Effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on health in the female dog-a scoping review.

Background: Effects of neutering on bitch health have been reported, and are suggested to relate to bitch age at the time of neutering for some diseases. However, variation between published studies in terms of study populations and methodologies makes comparison and consolidation of the evidence difficult.

Objective: A scoping review was designed to systematically search the available literature to identify and chart the evidence on the effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on five health outcomes: atopy, developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD), neoplasia, obesity and urogenital disease.

Effects of weaning-related stress on the emotional health of horses-A scoping review.

Background: Weaning represents one of the most stressful events in the life of a horse, and may have long-term impacts on behaviour. There are a range of approaches used to wean foals from mares, including abrupt and progressive separation methods. There is currently a lack of consensus on how stress and impact are measured.

A scoping review on intraoperative and postoperative surgical castration complications in domesticated equids.

Background: Castration is the most common surgical procedure in domesticated equids; surgical techniques used and perioperative management vary considerably.

Objectives: To identify and chart the current evidence on perioperative complications associated with different methods of surgical castration in domesticated equids.

Study Design: Joanna Briggs Institute systematic scoping review.

UK horse owners and veterinary practitioners' experiences of decision-making for critical cases of colic.

Background: The survival of horses diagnosed with critical colic (requiring referral or euthanasia) relies on rapid and effective decision-making by the owner and veterinary practitioner.

Objectives: To explore UK horse owners' and veterinary practitioners' experiences of decision-making for critical cases of equine colic.

Study Design: Qualitative study using a phenomenological approach.

Prospective case study of critical decision making for horses referred for treatment of colic.

Background: There is limited evidence on factors affecting critical decision making for horses with colic. This study's aim was to describe the assessment and decision making involved in horses referred for management of colic.

Methods: An in-depth case analysis was used to document case presentation, decision making and outcomes for horses referred for colic to two UK equine veterinary practices over a 12-month period.

Use of human behaviour change models to investigate horse owner intention to adopt emergency colic recommendations.

Background: Behavioural models are widely used within human medicine to understand beliefs and intention associated with major health interventions.

Objectives: To investigate horse-owner beliefs and practices associated with emergency colic planning.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

A Prospective Cohort Study Investigating the Impact of Neutering Bitches Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally on Physical Development.

No previous large prospective cohort studies have been identified that have investigated the impact of the surgical neutering of bitches before or after known puberty on their growth and physical development. This study was designed to examine the data on physical development, vulval size, and conformation for bitches neutered by ovariohysterectomy before puberty (PPN, = 155) or after puberty (control, = 151) using a prospective cohort study design. Data were gathered at six- and 17-months of age using bespoke physical assessment forms and digital images of the vulva.

Effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on female dog behaviour-A scoping review.

Background: There are contradictory findings in the literature relating to the effects of timing of neutering on bitch behaviour that make decision making regarding neutering timing difficult.

Methods: A scoping review was designed to identify and chart the evidence on the effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on the behaviour of female domesticated dogs. A protocol was registered, and literature searches were conducted in CAB Abstracts, Medline and Web of Science.

A prospective cohort study investigating the peri- and postoperative outcomes following ovariohysterectomy in bitches neutered prepubertally or post-pubertally.

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate perioperative and postoperative outcomes for bitches that were neutered at different times in relation to puberty (rather than age). Three hundred and six Labrador and Golden Retriever crossbreed bitches were neutered before (prepubertal neuter [PPN], n = 155) or after puberty (Control, n = 151) by experienced veterinarians at one of four veterinary practices (VP1-4). Data were gathered from veterinarians at the time of neutering and from bitch caregivers for the 14-day period after neutering using purpose-designed questionnaires.

A scoping review of the current evidence on treatment and outcomes following synovial sepsis.

Background: Synovial sepsis is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in horses. Despite advances in diagnostics and treatments, persistent infection or chronic lameness can occur.

Objectives: To perform a scoping review to identify and evaluate the current evidence on the factors implicated in the success of treatment for synovial sepsis.

Outcomes and Quality of Care in Rheumatoid Arthritis With or Without Video Telemedicine Follow-Up Visits.

Objective: Telemedicine has been proposed to improve access to care in rheumatology, but few studies of telerheumatology have been published. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes and quality of care for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients seen by video telemedicine follow-up compared to in-person only.

Methods: Individuals in the Alaska Tribal Health System with a diagnosis of RA were recruited when seeing a rheumatologist either in-person or by video telemedicine, both of which were offered as part of usual follow-up care.

Mixed methods investigation of the use of telephone triage within UK veterinary practices for horses with abdominal pain: A Participatory action research study.

Background: Telephone triage is an integral part of modern patient care systems in human medicine, and a key component of veterinary practice care systems. There is currently no published research on telephone triage within the veterinary profession.

Objective: To investigate current approaches to telephone triage of horses with abdominal pain (colic) in veterinary practice and develop new resources to support decision-making.

Retrospective case series to identify the most common conditions seen 'out-of-hours' by first-opinion equine veterinary practitioners.

Background: The study aim was to describe conditions seen 'out-of-hours' in equine practice.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series of first opinion 'out-of-hours' cases seen at two equine practices between 2011 and 2013. Data were retrieved on case presentation, diagnostic testing, treatment administered and outcome, and diseases categorised using a systems-based coding system.

Indicators of 'critical' outcomes in 941 horses seen 'out-of-hours' for colic.

Background: This study aimed to describe the presentation and outcomes of horses with signs of colic (abdominal pain) seen 'out-of-hours' in equine practice.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of horses seen 'out-of-hours' with colic by two equine veterinary practices between 2011 and 2013. Case outcomes were categorised as 'critical' or 'not critical'.

BEVA primary care clinical guidelines: Wound management in the horse.

Background: There are currently no evidence summaries on wounds in the horse.

Objectives: To develop evidence-based guidelines on wound management in the horse.

Study Design: Evidence review using the GRADE framework.

Assessment of costs and insurance policies for referral treatment of equine colic.

Colic is the most common emergency problem in horses. The aims of this study were to survey costs of different referral treatments and to review insurance policies relevant to horses with colic. Data were collected retrospectively from nine equine hospitals for case costs, categorised into four different outcomes: admitted and euthanased; euthanased during or immediately after surgery; medical treatment and survived more than 24 hours; and surgical treatment and survived more than 24 hours.

Factors Associated With Use of Telemedicine for Follow-up of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Telemedicine is increasingly being offered to patients for rheumatology care, but few studies have examined factors associated with telemedicine use or outcomes of telemedicine in rheumatology. The objective of this analysis was to determine factors associated with the use of video telemedicine when offered as part of usual care for follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Individuals in the Alaska Tribal Health System with a diagnosis of RA were recruited when seeing a rheumatologist either in-person or by video telemedicine, both of which were offered as part of usual care.

Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes.

Acute abdominal pain (colic) is the most common reason for emergency veterinary treatment in the horse. Consolidation of data through a systematic review is important to inform evidence-based medicine and clinical guidelines, but there are currently no published systematic reviews on colic in the horse. The aim of this study was to identify, categorize and appraise the evidence on factors associated with increased risk of developing abdominal pain (colic) due to gastrointestinal disease in the adult horse.

Ultrasonographic scoring system for superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in horses: intra- and inter-rater variability.

Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinopathy is an important musculoskeletal problem in horses. The study objective was to validate an ultrasonographic scoring system for SDFT injuries. Ultrasonographic images from 14 Thoroughbred racehorses with SDFT lesions (seven core; seven diffuse) and two controls were blindly assessed by five clinicians on two occasions.

Environmental chemicals impact dog semen quality in vitro and may be associated with a temporal decline in sperm motility and increased cryptorchidism.

Adverse temporal trends in human semen quality and cryptorchidism in infants have been associated with exposure to environmental chemicals (ECs) during development. Here we report that a population of breeding dogs exhibit a 26 year (1988-2014) decline in sperm quality and a concurrent increased incidence of cryptorchidism in male offspring (1995-2014). A decline in the number of males born relative to the number of females was also observed.

An Investigation into the Clinical Reasoning Development of Veterinary Students.

Clinical reasoning is a fundamental skill for veterinary clinicians and a competency required of graduates by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. However, it is unknown how veterinary students develop reasoning skills and where strengths and shortcomings of curricula lie. This research aimed to use the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (SVMS) as a case study to investigate the development of clinical reasoning among veterinary students.

Prospective study of the primary evaluation of 1016 horses with clinical signs of abdominal pain by veterinary practitioners, and the differentiation of critical and non-critical cases.

Background: The majority of research on the evaluation of horses with colic is focused on referral hospital populations. Early identification of critical cases is important to optimise outcome and welfare. The aim of this prospective study was to survey the primary evaluation of horses with clinical signs of abdominal pain by veterinary practitioners, and compare the initial presentation of critical and non-critical cases.