Incidence of suicide in veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia, 2001-2012

Alison Milner and others, University of Melbourne

Internationally a number of studies have highlighted the increased risk of suicide among practising veterinary surgeons but there have been no similar investigations into the dangers facing their immediate colleagues. The authors carried out a retrospective case-control of suicides among vets and vet nurses in Australia over an 11-year period using data from the National Coroners Information System, an internet-based data archive established in 2001. The database revealed 18 cases involving vets and seven involving nurses, giving a standardised mortality ratio for vets of 1.92 and for veterinary nurses of 1.24, compared with the general population. So while the suicide risk for vets was significantly higher than for the general public, the SMR for vet nurses was elevated but not significantly so because of the wide confidence interval resulting from this analysis. In both groups, an overdose of injectable barbiturates was the most common method used. The authors emphasise the need for further studies to more accurately determine suicide risks in veterinary nurses and whether the factors involved are similar to those for their veterinarian colleagues.

Australian Veterinary Journal 93(9), 308-310

Comparison of foods for the management of feline idiopathic cystitis

John Kruger and others, Michigan State University

Nutritional interventions can potentially influence the expression of feline idiopathic cystitis by for example, reducing concentrations of crystallogenic minerals in the urine. However, lower urinary tract signs will often recur in cats that appear to have recovered from episodes of acute nonobstructive idiopathic cystitis. The authors examined the influence of a cystitis-control formula food containing different mineral, antioxidant and fatty acid profiles on the recurrence rate in 31 affected cats. Compared with cats receiving a standard diet, the treatment group had a significantly lower mean incidence of episodes with multiple disease signs and fewer incidents of haematuria, dysuria and stranguria.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 247(5), 508-517

Animal welfare problems due to the brachycephalic conformation of pugs

Angela Bartels and others, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany

Dog breeds with a fore-shortened muzzle, such as pugs have become extremely popular in a number of European countries, including Germany In 2009, responding to concerns over problems with brachycephalic airway syndrome in their breed, the German pug club established a test of cardiovascular responses to exercise which any breeding dog was required to pass. The authors subjected a group of 42 pugs to the test which required normalised heart and breathing rates 15 minutes after walking a distance of 1 km. Fourteen of these dogs (33%) failed the test while 50% of the group were found to have abnormal heart and respiratory rates even at rest. A group of seven ‘retropugs', crossbred to have a slightly longer muzzle, all successfully passed the test.

Animal Welfare 24(3), 327-333

Guide to handling venomous reptiles in veterinary practice

Stacey Wilkinson, Avian and Exotic Animal Care, Raleigh, North Carolina

Venomous reptiles may be kept in zoos and research institutions, as well as licensed private collections. Such animals will likely require veterinary attention at some stage during their captivity and caring for these species can be both challenging and rewarding. The author emphasises the importance of extensive training for staff at any practice considering providing such services. She advises clinicians interested in treating snakes and venomous reptiles on appropriate equipment. handling techniques and other special considerations required for these species. Veterinarians should also be prepared in the event of an emergency and be aware of specific medical conditions affecting these animals.

Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23(4), 337-346

Evaluation of a weight management food designed to increase basal metabolism

Todd Towell and others, Hills Pet Nutrition, Topeka, Kansas

Decreasing overall calorie intake is the principle strategy for dealing with the growing numbers of overweight and obese pets. However noncompliance on the part of the owner may limit the success of this approach. The authors investigate the possibility of using a novel food formulation which aims to stimulate the cat or dog's basal metabolism as an alternative weight management option. The diet was fed for a period of 60 days to 159 client-owned dogs and 155 cats by their owners. By the end of the study 96% of the dogs and 81% of the cats had lost weight although only 77% of the dog owners and 52% of cat owners were aware of those changes.

International Journal ofApplied Research in Veterinary Medicine 13(1), 14-22

Control of surgical site infections with polymethylmethacrylate beads

Shauna Morrison and others, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Biofilms containing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) are a leading cause of surgical site infections in canine patients. Biofilm-associated bacteria have lower metabolic rates and are therefore less susceptible to antimicrobial treatment than free-living bacteria. The authors investigated the effects of polymethylmethacrylate beads containing additives with apparent antimicrobial activity on biofilm formation in vitro. The beads contained gentamicin, silver or a combination of both. None of the three was completely effective in inhibiting biofilm production but the gentamicin-based beads were able to control bacterial populations in gentamicin-susceptible strains. Silver impregnated beads had no effect.

American Journal ofVeterinary Research 76(5), 395-401

VOL 31 • January 2016 • Veterinary Nursing Journal