Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association最新文献

Objectives: To describe the utility of needlescopy as an intraoperative tool in traditional open ear surgeries in dogs and cats.

Animals: This was a retrospective case series of dogs and cats that underwent traditional ear surgeries followed by needle arthroscopy imaging system evaluation at a single hospital between September 2024 and June 2025.

Clinical presentation: 12 client-owned dogs and cats underwent 14 surgical procedures (total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy [10 of 14], ventral bulla osteotomy [3 of 14], and traction avulsion via a lateral approach [1 of 14]); ages ranged from 9 months to 17 years old (median, 8 years), weights ranged from 2.19 to 49.5 kg (median, 4.3 kg), and various breeds were included. Physical examination findings included otorrhea, ear scratching, and various respiratory and neurologic signs.

Results: Needlescope-assisted ear surgery was feasible and improved the confidence of the surgeon intraoperatively. There were no reported complications associated with needlescope use. Intraoperatively, the system was practical and user-friendly, offering improved visualization of the tympanic bulla and pathological tissue and facilitating complete removal of the epithelial lining and polypoid tissue.

Clinical relevance: This study highlighted the clinical utility of the needlescopy in canine and feline ear surgery. Needlescopy appears well suited for integration into routine clinical practice due to the ease of use and excellent visualization of residual pathology.

Objective: To develop a workforce-informed competency framework defining the broad, essential abilities of credentialed veterinary technicians across practice settings.

Methods: This mixed-methods, consensus-development study used purposive sampling through online communications to recruit credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinarians, educators, and clinical staff with knowledge of the credentialed veterinary technician role and engagement in clinical or educational settings. The study progressed through 3 phases over 8 months (June 2021 to February 2022): Phase 1 employed a modified Delphi focus-group method with iterative rounds to generate draft competencies, Phase 2 refined and validated the competencies through a national workforce survey of veterinary professionals, and Phase 3 evaluated educational alignment through curriculum mapping with 2 accredited veterinary technician programs.

Results: Participants included 6 focus-group members (3 credentialed veterinary technicians, 2 veterinarians, 1 hospital director), 302 national survey respondents representing diverse practice types, and 4 academic faculty. Phase 1 generated 101 competencies. The Phase 2 national survey resulted in the removal of 9 competencies and addition of 2 new competencies based on workforce feedback. Phase 3 curriculum mapping demonstrated comprehensive alignment between the accredited academic programs and the framework, identifying no omissions. The finalized framework, termed Advancing Skills, Competencies, and Education in Veterinary Nursing Development (ASCEND), consisted of 94 competencies organized into 18 domains.

Conclusions: The ASCEND framework provides a validated, workforce-informed foundation defining 94 essential competencies for credentialed veterinary technicians across practice settings, demonstrating strong consensus and educational alignment.

Clinical relevance: This framework offers a workforce-validated and academically aligned reference intended to support role clarity and scope-of-practice expectations for credentialed veterinary technicians.

Objective: To describe the application of water treadmill exercise for equine fitness and/or rehabilitation in a scientific and clinically reasonable manner.

Animals: Horses owned by Spy Coast Farm were used for video content.

Methods: A literature review was performed and compiled in this brief video to provide veterinarians with a comprehensive, evidence-based guide for implementing water treadmill exercise within fitness and rehabilitation programs.

Results: Equine water treadmill exercise is an aerobic modality that increases distal limb flexion and range of motion, with no reported adverse effects. It is associated with increased stride length and decreased stride frequency. Water treadmill exercise should not be used as a sole rehabilitation modality; instead, it is most effective when incorporated into a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.

Clinical relevance: Kinematic data, clinical findings, and controlled studies offer the framework for the development of individualized water treadmill programs tailored to a horse's condition. Oversight by trained personnel or a veterinarian is essential, as program adjustments are necessary over the course of rehabilitation. In the future, multicenter prospective clinical trials using standardized protocols would be helpful to develop recommendations for specific injuries.

Objective: To retrospectively characterize cone-beam CT (CBCT) features, risk factors, and concurrent imaging findings of acquired oronasal communications (ONCs) in dogs.

Methods: A medical record search of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service (University of California-Davis) identified dogs diagnosed with ONCs via dental probing and CBCT from December 2014 to November 2023. Demographics, ONC location/size, number/presence/absence of involved teeth, dehiscence, clinical signs and incidental imaging findings were recorded.

Results: 40 patients were enrolled. Mean age, weight, and ONC size were 10.8 years, 5 kg, and 15.57 mm2, respectively; no sex predilection was identified. Chihuahuas showed a two-fold higher ONC prevalence than non-Chihuahua dogs (6.63% vs 2.72%). Non-Chihuahuas had a higher number of teeth involved and absent teeth within the ONC. The main cause of ONCs was periodontal disease. Age and body weight emerged as predictors of ONC area; however, in interaction models, neither age nor breed remained significant. Clinical signs were not reliable predictors. Dehiscence rate was 15%. One-third of patients showed a major or minor incidental finding.

Conclusions: CBCT imaging allowed precise characterization of ONC, informing surgical planning and recognition of incidental findings. Chihuahuas and related crosses had increased risk for ONC, and extent of dental involvement was the primary contributor to ONC size.

Clinical relevance: ONC assessment via CBCT provided advantages for precise surgical planning and enhanced recognition of incidental findings that may have been missed otherwise. Increased risk for Chihuahuas and related crosses should warrant prompt screening for ONC in this breed.

Objective: Review the clinical syndrome (clinical signs, treatment, and outcomes) of Incilius alvarius intoxication in canines.

Methods: Single-cohort retrospective descriptive study of 208 canines that presented to 4 private practice emergency veterinary hospitals for suspected toad exposure between July 2007 and October 2010. Electronic medical record review was performed on all canine patients presenting with known or suspected I alvarius exposure during the study period to extract data on demographics, clinical signs, interventions, and outcomes.

Results: The majority of I alvarius intoxications (174/208 [84%]) took place during summer, with 155 of 208 (75%) taking place during a monsoon. The most common clinical signs were neurologic in 182 of 208 (87.5%) dogs, respiratory in 160 of 208 (76.9%) dogs, and cardiac in 155 of 208 (74.5%) dogs. Prognosis was excellent, with 206 of 208 (99%) dogs surviving to discharge.

Conclusions: Although potentially fatal, I alvarius intoxication usually has an excellent prognosis. The clinical syndrome and treatment are similar to that of Rhinella marina. Supportive care and oral lavage were the mainstays of therapy. Initiating oral lavage as soon as possible is recommended.

Clinical relevance: This is the first review investigating I alvarius intoxications in veterinary species and can guide approach and management of this condition.

Objective: To describe a modified surgical technique for treating pectus excavatum (PE) in small animals and report the outcomes by evaluating preoperative and postoperative lung and total chest volumes, as well as complications and short-term outcomes.

Methods: Owned pets between 8 and 20 weeks of age with PE were enrolled in the study between February 28, 2024, and September 26, 2025. Preoperative evaluation included thoracic radiographs, baseline blood work, and whole-body CT scans. A noncontoured bone plate was secured along the entire length of the sternum with multiple cerclage wires. Animals had physical examinations and imaging performed at 2 and 8 weeks postoperatively, and again when they were between 8 and 12 months of age.

Results: This study included 6 cats and 1 dog, all of which recovered successfully from surgery. Lung and chest volumes improved immediately after surgery. Pectus excavatum was corrected in all animals. At the final recheck, 2 cats had reduced lung volume compared to immediately after surgery along with new pulmonary pathology; however, the total chest volume increased in these cats. Complications observed in this study included pneumothorax in 1 cat, fracture of the eighth sternebrae in 1 cat, and cerclage wire breakage in another cat, which had no clinical impact.

Conclusions: The use of internal plate and cerclage wires to correct PE was a simple, well-tolerated technique that improved lung and chest volumes and had minimal complications.

Clinical relevance: Internal plating could be used for correction of PE in young cats and dogs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe emotional intelligence (EI) and associated factors among veterinarians in Canada during their first 2 years of clinical practice.

Methods: This observational study used an online longitudinal survey to collect data from individuals who graduated from 1 of the 5 Canadian veterinary colleges in 2022 to 2023 during their first 2 years after graduation. The survey included the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF) to measure EI with 4 facets: well-being (overall positive feelings), self-control (emotional self-regulation), emotionality (emotional self-reflection), and sociability (management of others' emotions). Questions were also included to collect data on participants' lifestyles and demographics. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effect models.

Results: Participating veterinarians (n = 208) had marginally lower EI (t1 = 4.93; 95% CI, 4.83 to 5.04) than the general population (5.11; 95% CI, 5.07 to 5.15), specifically in emotionality and sociability. No significant changes in EI (or its facets) occurred during the first 2 years after graduation. The absence of self-reported mental health conditions, higher satisfaction with social support, and more time spent outdoors were significantly positively associated with 1 or more facets of EI.

Conclusions: This study highlighted participating veterinarians' areas of improvement in EI (emotional self-perception and management of others' emotions), which should be fostered through dedicated training.

Clinical relevance: As EI is a skill that can be developed and that has myriad benefits, these findings support initiation of EI training, emphasizing self-emotional reflection and management of others' emotions as well as supporting the development of meaningful social connections and enabling access to outdoor activities.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a commercial simulator to reproduce key steps of canine laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and to compare surgical performance when using 3-D versus 2-D visualization.

Methods: 16 gallbladder inserts mounted in a laparoscopic cholecystectomy model were used. Inserts were randomly assigned to 2-D or 3-D visualization groups and placed in a laparoscopic training box. All procedures were performed on a single day in 2022 by 1 American College of Veterinary Surgeons resident who completed prestudy training on the simulator to minimize learning-curve effects. A board-certified surgeon supervised all procedures. Surgical steps included cystic duct dissection, endoclip application, cystic duct transection, and gallbladder removal. Measured outcomes included surgical times for defined intervals, total procedure time, intraoperative complications, and residual simulated liver tissue attached to the gallbladder.

Results: Time from instrument insertion to first endoclip placement and total surgical time were significantly shorter with 3-D visualization compared to 2-D, and the differences in medians suggested clinically meaningful improvements in performance. There were no significant group differences in bile leakage, incomplete clipping, or the amount of residual foam attachment.

Conclusions: This physical simulator allowed reproduction of most key procedural steps in canine laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Three-dimensional visualization improved surgical efficiency for a trainee operator.

Clinical relevance: The simulator provided a safe, accessible platform for early skills acquisition before progressing to cadaveric or clinical training.

Objective: To examine the occupational experiences and well-being of laboratory animal professionals, with particular focus on the impact of perceived animal welfare, euthanasia experiences, and other factors on job fulfillment, burnout, and life satisfaction.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to members of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science from February to April 2025. The survey assessed demographics, work characteristics, euthanasia experiences, mental health impacts, organizational support, perceptions of existing regulations, perceived animal welfare, and potential adoption policies. Multiple regression analyses evaluated predictors of workplace well-being measures.

Results: Of 339 respondents, participants were predominantly White female (76%) veterinarians (38%), with a mean age of 42 years and > 11 years of experience (56%). Most participants (77%) reported envisioning long-term careers in laboratory animal research. Euthanasia conducted at least monthly was common (46%), and 57% reported negative mental health impacts from euthanasia participation. Although 69% felt well trained technically for euthanasia, only 23% felt emotionally prepared. Thirty-two percent experienced burnout, while 41% reported professional fulfillment. Perceived animal welfare and satisfaction with debriefing significantly predicted higher job fulfillment and lower burnout. Satisfaction with debriefing also predicted greater life satisfaction.

Conclusions: Results suggest that well-conducted debriefings following critical incidents and high animal welfare standards may improve job fulfillment and reduce burnout among laboratory animal professionals.

Clinical relevance: Given the emotional demands of laboratory animal work and high rates of euthanasia participation, implementing quality debriefing processes and ensuring animal welfare could significantly improve professional well-being.

Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-elimination methods vary greatly in their execution in the field. This review of the scientific literature was conducted to synthesize available methods and strategies for PRRSV elimination at the sow farm and regional levels to inform the decision-making of swine producers and veterinarians.

Methods: PubMed and the Journal of Swine Health and Production were searched for relevant publications on eliminating or eradicating PRRSV on sow farms and at regional levels. No date limit was set. All manuscripts were reviewed independently by at least 2 authors for inclusion with the criteria of being peer reviewed, containing data on eliminating PRRSV from a sow farm or a regional area, and including the method(s) used.

Results: 25 manuscripts were included from the initial 456 found on the search. The most cited PRRSV-elimination method was herd closure. Other documented farm methods included test and removal (TR), depopulation and repopulation (DRP), gilt acclimation without a herd closure, and a combination of herd closure with TR. Depopulation and repopulation was the most common method in regional control, followed by herd closure.

Clinical relevance: Herd closure with various exposure methods, DRP, TR, and combined approaches can effectively eliminate PRRSV at sow farms and the regional level. Regional elimination requires coordinated efforts, mandated testing, movement restrictions, and the use of predominantly DRP strategies. This review provides evidence-based options for veterinarians and producers to tailor PRRSV-elimination strategies and outcomes to farm-specific factors, such as size, biosecurity, pig flow, and resources, thereby improving elimination success rates.