Investigation of potential risk factors for mesenteric volvulus in military working dogs.

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors for mesenteric volvulus (MV) in military working dogs (MWDs). DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 211 MWDs (54 with and 157 without MV [case and control dogs, respectively]).

Comparison of thoracic duct ligation plus subphrenic pericardiectomy with or without cisterna chyli ablation for treatment of idiopathic chylothorax in cats.

OBJECTIVE To compare duration of surgery, recurrence rate, and survival time between cats with idiopathic chylothorax treated with thoracic duct ligation (TDL) plus subphrenic pericardiectomy (SPC) and those treated with TDL, SPC, and cisterna chyli ablation (CCA). DESIGN Retrospective case series with nested cohort study. ANIMALS 22 client-owned cats surgically treated for idiopathic chylothorax from 2009 through 2014.

Influence of preoperative septic peritonitis and anastomotic technique on the dehiscence of enterectomy sites in dogs: A retrospective review of 210 anastomoses.

Objective: To determine the influence of preoperative septic peritonitis (PSP) and stapled versus hand-sewn anastomoses on the dehiscence of intestinal resection and anastomosis (IRA). We hypothesized that the incidence of IRA dehiscence would be greater (1) when performed with PSP and (2) for hand-sewn anastomoses.

Study Design: Retrospective.

Effects of prophylactic incisional gastropexy on markers of gastric motility in dogs as determined by use of a novel wireless motility device.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of laparoscopic-assisted incisional gastropexy (LAIG) on gastric motility in dogs by use of a wireless motility device (WMD). ANIMALS 10 healthy client-owned large or giant-breed dogs. PROCEDURES 10 dogs owned by clients interested in prophylactic LAIG were enrolled.

Retention Curves for Pediatric and Neonatal Intubation Skills After Simulation-Based Training.

Objectives: We evaluated the retention of pediatric and neonatal intubation performance abilities of clinicians trained on a simulated or live tissue model at 3 intervals after initial training to assess competency degradation related to either training modality or retention interval.

Methods: We implemented a quasi-experimental design with purposive sampling to assess performance differences between 171 subjects randomly assigned to 1 of 3 intervals after initial training: 6 weeks, 18 weeks, or 52 weeks. Training followed the American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Program protocols with hands-on practice using 1 of 2 models (live feline or simulated feline).

The Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Healing of Open Wounds in Dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on acute, full-thickness wound healing in dogs.

Study Design: Randomized block (dog); historical control.

Animals: Adult male Beagles (n = 10).

Factors associated with long-term survival in dogs undergoing liver lobectomy as treatment for liver tumors.

The objectives of the study were to describe clinicopathologic findings in dogs that underwent surgical treatment of liver tumors and to define outcome-associated variables in this canine population. Medical records of 118 dogs that underwent liver lobectomy were reviewed. Variables were assessed via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Performance-based comparison of neonatal intubation training outcomes: simulator and live animal.

The purpose of this article was to establish psychometric validity evidence for competency assessment instruments and to evaluate the impact of 2 forms of training on the abilities of clinicians to perform neonatal intubation. To inform the development of assessment instruments, we conducted comprehensive task analyses including each performance domain associated with neonatal intubation. Expert review confirmed content validity.

Long-term outcome of permanent tracheostomies in dogs: 21 cases (2000-2012).

This retrospective study reports long-term outcome, survival, and complications in dogs which received a permanent tracheostomy due to upper airway obstruction. Data were collected from medical records (n = 21) in 2 institutions over a 12-year period. Patients were followed until death, complications, causes of death, and survival times are reported.

Prevalence and risk factors for canine post-anesthetic aspiration pneumonia (1999-2009): a multicenter study.

Objective: To determine the incidence of canine post-anesthetic aspiration pneumonia (AP) and to identify anesthetic agents, procedures and management factors associated with the development of AP.

Study Design: Multicenter, randomized, case-controlled retrospective study.

Animals: Two hundred and forty dogs affected with AP and 488 unaffected control dogs.

Benefits of pre- and intraoperative planning for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

Objective: To determine (1) if preoperative and intraoperative osteotomy planning increases the likelihood that a surgeon will achieve a centered osteotomy during tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and (2) if that centered osteotomy reduces the risk of tibial tuberosity (TT) fractures.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Dogs (n = 406) with cranial cruciate ligament that had TPLO (n = 468).

Evaluation of bacterial contamination on surgical drapes following use of the Bair Hugger(®) forced air warming system.

This pilot study determined the rate of bacterial contamination on surgical drapes of small animal patients warmed intra-operatively with the Bair Hugger(®) forced air warming system compared to a control method. Surgical drapes of 100 patients undergoing clean surgical procedures were swabbed with aerobic culturettes at the beginning and end of surgery. Samples were cultured on Trypticase soy agar.

Evaluation of percutaneously adjustable hydraulic urethral sphincters with and without induced mechanical failure.

Objective: To describe (1) the radiographic appearance of intact hydraulic urethral sphincters (HUS) and (2) the success of leak detection using clinically feasible methods.

Study Design: Prospective, blinded in vitro study.

Sample Population: Thirty HUS devices (10 each of 8, 10, and 12 mm diameter sizes).

Telemetric analysis of breathing pattern variability in recurrent airway obstruction (heaves)-affected horses.

Objective: To use noninvasive respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) to investigate differences in breathing patterns between horses with and without recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) during the onset of airway obstruction induced through confinement to stables.

Animals: 12 horses with no history or clinical signs of respiratory disease (control horses) and 7 RAO-affected horses.

Procedures: The study involved 2 phases.

Effects of a curricular revision on learner outcomes in veterinary clinical pathology.

A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to study learner attitudes and knowledge about clinical pathology across a curricular change that instituted a stand-alone clinical pathology course in place of content within a previously integrated pathology course structure. Groups of pre- and post-change students were assessed three times across the two semesters leading up to graduation. At each time, rank-ordered and open-ended response items probed attitudes, and multiple-choice items assessed knowledge.

Effects of negative pressure wound therapy on healing of free full-thickness skin grafts in dogs.

Objective: To compare healing of free, full-thickness, meshed skin grafts under negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with bolster dressings in dogs.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled experimental study, paired design.

Animals: Dogs (n = 5) METHODS: Full-thickness skin wounds (4 cm × 1.

Effects of a cross-linked hyaluronic acid based gel on the healing of open wounds in dogs.

Objective: To compare effects of a cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) based gel (CMHA-S) to a standard wound management protocol on the healing of acute, full-thickness wounds in dogs.

Study Design: A prospective, controlled, experimental study.

Animals: Purpose-bred, adult, female beagles (n = 10).

Reproducibility of an objective four-choice canine vision testing technique that assesses vision at differing light intensities.

Objective: The increasing importance of canine retinal dystrophy models means accurate vision testing is needed. This study was performed to evaluate a four-choice vision testing technique for any difference in outcome measures with repeated evaluations of the same dogs.

Animals Studied:   Four 11-month-old RPE65-deficient dogs.

Effects of anesthetic drugs on canine splenic volume determined via computed tomography.

Objective: To evaluate effects of commonly used anesthetics administered as single bolus injections on splenic volume.

Animals: 10 adult Beagles.

Procedures: A randomized crossover study was conducted.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus spp and Staphylococcus spp isolated from surfaces in a veterinary teaching hospital.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of enterococci and staphylococci collected from environmental surfaces at a veterinary teaching hospital (VTH).

Design: Longitudinal study.

Sample: Samples collected from surfaces in 5 areas (emergency and critical care, soft tissue and internal medicine, and orthopedic wards; surgery preparation and recovery rooms; and surgery office and operating rooms) of a VTH.

Survival after surgery for tracheal collapse and the effect of intrathoracic collapse on survival.

Objectives: To determine (1) long-term survival of dogs with tracheal collapse (TC) receiving cervical extraluminal prosthetic rings (ELR) and (2) whether intrathoracic collapse effects long-term survival of dogs receiving ELR.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Dogs (n = 33) with TC that had ELR.

Effects of negative pressure wound therapy on healing of open wounds in dogs.

Objective: To compare the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with standard-of-care management on healing of acute open wounds in dogs.

Study Design: Prospective, controlled, experimental study.

Animals: Adult dogs (n=10).

Comparative stability of canine and feline hemostatic proteins in freeze-thaw-cycled fresh frozen plasma.

Objective: To evaluate the stability of canine and feline hemostatic proteins in freeze-thaw-cycled (FTC) fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Continuous versus intermittent delivery of nutrition via nasoenteric feeding tubes in hospitalized canine and feline patients: 91 patients (2002-2007).

Objective: To compare continuous to intermittent feeding at delivering prescribed nutrition in hospitalized canine and feline patients.

Design: Retrospective clinical study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.