2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program: Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018

Subsequently, they received immunosuppressive therapy within 2 months after the surgery due to recurrence of the lesion (n = 2) or based on the veterinarians'; decision (n = 2); the other 7 dogs were initially treated with immunosuppressive drugs. As a result, all dogs received immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone (1-3 mg/kg/ day) and/or cyclosporine (5-6 mg/kg/day). After the initiation of immunosuppression, clinical signs were resolved and serum C-reactive protein concentration decreased to the reference range in all dogs within 2 months. Nine of the 11 dogs showed recurrence of the lesion when prednisolone was tapered (median duration from the initiation of immunosuppression: 55 days, range: 14-394 days); they responded well to re-induction of immunosuppression with higher-dose prednisolone (2-4 mg/kg/day) or with addition of cyclosporine or azathioprine. Median follow-up period was 462 days (range, 28-2,343 days), and 3 dogs died at 40, 322, and 1,450 days after initial presentation.