UK-based multicentre cross-sectional study assessing advice requests veterinary dermatologists received from general practitioners.

BACKGROUND: There is little currently little information available regarding the nature of the advice requests veterinary dermatologists receive from general practitioners. Collation of such data could direct continuing veterinary development in the future. METHODS: Dermatologists completed hand-written recording sheets during or after enquiries. Information recorded included the route of enquiry, nature of advice, material provided, practice type and location, animal signalment, presenting signs, diagnosis/differential diagnosis, treatment and referral recommendations, time taken and if charges were made. RESULTS: Twelve dermatology services recorded 768 advice requests over a 6-month period. Most requests were submitted via email and related to canine dermatology (81%). An average of 9.5 minutes was spent replying to requests. Charges were made in 2% of cases. Advice regarding otitis was most commonly sought, followed by pruritus, alopecia and crusting. The most frequently discussed diagnoses included allergy, otitis, pyoderma, demodicosis, dermatophytosis and neoplasia. Antibiotics, anti-pruritics and topical otic medications were the most commonly discussed therapeutics. LIMITATIONS: This is an initial study and therefore there are limitations involving the depth of the data. Additional studies should be completed which identify why advice is sought, decision-making regarding referral, and if advice should be charged similarly to other disciplines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight that veterinarians mostly frequently seek advice on management of common dermatological problems, including allergy, otitis and pyoderma.

Otoscopy and aural cytological findings in a population of rescue cats and cases in a referral small animal hospital in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVES: Otitis externa is seen clinically in cats, although studies investigating this condition within the UK are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Otodectes cynotis mites and microbial infection in the ear canals of cats in various rescue centres and a referral hospital. METHODS: Otoscopy was performed in 332 cats. Otoscopic findings were noted, including the gross visualisation of Otodectes species. A sample of cerumen was collected for cytological evaluation and a cerumen smear for detection of Otodectes mites if there was a large amount of aural exudate present. RESULTS: O cynotis infestation was noted in 3/341 cats (0.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-2.6). A total of 129/341 (37.8%; 95% CI 32.7-43.0) cats were found to have Malassezia species within one or both ears. Bacteria were found unilaterally in 9/341 (2.6%; 95% CI 1.4-4.9) cats. Analysis of the cytological findings showed an increased likelihood for Malassezia species to be present as age increased (n = 293; Pearson r = 0.204, P <0.001). There was also an increased likelihood of finding Malassezia species in both ears if found within one ear (n = 327; r = 0.499, P <0.001). There was a positive correlation between the number of Malassezia organisms and the quantity of aural exudate (n = 338; r = 0.778, P <0.001). Cats in which Otodectes species infestation were noted (n = 3) had moderate or large quantities of cerumen. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study shows that there was a low prevalence of O cynotis in this cohort of cats. In normal cats it was not unusual to find Malassezia microorganisms upon aural cytology, bacteria were noted far less frequently and in two cats this was associated with underlying anatomical pathology.

Owner-reported flea treatment measures and skin disease in cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the use of flea treatments and owner-reported flea infestation and skin disease. METHODS: Owners of 1150 cats were recruited into a long-term longitudinal study ('Bristol Cats' study) and asked to complete questionnaires at set time points. Questionnaires 1 and 5 were used and included data collection for kittens aged 2-4 months (T1) and at 2.5 years of age (T2). Owners were asked which brand of flea treatment, if any, was used at each time point. At T2 owners were asked if they had noted signs of skin disease or fleas on their cat within the previous 12 months and if they had sought veterinary attention for the skin disease or fleas. IBM SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Skin disease at T2 was reported by owners of 55/1150 (4.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-6.2) cats. Many owners who reported skin disease (25/55 [45.5%]; 95% CI 32.3-58.7) had not sought veterinary attention. There were 81/1150 (7.0%; 95% CI 5.6-8.5) cats with reported head shaking and/or ear scratching within the past 12 months at T2. The majority of cats (204/286; 71.3%) received prescription flea treatments at both points. Use of non-prescription flea treatment at T2 was more likely to be associated with owner-reported skin disease/flea infestation than those who used prescription flea treatment ( P <0.001). There was a significant association between the reported presence of fleas and reported presence of skin disease at T2 ( P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Despite the potential for reverse causality, the association between owner-reported skin disease and/or flea infestation in their cats and the use of non-prescription flea treatment was as expected. Use of flea treatments and, in particular, the type of ectoparasite control used (prescription or non-prescription) should be carefully assessed when managing cats with skin disease.

Retrospective study of the presentation, diagnosis and management of 16 cats with otitis media not due to nasopharyngeal polyp.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse retrospectively cats diagnosed with otitis media (OM) not due to nasopharyngeal polyp, and to review the clinical outcome with surgical and medical management. METHODS: Patient records were searched for cats diagnosed with OM. The diagnosis of OM was based on the presence of clinical signs, including neurological signs, respiratory signs and signs of otitis externa, and on the basis of evidence of thickened or irregular bullae walls, or the presence of fluid within the tympanic cavity in those that had diagnostic imaging. In those that did not have imaging, the diagnosis was made on the basis of the presence of fluid in the bulla or organisms cultured using myringotomy. These records were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 16 cats, one had a total ear canal ablation, five had ventral bulla osteotomy surgery and 11 were medically managed. Of the cats that were medically managed, using either topical products, systemic antimicrobials or a combination of both, eight had complete resolution of clinical signs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This small cohort shows that some cats with OM can be successfully managed medically. Surgery is invasive and may not necessarily be required if appropriate medical management is undertaken. This is the first study of OM treatment in cats and provides the basis for further studies, which should aim to establish specific infectious causes of OM and how they can potentially be managed with medical therapies.

Is treating anal furunculosis with 5†mg/kg ciclosporin once daily the optimal dosing schedule?

Critically Appraised Topics (CATs) are a standardised, succinct summary of research evidence organised around a clinical question, and a form of evidence synthesis used in the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM). Access to CATs enables clinicians to incorporate evidence from the scientific literature into clinical practice and they have been used to teach EBVM at the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences since 2011. CATs from Bristol university will be regularly published in the Clinical Decision Making section of Veterinary Record. The first CAT was published in VR, January 30, 2016, vol 178, pp 118-119.