Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of persons with dog and cat bite injuries who presented to emergency departments.
SAMPLE
Records of 648,492 dog and cat bite–related emergency department visits in California from 2005 to 2019.
PROCEDURES
Visits were selected by standardized International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes that indicated a bite as an external cause of injury in the medical record. Incidence rates were calculated for patient demographics, location and month of bite incident, characteristics of bite injury, infection, patient outcome/disposition, and expected source of payment. Cross-sectional descriptive analysis was performed.
RESULTS
The average annual incidence of dog bites was highest in children aged < 10 years and males, while that of cat bites was highest in adults aged ≥ 80 years and females. Bites were more likely to occur in rural settings, in private residences, and during the summer. The median household income for zip codes in which animal bite patients resided was lower than the statewide median household income. Both dog and cat bite injuries were more likely to occur to upper limbs. Bacteria were isolated from 3% of dog bite injuries and 21.5% of cat bite injuries at initial presentation.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Epidemiologic findings about persons presenting to emergency departments for animal bite injuries can inform bite prevention efforts by identifying at-risk populations. Effective animal bite prevention demands an ongoing multisectoral program of veterinarians and other health professionals, collaborating with community and governmental organizations, to develop and implement integrated strategies within the context of other socially contributory factors.
ABSTRACT
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an integral neuromodulatory system involved in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and homeostasis regarding immunity, as well as brain and other physiological functions such as anxiety, pain, metabolic regulation, and bone growth. Cannabis is a plant that contains exogenous cannabinoids, which have the potential for profound interplay within the ECS as enzymatic inhibitors or receptor-mediated interactions. Activation of cannabinoid receptors leads to various intracellular signaling processes that are involved in cellular functions, but those interactions are diverse due to different affinities of each cannabinoid with relevant receptors. Among the exogenous cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) has drawn attention due to its potential anticancer, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseizure properties using in vitro and in vivo models. Although scientific evidence is limited in dogs, there appears to be cautious optimism regarding the utilization of CBD in conjunction with other therapeutics for a range of disorders. This review will primarily focus on current scientific research on the efficacy of CBD on seizure, anxiety, osteoarthritis, and atopic dermatitis, following a brief discussion of endo- and exogenous cannabinoids, ECS, their molecular mechanism, and potential side effects in veterinary medicine. Cannabinoid pharmacology and pharmacokinetics will be addressed in the companion Currents in One Health by Schwark and Wakshlag, AJVR, May 2023.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate agreement between 2 non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) techniques and invasive arterial blood pressure (IBP) in anesthetized bats using various cuff sizes and cuff positioning while also evaluating its performance during hypertension and hypotension.
ANIMALS
8 bats (1.1 ± 0.2 kg).
PROCEDURES
Bats were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen. NIBP was measured using oscillometric (NIBP-O) and Doppler (NIBP-D) techniques in the pectoral limb (PEC) and pelvic limbs (PEL) using 3 cuff sizes (1, 2, and 3). NIBP measurements were compared with IBP; systolic (SAPinvasive), mean (MAPinvasive), and diastolic arterial blood pressure (DAPinvasive) during normotension, hypertension, and hypotension. Hypotension was induced with isoflurane (3.8 ± 1.2%) and hypertension with norepinephrine (3 ± 0.5 µg/kg/min). Data analysis included Bland-Altman analyses and 3-way ANOVA. Results were reported as mean bias (95% CI).
RESULTS
NIBP-O monitor reported 29% errors, and experienced more failures with hypertension, cuff placement on PEC, and using a size 1 cuff. Across states, an agreement between NIBP-D and MAPinvasive with cuff 2 on PEL (−3 mmHg [−8, 1]), and NIBP-D and SAPinvasive with cuff 3 on PEC (2 mmHg [−5, 9 mmHg]) was achieved. NIBP-D over-estimated SAPinvasive and MAPinvasive during hypertension in both limbs with cuffs 1 and 2. Except during hypotension, NIBP-O underestimated MAPinvasive and DAPinvasive using a size 2 cuff on PEL.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
In anesthetized bats, NIBP-O is unreliable for estimating IBP. NIBP-D shows acceptable agreement with MAPinvasive with cuff size 2 on PEL, and with SAPinvasive with cuff size 3 on PEC across a wide range of IBP values.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To characterize and compare the careers of alumni of the Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students according to the countries where they studied and obtained their veterinary qualification. The Cornell Leadership Program is a 10-week residential research experience program for veterinary students from around the world who have ambitions for research-related careers.
SAMPLE
Data on the career development of all 672 alumni were collected each year over the period of 1990 to 2019.
PROCEDURES
The annual career profile of each alumnus was recorded and coded in 1 of 28 different categories. The careers and postveterinary qualifications of alumni from universities in the US and Canada (referred to as North American universities) were compared with those alumni who graduated from universities in other countries.
RESULTS
Analysis of this 30-year database revealed that a considerable proportion (45.7% [307/672]) of the total 672 alumni are following the traditional career path of veterinary clinical practice rather than the research-related careers they aspired to as students during the Leadership Program. Furthermore, a higher proportion of the 325 North American alumni (56% [182/325]) were in clinical practice compared with 33.6% (112/333) of the 333 alumni from other countries.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Many veterinary schools now provide research experience programs to encourage highly talented students who have ambitions for careers in which they can advance knowledge about animal disease and contribute to solving the health problems of animals through hypothesis-based research. Comparison of the careers of the Leadership Program alumni indicates that research experience alone is not sufficient to maintain the career goals of alumni. Follow-up mentoring of alumni of such programs is recommended while they complete their veterinary studies to reinforce their career aspirations and provide advice on how to achieve research-related careers.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Treatment of orofacial tumors in dogs is associated with high morbidity and reliable prognostic factors are lacking. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCECT) can be used to assess tumor perfusion. The objectives of this study were to describe the perfusion parameters of different types of orofacial tumors and to describe the changes in perfusion parameters during radiotherapy (RT) in a subset of them.
ANIMALS
11 dogs with orofacial tumors prospectively recruited.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND PROCEDURES
All dogs had baseline DCECT to assess blood volume (BV), blood flow (BF), and transit time (TT). Five dogs had repeat DCECT during megavoltage RT.
RESULTS
5 squamous cell carcinomas, 3 sarcomas, 1 melanoma, 1 histiocytic sarcoma, and 1 acanthomatous ameloblastoma were included. Blood volume and BF were higher in squamous cell carcinomas than in sarcomas, although no statistical analysis was performed. At repeat DCECT, 4 dogs showed a reduction in the size of their tumor during RT. Among these dogs, 3 showed an increase in BV and BF and 1 a decrease in these parameters between the baseline and the follow-up DCECT. The only dog whose tumor increased in size between the first and the second DCECT showed a decrease in BV and BF.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Perfusion parameters derived from DCECT were described in a series of dogs with various types of orofacial tumors. The results suggest that epithelial tumors could have higher BV and BF than mesenchymal tumors, although larger sample sizes are needed to support these preliminary findings.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the ECG findings in 3 different canine brachycephalic breeds: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Pug, and the English Bulldog (EB).
ANIMALS
135 healthy dogs (50 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 50 Pugs, and 35 EBs).
PROCEDURES
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify healthy dogs ≥ 1 year old that had undergone an ECG. The Mann-Whitney U test or the Student t test were used to compare continuous variables between male and female dogs, whereas the χ2 test was used for categorical variables. Spearman correlation coefficients between ECG measurements and age and body weight were also calculated in the case of continuous variables, whereas the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for categorical ones.
RESULTS
Electrocardiographic parameters of healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels overall fitted with traditional reference intervals cited in textbooks; in contrast, 28% of Pugs and 20% of EBs showed a shift of the QRS-complex mean electrical axis (QRS-MEA). In Pugs and EBs, the mean/median QRS-MEA value was 56° (from 0° to 100°) and 59° (from 20° to 100°), respectively. All axis shifts were left shifts (in Pugs, from 0° to 34°; in EBs, 20° to 39°). Only a few meaningful differences were found when comparing ECG variables between males and females. Similarly, only 1 statistically significant correlation was found between ECG parameters and age and body weight.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Healthy Pugs and EBs present a trend to a left shift of the QRS-MEA. This should be considered when interpreting ECG tracings in these breeds.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To identify potential risk factors for feline litter box issues (eg, house soiling).
ANIMALS
3,049 privately owned cats.
PROCEDURES
Data were collected using a validated, owner-completed survey with convenience sampling. The feline behavior and personality survey included 138 statements related to cat behavior and questions concerning cat background and health. Statements related to litter box issues were subjected to factor analysis. Associations between the identified factors and personality and background variables were studied using generalized linear models. Strength of these associations (ie, importance) was evaluated by calculating relative and absolute effect sizes.
RESULTS
Factor analysis yielded 2 factors: house soiling and litter box fussiness. This study suggests that fearful cats are more prone to both forms of litter box issues than nonfearful individuals. Other associations we found differed between factors. For example, low sociability toward cats, male sex, and being intact associated only with increased house soiling and older age only with litter box fussiness. The most important variables in the litter box models (ie, sociability toward cats, breed, and activity/playfulness) failed to reach the suggested cutoff for a small effect size.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Numerous variables are thought to influence litter box issues, but few studies have examined their relevance. Here, we studied the associations of over 30 background variables and personality traits with 2 litter box issue factors to estimate their importance at the population level. Our results bring new knowledge to this field and may contribute to finding new solutions for these complex issues in the future.
