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

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus negatively impacts pig health and well-being, the mental health and emotional well-being of animal caretakers, and producer economics. In response, a vision of "A World Without PRRS" has been cast, calling for elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from the US swine herd. This Viewpoint provided an opinion regarding the road map to success and identified essential tactics.

Objective: To provide a video tutorial on ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis and injection of the canine radiocarpal and tarsocrural joints.

Animals: Dogs undergoing arthrocentesis or intra-articular injections for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Methods: The radiocarpal joint is visualized in long axis and the tarsocrural joint in short axis with a 70% isopropyl alcohol medium and linear array probe with a frequency range of 3 to 22 MHz and footprint of 25.5 mm after clipping a window and preparing the region sterilely. The needle is inserted, bevel up, in long axis with the probe angled at the appropriate trajectory to enter the visible joint space. The needle is advanced until the tip is visualized entering the joint. Aspiration to obtain synovial fluid can further confirm needle placement or provide diagnostic sampling prior to injection. The aspirate syringe is exchanged for that containing the therapeutic agent, and injectate can then be visualized entering and/or expanding the joint upon injection.

Results: Ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis will help to avoid surrounding vasculature and soft tissue structures, confirm needle placement, and target fluid pocketing. Needle guidance into a joint can reduce iatrogenic tissue damage from inappropriate needle placement and/or by minimizing attempts.

Clinical relevance: For arthrocentesis, ultrasound guidance can maximize joint fluid volume acquisition for diagnostic purposes while avoiding blood contamination. For joint injections, ultrasound will help ensure intra-articular delivery of the injectate, particularly when synovial fluid aspirate feedback is inhibited (dry joint or obstructive synovial proliferation). Imaging guidance can help reduce iatrogenic tissue damage and procedure time.

Objective: The objective of this video is to demonstrate a reliable technique for obtaining diagnostic venogram images of the equine foot. Venogram studies are indicated to assess vascular contrast filling of the equine digit, primarily in cases of laminitis.

Animals: A healthy university-owned horse was used for demonstration purposes. The protocol was approved by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University IACUC.

Methods: The horse's shoes are removed, and the foot is cleaned of debris. The horse is sedated and a medial and lateral abaxial nerve block performed. The pastern is clipped if the hair coat is long. An aseptic scrub is performed on the pastern, and the horse is placed on radiographic positioning blocks. An Esmarch tourniquet is placed at the fetlock, and a 21-gauge butterfly catheter is inserted into the palmar digital vein. Iodinated contrast is injected; immediately following contrast injection, radiographic views are obtained. Weight-bearing lateral-medial, weight-bearing dorsal-palmar, upright pedal/dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique, unloaded lateral-medial, unloaded dorsopalmar, and late weight-bearing lateral-medial and dorsopalmar images are our standard views. The tourniquet is removed, followed by removal of the butterfly catheter and a light bandage placed over the venipuncture site.

Results: Radiographic images are obtained and reviewed by clinicians to determine whether there is decreased or abnormal vascular contrast filling of the foot.

Clinical relevance: Findings from the venogram study can guide shoeing and other treatment choices, particularly for laminitic horses.

Objective: To describe veterinary workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding AI in veterinary medicine, with an emphasis on diagnostic imaging.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey was administered from February through July 2023 with Qualtrics. A convenience sample of general and emergency practitioners, board-certified and board-eligible specialists, interns, residents, technicians, and students was recruited predominantly in Canada and the US.

Results: Responses from 673 participants were analyzed. Most respondents reported no or minimal formal AI training (90.5%) and a basic understanding of AI (66.1%). Twenty-five percent reported AI was used at their workplace. Most believed AI will alter veterinary medicine (72.3%) and improve veterinary radiology (56.6%), and most did not believe AI will completely replace radiologists (85.2%).

Conclusions: Veterinary workers reported limited AI knowledge but generally optimistic attitudes toward adoption and strong interest in education and evidence-based validation of AI tools.

Clinical relevance: With the use of AI in veterinary medicine rapidly growing, it may be beneficial to include AI training in the curriculum for veterinary students and technicians and in continuing education for currently practicing veterinarians to ensure the responsible and successful implementation of AI into the field.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of postrace airway abnormalities in a population of barrel racing horses competing in Oklahoma.

Methods: A descriptive field study was conducted at a single event. Horses underwent resting endoscopy within 60 minutes of competition. Recordings were evaluated and numerical and/or binary scores assigned for pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, dorsal displacement of the soft palate, epiglottic entrapment, and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Clients completed a questionnaire detailing the horse's medical history and run time. A linear regression model was used for analysis of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, and effect of medications on run time. A Poisson regression was used for analysis of combined exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage scores. A logistic regression was used for analysis of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and dorsal displacement of the soft palate binary scores.

Results: Airway examinations were evaluated for 106 horses. Abnormalities, including recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, severe pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, were diagnosed in 83 horses (78.3%). The most common abnormality detected was pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (104 of 106 horses [98.1%]), though only 25 of 104 (24.0%) were severe and included in the 78.3% prevalence. Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy was identified in 65 of 106 horses (61.3%). Presence of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia or recurrent laryngeal neuropathy was not associated with run time. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage was observed in 30 of 106 horses (28.3%) but had a positive association with run time. Medications did not affect run time.

Conclusions: Mild airway abnormalities were common but not performance limiting in this population of barrel racing horses.

Clinical relevance: Subclinical airway abnormalities detectable on endoscopic evaluation may be common in competitive barrel racing horses. Additional studies using dynamic endoscopy are warranted.

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.