Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate behaviors associated with inflammatory pain induced by carrageenan injection in the cockatiel and determine interobserver agreement.
ANIMALS
16 adult cockatiels.
METHODS
Cockatiels were randomly assigned as either treatment (carrageenan injection) or control (sham injection) group. The treatment group received a subcutaneous injection of 0.05 mL of a 1% lambda carrageenan solution into the left footpad. Following treatment or control procedures, all cockatiels were video recorded individually for 9.5 hours. Ten minutes of video at each of 11 time points postinjection and/or handling were evaluated by 3 different observers. Twenty-five behaviors within 6 categories (resting, locomotion, maintenance, intake, interaction with environment, and limb and body posture) were assessed, in addition to crest position and mentation. Differences in individual behaviors tallies were assessed using serial Wilcoxon sum rank tests. Interobserver agreement was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient for a 2-way design for consistency among multiple observers.
RESULTS
Treatment cockatiels exhibited significantly increased focal preening (q = .023) and increased burst preening (q = .036), while control cockatiels spent significantly more time in an upright stance (q = .036). Although the remainder of behaviors observed were not statistically significant between groups, additional variables of interest seen more frequently in treatment cockatiels included non–weight-bearing stance, holding of the body low, and being nonvigilant. The level of agreement between observers was variable based on the specific behaviors; nevertheless, the dynamic behaviors were substantial to strong.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Carrageenan-induced inflammation-associated behaviors may be valuable in developing a pain scale and evaluating mild inflammatory pain in small psittacine species.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of using shape memory alloy (SMA) implants for atlantoaxial joint stabilization using a rabbit model as a substitute for canines.
ANIMALS
20 rabbit cadavers.
METHODS
We prepared rabbit cadavers from the middle of the skull to the third cervical vertebra. The vertebral body and canal sizes of the atlas and axis were compared using CT data from rabbits, normal dogs, and dogs with atlantoaxial instability (AAI) to assess the feasibility of using rabbits as substitutes for toy-breed dogs. The shape memory alloy (SMA) implants were designed to stabilize the atlantoaxial joint without compromising the spinal canal passage for safety and were classified into SMA-1 and SMA-2 based on their design. To evaluate the strength, the ventrodorsal force was measured with atlantoaxial ligaments intact, after removing the ligaments, and after applying conventional wire or SMA implants to stabilize the atlantoaxial joint. The time taken for implant application was measured.
RESULTS
No significant difference in vertebral body size of the atlas and axis was observed. A significant difference in vertebral canal size was observed between the animals. In biomechanical testing, the SMA-2 implant provided more stabilization, while the SMA-1 implant had lower strength than the conventional method using wires. The application time of wire was the longest, while that of SMA-1 was the shortest.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
SMA implants provide comparable strength and demonstrate superior efficacy compared to conventional dorsal wire fixation of atlantoaxial stabilization. Therefore, SMA implants can be an effective surgical option for AAI.
Broadening nonveterinarians’ scope of practice would compromise the quality of veterinary care, thus threatening animal and public health, according to the AVMA. The AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) approved a new policy July 14 that directs the Association to “vigorously defend” against such expansions.
As part of her address to the AVMA House of Delegates on July 14, AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson encouraged her colleagues to think about the view of the profession veterinarians want the world to see and understand as well as what vision they want to manifest for themselves.
Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, a board-certified veterinary radiologist, launched his campaign for 2024-25 AVMA president-elect on July 14. And two members of the AVMA House of Delegates—Drs. Elizabeth Boggier and Gary Marshall—are vying to be the 2024-26 AVMA vice president.
The AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) has asked the Board of Directors (BOD) to consider having the AVMA develop resources for its members that promote environmental sustainability in the veterinary workplace.
The AVMA House of Delegates suggested effective client communication and documentation of discussions with clients were important aspects to the spectrum of care, as was ensuring that veterinary students are educated and equipped so this kind of practice can continue to the benefit of patients.
The AVMA House of Delegates adopted a handful of revised animal welfare policies, including one on “Canine Devocalization” that supersedes the previous policy, approved a new policy on “Canine Hybrids,” and referred two other policies back to the AVMA Board of Directors (BOD). The HOD held its regular annual session July 13-14 in Denver, in conjunction with AVMA Convention 2023.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To report the short-term and long-term outcomes of dogs that underwent the modified closed and traditional closed anal sacculectomy procedures for the treatment of anal sac neoplasia.
ANIMALS
90 client-owned dogs.
Methods
The medical records of 2 tertiary referral hospitals were reviewed to identify dogs that underwent anal sacculectomy for treatment of anal sac neoplasia between January 2016 and December 2020. Data collected included signalment and preoperative diagnostic findings. The occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, short-term outcomes, and long-term outcomes were also collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize dog signalment information, and recurrence, metastasis, and survival proportions were compared between techniques using Fisher exact tests.
RESULTS
35 and 55 dogs, respectively, underwent the modified or traditional closed anal sacculectomy procedure. Minor postoperative complications that resolved with minimal intervention occurred in 5 of 35 (14.3%) modified approach dogs and 12 of 55 (21.8%) traditional approach dogs. Tumor recurrence was confirmed in 8 of 35 (22.9%) modified and 8 of 55 (26.4%) traditional approach dogs and was suspected in 3 of 35 (8.6%) and 6 of 55 (13.2%; P = .68), respectively. Confirmed metastatic disease was identified in 8 of 35 (22.9%) and 14 of 53 (26.4%) modified and traditional approach dogs, respectively, and was suspected in 4 of 35 (11.4%) and 7 of 53 (13.2%). Sixty-three (70%) dogs survived to study conclusion.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
No benefits in complication rate or local recurrence were identified in dogs following the modified approach as opposed to the traditional closed anal sacculectomy technique.
