JAVMA News
AVMA leaders are considering a proposal to limit use of telemedicine to follow-up care and consultation with patients or herds already seen in person. In other news, the AVMA expanded its nondiscrimination policy and will implement a new accreditation management system for veterinary colleges and veterinary technology programs‥
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Letters to the Editor
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What Is Your Neurologic Diagnosis?
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Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice
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ECG of the Month
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Anesthesia Case of the Month
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Pathology in Practice
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commentary
E-mental health and the veterinary profession
Although additional research is needed, e-mental health (ie, use of the internet or related technologies to deliver or enhance mental health services and information) would appear to hold promise as another tool to support mental health of the veterinary community.
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timely topics in nutrition
Vitamin D metabolism in canine and feline medicine
Vitamin D homeostasis is characterized by complex interactions between vitamin D metabolites, ionized calcium, phosphorus, fibroblast growth factor 23, and Klotho, and regulatory pathways can be disrupted in a variety of ways.
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review article
Update on the use of cyclooxygenase-2–selective NSAIDs in horses
Understanding the nuances of firocoxib administration, including the importance of correct dosing and the contraindications of combining NSAIDs, will help veterinarians select and treat equine patients that could benefit from COX-2–selective NSAIDs.
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farad digest
Considerations for extralabel drug use in calves
Pharmacokinetic and residue depletion studies for very few drugs have been performed in young calves, and extrapolation of drug withdrawal times established for adult cattle to calves might not be appropriate, making extralabel drug use in calves problematic.
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Small Animals
Video-assisted extirpation of cranial mediastinal masses in dogs
Recommended treatment for cranial mediastinal masses in dogs is mass extirpation through an intercostal thoracotomy or median sternotomy. In a review of medical records for 18 dogs with cranial mediastinal masses (16 dogs with a thymoma, 1 with thymic anaplastic carcinoma, and 1 with hemangiosarcoma), video-assisted thoracic surgery was found to be an acceptable approach for mass extirpation. Median duration of VATS was 117.5 minutes (interquartile range, 91.5 to 136.3 minutes). Conversion to an open thoracic surgical procedure was required for 2 dogs, 1 of which died during surgery. Seven dogs had both megaesophagus and myasthenia gravis; postoperative outcome for these dogs was generally poor (median survival time, 20 days).
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Equine
Seroprevalences of anti–Sarcocystis neurona and anti–Neospora hughesi antibodies among healthy equids in the United States
The causative agents of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis are 2 parasites: Sarcocystis neurona and, less commonly, Neospora hughesi. In a study of blood samples collected from 5,250 equids across 18 states during October 2013, overall seroprevalences of anti–S neurona and anti–N hughesi antibodies were 78% and 34%, respectively, with 31% of the equids seropositive and 18% seronegative for antibodies against both parasites. Factors associated with equids being seropositive for anti–S neurona antibodies were residence in the South, warmblood breed, and age > 5 years. Seroprevalence of anti–N hughesi antibodies did not differ among equids in different states, but warmblood breed and age > 5 years were associated with seropositivity.
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Ruminants
Disorders of performance-age bucking bulls
Competitive bull riding has emerged as a multimillion-dollar sporting event, and the bulls involved have emerged as featured athletes. A case-control study involving 78 bucking (cases) and 236 nonbucking (controls) beef bulls examined for a medical or musculoskeletal disorder indicated that bucking bulls were more likely to develop horn and sinus disorders and musculoskeletal disorders of the vertebral region and pelvic limbs than were nonbucking bulls. However, the frequency of medical disorders did not differ between the 2 groups. Musculoskeletal disorders were identified in 55 (70.5%) cases and 109 (46%) controls. Of the 43 (55%) cases examined because of lameness, 19 (44%) had disorders of a thoracic limb.
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Special Report
Factors associated with simulator-assessed laparoscopic surgical skills of veterinary students
As minimally invasive surgical approaches gain popularity in veterinary medicine, more information is needed on training in laparoscopic surgical skills. In a study of 145 veterinary students without any prior laparoscopic surgical or simulator experience, prior veterinary surgical or video game experience was not found to be associated with scores for 3 basic tasks (peg transfer, pattern cutting, and ligature loop placement) performed on a laparoscopic simulator. In addition, no significant differences were identified among academic years in scores for individual tasks or total score. Results suggested that to be proficient, veterinary students require specific training in the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery.
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