Increased packed cell volume alters point of care viscoelastic clotting parameters in horses.

Background: Polycythaemia and coagulopathy are identified risk factors for non-survival in critically ill horses. Assessment of coagulation is recommended for critical care monitoring but may be affected by concurrent polycythaemia.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of induced polycythaemia on coagulation parameters as measured by a point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation device (VCM Vet™).

prevention messaging: Knowledge and attitudes of students from North America attending the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St Kitts.

Background: The expansion of vector-borne diseases is considered to be a threat to pet health. Some diseases such as heartworm disease have effective individual prevention methods; however, population-level disease control is limited by the lack of treatment compliance by pet owners. Veterinarians have a primary role in increasing compliance by educating owners on the appropriate prevention measures.