JAVMA News
Thousands of egg-laying hens will be the focus of years of research into their welfare in various housing systems and those systems' impacts on owners, workers, and the public. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America president talks about her profession, what technicians want from their profession, and specialization.
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What Is Your Diagnosis?
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Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice
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ECG of the Month
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PERSPECTIVES IN PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine–Massachusetts Equine Clinic combined equine medicine internship program
Given the benefits and drawbacks of academic and private practice internships, combining the 2 could potentially provide superior training both for those individuals who wish to pursue specialty training after an internship and for those who wish to pursue a career in private practice.
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Comparison of methods for detection of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in cats
The Baermann test performed on a fecal sample is considered the most sensitive method for diagnosing infection with the lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats, but larvae are excreted intermittently in feces, raising concerns about whether other tests might be better. In a cross-sectional study involving 80 semiferal domestic cats, 11 (13.8%) had positive fecal Baermann test results. When fecal Baermann test results were used as the gold standard, sensitivity was 81.8% (9/11) for the Baermann test performed on minced lung tissue, 63.6% (7/11) for the fecal flotation-sedimentation test, 45.4% (5/11) for histologic examination of lung tissue, and 36.4% (4/11) for cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
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Prognostic indicators for dogs and cats undergoing cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation
Limited information is available on the outcome of dogs and cats that undergo cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation because of cardiopulmonary arrest. A cross-sectional study of 161 dogs and 43 cats with CPA revealed that CPCR was successful (defined as a return of spontaneous circulation) in 56 (35%) dogs and 19 (44%) cats. Twelve (6%) animals (9 dogs and 3 cats) were discharged from the hospital. Nine of the 12 animals that were discharged were anesthetized at the time CPA occurred. Although several clinical and treatment variables were significantly associated with successful return of spontaneous circulation, the prognosis for survival and discharge from the hospital was grave for all patients.
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Effect of National Football League games on small animal emergency room caseload
Because the caseload for veterinary emergency rooms can be so variable, identifying factors that can be used to predict caseload would be helpful in determining staffing. When caseload for the Tufts University small animal emergency room during Sundays and Monday evenings throughout the 2007 season for the New England Patriots was monitored, percentages of dogs and cats admitted between noon and 4 PM Sundays when the Patriots played during this period were not significantly different from percentages when the Patriots did not play. However, percentages of dogs and cats admitted between 4 and 8 PM Sundays were significantly lower when the Patriots played during this period than when the Patriots did not play.
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Eosinophilic esophagitis in a dog
A 4-year-old dog with a history of allergic skin disease that was admitted because of regurgitation, coughing, and dysphagia that began 15 days after abdominal surgery for correction of gastric dilatation-volvulus was found to have severe diffuse esophagitis, esophageal dysmotility, and a benign esophageal stricture at the level of the base of the heart. Severe diffuse eosinophilic esophagitis was confirmed by means of histologic and cytologic examination. An excellent response characterized by resolution of dysphagia and regurgitation with marked improvement of the appearance of the esophageal mucosa was evident following intralesional and systemic administration of glucocorticoids, bougienage, and feeding of an elimination diet.
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Encephalitis in a rabbit caused by human herpesvirus-1
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Ultrasonography versus radiography for diagnosis of dorsal fragmentation of the MCP or MTP joint in horses
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Efficacy of furosemide for prevention of EIPH in Thoroughbred racehorses
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Euthanasia-related strain and coping strategies in animal shelter employees
Euthanizing unwanted or unadoptable dogs and cats is a major cause of stress among animal shelter workers. A survey was distributed to staff members at 62 animal shelters in the United States in which euthanasia was conducted, and respondents were asked to provide advice on strategies to deal with stress related to the euthanasia of animals. Completed surveys were returned by 242 individuals, and content analysis yielded 26 distinct recommendations for coping with stress in 8 categories: competence or skills strategies, euthanasia behavioral strategies, cognitive or self-talk strategies, emotional regulation strategies, separation strategies, get-help strategies, seek long-term solution strategies, and withdrawal strategies.
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