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Winter 2016
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Dear Veterinary Colleague,
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 Welcome to our Winter 2016 edition of The Veterinary Reporter! In this issue our featured article discusses Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's Disease) in Dogs. We are also presenting some interesting case studies including a unique case of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic schlerosing fibroplasia, a canine retrobulbar abscess, and ununited anconeal process in a dog. In addition, we have included a research review of a noteworthy Japanese study on fish flavoring in cat food and its potential health impact on cats. Regarding news, we're pleased to announce that our hospital will soon be offering PennHip evaluations.
Please let us know at any time how we can be of assistance to you, your clients and patients. Thanks for providing us with the opportunity to serve you and for your continuing support and trust.
David Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM
Medical Director
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Internal Medicine
HYPOADRENOCORTICISM IN DOGS
 Hypoadrenocorticism ("Addison's disease," HOAC) affects approximately 1/2000 dogs. Although dogs of any age may be affected, young to middle aged female dogs and certain breeds are predisposed to it and dogs with other immune-mediated endocrinopathies are at increased risk. HOAC often causes vague, non-specific clinical signs that can be confused with other diseases, thus the nickname "The Great Pretender." The clinical manifestation of HOAC is highly variable in presenting complaint, chronicity, and severity. Some dogs present with chronic signs, while others present acutely in an "Addisonian crisis." If not diagnosed and treated early in the course of disease, dogs with chronic signs may present in crisis. This article discusses this disease's etiology/pathophysiology, epidemiology, signalment, history and clinical signs, diagnostics, therapy (both acute and chronic management) and prognosis.
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Internal Medicine Case Study
FELINE GASTROINTESTINAL EOSINOPHILIC SCLEROSING FIBROPLASIA IN A 2-YEAR-OLD PERSIAN CAT
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A 2-year-old MC feline presented to the Internal Medicine Service for evaluation of an abdominal mass seen on ultrasound by the referring veterinarian. The patient had a history of chronic vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnostics were performed and included an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Based on endoscopic and microscopic findings, this patient was diagnosed with a unique inflammatory lesion of the feline gastrointestinal tract, which often contains bacteria, but does not respond to antibiotic treatment. The lesion is characterized by dense collagen trabeculae, large fibroblasts, and numerous eosinophils. The lesion is often grossly and sometimes histologically mistaken for neoplasia. Future studies will be needed to determine the prevalence, optimal therapeutic recommendations, prognosis, and pathogenesis of this unique lesion.
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| Ophthalmology/Diagnostic Imaging Case Study
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY WITH GUIDED ASPIRATION FOR A RETROBULBAR ABSCESS
IN A 9-YEAR-OLD CHIHUAHUA MIX
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Emma, a 9-year-old female spayed Chihuahua mix, was transferred to our Ophthalmology Department by her family veterinarian for rapid onset protrusion of the left eye. A retrobulbar abscess had been suspected and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy were administered, however, the patient's symptoms worsened. With worsening of clinical signs despite antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy, neoplasia became a more relevant differential, as did the possibility of a retrobulbar abscess resistant to the current antibiotic treatment. A CT scan was performed to visualize the lesion and accurately obtain diagnostic samples for cytology and culture to verify the presumptive diagnosis of a retrobulbar abscess and to guide our choice of antimicrobial treatment, respectively.
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Surgery/Diagnostic Imaging Case Study
UNUINTED ANCONEAL PROCESS IN A
5-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN BULLDOG/PITBULL MIX
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"Bully," a 5-year-old American bulldog/Pitbull mix presented to VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital for a recent bite wound and evaluation of lameness in the left thoracic limb that had worsened over 2-3 months. Bully's bite wound was treated and examination and diagnostics were undertaken to fully assess his lameness. Radiography and CT imaging were performed and revealed multiple issues including ununited anconeal process of the left elbow, bilateral elbow degenerative joint disease, bilateral fragmented medial coronoid processes vs osteophyte formation, and bilateral elbow joint incongruity.
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Internal Medicine Research Review
DOES FISH FLAVORING CONTRIBUTE TO HYPERTHYROIDISM IN CATS?
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Widely used in industry, organohalogen compounds such as polycholinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent in our environment and have high bioaccumulative potency. These contaminents have been detected in animals and humans at significant levels and can adversely affect the endocrine system and neurodevelopment. Moreover, hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs (OH-PCBs) and PBDEs (OH-PBDEs) disrupt thyroid hormone (TH) homeostasis and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of feline hyperthyroidism. This review focusses on recent study results from Japan that suggest that pet cats routinely ingest natural MeO-PBDEs in cat food products containing fish and retain their demethylated metabolites, OH-PBDEs, in the blood for a prolonged time. Further studies are needed to clarify the toxic effects of OHPBDEs such as 6OH-BDE47 on thyroid homeostasis and to establish the relationship between the exposure level and occurrence frequency of FH in pet cats.
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CLINICAL TRIALS:
Call for Cases
VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital is currently conducting three clinical studies that our hospital is actively seeking participant cases for from veterinarians. Following is a brief outline of the trials. For more details about each of these studies, please click on the "Read More" links below.
 Yunnan Baiyao Study
This trial evaluates the effect of Yunnan Baiyao on coagulability in dogs with hemangiosarcoma using Thromboelastography (TEG).
Read More
Feline y/d Study
A clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Hill's Feline y/d in the management of clinical signs and biochemical abnormalities in cats with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism.
Read More
 Laparoscopic-assisted Cystotomy Study
Our hospital is enrolling cats with confirmed cystic calculi for an on-going study to compare the surgical times, postoperative pain and outcomes between laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy and traditional open cystotomy.
Read More
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INTERNAL MEDICINE
Hypoadrenocorticism
in Dogs
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INTERNAL MEDICINE CASE STUDY
Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia in a
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OPHTHALMOLOGY
/ DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING CASE STUDY
Computed Tomography with Guided Aspiration for a Retrobulbar Abscess in a 9-year-old
Chihuahua Mix
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SURGERY / DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING CASE STUDY
Ununited Anconeal Process in a
5-year-old American Bulldog/Pitbull Mix
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RESEARCH REVIEW
Does Fish Flavoring Contribute to Hyperthyroidism
in Cats?
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CLINICAL TRIALS:
CALL FOR CASES
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NEWS
PennHip to be Offered at WLA
Read more
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CE PROGRAMS!
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OUR LOCATION
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Animal Hospital
1900 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Ph 310-473-2951
Fx 310-979-5400
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