Food intolerance in dogs and cats

Mark Craig, Re-Fur-All Referrals, Newbury, Berkshire

Food intolerance describes an abnormal physiological response to a food or food additive that does not appear to have an immunological cause. Various forms of intolerance have been described, including food poisoning, food idiosyncrasy and metabolic reactions, but these terms tend to be applied haphazardly and there is considerable overlap between the categories. Such reactions are variable, dose-dependent and can occur at any age. Their prevalence is largely unknown although one study suggested that between 1 and 2% of dogs presenting to a primary care clinic had relevant signs. The author reviews the clinical features of food intolerance and current knowledge of the underlying mechanisms associated with its most common forms. He warns that our understanding of food intolerance is limited by a lack of specific tests and the variability of the clinical signs. However, with increasing knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, it should be possible to improve the recognition, prevention and management of such disorders.

Journal of Small Animal Practice 60(2), 77-85

Arterial catheter complications in feline patients

Shaina Mooshian and others, Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center

Peripheral artery catheterisation allows for the continuous haemodynamic monitoring of anaesthetised and critically ill patients. However these devices may be associated with a number of potential complications, such as catheter occlusion, infection, haemorrhages, etc. The authors describe a study of 35 cats receiving arterial catheters and assess the prevalence and causative factors in any resulting complications. There was a 23.7% incidence of minor complications, most commonly catheter occlusion, but major complications occurred in only 2.63% of cases. While arterial catheterisation is a safe procedure in cats, there is a greater risk of minor problems with increased duration of catheter placement.

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 21 (2), 173-177

Evaluation of sutureless scrotal castration in juvenile dogs

Kirk Miller and others, Oregon State University Corvallis

Sutureless scrotal castration in puppies is a technique involving the removal of the testes and autoligation of both spermatic cords through a single small incision. The technique is similar to that used in cats and is often used in high volume canine spay and neuter programmes. The authors assessed the safety and convenience of this procedure compared with the traditional prescrotal castration method. Used in 400 shelter dogs aged between two and five months old, the method was safe and significantly faster than the standard technique. They suggest that it may potentially reduce morbidity and mortality rates as well as lowering the financial costs of high throughput neutering schemes.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 253(12), 1589-1593

Nutritional considerations for the aged horse

Nicola Jarvis and others, Redwings Horse Sanctuary Norwich

The proportion of geriatric animals in the UK horse population is increasing as a result of various factors including improvements in veterinary care and changing public perceptions of ageing horses. The authors review the healthcare and nutritional needs of older horses and suggest guidelines for the management of those animals. They note that healthy horses in good body condition seldom need substantial changes in diet but feeding methods may have to be modified for those horses with conditions often associated with age, such as Cushing's disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction), osteoarthritis or failing dentition.

Equine Veterinary Education 31 (2), 102-110

Perceptions among Australian veterinary staff of their clients’ use of the internet

Lori Kogan and others, Colorado State University Fort Collins

Many clients turn to the internet for information on the health-care of their animals but while this material is freely available, there is wide variation in its accuracy and a significant risk of misinterpretation. The authors surveyed Australian veterinarians on their perceptions of clients' use of the internet to access veterinary content. This showed that 65% of respondents thought that their clients did not always understand what they read online. Meanwhile, 56% thought that downloading online health information had a negative effect on the veterinarian-client relationship, compared with 33% that thought it had a positive impact.

Australian Veterinary Journal 97(1-2), 10-13

A case of animal and domestic abuse initially misdiagnosed as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

Ira Roth and Janet Martin and others, University of Georgia, Athens

A one-year-old castrated male shihtzu was presented with an acute right rear limb lameness and hyphema of the right eye. Radiography of the pelvis showed avascular necrosis in both the right and left femoral neck with a resultant fracture on the right. These findings suggested Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a developmental condition cause by disruption of the blood flow to the femoral head. The fracture was initially attributed to a fall at home but subsequent patient visits, evaluation of additional injuries and interviews with the owner indicated that both domestic and animal abuse had occurred at their home.

Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 54(6), e546-03

VOL 34 • May 2019 • Veterinary Nursing Journal