Scalpel blade contamination and risk of postoperative surgical site infection following abdominal incisions in dogs.

Objective: This prospective observation sought to determine if scalpel blades used for abdominal skin incisions in dogs are a significant source of bacterial contamination, and if these blades should be changed prior to use in deeper dissection.

Results: Scalpel blades were swabbed for culture prior to skin incision as a control, and then again following ventral midline abdominal skin incision in a total of 75 dogs. Culture and sensitivity results were compared with review of medical records for any evidence of pre- or postoperative incisional surgical site infection/inflammation (SSI).

Effect of Cricoarytenoid Joint Preservation and Suture Tension on Arytenoid Lateralization.

The objective of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of cricoarytenoid (CA) joint preservation versus disarticulation on rima glottidis (RG) area with the epiglottis open and closed under both low and high suture tension. Canine cadaver larynges were used. A unilateral arytenoid lateralization (UAL) was performed with low or high suture tension and with the CA joint preserved or disarticulated.

Percutaneous cholecystocentesis in cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease.

Objectives The objective was to evaluate the safety and diagnostic utility of percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis (PUC) in cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease. Methods Medical records of 83 cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease that underwent PUC were retrospectively reviewed. Results At the time of PUC, at least one additional procedure was performed in 79/83 cats, including hepatic aspiration and/or biopsy (n = 75) and splenic aspiration (n = 18).

Postoperative Complications and Short-Term Outcome Following Single-Session Bilateral Corrective Surgery for Medial Patellar Luxation in Dogs Weighing <15 kg: 50 Cases (2009-2014).

Objective: To assess complication rates and short-term outcome in small dogs with bilateral medial patellar luxation (MPL) undergoing single-session bilateral corrective surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Dogs weighing <15 kg with congenital bilateral MPL that underwent single-session bilateral corrective surgery (n = 50).

Hyperlactatemia and serial lactate measurements in sick cats.

Objectives: To document the incidence of hyperlactatemia in sick cats hospitalized for emergency care and to evaluate the prognostic utility of serial lactate measurements in cats with hyperlactatemia.

Design: Prospective observational study over a 10-month period (July 2010-May 2011).

Setting: Private veterinary referral center with 24-hour hospital care.

Comparison of Surgically Treated Large Versus Small Intestinal Volvulus (2009-2014).

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the outcome for dogs with surgically treated large versus small intestinal volvulus between October 2009 and February 2014. A total of 15 dogs met the inclusion criteria and underwent an abdominal exploratory. Nine dogs were diagnosed with large intestinal volvulus during the study period, and all nine had surgical correction for large intestinal volvulus.

Clinical presentation and management of suspected ribavirin toxicosis in a dog.

A 5-month-old pit bull terrier was presented for evaluation of progressive lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia 45 hours after ingestion of 625 mg/kg body weight (BW) (9000 mg) of the antiviral medication, ribavirin. Abnormalities that were detected included dehydration, tachycardia, elevated liver enzymes, and prolonged prothrombin time. The dog was discharged after 5 days of aggressive supportive care consisting of intravenous fluids, antiemetics, gastroprotectants, hepatoprotectants, dextrose supplementation, and vitamin B/K1 supplementation.

Successful treatment of Solanum dulcamara intoxication in a Labrador retriever puppy.

A 10-week-old intact male Labrador retriever dog was presented for acute onset of weakness, ataxia, and generalized muscle tremors. The puppy was suffering respiratory and central nervous system (CNS) depression, was mildly pyrexic, and vomited plant material that was identified as creeping nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). He responded well to supportive care and was discharged successfully.

Evaluation of blood cardiac troponin I concentrations obtained with a cage-side analyzer to differentiate cats with cardiac and noncardiac causes of dyspnea.

Objective: To determine whether measurement of blood cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations with a cage-side analyzer could be used to differentiate cardiac from noncardiac causes of dyspnea in cats.

Design: Prospective, multicenter study.

Animals: 44 client-owned cats with dyspnea and 37 healthy staff-owned cats.

Plasma lactate measurements in healthy cats.

Objectives: The primary objective was to determine if venous plasma lactate is affected by struggling during venipuncture in clinically normal, healthy cats. Additional objectives were to evaluate the effects of venipuncture site, age, sex, and time (0-24 h) on plasma lactate concentrations in healthy cats.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Severe burn injury, burn shock, and smoke inhalation injury in small animals. Part 2: diagnosis, therapy, complications, and prognosis.

Objective: To review the evaluation and treatment of patients suffering from severe burn injury (SBI), burn shock, and smoke inhalation injury. Potential complications and prognosis associated with SBI are also discussed.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of burn injury and burn shock is based on patient history and clinical presentation.

Severe burn injury, burn shock, and smoke inhalation injury in small animals. Part 1: burn classification and pathophysiology.

Objective: To review the literature related to severe burn injury (SBI), burn shock, and smoke inhalation injury in domestic animals. Current animal- and human-based research and literature were evaluated to provide an overview of thermal burn classification and the pathophysiology of burn shock and smoke inhalation injury.

Etiology: Severe burn injury, burn shock, and smoke inhalation injury may be encountered as a result of thermal injury, radiation injury, chemical injury, or electrical injury.

The prevalence and significance of hyperglycemia in hospitalized cats.

Objective: To report the prevalence of hyperglycemia in cats admitted to a veterinary hospital and to determine if hyperglycemic cats had increased morbidity and mortality when compared with normoglycemic cats. DESIGN - Retrospective clinical study.

Setting: Community-based referral hospital.

Esophagitis and esophageal strictures.

Esophagitis and esophageal strictures are relatively uncommon but significant diseases in companion animals. Often, an esophageal disorder is suspected on the animal's medical history and clinical signs. Esophagitis and acquired esophageal strictures are caused by prolonged contact of caustic substances or foreign bodies with the esophageal lining, leading to mucosal injury.