Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the sterility of citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA-1) anticoagulant when sampled from blood collection bags in a multi-dose manner.
SAMPLE
10 pre-filled CPDA-1 blood collection bags; 46 bacterial and 28 fungal culture result reports.
PROCEDURES
10 CPDA-1 blood collection bags were split into 2 equal groups and stored at either room temperature (24 °C) or refrigerator temperature (5 °C) for 30 days. Two bags in each group were designated as controls. Beginning on day 0 a 1.0 mL aliquot was withdrawn from each experimental bag and submitted for bacterial culture (aerobic and anaerobic) every 5 days, and fungal culture every 10 days. All 10 bags were sampled on day 30. Bacterial and fungal culture results were compiled and interpreted.
RESULTS
46 CPDA-1 aliquots were cultured, resulting in 2 positive microbial isolates: Bacillus was cultured from a previously unopened experimental bag on day 0, and Candida was cultured from a refrigerated experimental bag on day 30. Both positives are thought to represent post-sampling contamination, though these suspicions cannot be confirmed in the bag yielding Candida due to a lack of subsequent data. All other samples were negative for microbial growth.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
CPDA-1 blood collection bags stored at either 24 °C or 5 °C can be used in a multi-dose manner for up to 20 days when each sample is obtained aseptically. These results support the clinician’s ability to utilize the contents of 1 bag multiple times rather than discarding the bag after a single use.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the analgesia provided by incisional (Incisional), transverse abdominis plane (TAP), and rectus sheath (RS) blocks in dogs submitted for ovariohysterectomy (OHE).
ANIMALS
22 female mixed-breed dogs were allocated into 3 treatments of Incisional (n = 7), TAP (n = 7), and RS (n = 8) and underwent OHE from April 4 to December 6, 2022.
PROCEDURES
After premedication with acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) and morphine (0.5 mg/kg), anesthesia was induced (6 mg/kg) and maintained (0.4 mg/kg/min) with propofol. Each dog randomly received either an incisional (blind technique), TAP, or RS (ultrasound-guided) block. Intraoperative analgesia was assessed using cardiorespiratory variables. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated up to 6 hours after the operation with a Short Form of Glasgow Pain Scale (SF-GCPS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Fentanyl was administered as a rescue analgesic when needed.
RESULT
During surgery, all data remained within normal limits without any significant differences. Fentanyl was administered to 1 dog in the Incisional and 1 in the TAP. Post-operatively, a single dose of fentanyl was given to 1 dog in the TAP and 1 in the RS. Four dogs in the Incisional and 3 in the RS received both doses of fentanyl. There was no significant difference regarding postoperative rescue analgesia among treatments.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
All 3 techniques demonstrated acceptable intra- and post-operative analgesia efficacy in dogs undergoing OHE. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study aimed to measure rabbit laryngotracheal dimensions at different locations on computed tomography (CT), assess the relationship of these measurements with rabbit body weight, determine the most common narrowest measurement and assess its relationship with endotracheal tube (ETT) size and body weight.
ANIMALS
66 adult domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of different breeds and body weights.
PROCEDURES
CT laryngotracheal luminal height, width, and cross-sectional area measurements were made at the rostral thyroid cartilage at the level of the arytenoids, caudal thyroid cartilage/rostral cricoid cartilage, caudal cricoid cartilage/cranial trachea, and trachea at the level of the fifth cervical vertebra.
RESULTS
The data for every measurement of luminal airway dimensions revealed robust positive associations with body weight (P < .001). The narrowest laryngotracheal measurement was the width at the level of the caudal thyroid cartilage/rostral cricoid cartilage, and the smallest cross-sectional area was at the rostral thyroid cartilage at the level of the arytenoids. There was a strong association between body weight and the likelihood of appropriate ETT fit. To have at least an 80% chance of appropriate ETT fit with a 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mm ETT, the rabbits’ weight predicted by the model (lower 95% confidence limit) were at least 2.99 (2.72) kg, 5.24 (4.65) kg, and 5.80 (5.21) kg, respectively.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The laryngotracheal lumen was narrowest at the level of the caudal thyroid cartilage in rabbits, which indicates this location may be the limiting factor in determining ETT size in rabbits.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The lactulose-to-mannitol ratio test is a test to assess the disorders associated with gut permeability. The test requires an oral administration of the mixture of lactulose and mannitol and urine collection. The urinary ratio of lactulose to mannitol is an indicator of intestinal permeability. Due to the complexity of urine collection in animal studies, plasma exposure ratios of lactulose to mannitol compared to their urinary concentration ratios were evaluated following an oral administration of the sugar mixture in pigs.
ANIMALS
10 pigs were orally dosed with a solution of lactulose and mannitol mixture.
PROCEDURES
Plasma samples were collected at predose, 10 and 30 minutes and 2, 4, and 6 hours postdosing, and cumulated urinary samples were collected at 6 hours for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The ratios of pharmacokinetic parameters of lactulose to mannitol and the plasma sugar ratios at a single time point or the mean values of several time points were compared to their urinary sugar ratios.
RESULTS
The results revealed that the lactulose-to-mannitol ratios of AUC0–6h, AUCextrap, and Cmax were correlated to the urinary sugar ratios, and the plasma sugar ratios of a single time point at 2, 4, or 6 hours and the mean values of those time points were also appropriate to replace their urinary ratios in pigs.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Following an oral administration of lactulose and mannitol mixture, blood collection, and assay can be an option for assessing intestinal permeability, especially in animal studies.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of a urinary acidifier (d,l-methionine [Methio-Form]) and an antimicrobial agent (amoxicillin–clavulanic acid [Clavamox]) without changing diet for dissolving infection-induced struvite urocystoliths in dogs.
ANIMALS
14 dogs were recruited for this prospective study; 11 completed it and 3 dogs withdrew due to inability of the owners to administer the treatment (n = 2) or refusal of treatment by the dog (1).
PROCEDURES
All dogs were administered d,l-methionine (approx initial dose of 75 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (22 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) based on urine culture and sensitivity. Urine pH, urinalysis, urine culture, venous blood gas and serum biochemical analysis, and lateral survey abdominal radiographic images were evaluated initially and every 4 weeks until urolith dissolution (success) or lack of change in size and/or shape of urocystoliths on 2 consecutive reevaluation points (failure) occurred.
RESULTS
Uroliths dissolved in 8 of 11 dogs in a median of 2 months (range, 1 to 4 months) with a final effective dosage of d,l-methionine of approximately 100 mg/kg, PO, every 12 hours. In 3 dogs, uroliths failed to dissolve and were removed surgically; they contained variable amounts of calcium oxalate. No adverse events occurred.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Infection-induced struvite urolithiasis is 1 of the 2 most common minerals occurring in canine uroliths. Results of this study supported the use of d,l-methionine and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid without changing diet for dissolution of infection-induced struvite urocystoliths in dogs.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine whether the pharmacokinetics of maropitant, administered SC as a commercially available maropitant-containing injectable product (Cerenia Injectable), differ when combined with lactated Ringer solution prior to administration.
ANIMALS
We used 6 adult spayed female Beagle dogs between 3 and 6 years of age, with a mean weight of 9.58 kg.
PROCEDURES
In this randomized crossover study, the dogs underwent 2 treatment protocols separated by a 14-day washout period: (1) an SC injection of 1 mg/kg of Cerenia Injectable (maropitant citrate; 10 mg/mL) and (2) 1 mg/kg of Cerenia Injectable diluted in 10 mL/kg of lactated Ringer injectable solution (LRS) given SC. Plasma maropitant concentrations were assessed by mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data-analysis software to determine maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to reach maximum concentration, half-life, total exposure to the drug, mean residence time, clearance rate per fraction absorbed, and absorption and elimination kinetic parameters.
RESULTS
Cmax was reduced by 26% (P = .002), the absorption rate constant decreased 80% (P = .031), and the absorption half-life increased when Cerenia was administered diluted in LRS.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Administration of maropitant (Cerenia) diluted in LRS had a pharmacokinetic impact, resulting in a significantly reduced Cmax and slower absorption. Clinical efficacy was not assessed in this study.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of a circulating warm water blanket (WWB) in combination with a heated humidified breathing circuit (HHBC) heated to 45 °C on rectal temperature (RT) in dogs undergoing general anesthesia for elective ovariohysterectomies.
ANIMALS
29 healthy dogs.
PROCEDURES
Dogs in the experimental group (n = 8) and dogs in the control group (21) were connected to an HHBC and a conventional rebreathing circuit, respectively. All dogs were placed on a WWB in the operating room (OR). The RT was recorded at baseline, premedication, induction, transfer to OR, every 15 minutes during maintenance of anesthesia, and extubation. Incidence of hypothermia (RT < 37 °C) at extubation was recorded. Data were analyzed using unpaired t tests, the Fisher exact test, and mixed-effect ANOVA. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.
RESULTS
There was no difference in RT during baseline, premedication, induction, and transfer to OR. The overall RT was higher for the HHBC group during anesthesia (P = .005) and at extubation (37.7 ± 0.6 °C) compared with the control group (36.6 ± 1.0 °C; P = .006). The incidence of hypothermia at extubation was 12.5% for the HHBC group and 66.7% for the control group (P = .014).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The combination of HHBC and WWB can reduce the incidence of postanesthetic hypothermia in dogs. Use of an HHBC should be considered in veterinary patients.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To identify more effective language strategies for helping pet owners appreciate the value and importance of preventive veterinary care and encouraging more regular visits.
SAMPLE
15 pet owners representing a mix of demographic and other characteristics.
PROCEDURES
This qualitative study began with a communication and research audit, followed by interviews with subject matter experts, development of language stimuli (messages about the importance of veterinary care and encouraging pet owners to prioritize wellness visits), three 2-hour online focus group sessions with study participants (4 to 6/group) to test and discuss the language stimuli, and 1-hour one-on-one interviews with 5 of these participants to measure emotional responses to optimized stimuli.
RESULTS
Language stimuli testing showed that simply telling pet owners how veterinary care is valuable does not work. What did work was focusing on the pet owner’s relationship with their pet, tying preventive care into the animal’s overall health and happiness, and emphasizing a veterinarian’s experience versus their qualifications. Personalized recommendations were perceived as most valuable to owners. Addressing cost head-on, demonstrating understanding, empowering pet owners to ask questions, and providing payment options were identified as strategies that could help owners see they can afford routine care now.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results suggested that by focusing on experience, relationships, and personalized care, veterinarians can address pet owners’ concerns while promoting the importance of preventive care, including regular checkups. Additional research is needed to evaluate the impact of this language on pet owner perceptions, behaviors, and outcomes in clinical settings.
