Relations between the amount of knowledge about the canine heartworm Dirofilaria immitis and dirofilariasis and the suggestion and continuation of prophylaxis of canine dirofilariasis was investigated using questionnaires administered to dog guardians. The dog guardians who had properly used prophylactic drugs against canine dirofilariasis were demonstrated to possess much greater amounts of knowledge about canine heartworm and dirofilariasis than guardians who had improperly used or not used the drugs. The guardians of the latter criteria often lacked knowledge related to the 100% prophylactic efficacy of the drugs and of the reasonable period of medication. It is necessary for veterinarians to provide correct information about the heartworm and dirofilariasis and to enhance the adherence and concordance of dog guardians to promote the proper dosing of prophylactics against canine dirofilariasis.

A mixed-breed, spayed female cat aged approximately 7 years was brought to our hospital with complaints of left mandibular swelling and anorexia. She was being treated with insulin for diabetes. Oral examination revealed severe periodontitis. We proposed a total extraction treatment. However, due to the owner’s refusal, antibiotic therapy was initiated. After antibiotic administration, the mandibular swelling reduced; however, the anorexia did not improve, and body weight decreased. On the 90th day of illness, total tooth extraction was performed under general anesthesia. Post treatment, the anorexia improved, and her body weight increased. Fasting blood glucose and fructosamine levels decreased. On the 570th day of illness, her appetite was stable, and glycemic control was well maintained. The production of inflammatory cytokines from periodontal lesions might have increased the insulin resistance and impeded glycemic control. Tooth extraction procedures may improve periodontal inflammation, insulin resistance, and glycemic control. As in this case, periodontal disease treatment may help in the treatment of diabetes.

A neutered male miniature dachshund aged 10 years and one month presented to the hospital with a soft mass on the left side of the neck. A thyroid tumor was suspected by ultrasonography, and this was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) examination. Thyroidectomy was subsequently performed, and thyroid adenoma was diagnosed based on histopathological examination. Although thyroid adenoma is rare in dogs, CT examination may be useful in differentiating thyroid adenoma from thyroid cancer.

Active ingredients of spot-on formulations for tick control will not evenly distribute on the dog surface, and become sparsely distributed in remote areas. The present study was conducted to prove a hypothesis that direct application of a tickicidal liquid remedy on ticks is an effective complementary method. Thirty dogs naturally infested by ticks were employed. A pour-on formulation of flumethrin was directly applied to the dorsal side of 122 ticks on the 30 dogs, in a dose of 5 μl of the product or 50 μg as the active ingredient per tick. Two ticks of each of the 30 dogs were not treated with the tickicide, serving as unmedicated controls. Tick infestations were observed 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after exposure. All the ticks treated were eliminated within 3 or 12 hours, and no ticks of the unmedicated were eliminated during the observation period of 24 hours. No adverse effects were observed in any of the dogs. Direct application of the drug will be used as a complementary method, when a tickicidal remedy such as a spot-on formulation is administered.