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To describe elevator-related injuries in dogs.Retrospective study, August 2015 to October 2020.Four urban referral and emergency veterinary facilities.Thirteen client-owned dogs presenting with injuries sustained while using an elevator.None.Thirteen dogs were treated for elevator-related injuries. The mean age of this population was 4.9 ± 4.1 years. Median body weight was 4.3 kg (range = 1.5-32 kg). Dogs in this study were significantly smaller than dogs presenting for all types of trauma during the same study period found in the Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry (VetCOT) (median = 14.5 kg, range = 0.1-141; P = 0.038). There was no difference in age between this study population and dogs presenting for trauma in the VetCOT registry (median = 4.2 years, range = 0.1-26.4, P = 0.7358). Nine dogs sustained a crush injury (69%), and 7 of these dogs received surgical intervention. Four dogs experienced leash entrapment in the elevator doors (31%), and none required surgical intervention. Two of these 4 dogs required inpatient hospital care. No deaths occurred in either group.Injuries that can be sustained by dogs in an elevator include crush injuries from doors closing on limbs or tails and injury due to leash entrapment in an elevator door. Many elevator-related injuries required surgical intervention, and recovery was often protracted. All dogs survived to hospital discharge in the present study, and none of the injuries in these dogs had serious long-term consequences.

To describe 4 canine cases of presumed zonisamide-induced blood dyscrasias.From 2007 to 2018 at Angell Animal Medical Center and from 2014 to 2019 at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 4 dogs presented with febrile neutropenia while being administered zonisamide. No septic focus was found on workup for any of the dogs, and the clinical signs were attributed to an idiosyncratic drug reaction. All WBC counts returned to normal with drug withdrawal, and all dogs survived.Presumptive zonisamide-induced blood dyscrasias are a rare complication that has not previously been reported in the veterinary literature.

Noninvasive blood pressure measurements are less accurate than direct measurements but arterial catheterization for direct blood pressure monitoring can be challenging especially in patients with a nonpalpable pulse. The purpose of this study is to describe a novel technique of locating the dorsal pedal arterial pulse using a portable ultrasonic Doppler for arterial catheter placement.Using the described technique in anesthetized dogs and cats with strong (n = 13) to weak dorsal pedal pulses (n = 6), the overall success rate of arterial puncture was 70% (19/27) with successful catheterization in 53% (10/19) of those. The overall success rate of arterial catheterization was 37% (10/27). The pulse strength did not significantly affect the success rate. Neither were patient weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and premedication significantly different between the 2 groups.This study describes a novel technique for locating the dorsal pedal artery for arterial catheterization. Having another technique of pulse detection may increase the likelihood of arterial catheter placement for direct blood pressure monitoring and aid in arterial puncture for obtaining a sample for blood gas analysis in critical patients.

To describe the signalment, dosing, adverse events, and patient diagnosis for dogs and cats admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) receiving tranexamic acid (TXA).Case series from 2018 to 2019.Private referral and primary care veterinary hospital.Two hundred and sixty-six dogs and 28 cats.None.Records of dogs and cats admitted to the CCU that received TXA were evaluated. A diagnosis was assigned to each patient based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases system. "Neoplasia" ([most frequently] hemangiosarcoma) (89/226 [39%]) and "diseases of the blood and blood forming organs" (idiopathic hemoabdomen, pericardial effusion) (78/226 [34%]) were the most common disease processes for which dogs received TXA. In cats, "diseases of the blood and blood forming organs" (idiopathic hemoabdomen) (9/28 [32%]), "neoplasia" (hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumor, carcinoma) (7/28 [25%]), and "injury, poisoning, or certain other consequences of external causes" (high-rise syndrome) (5/28 [17%]) were most common. One hundred and forty-eight dogs (65%) and 13 cats (46%) underwent an invasive procedure during hospitalization. Thirty percent (70/226) of dogs received a packed RBC (pRBC) transfusion. Administration of TXA before or after pRBC transfusion did not significantly affect median dose of pRBC administered (P = 0.808). The median IV dose of TXA was similar for dogs and cats at 10 mg/kg. One cat received a 10 times overdose of TXA and did not suffer any appreciable adverse effects. Adverse events were reported in 1.7% (4/226) of dogs including hypersalivation (3/226) and seizure (1/226) in a dog that received a cumulative dose of 280 mg/kg of TXA. Hypersalivation was the only adverse event reported in 3% (1/28) of cats.TXA is primarily utilized in critically ill dogs and cats diagnosed with neoplasia, bleeding disorders, and trauma at this institution. Adverse events were infrequent and largely mild.

OBJECTIVES To describe 2 cases of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in cats. To describe 2 unique clinical settings in which the disease occurs in cats, and to highlight the differences between GDV in cats and dogs. CASE SERIES SUMMARY Two neutered female Persian cats were presented for evaluation of respiratory distress. Initial physical examination revealed tachypnea, dyspnea, and a markedly distended and painful abdomen in both cats. Radiographs revealed a gas-dilated stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract in both cats but were only diagnostic for GDV in 1 case. Gastric dilatation-volvulus was confirmed during exploratory laparotomy and gastropexy was performed in each case. Both cats were successfully discharged from the hospital. NEW AND UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED Gastric dilatation-volvulus in cats is a rare event and appears to occur in 2 clinical settings: in combination with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (as previously reported) and without a history of trauma or diaphragmatic hernia, as in the 2 cases reported here. Clinicians should consider GDV in the list of differentials for cats with respiratory distress and abdominal distension, even if classic radiographic findings are not present.

Objective To describe the clinical features, clinicopathological features, treatment, and outcome of dogs presented for albuterol exposure. Design Retrospective case series from January 2007 to December 2017. Setting Tertiary veterinary facility. Animals Thirty-six client-owned dogs presenting for known or suspected albuterol exposure secondary to chewing on albuterol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). Interventions None. Measurements and main results All dogs presented with clinical signs attributable to albuterol exposure. The most common physical examination abnormality was sinus tachycardia, noted in 34 of 36 (94%) dogs. Twenty-seven patients (75%) were admitted to the hospital for therapy, with a median length of hospitalization of 20.5 hours (16.75-24.5). Thirty-two of 36 dogs had serum electrolytes evaluated at admission, with 22 of 32 (69%) presenting with hypokalemia ([K+] 2.80 mmol/L) was noted in 23 of 28 (82%) dogs. A negative correlation was found between serum lactate and potassium (r = -0.64, r2 = 0.40, P = 0.0003). Hyperglycemia ([glucose] > 6.44 mmol/L) was noted in 20 of 30 (67%) dogs. Beta antagonist therapy was utilized in 20 of 36 (56%) of dogs. Conclusions Although uncommon, albuterol intoxication can lead to significant clinical and electrolyte abnormalities. Albuterol-induced hypokalemia and associated tachyarrhythmias can be successfully managed, and albuterol intoxication has an excellent prognosis for survival to discharge. A minimum database should be evaluated in all dogs presenting for suspected albuterol exposure, with lactate and glucose monitored carefully in dogs with moderate or severe hypokalemia given the correlation found.

OBJECTIVES To document indications for fresh frozen plasma (FFP) use in cats, doses administered, and frequency of adverse transfusion reactions (ATR). DESIGN Retrospective observational study from January 2009 to November 2016. SETTING Large urban referral and emergency facility. ANIMALS One hundred twenty-one client-owned cats that received FFP. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Signalment, indication(s), dose, pre- and posttransfusion total plasma protein, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, as well as possible ATR, primary disease process, and outcome were recorded. Doppler blood pressure was increased posttransfusion (mean pre 99.5 ± 30.8 mm Hg; post 108.5 ± 32.5 mm Hg, P = .027). Cats were significantly less likely to be coagulopathic posttransfusion (P

Objective To evaluate bacterial isolates, antimicrobial drug susceptibility, and change in resistance among pre- and post-lavage culture samples in dogs with septic peritonitis. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Private practice referral hospital. Animals Forty client-owned dogs with confirmed septic peritonitis requiring surgical intervention. Interventions All dogs had perioperative abdominal lavage following source control with 200 to 300 mL/kg 0.9% sterile saline. Pre- and post-lavage aerobic and anaerobic culture samples were evaluated. Measurements and main results Thirty-five of 40 dogs (87.5%) survived to hospital discharge. The likelihood of an aerobic organism to have multidrug resistance (resistance to 3 or more antimicrobial classes) post-lavage was a third of that pre-lavage (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% CI [0.17-0.68], P = 0.01). Thirty-nine of 40 dogs (97.5%) received appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy based on pre- and post-lavage culture results, of which 5 (12.8%) did not survive to discharge. The single dog with inappropriate antimicrobial therapy survived to discharge. The most frequent isolates detected included Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Enterococcus faecalis. The same organism based on species was isolated in pre- and post-lavage cultures in 32 dogs, accounting for 59 anaerobic and aerobic isolates. There was a new bacterial isolate detected in 20 dogs, accounting for 46 isolates and an overall total decrease of 14 isolates between pre- and post-lavage culture (P = 0.09). Conclusions This study suggests that there is a significant decrease in the likelihood of isolating a multidrug resistant organism following peritoneal lavage, and aerobic and anaerobic culture results have the potential to change following peritoneal lavage, although this cannot be confirmed without further studies. Overall survival rates were higher than previously reported in the literature for septic peritonitis.

To describe 2 cases of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in cats. To describe 2 unique clinical settings in which the disease occurs in cats, and to highlight the differences between GDV in cats and dogs.Two neutered female Persian cats were presented for evaluation of respiratory distress. Initial physical examination revealed tachypnea, dyspnea, and a markedly distended and painful abdomen in both cats. Radiographs revealed a gas-dilated stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract in both cats but were only diagnostic for GDV in 1 case. Gastric dilatation-volvulus was confirmed during exploratory laparotomy and gastropexy was performed in each case. Both cats were successfully discharged from the hospital.Gastric dilatation-volvulus in cats is a rare event and appears to occur in 2 clinical settings: in combination with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (as previously reported) and without a history of trauma or diaphragmatic hernia, as in the 2 cases reported here. Clinicians should consider GDV in the list of differentials for cats with respiratory distress and abdominal distension, even if classic radiographic findings are not present.