protein concentrations would show greater decline over time in a formulation stored at room temperature (RT) than in one stored under refrigeration.

A retrospective study of the range of cutaneous clinical and histological features of erythema multiforme in five ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

Background: Erythema multiforme (EM) is an uncommon cutaneous reaction pattern characterised by panepidermal keratinocyte apoptosis with lymphocytic satellitosis, and is reported in domestic animal species, livestock and rarely ferrets.

Hypothesis/objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the spectrum of cutaneous clinical and histological features in ferrets with EM and to evaluate history and treatment outcomes.

Animals: Five client-owned ferrets with biopsy-confirmed EM.

Rifampicin treatment of canine multidrug-resistant meticillin-resistant staphylococcal pyoderma: A retrospective study of 51 cases.

Background: Rifampicin (RFP) is a potential treatment for canine multidrug-resistant (MDR) meticillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), yet the use of lower doses based on recent MIC data has not been evaluated in vivo.

Hypothesis/objectives: To provide information on the efficacy and safety of low-dose range RFP (≤6 mg/kg/day) for the treatment of canine MDR MRS pyoderma.

Animals: Fifty-one client-owned dogs.

A retrospective analysis of the concordance of in-house fungal culture and a commercial quantitative PCR from 16 dermatology referral practices across the USA (2018-2019).

Background: Commercial quantitative (q)PCR and fungal culture can be used concurrently or individually to test for dermatophytosis with a reported high sensitivity and specificity.

Hypothesis/objectives: The aims of this retrospective study were: (i) to evaluate the concordance of a commercial qPCR with in-house fungal culture for the initial diagnosis of dermatophytosis and for monitoring for mycological cure during treatment in dermatology private practice; and (ii) determine the sensitivity and specificity of qPCR overall, (iii) for initial diagnosis and (iv) for treatment monitoring in dogs and cats.

Animals: Four-hundred and twenty-seven client-owned dogs and 188 client-owned cats.

Breeder-reported patterns of antimicrobial use and point prevalence of methicillin-resistant spp. among breeding bitches in the southwestern United States.

Methicillin-resistant skin infections are an increasing concern in veterinary medicine, especially when found in juvenile dogs with no prior antimicrobial exposure. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in breeding bitches and survey antimicrobial administration by their breeders. A total of 17 breeders and 54 bitches were included.

A survey of primary care practitioners' referral habits and recommendations of allergen-specific immunotherapy for canine and feline patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: A recent pilot study of primary care veterinarians' attitudes regarding canine atopic dermatitis and initiation of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) revealed several barriers to specialist referral (in the USA) and use of ASIT as a treatment modality.

Hypothesis/objectives: The primary objective was to collect data on referral habits and ASIT practices among a much larger cohort of primary care veterinarians located around the world, and to explore barriers to referral and management of atopic diseases of dogs and cats with ASIT.

Methods And Materials: An online survey, administered through the Veterinary Information Network (VIN, Davis, CA, USA), asked participants to self-report their referral habits and immunotherapy recommendations, and rate barriers and motivating factors using Likert-scale responses.

A pilot study to identify perceived barrier and motivating factors of primary veterinarians in the USA for specialty referral and management of atopic dermatitis with allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) may decrease clinical signs and potential neosensitization in dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Identification of barriers to referral and specialty level case management may improve clinical outcome and satisfaction for both clients and primary veterinarians.

Hypothesis/objectives: The objective of this cross-sectional, descriptive, survey-based pilot study was to identify factors influencing a veterinarian's decision to recommend dermatology referral and prescribe ASIT for management of cAD.

Dorsal thermal necrosis in dogs: a retrospective analysis of 16 cases in the southwestern USA (2009-2016).

Background: Prolonged sun exposure in high ambient temperatures has been recognized as a cause of thermal burns on the dorsal skin of dogs, termed dorsal thermal necrosis (DTN).

Hypotheses/objectives: To characterize the clinical presentation, histopathology and outcomes of 16 dogs diagnosed with DTN and to identify associated risk factors.

Animals: Sixteen dogs diagnosed with DTN.

Investigation of subclinical bacteriuria in cats with dermatological disease receiving long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin.

Background: Dogs receiving long-term glucocorticoids or ciclosporin have an increased frequency of bacteriuria. No studies have investigated the frequency of bacteriuria in cats receiving long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin.

Hypotheses/objectives: To document whether subclinical bacteriuria occurs in cats receiving long-term glucocorticoid and/or ciclosporin for management of chronic disease.

Quality assessment of fluconazole capsules and oral suspensions compounded by pharmacies located in the United States.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate pharmaceutical characteristics (strength or concentration, accuracy, and precision), physical properties, and bacterial contamination of fluconazole compounded products. SAMPLE Fluconazole compounded products (30- and 240-mg capsules; 30- and 100-mg/mL oral suspensions) from 4 US veterinary compounding pharmacies. PROCEDURES Fluconazole compounded products were ordered 3 times from each of 4 pharmacies at 7- or 10-day intervals.

Retrospective analysis of cutaneous lesions in 23 canine and 17 feline cases of coccidioidomycosis seen in Arizona, USA (2009-2015).

Background: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the dimorphic saprophytic fungus Coccidioides immitis or C. posadasii. Primary pulmonary infection can disseminate to cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues, or less commonly direct cutaneous inoculation may occur.

Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Clipper Blades in Small Animal Private Practice.

Nosocomial infections are a growing concern in veterinary hospitals, and identifying fomites is imperative to reducing the risk of pathogen transmission. In veterinary medicine, shaving of hair is necessary prior to many procedures. Contaminated clipper blades have been cited as potential fomites involved in the transmission of pathogens in veterinary and human medicine.

Canine alopecia secondary to human topical hormone replacement therapy in six dogs.

Alopecia is a common presenting complaint in veterinary medicine and is known to occur secondary to numerous primary conditions. In this report, six unrelated dogs from three households were subsequently determined to have developed alopecia as a result of accidental transdermal exposure to their owners' topical hormone replacement therapy (THRT). All cases presented with alopecia ranging in duration from 2 mo to 2.

Absorption of transdermal and oral cyclosporine in six healthy cats.

Cyclosporine is commonly used orally to treat feline dermatoses. Due to difficulties administering oral medications, veterinarians sometimes prescribe compounded transdermal cyclosporine, despite studies showing limited absorption. The study objective was to compare cyclosporine blood concentrations after oral administration to concentrations after transdermal application of cyclosporine (prepared in pluronic lecithin organogel [PLO]) in six cats using a controlled, cross-over design with a 2 wk washout period.

Comparison of once-daily versus twice-weekly terbinafine administration for the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis - a pilot study.

Background: Terbinafine, an allylamine antifungal, is used in pulsatile dose regimens for superficial mycoses in human medicine.

Objectives: To compare the clinical efficacy of twice-weekly versus once-daily terbinafine administration to determine whether preliminary proof-of-concept evidence exists for pulsatile administration of terbinafine in the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis and to determine whether twice-weekly treatment results in fewer clinical and owner-perceived adverse events.

Animals: Twenty client-owned dogs with Malassezia dermatitis.

Sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs: a retrospective study of the clinical presentation and incidence.

Sebaceous adenitis is a suspected immune-mediated disease that targets and destroys sebaceous glands. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical presentation and incidence of sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs. Sebaceous adenitis was diagnosed in 35% (12 of 34) of Havanese dogs presented over a 5-year period.

Evaluation of fungal flora in normal and diseased canine ears.

This study was undertaken to characterize otic fungal flora encountered in normal dogs, atopic dogs with no clinical or cytological evidence of otitis and dogs with otitis externa. Forty-two normal dogs, 23 atopic dogs and 32 dogs with otitis were included in the study. Samples for otic fungal culture and cytology were obtained from all animals, for a total of 194 ears.

Variability of laboratory identification and antibiotic susceptibility reporting of Pseudomonas spp. isolates from dogs with chronic otitis externa.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate interlaboratory variation in isolation and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas spp. as reported to veterinarians for cases of canine chronic bacterial otitis externa. Twenty-six dogs with unilateral or bilateral bacterial otitis externa from multiple referral practices were included in this prospective study.