Phacoemulsification outcomes in Boston terriers as compared to non-Boston terriers: a retrospective study (2002-2015).

OBJECTIVES: To compare visual outcome and cause of blindness between two groups of dogs undergoing phacoemulsification. ANIMALS STUDIED: Study population consisted of 35 Boston terriers (BT; 70 eyes) and 77 non-Boston terriers (NBT; 154 eyes) that underwent bilateral phacoemulsification surgery. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed to determine visual outcome, complications leading to blindness and follow-up. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate surgical success at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Eleven of 35 BT developed known vision loss, with 12 of 70 (17.1%) eyes becoming blind within one year of surgery, and 17 of 77 NBT developed known vision loss, with 19 of 154 (12.3%) eyes becoming blind within 1 year of surgery. No further vision loss was reported among those BT with a 2-year follow-up. In the NBT group, seven additional dogs, a total of 24 of 77 NBT developed vision loss, with a known total of 31 of 154 (20.1%) eyes becoming blind within two years of surgery. These results were not significantly different. The overall surgical success in both groups based on individual eyes was estimated to be between 80 and 90% at 1 year postsurgery and between 65 and 80% at 2 years postsurgery. Glaucoma was the leading cause of vision loss in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in visual outcomes between a group of BT and a group of NBT undergoing bilateral phacoemulsification at the University of Tennessee between 2002 and 2015. Glaucoma was the leading cause of vision loss in both groups.

Signalment, clinical signs, and prognostic indicators associated with high-grade second- or third-degree atrioventricular block in dogs: 124 cases (January 1, 1997-December 31, 1997).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate signalment, clinical signs, and prognosis associated with high-grade second- or third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 124 dogs. PROCEDURES: Data were gathered from ECGs, veterinarian questionnaires, echocardiograms, and radiographs submitted for review; compared with data from a large control group; and examined for association between variables and duration of survival. A new classification system for AVB was evaluated. RESULTS: Afghan, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, German Wirehaired Pointer, and Labrador Retriever breeds were predisposed to high-grade second- or third-degree AVB. Heavier, older, and sexually intact female dogs were overrepresented in the study group. Weakness, lethargy, exercise intolerance, and syncope were the most common clinical signs. The presence of clinical signs was not associated with duration of survival. Dogs with high-grade second-degree AVB had a duration of survival similar to that of dogs with third-degree AVB. Dogs with high-grade second- or third-degree AVB were at high risk for sudden death in the first 6 months after diagnosis. High ventricular escape rhythm rate and narrow escape-complex QRS width were negatively associated with duration of survival. Pacemaker implantation had a significant positive association with survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pacemaker implantation should be strongly considered in all dogs with high-grade second- or third-degree AVB regardless of whether clinical signs are evident. If medical treatment is warranted, vagolytic medications may be the best choice. A new classification system for AVB may merit further investigation.

RABIES SURVEILLANCE AMONG BATS IN TENNESSEE, USA, 1996-2010.

Rabies virus (RABV) infects multiple bat species in the Americas, and enzootic foci perpetuate in bats principally via intraspecific transmission. In recent years, bats have been implicated in over 90% of human rabies cases in the US. In Tennessee, two human cases of rabies have occurred since 1960: one case in 1994 associated with a tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) RABV variant and another in 2002 associated with the tricolored/silver-haired bat (P. subflavus/Lasionycteris noctivagans) RABV variant. From 1996 to 2010, 2,039 bats were submitted for rabies testing in Tennessee. Among 1,943 bats in satisfactory condition for testing and with a reported diagnostic result, 96% (1,870 of 1,943) were identified to species and 10% (196 of 1,943) were rabid. Big brown (Eptesicus fuscus), tricolored, and eastern red (Lasiurus borealis) bats comprised 77% of testable bat submissions and 84% of rabid bats. For species with five or more submissions during 1996-2010, the highest proportion of rabid bats occurred in hoary (Lasiurus cinereus; 46%), unspecified Myotis spp. (22%), and eastern red (17%) bats. The best model to predict rabid bats included month of submission, exposure history of submission, species, and sex of bat.

Double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical field trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topically applied 1% diclofenac liposomal cream for the relief of lameness in horses.

A topical 1% diclofenac liposomal cream proved to be safe, easy to use, and effective in reducing equine lameness caused by degenerative joint disease. Diclofenac liposomal cream was shown to reduce lameness as graded by owners and veterinarians, regardless of the severity or chronicity of the clinical condition. Topical application allowed for more convenient administration than oral or injectable agents, and no clinically relevant hematologic or serum biochemical changes were noted. The liposomal cream provided a delivery system for diclofenac, an NSAID, to achieve therapeutic levels locally with decreased risk for systemic toxicity and side effects and improved targeting of the painful area.

Birth and death rate estimates of cats and dogs in U.S. households and related factors.

Studies report variable factors associated with dog and cat surpluses in the United States. Estimates of cat and dog birth and death rates help understand the problem. This study collected data through a commercial survey company, distributing questionnaires to 7,399 cat- and dog-owning households (HHs) in 1996. The study used an unequal probability sampling plan and reported estimates of means and variances as weighted averages. The study used estimates of HHs and companion animals for national projections. More than 9 million owned cats and dogs died during 1996-yielding crude death rates of 8.3 cat deaths/100 cats in HHs and 7.9 dog deaths/100 dogs in HHs. The study reported twice as many kitten as puppy litters, with an average litter size of 5.73 and 7.57, respectively. The study reported data on planned versus unplanned litters, reasons caregivers did not spay females, disposition of litters, and sources of animals added to HHs. These first national estimates indicate the magnitude of, and reasons for, animals leaving HHs. The crude birth rate was estimated to be 11.2 kittens/100 cats in HHs and 11.4 puppies/100 dogs in HHs.

Estimating the time of death in domestic canines.

Because 36.1% of U.S. households have dogs, the time of death (TOD) of dogs at crime scenes can be useful to forensic investigators. However, there are few published studies based on postmortem changes in dogs. This study, conducted indoors in still air at approximately room temperature, monitored the postmortem reduction in rectal, liver, brain, and aural temperatures in 16 dogs for 32 h after death. Graphs of temperature reduction were prepared to estimate the TOD of dogs within the first 32 h postmortem. Sex, body mass, and hair coat density did not affect the rate of body temperature reduction, but increased body weight and volume slowed it. Rectal temperature was the most convenient, reasonable site for measuring body temperature. Vitreous humor potassium ion concentration [K(+)] was measured in both eyes at c. 1.5 and 7 h after death. Both eyes had the same [K(+)] when measured simultaneously, and [K(+)] increased after death.

Clinical and echocardiographic findings of pulmonary artery stenosis in seven cats.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the clinical, electrocardiographic (ECG), radiographic and echocardiographic findings in cats with isolated pulmonary artery stenosis. Assess the usefulness of systolic and diastolic Doppler measurements at predicting stenosis severity. BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery stenosis is an infrequent congenital cardiac defect in humans that has not been reported in cats. In humans, pulmonary artery stenosis is usually seen in conjunction with other cardiac defects and may lead to clinical signs if severe. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven cats with pulmonary artery stenosis were retrospectively evaluated. Medical records, radiographs, ECGs, echocardiograms and angiocardiograms were reviewed. Severity of stenosis was assessed by two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiographic evaluation and clinical findings. Peak systolic and diastolic gradients across the stenosis, and systolic and diastolic pressure decay half-times were graded using echocardiography. In addition, the duration of antegrade flow during diastole was subjectively assessed. Univariate analyses were performed to assess the best variable to predict stenosis severity. RESULTS: Concurrent congenital defects were not identified. Only cats with severe obstruction showed clinical signs including exertional dyspnea and lethargy. Diastolic Doppler measurements were superior to systolic measurements at predicting severity of stenosis. Antegrade flow throughout diastole and/or a diastolic pressure half-time of >100 ms indicated severe obstruction. The prognosis for pulmonary artery stenosis appears to be good regardless of severity. CONCLUSION: Among cats with pulmonary artery stenosis, clinical signs are uncommon and prognosis is good. Doppler assessment of diastolic flow appears to be superior to systolic flow at predicting severity.

Peroxide Stability in Shortening: A Useful Reference Material.

Vegetable shortening was studied to determine if its peroxide value was stable enough after storage for one year to be used as a quality control reference material. Shortening samples were deliberately oxidized to contain low, medium, and high levels of peroxide and were then stored at 4°C for one year. Peroxide value was measured approximately every 14 d during this year. A total of 27 different determinations was made at each of the three different peroxide levels. The results indicated minimum variability within each level of peroxide during the year, and suggested that shortening would serve well as a reference material for quality control in the fats and oils industry and in food and nutrition research.