in Practice最新文献

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common heart disease in dogs, and is more common in large or giant breeds. Physical examination may be unremarkable before the development of clinical signs such as congestive heart failure (CHF), syncopal episodes due to arrhythmias or impaired cardiac output. Different breeds may have different manifestations of DCM, with atrial fibrillation being common in Irish wolfhounds, and ventricular arrhythmias being common in dobermanns. Arrhythmias may coexist or precede development of typical echocardiographic changes of DCM. Idiopathic DCM is believed to have a genetic basis but there can be other causes of the echocardiographic changes that are typical in DCM (called a DCM phenotype), such as nutritional or secondary to primary arrhythmias (tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy), which need to be excluded. Treatment is palliative and directed at identifying and treating the primary cause of a DCM phenotype, treating CHF or significant arrhythmias. This is the second article in a two-part series on DCM. Part 1, which was published in the November issue of In Practice, focused on the screening, diagnosis and management of preclinical DCM.

Aim of the article: The aim of this article is to update the veterinary surgeon with presentations and manifestations of dogs with DCM, to exclude contributing factors mimicking DCM and to successfully manage affected patients.

Background: Cellulitis is a commonly observed condition in horses, which often requires an urgent or emergency veterinary visit. The condition often presents with acute-onset diffuse limb swelling, heat, pitting oedema and pain on palpation of the affected limb. Lameness is variable but can be severe and the horse may display signs of extreme discomfort, alongside tachycardia, tachypnoea and pyrexia. Risk factors such as blunt trauma, recent wounds, recent surgery or recent injections have been identified, and studies suggest that cellulitis is more common in the hindlimbs than forelimbs.

Aim of the article: This article provides an overview of the physiology of oedema formation and discusses the diagnosis and treatment options available for cases of cellulitis in horses.

Background: The primary role of red blood cells (RBCs) is the safe transport of oxygen-carrying haemoglobin from the lungs to the capillary beds. Anaemia is a common clinical and clinicopathological finding in cats, occurring when functional haemoglobin concentrations in blood are reduced. Although commonly attributed to a reduction in RBC numbers or mass, a reduced mean cell haemoglobin concentration and, rarely, haemoglobinopathies can also contribute. Clinical signs of anaemia range from subclinical to severe and life threatening, and primarily relate to reduced oxygen carrying capacity. Other signs relating to acute volume loss (eg, following haemorrhage), inflammation (eg, due to haemolysis) or the pathology underlying the anaemia may be of greater clinical relevance. The differential list for anaemia itself is long, but careful evaluation of clinicopathological changes can allow clinicians to narrow this list and focus investigation.

Aim of the article: This article discusses the common causes of anaemia in cats and how to make a definitive diagnosis, as well as the treatment options to correct the underlying cause.

When it comes to planning for retirement, pensions are a key part of the conversation. But many people still have questions about pensions and how they work. Common questions include ‘what exactly is a pension?’, ‘how much should I be saving?’, ‘what happens to my pension when I die?’, ‘do I need a private pension if I have a workplace one?’ and ‘can my property be considered as my pension?’. If any of these resonate with you, don't worry – you're not alone! Pensions can feel confusing, but they don't have to be. This article breaks it down simply and explains the different types of pensions available, their benefits and how to make them work for you.