Immunosuppressant Therapy in Small Animal Medicine: What, When, and Why

Today's Vet Pract. Jul-Aug 2023;13(4):83-93. 49 Refs

Stuart A Walton¹, Alexis Hoelmer

¹ University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.

Author Abstract

Glucocorticoids are considered the mainstay of immunosuppressive therapy; however, clinicians should be aware of second-line or alternative agents.

Article Tools:

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Incidences of steroid-induced diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure in cats given non-immunosuppressive doses of methylprednisolone acetate: 1042 cats.
The incidences of developing steroid-induced diabetes mellitus and steroid-induced congestive heart failure were 3.83% and 0.82%, respectively; and the risk was not increased even when repeated doses of methylprednisolone acetate were given.

Wavy changes in the whiskers of domestic cats are correlated with feline leukemia virus infection.
The prevalence of wavy whiskers (WW) was significantly correlated with FeLV antigen positivity in the blood. Of 56 cases with WW, 50 (89.3%) were serologically positive for FeLV. The significant association between WW and serological FeLV positivity was also confirmed by multivariate analysis. In WW, narrowing, degeneration, and tearing of the hair medulla were observed. Mild infiltration of mononuclear cells in the tissues, but no degeneration or necrosis, was found. By immunohistochemistry, FeLV antigens (p27, gp70, and p15E) were observed in various epithelial cells including the sinus hair follicular epithelium of the whisker.

Antimicrobial use in the surgical treatment of canine pyometra: A questionnaire survey of Arizona-licensed veterinarians.
Overall, 76% of veterinarians stated they always use preoperative and perioperative antibiotics, and 74% stated they always use postoperative antibiotics. A total of 16 different antibiotics were reported. Twelve percent of respondents regularly submitted a culture. Culture submission was impacted by cost, prior experience, poor owner compliance, result turnaround time, and anticipated results.

Left hind limb lameness in a 13-month-old spayed female German Shepherd Dog.
This case report discusses medial epiphyseal artery occlusion that resulted in osteonecrosis and collapse of the femoral head.

Euthanasia of animals - association with veterinarians' suicidal thoughts and attitudes towards assisted dying in humans: a nationwide cross-sectional survey (the NORVET study).
Veterinarians' attitudes towards assisted dying in humans did not differ from those of the general population. Veterinarians' frequency of euthanasing animals was not associated with positive attitudes towards euthanasia in humans. However, veterinarians working in companion animal practices were more likely to have positive attitudes towards euthanasia in humans. Moreover, euthanising animals five times or more a week was associated with serious suicidal thoughts.