Serological tests were performed on 380 cats with necropsy-confirmed heartworm disease to compare the performance of currently available commercial laboratory and point-of-care heart-worm serological tests in a heartworm-endemic area. Overall, antigen tests detected 79.3% to 86.2% of heartworm infections and were highly specific. Most cats with false-negative antigen tests had a single male worm. Antibody tests detected 62.1% to 72.4% of heartworm infections and had a wider range of false-positive results (1.4% to 19.1%) than antigen tests (0.3% to 2.0%). Serological tests for feline heartworm infection varied in diagnostic performance. Combining results from antigen and antibody tests achieved greater sensitivity than using either test alone.

Objective: This case report describes antivenin-associated acute and delayed hypersensitivity reactions in a dog envenomated by an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), specifically reviewing the syndrome of antivenin-associated serum sickness. Clinician awareness of this syndrome is important in order to allow for its recognition and appropriate treatment. Case summary: A Boxer dog was envenomated by an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Shock, echinocytosis, and coagulopathy were manifested, and the dog was given antivenin crotalidae polyvalent therapy and supportive care. The early onset of an anaphylactoid reaction was attributed to antivenin therapy and was managed with diphenhydramine and subcutaneous epinephrine therapy. Fever, chemosis, and limb edema occurred during the 3rd through 6th hospital days following antivenin therapy and were consistent with serum sickness syndrome as described in humans. Further immunoassay support reflecting complement activation and response to treatment were characteristic. New information provided: To our knowledge, this describes the first reported case of antivenin-associated serum sickness in a dog. (J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2005; 15(3): 206-212)

A 3 yr old, 70 kg (154 lbs) female spayed Great Dane developed gingival hyperplasia after treatment of systemic hypertension with amlodipine 7.5 mg q 12 hr for 16 mo. Physical examination was unremarkable except for systemic hypertension and severe gingival hyperplasia. Amlodipine was replaced with hydralazine (0.72 mg/kg [0.32 mg/lb]). Nine months later, gingival hyperplasia was nearly resolved and hypertension was well controlled. Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine are a rare cause of gingival hyperplasia in the canine patient. Recognition of this side effect is important because a full recovery can be achieved when the offending agent is removed.