2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Seven dogs receiving prednisolone alone (Pred group) were diagnosed with immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA, n = 2), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, n = 2), meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUO, n = 2), and inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRP, n = 1). In combination with prednisolone, 9 dogs also received azathioprine (Pred+Aza group), and consisted of 7 dogs with MUO and 2 dogs with IMPA. Median (range) study period was 62 (14 to 105) days. In the Pred group, peak SPEC concentrations were classified as normal in 1 dog (MUO), questionable in 2 dogs (2 IBD), and abnormal in 4 dogs (2 IMPA, 1 MUO, and 1 ICRP). In the Pred+Aza group, peak SPEC concentrations were classified as normal in 6 dogs (5 MUO and 1 IMPA), questionable in 2 dogs (2 MUO), and abnormal in 1 dog (IMPA). Median (range) time to reach peak SPEC concentration in each dog was 14 (7-49) and 35 (7-76) days in the Pred and Pre-d+Aza group, respectively. Peak SPEC concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the Pred group (median 406 lg/L, range 85-1000 lg/L) when compared to Pred+Aza group (median 177 lg/L, range 49-625 lg/L). Prednisolone dosages at the time of peak SPEC concentration was slightly higher in the Pred group (mean AE sd: 1.6 AE 0.46 mg/kg) when compared to Pre-d+Aza group (meanAESD: 1.4 AE 0.39 mg/kg), although this increase was not significant.