Pneumopericardium after peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia repair in a dog.

A one-year-old neutered, Goldendoodle presented for evaluation. One week prior to presentation, the surgical closure of a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was performed via ventral midline celiotomy. Since the procedure, the dog had been lethargic and anorexic at home. Thoracic radiographs revealed a pneumopericardium. Pericardiocentesis was performed which evacuated approximately 100 mL of air from the pericardial sac. The dog recovered well and began eating in the hospital and resumed normal activity. This is the first reported case of a pneumopericardium post-peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia repair requiring pericardiocentesis. Clinicians should be aware of this rare complication in patients with post-operative peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia.

A multicenter prospective evaluation of owner medication adherence for feline cardiovascular disease in the referral setting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to evaluate owners' chronic medication adherence for management of feline cardiovascular disease in the small animal referral setting. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based study of owners at five multispecialty, small animal referral centers was conducted. Owners completed a written survey evaluating demographics, degree of medication adherence, and difficulties encountered for medication adherence. Owners were free to decline participation in the study. RESULTS: Fifty-four questionnaires were available for review. The most common diagnosis was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n = 31, 57.4%). Clopidogrel was the most cited medication that was difficult to administer consistently (n = 13, 24.0%) although twenty owners (37.0%) reported no difficulty consistently administering medications. "Taste of medication" (n = 14, 25.9%) was the most reported reason for difficulty medicating their cat, and most owners (n = 36, 66.7%) stated twice daily was the highest frequency of heart medications they feel they can consistently administer. Fifty owners (92.6%) met the criteria for medication adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic medication adherence in this study population was high. Clopidogrel was the most difficult medication to consistently administer, and twice a day dosing was the highest frequency of medication administration most owners could achieve. Cardiologists should be aware of these factors when determining optimal treatment protocols for the management of cardiovascular disease in cats.

Evaluation of owner medication adherence for canine cardiovascular disease in the referral setting.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate owners' medication adherence for management of cardiovascular disease in the small animal specialty setting. ANIMALS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based study of owners at a single, multispecialty, small animal referral center was conducted. Owners completed a written survey evaluating demographics, degree of medication adherence, and difficulties encountered for medication adherence. Owners were free to decline participation in the study. RESULTS: Ninety-six questionnaires were completed during the study period. Fifty-four respondents (56.3%) reported treating their pet for over one year for cardiovascular disease, and myxomatous mitral valve disease was the most common diagnosis (76.0%). Twenty-nine (30.2%) respondents felt they could consistently administer a maximum of three medications daily, and 46 (47.9%) respondents reported twice-daily dosing was the highest frequency of administration that could be consistently achieved. Twenty-two respondents (22.9%) reported that their pet required daily medications for at least one other chronic condition besides cardiac disease. Seventeen respondents (17.7%) reported at least occasionally missing medications, although only one (1.0%) reported it was more than 20% of medications per week. CONCLUSIONS: Medication adherence was high in this study population. Almost one-half of owners surveyed reported being unable to consistently administer more than three medications daily, and approximately one-quarter of patients were treated for at least one additional chronic condition requiring daily medications, in addition to cardiac disease. Clinicians should be aware of these factors when determining optimal treatment protocols for the management of cardiovascular disease in dogs.

Evaluation of owners' attitudes towards veterinary insurance in a specialty hospital.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and perception of veterinary insurance among owners' at a small animal specialty hospital around a large urban city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire evaluated the prevalence and perception of insurance among owners at a small animal specialty hospital over a 2 month period. Respondents provided demographic information including age, sex, educational level and household income. Respondents without insurance were asked reasons for not having insurance, approximate cost of insurance per month desired and percentage of coverage of medical expenses they would want insurance to provide. Respondents with insurance were asked how they chose their current plan, how it affects their medical decisions for their pet and their overall satisfaction. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (28.5%) owners reporting having insurance for at least one pet. Owners most commonly selected their current insurance plan based on online research (27, 40.3%). Fifty-two respondents (77.6%) reported being satisfied with their insurance plan and 49 (73.2%) stated that would recommend their current insurance plan to a friend. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Insurance had a relatively high prevalence in this study group with most owners being satisfied with their current plan and would be likely to recommend it to a friend. The role of insurance in how it affects owner's medical decisions, care for their pet and interactions with veterinarians in companion animal medicine requires further evaluation.

The effect of atorvastatin on haemostatic parameters in apparently healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of atorvastatin on haemostatic parameters as measured by prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thromboelastography in apparently healthy dogs administered 2 mg/kg orally once daily for 1 week. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 20 apparently healthy client-owned dogs at a small animal specialty hospital. Dogs had a baseline complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, fibrinogen, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thromboelastography performed. Each dog was then administered approximately 2 mg/kg of atorvastatin orally once daily for 1 week, and the laboratory tests were repeated. Adverse effects attributed to atorvastatin were recorded. RESULTS: All 20 enrolled dogs completed the study. Dogs received a median dose of 2.06 mg/kg (range 1.94 to 2.44 mg/kg) atorvastatin once daily, which was associated with a significant increase in pulse rate, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, albumin and a significant decrease in mean corpuscular volume, cholesterol and lipase values compared with baseline. On thromboelastography, there was a significant increase in maximum amplitude, G, coagulation index, amplitude at 30 minutes, amplitude at 60 minutes and significant decrease in percentage of clot lysed at 30 minutes and percentage of clot lysed at 60 minutes values compared with baseline. Six dogs had a noticeable increase in appetite. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study suggest that atorvastatin may produce a procoagulant effect in dogs, although the clinical significance is unclear. Polyphagia was the most commonly reported adverse effect.