Prevalence of heartworm infection in the feral cat population of Grand Cayman.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of heartworm infection in the feral cat population of Grand Cayman. METHODS: During the study period, feral cats were routinely trapped and euthanized for population control by the municipal animal shelter. Cats older than 6 months of age were obtained for post-mortem examination shortly after euthanasia. The heart, lungs, pulmonary vasculature, thoracic and abdominal cavities were examined for the presence, location and number of mature heartworms. Sections of caudal lung were evaluated histologically and serologic tests were performed to screen for additional evidence of heartworm exposure. RESULTS: Mature heartworms were identified in the pulmonary vasculature of 4/36 cats (11.1%). An additional nine cats showed histopathologic changes in the lungs consistent with heartworm exposure, and one cat had a positive antibody test. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results indicate a minimum heartworm prevalence of 11.1% within this population of feral cats, consistent with published necropsy reports from other endemic localities. Considering the histopathologic changes observed in this group, the true prevalence is likely higher and underscores the importance of heartworm prevention for the companion cat population of the island.

Safety and effectiveness of single- versus double-anastomosis duodenal switch at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS) is known to be superior in weight loss to other bariatric procedures, but with the disadvantage of increased complication rates. Single-anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass (SADI-S) is reported to have similar weight loss with lower complication rates compared with traditional DS. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare weight loss and complication rate between SADI-S and double-anastomosis DS at a single institution. SETTING: Academic hospital, United States. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 185 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic DS between March 1, 2015 and December 10, 2017. A total of 111 patients had SADI-S, and 74 patients underwent double-anastomosis DS. RESULTS: Baseline patient characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. The mean preoperative body mass index was 56.3 kg/m2 and 54.4 kg/m2 in SADI-S and double-anastomosis DS patients, respectively. Thirteen (11.7%) and 4 (5.4%) patients were readmitted within 30 days after SADI-S and double-anastomosis DS, respectively (P = .16). Percentage of total weight loss was 22.0%, 38.5%, and 44.2% in the SADI-S group and 20.2%, 38.0%, and 48.4% in the double-anastomosis DS group at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The majority of patients had vitamin A and E levels in the normal range. However, 40% to 60% of the patients had low levels of vitamin D after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: SADI-S and double-anastomosis DS are comparable in terms of weight loss and complication rate. However, close nutritional follow-up is warranted for both procedures.

Safety and Effectiveness of Single-Anastomosis Duodenal Switch Procedure: 2-Year Result from a Single US Institution.

BACKGROUND: Single-anastomosis duodenal switch (DS) was introduced by Sanchez-Pernaute et al. as a modification of the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. We have published preliminary results of the loop DS as the first report of the procedure in the USA. This study aims to evaluate the loop DS procedures again, in terms of weight loss, comorbidity resolution, complication rate, and address the nutritional concerns. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on initial 128 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic single-stage loop DS between December 17, 2013 and September 23, 2016. Sixteen additional patients were prospectively enrolled from September 24, 2016 to May 4, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 102 female and 38 male patients were included in this study with a mean age of 41.2 ± 9.6 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) at the time of procedure was 57.3 ± 9.2 kg/m2. Percentage of total weight loss was 23.1, 37.1, 42.9, and 44.7% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Percentage of excess BMI loss was 41.9, 68.1, 76.6, and 80.8% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Mean levels of HbA1c, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly after the loop DS. Regarding the fat-soluble vitamins, majority of patients had vitamin A and E levels in the normal range. However, 42 to 56% of the patients had low levels of vitamin D at 6, 12, and 24 months following the procedure. Mean length of hospital stay was 4.1 ± 2.7 days. Thirty-day readmission rate was 7.6% (n = 11), and 30-day reoperation rate was 6.9% (n = 10). CONCLUSIONS: Loop DS seems to be effective in weight loss and is a feasible operation in the super-obese population. However, close monitoring of liver enzymes is warranted in addition to nutritional follow-up.

Nonmedical factors associated with feather picking in pet psittacine birds.

A nested case-control study was performed to determine nonmedical risk factors associated with feather picking in psittacine birds. Forty-two case birds, reported by their owners to pick their feathers, and 126 unaffected birds were compared. The odds of feather picking were higher in 2 species categories, African grey parrots (Psitticus erithacus, adjusted odds ratio [ORadj = 8.4, P < .001) and cockatoos (Cacatua species, ORadj = 12.7, P < .001). The odds of feather picking also were higher for birds that were out of their cages more than 8 hours per day (ORadj = 7.4, P < .001) and for birds that had been taken in by the owner as a "rescue" (ORadj = 4.7, P < .01). The odds of feather picking decreased by almost 90% (ORadj = 0.1, P < .005) for birds that interacted with people at least 4 hours a day. These findings identify characteristics that practitioners may want to include when asking bird owners about behavioral history and may be useful in focusing future research regarding this behavior.

Surveys of avian practitioners and pet owners regarding common behavior problems in psittacine birds.

Avian veterinarians and pet bird owners were solicited to participate in online surveys to gather information about behavior problems in pet birds. A total of 84 avian veterinarians' and 203 psittacine bird owners' responses were analyzed. Behaviors with a high prevalence and a high level of owner concern, in descending order, were aggression, screaming, and feather picking. Veterinarians reported that the most common behavior problems presented to them were feather picking, chronic egg laying, aggression, and screaming, in that order. Most owners seeking advice went elsewhere before talking to their veterinarian. When consulted, most veterinarians recommended a combination of a medical workup, nutritional changes, housing changes, and environmental enrichments for these problem behaviors. Because owners do not often seek a veterinarian's advice, behavior problems exist in birds that are not being addressed by veterinarians. Advising veterinarians to question owners about problem behaviors at every visit will facilitate discussion and improve the treatment and welfare of pet psittacine birds.

Short-term survival and effects of transmitter implantation into western grebes using a modified surgical procedure.

Two pilot trials and one study in a closely related grebe species suggest that Western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) will not tolerate intracoelomic transmitter implantation with percutaneous antennae and often die within days of surgery. Wild Western grebes (n = 21) were captured to evaluate a modified surgical technique. Seven birds were surgically implanted with intracoelomic transmitters with percutaneous antennae by using the modified technique (transmitter group), 7 received the same surgery without transmitter implantation (celiotomy group), and 7 served as controls (only undergoing anesthesia). Modifications included laterally offsetting the body wall incision from the skin incision, application of absorbable cyanoacrylate tissue glue to the subcutaneous space between the body wall and skin incisions, application of a waterproof sealant to the skin incision after suture closure, and application of a piece of porcine small intestine submucosa to the antenna egress. Survival did not differ among the 3 groups with 7 of 7 control, 6 of 7 celiotomy, and 6 of 7 transmitter birds surviving the 9-day study. Experimental birds were euthanized at the end of the study, and postmortem findings indicated normal healing. Significant differences in plasma chemistry or immune function were not detected among the 3 groups, and only minor differences were detected in red blood cell indices and plasma proteins. After surgery, the birds in the transmitter group spent more time preening tail feathers than those in the control and celiotomy groups. These results demonstrate that, in a captive situation, celiotomy and intracoelomic transmitter implantation caused minimal detectable homeostatic disturbance in this species and that Western grebes can survive implantation of intracoelomic transmitters with percutaneous antennae. It remains to be determined what potential this modified surgical procedure has to improve postoperative survival of Western grebes that are intracelomically implanted with transmitters with percutaneous antennae and released into the wild.

Expanding families: preparing for and introducing dogs and cats to infants, children, and new pets.

Once clients make a decision to expand their family with children or pets, veterinarians can be instrumental in providing education and support to make the additions successful. Veterinarians should remind clients to make changes in the household well in advance of the new addition's arrival, to be patient, to make all introductions safe and controlled, and to reward good behavior. If problems arise, owners should be advised to separate those involved and get behavioral treatment as soon as possible. Through these simple steps, veterinarians can increase the likelihood that clients will be able to integrate new family members successfully.