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.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the success rates for urethral catheterization in clinical patients using the traditional and 2-catheter techniques when placed by personnel of all experience levels.
ANIMALS
38 female cats and dogs weighing less than 10 kg were prospectively enrolled.
METHODS
Enrolled animals were randomized to have a urethral catheter placed by the traditional technique or the 2-catheter method under sedation or general anesthesia. Any qualified hospital personnel of any experience level were allowed to place the catheter. If after 5 minutes the animal was not successfully catheterized, the alternate method was performed. The previous experience of the catheter placer, animal signalment, animal condition that necessitated catheter placement, time to successful placement, and which technique was successful was recorded.
RESULTS
The 2-catheter technique was more successful than the traditional method (60.5% and 34.2%, respectively) for urethral catheterization when used by a variety of hospital personnel. The 2-catheter technique was successful in 63.3% of dogs and 66.6% of cats, while the traditional method was successful in 36.6% of dogs and 33.3% of cats. Eight of 9 (88.9%) novice catheter placers that placed their first urinary catheter in this study succeeded with the 2-catheter technique and only 1 was successful with the traditional method.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The 2-catheter technique has a higher rate of success for placement of female urinary catheters in small patients that are unable to have concurrent digital palpation. This technique may also be helpful in the inexperienced catheter placer population to aid in guidance into the urethral papilla.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the application and owner experience of tube cystostomy for management of upper motor neuron urinary bladder dysfunction secondary to intervertebral disk extrusion (IVDE) or ischemic myelopathy, and to report complications associated with cystostomy tube management.
ANIMALS
61 dogs.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION
Medical records of dogs with IVDE or ischemic myelopathy cranial to the L3 spinal cord segment that underwent tube cystostomy placement via a short, caudal ventral midline celiotomy were reviewed. Days from tube placement to hospital discharge, days from placement to tube removal, and complications were recorded. An owner questionnaire was distributed to ascertain ease of use and perceived time commitment.
RESULTS
58 dogs were diagnosed with IVDE, and 3 dogs were diagnosed with ischemic myelopathy. The modal neurologic grade at cystostomy tube placement was 4 (range, 3 to 5). The median number of days from cystostomy tube placement to hospital discharge was 1 (range, 0 to 3). Follow-up data was available for 56 dogs. The median number of days from cystostomy tube placement until removal was 19 (range, 3 to 74). Fifteen minor and 6 severe postoperative complications were reported, mainly inadvertent removal (n = 11) and peristomal urine leakage (6). Twenty-seven owners responded to the questionnaire and primarily reported that cystostomy tube use was easy (22/27) and perceived time commitment was low or minimal (20/27).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Tube cystostomy facilitates early hospital discharge and allows at-home, extended urinary management in dogs recovering from upper motor neuron urinary bladder dysfunction secondary to IVDE or ischemic myelopathy. This technique is simple for owners to use.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To identify the frequency of and risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs undergoing abdominal surgery for septic peritonitis, and to evaluate outcome and kidney-related risk factors for survival to discharge in those dogs.
ANIMALS
77 dogs that underwent abdominal surgery for septic peritonitis.
METHODS
Medical records of dogs that underwent surgery for septic peritonitis from 2012 through 2022 were reviewed. Data regarding signalment, clinical and biochemical findings at presentation, blood creatinine concentration throughout hospitalization, surgery characteristics, postoperative monitoring, and outcome were collected. Dogs were classified based on occurrence of AKI and whether they presented with or developed AKI in-hospital. Perioperative risk factors were evaluated, and outcomes were compared with univariable logistic regression.
RESULTS
31 dogs (40.3%) had AKI diagnosed; 18/77 (23.4%) dogs presented with AKI, 11 (61.1%) of which had it postoperatively, and 13/77 (16.9%) dogs developed AKI postoperatively. Significant factors for presenting with AKI included increasing baseline respiratory rate (OR 2.5 for every 10 beats per minute higher), decreasing systolic blood pressure (OR 0.8 for every 10 mm Hg higher), and increasing body condition score (OR 2.2 for every score greater). No significant factors for developing AKI postoperatively were identified after multiple comparisons adjustment. Sixteen dogs (20.8%) did not survive to discharge; 12 (75.0%) had AKI and 4 (25.0%) did not. Dogs with AKI had decreased odds of survival to discharge (OR 0.2).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
AKI was common in dogs with septic peritonitis and was a significant risk factor for survival to discharge. Clinical surveillance of AKI is critical in this population.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively compare efficacy of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) helmet against standard oxygen supplementation (STD) administered by nasal cannulae in dogs with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE).
ANIMALS
83 dogs (STD group, n = 41; CPAP group, 42) hospitalized for ACPE (January 2019 to April 2021).
METHODS
Mean respiratory rate, heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, and rectal body temperature were compared between and within groups before and at 1 (T1), 2 (T2), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) hours from the beginning of STD/CPAP therapy. Duration of oxygen supplementation, hospitalization time, total diuretic dose, additional pharmacological interventions and mortality rates were compared between groups. The veterinary bedside lung ultrasound in emergency score, thoracic radiographs, and arterial blood parameters were compared between and within groups before and at the end of CPAP/STD therapy.
RESULTS
Within both groups, clinical parameters decreased during the observation period. Mean respiratory rate and heart rate were significantly lower in the CPAP group than the STD group at T1, T2, T3, T6, and T12. Mean systolic arterial pressure was significantly lower in the CPAP group than the STD group at T2, T3, T6, and T12. Mean oxygen supplementation duration, cumulative loop diuretic dose, and both veterinary bedside lung ultrasound in emergency score and arterial PaCO at the end of CPAP/STD therapy were significantly lower in the CPAP group than the STD group. No significant differences were observed in hospitalization time and mortality rates.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The addition of helmet CPAP compared with standard oxygen administration showed a faster clinical improvement with lower cumulative loop diuretic and shorter oxygen supplementation in dogs hospitalized for ACPE.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the temporal association of the COVID-19 pandemic with veterinary client loyalty and satisfaction.
SAMPLE
318,693 client satisfaction surveys, available from CalPro Research, between March 5, 2018, and May 30, 2022, from 4 veterinary practice types: colleges of veterinary medicine, emergency/critical care clinics, general practices, and specialty private practices.
METHODS
Survey data on client loyalty score (CLS), which is the likelihood of a client to recommend a practice, and 5 clinic performance domains (professionalism, communication, convenience, perceived overall value, and personalized interaction) were compared between the pre–COVID-19 (2018 to 2020) and COVID-19 eras (2020 to 2022) and by practice type. Correlations among CLS performance domains were evaluated.
RESULTS
CLS and all clinic performance domains decreased significantly during the COVID-19 era (P < .001), except professionalism. There was a significant correlation between each performance domain and overall CLS (P < .001). The most pronounced association with CLS during the COVID-19 era was for personalized interaction. Among clients who did not report a personalized interaction (ie, their dog or themselves being addressed by name), the CLS decreased from 9.47 to 4.88 (P < .001).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Our study found that client loyalty scores for veterinary clinics dropped during the COVID-19 era, although veterinary professionalism was still considered high. These data suggest that improving communication, convenience, perceived overall value, and especially personalized interactions with clients could improve client loyalty. In particular, consistently addressing clients and pets by name provides a specific, measurable, and achievable intervention for clinics to potentially sustain client satisfaction and loyalty.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the dome trochleoplasty procedure and report the short-term outcomes and complications associated with a novel technique to correct patellar luxation and patella alta.
ANIMALS
13 dogs (16 stifle joints) diagnosed with medial patellar luxation with concurrent patella alta in dogs > 20 kg.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION
Medical records of dogs weighing > 20 kg that underwent a dome trochleoplasty for correction of a medial luxating patella were prospectively evaluated. The procedure described involves an osteotomy of the femoral trochlea, which is then translated and/or rotated to correct patellar luxation. Clinical results were assessed using subjective lameness scoring, radiographic evaluation, and the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) tool.
RESULTS
16 stifle joints were included in this study. The overall complication rate was 50%. Major complications occurred in 43.8% of stifle joints due to pin migration and recurrent luxation of the patella. One dog experienced a catastrophic complication 4 months postoperatively. Uncomplicated osteotomy healing was present in 94% of dogs. The median initial lameness score was 2 (mean, 1.81; range, 0 to 4) and at the final recheck was 0 (mean, 0.31; range, 0 to 2). The CBPI scores were available for 50% of stifle joints. The median initial CBPI score was 45.5 (mean, 48.8; range, 32 to 74) and at the final recheck was 17.5 (mean, 20.5; range, 0 to 43).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The dome trochleoplasty procedure offers an alternative technique for surgical correction of patellar luxation secondary to patella alta in large-breed dogs, but due to its higher complication and reluxation rates, it should be used cautiously and probably in combination with other corrective procedures, such as tibial tuberosity transposition, soft tissue imbrication, and/or soft tissue release rather than as a stand-alone procedure.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Galectin-3 is a cardiac biomarker for heart failure in humans. However, it has not been investigated in dogs with naturally occurring heart disease. This study aimed to compare plasma galectin-3 concentration in healthy dogs and those with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and explore the potential association of galectin-3 with other cardiac biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines, echocardiographic estimates, and dog characteristics.
ANIMALS
10 healthy dogs and 30 dogs with MMVD were prospectively recruited.
PROCEDURES
In this case-control study, plasma galectin-3, inflammatory cytokines, echocardiographic estimates, and other cardiac biomarkers were measured, and dog characteristics were recorded.
RESULTS
Plasma galectin-3 concentration was significantly higher in dogs with MMVD (2.94 [interquartile range, 1.61 to 5.20] ng/mL) than in healthy controls (1.56 [0.69 to 1.84] ng/mL, P = .009). Logistic regression analysis revealed that galectin-3 concentration and age predicted the presence of MMVD (predictive accuracy = 90.0%, P < .05). A cut-off value ≥ 1.9 ng/mL for galectin-3 differentiated healthy dogs from dogs with MMVD (70% sensitivity; 90% specificity AUC, 0.77; P = .01).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Plasma galectin-3 concentration was higher in dogs with MMVD than in healthy dogs, indicating that it is a novel cardiac biomarker in dogs with MMVD although there was no significant difference between MMVD stages.
