... a percutaneous biopsy could provide a histopathologic diagnosis of neoplasia or inflammatory cell infiltrate. A biopsy of the rectal mucosa may be beneficial in diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease but is not without risk to the horse. A surgically obtained colonic biopsy is more reliable for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) but is more expensive and involves risks of general anesthesia and poor postoperative healing. Treatment of abdominal neoplasia or inflammatory bowel disease is generally unrewarding and seldom undertaken. However, improvement of clinical signs and laboratory parameters with high-dose dexamethasone (0.1 mg / kg, sid) treatment has been reported in 3 horses with clinical signs of alimentary tract lymphoma of T-cell origin. In 2 horses, the high-dose dexamethasone was followed by a lower dosage (0.01-0.95 mg / kg, sid) once clinical improvement occurred. Favorable responses persisted for >9 mo. The third horse had to be maintained on the higher dose of dexamethasone throughout treatment, as signs recurred whenever the dose was lowered. Clinical signs recurred despite high doses of dexamethasone, and after 2 mo of treatment ...

... unable to metabolize prednisone to prednisolone. A typical anti-inflammatory dosage is 0.5-1.0 mg / kg, with chronic therapy on an every-other-day basis. Cats are somewhat resistant to the effects of glucocorticoids, and dosages of prednisone of 1.0 mg / kg / day may be necessary for chronic therapy of feline asthma. Alternatively, 20 mg of methylprednisolone acetate can be administered IM to asthmatic cats every 3 wk. For emergency treatment of dyspneic cats, a shock dose of an IV glucocorticoid (prednisone sodium succinate, 5-10 mg / kg; or dexamethasone sodium phosphate, 1-2 mg / kg) should be used. Prednisone has a low oral bioavailability in horses. After administration of prednisone, only negligible plasma concentrations of prednisone or prednisolone are measured. While prednisolone can be administered to horses, the small tablet sizes available make it inconvenient, so equine formulations of oral dexamethasone are recommended. The injectable formulation of dexamethasone can be given IV to horses with acute bronchoconstriction and dyspnea. See Also Introduction Antitussive Drugs Systemic Therapy of Airway Disease Î ²-Adrenergic Agonists Methylxanthines Anticholinergic Drugs Cyproheptadine Cyclosporine Antileukotriene Drugs ...

... emergency. An IV catheter should be inserted and a 0.9 %saline infusion begun. If the dog is hypoglycemic, the saline can include 5 %dextrose. The hypovolemia is corrected rapidly by administering 0.9 %saline (60-70 mL / kg over the first 1-2 hr). Urine output should be assessed to determine whether the dog is anuric. Fluids should be continued, at a rate appropriate to match ongoing losses, until the clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities have resolved. Prednisolone sodium succinate (22-30 mg / kg) or dexamethasone sodium phosphate (2.2-4.4 mg / kg) may be used in the initial management of shock. Dexamethasone will not interfere with cortisol measurements during the ACTH stimulation test. Prednisolone or prednisone should be given at 1 mg / kg, bid, for the first few days of therapy and then at 0.25-0.5 mg / kg / day. Mineralocorticoid replacement therapy (see below) is also begun to help with electrolyte imbalances and hypovolemia. Electrolytes, renal function, and glucose should be monitored regularly to assess response to therapy. In cases of ...

... dogs. Dopamine antagonists, such as sulpiride, have shown promise in the manipulation of seasonal breeding species their use hastens the onset of estrous cycles in mares in the spring. In the UK and New Zealand, melatonin is labeled for use in sheep (and goats in New Zealand) to improve early breeding and ovulation rates. It is available as an 18-mg SC implant; combined with exposure to rams, its use is associated with hastened onset of the breeding season and increased prolificacy. Glucocorticoids, especially the C-16 substituted steroids dexamethasone, betamethasone, and flumethasone, are used for induction of parturition in ruminants (eg, dexamethasone 20-30 mg, IM, given within 2 wk of normal term). Their therapeutic administration may inadvertently lead to abortion. Xylazine and other Î ± 2 -adrenergic agents cause myometrial contraction that may harm the fetus or impede obstetrical manipulations. See Also Effect of Reproductive Therapy on the Fetus or Neonate  © 2008; Merck & Co, Inc. Whitehouse Station, NJ USA. All Rights Reserved. published in educational partnership with Merial Ltd ...