Supplemental reflective blankets and wool socks help maintain body temperature in dogs undergoing celiotomy procedures: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare results for body (esophageal) temperature measurements obtained during celiotomy in normothermic (presurgical) canine patients receiving routine heat support versus routine heat support plus supplemental support (consisting of covering the thorax in a reflective blanket and placing reflective blankets plus wool socks on 3 limbs) in a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 44 dogs requiring celiotomy that were presented sequentially to an emergency and specialty referral veterinary hospital. PROCEDURES: The 44 dogs undergoing celiotomy were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The control group received routine intraoperative heat support consisting of a circulating warm water blanket and either a towel or blanket. The supplemental group received the same routine heat support plus a reflective blanket covering the cervical and thoracic regions and reflective blankets wrapped around 3 limbs and covered with wool socks from the digits to the axillary or inguinal region. RESULTS: Mean esophageal temperature for both the control and supplemental groups dropped throughout celiotomy. Esophageal temperature measurements at several time points were significantly higher for the supplemental group than for the control group. The lowest temperature measurement for the supplemental group, adjusted for initial esophageal temperature and procedure duration, was significantly higher by 0.8 °C than that for the control group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Covering the cervical and thoracic regions with a reflective blanket and wrapping limbs in reflective blankets and wool socks is an affordable adjunctive method to provide passive heat support and minimize perioperative hypothermia in canine patients undergoing celiotomy.

Complications and management of a long-term pleural access port in a dog with chronic chylothorax associated with lung lobe torsion.

A 2-year-old neutered male 35-kg golden retriever mixed breed dog was presented because of a 3-day history of increased respiratory effort. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a lung lobe torsion and underwent lung lobectomy. Chylothorax developed after surgery and persisted for 3.5 y. Pleural access port (PAP) placement was used for long-term medical management. Several complications were encountered, including 2 episodes of PAP occlusion that were successfully treated with unfractionated heparin. The dog had a surgical site seroma and 2 episodes of pleuritis; euthanasia was elected after the second episode. Key clinical message: This case demonstrates successful long-term management of chylothorax with a pleural access port and management of 3 complications. Instead of the less accessible and more expensive tissue plasminogen activator, unfractionated heparin was used as an effective treatment for PAP occlusions.

Complications et prise en charge d'un port d'accès pleural à long terme chez un chien atteint de chylothorax chronique associé à une torsion d'un lobe pulmonaire. Un chien de race mélangée golden retriever mâle stérilisé âgé de 2 ans de 35 kg a été présenté en raison d'une histoire de 3 jours d'effort respiratoire accru. Le patient a été diagnostiqué avec une torsion du lobe pulmonaire et a subi une lobectomie pulmonaire. Un chylothorax s'est développé après la chirurgie et a persisté pendant 3,5 ans. Le placement du port d'accès pleural (PAP) a été utilisé pour la prise en charge médicale à long terme. Plusieurs complications ont été rencontrées, dont deux épisodes d'occlusion du PAP qui ont été traités avec succès avec de l'héparine non fractionnée. Le chien avait un séroma au site opératoire et deux épisodes de pleurésie; l'euthanasie a été choisie après le deuxième épisode.Message clinique clé :Ce cas démontre une prise en charge à long terme réussie du chylothorax avec un port d'accès pleural et une prise en charge de trois complications. Au lieu de l'activateur de plasminogène tissulaire moins accessible et plus coûteux, l'héparine non fractionnée a été utilisée comme traitement efficace pour les occlusions du PAP.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Incidence of hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis in dogs and cats with and without nasogastric tubes over a period of up to 36 hours in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis (HCMA) in dogs and cats in the ICU that had intermittent nasogastric tube (NGT) aspiration for up to 36 hours. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (December 2013 to October 2014). SETTING: Privately owned emergency and referral teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Forty-nine client-owned dogs and 16 client-owned cats. INTERVENTIONS: Patients wherein NGT placement was recommended and client consent was obtained were included in the interventional group. Those with an NGT placed (NGT group) had the NGT aspirated every 4 hours. Patients for whom placement of a NGT was declined by the owner served as a reference group (NoNGT). Venous blood gas and electrolyte values were obtained every 12 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-five dogs and cats had an NGT placed. Thirty dogs and cats did not have an NGT placed. The serum venous blood gas and electrolyte changes were compared over time within the NGT group and between the NGT and NoNGT groups. No cases developed HCMA. In the NGT group, blood pH increased over time. There was no significant difference between the NGT and the NoNGT group in the average value of pH, HCO3- , base excess, chloride, or corrected chloride. Serum venous blood gas, chloride, and corrected chloride changes were not associated with the volumes of gastric fluid aspirated over time. CONCLUSIONS: In this small population of dogs and cats, intermittent NGT aspiration was not associated with the development of HCMA over a period of up to 36 hours after NGT placement.

Autologous blood transfusion in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage: 25 cases (2007-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use and outcome following autologous blood transfusion (ABT) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study (January 2007-July 2012). SETTING: Private veterinary referral center. ANIMALS: Twenty-five dogs that underwent ABT secondary to thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The hospital transaction database was searched using the keyword "autotransfusion" from January 2007 to July 2012. Data collected included signalment, body weight, etiology of hemorrhage, source and method of collection, volumes and method of ABT administration, use of anticoagulant, reported complications, and outcome. Twenty-five dogs were included for a total of 27 ABTs. Causes of hemorrhage included vascular trauma (14/25 dogs, 56%), ruptured tumor (8/25, 32%), and coagulopathy attributed to brodifacoum toxicosis (3/25, 12%). Autologous blood was collected from the abdominal (19/25, 76%), thoracic (5/25, 20%), or abdominal and thoracic cavities (1/25, 4%). Anticoagulant was added to the ABT blood in 13 of 25 (52%) cases. A median ABT volume of 29.3 mL/kg (range 2.9-406.9 mL/kg) was infused through either a 210 µm blood administration filter (21/27, 78%) or an 18 µm hemonate filter (6/27, 22%). Reported complications that may have been associated with ABT included hypocalcemia (4/17, 24%), hemolyzed serum (5/19, 26%), and prolonged coagulation times (4/5, 80%). These complications were considered of minimal clinical significance. Additional blood products were administered in 17 of 25 (68%) dogs. Seventeen (68%) dogs survived to discharge. Cause of death in the remaining cases was euthanasia or cardiac arrest secondary to uncontrollable hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: ABT is an adjunct to volume replacement in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage secondary to vascular trauma, ruptured tumor, or anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis. ABT may be used as bridge to definitive hemorrhage control, particularly when other blood products are not available or affordable. Complications may include hypocalcemia, prolonged coagulation times, and hemolysis.

Acute bronchointerstitial pneumonia in two indoor cats exposed to the H1N1 influenza virus.

OBJECTIVE: To describe 2 cases of acute bronchointerstitial pneumonia in indoor domestic cats infected by anthroponotic transmission of pandemic 2009 influenza A H1N1 virus from their owners. CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Two indoor domestic shorthair cats from the same household were evaluated for acute onset of respiratory distress. The owners had been recovering from flu-like illness at the time of presentation. Venous blood gas showed increased pvCO2 while thoracic radiographs revealed severe bronchointerstitial to alveolar patterns in both cats. The cats were treated with oxygen supplementation, antimicrobials, analgesics, diuretics, corticosteroids, bronchodilators, mechanical ventilation (1 cat), and supportive care. Despite initial improvement in the clinical condition of each cat, respiratory function deteriorated and ultimately both cats were euthanized. Gross and histopathologic examination confirmed diffuse, severe bronchointerstitial pneumonia. Pandemic 2009 influenza A H1N1 viral testing by real time PCR was positive in 1 cat. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: These cases provide further evidence that domestic felids are susceptible to pandemic 2009 influenza A H1N1 virus, and the literature is briefly reviewed for treatment recommendations. H1N1 should be considered in the differential diagnosis for domestic cats presenting with peracute to acute onset of respiratory distress in the right context. While human-to-cat transmission of H1N1 seems probable in several reported cases, cat-to-human transmission has not been identified.