Sustainability policies and practices at veterinary centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Background: Veterinary professionals operate at the human-animal-environment interface and are concerned about sustainability issues. This study examined the extent to which sustainability is represented in policy and enacted in veterinary practice settings, as reported by practice representatives.

Methods: An online survey was completed by 392 veterinary centre representatives in the UK and Republic of Ireland to identify existing policies and practices around the environmental impacts of veterinary services and animal husbandry, responsible medicine use, animal welfare and social wellbeing.

Thoracic dog bite wounds in dogs: A retrospective study of 123 cases (2003-2016).

Objective: To report the clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings and determine prognostic factors for outcome in dogs with thoracic dog bite wounds.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Client-owned dogs (n = 123).

Thoracic dog bite wounds in cats: a retrospective study of 22 cases (2005-2015).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a series of cats suffering from thoracic dog bite wounds, in order to detail the clinical, radiographic and surgical findings, and evaluate outcomes and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: The medical records of cats with thoracic dog bite wounds presenting to a single institution between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Data relating to clinical presentation, wound depth and management, radiographic findings, surgical findings and mortality were collected.

Use of vacuum-assisted closure to maintain viability of a skin flap in a dog.

Case Description: A 4-year-old sexually intact male Labrador Retriever-Poodle mix was admitted to the hospital for treatment of a wound in the left thoracic region. The wound had been debrided and primary closure had been performed by the referring veterinarian 4 days previously.

Clinical Findings: The dog had a 20-cm-long wound covered by a large flap of skin that extended caudally from the scapula over the left side of the thorax.

Clinical outcome following pneumonectomy for management of chronic pyothorax in four cats.

Pneumonectomy is the resection of all lung lobes from one side of the thorax. The clinical findings, treatment and outcome of four cases of feline chronic pyothorax managed with exploratory thoracotomy and pneumonectomy are reported. All cases were initially medically managed with thoracic drain placement and antibiosis.

Vaginourethroplasty as a salvage procedure for management of traumatic urethral rupture in a cat.

This report describes a cat that suffered pelvic urethral rupture associated with multiple pelvic fractures. A vaginourethroplasty was performed as a salvage procedure, via intrapelvic anastomosis of the proximal urethra to the caudal vagina, following failure of a primary urethral anastomosis. Urinary diversion was achieved via tube cystostomy and a vagino-urethral catheter was maintained for 3 days postoperatively.

Successful surgical management of spontaneous gastric perforations in three cats.

Background: In the veterinary literature, feline gastroduodenal ulcer disease has been described only in individual case reports or retrospective studies reporting small numbers of cats. Although its canine counterpart is commonly encountered, less is known about factors predisposing cats to gastroduodenal ulceration and potentially perforation. Similarly the outcome following treatment is not well reported in this species.

Evaluation of in vitro performance of suction drains.

Objective: To assess the in vitro performance of suction drains.

Sample Population: 11 drainage systems (3 rigid drains and 8 compressible drains [2 grenade type, 5 concertina type, and 1 pancake type]).

Procedures: A pressure transducer was connected to the patient end of each drainage system.

Use of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap for one-stage reconstruction of the thoracic wall after en bloc resection of primary rib chondrosarcoma in five dogs.

Objective: To describe a thoracic wall reconstructive technique using a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap after en bloc resection of primary rib chondrosarcoma and report outcome in 5 dogs.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Dogs (n=5) with primary rib chondrosarcoma.