Veterinary Record最新文献

Background: Lameness diagnosis and treatment have important welfare and production consequences in dairy farming.

Methods: A questionnaire examining factors affecting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and pain scores associated with 16 lameness scenarios was distributed among UK farmers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians and foot trimmers. Principal component analysis was used to allow investigation of patterns between different respondent demographics and lameness scenarios.

Results: After correcting for multiple testing, no significant associations were found between pain perception component variables and any of the variables examined. For attitudes towards NSAID use, there was a significant association with job role, with veterinarians more likely to provide analgesia across all conditions than farmers (p < 0.001). Both active digital dermatitis (DD) and trimming of a DD lesion were given high pain scores (median of 7 and 8 out of 10, respectively), but were less likely to be given NSAIDs than other conditions with lower pain scores.

Limitations: This was a small, exploratory study, with potential for both confounding and limited power. Some of the variation seen between respondents may have been due to differential interpretation of the questions.

Conclusions: While respondents broadly agreed on pain scores for each of the lameness scenarios, there was variability in NSAID use between job roles. Furthermore, NSAID use was less likely for some painful conditions, such as DD. This may lead to some cows being under-analgesed, with consequent welfare implications.

Background: Effective training is fundamental to the development of critical skills for emergency veterinary interventions. This study presents a synthetic canine proptosis model designed to train veterinary interns, final-year students and practitioners, offering an ethical, reproducible and high-fidelity option for learning proptosis management. The model aims to simulate key anatomical and mechanical features of the canine eye, providing a hands-on experience in a high-fidelity setting.

Methods: Sixteen participants, including veterinary interns and students with limited surgical backgrounds, underwent training sessions using this model, and completed pre- and post-training surveys.

Results: This training tool was highly rated for anatomical accuracy (8.3/10) and its utility in enhancing proptosis management skills (9.5/10). Confidence levels in performing proptosis correction in real-life scenarios showed significant improvement, with mean ± SD pre- and post-training scores of 4.3 ± 2.5 and 8.1 ± 1.6, respectively (p = 0.0005).

Limitations: While the model provided effective simulation, it does not fully capture the biological variability and tactile feedback inherent to living tissue, including oedema and haemorrhage.

Conclusions: The model provides a practical, ethical alternative to cadaver training, yielding measurable benefits in skill acquisition. Further studies should explore the extension of this model for additional ophthalmic training applications.

Background: Burrowing owl is a bird of prey frequently found in urban areas and is therefore highly susceptible to injuries caused by human activities and domestic animals. This study aimed to investigate the use of clinical and laboratory parameters as prognostic factors in burrowing owls with fractures.

Methods: A 10-year retrospective study was conducted using clinical laboratory data from the medical records of burrowing owls with long bone fractures and the data were divided into two groups: discharged and deceased individuals.

Results: A total of 26 medical records of burrowing owls with fracture were evaluated. There were significant differences in the duration of hospitalisation (p = 0.0001), cloacal temperature (p = 0.0202), absolute lymphocyte count (p = 0.011), absolute band heterophil count (p = 0.037), heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.039), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.013) and thrombocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that longer duration of hospitalisation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.411; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.138‒2.204), relative lymphopenia (OR = 0.097; 95% CI = 0.005‒0.729), a lower monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (OR = 0.001; 95% CI = 0.000‒0.202) and less frequent of a high heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (OR = 0.071; 95% CI = 0.003‒0.595) were significantly associated with survival.

Limitations: The main limitation of this work lies in its retrospective nature and the inability to retrieve some information from the patients' medical records.

Conclusion: Relative lymphopenia, elevated monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may influence the survival of burrowing owls with long bone fractures.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is common in cats and dogs. The diagnosis previously relied upon serum creatinine; however, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) may identify chronic kidney disease (CKD) earlier. A recent evidence summary questioned the superiority of SDMA in cats. Another study raised concerns over the specificity of SDMA in dogs.

Methods: Electronic databases and grey literature were systematically searched for all relevant studies up to October 2024. Studies were included based on prespecified criteria by two independent reviewers. Studies were assessed for risk of bias and applicability concerns.

Results: Eleven studies were included: five in cats (481 animals) and six in dogs (460 animals). There was marked heterogeneity in the design, population and tests used. Nine studies were at high risk of bias, and nine had high applicability concerns. There was marked variation in sensitivity and specificity. Heterogeneity and risk of bias present precluded meta-analysis. Sources of heterogeneity were explored.

Limitations: Grey literature searching, data extraction and risk of bias assessment lacked independent duplication.

Conclusion: Significant uncertainty remains regarding the diagnostic accuracy of SDMA in CKD in cats and dogs. Well-designed diagnostic accuracy trials in clinically relevant populations with optimised reference standards and thresholds are needed. The use of SDMA may increase the risk of misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis of CKD.

Background: Evidence regarding the diagnostic utility of serum anti-desmoglein-2 (DSG2) autoantibodies for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in boxer dogs is conflicting.

Methods: Prospective standardised evaluation of apparently healthy boxer dogs for ARVC was performed at three referral centres, including blood pressure measurement, electrocardiography, echocardiography, haematology, biochemistry (including cardiac troponin I) and 24-hour Holter monitoring. Additional dogs with a diagnosis of ARVC were retrospectively recruited. ARVC disease status was defined using cut-offs of 20 or less (unaffected) and more than 300 (affected) ventricular premature complexes of right ventricular origin in 24 hours. The residual serum samples were stored at ‒80°C for analysis for anti-DSG2 autoantibodies using ELISA techniques.

Results: Forty boxer dogs were enrolled (11 healthy controls, 10 with preclinical ARVC and 19 with clinical ARVC). Serum anti-DSG2 autoantibodies were detected in all dogs, bar one healthy dog. DSG2 differed significantly between groups (p = 0.031) and was significantly lower in dogs with preclinical versus clinical ARVC (p = 0.025).

Limitations: Some data were collected retrospectively, and some dogs were receiving antiarrhythmic therapy.

Conclusion: Serum DSG2 autoantibodies can be present in boxer dogs with preclinical and clinical ARVC and apparently healthy controls.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only aetiological treatment for canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). Pullulan, a polysaccharide with immunomodulatory properties, may enhance AIT outcomes when combined with allergens such as recombinant Dermatophagoides farinae 2 (Der f 2). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of Pullulan-adjuvanted AIT using recombinant Der f 2 or D. farinae (DF) extracts compared with conventional DF extract immunotherapy.

Methods: In this prospective, randomised study, 30 client-owned CAD dogs sensitised to DF were assigned to receive either subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with DF, SCIT with DF plus Pullulan (pSCIT) or Allermmune HDM (Pullulan-recombinant Der f 2). Treatments were administered over 14 weeks. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI), pruritus visual analogue scale (pVAS) and medication score (MS). Safety was evaluated based on reported adverse events.

Results: Four dogs were excluded for reasons unrelated to treatment, leaving 26 dogs for analysis. Baseline CADESI, pVAS and MS did not differ significantly between groups. CADESI scores decreased significantly in the Allermmune and pSCIT groups compared with SCIT, whereas MS and pVAS showed no significant intergroup differences. Age and sex had no significant effect.

Limitations: Limitations include the small sample size, absence of a placebo control group, short follow-up period and lack of blinded outcome assessment. Larger controlled studies with extended follow-up and blinded evaluation are warranted to confirm these findings.

Conclusions: Pullulan may enhance AIT efficacy in CAD, supporting its potential role as an immunotherapeutic adjuvant independent of allergen source.

Background: Otitis media/interna is well described in laboratory rats, but there is limited information on treatment and prognosis in pet rats.

Methods: This was a retrospective, multi-institutional study of companion rats (Rattus norvegicus) presenting with otitis media/interna between 2011 and 2025. The inclusion criteria were rats diagnosed with otitis media/interna via imaging, necropsy or both. Information extracted from the medical records included signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic findings (including imaging, bloodwork, gross necropsy, histopathology and microbiology), treatment and survival time.

Results: Twenty-three rats met the inclusion criteria. Twelve were diagnosed via necropsy alone, nine via imaging alone and two via both imaging and necropsy. Fifteen had clinical signs suspected to be due to otitis media/interna with or without otogenic intracranial disease. Seven had evidence of intracranial extension, such as meningoencephalitis or rhombencephalitis. Eighteen had concurrent respiratory disease. Bacterial culture (14/23) of lung, ear and/or brain samples revealed various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (3/14). Mycoplasma was identified in six cases (three via PCR, two via culture and one via next-generation sequencing). Treatments included antibiotics (17/23), meloxicam (7/23), corticosteroids (3/23) and myringotomy (2/23). Survival ranged from 0 to 341 days.

Limitations: This was a retrospective study, and case details and follow-up were limited in some cases.

Conclusions: Over three-quarters of rats with otitis media/interna had concurrent respiratory disease and almost one-third had intracranial extension. Advanced imaging should therefore be considered in rats presenting with respiratory or neurological signs.

Background: Disease in primary care frequently represents a surveillance blind spot, particularly for diseases affecting farm animals.

Methods: Electronic health records (EHRs) were collected from four farm animal veterinary practices in Wales (February 2024‒January 2025) as part of a pilot study. Information collected included species treated, date, owner postcode, products sold and clinical free text. Text mining and topic modelling were used to describe treatments and classify syndromes.

Results: In total, 32,799 records were collected. Antimicrobials were prescribed in 32.6% and 63.8% of cattle and sheep records, respectively. The most frequent antibiotic classes in both species were tetracyclines, macrolides, penicillins and penicillin‒aminoglycoside combinations. There were no recorded category A antimicrobials, and category B antimicrobials were prescribed in only 0.12% and 0.04% of cattle and sheep EHRs, respectively. Text mining and topic modelling seemed efficient methods to identify key syndromes, including mastitis, joint ill, lameness and pneumonia, and how these were treated.

Limitations: Some EHRs described more than one animal with different diagnoses, obfuscating the attribution of treatment to syndrome.

Conclusion: The increasing availability of EHRs at scale and in real-time represents a complementary opportunity to survey disease and treatment on farms. Text mining methods, including artificial intelligence, could efficiently identify important syndromes and provide novel insight into use of antibacterials.

Background: Registered veterinary technologists/technicians (RVTs) are experiencing high rates of burnout, alongside reports of feeling underutilised and underappreciated, raising concerns regarding retention. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a 5-day professional skills and knowledge training programme on RVTs' clinical communication confidence.

Methods: Electronic surveys measured communication self-confidence prior to the professional skills and knowledge training, immediately after training and 2 months post-training. Open-ended questions asked participants' experience regarding the training programme. Communication self-confidence scores were compared using Friedman's test or repeated-measures ANOVA. Open-ended questions were analysed using manifest content analysis.

Results: Out of 38 individuals enrolled, 29 (76.3%) completed all three surveys. Participants' communication self-confidence scores significantly increased by the 2-month follow-up survey compared to pre-programme and post-programme. Open-ended questions found: (1) positive perceptions of the programme immediately after training, and (2) differences in participants' perception of their job at 2 months post-training, based on opportunity to implement training upon returning to work.

Limitations: This study may have been prone to selection bias and may not be representative of all RVTs.

Conclusion: Dedicated professional skills and knowledge training can increase RVT communication self-confidence. A plan for implementation after returning to practice is important. Further research is needed to examine the impact of engaging RVTs in professional skills and knowledge training on professional and clinical outcomes.

Background: Several studies have documented veterinarians' use of pet-directed speech (PDS). The aims of this study were to assess the use of PDS during clinic visits and the impact of PDS on pet owners' opinions about their veterinarians.

Methods: An online survey of pet owners' experience with, and attitudes to, PDS was conducted using snowball sampling. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed on quantitative data, and a thematic analysis was performed on free-text responses.

Results: Of the 400 respondents, almost 80% reported veterinarians using PDS. Most characterised the use of PDS as very or extremely important, and nearly 90% would more likely choose to see again a veterinarian who employed PDS. Four themes were identified from the free-text analysis: 'pet at the centre', 'not just words', 'include the owner' and 'impressions of the veterinarian'.

Limitations: The limitations of the study include the potential for bias and lack of randomisation with snowball sampling, and the relatively small study sample.

Conclusion: PDS is widely employed by veterinarians during veterinary consultations and is valued by pet owners. Further research could help confirm the impact of PDS on the veterinarian‒client‒patient relationship and its potential for integration in veterinary communication training.