Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery RSS feedThis is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Perioperative rbc transfusion requirement for various surgical procedures in dogs
As challenging major surgeries are increasingly performed by veterinarians, the necessity for perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions can be expected. Whole blood or packed RBC transfusions are used to meet this need. Hemorrhage in surgical patients immediately prior to, during and after surgery is usually related to surgery, trauma, or neoplasia. Factors that may influence the decision to perform a transfusion in the surgical patient include PCV, estimated volume of blood loss, and clinical signs indicative of inadequate oxygen delivery. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 31, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Surgery (Soft Tissue) Source Type: research

Of Bordetella Vaccines and Emperors' Wardrobes
Veterinary Medicine in general and small animal medicine in particular is fraught with and often ruled by expert opinion. Notwithstanding being cliché-laden, it is a reality that Dr. Google further promulgates the cult of the expert with easy access to seemingly authoritative unvetted musings. In contrast, human medicine and food animal medicine are significantly more data driven; the operative word being “significant” – P values, not opinion, matter to insurance companies and to producers of animal protein who determine the economic value of various recommendations from our profession. (Source: Advances in Small An...
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: John A. Ellis Tags: Guest Editorial Source Type: research

Of Vaccines and Emperors' Wardrobes
Veterinary Medicine in general and small animal medicine in particular is fraught with and often ruled by expert opinion. Notwithstanding being cliché-laden, it is a reality that Dr. Google further promulgates the cult of the expert with easy access to seemingly authoritative unvetted musings. In contrast, human medicine and food animal medicine are significantly more data driven; the operative word being “significant” – P values, not opinion, matter to insurance companies and to producers of animal protein who determine the economic value of various recommendations from our profession. (Source: Advances in Small An...
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: John A. Ellis Tags: Guest Editorial Source Type: research

TSH concentration as a diagnostic test for feline hyperthyroidism
The finding of a high serum total thyroxine (T4) concentration allows a straightforward diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in older cats presented with classical clinical features of the disease. Cats with suspected hyperthyroidism routinely are screened by measuring T4, because it is inexpensive and specific. However, in many cats, particularly in the early phase of hyperthyroidism, T4 concentrations remain within the reference interval. Concurrent nonthyroidal illness can also suppress high serum T4 concentrations to within the reference interval. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Clinical Pathology Source Type: research

Effect of brushing teeth on plaque, calculus accumulation, and gingivitis in dogs
Daily tooth brushing is regarded as the gold standard for prevention or reduction of accumulation of dental plaque and calculus, which is the key to preventing the development of periodontal disease. Recognizing that many dog owners would prefer not to have to brush their dog's teeth, this study was performed to determine the optimal frequency of brushing. Previous studies of the effect of brushing on gingivitis have shown that in dogs with detailed daily brushing and polishing, gingival health remains excellent over a 4-year period. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Dentistry Source Type: research

Iron status of cats with chronic kidney disease
Anemia is a frequent complication of cats with chronic renal disease (CKD). In one study, anemia was present in 57% of the cats with CKD, with a median survival time of 100 days once anemia developed. The etiology of anemia in cats with CKD is likely multifactorial, although the main mechanism is inadequate erythropoietin production by diseased kidneys. Another potential contributor is an absolute iron deficiency, which occurs secondary to reduced oral iron intake, decreased gastrointestinal absorption, or loss through gastrointestinal bleeding. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Nephrology/Urology Source Type: research

Treatment of ionized-hypercalcemia in cats with oral alendronate
Unexplained disturbances in calcium homeostasis resulting in ionized hypercalcemia are attributed to parathyroid-independent hypercalcemia (IHC) in over 50% of cats. Most cats with parathyroid-independent ionized hypercalcemia have idiopathic hypercalcemia with malignancy and hypervitaminosis D thought to be less common. A diagnosis of IHC requires eliminating other known causes of hypercalcemia including neoplasia, chronic renal disease, primary hyperparathyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism, toxin ingestion, granulomatous disease, and osteolytic disease. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Oncology Source Type: research

Effect of low-level laser therapy on open wound healing
Adjunctive therapies can be used in an attempt to enhance full-thickness wound healing. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a modality utilized to accelerate wound healing based on biomodulation at the cellular level. Any biological effect of this low level of radiation is attributed to direct effect of radiation rather than heating of the tissues and is often termed cold laser. The exact mechanism is unknown, but LLLT may stimulate cellular processes via photon activation of cytochrome oxidase, resulting in energy production in mitochondria, then leading to synthesis of proteins involved in cellular repair, as well as promo...
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - March 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Behavior Source Type: research

Controversies surrounding protein in feline nutrition
Cats have obligatory dietary requirements for nutrients that are not essential for many other species including specific amino acids (carnitine, arginine, taurine) and some vitamins (niacin, A, and D). They also have a higher maintenance requirement for protein than omnivores. Dietary protein is required to provide essential, non disposable amino acids (those that the body cannot synthesize on its own), as well as “disposable” nitrogen to build those amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compounds that it is able to synthesize. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - February 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Margie Scherk Tags: Guest Editorial Source Type: research

Should stress management be included in clinical management of dogs with chronic illness?
A chronic disease is a persistent illness of more than one week's duration. Many chronic diseases in dogs can only be managed, rather than cured, and some are also progressive. Veterinarians often focus on physical health but may not consider the role of stress in the disease process and inpatient welfare. Very little research exists on the relationship between stress and disease in dogs. Previously, two independent research groups found that dogs with non-adrenal disease had significantly higher acute stress levels than healthy controls. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - February 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Behavior Source Type: research

Prevention of undesirable behaviors in cats
Although dogs are known to be “man's best friend” and have established a reciprocal, complexed bond with the owner, cats are also important for people and can form a strong relationship toward the owner. Cats seem to accept the advantages of living within the human family and environment without abandoning their auto-determined and independent behavior. The ideal cat for humans is socialized, sociable, curious, and able to adapt to every situation. In indoor cats, cleanliness, affection, and playfulness are also appreciated. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - February 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Behavior Source Type: research

Vitamin D status in dogs with chronic enteropathy
Chronic enteropathies in dogs are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. A diagnosis of chronic enteropathy (CE) is made in dogs which have a several-week history of gastrointestinal signs, such as weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea, and the absence of underlying etiology based on diagnostic evaluation and the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate including gastrointestinal biopsies. The pathogenesis of CE in dogs is considered to be multifactorial and includes causes such as abnormal mucosal immunity, disrupted epithelial barrier function, altered intestinal microbial flora, environment, and genetics. (Source: Advanc...
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - February 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Gastroenterology Source Type: research

Histiocytic sarcoma with central nervous system involvement in dogs
Reports of histiocytic sarcomas that affect the central nervous system (CNS) are rare. These tumors can occur as either localized or affecting multiple organs. Most histiocytic tumors in dogs are considered to result from neoplastic transformations of interstitial dendritic cells, with the exception of the hemophagocytic variant which occurs most commonly in the spleen. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - February 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Oncology Source Type: research

Internal obturator muscle transposition for treatment of perineal hernia
Perineal hernia results from a weakness of the pelvic diaphragm, allowing herniation of bladder, prostate, intestine, omentum, and colon in the perineal area. Perineal hernias occur most commonly in middle-aged male dogs, which are often sexually intact or castrated late in life. Although no single cause has been identified, the condition is thought to occur as a result of muscular atrophy, neurogenic atrophy, hormonal influence, and tenesmus secondary to prostatic disease or chronic constipation. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - February 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Surgery (Soft Tissue) Source Type: research

Age at gonadectomy and health problems in kittens
Prepubertal gonadectomy, defined as gonadectomy between 6 and 16 weeks of age, is frequently performed in cats in animal shelters. Practical and safe anesthetic and surgical protocols are available for prepubertal gonadectomy. There are concerns about the effects of prepubertal gonadectomy on the behavior and health of domestic cats. Gonadectomy may lead to an increased risk of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). A lack of gonadal hormones negatively affects closure time of selected physes in male and female cats. (Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery)
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - February 1, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Surgery (Soft Tissue) Source Type: research