There was a high prevalence of cluster seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Neutering status appears to influence cluster seizure occurrence with intact females more likely to experience more frequent episodes. Euthanasia is associated with frequency of cluster seizure episodes.

BackgroundThe prognostic value of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in dogs after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unclear.ObjectivesDetermine whether MRI findings are associated with prognosis after TBI in dogs.AnimalsFifty client‐owned dogs.MethodsRetrospective study of dogs with TBI that underwent 1.5T MRI within 14 days after head trauma. MRI evaluators were blinded to the clinical presentation, and all images were scored based on an MRI grading system (Grade I [normal brain parenchyma] to Grade VI [bilateral lesions affecting the brainstem with or without any lesions of lesser grade]). Skull fractures, percentage of intraparenchymal lesions, degree of midline shift, and type of brain herniation were evaluated. MGCS was assessed at presentation. The presence of seizures was recorded. Outcome was assessed at 48 h (alive or dead) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TBI.ResultsSixty‐six percent of the dogs had abnormal MRI findings. MRI grade was negatively correlated (P < .001) with MGCS. A significant negative correlation of MRI grade, degree of midline shift, and percentage of intraparenchymal lesions with follow‐up scores was identified. The MGCS was lower in dogs with brain herniation (P = .0191). Follow‐up scores were significantly lower in dogs that had brain herniation or skull fractures. The possibility of having seizures was associated with higher percentage of intraparenchymal lesions (P = 0.0054) and 10% developed PTE.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSignificant associations exist between MRI findings and prognosis in dogs with TBI. MRI can help to predict prognosis in dogs with TBI.

These results suggest that triamcinolone is approximately seven times as potent as methylprednisolone, and that these dosages are efficacious and well tolerated for the control of pruritus in allergic cats.

Decane, a 10-carbon n-alkane and one of the highest vapor phase constituents of jet propellent-8 (JP-8), was selected to represent the semivolatile fraction for the initial development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for JP-8. Rats were exposed to decane vapors at time-weighted average concentrations of 1200, 781, or 273 ppm in a 32-L Leach chamber for 4 h. Time-course samples for 1200 ppm and end-of-exposure samples for 781 and 273 ppm decane exposures were collected from blood, brain, liver, fat, bone marrow, lung, skin, and spleen. The pharmacokinetics of decane could not be described by flow-limited assumptions and measured in vitro tissue/air partition coefficients. A refined PBPK model for decane was then developed using flow-limited (liver and lung) and diffusion-limited (brain, bone marrow, fat, skin, and spleen) equations to describe the uptake and clearance of decane in the blood and tissues. Partition coefficient values for blood/air and tissue/blood were estimated by fitting end-of-exposure pharmacokinetic data and assumed to reflect the available decane for rapid exchange with blood. A portion of decane is speculated to be sequestered in "deep" pools in the body, unavailable for rapid exchange with blood. PBPK model predictions were adequate in describing the tissues and blood kinetics. For model validation, the refined PBPK model for decane had mixed successes at predicting tissue and blood concentrations for lower concentrations of decane vapor, suggesting that further improvements in the model may be necessary to extrapolate to lower concentrations.

Irritant threshold concentration (ITC) for intradermal testing (IDT) was determined in 31 healthy, clinically nonallergic dogs. Twenty-three allergens were tested at five variable concentrations ranging from 1000 to 8000 PNU/mL. To distinguish irritant reactions from subclinical IgE-mediated hypersensitivities, serum allergy testing was performed. ITCs were determined by evaluating the lowest concentration to which no dogs (0% cut-off) and to which at least 10% of dogs (> or = 10% cut-off) reacted. ITCs at the 0% cut-off were: 1000 PNU/mL (Johnson grass), 2000 PNU/mL (Ash, Lamb's Quarter and Bermuda), 3000 PNU/mL (Bahia, Rye, Pig Weed and Virginia Oak), 4000 PNU/mL (Marsh Elder and Maple), 5000 PNU/mL (Sorrel sheep) and 7000 PNU/mL (Cocklebur and Black Willow). ITC for Dog Fennel, Box Elder and Red Cedar was <1000 PNU/mL. ITCs at the > or = 10% cut-off were: 2500 PNU/mL (Johnson), 3000 PNU/mL (Box Elder), 5000 PNU/mL (Bahia), 6000 PNU/mL (Pigweed and Marsh Elder) and 8000 PNU/mL (Virginia Oak and Black Willow). For all other allergens, the ITC was >8000 PNU/mL and could not be determined. No significant agreement between positive values was found for the same allergen on IDT and serum allergy testing for each dog suggesting reactions caused by the determined ITCs are less likely subclinical IgE-mediated reactions. These results suggest that ITCs may vary, also they may be very high for the allergens tested and that higher test concentrations may be used for IDT for the tested allergens without inducing an irritant reaction. Further studies are needed to evaluate the benefit of higher IDT concentrations in atopic dogs.