Feline Ovarian Pedicle Ligation: A Comparison of Two Techniques Taught among AAVMC Institutions.

Ligation of the feline ovarian pedicle during ovariohysterectomy is achieved, principally, via one of the following methods: double ligation of the ovarian pedicle or autoligation of the ovarian pedicle, also known as the pedicle tie. The objective of this study was to assess and quantify two methods of teaching feline ovariohysterectomies, specifically ligation of the ovarian pedicle, at American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges-accredited veterinary schools. Surveys were sent to 52 AAVMC member schools, with an overall response rate of 67.3%. Of the 35 schools that responded to the survey, 34 (97.1%) reported that they teach double ligation of the feline ovarian pedicle, whereas 17 (48.6%) of respondents reported teaching autoligation of the feline ovarian pedicle (2 respondents indicated that a single ligature is sufficient). Only 1 of the schools that reported teaching pedicle ties indicated that it did not teach double ligation of the ovarian pedicle; 16 of the 35 schools that responded to the survey (45.7%) reported teaching both techniques. The results indicate that significantly fewer institutions are currently teaching autoligation of the feline ovarian pedicle than those teaching double ligation of the feline ovarian pedicle.

The effect of central corneal thickness on intraocular pressure values using various tonometers in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraocular pressure readings from three different tonometers, the Tono-Pen AVIA® (TP), TonoVet® (TV) and TonoVet Plus® (TV+) and to determine how measurements from each tonometer are affected by central corneal thickness (CCT). ANIMALS: Ninety dogs. PROCEDURES: Normal dogs and dogs with ocular disease were selected for study inclusion. Central corneal thickness measurements were gathered with the Pachette 4 ultrasonic pachymeter, and IOP measurements were gathered with the three tonometers in random order. ANOVA or Wilcoxon tests were utilized for overall group comparisons. Linear regression analyses were utilized to determine the association between IOP and CCT. RESULTS: When comparing tonometers to each other, for all dogs, readings from the TV+were significantly different compared to the TV (p = <.0001) and TP (p = <.0001); however, there was no significant difference between the TV and the TP (p = .999). Linear regression did not find any significant correlation between corneal thickness and IOP readings with any tonometer when looking at normal dogs or when including dogs with ocular abnormalities. DISCUSSION: This study did not find a significant correlation between an increase in CCT and increase in IOP reading in any tonometer comparison amongst normal and dogs with ocular abnormalities. The TV+produced consistently and significantly higher readings, but measurements did not exceed the expected IOP range in normal dogs. For consistency, the same tonometer should be used when monitoring IOP over time.

Comparison of Hemorrhagic Complications with Double-ligated versus Auto-ligated Feline Ovarian Pedicles by Fourth-Year Veterinary Students.

The objective of this article is to compare the occurrence of hemorrhagic complications in student-performed feline ovarian pedicle ligations using the traditional suture pedicle double-ligation (PDL) to the suture-less auto-ligation (AL) techniques, and to describe the stepwise method of teaching the AL technique to students. A total of 287 cats underwent an ovariohysterectomy (OHE) performed by a fourth-year veterinary student trained by veterinary faculty to perform the AL technique beginning with a low-fidelity model and progressing to live patient surgeries. Students performed the AL and PDL techniques on 146 and 141 cats respectively. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 4 of 146 cats (2.7%) in the AL group and 8 of 141 (5.7%) in the PDL group and were not found to be significantly different (p = 0.2496). This article demonstrates that novice surgeons can safely perform the AL technique on feline ovarian pedicles without significantly increasing complications compared to the traditionally taught method when a stepwise training program is implemented. Additionally, this technique has been shown to be safe, effective, and more efficient when performed by experienced veterinary surgeons.1 Veterinary institutions should consider including the AL technique in their core curricula as a standard method for feline ovarian pedicle ligation. Doing so will facilitate the development of more proficient entry-level practitioners who are better able to serve their patients, clients, employers, humane societies, and their communities by using a more efficient and safe feline ovariohysterectomy technique.

Randomized controlled trial to evaluate a novel two-catheter technique for urethral catheterization in anesthetized healthy female cats and small dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel 2-catheter technique for urethral catheterization in female cats and small dogs and compare the time required for and success rates achieved by use of the novel technique versus traditional methods (blind technique in cats and digital palpation in dogs) as performed by personnel (catheter placers [CPs]) with different levels of experience in urinary catheter placement. ANIMALS: 39 healthy sexually intact female animals (24 cats and 15 dogs weighing < 10 kg). PROCEDURES: 2 CPs were board certified in veterinary surgery, 1 of whom had experience with the novel technique, and the other did not. The third CP was a veterinary surgical intern who was unfamiliar with the novel technique. For each animal enrolled in the study, 1 CP performed catheterization with the novel technique and traditional methods. Data recorded included the time required for successful catheterization and whether a successful catheterization was achieved within a 3-minute time limit. RESULTS: The overall success rates were 79.5% (31/39 animals) with the novel technique and 43.6% (17/39 animals) with traditional methods. Median times for successful catheter placement were 48 seconds for the novel technique and 41 seconds for traditional methods. Among CPs, success rates or times to successful catheter placement did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Study results suggested that the novel 2-catheter technique for urethral catheterization may be a more efficient option than traditional methods for gaining access to the urinary bladder in cats and small dogs, particularly when patient size limits use of instrumentation or digital palpation.