Sustainability policies and practices at veterinary centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Background: Veterinary professionals operate at the human-animal-environment interface and are concerned about sustainability issues. This study examined the extent to which sustainability is represented in policy and enacted in veterinary practice settings, as reported by practice representatives.

Methods: An online survey was completed by 392 veterinary centre representatives in the UK and Republic of Ireland to identify existing policies and practices around the environmental impacts of veterinary services and animal husbandry, responsible medicine use, animal welfare and social wellbeing.

Urinary Tract Trauma in Cats: Stabilisation, Diagnosis and Management.

Practical Relevance: Traumatic injury of the urinary tract may be caused by external accidental trauma or due to iatrogenic injury (typically as a result of catheterisation procedures). Thorough patient assessment and careful attention to patient stabilisation are essential, with diagnosis and surgical repair delayed until the patient is stable, if necessary. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the trauma.

Complications associated with and outcome of surgical intervention for treatment of esophageal foreign bodies in dogs.

Objective: To identify complications associated with and short- and long-term outcomes of surgical intervention for treatment of esophageal foreign bodies (EFBs) in dogs.

Animals: 63 client-owned dogs.

Procedures: Patient records from 9 veterinary hospitals were reviewed to identify dogs that underwent surgery for removal of an EFB or treatment or an associated esophageal perforation between 2007 and 2019.

Reporting the epidemiology of aural haematoma in dogs and proposing a novel aetiopathogenetic pathway.

To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for aural haematoma in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. A cohort study design. Dogs diagnosed with aural haematoma during 2016 were identified from the VetCompass database.

Factors associated with positive urine cultures in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass system implantation.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to report the postoperative incidence of subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB)-associated bacteriuria and risk factors in a large population of UK cats, to identify the commonly implicated isolates in these cases and to report associations of positive postoperative urine cultures with device occlusion or a need for further surgery.

Methods: Electronic clinical records were reviewed to identify cats with ureteral obstruction that underwent unilateral or bilateral SUB implantation between September 2011 and September 2019. In total, 118 client-owned cats were included in the study population.

Factors affecting survival to discharge in 53 cats diagnosed with uroabdomen: a single-centre retrospective analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess outcomes in cats diagnosed with uroabdomen at a single referral centre.

Methods: Fifty-three cats diagnosed with uroabdomen at a veterinary teaching hospital were identified between June 2003 and September 2016. Data collected included signalment, presenting signs, aetiology, location of rupture, presence of concurrent injury, outcome of urine culture, presence of uroliths and packed cell volume (PCV)/creatinine/potassium levels at presentation.

Thoracic dog bite wounds in dogs: A retrospective study of 123 cases (2003-2016).

Objective: To report the clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings and determine prognostic factors for outcome in dogs with thoracic dog bite wounds.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Client-owned dogs (n = 123).

Thoracic dog bite wounds in cats: a retrospective study of 22 cases (2005-2015).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a series of cats suffering from thoracic dog bite wounds, in order to detail the clinical, radiographic and surgical findings, and evaluate outcomes and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: The medical records of cats with thoracic dog bite wounds presenting to a single institution between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Data relating to clinical presentation, wound depth and management, radiographic findings, surgical findings and mortality were collected.

Bicipital Tendinopathy and Carpal Valgus Following a Distant Direct Thoracoabdominal Skin Flap in a German Shepherd with Necrotizing Fasciitis.

A 4 mo old German shepherd dog was presented following an acute onset lameness and swelling of the thoracic limb. Clinical signs, surgical findings, and culture results were consistent with a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Initial management consisted of extensive surgical debridement, wound lavage, and bandaging.

Ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of cats with ureteral obstruction.

Objectives The objective was to identify clinical or ultrasonographic results associated with ureteral obstruction or outcome in cats with azotaemia. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of cats with azotaemia (serum creatinine >180 μmol/l) that had ultrasonography of the urinary tract, ultrasound images available for review and received treatment for azotaemia. Cats with pre-renal azotaemia or urethral obstruction were excluded.

Canine Ovariohysterectomy: A Survey of Surgeon Concerns and Surgical Complications Encountered by Newly Graduated Veterinarians.

The objective of this study was to document newly qualified veterinarians' concerns and surgical complications encountered during canine ovariohysterectomy (cOVH) during the first year of general practice. A questionnaire investigating concerns about cOVH procedures was sent to all final-year veterinary students (group 1) enrolled at five UK universities. Participants were later asked to complete a similar questionnaire 6 months (group 2) and 12 months (group 3) after graduation, which involved grading their concern about different aspects of the cOVH procedure and reporting surgical complications encountered after completing three cOVHs.

Outcome of full-thickness skin grafts used to close skin defects involving the distal aspects of the limbs in cats and dogs: 52 cases (2005-2012).

Objective: To describe the outcome of full-thickness skin grafts used to close skin defects involving the distal aspects of the limbs in cats and dogs and identify factors associated with outcome.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 20 cats and 32 dogs with a skin defect involving the distal aspect of a limb that received 58 full-thickness skin grafts between 2005 and 2012.

Feline double pigtail ureteric stents for management of ureteric obstruction: short- and long-term follow-up of 26 cats.

The objective of this study was to determine the outcome of cats with ureteric obstruction managed with double pigtail ureteric stents and to document the incidence of lower urinary tract signs at long-term follow-up. Data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records (2009-2012) of 26 cats that underwent ureteric stent placement. Owners were contacted for follow-up, and a quality of life questionnaire completed.

Oesophageal angioleiomyosarcoma in a cat.

A female spayed domestic longhair cat aged 3 years and 9 months was referred for investigation of regurgitation and weight loss of 2 months' duration. Thoracic radiographs revealed a soft tissue mass within the cranial mediastinum causing focal oesophageal dilation. Computed tomography confirmed a contrast-enhancing mass located cranial to the heart base, possibly originating from the oesophagus.

Management of bilateral ureteral trauma using ureteral stents and subsequent subcutaneous ureteral bypass devices in a cat.

This report describes a cat that presented with abdominal pain and worsening azotaemia following unknown trauma. Further diagnostic investigations and surgery confirmed bilateral ureteral trauma. The cat was initially managed surgically by bilateral ureteroureterostomy over ureteral stents.

A retrospective analysis of urethral rupture in 63 cats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term morbidity and mortality associated with urethral rupture in cats. Medical records were reviewed from four veterinary hospitals. Diagnosis was made from retrograde urethrography or direct visualisation during surgery.

Use of vacuum-assisted closure to maintain viability of a skin flap in a dog.

Case Description: A 4-year-old sexually intact male Labrador Retriever-Poodle mix was admitted to the hospital for treatment of a wound in the left thoracic region. The wound had been debrided and primary closure had been performed by the referring veterinarian 4 days previously.

Clinical Findings: The dog had a 20-cm-long wound covered by a large flap of skin that extended caudally from the scapula over the left side of the thorax.

Clinical outcome following pneumonectomy for management of chronic pyothorax in four cats.

Pneumonectomy is the resection of all lung lobes from one side of the thorax. The clinical findings, treatment and outcome of four cases of feline chronic pyothorax managed with exploratory thoracotomy and pneumonectomy are reported. All cases were initially medically managed with thoracic drain placement and antibiosis.

Vaginourethroplasty as a salvage procedure for management of traumatic urethral rupture in a cat.

This report describes a cat that suffered pelvic urethral rupture associated with multiple pelvic fractures. A vaginourethroplasty was performed as a salvage procedure, via intrapelvic anastomosis of the proximal urethra to the caudal vagina, following failure of a primary urethral anastomosis. Urinary diversion was achieved via tube cystostomy and a vagino-urethral catheter was maintained for 3 days postoperatively.

Successful surgical management of spontaneous gastric perforations in three cats.

Background: In the veterinary literature, feline gastroduodenal ulcer disease has been described only in individual case reports or retrospective studies reporting small numbers of cats. Although its canine counterpart is commonly encountered, less is known about factors predisposing cats to gastroduodenal ulceration and potentially perforation. Similarly the outcome following treatment is not well reported in this species.

Evaluation of in vitro performance of suction drains.

Objective: To assess the in vitro performance of suction drains.

Sample Population: 11 drainage systems (3 rigid drains and 8 compressible drains [2 grenade type, 5 concertina type, and 1 pancake type]).

Procedures: A pressure transducer was connected to the patient end of each drainage system.

Use of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap for one-stage reconstruction of the thoracic wall after en bloc resection of primary rib chondrosarcoma in five dogs.

Objective: To describe a thoracic wall reconstructive technique using a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap after en bloc resection of primary rib chondrosarcoma and report outcome in 5 dogs.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Dogs (n=5) with primary rib chondrosarcoma.

Mechanical evaluation of two crimp clamp systems for extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient canine stifle.

Objective: To compare the mechanical properties and interoperator variabilities of 2 crimp clamp systems for extracapsular, fabello-tibial, nylon loop stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle in dogs.

Study Design: In vitro mechanical testing.

Methods: Three operators with different grip strengths each secured 20 standardized nylon loops using stainless-steel crimp clamps: 10 using a Veterinary Instrumentation system (45 kg [100 lb] test nylon leader line, 12 mm crimp clamps) and 10 using a Securos system (36 kg [80 lb] test nylon leader line, 36 kg [80 lb] crimp clamps).