Lidocaine infusion reduces the isoflurane dose required for general anaesthesia in rabbits

Anaesthesia with a volatile inhalation agent may require doses that cause excessive haemodynamic depression in surgical patients. Balanced anaesthesia, involving the simultaneous administration of both anaesthetic and analgesic agents, has been proposed as an alternative, safer method to achieve satisfactory levels of anaesthesia. The authors describe the first reported study on the effects of a continuous rate infusion of lidocaine on the movements of anaesthetised rabbits in response to a noxious stimulus. The minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane required to prevent purposeful movements following application of a tail clamp were reduced by 10.5 and 21.7 per cent in rabbits given infusions of 50 and I 00pg/kg/min of lidocaine, respectively. In a total of five surgical procedures there was no evidence of adverse events and each rabbit made an uneventful recovery. Therefore, a continuous rate infusion of lidocaine may be a useful adjunct in providing balanced anaesthesia in rabbits, while also reducing postoperative pain. 

American Journal of Veterinary Research 74(11): 1377-1384.

Rodney Schnellbacher and others, Kansas State University

Efficacy of two commercial diets in the dissolution of struvite uroliths in cats

Successful dietary dissolution of struvite uroliths in cats was first described in 1983 and yet many cats with this condition are still treated surgically. The authors investigate whether that is a reflection of the reliability of dietary control. They compared the results achieved using two commercially- available, low magnesium, urine- acidifying dry foods in 37 cats with presumed struvite uroliths. Their results show that dietary dissolution is safe and effective although cats fed on one of the products had a quicker response than those receiving the other. They suggest that a lack of response after two weeks of treatment is likely to indicate a misdiagnosis or a lack of compliance.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 243(8): 1147-1153.

Jody Lulich and others, University of Minnesota

MRSA/MRSP contamination of the clothing of staff in a veterinary teaching hospital

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and S. pseudintermedius have emerged as leading causes of opportunistic infections in companion animals. The authors assess the risks from contaminated clothing as a potential source of infection with these organisms in a university veterinary clinic. Samples were taken from white coats and surgical scrubs worn by veterinarians, technicians (i.e. VNs) and students. MRSP positive samples were taken from 16 per cent of those sampled and MRSA was confirmed on a further four per cent. Nursing staff were 9.5 times more likely to carry the bacteria on their clothing than students. The high prevalence of MRSP and MRSA on staff clothing indicates that these items could be a source of hospital acquired infections, 

Veterinary Surgery 42(6): 511 -522.

Ameet Singh and others, University of Guelph, Canada

Non-invasive method for measuring arterial blood pressure in cats

Arterial blood pressure measurements are a key parameter for assessing the risk of organ damage resulting from systemic hypertension in middle-aged and older cats. The authors describe a novel method for making indirect blood pressure measurements using a non-invasive high-deflnition oscillometry technique and compare the results in ‘awake’ cats with direct measurements using a radiotelemetry system. Their findings show that the non-invasive technology produced an accurate recording of systolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure measurements were generally lower than those achieved with the radiotelemetry system, in common with findings in certain other mammalian species. 

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 15(12): 1104-1113.

Eric Martel and others, CERB Biological Research Centre, Baugy, France

Blood biochemistry measurements in healthy, overweight, obese and diabetic cats

Weight gain increases the risk of diabetes mellitus in cats; but not all obese animals will develop the condition. The authors compare the results of blood biochemistry in diabetic and non-diabetic cats to try to identify possible indicators of long¬term changes in blood glucose control. Blood glucose, fructosamine, thyroxine, insulin and proinsulin concentrations in overweight or obese cats at risk of developing diabetes were not significantly different to those from lean and healthy animals. A longer term study may be necessary to identify risk factors. They also note that the results show that client education on dietary issues may be inadequate. 9

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 243(9): 1302-1309. 

Margarethe Hoenig and others, University of Illinois

Guidance on fluid therapy strategies for canine and feline patients

Administration of fluids is an important medical intervention in small animal practice. However, there is always the potential for causing harm as a result of fluid overload or providing inappropriate solutions. The author explains the work of a task force convened by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners to review the literature and draft guidelines on fluid administration for cats and dogs. These guidelines, which may be viewed on the AAHA website, www.aahanet.org/Library/Guidelines.aspx, offer practical recommendations on the choice of fluid, administration rate and route of administration for anaesthetised patients and those with fluid imbalances. 

Veterinary Medicine 108(8): 368-369.

Heidi Shaffond, Veterinary Anaesthesia Specialists, Portland, Oregon

Clinical features of cutaneous adverse food reactions in cats

The term adverse food reactions has replaced food allergy as it describes both immunological and non- immunological adverse reactions to food. The authors examined records from 17 cases in cats to better characterise cutaneous adverse food reactions and to identify the diagnostic challenges. Their findings suggest that the prevalence of cutaneous AFRs in the general cat population is likely to be higher than six per cent. The clinical presentation can show significant variability and present practical challenges to diagnosis. These may include reliance on strict adherence to dietary exclusion and provocation trials, as well as misleading responses related to concurrent dermatoses and owner perceptions. 

Australian Veterinary Journal 91(11): 443-451.

Linda Vogelnest and K.Y. Cheng, University of Sydney

Effects of negative pressure wound therapy on healing rate in full thickness skin grafts

Full thickness skin grafts are the preferred type of cutaneous graft in small animal surgery; but that very thickness does test the processes that maintain graft survival. Providing negative pressure through a porous dressing placed over the wound bed is a technique used in human surgery to increase the rate of graft healing.

The authors describe the results of studies using this technique in canine patients. Their findings show that graft acceptance was superior when negative pressure wound therapy was used in the first week post-grafting. Also fibrous tissue formed more rapidly, open meshes closed more quickly and less graft necrosis occurred when compared with standard bolster dressings. 

Veterinary Surgery 42(5): 51 I -522.

Bryden Stanley and others, Michigan State University

Comp
arison of laboratory methods for predicting bacteriuria in dogs and cats

The identification of urinary tract infections in dogs and cats is typically based on microscopic examination of wet mounts of urine sediment in combination with clinical signs. However, false positive and false negative results may occur with stained and unstained wet-mount preparations. The authors compare the results of wet-mount and air-dried Gram- and Wright Giemsa-stained sediment preparations to those of aerobic bacterial culture. Among 111 canine and 79 feline samples, 11 and seven were culture positive, respectively. Unstained wet-mount and stained sediment had sensitivities of 89% and 83% and specificities of 91 % and 99%, respectively. 

Canadian Veterinary Journal 54(11): 1061-1066.

Elizabeth O’Neil and others, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

Anaesthetic death in a young cat associated with equipment incompatibility

The authors describe a case in which a juvenile cat anaesthetised for ovario-hysterectomy sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of equipment failure.

It was intubated with the endotracheal tube connected to an end-tidal C02 in-line adaptor and then to a non-rebreathing anaesthetic system. Immediately on connection to the non-rebreathing system, it developed abdominal distension and later went into cardiac arrest. Post mortem examination showed trauma to the lungs and diaphragm and inspection of the equipment revealed a plastic-to-plastic seal between the internal fresh gas pipe of the non-rebreathing system and the ETC02 adapter, preventing outflow of excess gas. The incident highlights the importance of checking equipment before every anaesthetic procedure. B

Australian Veterinary Journal 91(12): 505-506.

Brad O'Hagan* and Christine McKinnon, Jurox Pty*, Rutherford, New South Wales

Home-care treatment of ‘swimmer syndrome’ in a miniature schnauzer dog

'Swimmer syndrome' is an uncommon developmental abnormality in newborn puppies and kittens in which the limbs are splayed out laterally and the patient is unable to stand or walk. The condition has tended to be viewed as unbeatable and affected animals are usually euthanased. The authors describe a case of a 50-day old female miniature schnauzer which presented with typical signs of astasia, dorsoventral flattening of the thorax, hypoplasia of hind limb muscles, stiffness, paddling leg motions and panting. The animal recovered completely following 40 days of home- care treatment involving environmental and nutritional management along with intensive physiotherapy. 

Canadian Veterinary Journal 54(9): 869-872.

Sun-A Kim and others, Seoul National University, South Korea

Effect of coat clipping on transepidermal water loss in cats

Transepidermal water loss is a measure of the efficiency of the skin barrier and evaporation of water from the skin surface may increase as a result of damage caused by allergies, exposure to irritant chemicals, &tc. However, coat condition is one factor that may influence the variability and reliability of water loss measurements. The authors assess the effects of electrical clipping and trimming with scissors on measurements on transepidermal water loss in cats. They found that mean skin loss and the variability in measurements were lower in the clipped sites than either scissor- trimmed or unshaved sites. So electrical clipping is recommended for accurate measurement of water loss from the skin. 

Veterinary Dermatology 24(4): 450-452.

Yutaka Momota and others, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan

 

To cite this article use either

DOI: 10.1111/vnj.12132 or Veterinary Nursing Journal Vol 29 pp 136-137

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 29 • April 2014 •