Abstract
Antibiotic recommendations for treating skin infections have been published many times in the past 30 years. Prior to 2000, the recommendations focused on the use of β-lactam antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, amoxicillin-clavulanate, or β-lactamase stable penicillins. These agents are still recommended, and used, for wild-type methicillin-susceptible strains of Staphylococcus spp. However, since the mid-2000s there has been an increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp (MRSP). The increase among S pseudintermedius in animals coincided with the increase in methicillin-resistant S aureus that was observed in people near the same time. This increase led veterinarians to reevaluate their approach to treating skin infections, particularly in dogs. Prior antibiotic exposure and hospitalization are identified as risk factors for MRSP. Topical treatments are more often used to treat these infections. Culture and susceptibility testing is performed more often, especially in refractory cases, to identify MRSP. If resistant strains are identified, veterinarians may have to rely on antibiotics that were previously used uncommonly for skin infections, such as chloramphenicol, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and human-label antibiotics such as rifampin and linezolid. These drugs carry risks and uncertainties that must be considered before they are routinely prescribed. This article will discuss these concerns and provide veterinarians guidance on the treatment of these skin infections.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To characterize the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose (6 mg/kg) of mavacoxib in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and to characterize any clinicopathologic effects with this medication and dose.
ANIMALS
Six healthy, 4-month-old New Zealand White rabbits (3 male, 3 female).
PROCEDURES
Before drug administration, clinicopathologic samples were collected for baseline data (CBC, serum biochemical analyses, and urinalysis including urine protein-to-creatinine ratio). All 6 rabbits received a single oral dose (6 mg/kg) of mavacoxib. Clinicopathologic samples were collected at set time intervals to compare with the baseline. Plasma mavacoxib concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using non-compartmental methods.
RESULTS
After a single oral dose, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax; mean, range) was 854 (713–1040) ng/mL, the time to Cmax (tmax) was 0.36 (0.17–0.50) days, the area under the curve from 0 to the last measured time point (AUC0-last) was 2000 (1765–2307) days*ng/mL, the terminal half-life (t1/2) was 1.63 (1.30–2.26) days, and the terminal rate constant (λz) was 0.42 (0.31–0.53) days. All results for CBCs, serum biochemical analyses, urinalyses, and urine protein-to-creatinine ratios remained within published normal reference intervals.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This study determined that plasma concentrations reached target levels of 400 ng/mL for 48 hours in 3/6 rabbits at 6 mg/kg PO. In the remaining 3/6 rabbits, the plasma concentrations were 343–389 ng/mL at 48 hours, which is below the target concentration. Further research is needed to make a dosing recommendation, including a pharmacodynamic study and investigating pharmacokinetics at different doses and multiple doses.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
American bison (Bison bison) quarantine protocols were established to prevent transmission of brucellosis outside the Greater Yellowstone Area, while allowing for distribution of wild bison for conservation and cultural purposes. Quarantine standards require rigorous testing over 900 days which has led to the release of over 200 bison to Native American tribes. Standards were evaluated using 15 years of laboratory and management data to minimize the burden of testing and increase the number of brucellosis-free bison available for distribution.
ANIMALS
All bison (n = 578) from Yellowstone National Park were corralled by the National Park Service and United States Department of Agriculture.
PROCEDURES
A statistical and management evaluation of the bison quarantine program was performed. Bayesian latent-class modeling was used to predict the probability of nondetection of a seroreactor at various time points, as well as the probability of seroconversion by days in quarantine.
RESULTS
At 300 days, 1 in 1,000 infected bison (0.0014 probability) would not be detected but could potentially seroconvert; the seroconversion model predicted 99.9% would seroconvert by day 294, and 12.8% of bison enrolled in quarantine would seroconvert over time. Using a 300-day quarantine period, it would take 30 years to potentially miss 1 seroreactor out of over 8,000 bison enrolled in the quarantine program.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Reducing the quarantine program requirements from over 900 days to 300 days would allow management of quarantined bison in coordination with seasonal movement of bison herds and triple the number of brucellosis-free bison available for distribution.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe and classify cervical muscle jerks associated with cervical pain or myelopathy and evaluate their clinical and diagnostic relevance.
ANIMALS
20 dogs with a history of unilateral or bilateral cervical jerks associated with cervical pain or myelopathy.
PROCEDURES
A retrospective study. Detailed history, complete clinical and neurological examinations, CT studies, and outcome were available for each dog. All dogs received a treatment adapted to each diagnosis. The presence or absence of jerks was evaluated at short- and long-term recheck examinations. An immediate postoperative CT scan was obtained for all cases that were treated surgically.
RESULTS
20 dogs were selected for the study, 13 of which were French Bulldogs. Jerks all presented as focal repetitive rhythmic contractions on the lateral aspect of the neck (on one or both sides). All dogs had a diagnosis of cervical intervertebral disk extrusion (IVDE), half of them at the C2-C3 level. No dogs presented with extrusion caudal to the C4-C5 intervertebral disk space. The prevalence of myoclonia among all dogs diagnosed with IVDE was 3.77% (20/530) in our hospital.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Cervical jerk associated with cervical pain or myelopathy may represent myoclonus and was exclusively secondary to cranial cervical IVDE in this study. Full recovery was observed following medical or surgical treatment of IVDE. The exact origin and classification of this involuntary movement has yet to be established.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To characterize clinical and epidemiologic features of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals detected through both passive and active surveillance in the US.
ANIMALS
204 companion animals (109 cats, 95 dogs) across 33 states with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections between March 2020 and December 2021.
PROCEDURES
Public health officials, animal health officials, and academic researchers investigating zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 transmission events reported clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic information through a standardized One Health surveillance process developed by the CDC and partners.
RESULTS
Among dogs and cats identified through passive surveillance, 94% (n = 87) had reported exposure to a person with COVID-19 before infection. Clinical signs of illness were present in 74% of pets identified through passive surveillance and 27% of pets identified through active surveillance. Duration of illness in pets averaged 15 days in cats and 12 days in dogs. The average time between human and pet onset of illness was 10 days. Viral nucleic acid was first detected at 3 days after exposure in both cats and dogs. Antibodies were detected starting 5 days after exposure, and titers were highest at 9 days in cats and 14 days in dogs.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results of the present study supported that cats and dogs primarily become infected with SARS-CoV-2 following exposure to a person with COVID-19, most often their owners. Case investigation and surveillance that include both people and animals are necessary to understand transmission dynamics and viral evolution of zoonotic diseases like SARS-CoV-2.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine the probability estimates for modifying terms used by clinical pathologists when interpreting cytologic samples and compare these to probability estimates assigned to these terms by clinicians, and to provide restricted, standardizing terms used in cytology reports.
SAMPLE
49 clinical pathologists and 466 Veterinary Information Network members responded to 2 similar surveys.
PROCEDURES
Online surveys were distributed to diplomates of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists and clinician members of the Veterinary Information Network, made available between March 17, 2022, through May 5, 2022. Respondents assigned a range of probabilities to each of 18 modifier terms used by clinical pathologists to denote probability associated with diagnoses; clinicians identified terms that would affect their treatment decisions in cases of canine lymphoma. Respondents then provided thoughts about restricting and standardizing modifying terms and assigning numeric estimates in reports.
RESULTS
49 clinical pathologists and 466 clinicians provided responses. For many terms, probability ranges agreed between the 2 groups. However, differences in estimated probability inferred by a term existed for at least 6 terms. Modifying terms could be restricted to 7 largely nonoverlapping terms that spanned the range of probabilities. Clinicians preferred having numeric estimates of probability, but clinical pathologists resisted providing such estimates in reports.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Reducing and standardizing the number of modifying terms to reflect specific probability ranges would reduce disagreement between the clinical pathologist’s intended probability range and the clinician’s interpretation of a modifying term. This could result in fewer errors in interpretation and better patient care.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Previous scholarship has posited that veterinarians experience more anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue symptoms than the general population. Disclosure of psychological stressors, combined with positive responsiveness, may reduce psychological symptoms. The goal of this study was to test the relationships between disclosure, responsiveness, compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
SAMPLE
230 veterinarians from a private Facebook online support group.
PROCEDURES
Veterinarians from a private Facebook online support group were administered a cross-sectional survey using established scales measuring disclosure, responsiveness, compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression. All scales reported strong reliability and validity.
RESULTS
Pearson correlations and mediation models were used to analyze the data. A small, negative, direct relationship between disclosure and depression was found, yet the more interesting results were that responsiveness had a significant, indirect effect on the relationship between disclosure and compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Disclosure may be related to decreased experiences of compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression when responsiveness is also present. Veterinarians may benefit from improved mental well-being knowing that there are opportunities to disclose concerns to peers. Additionally, fellow veterinarians can benefit from understanding how to respond to disclosures in a positive, nonstigmatizing manner.
