Ultrasound-guided and 'blind' sciatic nerve injection techniques: Comparison in rat cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the success rate and extent of sciatic nerve staining with a bupivacaine-dye solution using two injection techniques: 'blind' or ultrasound-guided approach. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, experimental, randomized, cadaveric study. ANIMALS: Adult female Wistar rat cadavers [n = 24, mass 352 g (323-374)]. METHODS: Each sciatic nerve was randomly allocated to one of two groups: 'blind' (group B) or ultrasound-guided approach (group US) to injection. Following injection of bupivacaine-dye solution (0.1 mL), gross anatomical dissection was performed to visualize nerve staining, categorizing it as either positive or negative. The length of nerve staining was then measured and visual inspection conducted to identify potential nerve damage. Fisher's exact test was used to compare positive or negative nerve staining, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test used to compare the length of nerve staining between groups. RESULTS: In group B, the bupivacaine-dye solution stained 16/24 sciatic nerves (67% success). In group US, staining was successfully observed in all 24 nerves (100% success, p < 0.004). The length of nerve staining [median (interquartile range)] was 2 (2-3) mm in group B and 5 (4-6) mm in group US (p < 0.001). One sciatic nerve in group B had injectate distributed over 16 mm, suggestive of an intraneural injection. No signs of laceration or nerve damage were visible under 6× magnification in either group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ultrasound-guided approach for sciatic nerve injection demonstrated a higher success rate with superior injectate distribution when compared with the 'blind' approach. Ultrasound guidance is recommended over a 'blind' approach for sciatic nerve block in rats when possible.

A retrospective case-control study evaluating systemic blood pressure and heart rate in dogs with brain herniation under general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether increased systemic arterial blood pressure (ABP) and decreased heart rate (HR) under inhalant anesthesia were suggestive of the Cushing reflex (CR) in dogs with neurological diseases based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS: A sample of 137 client-owned dogs admitted to two veterinary teaching hospitals for diagnosis and patient care owing to suspected intracranial disease from 2005 to 2020. All dogs underwent general anesthesia for MRI of the brain. METHODS: Based on MRI study reports, dogs were divided into three study groups: group A, dogs with suspected brain herniation; group B, dogs with an abnormal MRI finding but without suspicion of herniation; and group C, dogs with structurally unremarkable brains (control). Initial evaluation by an anesthesiologist resulted in 58 cases selected for further review based on suspicion of having intracranial hypertension, as indicated by ABP and HR changes under anesthesia. Anesthetic records were randomized and independently reviewed by three board-certified anesthesiologists blinded to MRI diagnosis who allocated each dog into one of three groups: 1) likely to have CR; 2) unlikely to have CR; or 3) insufficient data for determination. RESULTS: Of the 58 cases evaluated, nine were considered likely to have CR and 48 were considered unlikely to have CR. In one case, the anesthesiologists were unable to determine whether CR occurred. Of the nine dogs with likely CR, three had an MRI diagnosis of intracranial herniation. The remaining six dogs suspected of CR belonged to the normal brain group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ABP and HR changes associated with CR are not reliably associated with brain herniation in dogs undergoing general anesthesia.

Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block in Wistar rat cadavers: Relevant anatomy and injection distribution.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of an ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block by describing the sonoanatomy and comparing the distribution of two volumes of bupivacaine dye solution for nerve staining. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, experimental, assessor-blinded cadaveric study. ANIMALS: A total of 40 adult female Wistar rat cadavers. METHODS: After studying the sonoanatomy of the sciatic nerve and adjacent structures using a high-resolution linear transducer (19-5 MHz), rat cadavers were randomly divided into two groups that were administered either 0.1 mL (group 0.1) or 0.2 mL (group 0.2) of bupivacaine dye solution per nerve, delivered via an in-plane technique. The extent of nerve staining was subsequently evaluated following dissection. Statistical analysis consisted of assessing data distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by paired t-tests for continuous data, Mann-Whitney U test and McNemar's test for categorical data. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: The sciatic nerve was identified bilaterally as a double ellipsoid-shaped image, surrounded by a hyperechoic fascia separating the biceps femoris from the adductor muscle. The hypoechoic structure formed by the bupivacaine dye solution around the nerve was effectively visualized using ultrasound imaging. Sciatic nerve staining was successfully achieved in all pelvic limbs, with dye spread of 4.82 ± 1.55 mm and 5.47 ± 2.18 mm in groups 0.1 and 0.2, respectively (p = 0.128). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study achieved a detailed understanding of the sonoanatomy of the sciatic nerve and its adjacent structures, highlighting the feasibility of the ultrasound-guided technique for injection in Wistar rats. Furthermore, the results show a comparable distribution of dye solution in both groups. Use of the ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block technique in rats not only exhibits substantial potential for regional anesthesia but also opens avenues for translational studies.

Effect of a single intravenous injection of branched chain amino acids on body temperature of cats undergoing general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a single intravenous injection of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) on body temperature in cats undergoing general anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, blinded, randomized, crossover, experimental study. ANIMALS: A total of 10 healthy adult cats (five female and five male). METHODS: Cats were anesthetized three times with three different treatments in a random order: 3 mL kg-1 lactated Ringer's solution (LRS), 100 mg kg-1 BCAAs (B100) or 200 mg kg-1 BCAAs (B200) solution immediately before induction of anesthesia. After induction, rectal temperature was measured every 5 minutes. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of blood glucose (BG) just before induction, at the end of the 90 minute period of anesthesia, and 24 hours after anesthesia induction. The differences between baseline and each subsequent rectal temperature, and BG measurements were analyzed. Areas under the curve (AUCs) for temperature differences were calculated for each animal for the anesthetic period (AUCT0-90). Parametric or nonparametric data were analyzed by one-way repeated measures anova or Friedman test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in AUCT0-90 between groups: 41.6 ± 7.7 for LRS, 43.4 ± 6.9 for B100 and 42.9 ± 7.5 for B200 (p = 0.368). No significant differences were observed in BG between groups at 90 minutes and 24 hours after anesthesia induction (p = 0.283 and p = 0.089, respectively). The incidence of hypoglycemia [BG ≤ 3.17 mmol L-1 (57 mg dL-1)] after anesthesia tended to be higher in both B100 (4/10 cats) and B200 groups (3/10 cats) than in LRS group (1/10 cats). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A single, preanesthetic intravenous injection of BCAAs did not attenuate heat loss during anesthesia. More cats were hypoglycemic in the BCAA groups than in the LRS group.

Veterinary students' attitudes toward anesthesiology as a specialty.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the perceptions of veterinary students interested in specialization regarding veterinary anesthesiology. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, multi-institutional, voluntary, anonymous, nonrandomized survey. POPULATION: Veterinary students (303 of 557 total respondents) from 10 veterinary schools. METHODS: Quantitative data were obtained via 5-point Likert scale questions about anesthesia-related topics. Open-ended questions were used to obtain qualitative data. A multivariate logistic regression model assessed the likelihood of choosing a career as an anesthesiologist. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between 'anesthesia is interesting' and other variables. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 14 (6%) indicated veterinary anesthesia as their chosen specialty. There was a significant positive relationship between 'anesthesia is interesting' and the following variables: age, enjoyment in anesthesia class, belief in the importance of anesthesia for their career, belief in the importance of analgesia for their career, belief that anesthesia and analgesia have a large impact on patient care, interest in pharmacology, interest in physiology, interest in learning technical skills, belief that anesthesiologists are respected by their colleagues and belief that anesthesiologists are an important part of the health care team. More weeks on the anesthesia clinical rotation was positively and significantly associated with increased rotation enjoyment. Enjoyment in the anesthesia class [p = 0.001, Exp(ß) = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-3.4] and belief that anesthesia is interesting [p = 0.013, Exp(ß) = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2-5.4] were predictors that respondents would be more likely to consider a career as a veterinary anesthesiologist. CONCLUSIONS: Those veterinary students with an interest in pharmacology and who enjoyed their anesthesia course were more likely to consider a career as a veterinary anesthesiologist. If students indicated no interest in specializing in veterinary anesthesia, they appreciated the value the specialty brings to animal care and believed that veterinary anesthesiologists are respected by their peers.

Concurrent versus delayed exposure to corticosteroids in equine articular tissues cultured with local anesthetic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of concurrent versus delayed treatment with corticosteroid on equine articular tissues also treated with local anesthetic in vitro in the presence of inflammatory mediators. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. ANIMALS: Five geldings, one mare (aged 3-18 years). METHODS: From each horse, 24 synovial and 12 osteochondral explants were cultured in a 12-well plate (2 wells/group, 2 synovial and 1 osteochondral explant/well, total 216 explants in the study). Explants were stimulated in culture medium with 10 µg/ml recombinant equine interleukin-1ß and 10 µg/ml tumor necrosis factor-α for 48 hours, then randomly assigned to six treatments: unstimulated control, stimulated control, triamcinolone acetonide (TA, 10-6  M), mepivacaine hydrochloride (MH, 4.4 mg/ml), MH + TA (concurrent) and MH + TA (delayed). The delayed group was treated with MH and, 6 days later, treated with TA. Every 3 days for 9 days total, medium levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were quantified via ELISA. Data were analyzed with mixed-effects models with Tukey's multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Stimulation increased medium PGE2 and MMP-13 and had no effect on LDH or GAG. Treatment with MH increased LDH and decreased PGE2 and MMP-13. Treatment with TA decreased PGE2 and MMP-13. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in cytotoxicity, inflammation or matrix degradation for delayed or concurrent MH and TA treatment groups up to 9 days in culture. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The lack of an effect of concurrent versus delayed treatment might indicate that concurrent therapy is acceptable.

Retrospective evaluation of acute hyperkalemia of unknown origin during general anesthesia in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report and characterize cases of acute hyperkalemia of unknown origin in dogs under anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentric retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Medical records of 19 client-owned dogs that developed acute hyperkalemia during anesthesia. METHODS: Anesthetic records of dogs developing acute hyperkalemia from January 2015 to December 2022 were evaluated. Data collected included demographics, duration of anesthesia until the episode, electrolytes and blood gas measurements, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, drugs used as part of the anesthetic protocol, hyperkalemia treatment and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 13 cases met the inclusion criteria with documented acute hyperkalemia with no apparent underlying cause during anesthesia. Dogs were [mean ± standard deviation (range)] 6.5 ± 5.0 (3-10) years old and weighed 18.0 ± 14.3 (5.1-40.0) kg. All dogs were administered dexmedetomidine and an opioid as part of the premedication. All dogs had inhalation anesthesia of >60 minutes' duration. The first clinical sign was bradycardia that was minimally responsive to anticholinergic administration and was often accompanied by moderate/severe hypotension. These signs were rapidly followed by ECG changes compatible with hyperkalemia and/or cardiac arrest. Rapid identification and treatment for hyperkalemia, with or without dexmedetomidine reversal, resulted in survival of 12 dogs and one fatality. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Unknown origin hyperkalemia is a life-threatening complication that can occur during general anesthesia. In healthy dogs, preanesthetic administration of dexmedetomidine in association with an opioid and followed by inhalation anesthesia of more than 1 hour duration may predispose to this complication. A sudden decrease in heart rate >90 minutes after dexmedetomidine administration, or ECG changes, may warrant measurement of blood potassium concentrations.

Echocardiographic and radiographic aortic remodeling in cats with confirmed systemic hypertension.

Systemic hypertension (SH) in cats may occur secondary to renal disease, hyperthyroidism, or idiopathic causes. Asymmetric dilation of the sinuses of Valsalva has been recognized in people with systemic hypertension as target organ damage (TOD). Aortic knob formation (lateral bowing of the aortic arch to proximal descending aorta on the posteroanterior/anteroposterior radiographic projection) is recognized as TOD in people due to SH. None of these changes have been reported in feline patients. The first objective of this retrospective case-controlled study was to compare echocardiographic changes in the aorta of 76 cats with systemic hypertension (SH) to those seen in 76 cats with normal blood pressure (NBP). Our second objective was to have blinded reviewers assess heart size and aortic shape and size from available thoracic radiographs of 49/76 cats with SH and 46/76 cats with NBP. A two-way unpaired t-test with significance set at alpha = 0.01 was used to evaluate aortic echocardiographic parameters. The mean of the aortic diameter and length of each aortic cusp was significantly larger in cats with SH than in cats with NBP. The aortic cusps were considered altered in size in 62 of 76 cats with SH, 12/62 ≥ with 0.5 mm, and 50/62 ≥ 1.0 mm. No significant difference in the vertebral heart score (VHS) was noted between groups. The aortic knob to lateral margin of the trachea in cats with SH had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 (95% CI:0.61-0.87) with best cutoff of 1.12 cm with sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 69%.

Specifications Grading in a Cardiovascular Systems Course: Student and Course Coordinator Perspectives on the Impacts on Student Achievement.

This study investigated students' and a course coordinator's perceptions about specifications (spec) grading in a cardiovascular systems course and assessed its effects on student performance. Spec grading was hypothesized to result in lower perceived student stress about the course, improved student performance, and less work for the course coordinator. The study used a mixed methods approach consisting of student pre-, peri-, and post-course surveys; student focus group interviews; analysis of student course evaluations; and course coordinator reflection. Participants were from a cross-section of one course in the veterinary professional curriculum. Results demonstrated significantly more A grades assigned to students than in the previous year's course, where traditional grading was used (p = .024). The focus group produced two primary themes: pros and cons. Pros included flexibility, student control over grades, generally lower perceived stress, opportunities to resubmit assignments, and more motivation to learn. Cons included confusion about the process, some disorganization, perceived higher workload for the professor, and communication concerns. The course coordinator's positive perceptions included students being less combative about grades than with the traditional system, students appreciating opportunities to resubmit assignments, and students demonstrating improved learning outcomes. Negative course coordinator perceptions were that reduced student stress was inconsistently achieved and that there was increased time commitment compared with traditional grading. Course evaluation themes included skepticism about spec grading in the beginning, varying stress experiences, improved learning, and increased workload. In conclusion, spec grading variably reduced student stress and did not result in less work for the course coordinator.

Specifications Grading for Veterinary Medicine.

Assigning grades in a traditional manner is often problematic: grades may or may not reflect actual student achievement, and students may base their self-worth on grades. Specifications (spec) grading claims to remedy these through a novel grading scheme. The scheme also purports to uphold high academic standards, reflect student learning, motivate students to focus on learning (rather than a grade), discourage cheating, reduce student stress, give students control over their grade, minimize conflict between students and faculty, save faculty time, make expectations clear, and facilitate higher-order learning. In spec grading, students must achieve 80% or higher to pass selected assignments, which include exams and quizzes, with the number and nature of assignments dictating the student's final letter grade for the course. Students may resubmit assignments until they pass. Implementing spec grading requires creating assignments, determining assignment bundles, and communicating the new scheme to students to set clear expectations. The purpose of this tip is to describe how to develop a course using spec grading for didactic and clinical applications.

Resident Selection Criteria in Veterinary Medicine.

With the continued rise of interest and need for veterinary specialists, information regarding optimal selection criteria for successful residency candidates has been lacking in veterinary medicine. A 28-question online survey was developed to determine prioritized resident selection criteria, the importance of formal interviews, and residency supervisor satisfaction with the current selection process. This survey was sent to all programs listed by the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP) for the 2019-2020 program year. Overall, the most important aspects of the residency application process were (1) letters of recommendation, (2) performance during the interview, (3) personal contact/recommendation from a colleague, (4) personal statement, and (5) demonstrated interest in the residency specialty. While measures of academic performance including GPA and veterinary class rank may play a role in sorting of candidates in more competitive specialties, this does not necessarily exclude them from the ranking process. This information should be helpful to candidates and program directors alike in understanding the success of the current residency candidate selection process.

Effect of Romanowsky-Stained Concentrated Preparations versus Direct Smears on Veterinary Students' Ability to Identify Bacterial Sepsis in Fluid Cytology Samples from Dogs, Cats, and Horses.

Veterinary students' accuracy, confidence, and time required to diagnose bacterial sepsis in fluid cytology samples was evaluated using two different slide preparation methods: direct smears and cytocentrifuged concentrated preparations. We hypothesized veterinary students would diagnose fluids as septic on concentrated preparations more accurately and quickly than on direct smears. Thirty third- and fourth-year students who had previously participated in a clinical pathology course completed a survey regarding general cytology experience and reviewed 40 randomized Romanowsky-stained slides via microscopy. Slides consisted of 10 septic and 10 non-septic samples with matched direct and concentrated slides, prepared from fluids from dogs, cats, and a horse. Participants' slide evaluation time, diagnosis, confidence, and slide photographs of areas considered septic were recorded. No difference in diagnostic accuracy between direct and concentrated samples was identified (area under the curve: 57% for both preparations, p = 0.77), although students agreed with pathologist-determined diagnoses more often when viewing concentrated samples (M = 63%, SD = 11% for concentrated; M = 56%, SD = 21% for direct, p = .012). A positive relationship existed between accuracy of diagnosis (R2 = .59) and senior status (p = .002), comfort interpreting cytology slides (p < .03), and if the student had taken the senior pathology rotation (p = .02). Only 38% (121/319) of participant photographs correctly identified sepsis. Under experimental conditions, concentrated preparations did not increase the accuracy of veterinary students' bacterial sepsis diagnosis; however, since accuracy did increase with cytology experience and comfort level, additional pre-clinical and clinical cytology training may benefit students before entering practice.

Ex vivo comparison of different thoracoabdominal stapler sizes for typhlectomy in canine cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of staple size on leakage pressure of typhlectomy sites in canine cadavers. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, experimental cadaveric study. ANIMALS: Twenty-four fresh canine cadavers. METHODS: Ileocecocolic segments were exteriorized following right paracostal laparotomy after euthanasia. Cecal base length and wall thickness were measured. Each cecum was randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (TA 30 V3 2.5 mm, TA 60 3.5 mm, and TA 60 4.8 mm). The cecal base was stapled and the cecum was removed. A 10 cm segment including the stapled cecal excision site was tested for initial leak pressure. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation body weights across the groups were 18.7 ± 6.1 kg, 16.2 ± 7.5 kg, and 14.2 ± 5.5 kg for the TA 30 V3 2.5 mm, TA 60 3.5 mm, and TA 60 4.8 mm groups, respectively (P = .48). There were no differences for mean cecal base length or wall thickness. Mean initial leak pressure (ILP) across groups was 182 ± 111 mmHg (TA 30 V3 2.5 mm), 112 ± 57 mmHg (TA 60 3.5 mm), and 77 ± 60 mmHg (TA 60 4.8 mm) (P = .78). CONCLUSION: Each stapler size that was evaluated resulted in a mean ILP in excess of typical intraluminal pressures under normal circumstances. There were no differences among groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this cadaveric study support the use of any of the stapler sizes evaluated in similarly sized dogs. A prospective study is needed to be able to correlate stapler size and clinical outcome.

Development of the Auburn Induction Scale for evaluating induction quality in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and begin establishing evidence for validity of an instrument to assess the quality of induction in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey and video scoring. ANIMALS AND POPULATION: A total of 51 veterinary anesthesia personnel, four board-certified anesthesiologists and videos of induction of anesthesia in 18 dogs. METHODS: In Part 1, an online survey was sent to veterinary anesthesia personnel to solicit expressions and words that they associate with induction of anesthesia. These expressions were evaluated by four anesthesiologists to create a composite scale (Auburn Induction Scale). In Part 2, 18 videos were reviewed by the same four anesthesiologists on two separate occasions. The videos were scored using the Auburn Induction Scale, a simple descriptive scale (SDS) and a visual analog scale (VAS). Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was measured using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The survey yielded 51 responses that were condensed into 133 expressions. The four anesthesiologists created 18 items incorporating the 133 expressions. The mean ± standard deviation intra-rater reliability ICC was 0.81 ± 0.08 for the Auburn Induction Scale, 0.71 ± 0.02 for the SDS and 0.71 ± 0.08 for the VAS for all raters. The mean ± standard deviation inter-rater reliability ICC was 0.69 ± 0.04 for the Auburn Induction Scale, 0.61 ± 0.05 for the SDS and 0.60 ± 0.06 for the VAS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In a research setting, widespread use of this scale may be helpful in increasing the accuracy of data and improving agreement between studies assessing induction of anesthesia in dogs. The results of this study have yielded a composite scale that is more reliable between and among raters than a unidimensional scale.

An observational thoracic radiographic study of aortic remodeling in dogs with confirmed systemic hypertension.

Sustained systemic hypertension (SH) has been shown to cause target organ damage to various tissues in dogs and cats, including the aorta. Aortic dilatation occurs most commonly secondary to SH in people and develops prior to an aortic aneurysm. Our hypothesis was that blinded reviewers could be trained to recognize variable alterations of aortic shape and size on thoracic radiographs of canine patients with SH. A retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was performed with three blinded reviewers evaluating thoracic radiographic images of 21 dogs with normal blood pressure compared to 145 dogs with system hypertension. Lateral radiographs showed variable aortic undulation and disproportionate enlargement of a portion of the aorta between the ascending and proximal descending aorta compared to the descending aorta just cranial to the diaphragm. On orthogonal projections, the aortic arch to proximal descending aorta bowed laterally similar to changes reported in people with the formation of an aortic "knob." After completing a training module, reviewers of the thoracic images had a 74% agreement with Fleiss' Kappa of 0.50 indicating moderate agreement recognizing SH changes to the thoracic aorta. The more experienced blinded reviewers had accuracies of 85% and 80% for identifying systemic hypertension, slightly better than the less experienced reviewer at 76%. The ratio of thoracic cavity width to aortic knob width was significantly different between the groups (median ratio 3.4 SH vs 4.1 normal). Evidence of target organ damage (TOD) to the thoracic aorta may prompt earlier recognition and treatment for systemic hypertension.

Examination of Motivational Influences on Clinical-Year Veterinary Students' Career Decisions.

The purpose of this study was to identify motivations for fourth-year veterinary students to choose future career paths based on post-graduation employment or post-graduation education. Approximately 500 students from four institutions were invited to participate in an online survey. Surveys were based on the cognitive evaluation theory, a minitheory within the self-determination macrotheory framework developed by Deci and Ryan. Intrinsic motivational factors were categorized by autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and extrinsic motivators were categorized by environmental and interpersonal factors. Students pursuing post-graduation education have intrinsic motivators that aligned with competence and were extrinsically motivated by a mentor, while students interested in post-graduation employment had intrinsic motivators that were more focused on autonomy with extrinsic motivational influences of debt/finances and geographic location.

Influence of osteochondrosis on the longevity and racing performance of standardbred trotters and pacers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of clinical osteochondrosis (OC) on the short-term (2, 3, and 4-year-old) and long-term racing performance and longevity of standardbred racehorses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Standardbred racehorses from a single breeding farm born between 2009 and 2017 that survived to racing age (n = 2711). Three hundred eighty-two (14%) horses were OC-affected (829 lesions confirmed arthroscopically during surgical treatment), and 2329 (86%) horses were nonaffected. METHODS: Racing performance data were obtained from an online database and evaluated with multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: Trotters were more likely than pacers to be affected by OC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.9, P = .006). Compared with nonaffected horses, long-term OC-affected horses had 8.8 fewer starts (95% CI = -14.4 to -3.2, P = .002), 1.0 fewer wins (95% CI = -1.9 to -0.1, P = .030), and 3.8 fewer total number of first through third place finishes (95% CI = -6.2 to -1.4, P < .0001). Nonaffected horses had longer careers compared with OC-affected horses, racing 0.32 years longer (95% CI = -0.52 to -0.12, P = .002). Osteochondrosis had no impact on short-term racing performance. Horses with lesions at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia or lateral trochlear ridge of the talus had decreased performance compared with horses without these lesions. CONCLUSION: Pacers were less likely than trotters to be affected by OC. Affected horses had fewer starts and shorter careers, despite early surgical intervention. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Osteochondrosis decreases long-term racing performance in racing standardbreds.

Scoping review of quality of anesthetic induction and recovery scales used for dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, describe and assess the level of validation of all instruments measuring quality of induction and recovery from anesthesia in dogs. DATABASES USED: A search was performed using the electronic database PubMed to find articles containing an induction quality scale, a recovery quality scale or both in dogs. Articles not directly accessible through PubMed were obtained through the Auburn University Library website and Google Scholar. The phrases 'induction scoring systems dogs', 'recovery scoring systems dogs', 'anesthetic induction score dogs', and 'anesthetic recovery score dogs' were used for searches using the 'best match search' function. The time frame searched was from 1980 to May 2020. The search was conducted from March 2020 to May 2020. CONCLUSIONS: A thoroughly tested and validated scale for measuring the quality of induction and recovery does not exist in the current veterinary literature. A large disagreement exists between studies on the use of induction and recovery scales, and many have reported inconsistent results with current instruments. It is recommended that an induction and recovery scale intended for wide-scale use be constructed and tested extensively for psychometric validation and reliability.

Echocardiographic changes in the shape and size of the aortic cusps in dogs with confirmed systemic hypertension.

Systemic hypertension (SH) in dogs typically occurs secondary to renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, malignant adrenal tumors, or various medications. Echocardiography performed on people with SH has shown asymmetric dilation of the sinuses at the level of the aortic valves, previously undescribed in canine patients. The objective of this retrospective case-control study was to determine if there was a difference in size and shape of the aortic cusps at the level of the sinus of Valsalva in dogs with SH compared to dogs with normal blood pressure. We reviewed echocardiographic findings in 74 dogs with SH and 37 dogs with normal blood pressure (NBP), defined as less than 150 mmHg. Systemic hypertension was classified as mild (150-159 mm Hg), moderate (160-179 mm Hg), or severe (greater than 180 mm Hg). There was a significant difference (P < .001) in the mean size of the aorta cusps at the level of the sinuses in 67 of 74 dogs with SH and none of 37 dogs with NBP. Of the 74 dogs with SH, 70 had left ventricular hypertrophy (18 asymmetric, 15 concentric, and 37 eccentric). Additionally, there was aortic root dilatation in 15 dogs, aortic insufficiency in 21, mitral regurgitation in 50, and left atrial enlargement in 71. The standard deviation of the three cusp measurements between the dogs with SH and dogs with NBP had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 97% for diagnosis of SH. Asymmetric size of the aortic cusps on echocardiography is therefore a reliable indicator of SH in dogs.

Nonparticipant Student Observation of Faculty Classroom Teaching.

Student evaluations are commonly used to evaluate teaching effectiveness. Nonparticipant observation uses individuals who are not a part of the learning process but rather are observers who can formulate observations about the teaching encounter, possibly with less bias than student evaluators. The purpose of this article is to analyze reports by inexperienced nonparticipant observers of faculty classroom teaching episodes. The hypothesis was that veterinary faculty have common characteristics in their classroom teaching that are observable by nonparticipant observers and that these are similar to characteristics observed historically by student evaluators. This study is a qualitative document analysis of written observations made by senior veterinary students attending pre-clinical classroom lectures by a faculty member. Each written report was analyzed using thematic concept analysis, and the researchers met multiple times throughout the process to discuss the analysis and develop conclusions about themes that were encountered consistently among observations. Common emergent themes included information formats, PowerPoint presentations, timing, organization, student engagement, and delivery. Nonparticipant observers may contribute valuable data that may enhance faculty development in pedagogy. Observations may serve to augment data from student evaluations, self-reflection, and peer assessment.