In this report we describe the historical, clinical, histopathological and microbiological features, as well as treatments and clinical outcome, of pyoderma where Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone was isolated on bacterial culture from lesional skin. Twenty dogs were included in this retrospective study. Seven dogs without prior history of systemic or skin disease presented with acute deep pseudomonal pyoderma characterized by a sudden onset of dorsal truncal pain. Skin lesions in these dogs consisted of erythematous papules, haemorrhagic bullae, ulcers and haemorrhagic crusts confined to the dorsum. An excellent clinical response was achieved with 3-4 weeks of treatment with oral fluoroquinolones. Thirteen dogs with a more gradual onset of skin lesions associated with pseudomonal pyoderma had a history of prior skin, ear or systemic disease and had previously been treated with antibiotics and/or immunomodulatory drugs. Skin lesions in these dogs were variable and similar to those described for superficial and deep staphylococcal pyoderma. In this group, one dog was euthanized prior to commencement of treatment, two dogs were lost to follow up, and 9 had resolution of lesions following treatment with topical silver sulfadiazine (one dog), fluoroquinolones (six dogs) or cephalexin (two dogs) administered orally for 3 to 12 weeks. Rod-shaped bacteria were not always detected on cytology. Histopathology of dogs with deep pseudomonal pyoderma was characterized by severe perforating suppurative folliculitis and furunculosis.

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Our findings also suggest that cefoxitin disk diffusion is an inappropriate screening test for methicillin resistance of canine S. pseudintermedius.

Ear cleaning helps maintain the normal otic environment and is important in the treatment of otitis. Over cleaning, however, may trigger otitis through maceration of the epidermal lining. Simple manual cleaning is useful for routine cleansing but doesn't remove tightly adherent debris. Bulb syringes are more vigorous but may damage the ear in inexperienced hands. Devices using mains water pressure or dental machines are also available. Thorough cleaning of the ear canals and middle ear cavity can only be achieved by retrograde flushing using specially adapted catheters, feeding tubes or video otoscopes under anaesthesia. Myringotomy, inspection and cleaning of the middle should be performed if the tympanic membrane appears abnormal. There are a wide variety of cleaning fluids available. Ceruminolytics soften and dissolve cerumen to facilitate cleaning. Surfactants emulsify debris, breaking it up and keeping it in solution. Astringents dry the ear canal surface, preventing maceration. Maintaining a low pH and incorporating antimicrobial agents can inhibit microbial proliferation and glucocorticoids can be used to reduce inflammation. Adverse effects and contraindications following ear cleaning can include maceration, contact reactions, otitis media, ear canal avulsion, vestibular syndrome, Horner's syndrome, facial nerve paralysis and deafness. Care should be exercised in selecting cleaning fluids if the tympanic membranes are ruptured.

Coagulasepositive staphylococcal strains were heterogeneous among dogs with superficial bacterial folliculitis. In individual dogs, strains from multiple pustules were genotypically the same, and strains from pustules were genotypically the same as strains from carriage sites.

The efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions to treat canine Pseudomonas otitis externa and media were evaluated based on the systematic review of clinical trials published between 1967 and 2006. Clinical trials were included if Pseudomonas species were cultured from the ears of dogs with otitis externa or otitis media prior to treatment, and if the outcome of these interventions was reported at the end of the study. Studies were compared with regard to design characteristics (randomization generation and concealment, masking, intention-to-treat analyses), benefit (microbiological and/or clinical resolution of the Pseudomonas otitis), and adverse effects. Ten trials reporting data on 162 patients and 13 different pharmacological interventions were identified. Based on the accepted criteria for quality of evidence, there is insufficient evidence for or against recommending the use of any of these treatments for Pseudomonas otitis in dogs. This is largely because there is only one trial supporting the use of each treatment option and none were randomized controlled trials. Future studies need to be prospective, randomized, blinded and controlled; designed to evaluate pharmacological interventions for otitis regardless of the infective organism; have appropriate statistical advice on recruitment numbers, the power of the study and appropriate statistical analysis; include details of underlying conditions and concomitant treatments; and be designed such that inclusion criteria include microbial culture and antimicrobial sensitivity, and outcome assessments include clinical examination, cytology and microbial culture.

Results indicated the presence of HDMs and HDM allergens in the specific microenvironment of dogs in homes. Factors associated with high levels of exposure were identified, which may be associated with increased risk for sensitization and development of atopic diseases.

SummaryThe analgesic eficacy .f subcutaneous wound injiltration with 20 ml of0.5% bupivacaine after elective lower segment section Cuesarean section was studied in 28 patients in a double-blind randomised controlled manner using a patient-controlled analgesia system. The mean 24-hour morphine consumption of the placebo group and the bupivacaine group was similar (76 mg and 68 mg respectively Key wordsPain, postoperative; patient controlled analgesia. Anaesthetics, local; bupivacaine. Anaesthetic techniques, regional; wound infiltration.The beneficial analgesic effect of subcutaneous wound edge infiltration using bupivacaine has been demonstrated following herniotomy in children and after excision of benign breast lumps.'.* However, the beneficial effects are less clear after upper abdominal surgery; reduction in opioid requirement after cholecystectomy has been demonstrated after infiltration of the peritoneum, muscle and subcutaneous tissues, but not after subcutaneous infiltration a l~n e .~.~ The opioid-sparing effect of subcutaneous wound infiltration with local anaesthetic agents has not been assessed previously after lower abdominal operations in adults, with the exception of herniorrhaphy. Patients undergoing Caesarean section mobilise early and would benefit from a technique which reduces opioid requirements and the incidence of related side-effects, and improves analgesia. Lower segment Caesarean section is performed routinely through a Pfannenstiel incision and is suitable, therefore, for the investigation of supplementary local anaesthetic techniques.The purpose of this study was to assess the value of subcutaneous wound edge infiltration with bupivacaine after elective Caesarean section under general anaesthesia. Analgesia was assessed by reference to the use of intravenous boluses of morphine delivered by a patientcontrolled analgesia system. MethodTwenty-eight patients scheduled for elective Caesarean section under general anaesthesia were investigated in a double-blind, randomised trial. Each patient was visited pre-operatively and familiarised with the use of the PCAS. Patients gave informed consent and the study was approved by the District Ethics Committee. Patients were not studied if they were unable to comprehend the nature of the assessments or the purpose of the PCAS, gave a history of sensitivity to opioids or local anaesthetics or had severe pre-eclampsia or severe hypertension of pregnancy. Premedication comprised ranitidine 150 mg orally administered on the evening before and on the morning of surgery and 30 ml sodium citrate 0.3 molar given orally immediately before induction of anaesthesia. Intravenous access was established and anaesthesia induced with a sleep dose of methohexitone followed by suxamethonium 1-1.5 mg/kg to facilitate tracheal intubation. Anaesthesia was maintained with 50% N,O in 0, and supplemented with enflurane 1 %. Muscle relaxation was accomplished with atracurium 0.5 mg/kg. The Fro, at delivery was reduced to 0.3, and morphine 5-10 mg and syntocinon 10 IU wer...