Risk factors affecting all-cause mortality in cats hospitalized by a referral soft tissue service.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the all-cause mortality rate in cats hospitalized by the soft tissue surgery service of an academic referral hospital over a 5-year period and to identify specific risk factors for mortality. The hypotheses were that the all-cause mortality rate during hospitalization would be low, and cats undergoing emergency surgery and those with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status of 3 or more would be at increased risk for mortality.

Methods: The case log of cats hospitalized by the soft tissue surgery service at the University of Georgia was searched retrospectively to identify all cats hospitalized in the years 2015-2020.

Outcome of 21 dogs treated for the portocaval subtype of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Objective: To assess outcomes of dogs with side-to-side portocaval extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PC-EHPSS) and poor portal perfusion to the liver treated with medical management alone (MM) or surgical attenuation (SA).

Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective study.

Animals: A total of 21 dogs with PC-EHPSS (14/21 MM and 7/21 SA).

Effect of hydrocolloid-nitric oxide wound dressings on wound healing in dogs.

Objective: To determine the rates of wound healing in surgically created wounds between nitric oxide releasing wound dressings and control wound dressings.

Study Design: Prospective, controlled, randomized experimental study.

Animals: Purpose-bred, adult, male Beagles (n = 6).

Anatomical classification of canine congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts based on CT angiography: A SVSTS and VIRIES multi-institutional study in 1082 dogs.

Canine congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (EHPSS) morphologies have not been fully elucidated. The goal of this retrospective, multi-institutional study was to use CT angiography to create an anatomical-based nomenclature system for canine congenital EHPSS. These shunt morphologies were then evaluated to identify any significant association with patient age, sex, breed, weight, or subjective portal perfusion score.

Surgical management of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome: An update on options and outcomes.

Dogs with a brachycephalic conformation often experience a collection of abnormalities related to their craniofacial conformation, which can lead to a variety of clinical signs such as stertor, exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, and gastrointestinal signs such as regurgitation, among others. This collection of abnormalities is termed brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). With the rise in popularity of several brachycephalic breeds, veterinarians and veterinary surgery specialists are seeing these dogs with increasing frequency for surgical and medical treatment of these clinical signs, leading to an increased interest in developing surgical techniques for dogs with BOAS and evaluating objective methods of determining outcome after surgery.

Evaluation of coagulation and platelet activation state and function in heartworm-infected dogs.

Background: Enhanced platelet responses have been demonstrated in heartworm-infected (HWI) dogs; however, the cause and clinical implications of altered platelet function have not been fully elucidated.

Objective: This study evaluated platelet function in HWI dogs.

Methods: Anticoagulated whole blood collected from eight HWI and eight uninfected dogs was evaluated using turbidometric platelet aggregometry, a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100), a total thrombus analysis system (T-TAS), tissue factor-activated and tissue plasminogen activator modified thromboelastography (TF- and tPA-TEG), CBC, von Willebrand Factor activity, and fibrinogen concentrations.

Improved predictability is needed for calculators used to preoperatively determine the etiology of splenic masses in dogs: an external validation study of the HeLP score and T-STAT.

Objective: To assess the predictability of the hemangiosarcoma likelihood prediction (HeLP) score and the Tufts Splenic Tumor Assessment Tool (T-STAT) for hemangiosarcoma and malignancy, respectively.

Animals: 261 dogs undergoing splenectomy for a splenic mass.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed; variables for the HeLP score and T-STAT were collected, and scores were assigned.

Anatomical classification of feline congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts based on CT angiography: A SVSTS and VIRIES multi-institutional study in 231 cats.

The prevalence of anatomical-based subtypes of feline congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS) has not been completely elucidated. The goal of this study was to use CT angiography to create an anatomical-based nomenclature system for feline congenital EHPSS. Additionally, subjective portal perfusion scores were generated to determine if intrinsic portal vein development was associated with different shunt conformations or patient age at the time of CT.

Treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma results in improved outcomes.

Objective: To report the clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes in a cohort of dogs with histologically confirmed retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) and to identify potential variables of prognostic significance.

Animals: 46 client-owned dogs from 10 clinics with histopathologic diagnosis of a sarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal space.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to obtain information regarding clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes.

Clinical presentation and short-term outcomes of dogs ≥15 kg with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Objective: To describe demographics, clinical presentation, shunt anatomy, clinical progression, and complications in large dogs ≥15 kg with single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS) treated with or without surgery.

Study Design: Multicenter retrospective (10 university hospitals, one private referral institution).

Animals: Dogs ≥15 kg (n = 63).

Accuracy, precision, and interobserver and intraobserver agreements related to pressure-measurement devices.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy, precision, and observer agreement of three pressure measurement devices.

Study Design: In vitro model study.

Sample Population: Water manometer with built-in gauge (WMg), arterial pressure transducer (APT), and Compass CT (CCT).

Perioperative ventricular arrhythmias are increased with hemoperitoneum and are associated with increased mortality in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses.

Objective: To identify risk factors for intra- and postoperative ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and in-hospital mortality in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses.

Animals: 308 dogs.

Methods: Records from 2010 through 2018 were reviewed for dogs undergoing splenectomy for a splenic mass.

Acute kidney injury is common in dogs with septic peritonitis and is associated with increased mortality.

Objective: To identify the frequency of and risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs undergoing abdominal surgery for septic peritonitis, and to evaluate outcome and kidney-related risk factors for survival to discharge in those dogs.

Animals: 77 dogs that underwent abdominal surgery for septic peritonitis.

Methods: Medical records of dogs that underwent surgery for septic peritonitis from 2012 through 2022 were reviewed.

Retrospective evaluation of surgical treatment of linear and discrete gastrointestinal foreign bodies in cats: 2009-2021.

Objectives: Gastrointestinal foreign bodies (FBs) are an important cause of emergency surgical intervention in cats, but little information exists in the literature evaluating the risks and outcomes in this species. The study purpose was to describe cases of feline FBs and compare perioperative factors and outcomes between linear foreign body (LFB) and discrete foreign body (DFB) surgery in cats.

Methods: The medical records from the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital were searched for cats that had undergone surgery for FB removal between August 2009 and August 2021.

Scar revision for incompletely or narrowly excised cutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs.

Objective: Describe clinical features and outcomes of dogs undergoing scar revision for incompletely or narrowly excised cutaneous mast cell tumors without gross disease.

Animals: 52 dogs undergoing 54 scar revisions.

Procedures: Retrospective record review with information collected on signalment, tumor type/location, pre-surgical diagnostics, surgical and pathologic findings for the first excision and scar revision surgeries, and follow-up.

Scar revision for incompletely or narrowly excised soft tissue sarcomas in dogs.

Objective: Describe clinical features of dogs undergoing scar revision for incompletely or narrowly excised soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) in the absence of gross disease and to determine local recurrence rates following scar revision.

Animals: Thirty-three dogs with 33 scars.

Procedures: Medical records were reviewed to collect data on signalment, tumor details, pre-surgical diagnostic tests, surgical and pathologic findings for both the initial and revision surgeries, and clinical outcomes.

Comparison of Veterinary Student Understanding of Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts When Given a Pre-Lecture Activity of a Text-Only Narrative versus an Interactive Electronic Book.

Complex vascular anomalies are often difficult concepts for veterinary medical students to comprehend, as knowledge of normal anatomy, visualization of the abnormal anatomy, and understanding of the physiologic implications of that abnormality are all required to appreciate the clinical impacts of the anomaly. Access to interactive 3D models of both the normal and abnormal vasculatures may improve student comprehension. In this study, third-year veterinary medical students in a core small animal digestive diseases course completed a pre-lecture assignment consisting of a text-only narrative ( = 100) or an interactive electronic book (e-book; = 102) focused on extrahepatic portosystemic shunts, followed by two generative learning activities in which they described portal anatomy and extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Complications and outcomes of thoracoscopic-assisted lung lobectomy in dogs.

Objective: To describe complications and outcomes of dogs undergoing thoracoscopic-assisted (TA) lung lobectomy.

Study Design: Multi-institutional, retrospective study.

Animals: Client-owned dogs (n = 30).

Risk factors for neonatal mortality prior to hospital discharge in brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs undergoing cesarean section.

Objectives: To compare neonatal survival to discharge rates between brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs undergoing cesarean section (c-section) and identify risk factors for neonatal mortality.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals Or Sample Population: A total of 480 puppies from 90 bitches undergoing 106 c-sections.

Surgical treatment of deep neck infections in 19 dogs.

Objective: Describe clinical features, treatment, and outcomes in dogs with deep neck infections.

Animals: 19 dogs undergoing surgical treatment of deep neck infections from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2020.

Procedures: Retrospective record review was conducted, with data collected including clinical signs; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR); diagnostic imaging, surgical, and histopathologic findings; and follow-up.

Development and evaluation of a novel topically applied sildenafil citrate hydrogel and its influence on wound healing in dogs.

Objective: To develop a topical sildenafil hydrogel and evaluate its effect on wound healing in dogs.

Animals: 6 purpose-bred, sexually intact, adult Beagles.

Procedures: Hydrogels containing sildenafil citrate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, propylene glycol, and poloxamer 407 were developed.

Perioperative characteristics, histologic diagnosis, complications, and outcomes of dogs undergoing percutaneous drainage, sclerotherapy or surgical management of intrarenal cystic lesions: 18 dogs (2004-2021).

Background: Canine intrarenal cystic lesions (ICLs) are infrequently reported in the veterinary literature. Several treatment options have been described including cyst fenestration (partial nephrectomy/deroofing) +/- omentalization, sclerotherapy using alcohol as a sclerosing agent, percutaneous cyst drainage (PCD), and ureteronephrectomy. Information regarding presenting clinical signs, physical examination findings, histologic diagnosis and outcomes of dogs with ICLs treated by different methods is limited.

Veterinary house officer perceptions of dimensions of well-being during postgraduate training.

Objective: To describe veterinary house officers' perceptions of dimensions of well-being during postgraduate training and to identify potential areas for targeted intervention.

Sample: 303 house officers.

Procedures: A 62-item questionnaire was generated by use of an online platform and sent to house officers at participating institutions in October 2020.