June 2024

Welcome to the June scientific newsletter!

This issue brings summaries of new research papers on a variety of topics, new guidelines from the WSAVA, details of a new online antibiotic decision-making tool that is open for feedback, a selection of research projects that need contributions, and upcoming events.

Do you have any research findings you’d like to promote, or a suggestion for content or features for future newsletters? Please get in touch at [email protected]

Research paper spotlight

Use of orally administered dexmedetomidine to induce emesis in cats

Read the blog

Induction of emesis in cats is generally challenging and more difficult than in dogs. This new case series tested a novel route of administration of dexmedetomidine to induce emesis in a small group of cats.

Maxwell KM et al. (2024) Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X241234556

Journal Watch

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

1) Ultrasonographic measurements of the normal adrenal glands in guinea pigs (Cavia Porcellus)

Sainato D et al. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.

Hyperadrenocorticism in guinea pigs can be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, due to its subtle clinical signs and the limited information in veterinary literature. This prospective study identified ultrasonographic adrenal gland dimensions in twenty client-owned, presumed healthy guinea pigs using the same standardized method described for dogs and cats. The mean length, cranial and caudal pole thickness for the left and right adrenal glands were, respectively, 12.64 ± 2.11 mm and 11.55 ± 1.52 mm; 4.83 mm ± 1.03 mm and 4.69 ± 1.34 mm; 4.8 ± 1.23 mm and 4.04 ± 0.75 mm. The thickness of the left caudal pole was significantly higher than the right (P = 0.02). A significant positive correlation was found between the length of the left adrenal gland and both age (r = 0.46; P = .03) and weight (r = 0.59; P = .01). There was no statistical correlation between the thickness of each cranial and caudal pole, with age, sex, or weight. The dimensions provided could prove a useful tool in the clinical evaluation of guinea pigs with suspected hyperadrenocorticism.

2) Echocardiographic and hemodynamic effects of alfaxalone or dexmedetomidine based sedation protocols in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a pilot study

Keating S et al. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.

This prospective, randomized, experimental study evaluated the effects of alfaxalone and dexmedetomidine based sedation protocols on echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables in 10 client-owned cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) during sedation and inhalational anaesthesia. Cats were administered one of two sedative intramuscular combinations: protocol ABM (alfaxalone 2 mg kg–1, butorphanol 0.4 mg kg–1, midazolam 0.2 mg kg–1; n = 5) or protocol DBM (dexmedetomidine 8 μg kg–1, butorphanol 0.4 mg kg–1, midazolam 0.2 mg kg–1; n = 5). General anaesthesia was induced with intravenous alfaxalone and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Echocardiographic variables and noninvasive arterial blood pressures were obtained before sedation, following sedation, and during inhalational anaesthesia. During sedation, echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables remained within normal limits with protocol ABM, whereas protocol DBM was characterized by bradycardia, low cardiac index and elevated blood pressure. During isoflurane anaesthesia, both protocols demonstrated similar hemodynamic performance, with heart rates of 98 ± 12 and 89 ± 11 beats min–1, cardiac index values of 68 ± 17 and 47 ± 13 mL min–1 kg–1 and Doppler blood pressures of 72 ± 15 and 79 ± 20 mmHg with protocols ABM and DBM, respectively. A reduction in myocardial velocities were also observed during atrial and ventricular contraction with both protocols during isoflurane anaesthesia. An alfaxalone based protocol offered hemodynamic stability during sedation in cats with HCM. However, both dexmedetomidine and alfaxalone based protocols resulted in clinically relevant hemodynamic compromise during isoflurane anaesthesia.

3) How does chronic pain impact the lives of dogs: an investigation of factors that are associated with pain using the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid

Malkani R et al. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

This study assessed the factors that are significant and predictive of chronic pain in dogs using the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG). The study included 46 dogs that clinicians diagnosed as having musculoskeletal conditions that caused chronic pain. All physical factors besides body condition, and all psychological, environmental, and procedural factors were significantly different between healthy dogs and dogs with chronic pain, evidencing how chronic pain impacts all domains of a dog’s life. The severity of clinical symptoms increased with poorer mobility and the frequency at which the dog experienced fearful stimuli. Fears and anxieties frequency, the dog’s reaction to stressors, engagement with enrichment, and social interactions were significant predictors of chronic pain in dogs. This highlights that typical signs of musculoskeletal disorders such as gait changes, stiffness, lameness might manifest after behavioral changes such as increased fearfulness, prolonged recovery from a stressful event, a reduced interest in social interactions, toys or play. Regular veterinary assessments combined with use of the AWAG can proactively identify these behavioral indicators and result in prompt treatment and improved quality of life.

4) Cytological evaluation, culture and genomics to evaluate the microbiome in healthy rabbit external ear canals

Makri N et al. Veterinary Dermatology.

This is the first study to assess the utility of otoscopy and cytological results in evaluating healthy rabbit external ear canals (EECs) and to characterise ear cytological and microbiological findings through culture techniques and metagenomic sequencing in 63 client-owned lop-eared rabbits. Otic cytological results revealed yeast in 73%, cocci in 42.9% and rods in 28.6% of healthy rabbit EECs. Compared to upright-eared rabbits, lop-eared rabbits had more discharge and more bacteria per oil immersion field. Culture isolated eight different species yet metagenomic sequencing identified 36, belonging to the Bacillota (Firmicutes), Pseudomonadota and Actinomycetota phyla. Staphylococcus were the most commonly observed species with both methods. Ten of 12 rabbits were yeast-positive on cytological evaluation with only three yielding fungal growth identified as Yarrowia (Candida) lipolytica, Eurotium echinulatum and Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum. Healthy rabbit EECs lack inflammatory cells yet can host yeast and bacteria, emphasising the need to evaluate cytological results alongside the clinical signs. Notably, yeasts may be present despite a negative culture.

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

Don’t miss the Scientific Shorts feature in our bi-weekly newsletters, which brings you bitesize snippets from new papers on veterinary medicine research.

Other News/Resources

New guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)

The WSAVA has recently published these new guidelines in the Journal of Small Animal Practice:

• WSAVA professional wellness guidelines
• Guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats – compiled by WSAVA’s Vaccination Guidelines Group (an updated version of previous guidelines published in 2016)
• WSAVA guidelines for the control of reproduction in dogs and cats

BSAVA PetSavers update

New PetSavers papers

The following studies, funded by BSAVA PetSavers, have recently been published:

• Research by Heather Davies et al., published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, has shown that the majority of suspected adverse drug reactions (sADRs) in small animal general practice are unreported. Using data from veterinary clinical records, approximately 90% of sADRs were not reported. Most of these related to dogs and the majority of sADRs were listed as “expected” (i.e. already listed in the product information). This paper is a call to arms encouraging all veterinary professionals to report sADRs and regulators to make reporting quicker and easier. Read the paper.
• A study by Fernanda Camacho et al., published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, found that the rate of accidental placement of nasoenteric (NE) tubes into the respiratory tract in 97 dogs and cats was low, with no significant difference between naso-oesophageal (NO) and naso-gastric (NG) tube complications rates. The overall rate of complications during tube placement was 25.8%, and the clinical complications reported were mostly minor, with sneezing being the most common. The choice of placement of a NO or NG tube should be determined by clinician preference, and clients should be warned about possible complications of tube use. Read the paper.
• Research by Lisa Wallis et al., published in Frontiers, shows that dog owners think many important changes in their older dogs are just part of ‘normal ageing’, when they are actually signs of serious health problems. Overall, owners and veterinary professionals differed in their opinions about the need for veterinary care, with most owners believing that older dogs should only see a veterinary surgeon once a year unless dogs were receiving ongoing treatment. This suggests a need for new educational initiatives and more effective communication. Read the paper.

Upcoming PetSavers grants

The BSAVA PetSavers Master’s degree by research grant call opens on 1st August, which offers funding of up to £42,000 for a postgraduate research Master’s project in companion animal science. This grant includes a postgraduate student stipend at BBSRC standard rates (a veterinary stipend can be requested), payment of university fees and up to £10,000 for equipment and consumables.

Proposals will be accepted until 15th October, and should be submitted by prospective academic supervisors of the student. Projects must be undertaken within the UK and not include the use of experimental animals. Further details and an application form can be found here.

Clinical research needs your help!

A PetSavers-funded clinical research study at the RVC is looking for dogs with peracute/acute onset of clinical signs, which are non-progressive beyond 48 hours and localised to the brain, which are suggestive of a cerebrovascular infarct/ ischaemic stroke.

This study aims to investigate platelet aggregation and coagulation status in dogs with ischaemic cerebrovascular infarct (CVI)/ ischaemic stroke to gain information on the underlying pathophysiology. Enrolled cases will undergo assessment of coagulation status and would also be entitled to two follow-up visits (either in-person or remotely) at the study institution.

Dogs which are diagnosed with CVI tend to have a peracute/acute onset of clinical signs which are localised to the brain and non-progressive beyond 48 hours. Should any dogs present with these clinical features we would welcome referral to the QMHA with the hope of including them in the study, as we are hoping to boost case numbers.

Please get in touch with Sophie Wyatt at [email protected] if you think you may have a suitable case or require any further information on the study.

BSAVA Research Notice Board

We currently have several clinical research projects on our Research Notice Board which require responses. Please have a browse and see if there are any surveys that you are able to contribute to, to help further clinical research on companion animals.

Current studies that require responses:

• Clinical management of feline chronic kidney disease in the UK
• Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in UK dogs and cats
• The use of systemic antibiotics for prophylaxis in veterinary ophthalmic surgery
• 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 contribute to these projects and how we can help you to promote your own research here.

Upcoming Events

Association of Charity Vets

The The Association of Charity Vets 13th Annual Conference: 1st – 2nd February 2025 at Harper Keele Vet School.

Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists

AVA’s 60th Anniversary Meeting: 18th – 21st September 2024, the Royal Society of Medicine, London. This will include a pre-congress day, a nurses' training day and a 2-day scientific meeting.

Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons

The AVSTS Autumn Meeting: 4th – 5th October 2024, Cambridge, with the topic 'Urinary Surgery'.

Abstract submission is currently open - email [email protected] for more information.

AVSTS’s new website is now live at www.avsts.co.uk.

British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists

BrAVO’s annual CPD conference: 8th – 10th November 2024, Stratford-Upon-Avon, with the topic ‘Purr-spectives in Feline Ophthalmology’.

BSAVA

Vets Cymru: 4th – 5th July 2024, Aberystwyth.

BSAVA Alba: 27th – 28th September 2024, Glasgow.

British Veterinary Dental Association

BVDA Practical course 'Introduction to Composites' with Alix Freeman: 2nd - 3rd August, Dublin. This course will provide knowledge and copious opportunity for practice with the use of composites for non-invasive jaw fracture treatment (wire and composite/acrylic splints) and for specific malocclusions (inclined plane and temporary crown extensions).

British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association

BVOA's Autumn Meeting: 21st – 23rd November 2024 in Warwick, focusing on Joint Trauma.

BVOA Practical CPD day: 20th November 2024, Warwick. 'An introduction to External Skeletal Fixation' – a small group teaching session with lectures and practical workshops. Keep an eye on BVOA's website and social media for more information.

British Veterinary Zoological Society

The BVZS Student, Nurse and New Grad Summer Gathering: 6th July 2024 at the Bristol Zoo Project.

The BVZS Annual Conference: 22nd - 24th November 2024 at Conference Aston.

European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

EVDI's Annual Meeting:18th – 21st September 2024 in Athens, Greece.

WSAVA

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