Test your ability to spot the signs of anxiety in a patient with this video quiz. It is a timely review topic as animal health pros re-open after the first phase of Covid-19. Fear and anxiety are under-recognized and pervasive problems in veterinary medicine, says Leslie Sinn, CPDT-KA, DVM, DACVB. Common signs of distress include panting, lip licking, dilated pupils, avoiding … [Read more...]
5 clues to Cushing’s disease
Todd Archer, DVM, MS, DACVIM, shares the five most common findings seen on CBC, serum chemistry profile, and urinalysis results in patients with confirmed canine hyperadrenocorticism: Stress leukogram & thrombocytosis Elevated liver enzymes Hyperglycemia Hypercholesterolemia Dilute urine Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2018. Link. Although most dogs … [Read more...]
Cooperative care in cats (podcast)
Host Beckie Mossor, RVT, visits with Monique Feyrecilde, LVT, VTS, to discuss how—and why—to provide cooperative veterinary care. Podcasts are sometimes grueling. This one is not. In fact, I found myself replaying segments to review the thoughts and approaches being shared. It presents a lesson in leadership so important to veterinary engagement with animal owners. What is … [Read more...]
Too much drool could signal a problem
Excessive salivation can be caused by happiness, hyperthermia or household cleaning products. Check these additional differentials for ptyalism and pseudoptyalism from Julie Allen, BVMS, MS, MRCVS, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVP. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Watery eyes may signal medical conditions in dogs
An overflow of tears, called Epiphora may indicate minor to major medical conditions. Christina Korb, DVM, and DJ Haeussler Jr, DVM, MS, DACVO, provide a diagnostic chart to help explain what all those tears might represent. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 3, biosecurity strategies ensure progress
COMMENTS Biosecurity is not new to animal health pros. It is central to successfully providing safe care for animals and their owners. Diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hog cholera, bird flu, leptospirosis, PEDV, PRRS, salmonella and BVD have pushed us to focus on optimizing infection controls, using quarantine areas and hospital pens in concert with … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 1, situation analysis
Comments Change management experts are returning to their themes of adaptability, including life and business always accepting change as a constant. In some ways it is refreshing. Yet the day-to-day strategy changes, coupled with statistical analysis have most people running in place awaiting what comes next. From what has been published in recent weeks related to … [Read more...]
Fomites, pets, and transmission
Information and risk messaging about pet-to-human transmission may change as more information is collected. For now, there is no evidence that pets can serve as fomites for SARS-CoV-2. However, measures to prevent a pet becoming a fomite are important. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 8, 2020. Link. Also see: COVID-19 in animals: Living systematic review, Worms & … [Read more...]
Social distancing algorithms for veterinary teams
Six feet may not be enough, according to recent CDC information < link >. So, what are veterinary teams to do when essential services need to be performed? Social distancing algorithms have been developed for companion animal practices’ interactions to help prevent fomite transfer between pet owners and team members. It’s not perfect, but like so many prevention efforts, … [Read more...]
Monitoring blood glucose in patients
There is no single method or combination tests shown to have significant clinical benefits, writes Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM). He stresses the importance of a monitoring program that is practical and tailored to meet individual patient needs and owner abilities, circumstances and treatment goals. Source: Clinician’s Brief, November 2019. Link. Reliance on a … [Read more...]
Owner contact guidelines algorithm for COVID-19 pandemic
Brief Media’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Indu Mani DVM, ScD, shares the algorithm developed by J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, for the benefit of veterinary clinic teams, their clients and animals. It is a step-by-step COVID-19 protocol for receiving patients in small animal veterinary clinics. Keep disinfecting and be safe.” – Indu Mani, DVM, ScD Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
Diagnosing cat constipation, obstipation and megacolon
Diagnostic flow charts help identify the reasons a cat has difficulties in the litter box. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Dr. Olah’s charts are excellent resources when coaching new DVMs. … [Read more...]
Limit the spread of canine influenza during an outbreak
Jarod M. Hanson, DVM, DACVPM, discusses canine influenza virus outbreaks and methods that help in reduce its spread. The outbreaks were due to multiple virus introductions associated with the importation of rescue dogs from Asia. The use of contact tracing and longitudinal sampling, coupled with a 28-day quarantine period helped reduce the spread. Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
How to get-a-grip on small mammals (slide show)
Handling small mammals is often like controlling a bucking bronc on a tiny scale. The smaller they are, the more likely the encounter will be fueled by the flight or fight response. David Eshar, DVM, shares safe handling techniques that minimize stress and reduce the chance for trauma in these patients. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2020. Link. Patients should be … [Read more...]
More support needed for diabetic cat owners
Alex Gallagher, DVM, MS, DACVIM, shares startling takeaways from research titled Priorities on treatment and monitoring of diabetic cats from the owners’ points of view <link>. While veterinarian recommendations were considered the second most influential in their treatment decision, Gallagher provides alarming details: Fewer than 50% of owners reported their … [Read more...]
Quiz: Proper use of gastroprotectants
Gastroprotectants, which include antacids and acid suppressants, are one of the most widely used classes of medications in veterinary medicine. Because acid suppressants and antacids are inexpensive and readily available over the counter, inappropriate use of these drugs is of great concern. Source: Clinician’s Brief, November 2019. Link. Emily Nissa Gould, DVM, MS, DACVIM … [Read more...]
5 ways to handle the 5 main causes of seizures in dogs
Marcelle Chastain offers some coaching for pet owners when should their dogs experience seizures: Stay calm and do not panic Make a space by moving furniture, etc. that might injure the dog Remove other pets from the area Do not try to force it to open its mouth Call a veterinarian Source: Inside Pet’s World, October 4, 2019. Link. Detecting the root cause … [Read more...]
Stem cell use growing, more work to do
With clinical use of stem cells in veterinary orthopedics growing, Nicole S. Amato, DVM, DACVS, offers answers to the question, “What does the current evidence show regarding efficacy?” She discusses terminology, stem cells sources and harvesting and clinical impact. Amato’s discussion of advantages and disadvantages leads to a conclusion. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCT) … [Read more...]
Key points on leptospirosis to share with animal owners
At the intersection of animals and humans, zoonotic diseases are public health concerns. Among them are multiple Leptospira species that can infect dogs, cats or human. These bacteria have worldwide distribution. The organisms are commonly shed in urine. Lepto infections are often initiated after ingestion of contaminated water. In one study, it was estimated that … [Read more...]
Top 5 keys to successful management of otitis externa
Ear conditions are usually listed in the top 10 reasons pets visit veterinarians < link >. Otitis externa is a common inflammatory condition that affects 15 percent to 20 percent of dogs and 4 percent to 7 percent of cats. Erin E. Aufox, DVM, and Elizabeth R. May, DVM, DACVD, explain their five steps to it: Classification Treatment Monitoring Maintenance … [Read more...]
Tighten up your bandaging skills (photo slides)
Tisha A. Harper, DVM, DACVS, discusses common complications associated with external coaptation*, and how can their occurrence be minimized. Along with general guidelines, she reviews common bandaging problems and complications. She also includes resources for educating clients about at-home bandage care. *External coaptation refers to the use of casts, splints, bandages, … [Read more...]
Focus on fungi
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated this week as Fungal Disease Awareness Week < link > to boost the public’s understanding of how these microscopic organism can make humans sick. In animals, fungal infections are a patchwork of different situations. Fungal infections can be devastating, and they continue to emerge more rapidly than ever . . . they … [Read more...]
Smartphones help teach clinical ophthalmology
Lucien V. Vallone, DVM, DACVO, shares various applications using of smartphones for teaching ophthalmoscopy skills in veterinary medical training programs. He outlines techniques for fundus and anterior segment imaging that generally do not require the purchase of accessory equipment. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2019. Link. Advancing smartphone technology is allowing … [Read more...]
Lead contamination risks in backyard poultry
Rearing backyard chickens carries some zoonotic concerns and potential risk for the birds being exposed to chemicals or heavy metals like lead. These can get passed on to consumers through eggs or meat. Birds may pick up lead from various sources, such as contaminated water and feed. But, the main source of lead exposure for backyard poultry is likely contaminated … [Read more...]
Pet owners still still clueless about heartworm prevention
A small, Florida-based questionnaire exposes the relatively poor understanding owners may have of the biology and risks for heartworm transmission. Claiming veterinarians as their primary source for information about heartworm, respondents did not realize that yard vessels capable of holding water also serve as mosquito-breeding sites. . . . only 61% of dog-owning and 18% of … [Read more...]
Top 5 methods for assessing tooth vitality (with slideshow photography)
Clinicians must be able to identify nonvital teeth to recommend appropriate treatment, writes Kendall Taney, DVM, DAVDC, FAVD. He shares his top 5 methods for assessing tooth vitality: Visual inspection of the crown of the tooth Sensibility and vitality testing Dental radiography Direct examination of the pulp Histopathic evaluation Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
The scoop on Insulin Lispro in cats
Insulin Lispro has been tested successfully in dogs as an alternative to regular insulin. Insulin lispro is a new-generation, short-acting insulin that is more rapidly absorbed in humans following subcutaneous injection and contributes to improved diabetic control when compared to regular insulin. Andrew Bugbee, DVM, DACVIM, reviews results of a cat trial where lispro and … [Read more...]
Diagnosing skin lesions: an image gallery
Fans of the various veterinary TV programs recognize how frequently clients visit clinics with pet that has an unknown skin thingy. Alexander Werner Resnick, VMD, DACVD, gives animal health pros a resource of an image gallery of primary skin lesions to help understand basic lesions and their patterns of presentation. Primary lesions result directly from the disease process; … [Read more...]
Feline fundus disease (photo gallery)
The ocular fundus is the back of the eye opposite the pupil and includes the portion of the white of the eye (sclera) that is in the back of the eye, the retina, the membrane between the retina and the sclera (the choroid), and the optic disk. In cats, abnormalities can affect the fundus including inherited disease, acquired disease, infectious disease, manifestations of … [Read more...]
Dirty dogs need people to solve their problems
Canine house soiling has many potential causes, including medical conditions and behavior problems. Accurate assessment is critical, as the prognosis for control or resolution is typically good once the underlying cause is identified according to Ellen Lindell, VMD, DACVB. She shares information about diagnostics, behaviors, treatments and training. Clients are often … [Read more...]