Latest Issue: Issue 4
- Can sonographic findings predict the results of liver aspirates in dogs with suspected liver disease?
- (2009)
- Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 50: 513-8
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Definitive diagnosis of liver disease often requires a combination of imaging and cytology or histology. This paper looks at the correlation between imaging findings and cytological findings from fine needle aspirates of the canine liver. In a prospective study, 70 dogs were assessed ultrasonographically in a standardised way. Detection of a hepatic mass >3cm, an abnormal spleen, abnormal hepatic lymph nodes and ascites were more likely to be associated with a cytological diagnosis of hepatic neoplasia. Detection of hepatic nodules was more likely to be associated with a diagnosis of vacuolar hepatopathy. As fine needle aspiration has some limitations in the diagnosis of liver disease, the authors believe that the ability to predict likely correlations between cytology and imaging would help with the selection of appropriate diagnostic tests.
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- Cytologic and Histopathologic Evaluation of Extruded Canine Degenerate Disks.
- (2009)
- Veterinary Surgery 38, 798-802
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Hansen type I disc disease in dogs is often treated by surgical removal of the extruded disc material. This study looked at the cytological and histological characteristics of this material. 45 cases had impression smears and histopathological sections prepared. Cytologically, 30 of the cases had inflammation and 20 had dysplastic spindloid cells. Histologically, 37 were inflamed, 37 were haemorrhagic and 13 had neovascularisation. The authors conclude that the frequent presence of dysplastic spyndloid cells on cytology means a mesenchymal neoplasm is hard to exclude by this technique.
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- The Effect of Laparoscopic Versus Open Ovariectomy on Postsurgical Activity in Small Dogs.
- (2009)
- Veterinary Surgery 38, 811-817
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Laparoscopic ovariectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique to neuter bitches, and it is suggested to reduce the morbidity associated with conventional surgical neutering techniques. This paper examined the surgical times, the complications and the post-operative activity of small breed bitches ovariectomised by open and laparoscopic methods. The open method involved a ventral median coeliotomy, and the laparoscopic method involved a 2-midline portal technique. No major complications occurred in bitches spayed by either method. The laparoscopic technique took longer to perform, but was associated with increased activity scores in the 48 hours post-operatively, as measured by an accelerometer attached to the dogs’ collars. The authors believe this study shows that laparoscopic ovariectomy is a safe procedure in small bitches.
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- Retinal degeneration in the Abyssinian and Somali cat (rdAc): correlation between genotype and phenotype and rdAc allele frequency in two continents.
- (2009)
- Veterinary Ophthalmology 12, 285-91
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Hereditary retinal degeneration in the Abyssinian cat (rdAc) was first described 25 years ago. This study aimed to describe the disease in more detail following the establishment of a closed breeding colony with the rdAc mutation present. DNA samples were obtained from cheek swabs and blood samples, and the DNA from 20 cats within the colony was compared with the DNA taken from Abyssinian and Somali cats from the UK, Scandinavia and Australia. Ophthalmic examinations were also performed by board certified ophthalmologists. An excellent correlation between genotype and phenotype was noted. The population survey performed found a moderately high frequency of the rdAc allele in Europe and Australia. The disease was also found in a Siamese cat. The authors recommend ophthalmologists are alert to the potential for Abyssinians, Somalis and related breeds to be affected by this disease.
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- Nasogastric tube feeding in cats with suspected acute pancreatitis: 55 cases (2001–2006)
- (2009)
- Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 19, 337-346
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The management of acute pancreatitis in cats is difficult, and enteral nutrition plays an important role, complicated by the fact that many of these cases are anorexic. This retrospective study evaluated the complications and outcomes associated with nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding in cases with this condition. Diagnosis was based on history, physical examination, laboratory findings and imaging findings. All cases received NGT feeding within 1-2 days of presentation, and they achieved their target calorific intake of 1.2x(30xbody weight[kg] + 70) in an average of 58 hours. 34/55 cats received intravenous amino acid and carbohydrate solution, and these cats were slower to receive NGT feeding. Cats fed via the NGT with boluses of food took longer to achieve their target calorific intake than those fed by a constant rate infusion. Complications with NGT feeding included vomiting after tube placement (20%), vomiting after feeding (13%), mechanical problems (13%), and diarrhoea (25%). 50/55 cats survived to discharge.
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- Survey of pet owners' expectations of surgical practice within first opinion veterinary clinics in Great Britain.
- (2009)
- Journal of Small Animal Practice 50, 478-487
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Pet owners expect certain standards from their vets, which may or may not be justified, and may or may not be realised. This study used a questionnaire of vets and clients in Great Britain to look at client expectations in the areas of surgical asepsis and clinical management, and compared them with the realities of veterinary practice. Some significant mismatches in expectation versus practice were highlighted. For example, 98.2% of owners expected sterile gloves to be worn for all sterile procedures, whereas in fact only 37.5% of vets did this. Similarly 62 to 93% of pet owners thought some other form of barrier clothing such as a gown, facemask or hat should be worn in theatre, whereas only 7 to 14% of vets wore any of these items. Significant differences were also noted between client expectations and veterinary practice in areas such as frequency of theatre cleaning, provision of staff other than the vet for monitoring anaesthesia, and provision of analgesia. The authors state that it is vital that the expectations of clients are acknowledged, but recommend that any changes are based on sound scientific evidence. Further communication with owners to help them understand what is reasonable in terms of disease prevention is recommended.
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- Reader performance in radiographic diagnosis of signs of mitral regurgitation in cavalier King Charles spaniels
- (2009)
- Journal of Small Animal Practice 50 (s1) 44-53
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Thoracic radiography is commonly recommended in dogs with suspected heart disease, to assess for possible enlargement in the cardiac silhouette, and for evidence of heart failure. This study aimed to assess the accuracy and variability of diagnosis of heart disease and heart failure in Cavaliers with mitral regurgitation (MR). 16 clinicians with varying levels of experience examined radiographs of dogs with varying severity of mitral regurgitation, to attempt to assess for the presence of absence of heart enlargement, left atrial enlargement and heart failure. The results suggested that the presence of left atrial enlargement was a more accurate indicator of MR than the presence of heart enlargement. Agreement between readers was only moderate for assessment of presence of heart failure, and the authors recommend that studies of reader accuracy should take into account the effects of interreader variability.
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