Stress responses in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy or ovarioectomy

Elene Regine Moldal and others, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo

Patients undergoing surgical procedures may display a stress response involving endocrinological, immunological and haematological changes which can have negative effects on homeostasis and tissue healing. These changes are believed to be proportional to the degree of tissue injury caused and so it is wise to choose surgical techniques that minimise damage. The authors compared the stress response, in terms of C-reactive protein (CRP) release, glucose and iron serum concentrations, in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy The results demonstrate that both techniques induce a surgical stress response involving postoperative increases in glucose concentration and CRP and a decrease in serum iron levels. There were no significant differences between these changes in the two treatment groups and so the choice between ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy when neutering a bitch can be a matter of personal preference for the surgeon responsible.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 60:32 (Open Access)

Effects of reducing inspired oxygen levels for horses under general anaesthesia

Eduardo Uquillas and others, University of Sydney New South Wales

In patients undergoing general anaesthesia, there may be a correlation between high levels of oxygen in the inspired gases and ventilation-perfusion abnormalities. The authors examined the effects of reducing the inspired oxygen levels from 100% to 60% in horses anaesthetised with isoflurane and positioned in either dorsal or lateral recumbency They found that the arterial partial pressure of oxygen was lower in horses positioned in dorsal recumbency than in those positioned on their side, irrespective of the oxygen concentration used.

Australian Veterinary Journal 96(1-2), 46-53

Emotional responses of clients to different communication styles

Outi Tuiskiu and others, University of Tampere, Finland

Communication skills are recognised as an important element in the training of clinical staff and UK veterinary schools now provide teaching in this area. However, there has been little research in the veterinary field on the efficacy of different communication styles. The authors examined the response of clients to videos of female veterinarians conducting vaccine consultations. They found that clients responded more positively to those clinicians adopting a more emotional approach to their dealings with the owner. Clients also gave higher ratings to the expertise and trustworthiness of the vet when she directly faced her audience and looked directly into their eyes.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 252(9), 1120-1132

Evaluation of a point-of-care PCR test for canine leishmaniasis

Ricarda Selder and others, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany

Antibody tests are commonly used for the detection of leishmaniasis in dogs although the sensitivity is not high and false negative results may often occur The authors examined the reliability of an in-clinic point-of-care PCR-based test for this condition. Used on samples of blood, conjunctival swabs, lymph node- and bone marrow aspirates, the test was found to be easily performed with 100% specificity However, the sensitivity was less impressive and the authors warn that a negative result does not rule out the possibility of infection.

The Veterinary Journal 232 (1), 46-51

Repair of experimentally-induced full thickness skin wounds in lizards

Lara Cusack and others, University of Georgia, Athens

Wound healing occurs in much the same way in reptiles as in mammals although at a generally slower rate and it may be affected by various external factors. The authors examined the effects of three different treatments – photobiomodulation, silver sulfadiazine and a topical antimicrobial product on experimentally-induced full thickness skin wounds in green iguanas (Iguana iguana).The laser-based treatment was shown to be safe and well-tolerated but did not offer histological evidence of improved healing compared with the standard silver sulfadiazine or antimicrobial treatment groups.

American Journal of Veterinary Research 79(4), 465-473

Use of a saliva-based diagnostic test for identifying tapeworm infection in horses

Kirsty Lightbody and others, Austin Davis Biologics, Great Addington, Northamptonshire

Increasing problems with anthelmintic resistance in horses are encouraging efforts to develop worming strategies in which treatment is targeted towards those animals with heavy parasite burdens. A serum-based test that identifies antigens produced by Anoplocephala tapeworms has been available for several years but now a non-invasive saliva test has also been developed. The authors evaluated this test in 237 horses kept at a welfare charity Their results show that the test did reliably identify horses testing positive to this parasite and that targeted therapy considerably reduced the amount of anthelmintic used.

Equine Veterinary Journal 50(2), 213-219

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 33 • September 2018