The objective of this in-vitro study was to evaluate taurolidine as a therapy for transitional cell carcinomas in canine patients. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common cancer of the urinary bladder in dogs and accounts for approximately 2% of reported malignancies in this species. There is no cure for this neoplasm and most dogs are lost from complications associated with progression of the local disease. Taurolidine has been shown to have anti-tumor and antiangiogenic effects against a variety of neoplasms in human and animal models. Four canine TCC cell lines were treated with various concentrations of taurolidine, mitoxantrone, and piroxicam alone. In addition, combinations of taurolidine/mitoxantrone, taurolidine/piroxicam, mitoxantrone/piroxicam, and taurolidine/mitoxantrone/piroxicam were assessed. Susceptibility of the TCC cell lines was based on a 72-hour growth inhibition assay using resazurin with absorbance measured at 530/590. The ability of taurolidine to induce apoptosis was evaluated on 2 of the cell lines with an Annexin-V/propidium iodide assay. All cell lines were susceptible to treatment with taurolidine, mitoxantrone, and piroxicam alone. The results of the combination therapies of the 3 drugs were dependent on cell line and concentration and revealed no change in cell growth inhibition, a subadditive relationship, or a synergistic relationship. Taurolidine induced apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. Taurolidine alone showed significant effects on cell viability in vitro in canine TCC cell lines and these effects can be potentially enhanced with the addition of mitoxantrone and/or piroxicam.

The objective of this study was to compare the bursting strength (BS) and mode of failure (MF) of ventral midline (VM) celiotomies closed with USP 7 polydioxanone (7PD) in 1 or 2 simple continuous sections. A bursting strength model, consisting of inserting and inflating a 200-L polyurethane bladder through a 25-cm VM celiotomy, was used on 15 fresh equine cadavers. Celiotomies were closed using 7PD in 2 separate sections (4 knots), 2 continuous sections (3 knots), or a single section (2 knots) using a simple continuous pattern. The horses’ signalment, body weight, number of total knots, MF, and BS were recorded and analyzed statistically for interactions. No difference was found between the BS of VM celiotomies closure types (P = 0.4). All celiotomy/suture constructs failed at the abdominal wall. The celiotomy closure types evaluated in this study provided a secure method of closure in VM celiotomies in vivo.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of 3-D and 2-D ultrasonography for quantification of tumor volume in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. Animals: 10 dogs with biopsy-confirmed TCC. Procedures: The urinary bladder of each dog was distended with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (5.0 mL/kg), and masses were measured via 3-D and 2-D ultrasonography. Masses were also measured via 3-D ultrasonography after bladders were distended with 2.5 and 1.0 mL of saline solution/kg. Subsequently, the bladder was deflated and distended with CO2 (5.0 mL/kg); CT was performed after IV contrast medium administration. Tumor volumes were calculated via 3-D ultrasonography, 2-D ultrasonography, and CT (reference method) and compared via ANOVA, Deming regression, and Bland-Altman plots. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess effects of bladder distension on 3-D tumor volume measurements. Repeatability of measurements was estimated via the coefficient of variation for each method. Results: Repeatability was considered good for all 3 methods. There was no significant difference in tumor volume measurements obtained via 3-D ultrasonography at different degrees of urinary bladder distension. Results of Deming regression and Bland-Altman plots indicated excellent agreement between tumor volume measurement with 3-D ultrasonography and CT, but not between 2-D ultrasonography and CT. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Tumor volume in dogs with TCC of the urinary bladder was accurately measured via 3-D ultrasonography. Use of 3-D ultrasonography can provide a less expensive and more practical method for monitoring response to treatment than CT and was more accurate than 2-D ultrasonography.

Objective-To assess gene expressions of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in oral, glandular gastric, and urinary bladder mucosae and determine the effect of oral administration of phenylbutazone on those gene expressions in horses. Animals-12 healthy horses. Procedures-Horses were allocated to receive phenylbutazone or placebo (6 horses/group); 1 placebo-treated horse with a cystic calculus was subsequently removed from the study, and those data were not analyzed. In each horse, the stomach and urinary bladder were evaluated for ulceration via endoscopy before and after experimental treatment. Oral, glandular gastric, and urinary bladder mucosa biopsy specimens were collected by use of a skin punch biopsy instrument (oral) or transendoscopically (stomach and bladder) before and after administration of phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) in corn syrup or placebo (corn syrup alone) for 7 days. Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 gene expressions were determined (via quantitative PCR techniques) in specimens collected before and after the 7-day treatment period and compared within and between groups. Prior to commencement of treatment, biopsy specimens from 7 horses were used to compare gene expressions among tissues. Results-The cyclooxygenase-1 gene was expressed in all tissues collected. The cyclooxygenase-2 gene was expressed in the glandular gastric and bladder mucosae but not in the oral mucosa. Cyclooxygenase gene expressions were unaffected by phenylbutazone administration. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Cyclooxygenase-2 was constitutively expressed in glandular gastric and bladder mucosae but not in the oral mucosa of healthy horses. Oral administration of phenylbutazone at the maximum recommended dosage daily for 7 days did not affect cyclooxygenase-1 or -2 gene expression.

Objective-To determine the effects of stress in cats with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) by evaluating bladder permeability, sympathetic nervous system function, and urine cortisol:creatinine (C:Cr) ratios during periods of stress and after environmental enrichment. Design-Prospective study. Animals-13 cats with FIC and 12 healthy cats. Procedure-Cats subjected to an acute-onset moderate stressor for 8 days received IV injections of fluorescein. Serum fluorescein concentrations were determined and compared with those of controls to evaluate bladder permeability, and urine C:Cr ratios were compared to evaluate function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were analyzed in a subset of cats. After 8 days of moderate stress, cats were moved to an enriched environment, and tests were repeated after 21 days. Results-Serum fluorescein concentrations were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points. In the cats in which plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined, concentrations of dihydroxyphenylalanine, norepinephrine, and dihyroxyphenylglycol were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points, whereas no differences in urine C:Cr ratio between groups were observed. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance-Cats with FIC appeared to have altered bladder permeability, most notably during the period of initial stress. The increase in plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine concentration suggests that there may be stress-induced increase in the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis. In contrast, no effects of stress on C:Cr ratios were observed, which suggests there was dissociation between the sympathetic nervous system and HPA-axis responses to stress.

Objective-To determine cutaneous analgesia, hemodynamic and respiratory effects, and β-endorphin concentration in spinal fluid and plasma of horses after acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA). Animals-8 healthy 10- to 20-year-old mares that weighed between 470 and 600 kg. Procedure-Each horse received 2 hours of acupuncture and 2 hours of PAES at acupoints Bladder 18, 23, 25, and 28 on both sides of the vertebral column as well as sham needle placement (control treatment). Each treatment was administered in a random order. At least 7 days elapsed between treatments. Nociceptive cutaneous pain threshold was measured by use of skin twitch reflex latency (STRL) and avoidance to radiant heat (≤ 50°C) in the lumbar area. Skin temperature, cardiovascular and respiratory variables, and β-endorphin concentration in spinal fluid (CSF-EN) and plasma (plasma-EN) were measured. Results-Acupuncture and EA significantly increased STRL and skin temperature. The CSF-EN was significantly increased from baseline values 30 to 120 minutes after onset of EA, but it did not change after acupuncture and control treatments. Heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, arterial blood pressure, Hct, total solids and bicarbonate concentrations, base excess, plasma-EN, and results of blood gas analyses were not significantly different from baseline values after acupuncture, EA, and control treatments. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance-Administration of EA was more effective than acupuncture for activating the spinal cord to release beta-endorphins into the CSF of horses. Acupuncture and PAES provided cutaneous analgesia in horses without adverse cardiovascular and respiratory effects.

Objective-To develop a laparoscopic-assisted technique for cystopexy in dogs. Animals-8 healthy male dogs, 7 healthy female dogs, and 3 client-owned dogs with retroflexion of the urinary bladder secondary to perineal herniation. Procedure-Dogs were anesthetized, and positive pressure ventilation was provided. In the healthy male dogs, the serosal surface of the bladder was sutured to the abdominal wall. In the healthy female dogs, the serosa and muscular layer of the bladder were incised and sutured to the aponeurosis of the external and internal abdominal oblique muscles. Dogs were monitored daily for 30 days after surgery. Results-All dogs recovered rapidly after surgery and voided normally. In the female dogs, results of urodynamic (leak point pressure and urethral pressure profilometry) and contrast radiographic studies performed 30 days after surgery were similar to results obtained before surgery. Cystopexy was successful in all 3 client-owned dogs, but 1 of these dogs was subsequently euthanatized because of leakage from a colopexy performed at the same time as the cystopexy. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance-The laparoscopic-assisted cystopexy technique was quick, easy to perform, and not associated with urinary tract infection or abnormalities of urination.

Urethral pressures profiles (UPP) obtained by use of microtransducer catheters were determined in 8 anestrous sexually intact female Beagles during general anesthesia. A UPP study consisted of 3 consecutive recordings, and 4 UPP studies were repeated at an interval of 5 days in each dog. Maximal urethral pressure (cm of H2O), bladder pressure (cm of H2O), and anatomic urethral length (cm) were recorded. Maximal urethral closure pressure (cm of H2O) was calculated. Mean +/- SD (for all measurements) maximal urethral closure pressure was 12.8 +/- 5.6 cm of H2O (range, 2.4 to 25.2 cm of H2O). Maximal urethral closure pressure was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased during the first recording period (11.4 +/- 5.8 cm of H2O), Compared with the second (13.0 +/- 5.2 cm of H2O) or third 14.1 +/- 5.7 cm of H2O) recording periods within a UPP study (3 consecutive recordings). Mean maximal difference in urethral closure pressure during a single UPP study was 4.8 +/- 2.4 cm of H2O. Significant difference in maximal urethral closure pressure was not observed between studies. Mean (for all measurements) anatomic urethral length was 6.2 +/- 0.9 cm (4.1 to 7.8 cm). Anatomic urethral length was significantly (P < 0.05) less during the first recording period (6.1 +/- 0.9 cm), compared with values for the second and third periods (6.3 +/- 0.9 cm, 6.4 0.9 cm respectively). Anatomic urethral length for time 3 was significantly (P < 0.05) less than the value for time 1 (5.8 +/- 0.7 cm vs 6.6 +/- 0.8 cm). We conclude that the microtransducer catheter technique for measurement of UPP was reproducible during a single study and between successive studies. This method is useful in documenting maximal urethral pressure, maximal urethral closure pressure, and anatomic urethral length in clinically normal sexually intact female dogs.