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  • Author or Editor: Jamie M. Burkitt x
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE To test for an association between indwelling urethral catheter placement in cats with urethral obstruction (UO) and the short-term (30-day) risk of recurrent urethral obstruction (RUO).

DESIGN Prospective cohort study.

ANIMALS 107 client-owned male cats with UO.

PROCEDURES Owners were offered standard care for their cats, including hospitalization, placement of an indwelling urethral catheter, IV fluid therapy, and other supportive treatments (inpatient group). One-time catheterization and outpatient care were offered (outpatient group) if standard care was declined. Data regarding signalment, measures of metabolic compromise and urinalysis findings at enrollment, catheterization-related variables, and supportive treatments of interest were collected. Risk of RUO ≤ 30 days after urethral catheter removal was determined for the outpatient vs inpatient group by OR and 95% confidence interval calculation. Other variables were compared between cats that did and did not develop RUO with Fisher exact and trend tests.

RESULTS 91 cats completed the study; 19 (5/46 [11%] inpatients and 14/45 [31%] outpatients) developed RUO. Risk of RUO was significantly greater for cats of the outpatient group (OR, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 11.4). Among inpatients, increasingly abnormal urine color at the time of catheter removal was significantly associated with RUO. No other significant associations were identified.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Hospitalization and indwelling catheterization significantly reduced the risk for RUO ≤ 30 days after treatment for the population studied. Results suggested that removal of an indwelling catheter before urine appears grossly normal may be associated with development of RUO. One-time catheterization with outpatient care was inferior to the standard care protocol but was successful in many cats and may be a reasonable alternative when clients cannot pursue standard care.

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in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To assess the clinical course of disease and risk factors associated with outcome in dogs with tetanus.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—38 dogs with tetanus.

Procedures—Data were collected from medical records of dogs with tetanus, including signalment; wound characteristics; initial clinical signs; severity of worst clinical signs; time to wound management, antimicrobial treatment, and antitoxin administration; and 28-day survival rate. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate relationships between the potentially predictive variables and disease progression and outcome.

Results—The 28-day survival rate was 77% (among 35 uncensored dogs). The most common initial clinical signs in affected dogs were ocular (n = 18) and facial (11) abnormalities. Nineteen dogs progressed to recumbency with severe muscle spasms, and 14 dogs had high or low heart rate or blood pressure values. Eight dogs died or were euthanized because of complications of tetanus. There was a significant association between younger age and development of more severe clinical signs. Furthermore, a significant inverse relationship between development of severe clinical signs and survival was identified. There was no as-sociation between earlier initiation of wound management, antimicrobial administration, or antitoxin administration and either progression of signs or 28-day survival rate. Wound type was not associated with 28-day survival rate.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that younger dogs with tetanus may be more likely to develop severe clinical signs. The prognosis for survival in dogs with tetanus is good if abnormalities in heart rate or blood pressure values do not develop.

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in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To determine signalment, history, and outcome of cats with gastrointestinal tract intussusception and to identify physical examination, diagnostic imaging, surgical, histologic, and necropsy findings in affected cats.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—20 cats with intussusception.

Procedures—Medical records were evaluated for information on signalment; history; physical examination, diagnostic imaging, surgical, histologic, and necropsy findings; and outcome.

Results—Ten cats were < 1 year old, and 9 were ≥ 6 years old. Anorexia (14/17), lethargy (12/17), and vomiting (12/17) were the most common reasons for examination. Dehydration (13/18), poor body condition (12/18), signs of abdominal pain (8/18), and an abdominal mass (8/18) were the most common physical examination findings. Abdominal radiography revealed intestinal obstruction in all 10 cats in which it was performed; abdominal ultrasonography revealed intussusception in all 7 cats in which it was performed. The most common intussusception was jejuno-jejunal (8/20), and no intussusceptions were found proximal to the duodenum. Eleven of 13 cats that underwent laparotomy required intestinal resection and anastomosis. Histologic examination revealed intestinal lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease in 7 of 8 cats ≥ 6 years old and idiopathic intussusception in 7 of 8 cats < 1 year old.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that in cats, intussusception has a bimodal age distribution, is most commonly jejuno-jejunal, often requires surgical resection and anastomosis, is often associated with alimentary lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease in older cats, and is readily diagnosed by means of ultrasonography.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Case Description—A 9-year-old dog was evaluated for traumatic cervical myelopathy after a surgical attempt to realign and stabilize the C2 and C3 vertebrae.

Clinical Findings—The dog could not ventilate spontaneously and was tetraplegic; positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) was maintained. Myelography and computed tomography revealed spinal cord compression with subluxation of the C2 and C3 vertebrae and extrusion of the C2-3 intervertebral disk.

Treatment and Outcome—Surgically, the protruding disk material was removed and the vertebrae were realigned with screws and wire. For PPV, assist control ventilation in volume control mode and then in pressure control mode was used in the first 6 days; this was followed by synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation until 33 days after the injury; then only continuous positive airway pressure was provided until the dog could breathe unassisted, 37 days after the injury. Physical therapy that included passive range of motion exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and functional weight-bearing positions was administered until the dog was discharged 46 days after injury; the dog was severely ataxic and tetraparetic but could walk. Therapy was continued at home, and 1 year later, the dog could run and had moderate ataxia and tetraparesis.

Clinical Relevance—Hypoventilation with tetraparesis in traumatic spinal cord injury can be successfully treated with PPV exceeding 30 days, surgery, and physical therapy.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association