JAVMA News
About 2 percent of U.S. dog and cat owners hold pet insurance policies, which remain more similar to automobile or homeowners insurance than to human health insurance. In other news, a report from the World Health Organization indicates the world may be approaching a “post-antibiotic era.”
See page 1348
What Is Your Neurologic Diagnosis?
See page 1377
Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice
See page 1381
ECG of the Month
See page 1384
Pathology in Practice
See pages 1389, 1393
commentary
The demise of the minimum database
As a result of multiple factors, it seems that the general recommendation of obtaining a minimum database of diagnostic testing in sick patients has been truncated to performing only a CBC and serum biochemical profile. It is in our interest and the interest of our patients to revisit the value of the minimum database.
See page 1368
special report
Trends in veterinary medical board state disciplinary actions, 2005–2011
Because of the potentially serious adverse consequences of veterinary medical board disciplinary actions, clinical practitioners should have an appreciation of the major types of owner complaints that result in such actions.
See page 1397
Book Reviews
See page 1404
Comparison of the nutrient composition of commercial dog milk replacers with that of dog milk
Commercial milk replacers for puppies have been available for decades, but results of a new study of 15 commercially available dog milk replacers revealed substantial variations in caloric density and concentration of nutrients such as calcium, protein, and fat. In addition, when nutrient composition of the dog milk replacers was compared with composition of milk samples from 5 healthy dogs, all milk replacers had numerous essential nutrient concentrations that were outside the range of concentrations for the dog milk samples, and many had concentrations of amino acids, essential fatty acids, calcium, and phosphorus less than the National Research Council's minimal requirement or recommended allowance.
See page 1413
In vitro evaluation of three intravenous fluid line warmers
The incidence of anesthetic-induced hypothermia in small animals has remained moderately consistent. Passive and active surface warming devices are suboptimal in maintaining normothermia, leading to exploration of active core warming devices, such as IV fluid line warmers. In an in vitro trial, a distance-dependent blood and fluid warmer marketed for human and veterinary use produced significantly warmer fluids than a veterinary-specific distance-dependent fluid warmer at all flow rates and distances and significantly warmer fluids than a distance-independent fluid warmer at flow rates ranging from 60 to 180 mL/h. There was no significant benefit to use of prewarmed fluids versus room temperature fluids.
See page 1423
Cutaneous lymphoma of the tarsus in cats
Lymphoma is one of the most common neoplasms in cats, but cutaneous lymphoma is uncommon and poorly understood. In a review of medical records of 23 cats with histologically or cytologically confirmed cutaneous lymphoma involving the tarsal region and described as subcutaneous or mass-like, most of the cats were found to be older, with a median age of 12 years. Median survival time was 190 days (range, 17 to 1,011 days). Tumors most commonly were classified as nonepitheliotropic and were of high grade histologically. Systemic involvement was identified in some cats, suggesting that thorough staging should be performed before initiating treatment. No association with positive retroviral status was found.
See page 1429
Endoscopic mucosal resection and snare polypectomy for treatment of a colorectal polypoid adenoma in a dog
An 11-year-old castrated male dog was examined because of a 3-month history of hematochezia and tenesmus. A sessile polypoid mass was identified approximately 6 cm orad to the anus in the right dorsolateral region of the colon. Endoscopic mucosal resection and snare electrocautery were used to completely resect the mass, and histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of colorectal polypoid adenoma. Because of the sessile nature of the mass, a 25-gauge endoscopic injection needle was used to infuse sterile saline solution under the base of the polyp to elevate the submucosa from the muscularis layer prior to polypectomy. There was no palpable evidence of recurrence over the subsequent 36 months.
See page 1435
Racing performance of Thoroughbreds with superficial digital flexor tendonitis treated with desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon
Superficial digital flexor tendonitis is a common career-threatening injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (ie, superior check ligament desmotomy) has been proposed as a treatment, and in a review of medical records for 332 Thoroughbred racehorses with SDFT treated by means of SCLD, 228 (69%) successfully raced (78/118 horses that had not raced prior to injury) or returned to racing (150/214 horses that had raced prior to injury) after treatment. Convalescent times were shorter, compared with previous recommendations, and treated horses had a longer racing career after surgery than has been described for other treatment modalities.
See page 1441
Associations of health status and conformation with longevity and lifetime competition performance in young Swedish Warmblood riding horses
Soundness and longevity are important traits of riding horses, but whether health status or conformation at a young age influences longevity and whether conformation characteristics that are desirable at a young age increase longevity are not known. In a cohort study, 8,238 Swedish Warmblood riding horses were examined for health, conformation, and performance when they were 4 to 5 years old, and long-term competition results were evaluated. Good overall 4- to 5-year-old health, conformation, and talent scores were associated with greater longevity and lifetime performance. Among conformation traits that were examined, body type and movements in the trot were most strongly associated with future longevity.
See page 1449