Hepatic dysfunction.

This article reviews the common pathophysiology that constitutes hepatic dysfunction, regardless of the inciting cause. The systemic consequences of liver failure and the impact of this condition on other organ systems are highlighted. The diagnostic tests available for determining the cause and extent of liver dysfunction are outlined, treatment strategies aimed at supporting hepatic health and recovery are discussed, and prognosis is briefly covered.

Assessment of oxidative stress in leukocytes and granulocyte function following oral administration of a silibinin-phosphatidylcholine complex in cats.

Objective: To determine the effect of oral administration of a silibinin-phosphatidylcholine complex (SPC) on oxidative stress in leukocytes and granulocyte function in healthy cats.

Animals: 10 purpose-bred adult cats.

Procedures: Cats were administered SPC (10 mg/kg/d) orally for 5 days; blood samples were collected prior to and immediately after the 5-day treatment period.

Effects of an oral superoxide dismutase enzyme supplementation on indices of oxidative stress, proviral load, and CD4:CD8 ratios in asymptomatic FIV-infected cats.

This study was designed to test the effect of antioxidant supplementation on feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected felines. Six acutely FIV-infected cats (> or =16 weeks post-inoculation) were given a propriety oral superoxide dismutase (SOD) supplement (Oxstrin; Nutramax Laboratories) for 30 days. Following supplementation, the erythrocyte SOD enzyme concentration was significantly greater in the supplemented FIV-infected group than the uninfected control group or the unsupplemented FIV-infected group.

Rectal strictures in 19 dogs: 1997-2005.

The etiologies for nonneoplastic rectal strictures in dogs included foreign bodies, postoperative formation, inflammatory disease, and congenital malformation. Sixteen of 19 dogs underwent balloon dilatation therapy, and 14 of these 16 dogs received intralesional triamcinolone injections. Following dilatation, clinical signs persisted in one dog, improved with continued medical therapy in five dogs, and resolved in nine dogs for the duration of their follow-up period (mean 18 months; median 12 months); one dog was lost to follow-up.