Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gingival overgrowth in dogs after kidney transplant with cyclosporine
By Nam, Hyun-Sook et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2008·School of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Gingival overgrowth in dogs associated with clinically relevant cyclosporine blood levels: observations in a canine renal transplantation model.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of healthy adult dogs that received a kidney transplant developed gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia) after being treated with a medication called microemulsified cyclosporine A (MCsA) to prevent organ rejection. This condition started to show up about 20 weeks after the transplant, particularly in the areas between the teeth. Out of the four dogs that completed the study, three experienced this gum issue. It's important for pet owners to know that long-term use of MCsA can lead to significant gum problems, so regular check-ups are necessary to monitor for any changes.
People also search for: dog gum overgrowth treatment · cyclosporine side effects in dogs · kidney transplant dog care
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the development of gingival hyperplasia in dogs after renal transplantation and administration of microemulsified cyclosporine A (MCsA). STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Healthy adult mongrel dogs (n=5). METHODS: As part of study on renal transplantation, dogs administered MCsA (20 mg/kg/day), azathioprine, and prednisolone to prevent graft rejection were monitored for development of gingival changes. Prednisolone was discontinued after 3 months. MCsA dose was adjusted to maintain whole blood trough concentration of 400-700 ng/mL. Gingival change was evaluated by weekly examination and photodocumentation, and gingival biopsy for histopathology was performed at 28 weeks. RESULTS: One dog was lost because of acute graft rejection. Gingival hyperplasia developed in 3 of 4 dogs. The earliest gingival changes occurred in the interdental papillae at 20 weeks after transplantation. On histopathology, the underlying connective tissue was thickened and contained increase numbers of fibroblasts and inflammatory infiltrates. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term immunosuppression with an MCsA-based treatment likely induces substantial gingival hyperplasia when therapeutic, immunosuppressive blood levels of MCsA were maintained for 32 weeks. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MCsA is used for immune-mediated diseases and preventing rejection after transplant in dogs. MCsA blood levels, and gingival hyperplasia should be monitored by routine examination of the interdental papilla in dogs administered MCsA for long periods.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18394071/