Update on Canine Parvoviral Enteritis.

Canine parvoviral enteritis is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide. Tests can detect viral antigen in feces, and characteristic decreases in total leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts can increase the index of suspicion in affected cases and can be used to prognosticate morbidity and mortality. The standard of care for infected animals includes IV crystalloid and sometimes colloid fluids, antiemetics, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and early enteral nutrition.

Update on Albumin Therapy in Critical Illness.

Albumin is among the most important proteins and plays a significant role in maintenance of colloid osmotic pressure, wound healing, decreasing oxidative damage, carrying drugs and endogenous substances, and coagulation. Hypoalbuminemia is common in acute and chronic illnesses. Replenishment of albumin can be in the form of fresh frozen, frozen or cryopoor plasma, or in the form of human or canine albumin concentrates.

Delayed type III hypersensitivity reaction with acute kidney injury in two dogs following administration of concentrated human albumin during treatment for hypoalbuminemia secondary to septic peritonitis.

Objective: To describe 2 dogs with acute kidney injury secondary to type III hypersensitivity reaction to 25% human serum albumin (HSA).

Case Series Summary: Two dogs were presented with evidence of septic peritonitis. The dogs were hospitalized following definitive surgical correction of a jejunal laceration following routine ovariohysterectomy, and removal of a jejunal foreign body.

Temporary tracheostomy.

Upper airway obstruction can be due to a variety of causes in small animal patients and is often life threatening if left untreated. Placement of a temporary tracheostomy tube may be necessary in the most severe cases of upper airway obstruction until definitive therapy can be implemented. This paper discusses the indications, technique for placement, maintenance, and complications associated with temporary tracheostomy in dogs and cats.

Respiratory arrest following ingestion of wild mushrooms in 3 dogs (2006-2011).

Objective: To describe the clinical course, treatment, and outcome of 3 dogs with respiratory arrest following mushroom ingestion.

Case Series Summary: Three dogs were presented for mushroom toxicosis that developed respiratory arrest. Two of the dogs were treated with diazepam just prior to the development of respiratory arrest; 1 dog received no medications prior to respiratory arrest.

Evaluation of trends in marijuana toxicosis in dogs living in a state with legalized medical marijuana: 125 dogs (2005-2010).

Objective: To report a correlation between the increased number of medical marijuana licenses and marijuana toxicosis in dogs in a state with legalized marijuana for medical use.

Design: Retrospective case series from January 1, 2005 to October 1, 2010.

Setting: Private specialty referral hospital and a university teaching hospital.

Ascending tonic-clonic seizure syndrome in a dog following inadvertent intrathecal use of ionic contrast agent.

Objective: To describe the successful management of ascending tonic-clonic seizure syndrome in a dog after inadvertent intrathecal administration of ionic contrast material.

Case Summary: A 7-year-old, 5.9 kg, male castrated Miniature Pinscher inadvertently received intrathecal ionic contrast material during a myelogram to investigate cervical pain.

The association of physical examination abnormalities and carboxyhemoglobin concentrations in 21 dogs trapped in a kennel fire.

Objective: To evaluate physical examination findings and their association with carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations in 21 dogs that were exposed to smoke during a kennel fire.

Series Summary: Twenty-one dogs were exposed to a kennel fire. Physical exam findings, presenting, and posttherapy COHb concentrations as well as therapeutic interventions were evaluated.

Complications of fluid therapy.

The intravenous administration of fluids is one of the most important aspects of patient care in hospitalized animals. Intravenous fluids are administered to replace or prevent dehydration, treat hypovolemic shock and intravascular volume depletion, correct acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities, and maintain vascular access for administration of drugs, blood product components, and parenteral nutrition. Intravenous catheterization also can provide a means of blood sample collection, thus avoiding frequent and uncomfortable venipunctures in critically ill animals.

Left-sided congestive heart failure in dogs: treatment and monitoring of emergency patients.

As clinicians' knowledge about congestive heart failure (CHF) improves, so does the ability to treat and monitor patients with this condition. Initiating effective treatment at an early stage of cardiac disease may prevent or delay progression of CHF, thereby enabling the most favorable long-term outcome. This paper focuses on the treatment and monitoring of animals that present with clinical signs related to decompensation despite therapy or to previously undiagnosed CHF.

Left-sided congestive heart failure in dogs: pathophysiology and diagnosis.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a relatively common condition in dogs. Diagnostic and treatment strategies continue to evolve as researchers explore the pathophysiology and develop a better understanding of this syndrome. Unfortunately, however, the morbidity and mortality associated with heart failure remain high.

Acute renal failure in dogs after the ingestion of grapes or raisins: a retrospective evaluation of 43 dogs (1992-2002).

A review of records from the AnTox database of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center identified 43 dogs that developed increased blood urea nitrogen concentration, serum creatinine concentration, or both as well as clinical signs after ingesting grapes, raisins, or both. Clinical findings, laboratory findings, histopathological findings, treatments performed, and outcome were evaluated. All dogs vomited, and lethargy, anorexia, and diarrhea were other common clinical signs.

Triage and approach to the acute abdomen.

The presentation of a patient with acute abdominal pain often is both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the veterinary practitioner. Rapid physical examination and assessment of the patient's cardiovascular status are critical to initiating appropriate and often aggressive medical management as diagnostic tests are being performed. A number of diagnostic tests can be performed, including complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, serum amylase and lipase, abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal paracentesis or diagnostic peritoneal lavage, cytology, and fluid analysis.

Clinical findings associated with prairie rattlesnake bites in dogs: 100 cases (1989-1998).

Objective: To identify clinically relevant variables and treatments for dogs bitten by prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis).

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 100 client-owned dogs.