For Referring Veterinarians

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a serious and potentially fatal viral illness that remains common in dogs, despite the availability and efficacy of vaccinations. Without treatment, parvoviral enteritis has a mortality rate in excess of 90%. Hospitalization and aggressive care can decrease mortality to 10-30%; however, this approach is often cost prohibitive. In this article, we will review an outpatient protocol for dogs with parvoviral enteritis. There has been recent investigation into the efficacy and safety…

Benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats are uncommon. They most often arise secondary to esophagitis and are usually associated with gastroesophageal reflux during anesthesia or vomiting of gastric contents. Benign esophageal strictures also occur secondary to esophageal foreign body or other traumatic event to the esophagus.  Stricture formation occurs when inflammation extends into the submucosal and muscular layers of the esophagus and stimulates production of fibrous connective tissue. [1] Stricture formation results in frequent…

IDEXX Diagnostic Challenge: A Sick Lab with GI & Ocular Disease Charlie was a three-year-old Labrador retriever presenting to his veterinarian with hemorrhagic diarrhea for at least one week, lethargy, uveitis, and acute onset of blindness and incoordination . Diagnostic testing included free catch urinalysis. Diagnostic Test Results The patient had a mild inflammatory and superimposed stress leukogram with a mild non-regenerative anemia. The chemistries were not available. Urine collected via free catch was submitted…