Successful medical management of perinephric abscess and urosepsis following urethral obstruction in a cat.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation and medical management of a cat with perinephric abscessation and urosepsis following urethral obstruction and catheterization. CASE SUMMARY: A 2-year-old intact male domestic shorthaired cat presented to an emergency and referral center for lethargy, vomiting, and hematuria. Severe azotemia and hyperkalemia were observed on a serum biochemistry panel. The patient was diagnosed with urethral obstruction and was treated with urethral catheterization, calcium gluconate, IV fluid therapy, buprenorphine, and prazosin. The patient's azotemia improved, and the hyperkalemia resolved. Urinary catheterization was discontinued. The patient developed pyrexia, worsening azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and dysuria. Urethral catheterization was repeated. Abdominal radiographs showed left renomegaly, and abdominal ultrasound revealed left perinephric fluid. Ultrasound-guided centesis of the perinephric fluid revealed septic inflammation, and the sample was consistent with urine based upon sample creatinine. Fluid from the perinephric abscess and urine from the bladder both grew Pasturella spp. The patient was treated with perinephric catheterization, saline lavage, and a continuous infusion of cefotaxime for 72 h. The patient's azotemia quickly resolved, and the patient was discharged after 6 days of hospitalization. The patient was reported to have made a full recovery. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This is the first described case of perinephric abscess and urosepsis following urethral obstruction in a cat and its successful medical management. Perinephric abscess not associated with intrarenal abscess has not previously been identified. Additionally, continuous antimicrobial infusion to treat overwhelming infection and the use of the RapidBac Vet immunoassay for point-of-care detection of urinary tract infection has not been described in cats.

The influence of quotations uttered in emergency service triage traffic and hospitalization (Quiet).

This study aims to determine whether the use of the word, Quiet increases veterinary emergency service triage traffic or hospital admissions. Days were randomized to be a control or test phrase day. On control days, the phrase, Have a nice day! was announced to the entire hospital staff. On test days, the phrase, Have a quiet day! was announced. No statistical difference in mean number of the patients presenting to the emergency service for triage (test phrase 30.1 ± 10.4 cases vs control phrase 30.3 cases ± 10.5, p = 0.91) or hospital admissions (test phrase 3.5 ± 1.9 cases vs control phrase 4.3 ± 2.4 cases, p = 0.13) was found for 24-h following phrase utterance. No statistical difference in mean number of patients presenting to the emergency service for triage (test phrase 2.7 ± 1.4 cases vs control phrase 2.6 ± 1.9 cases, p = 0.84) or hospital admissions (test phrase 0.3 ± 0.5 cases vs control phrase 0.5 ± 0.8 cases, p = 0.08) was found in the 2-h window immediately following phrase announcement. Despite popular myth, using the word, Quiet does not increase veterinary emergency service triage traffic or hospital admissions.

Dexmedetomidine to control signs associated with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate toxidrome in a cat.

A 5-month-old intact female domestic shorthaired cat had mydriasis, agitation, and increased locomotion after ingestion of lisdexamfetamine, 10.3 mg/kg body weight (BW). Despite treatment with IV fluids, IV acepromazine, oral cyproheptadine and intravenous lipid emulsion the patient's clinical signs worsened. Dexmedetomidine administered at 2 µg/kg BW and continued at 0.5 µg/kg BW per hour rapidly controlled the patient's signs. An episode of vomiting and hematuria developed. Follow-up 5 days after discharge revealed that the cat appeared normal.

Dexmédétomidine pour contrôler les signes associés à la toxidrome à la lisdexamfétamine dimesylate chez une chatte. Une chatte domestique intacte âgée de 5 mois présentait de la mydriase, de l'agitation et une locomotion accrue après avoir ingéré de la lisdexamfétamine, 10,3 mg/kg poids corporel (PC). Malgré le traitement à l'aide de solutions intraveineuses, d'acépromazine intraveineuse, de cyproheptadine orale et d'émulsion de lipides intraveineux, les signes cliniques de la patiente s'étaient aggravés. La dexmédétomidine administrée à 2 µg/kg PC et maintenue à 0,5 µg/kg PC l'heure a rapidement contrôlé les symptômes de la patiente. Un épisode de vomissements et d'hématurie s'est développé. Un suivi 5 jours après le congé a révélé que la chatte semblait normale.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Characteristics of the labor market for veterinary technician specialists in 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To determine characteristics of the labor market for veterinary technician specialists (VTSs) during 2013 and identify characteristics significantly associated with pay rate for VTSs. DESIGN: Survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 351 VTSs. PROCEDURES: A 29-question, multiple-choice survey was sent in early 2014 to all individuals (n = 786) who had been certified as VTSs and for whom an email address could be identified. RESULTS: Weighted mean pay rate for respondents was $23.50/h; 51.3% (180/351) of respondents received a raise after obtaining VTS certification. Being male, having attended graduate school, having > 4 years of VTS experience, holding a supervisory or management position, being employed by an academic employer or referral practice, and working in the Northeast or outside the United States increased the overall odds of receiving a higher pay rate as a VTS, once other variables were controlled. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that gender, work experience, and job characteristics were significantly associated with pay rate for VTSs.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral amitriptyline and its active metabolite nortriptyline in Greyhound dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline and its active metabolite nortriptyline after intravenous (IV) and oral amitriptyline administration in healthy dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized experiment. ANIMALS: Five healthy Greyhound dogs (three males and two females) aged 2-4 years and weighing 32.5-39.7 kg. METHODS: After jugular vein catheterization, dogs were administered a single oral or IV dose of amitriptyline (4 mg kg(-1)). Blood samples were collected at predetermined time points from baseline (0 hours) to 32 hours after administration and plasma concentrations of amitriptyline and nortriptyline were measured by liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Orally administered amitriptyline was well tolerated, but adverse effects were noted after IV administration. The mean maximum plasma concentration (CMAX) of amitriptyline was 27.4 ng mL(-1) at 1 hour and its mean terminal half-life was 4.33 hours following oral amitriptyline. Bioavailability of oral amitriptyline was 6%. The mean CMAX of nortriptyline was 14.4 ng mL(-1) at 2.05 hours and its mean terminal half-life was 6.20 hours following oral amitriptyline. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Amitriptyline at 4 mg kg(-1) administered orally produced low amitriptyline and nortriptyline plasma concentrations. This brings into question whether the currently recommended oral dose of amitriptyline (1-4 mg kg(-1)) is appropriate in dogs.

Labor market characteristics of veterinary technician specialists in 2007.

OBJECTIVE: To determine labor market characteristics of veterinary technician specialists (VTSs) during 2007 and identify characteristics significantly related to pay. DESIGN: Survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 163 VTSs. PROCEDURES: A 21-question, multiple-choice survey was sent in early May 2008 to all individuals (n = 345) who had been certified as VTSs and for whom an e-mail address could be identified. RESULTS: Weighted mean pay rate for respondents was $23.48/h. Pay rate was significantly associated with practice type, whether the respondent had a supervisory or management position, duration of experience as a VTS, duration of experience as a veterinary technician, and duration of employment with the current employer. Pay rate was not significantly associated with age, gender, highest academic degree, geographic region, area of practice (ie, urban vs suburban vs rural), or academy of which the respondent was a member. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional human capital variables such as work experience and job tenure were significantly related to pay rate for VTSs.