Descriptive epidemiology and test characteristics of cats diagnosed with Microsporum canis dermatophytosis in a Northwestern US animal shelter.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this descriptive study were to identify risk factors for feline Microsporum canis infection at shelter intake, to describe screening test accuracy, and to refine confirmatory testing time frames. METHODS: Database records for the general feline population and intake data, medical records and fungal culture logs for cats diagnosed with M canis at a limited admissions shelter were accessed retrospectively for a period of 2 years. RESULTS: The feline population at the study shelter had a prevalence of M canis of 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-2.0%). Kittens were eight (95% CI 4.8-13.5) times more likely to present with dermatophytosis than adults. Although more cats presented with M canis during summer and autumn, season was not significant when the model was controlled for age. Owner-surrendered cats were half as likely (95% CI 0.41-0.77) as transported cats to be diagnosed with M canis. Wood's lamp examinations had a sensitivity of 66.8% (95% CI 60.2-73.4) and a specificity of 74.8% (95% CI 64.2-85.1) compared with dermatophyte test medium (DTM) culture. In 78.8% (95% CI 61-91) of littermate or household groups with mixed Wood's lamp results, all cats were DTM culture positive. Under consistent incubation conditions, 202/202 diagnostic DTM plates for M canis-infected cats showed recognizable colony growth before 7 days (median 4 days), and 19/19 fomite carrier cat cultures showed growth before 12 days (median 5 days). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Applying the results of this study to shelter protocols could optimize diagnostic approaches and shorten the length of stay for shelter cats and kittens, resulting in streamlined shelter operations and improved feline welfare.

Evaluation of sutureless scrotal castration for pediatric and juvenile dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine complication rates associated with sutureless scrotal castration (SLSC) performed in a large number of pediatric and juvenile dogs and investigate whether procedure duration differed from that of traditional prescrotal castration (TPSC). DESIGN Prospective case series and clinical trial. ANIMALS 400 shelter-owned dogs that underwent SLSC and 18 shelter-owned dogs that underwent TPSC between 2 and 5 months of age. PROCEDURES In the first phase of the study, SLSC was performed for 400 dogs, which were monitored for ≥ 24 hours after surgery to identify surgery-related complications such as hemorrhage, signs of pain, self-trauma, swelling, and dermatitis at the incision site. In the second phase, the durations of 18 SLSC and 18 TPSC procedures were measured and compared. RESULTS No hemorrhage-related complications were identified in any dog during SLSC in the first phase. Complications were all minor and self-limiting and included peri-incisional dermatitis (9/400 [2.3%]), skin bruising (4/400 [1.0%]), and swelling (1/400 [0.3%]). No self-trauma was observed for any dog, nor did any dog require additional analgesic treatment after surgery. Procedure duration was significantly briefer for SLSC (mean ± SD, 1.0 ± 0.2 minutes) than for TPSC (3.5 ± 0.4 minutes). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that SLSC as evaluated was safe and significantly faster than TPSC when performed in healthy 2- to 5-month-old dogs. The SLSC technique has the potential to improve morbidity and mortality rates as well as financial costs associated with castration, particularly in high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter programs.

A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Changing Student Confidence in an Online Shelter Medicine Course.

Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine offers comprehensive training in shelter medicine to veterinary students based on a set of core job skills identified by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. In 2012, this program began teaching online distance education courses to students and practicing veterinarians worldwide who sought additional training in this newly recognized specialty area. Distance learning is a novel educational strategy in veterinary medicine; most instruction at veterinary medical schools is classroom based. No previous studies have shown whether online courses can prepare veterinarians to practice shelter medicine. In this study, we investigated how an online, graduate-level course titled "Shelter Animal Physical Health" changed student self-reported confidence. First, we compared pre-course confidence regarding eight specific shelter medical practice scenarios to post-course confidence through statistical analysis. Quantitative analysis showed a significant (p<.001) increase in self-reported confidence for all eight scenarios. Next, we used open coding to identify themes within reflection papers that students were asked to write during the course and used those findings to corroborate or refute the quantitative results. Qualitative analysis of students' reflection papers identified six themes: confidence, communication, population management, outbreak management, medical care, and application. The results of this study show that distance education can be an effective method of preparing veterinarians and veterinary students to practice shelter medicine.