Appetite Stimulant and Anti-Emetic Effect of Mirtazapine Transdermal Ointment in Cats Affected by Lymphoma Following Chemotherapy Administration: A Multi-Centre Retrospective Study

In humans, mirtazapine can prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and improve cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL). This drug is being increasingly used as an appetite stimulant in cats. The hypothesis of this retrospective study was that mirtazapine could reduce the incidence of CINV and weight loss in feline patients affected by lymphoma. The objectives were to report the use of mirtazapine transdermal ointment and assess the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and weight loss in cats diagnosed with lymphoma and receiving chemotherapy. Transdermal mirtazapine was topically administered to the inner surface of the pinna (2 mg/cat/daily) for 14 days following chemotherapy administration. Data recorded from 20 patients were collected. Different grades of GI toxicity were shown in 8/20 (40%) patients. Body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and muscle condition score (MCS) improved in 12/20 (60%), 6/20 (30%), and 2/20 (10%) cats, respectively. Mirtazapine-induced adverse events (AEs) occurred in 4/20 (20%) cats and did not require mirtazapine discontinuation. Substantial weight loss was not encountered, suggesting that patients had an adequate food intake after chemotherapy administration. Transdermal mirtazapine ointment was considered safe and well tolerated.

Clinical management protocol of an acute contagious bovine pleuropnuemonia in a 6- year-old Bunaji cow in Sakaru village of Soba local government area, Kaduna state, Nigeria

The test and slaughter policy of the federal government of Nigeria on contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in cattle is no longer feasible because it lacked the political will as a result, farmers tend to treat their cattle of the disease most which has been ineffective. herefore, the quest for a supportive clinical management protocol for CBPP in cattle aimed at enabling the cow regain its body condition in order to allow the farmer sell the cow for slaughter at a profit was the aim of this case report. A 6-year-old Bunaji cow weighing 350kg with history of not feeding well, lagging behind during grazing, difficulty in breathing, intermittent cough and bloat was presented. Physical examination was carried out and differential diagnoses which included contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, mango choke, Pasteurellosis and tuberculosis were considered. After a careful scrutiny of the differentials, a tentative diagnosis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia which was confirmed by the Latex agglutination test (LAT) was arrived at. A supportive clinical management protocol was instituted with the sole aim of enabling the cow regain its body condition in order to allow the farmer sell the cow for slaughter at a profit. The protocol involved isolation of the cow and administration of 20% tetracycline long acting through a combination of conventional (intra-muscular) and non-conventional (intra-venous) routes of administration along with an anti-inflammatory agent and an appetite stimulant. Six days after the commencement of therapy, the observed clinical signs subsided greatly and the cow became apparently healthy. The study showed that, the protocol of administering 20%tetracycline long acting through a combination of conventional (intra-muscular) and nonconventional (intra-venous) routes along with an anti-inflammatory agent (dexamethasone) and an appetite stimulant (vit. B. complex) was effective and profitable to the farmer. The client was advised to sell the cow for slaughter after observing the 21- day withdrawal period of the drugs.