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BSAVA Scientific Newsletter

January 2024

Welcome to the first scientific newsletter of 2024!

This issue includes summaries of recently published research on a variety of topics, scientific news, and details of upcoming conferences and events, including the pre- BSAVA Congress affiliate day meetings in March. Access to full journal articles featured is not provided via this newsletter (unless the article is already open access).

The scientific newsletter is intended to facilitate an evidence-based approach to veterinary medicine and we hope that the content is interesting and valuable to you. Have a suggestion for content or features for future newsletters? Please get in touch at [email protected]

Research paper spotlight

Body weight, gonadectomy, and other risk factors for diagnosis of osteoarthritis in companion dogs.

Read the full blog here

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in dogs and whilst it is considered a disease of aging, the evidence for other potential risk factors for OA is limited and often conflicting. This new study has assessed specific risk factors for diagnosis of OA in companion dogs.

Garves JL et al. (2023) Body weight, gonadectomy, and other risk factors for diagnosis of osteoarthritis in companion dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1275964

Journal Watch

A selection of the latest papers in small animal veterinary medicine.

1) Malocclusion in cats associated with mandibular soft tissue trauma: a retrospective case–control study

Ziemann D et al. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

This study assessed whether there is an association between cephalometric measurements, maxillomandibular dental arch distances and the occurrence of traumatic malocclusions in the mandibular soft tissues of cats. Cephalometric measurements, including skull and facial indexes, as well as distances and angulations between dental crowns and crown tips, were calculated and analysed for 72 cats included in the study. The results show a significant association between the skull and facial indexes and the occurrence of traumatic malocclusions in the caudal teeth. Traumatic malocclusions in the cheek teeth tend to present a narrower interdental space between the maxillary and mandibular carnassial teeth, mostly attributed to skeletal and dental malocclusion. Brachycephaly was a strong predictor of the occurrence of traumatic malocclusions. The space between crown tips and teeth angulations was also a contributing factor to the trauma. The researchers suggest cut-off values which could be used in the selection of cats by breeders to reduce the occurrence of this disease, and highlight the association with brachycephaly.

2) Sonography of the pituitary gland in pet rats

Pelligra T et al. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound.

This is the first study on pituitary gland (PG) ultrasound in rats. It evaluated the reliability of ultrasound in identifying PG in rats; defined the ultrasound dimension of the gland in a group of rats with no evidence of pituitary diseases; and examined its correlations with age, sex, and weight. After localizing the PG with an MRI study on one rat, the gland was identified in 21 rats by ultrasound by two sonographers using a ventral neck approach and a transversal scan with a linear probe. The gland appears as a hypoechoic oval structure with a thin hyperechoic margin. The median pituitary width was 3.96 mm (interquartile range 25–75%: 6–4.5 mm), and the median height was 1.48 mm (interquartile range 25–75%: 1.3–1.67 mm). There was no statistically significant correlation between PG size and rat weight, gender or age. These ultrasound measurements could be useful for the diagnosis of pituitary disease, irrespective of whether neurological symptoms are present.

3) Tolerability of long-term cannabidiol supplementation to healthy adult dogs

Alvarenga IC et al. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

The long-term tolerability of cannabidiol (CBD) in healthy dogs was assessed in this study. Eighteen healthy adult beagle dogs were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 6 each that received dosages of 0, 5, or 10 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for 36 weeks. The 0 and 5 mg/kg treatment groups had similar fecal scores and the 10 mg/kg treatment group had higher frequency of soft feces. No other significant adverse events were noted. An increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity occurred in groups that received CBD. Remaining blood variables were within reference range. Overall, chronic administration of CBD in healthy dogs at 5 mg/kg was better tolerated than 10 mg/kg. Although the data does not indicate hepatic damage, it is recommended to monitor liver function in dogs receiving CBD chronically.

4) Is it now time to iron out the wrinkles? Health of Shar Pei dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK

O’Neill D et al. Canine Medicine and Genetics.

Anonymised primary-care veterinary clinical records were explored to provide prevalence data on common disorders and mortality of 1,913 Shar Pei in the UK in 2013. Entropion was the most prevalent fine-level precision disorder, affecting almost one fifth of Shar Pei. Otitis externa, ear disorders, aggression and pyoderma were also commonly reported. The most prevalent disorder groups were ophthalmologic, dermatological, aural, traumatic injury and behavioural. Of the deaths with a recorded method of death, 85.33% involved euthanasia and 14.67% were unassisted. The most common causes of death were neoplasia, renal disorders and behavioural disorders. Current UK legislation can help support efforts to avoid breeding or acquiring animals with extreme conformations and to promote adequate veterinary care for already-owned animals.

Would you like more updates on the latest research in veterinary medicine?

Don’t miss the Scientific Shorts feature in our weekly newsletters, which brings you bitesize snippets from new papers on a variety of topics in veterinary medicine and science.

Other News/Resources

BSAVA PetSavers update

PetSavers in print: new paper from PetSavers-funded studies

Research by Christine Pye and colleagues published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice is the first study of its kind to use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics to investigate biomarkers of meniscal injury within the stifle joint synovial fluid (SF) of dogs. The study used hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the first time to examine differences in the metabolomic profile of stifle joint SF from dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture with and without meniscal injuries, to identify biomarkers of meniscal injury. An increase in NMR mobile lipids was identified in the SF of dogs with meniscal injury, which are of interest as potential biomarkers of meniscal injury. This could allow for the development of a simple, minimally invasive diagnostic test, which could reduce the need for invasive surgical methods of meniscal injury diagnosis.

Read the study in JSAP.

PetSavers funding available

Student research project (SRP) grants are available to support undergraduate student vets, vet nurses and bioveterinary students in carrying out a project in companion animal science and medicine. The grants include a stipend of £200 per week for 6-10 weeks for projects undertaken outside of term time, up to £1200 for consumables, a student ticket to a subsequent BSAVA Congress to present an abstract of the project and a travel bursary of up to £100 to attend BSAVA Congress. The next cutoff date for applications is 31st January.

Find out more and apply.

Update on the International Feline Encephalitis Study

By Dr Sophie Binks and Dr Abbe Crawford

The International Feline Encephalitis Study is recruiting cats with new-onset seizures to screen for antibodies to leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1). LGI1 is a secreted protein richly expressed in the hippocampus, and LGI1-autoantibodies are known to cause autoimmune encephalitis and seizures in humans. LGI1-autoantibodies have also been detected in cats, mainly in connection with distinctive acute-onset seizures with orofacial features – sometimes called Feline Partial Cluster Seizures with Orofacial Involvement or FEPSO.

Our group has been intensively researching FEPSO since 2019, hoping to build knowledge, raise awareness and secure better outcomes for affected feline patients. In 2024, we are preparing to write up scientific findings from the many patients we have screened, but you can also catch us at the British Veterinary Neurology Society (BVNS) on March 20th 2024, and at the Association of British Neurologists in May 2024 as well.

We are based mainly from the University of Oxford, led by human neurologist Dr Sophie Binks ([email protected]) of the Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group – although we now have our own logo, as the Feline Autoimmune Neurology Group. Our lead veterinary neurologist in the UK is Dr Abbe Crawford ([email protected]) and we have been recently joined by young vet Dr Rachel Hall ([email protected]), undertaking a PetSavers MSc focused on long-term outcomes of feline patients with LGI1-autoantibodies. Rachel would love to hear from you if you are following up on cats who have screened positive for LGI1 autoantibodies in our study.

Our website includes information on FEPSO, further details of the study, a link to the submission form to submit samples (research assay free of charge), and an educational bank of FEPSO seizure videos, which can be accessed by veterinary professionals and other researchers (contact Dr Binks if you would like to view these or contribute a clip). We have ethical approval to screen cerebrospinal fluid as well as serum, collect whole blood for genetic testing, and for studies on postmortem specimens.

RVC ethics URN 2020 1957-2; our research assay is not yet validated for diagnosis.

BSAVA Research Notice Board

notice board with pins

The BSAVA Research Notice Board lists clinical research projects from BSAVA members which other members can contribute to. Projects are in-line with BSAVA values and mission to promote excellence in small animal practice through science.

Current research projects listed that require survey responses:

  • Analgesia for rabbits undergoing routine surgical neutering
  • Management of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats
  • Prospective trial of different antimicrobial treatment durations for presumptive canine urinary tract infections (the STOP on SUNDAY trial)

Take a look at how you can get involved in these projects and how we can help you to promote your own research here.

Upcoming Events

Association of Charity Vets

ACV’s 2024 Conference is taking place at Surrey Vet School on 3rd – 4th February 2024. Topics include BOAS surgery, cardiology, improving patient safety, dealing with multi-cat households and developing a vaccination strategy.

Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists

The AVA Pre-BSAVA Spring Meeting for RVNswill be held on 20th March 2024 in Manchester, focusing on “Mastering Ventilation”.

The AVA Spring Meeting 2024 will be held on 2nd – 3rd May 2024 in Baden, Switzerland.

Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons

AVSTS’ Spring Meeting will be in Manchester on 20th March 2024, with the topic “At the cutting edge of soft tissue surgery”, providing updates on laparoscopic surgery, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, epiglottic retroversion and new techniques in wound reconstruction. For further information please contact [email protected].

British Association of Veterinary Opthalmologists

BrAVO's Spring Meeting will be held on 20th March 2024 in Manchester, with the topic Uveitis and Emerging infectious diseases.

British Veterinary Behaviour Association

BVBA Study Day is taking place on 20th March 2024 in Manchester, with the theme Challenging Behaviour in Veterinary Practice.

British Veterinary Dental Association

A BVDA practical course 'Dental Extraction in Dogs'is taking place on 23rd-24th February 2024 in Dublin.

BVDA’s Scientific Day and AGM will take place on 12th April 2024 in London. More information to follow.

British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association

BVOA Spring Meeting will be held on 20th March 2024 in Manchester, focusing on Canine Sports Medicine.

British Veterinary Neurology Society

BVNS Symposium is taking place on 20th March 2024 in Manchester, focusing on "Disc Disease – you think you know it…"

European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

EVDI's Annual Meeting will be held on 18th – 21st September 2024 in Athens, Greece.

WSAVA

The 49th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress is being held on 3rd – 5th September 2024 in Suzhou, China.

BSAVA Congress 2024 - last chance for early bird registration!

Early bird prices for BSAVA Congress 2024 taking place on 21st – 23rd March in Manchester, are available until 31st January.

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