Ex vivo evaluation of the efficacy of canine fresh-frozen plasma thawed using a microwave plasma defroster.

Background: Commercial microwave plasma defrosters (MPDs) are used globally in human medicine to safely thaw fresh-frozen plasma (FFP), but this technology has never been tested in a veterinary setting. This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a commercial MPD for the rapid thawing of canine FFP.

Study Design: Twenty-three units (twelve 120 mL and eleven 240 mL) of canine FFP were thawed using an MPD.

Biomarkers for differentiation of causes of respiratory distress in dogs and cats: Part 2--Lower airway, thromboembolic, and inflammatory diseases.

Objectives: To review the current veterinary and relevant human literature regarding biomarkers of respiratory diseases leading to dyspnea and to summarize the availability, feasibility, and practicality of using respiratory biomarkers in the veterinary setting.

Data Sources: Veterinary and human medical literature: original research articles, scientific reviews, consensus statements, and recent textbooks.

Human Data Synthesis: Numerous biomarkers have been evaluated in people for discriminating respiratory disease processes with varying degrees of success.

Biomarkers for differentiation of causes of respiratory distress in dogs and cats: Part 1--Cardiac diseases and pulmonary hypertension.

Objective: To review the current veterinary and relevant human literature regarding biomarkers of cardiac disease leading to respiratory compromise.

Data Sources: Veterinary and human medical literature: original research articles, scientific reviews, consensus statements, and recent textbooks.

Human Data Synthesis: Cardiac troponins (cTn) and natriuretic peptides are routinely used in human medicine.

Aspiration pneumonia in dogs: pathophysiology, prevention, and diagnosis.

Aspiration pneumonia and aspiration pneumonitis are associated with significant morbidity in veterinary and human medicine. A variety of medical conditions and medications can predispose patients to aspiration, and every precaution should be taken to prevent aspiration from occurring. For dogs that aspirate oral or gastric contents and subsequently develop pneumonia, monitoring and supportive care are imperative.

Aspiration pneumonia in dogs: treatment, monitoring, and prognosis.

Aspiration pneumonia and aspiration pneumonitis are associated with significant morbidity in both veterinary and human medicine. A variety of medical conditions and medications can predispose patients to aspiration. Ideally, aspiration should be prevented, but in dogs that develop aspiration pneumonia, close monitoring and supportive care are imperative.

The use of intravenous lipid emulsion as an antidote in veterinary toxicology.

Objective: To review the use of IV lipid emulsion (ILE) for the treatment of toxicities related to fat-soluble agents; evaluate current human and veterinary literature; and to provide proposed guidelines for the use of this emerging therapy in veterinary medicine and toxicology.

Data Sources: Human and veterinary medical literature.

Human Data Synthesis: Human data are composed mostly of case reports describing the response to treatment with ILE as variant from mild improvement to complete resolution of clinical signs, which is suspected to be due to the variability of lipid solubility of the drugs.