Suspected iatrogenic seeding of oral melanoma secondary to endotracheal intubation

Jeanne Lane and others, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Malignant melanomas are the most common malignant tumours found in the mouths of dogs. They are both highly invasive locally and often produce distant metastases. The authors describe a case in which the development of metastatic disease in the lungs of a canine patient appears to have been caused by mechanical seeding during endotracheal intubation. The patient was a 10-year-old castrated pug which presented with a three-day history of intermittent dyspnoea, cough, inappetence and an inability to breathe when sleeping. An oral malignant melanoma was visible on the right hard palate and thoracic radiographs revealed an opacity within the trachea. No other metastases were detectable in common locations such as the lymph nodes. The dog had been given general anaesthetic seven months previously for a CT examination during presurgical planning for metastatic disease treatment. The owners elected to have the dog euthanased.

Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 55, e554-05

Comparison of four different presurgical hand antiseptic techniques

Biermann and others, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

Although the World Health Organization recommends the use of alcohol-based hand rubs for presurgical hand preparation, most equine surgeons continue to use chlorhexidine-based disinfectant soaps or iodine-based products. The authors compare the efficacy of four different hand antisepsis methods: a chlorhexidine product used with either a scrub or rub technique, an alcohol-based hand rub, and a combination of chlorhexidine and alcohol. Bacterial counts showed that the alcohol-based rub was no more effective than chlorhexidine. Also, when using chlorhexidine soaps in an equine surgical setting, hand rubbing was as effective as scrubbing.

Equine Veterinary Journal 51 (5), 600-605

Side-effects of powdered sodium carbonate used as an oral emetic in dogs

A. K. Watson and Y Indrawirawan, Animal Emergency Centre, Hallam, Victoria

The administration of emetic agents is often necessary in the treatment of veterinary patients that are known, or suspected, to have ingested some harmful substance or intoxicant. One of the most widely used emetic agents is sodium carbonate (washing soda), a product that is cheap and widely available. The authors describe five canine cases in which powdered sodium carbonate caused severe mucosal injuries to the gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts. They state that the use of this product to induce vomiting is not recommended and alternative agents, such as apomorphine, should be preferred.

Australian Veterinary Journal 97(5), 157–161

Correlation between synovial fluid cytokines and osteoarthritis in dogs

Philip Allen and others, University of Minnesota, St Paul

Osteoarthritis is a painful progressive condition affecting around a quarter of the canine population. There are limitations to the value of clinical examination and force-plate measurements in monitoring disease severity and most studies rely on owner observations.

The authors investigated the use of synovial fluid cytokine concentrations in differentiating between healthy and diseased joints. They show that there were differences between various pro-and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in healthy and OA joints but there was no direct relationship between biochemical findings and gait symmetry.

Veterinary Surgery 48(5), 770-779

Positioning of charcoal air-filtration canisters used for waste isoflurane scavenging

Elizabeth Moore and others, Cornell University New York State

The use of inhalant anaesthesia in veterinary practice poses a potential occupational health and safety risk for the attending staff. Gas scavenging equipment is used to eliminate waste anaesthetic gas but there is little published information on the influence of factors such as physical positioning on the operational efficiency of charcoal air-filtration canisters.

The authors investigated the levels of waste gases released at high and low isoflurane flow rates. Their results show that horizontally positioned canisters emitted significantly more waste anaesthetic gas and so these devices should be used in a vertical position.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254(12), 1459-1465

Association between life span and body condition score in neutered client-owned dogs

Carina Salt and others, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray

Dogs that are obese are at increased risk of developing a range of chronic diseases and obesity is now formally classified as a disease in its own right. However there are no definitive studies proving an association between excess bodyweight and reduced life expectancy in dogs. The authors analysed data on 5,787 middle-aged neutered dogs attending clinics within a network of US veterinary practices. They show that for all breeds examined, the risk of early death was greater in overweight dogs than in those with a normal body condition score. 

Australian Veterinary Journal 97(5), 157-161

A patient-side blood test to determine neuter status in female cats

Lisa Morrow and others, University of Nottingham

A significant proportion of the female cats taken in at welfare centres are strays and have an unknown neuter status. The gold standard method for detecting whether a cat has been spayed is an exploratory laparotomy a procedure which is invasive, costly and potentially risky The authors investigated the accuracy of a luteinising hormone-based assay (Witness LH; Zoetis) introduced as a cage-side test of neuter status. The test correctly identified all unneutered cats with no false positive results. It should therefore have a beneficial impact on cat welfare and the cost, speed of assessment and time to rehoming.

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 21 (6), 553-558

Best practice approaches to the treatment of canine behavioural problems

Emma Shalvey and others, University College Dublin

The management of behavioural problems in dogs has changed markedly over recent years with the rejection of punishment- based methods in favour of reward-based techniques. The authors investigated the understanding of appropriate training methods among Irish veterinary professionals. A survey completed by 84 veterinarians and 133 VNs revealed areas of uncertainty on the practical aspects of training methods to reduce problems such as aggression and separation anxiety The results demonstrate a need for improved continuing professional development for both vets and VNs and the need to include behavioural medicine among the core day 1 skills.

Irish Veterinary Journal 72:1 (Open Access)

Plasma lactate analyses and shock index in the prognosis for dogs with shock

Ann Marie Zollo and others, Animal Medical Center; New York City

Shock is a potentially fatal condition which occurs when oxygen delivery is insufficient to meet tissue metabolic needs. Early recognition and correction of tissue hypoperfusion is vital for a satisfactory outcome. The authors investigated the association between patient survival and
serum lactate concentrations at admission, along with other lactate-related variables. While the plasma lactate concentration could not discriminate between survivors and non-survivors, other measures associated with lactate metabolism were shown to have predictive value.

Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 2019:1-9 (Open Access)

Rapid in-house method for analysing cerebrospinal fluid samples in veterinary practice

Cassia Hare and others, University of Cambridge

The collection and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid forms part of the routine investigation of many veterinary patients presenting with neurological signs. Analyses will usually be carried out by specialist laboratories and this will involve full protein measurements and cytological assessments. The authors describe a novel in-house analytical method for CSF, using sedimentation cytology direct from the spinal needle. The method was shown to provide clinical useful information in a patient-side setting without the need for additional equipment.

Journal of Small Animal Practice 60(8), 486-492

Prevalence of periodontal disease in first opinion equine practice

Harriet Nuttall, University of Cambridge and Peter Ravenhill, B&W Equine Group, Gloucestershire

Equine dental disease is a common condition and its potential to cause significant welfare problems has become more widely recognised with improved diagnostic techniques. The authors conducted a retrospective study of the dental records of 932 horses treated at practices in south west England and south Wales. The prevalence of active periodontal disease was 13.9%, with diastemata (gaps between teeth) in 13.9% of case and peripheral caries in 8.2%. Increasing age was a significant risk factor for both periodontal disease and diastemata but not for peripheral caries.

The Veterinary Journal 246, 98-102

Practical recommendations for nutritional assessments in feline patients

Angela Witzel Rollins and Maryanne Murphy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Nutrition is a key component of good health and while most owners would appreciate guidance from their veterinary advisors on feeding their pets, it appears that this it is not routinely provided. The authors argue that a nutritional assessment should be undertaken at every visit to educate clients about the specific nutritional needs of their animal. They offer guidance to veterinary staff on introducing a protocol for incorporating nutritional assessments into daily practice. To increase the efficiency of this process and reinforce key messages, they note the importance of involving the whole clinical team.

Journal of Feline Medicine and Science (Clinical Practice) 21 (5), 442-448

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 34 • October 2019