The Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP)

The Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP) is the BSAVA's monthly scientific journal, featuring original, peer-reviewed articles, case reports and other scientific and educational information from around the world.  The aim of JSAP is to facilitate the dissemination and implementation of new ideas and techniques relating to clinical veterinary practice, and ultimately to promote best practice.

JSAP is provided to BSAVA members as part of their membership benefits. Members - to access JSAP, log in then click on the 'read latest issues' button that appears below. 

You can search for JSAP articles from within the BSAVA Library by clicking on the JSAP tab from the search results page. If you are a BSAVA member and already logged in, you can click through from the search results to access the full article. 

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May issue - in JSAP this month

Increased risk of mammary tumours in female cats is associated with older age and purebred status, a new study published in the May issue of Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP) has found. The study provides an updated estimate of the incidence of mammary cancer in cats seen in primary care veterinary practice in the UK, with an annual incidence risk of 104 per 100,000 cats (meaning mammary tumours are rare). The study showed that median age at diagnosis was 12 years and the most common breed of cases were Persian, British Short Hair and Siamese. Neuter status was not associated with risk of mammary tumour. The median length of survival after diagnosis was 19 months (longer than previously reported) and the most common clinical signs were ulceration, weight loss and firm mammary masses. Identifying predictive risk factors can help veterinary surgeons identify cats at greater risk of mammary tumours and advise on survival after diagnosis.

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April issue - in JSAP this month

Dog owners show little preference for the type of insulin injection device used for treating diabetes in dogs, a new study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP) has shown. The small, randomised study compared the use of two different types of insulin injection devices in 20 diabetic dogs, by assessing owner preference, treatment satisfaction and the effect on glycaemic control. Both delivery devices (a pen injector ‘VetPen’ and U40 insulin syringes) were assigned to dogs and owners for two months each in different order, with one group of dogs using VetPen first followed by U40 syringe, and the second group using U40 syringe first followed by VetPen. Owner’s satisfaction regarding the convenience and flexibility of each delivery device was gleaned using a questionnaire and glycaemic control was assessed using a clinical scoring system. Overall, dog owner preference and treatment satisfaction were similar for the two injection devices, although owners who used VetPen first, followed by U40 syringes, did show a clear preference for VetPen. Notably, dog owners found the VetPen significantly easier to use than the U40 syringes, which echoes previous studies that have found pen injectors easier to use and more accurate in drawing up doses of insulin, compared with U40 syringes which sometimes deliver a higher than intended dose. Furthermore, the type of delivery device didn’t appear to affect glycaemic control in the dogs. However, as only a small number of dogs took part in the study, additional research is needed to help veterinarians select the most appropriate injection devices for owners of diabetic pets. Corresponding author, Dr Federico Fracassi, commented: “Not all pet owners are the same, and to achieve excellent compliance, both options for insulin administration must always be offered.”

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A collection of JSAP reviews for primary care practice is freely available to all.