Minimally invasive treatment options: The use of stents in the veterinary patient

The use of stents in the veterinary patient is constantly expanding. Requests from owners for minimally invasive treatment options and palliative care options are steadily increasing. This article discusses some of the more common stents used in veterinary medicine.

Current diagnostic approaches to chronic diarrhea (Part II)

In last week's article, we discussed current diagnostic approaches to chronic diarrhea. In this newsletter we will discuss several different steps in treating chronic diarrhea, especially when diagnostics such as biopsies, either via surgery or endoscopy, are not possible due to the status of the patient.

Every patient, every time: Basic nursing assessments for hospitalized patients for the veterinary technician and assistant

At my practice we are growing and constantly have new people join our team. With every new person we do our best to instill a certain authority they have with the patients they are asked to watch during admission or shift change. Below is our hospital’s patient assessment checklist we emphasize during training. Each hospital should have something similar to help ensure patient safety and healing, while allowing the veterinary nurse to really take some ownership.

Current Diagnostic Approaches to Chronic Diarrhea (Part I)

Diarrhea is described as an increase in fecal mass, specifically volume, frequency or fluidity, and it is an important clinical sign of intestinal disease. Diarrhea as a clinical sign can be found with both small and large intestinal disease. Part I of this two-part series discusses clinical signs and diagnosis. Part II, which discusses treatment, will published next week.

Immunomodulating therapy in dogs: Beyond glucocorticoids

Alice Benedict, DVM, DACVIM VCA Shoreline Veterinary Referral…

Corneal transplants

Nicholas Cassotis, DVM, DACVO Port City Veterinary Referral…

Repetitive strain injury of the psoas muscle in dogs

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Repetitive overuse of the psoas is a common yet under appreciated cause of mobility impairment in the dog. This article presents an overview of the pathomechanics, diagnosis, and management of psoas RSI in dogs.

Canine chronic hepatitis

Canine chronic hepatitis (CH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease that without intervention, progresses to hepatocellular necrosis and fibrosis/cirrhosis. A definitive diagnosis is made with histopathology. There are several known causes of canine hepatitis, including...

Tarsal osteochondrosis

This article is a brief discussion of tarsal osteochondrosis including etiology and pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnostics, treatment, and prognosis. It is a combination of literature review and editorial based on clinical impression.

Toxicology update: New offenders and treatments

The goal of this article is to provide awareness of some of the newer toxicities, their common clinical signs and basic treatment recommendations. An update on toxicology treatments is also provided.

Wet and wild: Aquatic animal anesthesia basics

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This blog touches on the basics of fish and amphibian general anesthesia. Species anatomy and physiology will be lightly covered, along with considerations when choosing a general anesthetic agent.

Insulinoma: How not to anger the beast

Insulinoma is a relatively uncommon condition in our canine and feline patients. Insulinoma is more common in dogs than cats, but it is important to remember that it does still occur in our feline patients.

Fundamentals of chronic wound management

Traumatic wounds are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in small animal medicine, having a significant impact on both the patient and the owner. This article discusses the management of chronic wounds.

Ureteral obstruction in cats

Obstructive ureteral disease is a very frustrating problem in feline medicine. Causes of ureteral obstruction include ureterolithiasis, ureteral strictures, dried solidifi ed blood stones, mucus, and tumors. Ureteral obstructions cause an increase in pressure that is transmitted up to the kidneys which eventually can decrease and even stop the glomerular filtration rate of that kidney. Treatment of ureteral obstructions can include medical management, surgical management and interventional management.

Solu-Medrol: Friend or foe?

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Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) secondary to external trauma or intervertebral disk disease is a common cause for paresis and ataxia in people and dogs. This article discusses the pros and cons of Solu-Medrol and reviews the veterinary and human medical literature.

Diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma

Ruth Marrion, DVM, PhD, DACVO Bulger Veterinary Hospital, North…

Injury prevention and the canine athlete

The number of dogs and owners involved in canine sports in the United States has grown exponentially in recent years. The American Kennel Club reports that, in 2011 alone, there were one million entries for agility trials and 22,000 athletic events. This review article provides important tips on injury prevention in the canine athlete.

Seeing between the lines

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A 4-month-old female Labrador Retriever is presented for progressive lethargy and decreased appetite of 10 days duration. Her owners report that she vocalized while trying to stand this morning, and then would not get up. Review the radiographs. What's your radiographic diagnosis?

Interventional analgesia: Part II

As veterinary pain management becomes more like human pain management in offering patients a broader range of strategies for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, the interventional strategies and the techniques described below will become more commonplace.

Interventional analgesia, part I

Interventional pain management in animals is an application of image-guided procedures which benefit veterinary patients with both acute and chronic pain. This 2-part series provides an overview of interventional analgesia in animals.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is defined as loss of voluntary control of urination, resulting in leakage of urine from the urinary system to the exterior of the body. While UI has consequences for our clients’ homes, it can also cause significant pathology to our patients. Timely diagnosis and control of this potentially chronic problem will help to ameliorate these concerns.

Perioperative hypothermia

Body temperature is closely maintained in mammals around an optimal set point at which ideal cellular function can occur. This is a complex process that ultimately results in a balance between heat production and heat loss. The hypothalamus acts as the main regulator of this process with multiple sensors throughout the body.

A pain in the neck: Case report and disease description

A 1-year-old, spayed female Bernese Mountain Dog was presented to the Neurology Department for evaluation of a 4-day history of lethargy, stiff gait and neck pain.

Indications and candidate screening for total hip replacement in the dog

Total hip replacement (THR) is the surgical substitution of a dysfunctional coxofemoral joint with a ball and socket prosthesis designed to mimic the mechanical function of a normal hip. This article discusses the indications, contraindications and pre surgical screening for THR.

Toxicology review & update

Rachel Morgan, DVM and Sarah Allen, DVM, DACVECC Massachusetts…

An update on feline hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is an uncommon disease in the cat. The most common cause of feline hypothyroidism is the iatrogenic form. Other less common forms include naturally acquired adult-onset primary hypothyroidism and congenital primary hypothyroidism.

Conjunctival cytology: A great diagnostic tool you’re probably not using!

Conjunctivitis means inflammation of the conjunctiva; a diagnosis of conjunctivitis does not help with a treatment plan. But if we can diagnose the cause of conjunctival inflammation, we are well on the way to a potential treatment.

Portosystemic shunts

Portosystemic shunts are the most common hepatobiliary congenital abnormality diagnosed in veterinary medicine. When a portosystemic shunt is present, the portal circulation enters directly into the systemic circulation...

Non-invasive mitral valve replacement in dogs...is a viable option on the horizon?

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Chronic mitral valve disease, secondary to myxomatous degeneration is the most common type of heart disease in dogs, accounting for over 70% of heart disease in canines. It has been known to potentially result in congestive heart failure in this species for over 100 years...

Lids, the Prequel

Eyelid diseases are very common in dogs, affect the function and health of the eye, and are the first line of defense! Eyelid disease are less common in cats, but are more serious.

Imaging diagnosis: Coughing German Shepherd

A German Shepherd dog was referred for evaluation of gagging and labored breathing of two weeks duration. View the radiographs. What's your radiographic diagnosis?

Canine albumin (lyophilized)

Hypoalbuminemia can be the result of numerous conditions including protein losing nephropathy, protein losing enteropathy, intra-thoracic or intra-abdominal effusions, liver failure, or severe hemorrhage.  Prior to the availability of canine serum albumin

Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid

Epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) is an antifibrinolytic that can prevent excessive bleeding post-operatively, post-trauma, and in relationship to neoplasia.

Introduction to Alfaxan: A new choice in anesthesia

Alfaxalone, marketed under the name Alfaxan® by a company called Jurox, is a neuroactive steroid with anesthetic properties. It recently became approved for induction of anesthesia in dogs and cats in the United States.

What's your radiographic diagnosis? Vomiting Bulldog

A 6-month-old, sexually-intact male English Bulldog was presented to the ER Department for acute onset vomiting for approximately six hours. What is your radiographic diagnosis?