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In dogs with diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we have identified electron microscopic changes suggestive of abnormal lysosomal accumulation of phospholipids and consistent with the appearance of drug-induced phospholipidosis in people and other animals. The objective of this study was to compare concentrations of urine di-docosahexaenoyl (22:6)-bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP), a biomarker of drug-induced phospholipidosis, in dogs with DCM eating high-pulse (HP) diets, dogs with DCM eating low-pulse (LP) diets, and healthy controls (control-HP and control-LP). METHODS In this cross-sectional study, voided urine was collected from client-owned dogs with DCM from September 2018 through March 2020. Urine di-22:6-BMP was measured by LC-MS-MS and normalized to urine creatinine. Normalized di-22:6-BMP concentrations were compared among groups using mixed-effects-model analysis. RESULTS 53 dogs were included: DCM-HP (n = 25), DCM-LP (n = 4), control-HP (n = 10), and control-LP (n = 14). Mixed-effects models adjusted for age and sex showed that HP diet was significantly associated with higher normalized urine di22:6-BMP concentrations. A 1-way ANOVA identified a significant difference among the 4 groups, with Tukey post hoc analysis showing that the DCM-HP group had significantly higher normalized urine di-22:6-BMP concentrations compared to the control-LP group. Normalized di-22:6-BMP concentrations were significantly positively correlated with diet pulse scores (r = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS High-pulse diets were significantly associated with higher normalized urine di-22:6-BMP concentrations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results support the possible presence of primary or secondary phospholipidosis in dogs with diet-associated DCM and provide a plausible mechanism for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: While sildenafil is commonly used in humans and dogs with cardiopulmonary disease, the literature on its use in cats is limited to single case reports or small case series of cats with congenital heart disease, primary respiratory disease, and parasitic disease, and limited information is available regarding the tolerability and adverse effects in cats. Given the significant benefits of sildenafil in other species, our goal was to evaluate the use of sildenafil in a larger population of cats with various cardiopulmonary diseases and to report on the tolerability and adverse effects. This retrospective study included 55 cats that received sildenafil for ≥24 h between 2009 and 2021. Forty-three cats had primary cardiac disease (acquired, n = 28; congenital, n = 15) and 12 had primary respiratory disease. Side effects possibly attributed to sildenafil included systemic hypotension (n = 1) and polydipsia (n = 1). Sildenafil was discontinued in the cat with hypotension and in three additional cats for lack of improvement in clinical signs. Median duration of sildenafil administration was 87 days (range, 2–2362 days). Sildenafil appeared to be generally well-tolerated in cats, but studies are needed to determine whether it improves the quality of life or survival times. Sildenafil is a drug used to successfully manage a variety of cardiopulmonary disorders in people and dogs, but there is limited information on its use in cats. The objective was to review the medical records of cats that received sildenafil as part of their clinical management. Medical records and pharmacy databases were searched for cats that received sildenafil for ≥24 h between 2009 and 2021, and data were collected from medical records. Fifty-five cats received sildenafil for ≥24 h and were included in the study: 43 with primary cardiac disease (acquired, n = 28; congenital, n = 15) and 12 with primary respiratory disease. Side effects possibly attributed to sildenafil were identified in two cats (systemic hypotension, n = 1; polydipsia, n = 1), and sildenafil was discontinued in the cat with hypotension. Sildenafil was discontinued in an additional three cats due to a lack of improvement in clinical signs. No cat was documented to develop worsening pulmonary edema within 72 h of starting sildenafil. Median duration of sildenafil administration was 87 days (range, 2–2362 days). Sildenafil administration in cats appeared to be generally well-tolerated. Studies are needed to determine whether sildenafil administration to cats with cardiopulmonary disease improves the quality of life or survival times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reading skills are an important component of academic success for school-age youth, and are associated with increased academic performance and positive attitudes about school. The presence of an animal appears to reduce stress during reading. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess the feasibility and effects of a 6-week after-school canine-assisted reading program in a public elementary school setting. Second-grade students were randomized to either an intervention group (n = 14) in which they read to a registered therapy dog for 30 min once weekly for 6 weeks or a control group (n = 14) with a standard classroom curriculum. Children's reading skills were assessed biweekly and attitudes about reading were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The 6-week after-school canine-assisted reading program was feasible. Reading skill scores did not change significantly for either group. Although scores on recreational reading attitudes also did not change significantly for either group, the academic reading attitudes scores increased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.002), but not in the control group (p = 0.06). These results support the benefits of an animal-assisted intervention for child literacy on children's attitudes about reading and can inform future programs evaluating reading programs that include dogs.

Background: Apparently healthy dogs of various breeds eating nontraditional, high‐pulse diets can have larger left ventricular diameter, lower systolic function, and more ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) compared with dogs eating traditional, low‐pulse diets. It is unknown whether Irish Wolfhounds eating high‐pulse diets have similar cardiac abnormalities. Hypothesis/Objectives: To compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings between Irish Wolfhounds eating high‐ or low‐pulse diets. Animals: Ninety‐seven Irish Wolfhounds. Methods: Retrospective study of Irish Wolfhounds that had echocardiography performed at dog shows between October 2018 and May 2021. Demographic information, echocardiographic measurements, cardiac rhythm (1‐minute lead II rhythm strip), and main diet were recorded retrospectively. Diets were classified as high‐pulse or low‐pulse based on the presence and location of pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas, or dry beans) on the ingredient list. Results: Thirty‐five of 97 Irish Wolfhounds (36%) were eating high‐pulse diets and 62 of 97 (64%) were eating low‐pulse diets. There were no significant differences between diet groups in echocardiographic measurements. A significantly higher percentage of dogs in the high‐pulse diet group (6/35 [17%]) had VPCs compared with those in the low‐pulse diet group (1/62 [2%]; effect size = 0.15 [95% confidence interval: 0.004‐0.31]; P =.005). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In this retrospective study of apparently healthy Irish Wolfhounds, high‐pulse diets were associated with a higher prevalence of VPCs which could represent early cardiac abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the persistent challenges in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is increasing interest, learning, and retention, particularly with regard to girls and students in underserved areas. Educational curricula that promote process and content knowledge development as well as interest and engagement in STEM are critical in supporting student success and pathways to careers in STEM-related fields. One new and innovative method for promoting STEM learning is animal-based curricula, which can provide the opportunity to introduce students to science and engineering principles in an active, engaging way that promotes an optimal learning environment. The goal of this study was to pilot test the effectiveness of animal-based curricula in motivating middle-school students' interest in science and engineering, as a gateway to them learning more broadly about science and engineering careers. The present study used data from two veterinary medicine-based out-of-school time STEM programs for middle school students. Students in both programs reported a significant increase in scores on interest in engineering after completing the program, but no significant difference in science interest scores. The findings from these pilot data provide exploratory information about the potential effectiveness of animal-based STEM education as a strategy for increasing interest in STEM careers for middle school students.

Reading assistance dogs can be incorporated into reading programs to increase a child's desire and ability to read. However, more data is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of such programs. A 5-week reading assistance dog program was implemented to assess feasibility and effectiveness. Participants included 18 children entering the 2nd grade (nine assigned to read to dogs and nine assigned to read without dogs present). Fifteen children completed the study (nine in the dog group and six in the control group; p = 0.058). To detect changes in reading ability and in attitudes toward reading, a Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) for reading and an Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (ERAS) was given at Week 0 and Week 5. There were no significant differences over the course of the study in ERAS scores for the dog group, but the control group had significant reductions in the ERAS academic score (p = 0.04). There was a numerically larger but not statistically different reduction in CBM in the control group compared to the dog group (p = 0.16). Further studies are warranted to determine if these trends represent statistically significant effects of reading assistance dog programs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of cardiac cachexia on the metabolomic profile in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). ANIMALS: 3 groups of dogs with MMVD enrolled between November 30, 2018, and April 7, 2022: (1) Dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) and cachexia (CHF-cachexia group; n = 10); (2) dogs with CHF that had no cachexia (CHF-no cachexia group; n = 10); and (3) dogs with asymptomatic disease (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine [ACVIM] Stage B2) with no cachexia (B2 group; n = 10). METHODS: Metabolomic profiles were analyzed from serum samples using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectroscopy. Dogs in the 3 groups were compared, with statistical significance defined as P < .05 with a low false discovery rate (q < .10) and nominal statistical significance defined as P < .05 but q > .10. RESULTS: Numerous metabolites were significantly (n = 201) or nominally significantly (n = 345) different between groups. For example, when comparing the CHF-cachexia vs CHF-no cachexia groups, lipids were the predominant metabolite differences, including many medium- and long-chain dicarboxylates and dicarboxylate acylcarnitines. For comparisons of the CHF-cachexia vs B2 groups and the CHF-no cachexia vs B2 groups, amino acids, nucleotides, and cofactors/vitamins were the predominant metabolite differences. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Some significant metabolite differences were identified between dogs with and without cardiac cachexia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There are ongoing investigations into diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, but there has been minimal investigation into possible diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. The objective of this study was to compare cardiac size and function, cardiac biomarkers and taurine concentrations in healthy cats eating high- vs low-pulse diets. We hypothesized that cats eating high-pulse diets would have larger hearts, lower systolic function and higher biomarker concentrations than cats eating low-pulse diets and that there would be no difference in taurine concentrations between the diet groups. Methods: Echocardiographic measurements, cardiac biomarkers, and plasma and whole-blood taurine concentrations were compared between cats eating high- and low-pulse commercial dry diets in a cross-sectional study. Results: There were no differences between the high- (n = 21) and low-pulse (n = 31) diet groups with regard to age, sex and breed, but more cats in the high-pulse group were overweight or obese (67% vs 39%; P = 0.05). Diet duration was not different in the groups, but the range was wide (6–120 months). No differences were found between the diet groups for key cardiac measurements, biomarker concentrations, or plasma or whole-blood taurine concentrations. However, there were significant negative correlations between diet duration and measures of left ventricular wall thickness in the high-pulse, but not the low-pulse, diet group. Conclusions and relevance: This study did not detect significant associations between high-pulse diets and cardiac size, function and biomarkers, but the secondary observation of significant negative correlations between time on high-pulse diets and left ventricular wall thickness warrants further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article from the Canadian Medical Association Journal discusses the challenges faced by people who use wheelchairs when accessing healthcare. It highlights the importance of physicians reflecting on their attitudes and beliefs to mitigate bias and discrimination. The article emphasizes the need for structural changes in healthcare settings to ensure universal accessibility and equitable access to care for individuals with disabilities. Staff are encouraged to interact respectfully with patients who use wheelchairs and to create accessible environments in clinical settings. [Extracted from the article]

Background: There has been a recent association between nontraditional diets and development of diet‐associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives: To compare echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers between healthy dogs eating nontraditional vs traditional diets. We hypothesized that dogs eating nontraditional diets would have lower measures of systolic myocardial performance compared to dogs eating traditional diets. Animals: Forty‐six healthy dogs: 23 eating nontraditional diets and 23 eating traditional diets. Methods: Prospective, cross‐sectional study. Dogs were divided into groups based on diet ingredients. Dogs underwent 2‐dimensional (2D), 3‐dimensional (3D), and Doppler echocardiographic examinations and analysis of plasma N‐terminal prohormone of B‐type natriuretic peptide, serum cardiac troponin I, and whole blood and plasma taurine concentrations. Results: Mean 2D ejection fraction (EF) was lower for dogs eating nontraditional diets (48.65 ± 7.42%) vs dogs eating traditional diets (56.65 ± 4.63%; P <.001; mean difference 8.0% [4.0%‐12.0%] 95% confidence interval [CI]). Mean 3D EF was lower for dogs eating nontraditional diets (45.38 ± 7.35%) vs dogs eating traditional diets (57.58 ± 4.84%; P <.001; 12.0% [8.0%‐16.0%] 95% CI). Mean 2D left ventricular end‐systolic volumes, indexed to body weight, were significantly higher in dogs eating nontraditional diets (1.46 ± 0.08 mL/kg) vs dogs eating traditional diets (1.06 ± 0.08 mL/kg; P =.002; 0.4 mL/kg [0.18‐0.62 mL/kg] 95% CI). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets had lower indices of systolic function and larger left ventricular volumes compared to dogs eating traditional diets. Screening of apparently healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets might allow for early detection of diet‐associated DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ileocecocolic junction (ICJ) resection on gastrointestinal signs, biochemical parameters, and nutritional variables in dogs and cats. ANIMALS: 20 dogs and 15 cats that underwent ICJ resection between January 2008 and June 2020. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs and cats that underwent ICJ resection were reviewed, and clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities, and nutritional information were obtained. Additional follow-up information was obtained by contacting primary care veterinarians or owners. A subset of dogs (n = 6) and cats (2) were evaluated in the hospital via clinical examination, clinicopathologic testing, nutritional testing, and abdominal ultrasound. RESULTS: Twenty dogs and 15 cats underwent resection of the ICJ for treatment of a variety of conditions. Ten of 20 dogs (50%) and 11/15 cats (73%) were reported by their owners to have a good long-term outcome based on the lack of long-term gastrointestinal signs or the ability to control gastrointestinal signs with diet and supplements alone. Despite owner-reported good outcomes, long-term diarrhea, weight loss, and muscle loss were common. Of the 6 dogs evaluated in the hospital, 3/6 (50%) had muscle loss, 2/6 (33%) had low taurine concentrations, and 1 dog each had low cobalamin, folate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and ionized calcium. Neither of the 2 cats evaluated in the hospital had nutritional abnormalities identified. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Owners should be informed of the possibility of long-term gastrointestinal clinical signs and the potential need for long-term nutritional management after ICJ resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]