Biosecurity Measures in Clinical Practice.

Hospitalized companion animals have increased susceptibility for hospital-acquired/nosocomial infections. Veterinarians have a responsibility to ensure adequate infection control, biosecurity, and biosafety within veterinary hospitals. Through elimination of pathogens and substitution of hazards, as well as implementation of engineering and administrative controls and the use of personal protective equipment, veterinary teams can dramatically reduce unintentional disease transmission.

Diagnostic bone marrow sampling in cats.

Practical relevance: Hematologic disorders are relatively common in cats, as inflammatory, immune-mediated and infectious diseases have the potential to impact erythroid, myeloid and thrombopoietic lines within the bone marrow. Clinical challenges: Clinicians often benefit from information obtained from bone marrow cytology and histopathology in diagnosing hematologic disorders in feline patients. However, these sampling procedures are ones that many veterinarians are intimidated by and thus not comfortably performing in clinical practice. AUDIENCE: This review, aimed at all veterinarians who treat cats, highlights the reasons a clinician may elect to sample bone marrow, and details the collection of bone marrow for both cytology and histopathology. Potential complications and limitations of each procedure are also reviewed. Evidence base: The collection of bone marrow for cytology and histopathology is not new to feline medicine and several research studies have investigated various sampling modalities in cats. This article offers a comprehensive review of the currently accepted best practices.

Fluid Therapy: Options and Rational Selection.

Administration of appropriate types and volumes of parenteral fluids is of paramount importance when treating sick and debilitated patients, especially those fighting critical illness. Fluid selection and accurate calculations must be performed logically and accurately to maximize positive outcomes. Knowledge of fluid types, as well as the complex relationship of the body's fluid compartments, helps clinicians develop rational fluid therapy plans for their patients.

Pre-operative fibrous osteodystrophy and severe, refractory, post-operative hypocalcemia following parathyroidectomy in a dog.

A 13-year-old dog exhibited dramatic, radiographic osteopenia consistent with fibrous osteodystrophy secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism. Following parathyroidectomy, the dog developed severe, prolonged hypocalcemia, but was successfully treated and discharged 32 d after surgery. A variety of factors may have contributed to this dog's hypocalcemia including hypoparathyroidism and hungry bone syndrome.

Ostéodystrophie fibreuse préopératoire et hypocalcémie grave, réfractaire postopératoire après une parathyroïdectomie chez un chien. Un chien âgé de 13 ans a manifesté une ostéopénie radiographique dramatique conforme à une ostéodystrophie fibreuse secondaire à un hyperparathyroïdisme primaire. Après une parathyroïdectomie, le chien a développé une hypocalcémie grave et prolongée, mais il a été traité avec succès et a reçu son congé 32 jours après la chirurgie. Divers facteurs peuvent avoir contribué à l'hypocalcémie de ce chien, y compris l'hypoparathyroïdisme et l'hypocalcémie par avidité osseuse.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Health perceptions and levels of attachment: owners and pets exercising together.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a parallel problem in canine and human populations. We describe health perceptions and levels of companion animal attachment in a cohort of dog owners. METHODS: As part of a larger trial examining the impact of veterinary counseling on activity levels of dog owners and their pets, owners presenting to a veterinary referral center were asked to self-report perceived levels of health and attachment to their dog (Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale). Owner body mass index and the body conditioning score of the companion dog were also recorded. RESULTS: Heavier pet owners reported a greater sense of attachment to their dogs. Heavier owners also reported lower perceived health and less social support. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing body mass index is associated with higher pet attachment, lower perceived health, and less social support. This information can impact wellness counseling for overweight pet owners and canine companions.

Thermal injury.

This article addresses the pathophysiology of thermal burns, focusing on the complex inflammatory component, potential complications, and treatment strategies.

Pulmonary thromboembolism.

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) has been associated with many diseases. Clot formation is a consequence of hypercoagulability, blood stasis, and damage to the endothelium of blood vessels, a set of changes known as the Virchow triad. Diagnosing PTE may be difficult because common clinical signs, including tachypnea, dyspnea, and hypoxemia, are not pathognomonic for the disease. The initial workup for PTE should include arterial blood gas analysis and thoracic radiography. If there is a strong clinical suspicion for PTE, further tests are indicated, such as D-dimer measurement, thromboelastography, and advanced imaging.