VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

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Does dexmedetomidine affect cardiac function based on echocardiography in dogs? | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts Oct 10, 2016

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In today's VETgirl veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the use of certain sedatives such as dexmedetomidine on cardiac function (based on echocardiography) in dogs. We know that alpha-2 agonist sedatives provide dose-dependent sedation by reducing the central nervous system’s sympathetic outflow. The alpha agonist properties of these drugs also have significant cardiovascular effects - specifically vasoconstriction - which results in an increase in vascular resistance and potential for reflex bradycardia. Dexmedetomidine, a readily available alpha-2 agonist in veterinary medicine, has been documented to cause bradycardia, systemic hypertension, hypothermia, and reduced cardiac output with administration. Given these cardiovascular effects, it is possible that these drugs may significantly alter echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function if used for sedation for echocardiography (thus resulting in artifactual results). So, Kellihan et al out of University of Wisconsin wanted to evaluate this by assessing dexmedetomidine's effect - in other words, how well it results in level of sedation and whether it effects echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function. They looked at two doses - the labeled dose at 10 ug/kg and a lower dose of 5 ug/kg.

The prevalence of immune-complex glomerulonephritides in dogs | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts Oct 03, 2016

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In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we discuss the prevalence of immune-complex glomerulonephritis (ICGN) in dogs. Is it always due to glomerulonephritis? Or is it due to amyloidosis? Why should we care? First, we should care as glomerular injury is common to many renal diseases. Both primary and secondary glomerular disease is commonly seen in dogs. Primary glomerular disease refers to diseases where the glomerulus suffers the initial injury, while secondary glomerular disease refers to those diseases in which the glomerulus is secondarily injured. Based on the ongoing WSAVA Renal Standardization Project, primary glomerular disease in dogs is divided into 3 main groups: immune-complex glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis, and non-immune-complex glomerulonephritis. You can download the guidelines here, btw. Non-immune-complex glomerulonephritis is a diagnosis of exclusion, if neither immune complexes nor amyloid is demonstrated, but primary pathology is noted in the glomerulus.

Does the urine dipstick paddle work to identify urinary tract infections in dogs and cats? | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts Sep 26, 2016

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In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review whether or not the urine dipstick paddle works to help identify urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs and cats. Being that 14% of dogs will develop a UTI at some point in their life, and that UTIs are more prevalent in older (versus younger cats), veterinarians should be well aware of how to treat UTIs. Keep in mind that most UTIs in dogs and cats involve a single bacterial species, with E.coli being the #1 isolated bacteria from the urine of dogs and cats (followed by Staph, Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, and Strep).

Left ventricular abnormalities in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts Sep 19, 2016

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In today's VETgirl veterinary continuing education podcast, we review echocardiographic findings in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. Hyperadrenocorticism (e.g., "Cushing’s disease") is common in middle to older aged dogs and results in a state of chronic hypercortisolemia. Resultant systemic sequelae of this disease state include renal/urinary disease, diabetes mellitus, pulmonary thrombembolism (due to hypercoagulability), and systemic hypertension, among others. (Hence, one of the reasons why it's so important that we treat this endocrine disease in dogs!). In humans with hyperadrenocorticism, increases in left ventricular wall thickness have been detected echocardiographically. So, Takano et al out of Japan wanted to evaluate myocardial structure and function in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism.

Placing nasojejunal feeding tubes in dogs by fluoroscopic technique | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts Sep 12, 2016

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In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review a new technique of placing nasojejunal feeding tubes in dogs. In critical care, the pendulum has swung to the side of enteral feeding over parenteral nutrition in both human and veterinary patients. However, when so many of our critical patients are vomiting or regurgitating, and the risks associated with surgical jejunal feeding tube placement may not outweigh the benefits, do any non-invasive options for enteral feeding exist? Or is our only option total or partial parenteral nutrition? The critical care and interventional radiology group at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine (Beal at al.) developed a novel technique for placing nasojejunal feedings tubes in critically ill dogs using fluoroscopic visualization and wire guidance. Sounds interesting, right?

Organ dysfunction and mortality risk factors in severe canine bite wound trauma | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts Sep 05, 2016

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In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review organ dysfunction and mortality risk factors in dogs with severe bite wounds. How frequently do you see dogs with severe bite wounds requiring intensive care in your practice? While many of us see “routine” bite wounds that can be managed with wound care on an out-patient basis pretty frequently, there is another population of canine patients with bite wounds that are much more severely affected. These patients may have much more extensive wounds, and can develop complications such as SIRS, DIC, MODS and sepsis. Unfortunately, little evidence exists on which patients may develop these complications. So, Ateca et al from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine set out to retrospectively evaluate dogs with bite wounds requiring hospitalization in the ICU, to characterize their treatments, complications and outcomes, and to identify any risk factors for mortality.

Immunochromatographic testing for feline AB blood type | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts Aug 29, 2016

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In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the accuracy of a newer test (using immunochromatography) for detecting feline blood types (AB) in a study titled “Evaluation of an immunochromatographic test for feline AB system blood typing.” AB blood typing is commonly performed in hospitalized cats to ensure blood compatibility and to prevent hemolytic transfusion reactions or potentially life-threatening reactions (e.g., B cats receiving A blood). Blood typing is a necessity for all feline transfusions because cats are born with antibodies against red blood cells of the opposite blood type. For this reason, there is no universal donor in cats, and cats must always be blood typed and/or cross-matched prior to administration! AB blood typing is also important in feline breeding programs in order to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis. Several methods that allow AB blood typing have been previously validated and include gel column testing, which is no longer commercially available, as well as tube or plate testing, which are both cumbersome and difficult to standardize in practice. Agglutination cards are probably the most commonly used test kits in veterinary practice and can reliably identify type A and B cats, but traditionally have shown weak reactions with type AB blood, resulting in mistyping of AB cats.

What does a shortened PT/PTT mean in dogs? Hypercoagulability in dogs with Dr. Jennifer Song | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts Aug 22, 2016

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In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Jennifer Song, who recently finished her surgical residency at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Song, a board-eligible veterinary surgeon, discusses a retrospective study that she performed while at PennVet entitled "Retrospective evaluation of shortened prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time for the diagnosis of hypercoagulability in dogs: 25 cases (2006-2011)" in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care. Previously, we didn't pay much heed to a shortened PT/PTT; we generally only looked at prolongation as an indicator of hypocoagulability (the inability to clot). However, in recent human studies, there may be some evidence that a shortened PT/PTT is suggestive of hypercoagulability! While thromboelastography (TEG) is traditionally looked at - along with increased fibrin (or fibrinogen) and D-dimers - to evaluate hypercoagulability, Song et al's new evidence may prove otherwise. So, start paying attention to your shorter PT/PTT readings after all!

Diabetes mellitus monitoring in your veterinary patients | Dr. Stijn Niessen | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts Aug 15, 2016

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In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Stijn Niessen, DVM, PhD, DECVIM, PGCVetEd, FHEA, MRCVS. Dr. Niessen is a Senior Lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College University of London, President of the European Society of Veterinary Endocrinology and the Head of Internal Medicine. He is also the Director of the Diabetic Remission Clinic.

Wellness for veterinarians | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts Aug 08, 2016

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In a study by Brannick et al entitled “Taking stock and making strides towards wellness in the veterinary workplace,” the authors highlight the fact that veterinary medicine attracts people with a drive to help others, as well as high levels of compassion and empathy. While these traits enable veterinary professionals to experience compassion satisfaction that is a joy or sense of achievement in helping others and providing high quality patient care, this can take its toll personally and professionally over time. With repeated exposure to traumatic events such as animal abuse, diagnosis of serious illnesses, or euthanasia, as well as moral dilemmas and occupational demands, compassion fatigue or burnout can occur.

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