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Introduction: The objective was to evaluate the use of a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach to perform hemilaminectomies in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions (IVDE). Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the degree of soft tissue trauma using the endoscopic procedure compared to the standard open approach. Methods: Eight client-owned dogs presented to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with acute onset thoracolumbar IVDE were included in this study. This was a prospective, randomized case-series. Patients were assigned to undergo an endoscopic (group 1; n = 4) or a standard open approach (group 2; n = 4) for a hemilaminectomy. A post-operative MRI was performed in all cases. Results: Conversion to an open approach was not necessary for any case in group 1. All cases had adequate spinal cord decompression on post-operative MRI. There was no significant difference in soft tissue changes noted on post-operative MRI between the two groups. Discussion: The MIS approach to hemilaminectomies in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar IVDE can successfully be performed to decompress the neural tissue and appears to lead to similar clinical outcomes in the early postoperative period compared to the standard open approach. Larger studies are needed to determine the potential advantages of the MIS technique compared to the standard open approach in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tubulointerstitial nephropathy and uveitis, otherwise more broadly known as oculorenal syndrome in human medicine, is a condition that has, to the authors' knowledge, not been described in veterinary medicine. This report describes an 8‐year‐old, male, neutered, mixed breed dog with a 6‐year history of idiopathic epilepsy, chronically receiving zonisamide, who was presented for sub‐acute and recurrent episodes of severe generalised weakness, altered mentation and inappropriate urination. Throughout the dog's hospital visits, recurrent anterior uveitis, progressive severe metabolic acidosis, proteinuria, persistent granular casts and severe renal tubular acidosis, which progressed to renal insufficiency, were evident. Due to a poor prognosis and perceived poor quality of life, the dog was humanely euthanased. Postmortem examination and histopathology revealed tubulointerstitial nephropathy. In conjunction with clinical uveitis, this presentation reflects similarities with the human oculorenal syndrome, here referred to as canine oculorenal syndrome suspected secondary to chronic zonisamide administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the single‐dose pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a cannabidiol (CBD) isolate in sunflower oil with escalating oral doses in eight healthy, purpose‐bred cats. Eight cats were randomized into six dosing groups of four cats each. Cats were administered a single 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg dose orally with at least a two‐week washout in between doses. Behavior scoring, complete blood count, serum biochemistry analysis, physical examination, and CBD plasma levels were evaluated before and after dosing. All cats successfully completed the study. CBD was measured in the plasma of all cats dosed with CBD oil. The Cmax and AUC increased in a dose‐proportional fashion across all dosing groups. There were no major bloodwork or behavioral changes although the BUN and creatinine values decreased after treatment across all doses. No adverse effects were observed, and behavioral changes were limited to head shaking, lip smacking, and hypersalivation immediately following dose administration. Single orally administered CBD doses up to 80 mg/kg were safe and well tolerated in this cohort of cats and display dose‐proportional pharmacokinetics across a broad concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess drug-drug interactions between cannabidiol (CBD) and phenobarbital (PB) when simultaneously administered to healthy dogs., Animals: 9 healthy, purpose bred Beagles., Procedures: A 3-phase prospective, randomized pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction study of CBD and PB was performed as follows: phase 1, CBD PK determination and evaluation of CBD tolerability by 3 single-dose CBD (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg) protocols followed by 2-week CBD dosing; phase 2, a single-dose, 3-way, crossover PK study of CBD (10 mg/kg), PB (4 mg/kg), or CBD (10 mg/kg) administration plus PB (4 mg/kg); and phase 3, evaluation of chronic PB (4 mg/kg, q 30 d) administration followed by single-dose CBD (10 mg/kg) PK study., Results: Although there were variations in CBD PK variables in dogs receiving CBD alone or in conjunction with PB, significance differences in CBD PK variables were not found. No significant difference was observed in PB PK variables of dogs receiving PB alone or with CBD. During chronic CBD administration, mild gastrointestinal signs were observed in 5 dogs. At daily CBD doses of 10 to 20 mg/kg/d, hypoxia was observed in 5 dogs and increased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities (range, 301 to 978 U/L) was observed in 4 dogs. A significant increase in ALP activity was observed with chronic administration of CBD during phase 1 between day 0 and day 14., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: No significant PK interactions were found between CBD and PB. Dose escalation of CBD or adjustment of PB in dogs is not recommended on the basis of findings of this study.