Short-duration peripherally inserted central catheters do not alter viscoelastic parameters in healthy dogs.

Objective: To determine if short-duration peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) cause a hypercoagulable state in healthy dogs, based on point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM). Animals: Ten beagle dogs were randomly and equally allocated into control and PICC groups. Procedure: Control dogs had VCM analysis on whole blood following direct venipuncture before sedation (T0) and 2 h after sedation (T2). In the experimental group, a PICC was placed (medial saphenous or femoral vein) under sedation and removed after 4 h, with measurements before placement (T0) and 2 and 6 h after placement (T2 and T6, respectively). Parametric data were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA with Holm-Sídák test for multiple comparisons and paired or unpaired Student's t-test. Nonparametric data were analyzed using Friedman test with Dunn multiple comparison test for Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test for PICC group, control group, and to compare PICC versus control groups, respectively. Results: Clot formation time was longer at T2 versus T6 (P = 0.0342, but not clinically relevant) in the PICC group, with no significant differences between the PICC and control groups. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Short-term placement of a PICC line did not alter viscoelastic endpoints in healthy beagles.

L'utilisation de courte durée d'un cathéter central inséré par voie périphérique n'affecte pas les paramètres viscoélastiques chez les chiens sains. Objectif: Déterminer si les cathéters centraux insérés par voie périphérique (CCIP) pour une courte durée provoque un état d'hypercoagulabilité chez des chiens en bonne santé sur la base des mesures du Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor (VCM) au point de soins. Animaux: Dix chiens sains de race beagle ont été choisis et répartis de façon égale et aléatoire dans un groupe témoin et un groupe de CCIP. Procédure: Les chiens témoins ont eu une prise de sang et analyse par VCM avant sédation (T0) et 2 heures après la sédation (T2). Dans le groupe expérimental, un CCIP a été mis en place (veines saphènes ou fémorales médiales) sous sédation et retiré après 4 heures. Les mesures viscoélastiques sur le sang frais ont été effectuées avant la pose du CCIP (T0), 2 heures après la pose (T2) et 2 heures après le retrait/6 heures après la pose du cathéter (T6). L'analyse statistique des données paramétriques a été faite par le test ANOVA à un facteur avec un test de comparaisons multiples de Holm-Sídák pour le groupe CCIP, un test t de Student apparié pour le groupe témoin, et un test t de Student non apparié pour comparer les groupes CCIP et témoin. Les données non paramétriques ont été analysées à l'aide du test de Friedman avec un test de comparaison multiple de Dunn pour le groupe CCIP, du test de rang signé de Wilcoxon pour le groupe témoin et du test de Mann-Whitney U pour comparer les groupes CCIP et témoin. Résultats: Pour le groupe CCIP, le temps de formation du caillot à T2 était plus long mais non cliniquement pertinent. comparativement à T6 (P = 0,0342) et il n'y avait aucune différence significative entre les groupes CCIP et témoin. Conclusion et pertinence clinique: La pose d'un CCIP pour une courte durée n'a pas modifié les variables viscoélastiques chez les chiens beagle en bonne santé.(Traduit par les auteurs).

The use of telepathology in veterinary medicine: a scoping review.

Telepathology, as a subset of teleconsulting, is pathology interpretation performed at a distance. Telepathology is not a new phenomenon, but since ~2015, significant advances in information technology and telecommunications coupled with the pandemic have led to unprecedented sophistication, accessibility, and use of telepathology in human and veterinary medicine. Furthermore, telepathology can connect veterinary practices to distant laboratories and provide support for underserved animals and communities. Through our scoping review, we provide an overview of how telepathology is being used in veterinary medicine, identify gaps in the literature, and highlight future areas of research and service development. We searched MEDLINE, CAB Abstracts, and the gray literature, and included all relevant literature. Despite the widespread use of digital microscopy in large veterinary diagnostic laboratories, we identified a paucity of literature describing the use of telepathology in veterinary medicine, with a significant gap in studies addressing the validation of whole-slide imaging for primary diagnosis. Underutilization of telepathology to support postmortem examinations conducted in the field was also identified, which indicates a potential area for service development. The use of telepathology is increasing in veterinary medicine, and pathologists must keep pace with the changing technology, ensure the validation of innovative technologies, and identify novel uses to advance the profession.

Free Swimming and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Endurance Horses: A Preliminary Study.

Swimming is used for rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and for conditioning to improve equine fitness. However, there are anecdotal reports that suggest that tethered swimming can induce epistaxis, likely secondary to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). The objective of this observational, prospective study was to investigate if EIPH occurs during intensive free-swimming training sessions (5 × 70m) using 15 endurance horses. On tracheo-bronchoscopic evaluations following swimming, low grade mucus scores were observed, but no tracheal blood was observed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis revealed a low cellularity, and the median red blood cell count (RBCs) was 271 cells/µL (interquartile range 150-363 cells/µL), which is much lower than the threshold of RBCs >1,000 cells/µL for horses to be considered positive for EIPH. Therefore, free swimming does not seem to predispose endurance horses to EIPH following a typical free-swimming training session.

C-reactive protein as a prognostic indicator in dogs with acute abdomen syndrome.

The objective of the present study was to measure serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in 32 dogs with acute abdomen syndrome at presentation and after 48-72 hr. Data were evaluated to determine if there was an association between CRP concentration and outcome, and if CRP concentration correlated with the white blood cell (WBC) count at both time points. An immunoturbidimetric assay for human CRP, previously validated for use in dogs, was used for serum CRP analysis. Increased serum CRP concentrations were found in 21 dogs at presentation. Fifteen of these dogs had declining serum CRP concentrations by 48-72 hr, but 3 of the 15 dogs were later euthanized. Serum CRP concentrations increased by 48-72 hr in 4 dogs. Of the 32 dogs, 4 were dead or were euthanized prior to the 48-72 hr time point. No significant difference between initial CRP concentration and outcome was found (P = 0.054). Initial and 48-72 hr CRP values taken together were significantly different between outcome groups (P < 0.001). Serum CRP concentrations that were elevated at both time points were associated with a poor prognosis. No correlation was found between CRP concentrations and WBC counts at presentation (P = 0.83); however, a significant correlation was noted at 48-72 hr (P = 0.03). Evaluation of sequential CRP concentrations in dogs with acute abdomen syndrome may be helpful in assessing clinical response to treatment and predicting outcome. Also, serum CRP may be better in detecting tissue injury and/or inflammation at presentation than WBC counts in select cases.

Efficacy of dexamethasone, salbutamol, and reduced respirable particulate concentration on aerobic capacity in horses with smoke-induced mild asthma.

BACKGROUND: Mild asthma in horses decreases racing performance and impairs gas exchange. The efficacy of treatment on performance is unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Treatment targeting lung inflammation improves V ˙ O2 peak in horses with mild asthma. ANIMALS: Thoroughbred polo horses (n = 12) with smoke-induced mild asthma. Horses were exposed to increased ambient particulate matter (35.51 µg/m3 [PM2.5 ]; day mean, centrally measured) from day -33 to 0, from bushfire smoke (natural model). METHODS: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. All horses completed 3 V ˙ O2 peak tests, measuring aerobic and anaerobic variables: day 0 -baseline; day 16 -after dexamethasone (20 mg IM q24h; DEX, n = 6) or saline treatment (SALINE, n = 6), under improved ambient PM2.5 concentrations (7.04 µg/m3 ); day 17-15-30mins after inhaled salbutamol (1500 µg). Bronchoalveolar lavage and mucus scoring were performed on day -8 and day 20. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the effects of timepoint and treatment group on BAL differential cell counts, mucus scores, aerobic and anaerobic variables. RESULTS: Horses' mucus scores improved significantly from day -8 to 20 by 1.27 ± .38 (P = .01). There was a significant increase in V ˙ O2 peak of 15.5 ± 4.0 mL(min.kg)-1 from day 0 to 17 (P = .002), representing an average (mean) increase in V ˙ O2 peak of 13.2%. There was no difference in V˙O2 peak between treatment groups (SALINE versus DEX) at any timepoint. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study highlighted the key role of improved air quality on functionally important airway inflammation. Evidence provided is central to increasing owner compliance regarding improved air quality for the treatment and prevention of mild asthma.