Characteristics associated with problem behaviour in Brazilian dogs

Carine Savalli and others, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

A dog's behaviour and temperament may be influenced by its environment and the demographic background of both pet and owner. The authors used a Portuguese language version of the C-BARQ behaviour questionnaire to investigate factors associated with the problem behaviour reported by the owners of 1741 Brazilian dogs. They found that separation anxiety, fearfulness and attention seeking were more common in dogs of female owners. Mixed breed dogs were more likely to show both aggression towards other dogs and fear of strangers. Aggression towards strangers and attention-seeking were more common in dogs that were not walked by their owners. The authors note the importance of evaluating behavioural problems in the light of cultural differences in the home environment.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science https://doi.org/l0.l0l6/j.applanim.2020.105213

Identification and treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia in dogs

Christine Fox and others, Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners, New York City

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a condition occurring within 48 hours of intubation and mechanical ventilation. In human medicine, it is known to result in increased morbidity and mortality. The authors examined the records from 13 cases in a veterinary emergency clinic over a four-year period. They suggest that bacterial culture of endotracheal lavage samples should be obtained at the initiation of mechanical ventilation and 48 hours later with any newly positive results indicating a diagnosis of VAP Radiographic changes and an increase in WBC would support a diagnosis of VAP while culture results are pending.

Journal ofVeterinary Emergency and Critical Care https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.13032

Owner perceptions of the health of cats fed plant-based diets

Sarah Dodd and others, University of Guelph, Ontario

Cats are obligate carnivores requiring nutrients that are most commonly found in dietary components of animal origin. However, a small proportion of cat owners feed their pets strictly plant-based diets and there has been little research into the health and welfare of these animals. The authors describe a study in which 18.2% of a group of 1026 cats received a diet with no animal products. According to the owners' assessments, the

health of these cats was not adversely affected by the absence of animal-based food.

BMC Veterinary Research https://doi.org/10.1186/s 12917-021-02754-8

Ultraviolet irradiation control of respiratory infections in group- housed kittens

Robyn Jaynes and others, Arizona Humane Society, Phoenix

Respiratory infections pose a significant threat to the health of young animals in welfare shelters, particularly when the facilities are crowded. The authors investigated the efficacy of ultraviolet germicidal radiation in preventing the circulation of respiratory viruses in kittens at a shelter There was an 87% reduction in the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in the kittens after the irradiation systems were installed. This suggests that airborne pathogens may be a more significant cause of disease than previously recognised.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 257(9), 929—932

Association between vitamin D metabolites and proteinuria in dogs

Matthew Miller and others, Ohio State University, Columbus

Proteinuria has been associated with progression of renal disease and increased mortality in human and canine patients. In humans, proteinuria has also been associated with hypovitaminosis. The authors investigated the vitamin D status of 23 dogs with protein-losing nephropathy. They found that dogs with this condition did have decreased concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. While vitamin D supplements have been shown to reduce proteinuria in human kidney disease patients, there are no data available yet on this treatment strategy in canine disease.

Journal ofVeterinary Internal Medicine https://doi.org/l0.llll/jvim.l59l2

Use of a stimulus attenuation strategy to reduce stress in hospitalised cats

Regan Stoneburner and others, North Carolina State University, Raleigh

Hospitalised cats are constantly exposed to unfamiliar and potentially stress-inducing visual and auditory stimuli. Attempts to reduce these stimuli by, for example, putting towels over the front of the cage may not always be a practical option in a medical setting. The authors describe a study in which cats were kept in two linked cages with one side shielded by an opaque screen. Their findings confirmed that cats preferred to stay in the cage modified to buffer external stimuli.

Journal of Veterinary Behaviour https://doi.org/l0.l0l6/j.jveb.2020.07.008

Detection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia infections with specific peptide ELISAs

Barbara Qurollo and others, North Carolina State University, Raleigh

Several different tick-borne bacterial parasitic diseases may occur in dogs causing similar clinical signs.The authors investigate the accuracy of five synthetic peptide-based ELISAs in comparison with commercially available immunofluorescence assays in detecting experimental infections with various Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species. Their findings suggest that the peptide-based ELISAs have superior specificity to the whole organism IFAs. This may not only help improve the diagnosis of specific canine parasitic diseases but will also be useful in identifying dogs with co-infections.

American Journal ofVeterinary Research 82(1), 71—80

Outcomes of a specialised adoption programme for FeLV- positive cats

Heather Lockhart and others, University of Gainesville, Florida

An estimated 60,000 cats in US animal shelters are diagnosed each year with feline leukaemia virus infections. Many will be euthanased because of concerns about the impact of this condition on their future quality of life. The authors describe an investigation into the outcomes for 800 FeLV-infected cats in shelters referred to a specialised adoption programme. The majority these cats were successfully rehomed, demonstrating that programmes centred on adopter education and post-adoption support can create lifesaving outcomes for FeLV infected cats.

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 22(12), 1160—1167

Fluid and blood product availability in UK small animal practices

David Beeston and others, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead

Fluid therapy is an integral part of the management of critically ill patients and a range of different formulations are available for clinical use.The authors investigated which fluid and blood products are currently stocked in 396 first opinion and referral practices in the UK. Crystalloids were stocked in all practices and lactated Ringer's was the most frequently restocked product in 90% of practices. They suggest these findings will
serve as a baseline for ongoing research and decision-making in both veterinary practice and industry.

Journal of Small Animal Practice 61(12), 738-743

Peripheral intravenous catheter complications in hospitalised cats

Kaleigh Bush and others, Auburn University, Alabama

Peripheral intravenous catheters are commonly used in hospitalised patients for the administration of fluids, medications and nutrition. But they may produce complications due to patient removal of the device, infections, phlebitis or occlusion.The authors investigated the frequency and nature of the complications in 34 cats. The median duration of insertion of the catheter was just under 24 hours. The complication rate was 21.4% and these included phlebitis, extravasation, patient removal, occlusion and oedema formation. However; most catheters were removed due to discharge from the hospital.

Topics in Companion Animal Medicine https://doi.org/l0.l0l6/j.tcam. 2020.100456

Sarolaner treatment of mange mite infections in African pygmy hedgehogs

Jesus Antelo and others, Grandes Companeros, Torreon Coahuila, Mexico

African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) have become a pop-ular pet species in recent years. Like its wild European relative, these animals are prone to ectoparasite infestations. The authors describe the successful use of the isooxazoline ectoparasiticide sarolaner to treat two hedgehogs with dermatological disease due to the mite Caparinia tripilis. The agent was administered orally at 2 mg/kg. Both mites and pruritis decreased between 1 and 15 days following treatment and remained absent for up to 60 days follow-up. There was no evidence of any adverse effects.

Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine https://doi.org/l0.l053/j.jepm. 202006.001

Thermographic imaging to detect hip osteoarthritis in police dogs

Joao Alves and others, Republican National Guard, Veterinary Division, Lisbon, Portugal

Digital thermal imaging is a safe, non-invasive, contactless diagnostic tool used regularly in investigations of musculoskeletal conditions in human and equine patients.To date it has been less commonly used in companion animals.The authors investigated its potential application in detecting naturally occurring osteoarthritis of the hip in working dogs. They found changes were more evident in the lateral than the dorsoventral view and that coat characteristics were an influence on the results obtained.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica https://doi.org/l0.ll86/sl3028-020-00558-8

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 36 • April 2021